HoriPro Entertainment Group has signed Michael Gresham and Jill Spencer to an exclusive co-publishing deal through Gresham and Spencer’s company Brand Music Group.
(L-R) standing: Butch Baker, Tim Stehli, Amy Hendon Scott, Lee Krabel, Dave Hall, Raeanna Mowl, Carrie Wilkins; seated: Jill Spencer, Michael Gresham
SESAC has announced a major change in its royalty distributions. The performing rights organization plans to accelerate domestic/terrestrial radio performance royalties from quarterly distributions to monthly payments, beginning in the coming months. Monthly distributions will also be expanded to other performance platforms later in the year.
“We are proud to provide this accommodation to our affiliates and to continue SESAC’s legacy of providing the best level of service to songwriters and music publishers,” said Pat Collins, SESAC President and Chief Operating Officer.
Always a proponent of technology, SESAC uses BDS tracking to monitor radio airplay for accurate payments and has also implemented fingerprinting technology in its survey and distribution systems.
ASCAP released its 2011 financial results today (3/8), posting an increase in revenue over the previous year. For the calendar year of 2011, ASCAP reports revenues of $985 million, the second highest in the organization’s history and a 5.4% increase over 2010.
Foreign collections played an important role by bringing in $347 million, a $50 million increase from 2010. “The demand for ASCAP’s repertory across all genres of music is enormous and growing by leaps and bounds, both domestically and abroad,” commented ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. “A major driver of our revenue growth in 2011 was the popularity of our members’ music abroad, leading to the highest-ever foreign collections bolstered by an advantageous foreign exchange rate. As songwriters and composers, we depend on the efficiencies of ASCAP to manage our performing rights in a rapidly changing global economy. ASCAP’s advocacy throughout the world is an important factor in ensuring fair treatment and compensation for songwriters and composers of every kind of music.”
Total distribution to the organization’s 400,000-plus songwriter members was down slightly, from $845 million in 2010, to $824 million in 2011. Its operating expense ratio was 11.9%, down two percent from 2010.
Providing a stable future for songwriter members is one of the organization’s key goal, and it has negotiated multi-year licenses with Sirius/XM, HBO, Viacom and the radio industry. The radio agreement includes a return to a revenue-based fee structure as radio broadens its revenue base through new delivery mechanisms.
In 2011, ASCAP developed a new organizational structure by consolidating some areas and expanding the Membership, Licensing, and International departments. EVP, Membership Randy Grimmet was promoted to oversee the membership department. Nashville-based Vincent Candilora, formerly SVP, was elevated to EVP, Licensing. London-based Roger Greenaway was promoted to EVP, International, from his previous role of SVP.
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Earlier in the week ASCAP Nashville unveiled its new Music Lounge, a cozy and stylish performance/meeting room on the third floor that previously served as executive office space. Singer/songwriters Whitney Duncan and Jonathan Singleton christened the room with a selection of their songs, and guests were treated to a catered lunch.
Whitney Duncan and Jonathan Singleton performing at the ASCAP Nashville Music Lounge.
Mark Bright’s publishing company, Chatterbox Music, LLC, is closing its administrative offices.
“I would like to thank Stephanie Greene for her outstanding leadership. She is one of the most brilliant publishers I have had the honor of working with,” said Bright. “I would also like to thank Ashley Hertzog for her wonderful assistance to our writers. I appreciate all their hard work and talent.”
Chatterbox was previously known as My Good Girl Music, a publishing co-venture with Sony/ATV. The company was officially renamed Chatterbox by Greene and Bright in August 2011. Songwriters on the staff included Mallary Hope, Jamie Teachenor, Jason Saenz, Allison Veltz, and April Geesbreght.
Bright’s resume also includes producing 13 No. 1 singles for Carrie Underwood, as well as serving as President/CEO of Word Entertainment from 2008-2010. Additionally, Bright produced Underwood’s forthcoming album Blown Away, including lead single “Good Girl.”
Hertzog joined the company in May 2011 as Creative Manager after six years with Combustion Entertainment. Reach her at [email protected]. Stephanie Greene can be reached at [email protected].
