Kent Earls To Lead UMPG Nashville

Kent Earls

Evan Lamberg, President, Universal Music Publishing Group, North America today announced the promotion of Kent Earls to Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville. Earls will preside over the company’s country music publishing activities, reporting directly to Lamberg.

Earls’ appointment follows the exit of Pat Higdon, reported earlier today, as well as other changes in the publishing company’s national leadership over the past year.

“Kent is one of the very best creative executives in Nashville with an exciting vision to grow and diversify our company’s presence and appeal. His dedication to, and passion for, our songwriters and their songs is second to none. He has earned this great opportunity to lead Universal Music Publishing Nashville into the future and I look forward to working closely with him in the years to come,” said Lamberg.

“I am eager to lead and grow one of the best songwriting rosters and creative teams in Nashville,” added Earls. “Evan Lamberg’s enthusiasm and commitment to make Universal the most creative and innovative music publishing home is inspiring and motivating. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about building on the great UMPG Nashville legacy, working tirelessly on behalf of our songwriters, and positioning the company for a robust future.”

A Nashville native with 20 years of music publishing experience, Earls has been an instrumental part of the careers of numerous hit songwriters and artists including Rivers Rutherford, Luke Laird, Billy Currington, Katrina Elam, Andrew Dorff, and Phillip White. Earls has placed multiple No. 1 singles throughout his career such as the most recent and fastest rising No. 1 outing, “Take a Back Road,” for Rodney Atkins, and the 2002 ASCAP Song of the Year and 2001 Billboard Most Played Country Song, “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” by Brooks & Dunn.

Earls previously served as Senior Vice President, Creative for UMPG Nashville. He joined the company (then MCA Music Publishing) in 1997 as Associate Director of Creative Services and quickly rose through the ranks. Prior to that, Earls worked for Affiliated Publishers, Inc. and was a professional manager. Earls is a member of NARAS, the Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music and has a BS in Recording Industry Management.

The UMPG Nashville catalog is home to the 1940’s Folk/Blues of the Delmore Brothers; the 1950’s and 1960’s classics of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly; and the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s songs of Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Alabama and George Strait. It also includes country classics from Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and Shania Twain. UMPG Nashville owns and administers many prominent catalogs including Bob McDill, Rivers Rutherford, Gary Burr, Pat Alger, Kent Robbins, Matraca Berg, Dickey Lee, Kostas, Troy Verges, Luke Laird, Marijohn Wilkin, John D.Loudermilk, Stephanie Bentley, David Lee, Craig Wiseman, Keith Urban and more.

Kobalt Names Richard Sanders President

Richard Sanders has been tapped to serve as President of Kobalt Music Group. Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO, made the announcement Friday (1/27) at Midem. Reporting to Ahdritz, Sanders will be based in Kobalt’s New York offices.

As part of the newly created position, Sanders will oversee Kobalt’s global front office operations such as artist relations, business development, synch licensing and creative services across the publisher’s multiple rights divisions.

With 30 years experience, Sanders was previously Sony Music’s Chairman of International & President of Global Marketing. Prior to his tenure at Sony, he held executive positions at RCA Records, Sir Richard Branson’s V2 Records and Arista Records.

Sanders’ appointment comes on the heels of last week’s launch of Kobalt’s Artist and Label Services division, and Neighbouring Rights division. The Artist and Label Services division is propelled by the company’s acquisition of AWAL, which distributes and promotes the recorded music of more than 5,000 independent labels and artists, including Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, the Editors, and Moby.

“As Kobalt enters this new phase of global expansion and rolls out next generation client services for our artists, labels and content owners I am very pleased to welcome Richard,” said Ahdritz. “He is an executive who shares my vision and can work alongside me, providing a recording rights DNA to our proven publishing service model. Richard is a dynamic entrepreneurial leader with vast international experience, relationships and a uniquely successful track record of delivering both operational and creative results as well as managing both creative and executive talent.”

Added Sanders, “I’m thrilled to be joining the entire Kobalt team and supporting Willard’s vision for the continued expansion of the company and the development of artist and label services. Throughout my career supporting the needs of the artist has always been my passion and focus, thus I am particularly excited to join Kobalt which continues to set new standards in transparency and carries a solid reputation as a client-friendly company designed to serve that same objective.”

