Wednesday Photos (5/2/12)

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L-R: SESAC’s President/Coo Pat Collins, John Mayer, NARAS President Neil Portnow, Rep. Howard Berman and NARAS Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Office Daryl Friedman.

SESAC sponsored the 2012 Grammys on the Hill Awards in Washington, D.C. on April 25 at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and seven-time Grammy winner John Mayer were honored for their commitment to improving the working environment for the nation’s music community. Mayer was also honored for his commitment to music education

Monty Powell entertained the crowd by performing a song he wrote with Senator Orrin Hatch, the very first Grammy On The Hill Awards honoree. Meanwhile, SESAC’s Pat Collins was on hand to present the award to Rep. Berman citing the lawmaker’s steadfast defense of intellectual property rights for songwriters and publishers.

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Bradley and Senior Historian John Rumble. Photo: Donn Jones

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently hosted an interview with music executive Jerry Bradley. Bradley shared some of his favorite music business stories including those from his time as Chet Atkins’ assistant and, later, as head of RCA Nashville. The interview was offered as part of the special exhibition Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, made possible through the support of the Gretsch Company with additional support provided by Great American Country Television Network.

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L–R: Seth England, Kimberly Gleason, Craig Wiseman, Heather Buresh, Amy Allmand & Steven McMillian

Big Loud Shirt & Big Loud Bucks staff recently hosted its Annual Big Loud Parking Lot Party, themed “The Hungover Games.”

Daniel Lee Joins BMG Chrysalis

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BMG Chrysalis's Nashville team. Pictured (L-R) back row: Kevin Lane, Darrell Franklin, John Allen, Daniel Lee. Front row: Taylor Lindsey, Kim Hylick, Sara Johnson.

BMG Chrysalis US has tapped Daniel Lee to serve as Creative Director at the company’s Nashville operation. He will report to Darrell Franklin, Executive Vice President, effective immediately. Lee’s responsibilities will cover the full spectrum of creative duties including signing and development talent, and songplugging.

“Daniel Lee is going to be a strong complement to our already outstanding creative team,” said Franklin. “He brings a great deal of experience and is well respected throughout the music community. Nashville is an increasingly important hub for the company and we are very excited to have him on board.”

Lee previously worked as Creative Director at Ten Ten Music, a post he held since 2007. Prior to that he spent two years at Island Bound Music.

He joins BMG’s growing Nashville team which includes Vice President John Allen, Sr. Creative Directors Sara Johnson and Taylor Lindsey, GM Kim Hylick, and Creative Manager Kevin Lane. The publisher’s recent hits include “Home” (Dierks Bentley), “Banjo” (Rascal Flatts), “A Little Bit Stronger” (Sara Evans), “Let It Rain” (David Nail), “Reality” (Kenny Chesney), and “Fly Over States” (Jason Aldean).

Photo Friday (4/27/12)

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SESAC Hosts Music Supervisors Panel at Film Festival
SESAC hosted “Music Supervisors 101: The Basics Of Song Placement” during the Nashville Film Festival. The panel offered insight and advice from successful music supervisors Evyen Klean (Hemingway & Gellhorn, Game Change), Tricia Holloway (Middle Men, Honey 2), P.J. Bloom (Glee, American Horror Story), Jo Jo Villanueva (American Reunion, Arthur), Jenee DeAngelis (Cold Case, Breaking Pointe) and Michael Freeman (Music Producer/Ogilvy & Mather). Jim Scherer, President of Whizbang Inc., moderated.

Pictured (back row L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Michael Freeman, Evyen Klean, PJ Bloom, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Jim Scherer. (front row L-R): Nashville Film Festival’s Stacey Widelitz, Jo Jo Villanueva, Tricia Holloway, Jenee DeAngelis and Nashville Film Festival’s Tyler Middleton. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Rachele Lynae Visits CMA
Momentum Label Group artist Rachele Lynae stopped by the CMA offices this week to treat the staff to barbeque and share new music including current single “Party ‘Til the Cows Come Home.” Momentum is headed by CEO Jamie O’Neal.