The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival has announced the addition of several entertainers for its 2012 edition, scheduled for May 2-6. The festival offers a multitude of free entertainment, including over 30 in-the-round sets from top songwriters. Tickets for a handful of theater shows are on sale now. More info here.
Joining the lineup are Robert Earl Keen, Patrice Pike, Billy Burnette, Matraca Berg, Blue Mother Tupelo, Hillary Lindsay, Paul Overstreet, Joey + Rory, LoCash Cowboys, Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band); 2012 ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Luke Laird; as well as singer/songwriters Kyle Park, Jon Randall, Josh Thompson, Lori McKenna, Even Stevens, Liz Rose, Cary Barlowe, Bob DiPiero, Bobby Pinson, Marti Fredericksen, Steve Bogard, James Slater, Dennis Morgan, Chuck Cannon, Chris Gantry, Billy Yates, Doug Johnson, Suzi Ragsdale, Kylie Sackley, Danny Myrick, Bridgette Tatum, Will Rambeaux, Jon Mabe and many others.
Previously announced performers include The World Famous Headliners (Al Anderson, Pat McLaughlin, and Shawn Camp) and the Jeffrey Steele Band.
Presented by BMI, the event benefits Operation Homefront and boasts five nights of music around Key West. Additional sponsors include SunTrust Bandk, Comcast, Beam Global Wine and Spirits, The Recording Academy / Nashville Chapter, and Hearts Bluff Music.
Passes for Nashville Songwriters Association International’s 20th Annual Tin Pan South are officially on sale today (March 7) through the organization’s website. A full schedule of venues and performers is available here.
Fast Access Passes provide priority admission and are good for entry to all Tin Pan South shows, but only about 100 of them remain for sale. Over 350 songwriters will perform at the festival, for a total of 90 shows in 10 Nashville venues. Participating venues include Belcourt Taps and Tapas, The Bluebird Café, The Commodore Grille (Holiday Inn Vanderbilt), Douglas Corner Café, eat Restaurant (Loews Vanderbilt Plaza), Hard Rock Café, The Listening Room Café, The Rutledge, Station Inn and 3rd & Lindsley. Individual club admission is available at each venue, space permitting, and ranges from $8-20. In certain instances, reservations at the venue will be required.
Regions Bank returns as Tin Pan South’s presenting sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. The Faith Family Medical Clinic has been selected to receive proceeds from the Pat Alger, Wayland Holyfield, Jon Vezner and Paul Williams show Thursday, March 29 at 6:00 PM at The Bluebird Cafe.
These announcements follow NSAI’s Tin Pan South Preview Party yesterday afternoon (March 6) at The Rutledge. The party featured performances from Lionel Cartwright, J. Fred Knobloch, Richard Leigh, Angaleena Presley, and Charlie Worsham.
Songwriter Greg Becker has signed a publishing deal with Pat Finch and Southern Crossroads Music Publishing. His songs have sold more than 20 million units worldwide and have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and Meatloaf.
Southern Crossroads also signed songwriter Ann Marie, who moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to pursue her musical career. She has begun sharing her music with a larger audience, including opening for Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Thompson Square and more.
(L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Greg Becker, Southern Crossroads Music Publishing's Pat Finch, ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo: Anna Maki
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Big Ride Entertainment has announced the signing of Texas-born country artist Craig Wayne Boyd for label services and management. The company will also soon release Boyd’s debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter” to country radio.
“We are very pleased with the addition of Craig to our label. After seeing Craig live, we knew he was a perfect fit for what we are doing at Big Ride,” says Big Ride Records President Kim Leiske.
(L-R) Seated: Wayne Halper, Craig Wayne Boyd, GrassRoots Promotion's Teresa Johnston, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Jerry Duncan; Standing: Big Ride's Jake Leiske and Kim Leiske, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Lisa Smoot. Photo: revolution PR
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Danni Leigh has signed with Cody Entertainment for exclusive booking, with the firm’s president Phil Smallwood serving as the responsible agent. Leigh has released four albums over her career including 29 Nights (Decca), A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer (Monument), Divide and Conquer (Audium), and Masquerade of a Fool (AGR). She is currently in Nashville working on songs for her new release.