Higdon Exits UMPG

Pat Higdon

Pat Higdon has exited his role as President of Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville. “After almost 12 years at UMPG, it’s time for me to move on,” he told MusicRow. “I wish continued success to all the talented writers and staff. I’ve gone fishing for a few days but will be back in the game soon.”

He can be reached at pathigdon.music@gmail.com.

A new head of the Nashville operation has not been named.

During Higdon’s tenure, UMPG Nashville scored recent hits including “You and Tequila,” “Hello World,” “Roll With It,” “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Bleed Red,” “Undo It,” “Mama’s Song,” “Temporary Home,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “Take a Back Road,” and “A Little Bit Stronger.”

In May 2009, Higdon was promoted to President. By then he had already been heading the Nashville office for 10 years, and held the title of Executive Vice President/General Manager.

The list of top writers that have trusted the songman with their careers include Don Schlitz, Josh Turner, Dave Loggins, Troy Verges, Rivers Rutherford, Lori McKenna, Ray Scott, Radney Foster, Shooter Jennings, Monty Powell, Matraca Berg, Anders Osborne, Gary Harrison, Troy Seals, Shawn Camp, JT Hodges and many more.

In his position with Universal, Higdon managed a catalog spanning from the 1940’s Folk/Blues of the Delmore Brothers, the 1950’s and 1960’s classics of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, country classics from Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, and the works of Bob McDill, Pat Alger, Mel Tillis, Marijohn Wilkin, Stephanie Bentley, Gary Burr, Troy Verges, Craig Wiseman, Emmylou Harris, Marcus Hummon, and many more.

A Nashville native, Higdon broke into the music industry in the early ‘70s as a recording engineer at Nashville’s Woodland Sound before moving to Cedarwood Publishing. He then spent seven years with MCA Music, rising to MCA’s Vice President of Nashville operations. In the late ’80s, he moved to Warner/Chappell Music, where he served as Senior Director of Creative Services. In 1989 Higdon founded Patrick Joseph Music as a joint venture with Warner/Chappell. He established a similar relationship in 1992 with Los Angeles-based Windswept Pacific Entertainment. Following that success, he was tapped by UMPG.

Higdon’s exit is the latest in a series of major changes at the publishing giant. In April 2011 David Renzer exited his post as Chairman & CEO after a 15-year tenure at the company. In October 2011 Evan Lamberg was promoted to President of UMPG, North America. In his new role, Lamberg leads North American operations for the company, which includes Pop, Urban, Country, Latin, Christian/Gospel and Canadian divisions. He is based in UMPG’s Santa Monica headquarters. He reports to Zach Horowitz, Universal Music Group President & COO, and Lucian Grainge, UMG Chairman & CEO. Grainge has held his current post since longtime UMG chairman and CEO Doug Morris exited for a similar role at Sony Music in January 2011.

Songwriters To Showcase Late Nights During CRS 2012

Country songwriters will feature prominently among the special events of CRS 2012, particularly with newly planned after-hours series “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley.”

The stripped down musical showcase will be held Wednesday and Thursday nights during CRS 2012, from 9:30 PM until midnight in the Renaissance Hotel’s Belmont Room. Playing the Acoustic Alley Wednesday night (Feb. 22) are Casey Beathard, Jim Beavers, Corey Crowder, Marv Green, David Lee, Wendell Mobley and Rivers Rutherford. Taking the stage on Thursday (Feb. 23) will be Rhett Akins, Tom Douglas, Ben Hayslip, and Jeffrey Steele. Bob Kingley’s Country Top 40 and SunTrust are the event sponsors.

“There’s nothing better than hearing a favorite song sung by the writer,” says Kingsley. “For a music lover, that’s as good as it gets!”

Other songwriter heavy events at CRS 2012 include WCRS Live! (with BMI writers Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna) and KCRS Live! (with R&J Records songwriter/performers Jim Collins, Andy Gibson, Aaron Lewis, and Bobby Pinson).

Only CRS 2012 registrants may attend Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley and the Bridge Bar (sponsored by Cumulus and City National Bank). The regular $499 registration rate for the Feb. 22-24 seminar expires today (Jan. 27) and increases to $599 tomorrow. Register here.

