Davidson, EMI Renew Publishing Deal

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Hit songwriter Dallas Davidson and EMI Music Publishing have entered a new co-publishing deal, extending their four-year relationship. EMI Music Publishing will continue to represent Davidson’s catalogue and future works on a worldwide basis in partnership with Davidson’s Two Chord Georgia Music.

Davidson’s recent hits include songs recorded by Lady Antebellum (“We Owned The Night”), Luke Bryan (“I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Country Girl Shake It For Me”), Blake Shelton (“It’s All About Tonight”) and Montgomery/Gentry (“Where I Come From”). He was crowned this year’s BMI Songwriter of the Year and was awarded BMI’s Song Of The Year for “All Over Me” (Josh Turner).

EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive Vice President Ben Vaughn said, “Dallas is a talented, driven, world class songwriter who writes songs that sell records and radio plays. Our entire EMI team could not be prouder to have partnered with him during his rise to the top of the charts many, many times. He cares deeply about his friends, his music, and he’s a great guy to go hang out with at The Cracker Barrel.”

“Today is a big day for me,” added Davidson. “I’m very excited to be moving forward with the EMI team. Ben Vaughn is the reason that I came here four short years ago and he has done everything he said he would. I believe in loyalty and friendships in this business and with EMI I have both. On the business side of things I see EMI, Ben Vaughn, and Big Jon Platt as the best of the best. Together we are extremely productive. Why in the hell would I wanna be anywhere else?”

Since his breakout 2006 hit “Honky Tonk Badonadonk” (Trace Adkins), Davidson has racked up 16 top 20 singles, including 12 No. 1s, a few of which include “Start a Band” (Brad Paisley & Keith Urban), “That’s How Country Boys Roll” (Billy Currington), “Rain Is A Good Thing” (Luke Bryan), “Gimmie That Girl” (Joe Nichols), “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” (Justin Moore) and “Just A Kiss” (Lady Antebellum).

20th Annual Tin Pan South Dates Revealed

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Nashville is a songwriter’s town, and Nashville Songwriters Association International’s annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is one of the art form’s finest celebrations. With over 75 shows in a variety of locations, it truly has something for the song-lover in everyone.

The 20th Annual installation of Tin Pan South, produced by NSAI and presented by Regions Bank, will be held March 27 –  31, 2012 in some of Nashville’s best listening rooms. Featuring numerous songwriting talents from pro hitmakers to new faces, TPS is the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. Performers for the 19th annual gathering earlier in 2011 included Craig Wiseman, Steve Cropper, Rivers Rutherford, and many more.

Passes go on sale Wednesday, March 7, at the Tin Pan South website while supplies last. To gain priority access to all shows and hop from venue to venue, the festival offers a Tin Pan South Fast Access Pass. Proceeds from the festival support the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Snapshots (12/20/11)

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The boys of Montgomery Gentry wrapped up a successful year last Thursday (Dec. 15) with a concert in conjunction with WPOC/Baltimore, MD. The event raised over $13,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

(L-R): Eddie Montgomery, WPOC Program Director Justin Cole and Troy Gentry.

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The first ladies pitch group gathered at Black River Music Group for a pitching session on December 14. The young professional song pluggers had a chance to bring songs to the label’s Doug Johnson and artist Sarah Darling.

(L-R) Back: Janine Appelton, Kimberly June, Cynthia Anderson, Meghan Galbraith, Casey Le’Vasseur, Emily Schiraldi, Carrie Gallo, Missy Wilson; Front: Celia Froehlig, Brooke Arrington, Penny Lou Everhard, Lisa Johnson, Laura Wright, Natalie Harker, Sarah Darling, Doug Johnson

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Chris Cagle recently released the video for his current single “Got My Country On,” which was directed by Marcel. The clip explores both the “rocker” and “rancher” aspects of Cagle’s personality, and was filmed both at the Cagle ranch in Marietta, OK as well as Billy Bob’s Forth Worth.

Chris Cagle (R) performs at Billy Bob's Fort Worth for the "Got My Country On" video.