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(L-R): Russell, Cupit Records Sr. VP Dan Hagar
Cupit Records has signed Dave Russell, and is releasing his new single “Where The Money Goes” to radio.
L-R: Clay Bradley (BMI), Ben Vaughn (EMI Music Publishing), Troy Tomlinson (Sony/ATV), BJ Hill (Warner/Chappell), co-writer Rhett Akins, Luke Bryan, co-writers Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, Mike Dungan (Capitol Nashville), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Rusty Gaston (This Music), and producer Jeff Stevens. Photo: Eric England
Music industry professionals recently celebrated Luke Bryan’s No. 1 hit “I Don’t Want This Night To End” with a party at Hillsboro Village hang Cabana. Bryan co-wrote the chart-topper, his third No. 1 overall, with hit songwriting trio the Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip).
Additionally, Bryan released Spring Break 4…Suntan City, his fourth Spring Break-themed EP on Tuesday, March 6. The EP features original songs not found on Bryan’s other albums, including the title cut which Bryan wrote with the Peach Pickers. Next week, Bryan will journey to Spinnaker’s Beach Club in Panama City, Fl., where he will perform concerts March 13 and 14 for Spring Break revelers.
Pictured (L-R): Evan Lamberg, President, UMPG North America; attorney Derek Crownover; Luke Laird; Kent Earls, EVP/General Manager, UMPG Nashville; Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; and Beth Laird, Creative Nation.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the re-signing of Nashville’s award-winning songwriter, Luke Laird, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. Through the deal, UMPG will now also administer select writers from Creative Nation, the publishing entity of Luke and Beth Laird.
Luke Laird has co-written three No. 1 singles in the last 12 months (“Take a Back Road” recorded by Rodney Atkins, “Drink in My Hand” recorded by Eric Church, and “You” recorded by Chris Young), earning his second consecutive Country Music Association Triple Play Award.
In total, Laird has co-written nine singles that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts: the three mentioned above as well as Carrie Underwood’s “Undo it,” “So Small,” “Last Name,” and “Temporary Home;” Sara Evans’ “A Little Bit Stronger;” and Blake Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” featuring Trace Adkins. Laird celebrated multiple wins at the BMI Country Awards in November, and is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the April 1 ACM Awards. His songs have contributed to the sales of more than 20 million albums. Laird is also co-producing Kacey Musgraves’ debut album on Mercury/Lost Highway.
“It’s an honor, for Universal Music Publishing, to continue to work with Luke who is one of the most successful songwriters to come out of any music genre in years. And it’s an additional honor to start a business relationship with Beth Laird and Luke’s Creative Nation Music,” said Evan Lamberg, President, UMPG North America. “Kudos to Kent Earls and his staff for continuing to put songwriter relationships at the core of what matters most.”
“We are excited and thrilled to continue our already successful relationship with Luke Laird,” said Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville. “Luke continues to deliver smash after smash after smash. He has solidified his place among the Nashville hit-makers with nine No. 1 songs over the last few years. As well, we look forward to working with Beth Laird and the Creative Nation writers to help accomplish their goals.”
“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to make music every day and have really enjoyed working with Evan, Kent and the whole UMPG team,” summed Laird. “With the addition of Creative Nation, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future.”
Successful publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music has launched a label side, and its first release will be songwriter Logan Mize’s debut album Nobody In Nashville. Co-produced by Mize and fellow Big Yellow Dog songwriter Daniel Tashian, Nobody In Nashville is due out March 13.
“I definitely don’t try to think about other artists when I’m writing,” says Mize. “I want to pull straight from my own head, I keep it my own for sure.”
A native of Wichita, KS, Mize played football at Southern Illinois University before he began writing songs. He juggled pay-the-rent jobs after moving to Nashville, eventually landing his publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog. Co-writers on Nobody In Nashville include Tashian, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, and Blake Chaffin.