BREAKING: Kos Weaver Exits BMG Nashville

Kos Weaver

BMG Nashville Executive VP Kos Weaver has exited the company as part of a reorganization, MusicRow has confirmed. Also exiting are three BMG support staffers; the move does not affect staff at BBR Music Group, or BMG’s royalties/copyright teams located in Nashville.

Weaver joined BMG in 2013, overseeing Nashville operations for BMG Publishing and Records, with a roster that has included Alabama, Brett Beavers, busbee, Clare Dunn, Danny Gokey, Hilary Lindsey, Buddy Miller, JD Souther and Jon Paul White.

Weaver’s career has also included VP roles at Disney Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

“Kos’s success over the past years speaks for itself and we wish him well,” BMG says in a statement. “Nashville is a major growth market for BMG. The restructuring is consistent with our ongoing US strategy—maintaining our core strength and position in publishing while increasing our investment in writer-performers (case in point: Lewis Capaldi going to Number One in the US). We are now extending that approach to Nashville and it requires a different skillset and experience, hence the reorganization.”

UMPG Nashville Inks Deal With Justin Ebach

Pictured (L-R): Terry Wakefield, Cyndi Forman, Zach Lund, Missy Roberts, Justin Ebach, Troy Tomlinson, Ron Stuve, Travis Gordon. Photo: UMPG Nashville

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has entered into a global publishing agreement with award-winning songwriter Justin Ebach.

Ebach, who was named SESAC’s 2017 Songwriter of the Year, has earned four No. 1 songs including “Good Girl” by Dustin Lynch, “Here Tonight” and “Sleep Without You” by Brett Young, and “Singles You Up” by Jordan Davis. Other artists including Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Dan + Shay, Jimmie Allen, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Maddie & Tae have also recorded his songs.

Missy Roberts, Senior Creative Director at UMPG Nashville said, “Ebach has quickly become one of Nashville’s premiere multi-genre writer-producers. His work ethic and drive are second to none. We could not be more honored that he chose to bring his immense talents to UMPG.”

Ebach added, “I am extremely excited about this new partnership with UMPG. Missy Roberts has been someone I’ve admired as a publisher for many years. Troy Tomlinson taking over leadership really confirmed that UMPG is where I want to be in this new creative season.”

Ashley Gorley Reigns For 13th Week On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

Ashley Gorley remains at the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, for his thirteenth consecutive week. Zach Crowell remains at No. 2, while Laura Veltz moves into the No. 3 spot.

Luke Combs and Josh Osborne move up into No. 4 and No. 5 this week, while Blanco Brown shifts down to No. 7.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Ian Christian Inks Publishing Deal With Kobalt, Still Working Music

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Fleckenstein (General Manager & COO, SWM), Evyn Mustoe Johnston (Director, ASCAP), Sara Beal (Publishing Director, SWM), Alex Orbison (Co-President, SWM), Emily Olson (Creative Director, SWM), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville), Matt Cottingham (Attorney, Ritholz Levy Fields LLP), Kevin Lane (Creative Director, Kobalt)

Songwriter and producer Ian Christian has inked a multi-year publishing deal with Still Working Music and Kobalt.

The Florida native’s love of music initially drew him to Los Angeles, and eventually to Nashville. He took part in ASCAP’s GPS program and has worked as a co-writer and producer for artists including Lauren Alaina, Chris Bandi, Temecula Road, and Lainey Wilson.

“Ian has an easy-going artist-friendly attitude and his attention to lyrics and the song as a whole make him a great producer. He is the perfect fit at Still Working.” said Still Working Music’s Alex Orbison.

Kevin Lane, Creative Director, Kobalt added, “Ian is the kind of writer that you always want to work with. He has a fantastic work ethic and can have a positive effect on all aspects of a song. He is the ideal collaborator and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”

Black River Entertainment Signs Josiah Siska

Pictured (L-R): Black River’s President & CEO Gordon Kerr, attorney Lauren Kilgore, Black River’s VP of Publishing Rebekah Gordon, Josiah Siska, Black River’s EVP Rick Froio, attorney Lannie Cates

Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr has announced the signing of Josiah Siska to the roster as both a recording artist and a songwriter. The Georgia native plays electric, acoustic and classical guitar, as well as the banjo and piano.

Late this summer, Siska came to Black River to perform for the staff at the entertainment company’s performance space, The Deck. During his set, Siska was presented with a cake emblazoned with the words “Welcome to the Family,” announcing that he was being offered a record and publishing deal.

Yesterday (Oct. 24), Siska returned to The Deck to officially sign his deal.

