Sony/ATV Tops Publisher Airplay Charts

Sony/ATV dominated Billboard’s Publisher Airplay Charts for the third quarter, with 25.7 percent of U.S. radio airplay from July 1 to Sept. 30. It is the first time EMI Music Publishing’s catalog has counted toward the tally of new owner Sony/ATV, resulting in a significant lead over second place finisher Kobalt, which scored 17.5 percent of all-genre airplay. If Sony/ATV and EMI were not combined, Kobalt would have likely ranked No. 1 on the overall chart.

Sony/ATV also slid into first place on the Top 10 Country Publisher Airplay Chart with 23.4 percent market share. Following were Warner/Chappell with 11.7 percent, and Universal Music Publishing with 9.6 percent.

The indies who made the list are worth noting, including Words and Music (No. 4 with 7.7%), Big Loud Bucks (No. 6 with 4.2%), Cal IV (No. 7 with 3.5%), and Wrensong (No. 10 with 1.8%).

Other majors in the Country Top 10 were BMG Chrysalis (No. 5 with 5.9%), Kobalt (No. 8 with 2.5%) and ole (No. 9 with 1.9%).

The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) prepares the charts from information in its comprehensive database, which determines a publisher’s share of a song. A publisher is defined as an administrator, copyright owner and/or controlling party. The charts are based upon airplay information provided by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. For the Country charts, percentage calculations are based upon the overall top 100 detected songs from 221 U.S. Country radio stations. The chart is in Billboard’s Nov. 24 issue.

House of Hassle Publishing Gets Nashville Office

House of Hassle Publishing, which has offices in New York City and on the West Coast, has opened a new office in Nashville, led by Lynn Gann. The Nashville operation will be focused on plugging House of Hassle songs and artists, as well as pairing House of Hassle writers with Music City’s local talent.

House of Hassle Publishing also recently signed a number of writers to publishing deals, including rockers Zach Schwartz (of Rogue Wave and Release The Sunbird), Menomena, Lucero, Two Gallants, Paul Banks (of Interpol), and Grizzly Bear.

“These are exciting times for House of Hassle,” says Sarah Smith, head of House of Hassle’s West Coast operations. “We’re very proud of our roster, and these new signings take the company to the next level. We feel more than ever that we’re in a great position to attract special opportunities for our artists as we begin this next phase of business.”

These newly signed writers join a solid roster of songwriters under the House of Hassle umbrella: Black Lips, Sharon Van Etten, Mates of State, The War on Drugs, Jennifer O’Connor, Ra Ra Riot, The Tallest Man on EarthSuperchunk, Tortoise, Antietam, Trans Am, Red House Painters, Vivian Girls, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, and Black Mountain/Pink Mountaintops.

House of Hassle was borne from a union between Ken Weinstein‘s Big Hassle Media and Bank Robber Music, a boutique TV/film licensing firm representing multiple labels in independent rock.

Industry Pics (12/6/2012)

CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented a crystal gavel to outgoing CMA Chairman Gary Overton (Sony Entertainment Nashville Chairman and Chief Executive Officer), and a crystal globe to incoming CMA Chairman Troy Tomlinson (President and Chief Executive Officer of Sony/ATV Music Publishing), to recognize their volunteer service to the CMA Board of Directors. The presentations were made during the annual CMA membership meeting in Nashville.

(l-r): Gary Overton, Steve Moore, Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Christian Bottorff/ CMA

•••

Chris Keaton of Chris Keaton Presents recently signed new artist Emily Minor. North Carolina native Minor is currently touring the southeast in support of her self titled debut EP.

(l-r): Emily Minor, Chris Keaton. Photo: Alan Mayor

•••

Bob Saporiti, General Manager at Savannah Music Group, was the guest speaker during SOURCE’s monthly members luncheon. The event was held at ASCAP’s Nashville offices. SOURCE is a nonprofit invitation-only organization unifying women executives who work in all facets of the Nashville Music Industry.

(l-r): Lainie Allbee (SOURCE President), Bob Saporiti (Savannah Music Group), Denise Fussell (Fussell Graphics). Photo: Wendy Crosby

 

 


CMA Elects New Board of Directors

Troy Tomlinson

The CMA announced Thursday (Dec. 6) the new Board of Directors. For the first time, the CMA conducted the Board of Directors election online. Appointments take effect Jan. 1.

