Chris Tompkins Renews Publishing Agreement

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Chris Tompkins kissing his latest catch. Photo: Rodney Clawson (co-writer of “Feel Like A Rockstar” and “Drunk On You”)

Chris Tompkins has renewed his publishing agreement with Big Loud Shirt.

Tompkins co-wrote the new Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw duet “Feel Like A Rockstar,” Luke Bryan’s current Top 20 single “Drunk On You,” and earned a Grammy Award for the Carrie Underwood hit “Before He Cheats.”

Underwood’s upcoming album will include two songs by Tompkins, including the title track, “Blown Away.”

Additionally, Tompkins has had songs cut by Scotty McCreery, Chris Young, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Jimmy Buffett, Plain White T’s, and Daughtry as well as Nickelback’s current single, “Lullaby.”

Publishing Pics

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Photo: Peyton Hoge

Liz Sharpe Signs With Ram Writers Group

SESAC singer/songwriter Liz Sharpe has signed with Ram Writers Group for publishing representation. Sharpe, who released her debut disc, Kiss Your Soul in 2011, is currently working on a new project. Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Ram Writers Group’s Doug Merrick, Sharpe, producer Will Rambeaux and SESAC’s John Mullins.

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Razor & Tie Cheers Catt Gravitt

Razor & Tie Music Publishing writer Catt Gravitt recently celebrated her first No. 1 song: “Alone With You” recorded by Jake Owen. Co-written with Shane McAnally and JT Harding, the track is already Gold having sold over 600K downloads.

This is Razor & Tie Music Publishing’s second country No. 1 in less than six months, following Dave Barnes’ “God Gave Me You,” recorded by Blake Shelton. 

Jake Owen and Catt Gravitt

Gravitt’s other recent/current singles and cuts include “Why Ya Wanna” (Jana Kramer), “Amen” (Edens Edge), “Honesty” (Kelly Clarkson), and two cuts on Adam Lambert’s next album.

“We have been proud to work with Catt Gravitt for nearly five years,” said Sharon Tapper, Vice President Music Publishing. “She is an extraordinarily talented writer, blessed with a creative spirit that enables her to connect with artists and co-writers on a very deep level, enabling her to create songs that resonate with honesty and truth. We are proud and honored to be part of Catt’s team.”

 

 

My Music Screen Sets Sights On Film and TV

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Music industry veteran Janice Soled has launched My Music Screen, an online subscription service for artists, songwriters, publishers and record companies looking to pitch their works for  TV and film.

“My Music Screen is a modern, interactive, web-based approach to a music pitch sheet,” says Soled. “I first realized the need for such a targeted service to help artists and songwriters make this connection, while working with publishers and music supervisors at Conexion Media Group in Nashville.”

During her tenure with Conexion, Soled managed exploitation and media licensing for the company’s catalogs, placing music with TV, film, ad agencies and video games. Her resume includes experience with RCA Label Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Pictures Music Division.

My Music Screen subscribers pay an annual fee for access to the list of films and shows in production, which also includes the ability to submit up to 10 mp3s a month for consideration. Submissions are reviewed for suitability and pitched by My Music Screen. The service is for professional use only, and does not accept demos.

More info here. Reach Soled at [email protected].

Keith Urban Donates “For You” Royalties

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Keith Urban recently debuted his new song “For You,” which paid tribute to US Navy SEALS, during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Urban wrote the song specifically for the motion picture Act of Valor, and it is featured on the film’s soundtrack.

“I felt so privileged and honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of Act Of Valor and to shine a different kind of light on the work that the SEALS do,” said Urban.

Urban has announced that he will donate all his artist and publishing royalties from the song to the Navy SEAL Foundation, which helps SEAL families with financial assistance, support networks, and sponsored activities. “For You” can be purchased through Urban’s website or iTunes and Amazon.

The Aussie artist’s philanthropic spirit will also be on display tomorrow (4/10) at the 3rd Annual “We’re All for the Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The all-star musical event takes place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and features performances from Urban, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Thompson Square, Pistol Annies, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Exile, Diamond Rio, and Blue Sky Riders (Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman).

New Shawn Colvin Album Features Nashville Collaborators

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Shawn Colvin

Singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin will release her new album, All Fall Down, on Nonesuch Records June 5. The album is her eighth studio recording and features an all-star guest list of Music City talent.

All Fall Down features 11 songs and was produced by Colvin’s longtime friend Buddy Miller at his Nashville home. The album also includes special performances from Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Jakob Dylan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bill Frisell, Viktor Krauss, Brian Blade, Stuart Duncan, and Julie Miller, among others.

Colvin wrote or co-wrote eight of the album’s tracks, including “Change Is On The Way,” which was co-written with the touring group consisting of Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Colvin, called Colvin’s Three Girls and Their Buddy. The title, “The Neon Light of the Saints” was specifically written for an upcoming episode of HBO’s Treme, on which Colvin was a guest star last season.

In conjunction with the album’s release Colvin will also release her memoir, Diamond in the Rough (published by William Morrow/HarperCollins), tracing the highs and lows of her life.

In the 22 years since the release of her debut album, Colvin has won three Grammy awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1996 for “Sonny Came Home.”