(L-R): Momentum Label Group Radio Strategist, John Ettinger; CMA Sr. VP of Marketing & Communications, Sheri Warnke; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; Rachele Lynae; Momentum Label Group Chief Executive Officer, Jamie O'Neal; Momentuam Label Group GM, Jimmy Murphy; and CMA Sr. Coordinator of Member Relations & Services, Betsy Walker. Photo: Christian Bottorff

BMG Chrysalis Debuts Concert Series With Carly Simon
Carly Simon performed an intimate concert at BMG Chrysalis’ Los Angeles space; the first in a new showcase series featuring the music right’s company’s top songwriters. Simon offered her beloved classics including “You’re So Vain” and “Anticipation,” as well as new songs such as “I Can’t Thank You Enough.” The following evening, Simon was honored with the Founders Award at ASCAP’s Annual Pop Awards for her four-decade career.

Pictured (L-R): Richard Blackstone, Exec. VP, Creative and Business Development, BMG Chrysalis NA; Laurent Hubert, Pres., Creative and Marketing, BMG Chrysalis NA; Debra A. White; Carly Simon; David Hirshland, Exec. VP, Client Services, BMG Chrysalis NA; Hartwig Masuch, CEO, BMG Rights Management; Larry Ciancia, Manager; Wendy Griffiths, Sr. VP, Marketing, BMG Chrysalis NA

Industry Ink (4/26/12)

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Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, and Third Day have joined the expanding lineup for BamaJam 2012, set for June 14-16 in Enterprise Alabama. Previously announced performers include Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, NEEDTOBREATHE, Casey James, Gov’t Mule, Uncle Kracker, Yelawolf and more. Tickets are available here.

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Jason Charles Miller

Jason Charles Miller has signed a recording agreement with Nashville-based Render Records, it was announced recently by Render co-founder Steve Freeman. Miller was previously leader of the rock band Godhead, which was signed to Marilyn Manson’s Posthuman Records and sold over 200k albums. A Virginia native, Miller has been spending recent years rekindling his love of country music. His first single “Up To Me” ships to country radio May 1.

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Matthew Gordon’s The Dynamiter and David Fine’s Salaam Dunk earned the top prizes at the 2012 Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) presented by Nissan. The Dynamiter, which took the Bridgestone Narrative Competition Grand Jury Prize, is the tale of a young boy without his mother and looking at a future of social services. Salaam Dunk is a profile of the triumphs and challenges experienced by the American University of Iraq’s women’s basketball team and captured the Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize. Best actor honors went to William Ruffin, for his performance in The Dynamiter. A full list of festival winners is here.

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Rick Rekedal

Franklin-based Seabourne Pictures has announced that DreamWorks Animation executive Rick Rekedal has joined the company’s board of advisors. Rekedal’s efforts at DreamWorks has helped launch franchises like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and more. Recently, Seabourne premiered its 2012 feature After (directed by Ryan Smith) at the 2012 NaFF.

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Singer/songwriter Jessica Campbell has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Franklin-based The MWS Group. Campbell’s album Great Escape appeared in 2011 and she has placed songs on ABC’s Ugly Betty, CBC’s Heartland, and the CW’s Hart of Dixie. The MWS roster also includes Kyle Lee and Michael W. Smith.

(L-R): MWS Group’s Trevor Mathiesen, MWS Group Partner Greg Ham, Campbell, and Michael W. Smith

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The Hummingbirds of Avenue Bank

The winner of the Arts & Business Council’s 2012 Music City Corporate Band Challenge, which was held Monday (4/23) at the Wildhorse Saloon, was The Hummingirds from Avenue Bank. In second place was Totally Booked from Hutton Hotel, and third place went to Three Day Weekend from First Tennessee. The top three teams received cash prizes to donate to the arts organization of their choice. Judges for the competition included Kitty Moon Emery (Kitty Moon Enterprises), Tony Conway (of Conway Entertainment Group), and Gary Kraen (PD/Operations at Lightning 100). More info here.