“This is an incredible moment, not just for you but for the future of Black River,” Kerr said prior to signing the documents. “We continue to look at the landscape of the music industry and ask ourselves daily, ‘How can we do this in a way that’s even better than we’ve done it before?’ Josiah, 2020 is clearly going to be the beginning of a bright future for you.”

Joining him in the celebration yesterday was O-Seven Management’s Frank and Hunter Miller, mentor Mark Miller (Black River/lead singer of Sawyer Brown/music producer) and his parents along with additional family, friends and Black River staff.

“I’m really thankful for everybody here believing in me,” shares Siska. “When we had that cake in August and Gordon said “We love you,” and “We believe in you,” it really resonated with me. To have that kind of support from anybody, but especially from y’all, from family, from the people I love – I’m beside myself. It’s a dream come true for me. A blessing, straight from God – it’s tied us all together.”

“I’ve been working with Josiah for a couple of years now and his work ethic is second to none and that is why we’re here,” says Miller. “We’re excited and honored to take this journey with him, wherever God is going to lead us. We are on board 100%.”

Big Yellow Dog Music Signs Jim Beavers

Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace (Big Yellow Dog Music), Jacee Badeaux (Big Yellow Dog Music), Jim Beavers (Artist), Lauren Funk (Big Yellow Dog Music), Kerry O’Neil (Big Yellow Dog Music).

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed songwriter and music industry professional Jim Beavers to its roster.

The former Capitol Records label executive’s nine No. 1 hits include “Drink a Beer” (Luke Bryan), “Watching Airplanes” (Gary Allan), “Why Don’t We Just Dance” (Josh Turner) and several by Dierks Bentley, among others. His compositions have received multiple CMA, ACM, BMI, and NSAI awards. Beavers serves on the board of both the CMA and NSAI and co-wrote the new Hootie & the Blowfish single, “Hold On,” with Chris Stapleton.

“I have been a fan of Jim since my college days when I would hoist up my red solo cup to ‘Red Solo Cup,’” says Big Yellow Dog Music Senior Creative Director Lauren Funk. “Little did I know back then that I’d get the chance to work with such a prolific hitmaker. His wit and ability to turn a phrase are what make his songs so special and unique. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jim and welcome him to the Big Yellow Dog team.”

“Simply put, no other publisher in Nashville can do what Big Yellow Dog does so well,” says Beavers. “I’m excited and proud to be associated with Lauren, Carla, Kerry and the entire Big Yellow Dog crew…and you can quote me on that.”

Keith Urban Celebrates 24th No. 1 Hit “Coming Home”

Pictured (L-R, top row): Universal Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMI’s Mason Hunter and Warner Chappell’s Katy Wolaver and BJ Hill; (L-R, bottom row): BMI songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Keith Urban and Julia Michaels. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Keith Urban celebrated his 24th No. 1 song “Coming Home” yesterday (Oct. 23) at Analog at the Hutton Hotel, along with co-writers Nicolle Galyon and co-writer and featured vocalist on the track, Julia Michaels. Co-writer and co-producer, J.R. Rotem was not able to be there. The tune also lists the late Merle Haggard as a writer, so his legacy was celebrated with the No. 1 song, as well.

“This song is inspired by a Merle Haggard song called ‘Mama Tried,’ and so Merle is also a writer on this song and I’m very grateful that he should rightly have another number one under his belt,” Urban said during his acoustic performance of the song.

James Burton, a revered guitar player that played the unforgettable Merle lick, was in attendance.

“When I heard that incredible lick, and that music from Merle Haggard’s song, I thought about growing up in Australia, traveling around with my mom and dad to all these country music festivals, and it was crazy how that music just brought me right back to my home where I was from, what it was like to move to Nashville, which to me was like a fish out of water in a big city. And I felt like a lot of people can experience that going to a new place and getting a bit lost along the way and knowing that they’ve got to recalibrate and get back to the place where people love them and know who they are,” Urban later said.

BMI’s Mason Hunter lead the celebration of the 100% BMI song. “Merle Haggard was, of course, a BMI icon and a continues to represent the BMI catalog and family through his works. Keith has been a BMI member for 22 years.

“J.R. Rotem could not be here and I hate that because he’s been a BMI member for 20 years. He was BMI Producer of the Year in 2009 and he was a BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year in 2011,” Hunter said. He also took the time to gush about another long-time BMI member, Nicolle Galyon.

Julia Michaels was in town to celebrate the song just before her show at Marathon Music Works. Because the track was Michaels’ first country No. 1, the pop singer-songwriter got a Taylor guitar, courtesy of BMI.

Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg stepped up to the mic first to talk about Rotem and the late Haggard. Van Valkenburg recognized the Capitol Nashville label and radio promotion staff, before thanking the co-writers and Urban.