All Fall Down track list:
1. All Fall Down
2. American Jerusalem
3. Knowing What I Know Now
4. Seven Times the Charm
5. Anne of the Thousand Days
6. The Neon Light of the Saints
7. Change Is On the Way
8. I Don’t Know You
9. Fall of Rome
10. Up On That Hill
11. On My Own

No. 1 Party: Kenny Chesney’s “Reality”

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(L-R): (front row) BMG/Chrysalis' Sara Johnson; Warner/Chappell Music's Steve Markland; co-writers Brett James and Kenny Chesney; manager Dale Morris; and Sony/ATV Music Publishing's Troy Tomlinson; (back row) ASCAP's Mike Sistad; Sony Music Nashville's Gary Overton; producer Buddy Cannon; BMI's Clay Bradley; and BNA Records' Norbert Nix. Photo: Rick Diamond

BNA Records’ Kenny Chesney and songwriter Brett James celebrated their recent co-written No. 1 chart-topper “Reality,” produced by Buddy Cannon, at Sambuca’s Sky Room on Thursday (4/5). BMI and ASCAP co-hosted the event, which honored Chesney’s 23rd trip to the top of the charts.

Presentations were made by BMI’s Clay Bradley and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, as well as Warner/Chappell’s Steve Markland, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, and BMG Chrysalis’ Sara Johnson. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox presented a financial contribution in the name of the writers to Chesney’s preferred charity, Plan!t Now.

“I’ve been very blessed with a lot of great people that have been part of a really incredible ride,” said Chesney. “The thing that makes me the happiest is when I can sit down with a guy like Brett James and create something that touches people. Thank you everybody for giving us a great reality.”

Brett James also thanked everyone for the accolades and added, “We wrote ‘Out Last Night’ and ‘Reality’ on the same day. Thank God for that day!”


HFA Supports Google Play

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The Harry Fox Agency announced it has entered into licensing and administration services agreement with Google to support promotional features for Google Play.

Google Play was introduced in March 2012 as an online store for music, movies, Android apps and games, effectively re-branding  the previous Android Marketplace.

HFA’s brings a pool of more than 46,000 affiliated publishers, flexible technology, and comprehensive rights database to the agreement.

“HFA is pleased to collaborate with Google to help encourage more consumer music purchases through innovative programs,” said Lauren Apolito, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, HFA. “We strive to support the growing digital eco-system as it evolves to meet consumer content demands with our rights management services so that companies can focus on their music initiatives.”

Young Guns Publishing Signs Cyndi Thomson

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Ramblin’ Music’s publishing division Young Guns has signed singer/songwriter Cyndi Thomson to its writer roster.

Thomson signed to Capitol Records in 2000 and released her debut album My World featuring the No. 1 single “What I Really Meant To Say.” Thomson was a co-writer on eight of the Gold-certified album’s 11 tracks. Outside of her own recordings, Thomson also co-wrote the Gary Allan hit “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful.”

“Having written and worked with Cyndi in the past I can honestly say she is one of the most unique and talented artists I’ve ever met,” said Cliff Downs, President of Ramblin’ Music. “We are thrilled that she will be part of our staff and we look forward to the new music that she will be creating with us.”

The Young Guns roster also includes Weston Burt, Kimberly Paige, Ben Reno, Phoebe Sharp, and Gimm & Icky (Garrison and Tripp Weir).

UMPG Extends Publishing Agreement with Lori McKenna

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Lori McKenna

Universal Music Publishing Group has extended its worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Lori McKenna. McKenna originally signed with the company in 2009.

“Lori McKenna is one of the most highly regarded talents in the Nashville songwriting community and beyond,” said Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Nashville. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our relationship with her and look forward to our future successes.”

The Stoughton, MA native gained national prominence with her appearance on Oprah, where she performed “Fireflies” with Faith Hill. After landing three songs on Hill’s album, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Sara Evans, and LeAnn Rimes clamored to record her songs. Recently, McKenna has been co-writing with Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Wynonna Judd, and Little Big Town.

McKenna herself has opened for Trisha Yearwood and for Hill and McGraw’s wildly popular Soul2Soul Tour. McGraw co-produced her first major label album Unglamorous (Warner Bros.) in 2007, which she followed with her most recent release Lorraine. Additionally, the songstress’ recording of “Two Soldiers Coming Home” can be heard on the Act of Valor soundtrack.

Warner/Chappell Launches Production Music Unit

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Warner/Chappell Music has announced the launch of Warner/Chappell Production Music, which will unite the company’s production music houses consisting of over 70 catalogs.

Among the companies included in the deal is Nashville’s 615 Music, as well as Non-Stop Music, Groove Addicts, Full Tilt and more. Warner/Chappell has also unveiled a new website at www.warnerchappellpm.com which allows users to search the production catalogs from a single source.

“Warner/Chappell is home to production music catalogs that span decades of high-quality works,” said Cameron Strang, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music. “The launch of Warner/Chappell Production Music combines the strength of these brands—each of which has a reputation for producing some of the most popular compositions in the production music space—under the Warner/Chappell umbrella, all in order to better serve our customers.”

Warner/Chappell Production Music brands have created works for a variety of TV shows, films, and companies, including Toy Story, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Bourne Legacy, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, ESPN, Disney, Major League Baseball, Volkswagen, and many more.