Flynn Promoted at Combustion Music

Combustion Music has announced the promotion of Kenley Flynn to Creative Manager. He originally joined the publishing company in 2011 following his graduation from Belmont University’s College of Entertainment and Music Business.

In this role, Flynn will work closely with Combustion President Chris Farren and VP Chris Van Belkom in catalog exploitation as well as managing a writer roster that includes Ashley Gorley, Brett James, Matthew West and Blair Daly.

“Kenley has become an extremely valuable member of the Combustion team and a rising force on Music Row in a very short time. I look forward to many years of prospering together,” says Farren.

Congratulate him here.

TuneSat Debuts Exclusive Internet Monitoring Technology

TuneSat, the audio monitoring service which helps copyright holders track unauthorized musical performances, is expanding with today’s launch of Internet monitoring, and an Administrative Services division.

TuneSat essentially serves as an outside auditing service for rights holders to cross-reference their royalty and licensing statements. Since its founding, the company has monitored television and film for public performances of musical compositions. TuneSat detects music in noisy broadcast environments, including under dialogue, sound effects, or voiceovers.

Tech-savvy composers and producers Scott Schreer and Chris Woods founded TuneSat, which uses audio fingerprint technology to search for usages and deliver reports to clients’ online dashboards. Based in New York City, the company actively monitors hundreds of broadcast channels and millions of websites around the world.

The company’s new Internet multi-media monitoring searches publicly available domains, identifying music used in streaming audio, video, podcasts, flash and other multimedia files. TuneSat monitors the Web around the clock, immediately posting the results in a secure online interface. These detections could include files posted moments before the search, or those put online several years ago. Every detection includes a link to the site where the music is found, and the site where the content is hosted (for example, a website may offer a video embedded from elsewhere).

In the event of a royalty discrepancy, TuneSat subscribers can pursue the claim themselves, or hire the company’s newly-launched Administrative Services branch to pursue unlicensed and unpaid uses of their music.

“TuneSat’s Internet monitoring service is history in the making, providing sophisticated, worldwide detection easily available to all music rights holders, even for just one song,” explained Scott Schreer, CEO and Founder. “TuneSat’s data tames the Wild Wild West of the Web, pinpointing the use of music online and providing the information needed to monetize those uses, putting dollars back into the pocket of musicians.”

“TuneSat’s detection data, coupled with the legal resources and expertise of our Administration Services, is a one-two punch for music rights holders,” said Chris Woods, Co-Founder and COO. “Monitoring multi-media content on the Internet can reveal more than just music videos—TuneSat clients have discovered movie trailers, TV synchs, and other media usages that were unlicensed. Further, we now provide access to the Administrative resources needed to ensure the rights holder is compensated for the use of their work.”

Monthly TuneSat subscription rates start at $10 per month and vary by number of tracks and type of service.

Check MusicRow.com later this week for Publisher Sherod Robertson’s exclusive interview with Chris Woods.

BMI Taps Penny Everhard For Writer/Publisher Relations

Penny Everhard is the newest member of BMI's Writer/Publisher Relations team.

Penny Everhard has joined Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) as Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, it was announced today by Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville for BMI. Everhard will report to Williams and Clay Bradley, Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.

In her new position at the performing right organization, Everhard will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with BMI songwriters and music publishers in Nashville and throughout the Southeast region. She will also assist BMI writers and publishers with administrative and creative functions and help coordinate local and national songwriter events, showcases and seminars.

“Penny exemplifies the qualities that make a great writer relations executive,” said Williams. “She knows music, and she’s personable, focused and organized. Her contribution to our writers and publishers will be substantial. BMI is lucky to have her.”

Prior to joining BMI, Everhard served as a song plugger and creative manager at both Tom-Leis Music and Love Monkey Music in Nashville, where she created and executed opportunities for staff writers, including top-tier artist and writer co-writes. In addition to also scouting and developing new talent, she oversaw day-to-day office management, and served as production assistant for all sessions, which included hiring musicians, booking studios and processing billing. Everhard studied Business Administration at Belmont University in Nashville, where she graduated with a BBA in Music Business.

Congratulate her at peverhard@bmi.com or (615) 401-2727.