“I’ll just say if you would’ve told little kid Josh, that even if for the smallest of reasons that he could be up on stage to be able to honor Merle Haggard, that would be something I wouldn’t have believed. And I’m thankful that we get to represent him and his catalog. Amen to the country gods,” he said.

Pinnacle Bank’s David Duvall announced that they were making a donation to the W.O. Smith School of Music in honor of the song.

Next up, UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson made sure to thank everyone involved. UMPG also made a donation to MusiCares in honor of the song.

“I know he’s not here, but I want to say something anyway. I met J.R. about 20 years ago and he’s one of those guys you meet the first time and you realize he’s naturally gifted. Some of us we called gifted and we have to work really hard to appear gifted, but J.R. has that ability and had it from a very young age. So congratulations to J.R.,” Tomlinson said.

Tomlinson thanked the Capitol Nashville staff, as well as Urban’s management team members Gary Borman and Elisabeth Ashley.

“The first time that I heard anything about this song, he called because of that Merle lick. And this is all I want to say about that, the attitude that he had in that phone conversation with me about Merle and that lick, and how Merle should be presented and represented says everything you need to know about Keith Urban,” Tomlinson said.

“This is the best that that current country music has to offer combined with the best that old country has to offer, and the best that pop has to offer,” said Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill.

Hill was on hand to speak about Galyon, saying that she belonged on a list of influential Kansans. “With all the songs that you’ve written that have touched so many people and your effect on the artist around you, and the people that you’ve helped develop, your new record label and all the other things that you’re working on, I really think that you’ll be up there among the top of that list and many other lists. You have an extremely strong legacy,” Hill said.

Katie Wolaver from Warner Chappell’s LA office was in attendance to celebrate Michaels. “Julia Michaels is a prolific songwriter and artist whose words and melodies have crossed many genres and have topped the charts. She is an authentic collaborator who wears her heart on her sleeve, and I know from our Nashville office that every artist and writer that you work with here absolutely loves you and finds your talent and perspective truly inspiring,” she said.

Universal Nashville’s Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan spoke on Urban’s meticulous songwriting and recording process. “I’ve watched it for many years and the attention to detail, the insistence that everything be unique and in its own space is just mind boggling to me. And that’s what it takes to stay relevant, to stay current, to keep your fans engaged, to keep the world engaged. He does it every time he steps in to the batter’s box. I am completely in awe of Keith Urban and we are very, very honored to work with anyone who gives that much of his all to make it perfect.”

Dungan recognized his staff, and announced that it was Urban’s 24th No. 1 and his 40th top 10.

“In the history of the country chart, which goes back to January of 1990, Keith is the seventh artist to have 40 top tens. To make it even more unbelievable, this is his company in that elite category: George Strait, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Brooks & Dunn,” Dungan said.

Pictured (L-R): BMI songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Keith Urban and Julia Michaels. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

Galyon was the first to speak when it came time for the creators to step up to the mic.

She first thanked her publisher, Warner Chappell, as well as BJ Hill and Ben Vaughn. She then thanked the radio promotion team.

“I want to thank these two amazing artists behind me. It’s a thrill to get to write a No. 1 song with anybody, but it is uniquely a thrill to get to collaborate with people that you are truly a fan of. I mean, not to embarrass Keith, but I have stood in an autograph line for Keith Urban at some point in my life. And I still wait up till midnight every time a Julia Michaels song comes out and I download it and buy it. So thank you for just being friends to me and thank you for being incredible artists and on this song, for making me look cooler than I really am to my kids and friends,” Galyon said.

“This is my first number one country situation, so that’s really cool,” Michaels said. “And I couldn’t have pictured doing this with anybody other than Mr. Keith Urban. I’ve known him now for almost three years and not only is he an amazing writer and performer, and just overall human being, he’s also an incredible friend and I’m really grateful to know him,” she said.

Urban recognized Dan McCarroll, his co-writers, management, label, publishers, BMI and his family. He also made sure to recognize Burton.

“I’m just a cog in the wheel, you know, I get to make something and then give it to an incredible team and then hope that they can take this ball and run with it,” he said.

“This song was unusual because it’s the first time that a sample has been used in a country song ever, so I love that,” Urban said. “I love seeing in the credits all these names and then Merle Haggard. I love seeing that in there.

“I wish Theresa and Ben could have been here today, but I loved it. They also gave their blessing for this song and that was very important to me. I also wanted to say that country radio was unbelievably supportive, going above and beyond to get this song to ring the bell. A lot of that was passion for obviously the song, but it’s also a lot of passion for Merle as well. It was an incredible show of love and support for him, and I thank country radio with all of my heart for letting us ring that bell,” Urban said.