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Bluegrass music documentary The Porchlight Sessions has four days left in its Kickstarter  campaign to raise $60,000. Currently the campaign has over $52k raised. Learn about the project here.

peermusic Adds Shaun Ames to Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Attorney Scott Safford, peermusic Creative Manager Kim Wiggins, peermusic Sr. Creative Director Michael Knox, Shaun Ames and peermusic’s Kevin Lamb

peermusic has announced the signing of  Shaun Ames, founding member of the Sony/RCA recording group, Bush Hawg, to its writer roster.

Ames established the band more than 10 years ago with Alex Wilshire, and the group is currently working with producer and peermusic creative director Michael Knox, .

“Shaun and I have been working together for the past six years, I’m very excited to be working with him now as part of the peermusic family,” says Knox.

peermusic is the world’s largest global independent publishing company, operating 35 offices in 28 countries.

Clay Myers Joins Big Tractor Music

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Publishing veteran Clay Myers has joined Big Tractor Music as General Manager, working with a roster that includes Wade Kirby and Jason Matthews and hits like George Strait’s “I Saw God Today” and Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doing Something Right.” Myers fills the role previously held by Jason Krupek, who has exited the company.

“I couldn’t be happier about working with Clay,” says Big Tractor founder Scott Hendricks. “He’s a seasoned pro who has consistently earned the respect of writers, publishers, labels and artists over his 20 plus years in the business. Big Tractor is approaching its 20 year anniversary as a successful independent publishing company and with Clay’s leadership I look forward to the next 20 years.”

Myers most recently served as GM and VP of Still Working Music and Orbison Music publishing companies for 10 years. Congratulate him at clay@bigtractormusic.com.

Coeur d’Alene Songwriters Festival Offers Some of Country’s Finest

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BMI is partnering with KXLY Radio Group, Idavend Broadcasting, Inland Northwest Broadcasting, and the Coeur d’Alene Resort to present the two-day Coeur d’Alene Songwriters Festival in Coeur d’Alene, ID on May 25-26.

Performers include Even Stevens (“I Love a Rainy Night”); Paul Overstreet (“She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”); Hugh Prestwood (“The Song Remembers When”); Kostas (“Ain’t That Lonely Yet”); Leslie Satcher (“Troubadour”); and up-and-comer Dustin Lynch.

Attendees will be treated to open mic nights, a guitar pull for up-and-coming artists presented by The Big 99.9/Coyote Country, and a Songwriter Sunset Cruise on the lake. The event, produced by Too Far North Productions, follows the format of the songwriting festivals presented by BMI in Crested Butte, CO and Destin, FL, as well as the largest-of-its-kind, Key West Songwriters Festival.

For ticketing information click here.

Publisher Notes (4/18/2012)

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Metts Joins Cauley Music

Music industry veteran Jimmy Metts has joined Cauley Music Group as Sr. Vice President/COO. The announcement was made today (4/18) by company founders Bob Crumley and Lane Caudell.

Metts brings a 26-year background in publishing, production and A&R to his new role, where he will oversee music publishing and production divisions as well as development of the company’s six writers.

He most recently held a dual role at Stroudavarious Records, overseeing the publishing division while being heavily involved in the A&R department.

Cauley Music Publishing is located in Nashville at 1617 17th Avenue South. Phone: 615-915-3604. Congratulate Metts at jimmy@cauleymusicgroup.com.