Gary Overton, Sony Music Entertainment Nashville Chairman and CEO, completes his term as Chairman of the CMA Board, while current CMA Board President Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, assumes that post. President Elect, Ed Hardy, President of Great American Country (GAC), becomes President of the Board, and Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy, Inc., has been named President-elect. John Esposito, President Warner Music Nashville, will become the new Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.

“It has been both a pleasure and a learning experience for me to serve alongside Gary over this past year,” Tomlinson said via a statement. “I look forward to working with Ed as he takes on his new role as President and we begin another exciting year for CMA.”

“I am proud, and deeply honored to have been selected by my peers in the Country Music industry for a leadership position on the CMA Board of Directors,” said Hardy. “I have enjoyed working under Gary Overton’s leadership, look forward to working with and learning from Troy Tomlinson and with Steve Moore and his talented team this next year to continue to grow the Country Music industry and genre to new levels.”

2013 CMA Directors and Directors-At-Large
Directors By Membership Category

Ed Hardy

Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year term, are followed by newly-elected Directors indicated in bold.

Advertising Agency/PR/Marketing
Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GreenRoom PR
Jeff Walker, The AristoMedia Group

Affiliated
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Steve Buchanan, Grand Ole Opry Group

Artist
Luke Bryan
Kix Brooks, Don’t Miss This, LLC

John Esposito

Broadcast Programming and Air Talent
Blair Garner, After Midnite with Blair Garner, Premiere Networks
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications, Portland, OR

Composer
Brett James, Cornman Music
Tom Douglas, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Entertainment Services
Stacey Schlitz, Schlitz Law
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready, &
McCarthy, Inc.

International
Bob Shennan, BBC, London
Rob Potts, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Five Dock,
Australia

Frank Bumstead

Music Publisher/PRO
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Jody Williams, BMI

Musician
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc.
Kenny Greenberg

Personal Manager
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company
Clarence Spalding, Spalding Entertainment

Producer/Engineer/Studio
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music

Radio Management
Clay Hunnicutt, Clear Channel Communications
Natalie Conner, Vice President/General Manager, WXTU,
Philadelphia, Penn.

Record Company
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville

Talent Agent
Rob Beckham, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment,
LLC

Talent Buyer/Promoter
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group, LLC

Television/Video/Media
Ed Hardy, Great American Country
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck

Venue
Sally Williams, The Ryman Auditorium

Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny
Ralph Peer II, peermusic

Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, Washington, D.C.
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Directors at Large:
Charlie Anderson, Anderson Media Corporation, Knoxville, Tenn.
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists, Seattle, Wash.
Randy Chase, Cox Media Group, San Antonio, Texas
Pat Collins, SESAC
Charlie Cook, West Virginia Radio Corp., Morgantown, W.Va.
Jay DeMarcus, Rascal Flatts
Bob DiPiero, Love Monkey Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Tim DuBois, Tim DuBois Entertainment
Ann Edelblute, XIX Entertainment
Kerri Edwards, Red Light Management
Ted Ellis, CMT Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Randy Goodman
John Hamlin, CMT – Country Music Television
Mark Hamilton, iTunes, San Bruno, Calif.
Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music
Clint Higham, Morris Artists Management Group
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Jan Jeffries, Cumulus Media, Chicago, Ill.
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media, Dallas, Texas
Michael Knox, Music Knox, LLC. and peermusic Nashville
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management
Daren Lashinsky, National Shows 2
Ken Levitan, Vector Management
Luke Lewis
Jon Loba, Broken Bow Records
John Marks, Sirius XM Satellite Radio
Deb McDermott, Young Broadcasting
Kevin Neal, Buddy Lee Attractions
Gary Overton, Sony Music Nashville
Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment
John Paul, Dial Global Radio Networks, Englewood, Colo.
Brian Philips, CMT – Country Music Television
David Ross, BossRoss Media
Victoria Shaw, Victoria Shaw Songs
Mike Vaden, Decosimo Vaden
Larry Vallon, AEG Live, Los Angeles, Calif.
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar, Chicago, Ill.

Big Yellow Dog Music Adds VP, Creative

Big Yellow Dog Music has hired longtime publisher Brad Kennard as Vice President, Creative.

“Brad brings a great passion and enthusiasm for songwriters and we welcome him into the BYD HOUSE!” says Carla Wallace, GM of Big Yellow Dog Music.

He will start in the role on Monday (Dec. 10). Kennard was most recently Vice President at Full Circle Music. He also spent six years with producer Byron Gallimore at Violator Nashville Artist Management and at Red Vinyl Music. His career includes time at Curb Music Publishing, Creative Director at Carnival Music Publishing, and General Manager for Song Garden Publishing.