Music City Songwriting Competition Adds Black River VP

Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has added Black River Entertainment VP of A&R, Doug Johnson to the listening panel. Johnson will review all songs submitted or postmarked between Jan. 27-29, and the writer of his top pick will be given the opportunity to perform before one of Black River artist Craig Morgan’s 2012 shows. Entries for the amateur songwriting competition will continue to be accepted through Jan. 31.

The competition will be narrowed to the top 25 entries to be judged based on melody, composition, originality, lyrics and commercial appeal by a panel including Morgan, Tim Nichols, Mike Sistad, Alex Torrez, Storme Warren and Butch Spyridon.

The winner will recieve $1,000 cash, five nights admission and airfare for two to Nashville’s CMA Music Fest with an interview on GAC and Sirius XM. A mentoring session from Craig Morgan will be offered along with a feature in American Songwriter, a co-write session, demo recording session and a single song publishing deal with Black River Entertainment.

Johnson has had over 100 cuts and seven No. 1s and worked with the careers of Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, Clay Walker, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes, Wynonna and Lee Brice.

Songs are accepted by mail or mp3 online for $25. Additional songs for $15. All entries receive a copy of Morgan’s upcoming CD.

New Catalog Purchase For Carlin America

Bruce Cockburn. Photo: Kevin Kelly

Rotten Kiddies Music, a subsidiary of independent publisher Carlin America, has announced the acquisition of Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s catalog.

An Ottawa native with over 30 albums to his credit, Cockburn has landed nine Top 10 singles over the course of his career. Hits such as “Going To The Country” (1970), “Wondering Where the Lions Are” (1979), and “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (1984) all performed well and brought Cockburn acclaim.

An accomplished guitarist, Cockburn has also composed works for television and film including the opening and closing credits to children’s series Franklin. As a songwriter, his works have been recorded by a diverse collection of artists such as Chet Atkins, Barenaked Ladies, Jimmy Buffet, Elbow, Dan Fogelberg, the Jerry Garcia Band, k.d. lang, and more.

“The time seemed right to try to bring this music to the attention of a wider audience,” says Cockburn. “When the people at Carlin expressed interest in buying the catalog it felt like the songs had found a perfect home. l’m looking forward to working with them.”

Kobalt Expands Into Label Services With Major Acquisition

Kobalt Music Group is expanding with the launch of an Artist and Label Services division, as well as a Neighbouring Rights division.

The Artist and Label Services division is propelled by the company’s acquisition of AWAL, which distributes and promotes the recorded music of more than 5,000 independent labels and artists, including Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, the Editors, and Moby. Through the acquisition, Kobalt obtains access to AWAL’s worldwide distribution network of more than 200 digital retail partners, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, eMusic, Rhapsody, 7Digital, Beatport, Deezer, Nokia and 247.

During the coming year Kobalt Artist and Label Services division will roll out next generation services for artists and labels worldwide, offering digital retail, subscription, D2C and social media services, and advanced data analytics.

“Our expansion and launch of Kobalt’s Artist and Label Services division and the acquisition of AWAL is a response to our clients’ needs and to a major shift in where we see the market is heading,” said Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Music Group. “With an efficient platform, direct distribution channel, a successful track record and strong management, AWAL was built on similar core values of transparency and integrity as Kobalt was. This acquisition is a building block in Kobalt’s long-term strategy of creating a new kind of full music service alternative for rights holders including artists and labels.”

AWAL will remain a standalone company within Kobalt Music Group. The company is expected to expand and will continue to operate independently from its London and Sheffield offices.

Paul Hitchman will serve as Managing Director of Kobalt Artist and Label Services, effective Feb. 1. Hitchman’s career includes co-founding the European digital music companies Playlouder, MSP and CI, as well as time at Warner Music UK and Arista/BMG UK. AWAL’s management team of Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Quarmby, Denzyl Feigelson and Paul Bower will remain intact reporting to Hitchman.

Kobalt Neighbouring Rights Limited (KNRL) has tapped Hans van Berkel, Founder and former CEO of leading rights society SENA, as KNRL Executive Chairman. In the U.S., John Simson, former executive director of SoundExchange, will serve as U.S. Representative for Artist Relations and Business Development. Sabine Jones, who previously ran neighboring rights societies PAMRA (UK) and SWISSPERFORM, has joined as KNRL Managing Director.