Shockey and LeHew ‘Fly High’ With New Book

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The Factory at Franklin host a presentation of Flying High, a new book co-written by best-selling author and songwriter, Stowe D. Shockey, and motivational speaker/entrepreneur Calvin LeHew.

The special event will take place Sunday, Dec. 18 at 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 7065 from 2-4 PM It will feature a discussion, a musical performance from Stowe, and a complete viewing of the book’s inspirational 40 minute companion film. The event is free and open to the public.

Five time Grammy Award winner Naomi Judd, who wrote a foreword for the book, said, “If you are struggling with adversity of any kind, whether sickness, financial or just trying to figure out your purpose in this world, there’s something precious in this story for you. It’s a powerful dose of inspiration that will encourage you along your own journey.”

Motivational Speaker and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Karen Taylor-Good praised the book as well, saying, “What a great book! I’ve known these spiritual principles for years, but actually seeing them put to the test through Stowe’s incredible journey, and Calvin’s amazing life, I am moved, inspired and recharged.”

“If you are ready to fly high in health, happiness, wealth and a deep joy of living, then this book is for you,” chimed in Mark Victor Hansen, the best-selling author behind the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Musical Chairs (12/15/11)

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Katy Brown Epley

Katy Brown Epley has been promoted to Director of National Expansion for the Musicians On Call network. She has served with the organization’s Nashville chapter as Program Director for nearly five years.

In addition to current Program Director responsibilities, Epley will now be directly involved in establishing new MOC branches around the nation along with training and supporting program directors.

Since joining Musicians On Call, Epley has arranged musical visitors and performances for nearly 45,000 patients, coordinated over 100 volunteer musicians, and created the national Rock a Patient’s World campaign to bring a music visitor to a patient’s room every week for one year.

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As of Thursday (12/22), Jess Draper will be leaving her Creative Manager position with ASCAP Nashville to accept a director position with The Media Collective.

“I’m sad to say goodbye to ASCAP and all of my amazing colleagues, who have become like family, but I’m also very excitedly anticipating this new chapter and the rest of what the future holds,” said Draper.

The Media Collective is a PR firm representing many Christian music artists as Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Phil Wickham, Chris Tomlin, and Christy Nockels.

Draper’s new position will become effective January 2, where she can be reached at [email protected] or (615) 336-4636.

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Janice Bane

Janice Bane will step down from her position as General Manager for Conexion Media Group at the end of 2011. Bane previously handled copyright administration, music licensing, and day-to-day operations for the company.

Bane joined Conexion in January 2008, and has held various jobs in the Nashville publishing world since 1987. She will relocate with her family to Columbus, Mississippi and can be reached at [email protected].

Neal Coty Inks New Publishing Deal

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Dune Grass Music has inked an exclusive songwriter deal with Neal Coty. He’s written several singles, including the title track for James Wesley’s new Broken Bow release (“Real”), as well as cuts by Craig Morgan (“Every Friday Afternoon”), Blake Shelton (“Playboys of the Southwestern World”), and Mark Chestnutt (“She Was”).

Dune Grass General Manager Paul Compton says, “His talents as a gifted lyricist and craftsman put Neal at the top of his class and will bring an added level of experience to the entire Dune Grass roster. We’re excited and fortunate to have him on the team. ”

Dune Grass Music is a Nashville based publishing company whose other writers include Don Scott Hare, Chris Harris, Red Marlow and Amber Leigh White.

Barbara Orbison Passes

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Barbara Orbison, widow of rock legend Roy Orbison, passed away in Los Angeles yesterday (12/6) following a battle with pancreatic cancer. In May of 2011 she underwent treatment at USC Medical Center and was ultimately re-admitted in mid-November. She was 60.

Roy Orbison passed away on the same day 23 years ago in 1988. The two met at a nightclub in Leeds, England in 1968 when Barbara was 17 and Roy was 32. They were married in Nashville in 1969.

Barbara Orbison (born Barbara Anne Marie Wilhonnen Jacobs in Germany) managed her husband’s career and estate since the 1980s, including co-producing the 2008 box set titled Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll (Sony Legacy), the first all-inclusive anthology of Roy’s lengthy career. In 1998, she accepted the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Roy, and in 2010 accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Boulevard.