 

BMLG Promotes Sandi Spika Borchetta, Announces Two Hires

Sandi Spika Borchetta

Big Machine Label Group has promoted Sandi Spika Borchetta to the position of Senior Vice President, Creative. Since the company’s inception more than seven years ago, she has overseen the creative vision for the group’s three imprints, Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville. In her new role, Borchetta will continue leading design elements for album and single-related projects, as well as various tour performances, award shows, red carpets and more.

“It is an honor to be recognized in this way for a job that is always inspiring and artistically challenging,” said Borchetta. “It’s a fabulous opportunity to work with talented artists and equally talented co-workers daily. The excitement and energy level at our record label is at an all-time high.”

“Every day it is evident to me how passionate Sandi is in her work for this company,” said BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “Her creative vision for BMLG has played a key role in our success over the past seven years. I am so honored to be able to call her my wife, and now SVP of one of our fastest-growing departments within the company.”

•••

 

Tali Giles, Photo: Ivan Clow, BMLG

Big Machine Music has added Tali Giles in the newly created position of Publishing Coordinator. Giles will assist in all aspects of daily creative operations. Big Machine Music’s songwriters include The Valory Music Co. artist Justin Moore, Republic Nashville artist Greg Bates, Broken Bow artist Dustin Lynch, Sunny Sweeney, Don Poythress and Aaron Scherz.

“On behalf of our whole team, we are excited to have Tali join Big Machine Music. Her experience with songwriters and Nashville’s creative community will be a tremendous asset to the company,” said Big Machine Music Vice President Mike Molinar.

Most recently, Giles served as Membership Director at the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Her previous music industry experience includes work as a Creative/Administrative Assistant at Full Circle Music and internships at Full Circle Music Publishing, Killen Music Group and Lyric Street Records. Giles is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

Giles will report to Molinar and Martha Earls. She can be reached at tali.giles@bigmachinemusic.com.

•••

Ashley Sidoti

Ashley Sidoti has been added as Promotion Coordinator at The Valory Music Co. Sidoti will assist the label’s radio promotion staff and artist roster, which includes Reba, The Mavericks, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett.

Sidoti, a Belmont University graduate, interned with Big Machine Label Group in 2008. She formerly served as a Creative Assistant with Better Angels Music and as a Client Manager for Harris Business Management.

“Ashley learned a lot during her internship with The Valory Music Co. and she returns with that knowledge and a great passion for music. Her personality and creativity make her a great addition to the team,” commented George Briner, VP of Promotions for The Valory Music Co.

Sidoti can be reached at 615-574-7827 or via ashley.sidoti@valorymail.com.

 

Industry Photos (12/4/2012)

Lady Antebellum was honored with the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award, formerly the International Touring Artist Award during the trio’s press conference Monday (12/3) announcing LadyAID. The award, presented by CMA’s Steve Moore, recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the U.S. The “Need You Now” trio has performed in 11 countries with recognitions from the CCMA (Canada), Brit Awards (UK), CMC Music Awards (Australia) and Juno Awards (Canada).

Pictured (L-R): Hillary Scott, Moore, and Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood. Photo: Donn Jones

••••

BMG Chrysalis Nashville has signed artist/writer Hailey Steele to an exclusive songwriter agreement. Steele is a cowriter on Raelynn’s upcoming Republic Nashville single, “Boyfriend,” and was a previous contestant on The Voice.

BMG Chrysalis signs Hailey Steele. Pictured (L-R) Seated: Sara Johnson (Sr. Director, Creative), Hailey Steele, Tyler Middleton (atty., Graffam Middleton). Standing: Darrell Franklin (Executive VP), Scott Knabe (Scott Knabe Management), and BMI's Bradley Collins. Photo: Drew Maynard

 ••••

The ACM welcomed Jason Sturgeon as a professional member of the organization. He visited the ACM offices recently during a trip to Los Angeles and performed current single, “Time Bomb.” Click here to watch a video of the visit.

Pictured (L-R): Michelle Goble (Membership & Industry Relations), Jason Sturgeon, Dennis Kurtz (Showgun Ent.). Photo: Michel Bourquard

Disney Music Publishing Inks Melissa Peirce

Disney Music Publishing, Nashville has signed Melissa Peirce to its growing writer roster in a partnership deal between Disney Music Publishing and Pat Higdon’s Patrick Joseph Music.