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Crazy 8’s Host MusiCares Benefit

Pictured (L-R): Arthur Buenahora (ole music publshing); Liz Morin (Showbiz-Ro Music); Debbie Carroll (MusiCares) Rusty Gaston (This Music); Juli Newton Griffith (Magic Mustang); and Drew Alexander (Curb Publishing)

The Crazy 8’s Pitch Group held a benefit for MusiCares on Feb 1 to thank Debbie Carroll and the MusiCares organization for its contributions to the music community. The event took place at The Bluebird Cafe with Bobby Pinson, Chris Wallin, Marv Green and Kyle Jacobs. The Crazy 8’s presented a check for over $1,300 from ticket sales to MusiCares.

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Jack Williams signs with Savannah Music Group

(L-R): Greg Gallo, (Greg Gallo Creative Services); Bob Saporiti (GM); attorney Maria Spear; Williams, Dave Gibson (President); and attorney Norman Gillis. Photo: Denise Fussell

Savannah Music Group celebrates the April 2012 signing of writer Jack Williams. The company’s current songwriting roster includes Kevin “Swine” Grantt, Williams, and Dave Gibson. Savannah Music Group expanded its staff in December of 2010 with the addition of music industry vet Bob Saporiti as General Manager.

Friday Photo Roundup (4/13/12)

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Merle Haggard made a surprise appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s public interview program My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers this week. He was joined on stage by Norm Hamlet and Don Markham, longtime members of Haggard’s band, the Strangers. The men began the discussion by paying tribute to Fuzzy Owen, the man who gave Haggard his first recording contract, produced and played steel on his early records, and has managed his career for decades. The program was presented in support of the major exhibition The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country. 

(L-R): Museum Editor and Co-Curator Michael Gray, Norm Hamlet, Merle Haggard, Don Markham, Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate and Fuzzy Owen. Photo: Donn Jones

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Luke and Beth Laird celebrated the opening of their new music publishing and management company Creative Nation with music row friends recently. Their new office space is also shared with Ready Set, the management and record company owned by Trent and Kristen Dabbs (Ten out of Tenn, Sugar and the Hi-Lows).

(L-R): Jennifer Dean, Barry Dean (Creative Nation Writer), Luke Laird (Creative Nation Co-owner, Songwriter, Producer), Beth Laird (Creative Nation Co-owner and General Manager), Kristen Dabbs (Ready Set Co-owner and General Manger) and Trent Dabbs (Ready Set Co-owner, Artist, Writer)

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Craig Morgan appeared on Conan April 11 to perform the title track from his new CD, This Ole Boy. To view a clip of the show click here.

Photo: TBS

[Updated] New Mechanical Rates For Digital Music

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The RIAA, NMPA and DiMA are filing an industry-wide agreement setting mechanical royalty rates for five new digital music categories.

The 25-page proposed agreement will be submitted to the CRB for formal approval. The agreement covers 2013-2017 and establishes a royalty rate category for these new business models and rolls forward, with limited changes, all existing rates and terms for CDs and downloads.

The settlement provides for the development of new services of digital music and business models offering music to consumers by creating new rates and terms under Section 115 of the Copyright Act for these five categories:

· Mixed service bundles—for example, a locker service, limited interactive service, downloads or ringtones combined with a non-music product such as a mobile phone, consumer electronics device or Internet service; mechanical rate will be 11.35% of revenue or 21% of total content cost, whichever is greater
· Paid locker services—subscription-based locker providing on-demand streaming and downloads; 12% of revenue or 20.65% of total content cost or 17 cents per subscriber, whichever is greater
· Purchased content lockers—a free locker functionally provided to a purchaser of a permanent digital download, ringtone or CD where the music provider and locker have an agreement; 12% of revenue or 22% of the total cost of content, whichever is greater
· Limited offerings—subscription-based service offering limited genres of music or specialized playlists; 10.5% of revenue or 21% of total cost or 18 cents per subscriber, whichever is greater
· Music bundles—bundling music products such as CDs, ringtones and permanent digital downloads; 11.35% of revenue or 21% of total content cost, whichever is greater