Darrell Franklin To Lead Blackbird Music Publishing Group’s Nashville Office

Darrell Franklin

Darrell Franklin has been named Sr. VP, Nashville of Blackbird Music Publishing Group, and will lead the company’s newly-opened office in Nashville’s Berry Hill area. Blackbird also has offices in New York and Los Angeles, and recently announced it had acquired the music catalog of composer Burt Bacharach.

The role reunites Franklin with Lance Freed, who in July was announced as President of the newly-formed Blackbird Music Publishing Group.

“My first boss when I got into publishing was Lance Freed at Rondor Music International,” Franklin tells MusicRow. “Lance approached me about the job at Blackbird and the more I talked to him the more excited I got about Blackbird and what their vision was.”

Franklin previously served as General Manager at 3 Ring Circus. Under Franklin’s leadership, the company celebrated several hits including “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban), “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” (Tim McGraw), “Yours” & “Blue Tacoma” (Russell Dickerson).

In 2009, Franklin was named Exec. VP for BMG Nashville. He oversaw the purchases of catalogs such as Evergreen, Bug, Chrysalis, Cherry Lane, Stage Three, and added writers including Hillary Lindsey, Rodney Crowell, Darrell Brown, The Civil Wars, Steve Robson, Chris Wallin, Chris Lindsey, Angelo, and Lucie Silvas. In 2013, he formed a publishing joint venture with BMG titled Darrell Franklin Music. The company began developing artist/writer Russell Dickerson, who now is signed with Triple Tigers.

Franklin also spent 14 years doing A&R with producer Dann Huff; along the way, Franklin found hits like “What Hurts The Most”, “My Wish” (Rascal Flatts), “I’m Tryin’” (Trace Adkins), “When The Lights Go Down” (Faith Hill), “Raining On Sunday” and “Making Memories Of Us” (Keith Urban). Early in his career, Franklin served as Sr. VP at Crosstown Nashville, developing writers and artists including busbee, John Paul White, Jonathan Singleton and Neil Thrasher.

“One of the biggest things I learned from those years was that you were hearing every song, every songwriter, all around the world and I felt like I was quickly able to do A&R from a songwriting standpoint because of that,” Franklin says. “It helped me identify people’s strengths and weaknesses and that made be better at setting up co-writes.”

Blackbird Music Publishing Group was founded by The Raine Group, Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents, which provides production for large-scale concert events, TV series, broadcast specials and more. A few of Blackbird Presents’ well-known specials include “Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw,” “All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” “Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard,” “The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson,” and more. Blackbird Presents is also creator/producer for The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, in partnership with Willie Nelson, as well as The American Roots Music & Arts Festival, in partnership with Eric Church.

“Music publishing is a natural next step for us given that our work across film, television, concerts, and festivals enables us to offer incredible opportunities to songwriters,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.

Blackbird Music Publishing Group will announce initial Nashville signings in the coming weeks.

Zach Crowell Heads To No. 2 Slot On ‘MusicRow’ Top Songwriter Chart

Zach Crowell moves into the No. 2 spot this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, just behind Ashley Gorley at No. 1. Crowell’s rise comes from co-writer credits on Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads” and the new Sam Hunt tune “Kinfolks.”

Ross Copperman drops down to No. 3, Laura Veltz moves up to No. 4 and Blanco Brown moves down to No. 5 this week.

Josh Osborne leaps from No. 27 to No. 8 on the chart, with co-writer credits on “One Man Band” (Old Dominion), “Mr. Lonely” (Midland) and “Kinfolks” (Sam Hunt).

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

In Pictures: BMI Hosts 2019 Dove Awards After-Party

Pictured (L-R): Danny Gokey, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, and Tauren Wells at the 2019 Dove Awards after-party held at BMI’s Nashville office. Photo: Courtesy BMI

BMI industry leaders and songwriters celebrated the top names in Christian and Gospel music Tuesday night (Oct. 15) at the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.

In addition to the awards ceremony, for the fourth year in a row BMI hosted the official Dove Awards after-party at the company’s Nashville office. Attendees included Gospel Artist of the Year Kirk Franklin and award nominees Zach Williams, Tauren Wells, and Bernie Herms, as well as key industry artists and power-players such as Mercy Me, Essential Music Publishing’s Holly Zabka, Gotee Record’s Joey Elwood, and many others.

Pictured (L-R): Ryan Rettler, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, and Zach Williams. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Jonathan Smith and Essential Music Publishing’s Holly Zabka. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Pictured (L-R): GMA’s Jackie Patillo and BMI’s Leslie Roberts. Photo: Courtesy BMI

Pictured (L-R): Bernie Herms, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, and Mitch Solarek. Photo: Courtesy BMI