A respected entrepreneur, Barbara ran operations for Nashville-based publishing company Still Working Music, which was awarded with BMI’s Song of the Year honor in 2010 for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” She also developed and launched a perfume line called Pretty Woman in 2009.

“Barbara loved the Nashville music community and was adored by many here and all over the world,” said Clay Myers, GM/VP for Orbison Music/Still Working Music. “She was a true champion for songwriters and loved the music publishing business! I have truly been blessed to have been able to work for her for the past 10 years. She was a great lady who will be deeply missed.”

She is survived by sons Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr., and Alexander Orbison.

Barbara will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angelas, and a private graveside service will be held. The family will announce plans for a Celebration of Life reception at BMI’s offices in Nashville. Donations in her memory may be made to the Roy Orbison Foundation, c/o Leeann Hard, Forte Management, 725 Arizona Ave., Ste. 206, Los Angeles, CA 90401. The family requests that messages be sent to: [email protected].

Signings: J.J. Lawhorn, Ira Dean

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Average Joe’s has signed EMI Music Publishing songwriter J.J. Lawhorn to a recording agreement. Lawhorn is working with producer Jeremy Stover and his debut video for “Sitting On A Tailgate”—featured on Average Joe’s Muddigger 2 compilation—will soon premiere across multiple platforms.

(L-R) Standing: Attorney Jeff Colvin; LeAnn Phelan, ASCAP; Ben Vaughn, EMI Music Publishing; Ken Madsen, Average Joe’s; Tom Luteran, EMI Music Publishing; Laura Wright, EMI Music Publishing; Seated: J.J. Lawhorn; Jeremy Stover

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EMI Music Publishing and Average Joe’s have also combined forces to sign Ira Dean to a publishing agreement. Dean is currently working on his debut album for Average Joe’s and has had songs recorded by Chris Young, Jake Owen, Gary Allan and his labelmates Montgomery Gentry.

Warner/Chappell Adds To Roster

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(L–R) Front Row: Chip Petree (Petree Law), Damien Horne, Steve Markland (VP A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music). Back Row: BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Phil May (GM/VP Warner/Chappell Music), John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville)

Warner/Chappell Music today (12/5) announced a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Damien Horne, member of country trio The Farm.

Horne and bandmates Nick Hoffman and Krista Marie are signed to Elektra Nashville, part of Warner Music Nashville. The Farm’s new single “Home Sweet Home” is at radio now and an album is set for release in 2012.

Horne is also a solo singer/songwriter whose artistry blends elements of R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, and rock with a uniquely uplifting message.

Sony/ATV Hangs At Top of Publisher Airplay Chart

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Sony/ATV has been poised firmly at the pinnacle of the Top 10 Country Publishers Airplay Chart (published in Billboard) for six of the last seven quarters. The publishing company had 14.1% of market share for country airplay during the third quarter 2011, measured by HFA between July 1 and Sept. 30. This percentage is down slightly from Sony/ATV’s Q2 and Q1 shares, which were 14.8% and 15.9%, respectively, but still ranked No. 1 on the list.

Rounding out the top five publishers on the newly released Q3 country rankings are: No. 2 EMI Music Publishing (13.1%), No. 3 Warner/Chappell Music (11.7%), No. 4 UMPG (10.8%), and No. 5 Words And Music Copyright Administration (10.8%). The complete top ten list is in the Nov. 19 issue of Billboard.

Looking at the overall charts, EMI Music Publishing had the largest share of airplay for the sixth consecutive quarter with 17.9%. Nashville based Words & Music ranked No. 8, driven in part by “Tonight Tonight” (Hot Chelle Rae) and “Remind Me” (Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood).

Kimberly Perry ranked No. 6 on the Top 10 Songwriters Airplay Chart, the only country writer on the overall list.

Her solo-write “If I Die Young” landed at No. 15 on the Top 20 Airplay Songs chart, and Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight” ranked No. 11.

HFA determines a publisher’s share of a song and compiles the charts based on the top 100 country songs at 192 stations monitored by Nielsen BDS. A publisher is defined as an administrator, copyright owner and/or controlling party.