Peirce says, “Pat and (Disney Music Publishing Vice President) Kos Weaver are two of the most respected song men and publishers in Nashville. Getting to work with them both, along with Barbara VanderLinde, Mio Vukovic, and the rest of Disney is a dream publishing home, and I feel very lucky to be a part of their team.”

Peirce is a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and has written on albums that have collectively sold over 10,000,000 units. Her songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Joss Stone, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Eli Young Band, Randy Montana and John Paul White (The Civil Wars), among others. Peirce has written two Top 10 singles including David Nail’s “Red Light” and Reba’s “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain,” both earning numerous awards. She also co-penned Eli Young Band’s current chart climbing single, “Say Goodnight.”

(L-R): standing: Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music; Kos Weaver; Austen Adams, Crownover Blevins, PC; seated: Melissa Peirce

 

Jimmy Ritchey Signs With BMG Chrysalis

Picture (l-r): Darrell Franklin, Exec. Vice President, BMG Chrysalis; Jimmy Ritchey; and Sara Johnson, Sr. Dir., Creative, BMG Chrysalis

Hit singer-songwriter and producer Jimmy Ritchey recently signed an exclusive agreement with BMG Chrysalis.

Ritchey co-wrote Jake Owen‘s No. 1 hit, “The One That Got Away,” with Owen and Dallas Davidson. Ritchey’s producer credits include newcomer Greg Bates, Owen, Clay Walker and Mark Chesnutt.

Additional writing credits for Ritchey include “Startin’ With Me” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” both hits recorded by Owen, and “I Gotta Get To You,” which was a hit for George Strait.

Exclusive: Songwriters Make A Stand in Washington

Performing at the press conference. (L-R): BC Jean, Kara DioGuardi, Lee Thomas Miller, Linda Perry, and Desmond Child.

NSAI President/hit songwriter Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Exec. Director Bart Herbison represented songwriters and music publishers at a hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday (11/28) about the controversial Internet Radio Fairness Act. Following the hearing, they called MusicRow to report on the day’s events.

The bill would change the royalty rates paid by non-interactive online streaming radio services, such as Pandora. The company, and others like it, are seeking a lower rate, which they argue would spur digital music innovation. Most music industry organizations and trade groups oppose the bill, including SoundExchange, RIAA, the Recording Academy, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, NSAI and NMPA. More on the background here.

“The bill at hand deals with payment to the record companies, but [Pandora and other internet radio services] have also sued the P.R.O.s to lower the rates paid to songwriters and publishers,” explained Miller. “We were here to arm lawmakers with information about songwriters before the hearing.

“You can argue all you want about how to split up this pie, but remember we [songwriters] created 100 percent of this product. There was nothing and we made it up out of thin air.” Referencing the numerous jobs that surround music production, including careers at record labels, publishing companies, CD packaging, distribution and digital music, he continued, “Everybody else is trafficking in goods that we made. As you devalue the product, jobs go away in an already fragile industry. It’s ludicrous to go into the digital world with an assault to further devalue what is already being unfairly compensated.”

Miller performed alongside Kara DioGuardi, Linda Perry, Desmond Child, and BC Jean at the press conference, hosted by NMPA and NSAI, prior to the hearing.

“We played five songs, one each, and it was very well received,” Miller continued. “We played huge hits and explained to the press that the five songs had won multiple awards. In the last quarter, they collectively had 33 million spins on internet radio, and collectively we were paid $500. It was very powerful. I pointed out that I’m not famous, I don’t sell concert tickets or have another income stream. I write songs and I’m dependent on the royalties to raise a family. We wanted those in attendance to understand the rate internet radio is currently paying, before they went into the hearing and heard Pandora complain about unfair rates. We put a face with the creation.”

Herbison explained, “[Songwriters and publishers] get paid from a share of the ad revenue that is on the free part of Pandora [and there aren’t many ads]. I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I’ve never felt such emotion as was in that room today, based on those songs. Even some of the articles written by the tech industry today were some of the fairest I’ve seen. If the argument is that new technology gets preferential treatment on the price they have to pay for the creative product they’re distributing—that’s not what history shows. Thomas Edison put a needle to a wax cylinder and records were born and fair rate was set. Then radio came along and a fair rate was set.” He said he sensed fatigue among lawmakers, who have been asked to restructure rates several times since the dawn of the digital age. As for this bill, he added, “the next step depends on whether or not members of Congress reintroduce the legislation next year. It was a good day for songwriters and their side was presented fairly.”