ASCAP gathered Drake White and his team members recently to celebrate his signing to Universal Music Group Nashville. The songwriter/artist is working with producer Jeremy Stover. He is signed to Vector Management and EMI Music Publishing.
Pictured (L-R): Tom Luteran (EMI), Brian Wright (Universal), Ross Schilling (Vector), Jeremy Stover (producer), Laura Wright (EMI), Drake White, LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP), Ben Vaughn (EMI), Randy Grimmett (ASCAP). Photo: Jessica Draper
Front (L-R): Karen Harrison-Hite, Lu Ann Inman, Martha Earls, Laura Veltz, Mike Molinar; Back: Patricia Ragan-Mainello, Steve Markland, BJ Hill, Matt Michiels, Alicia Pruitt
Warner/Chappell Music announced today that it signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter Laura Veltz.
Veltz’s songs have been recorded by Jana Kramer and Edens Edge. “What I Love About Your Love” was cut by Elektra Nashville recording artist, Warner/Chappell songwriter, and the CW’s One Tree Hill star, Jana Kramer. “Slow Motion” was written for her longtime collaborators, Big Machine act Edens Edge.
Born into a family of musicians, Veltz began performing across the country alongside her parents and siblings at the age of 18. The Veltz family band, known as Cecilia, toured across the United States and was signed to Atlantic Records.
BMI and ASCAP teamed up yesterday afternoon (9/26) at CMA’s headquarters to honor the songwriting team behind Valory Music Co. artist Justin Moore’s No. 1 “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” Written by Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch, and Brett Jones, the song was originally given to Moore’s producer Jeremy Stover over five years ago. As they finished recording Moore’s second album Outlaws Like Me, Stover recommended that “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” be the first single and the rest is fairly recent history.
Pictured: BMI’s Jody Williams, Universal Music Publishing’s Pat Higdon, producer Jeremy Stover, co-writers Dallas Davidson and Rob Hatch, Valory Recording artist Justin Moore, Big Machine/Valory Music’s Scott Borchetta, co-writer Brett Jones and ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan. Photo: Eric England
Kim Wiggins
peermusic has tapped Kim Wiggins to serve as Creative Manager. The announcement was made today (9/28) by Kevin Lamb, Vice President, peermusic Nashville.
Wiggins comes from Sony/ATV, where she held a similar post. Before her tenure at Sony/ATV, Wiggins was a songplugger at Blacktop Music as well as Acuff-Rose Music Publishing.
“Kim is going to be a great addition to our family,” said Lamb. “She’s well respected, and has a great way of working with and nurturing songwriters. Kim understands the creative atmosphere Michael Knox and I are developing and she will be a vital part of helping this to come together.”
Added Michael Knox, peermusic Senior Creative Director, “She is hands down one of the best songpluggers and creative minds in town and I’m very lucky to have gotten her on the peermusic/Nashville team.”
Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic operates 35 offices in 28 countries and has more than 250,000 titles in its catalogue.
As previously reported, Ben Strain is filling the vacancy at Sony/ATV left by Wiggins’ departure.
Pictured seated (L-R): Razor & Tie’s Beka Tischker and Catt Gravitt. Standing: Razor & Tie’s Ross Asher & Lisa Johnson; SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge
SESAC songwriter Catt Gravitt has signed with Razor & Tie Publishing. Gravitt has writing credits on the current singles from Eden’s Edge (“Amen”) and Jake Owen (“Alone With You”). The Coal Valley, Pa. native has written songs recorded by Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Kenny Rogers. Gravitt is also a successful songwriter in the Christian Music genre having written “In Better Hands,” which Natalie Grant took to No. 1.
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Tiffany Bearden
Tiffany Bearden is launching Evolution PR, offering full-scale publicity campaigns as well as individual services including press releases, tour press and social media marketing. Bearden previously spent four years at FrontPage Publicity working with clients Martina McBride, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and more. FrontPage Publicity owner Kathy Best praises, “I consider anyone very lucky to have her on their team.” Contact Tiffany Bearden at [email protected] or (615) 852-6076 www.evolutionprnashville.com.
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Sue Fabisch and Ilene Angel won the Avon Voices songwriting competition. They will receive a trip to New York City in November, and attend the Avon Foundation for Women Gala where their winning songs will be performed in front of a tastemaker audience.
(L-R): Sue Fabisch and Ilene Angel
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Melissa Schleicher
Make-up artist Melissa Schleicher, with clients including Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and Rascal Flatts, is opening a full-service salon and make-up boutique this fall. Parlour 3 will be located at 144 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN.
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Sugar Hill Records released Kenny Vaughan’s solo debut V earlier this month. Vaughan is a member of Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlatives, who also play on the album. Vaughan is a 2006 Instrumentalist of the Year award winner from the Americana Music Association. Veta Cicolello and Theo Antoniadis of Ovvio Arte created the album artwork for V.
Celebrating Vaughan's album release at Earnest Tubb Record Shop (L-R): Vaughn, Stuart and Manuel
Despite the rain, crowds flocked to the tented parking lot of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) yesterday (9/19) for its annual salute to songwriters who hit No. 1 in the past year.
With the help of co-sponsors The Recording Academy and City National Bank, the organization honored 74 songwriters responsible for 36 songs that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s charts between July 2010 and June 2011. A full list is included below.
Prior to the No. 1 presentations, special recognition was given to four individuals. Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Foglesong was given NSAI’s President’s Choice Award for making significant contributions for the advancement of songwriters. The Maggie Cavender Award of Service for an individual who has significantly served the interests of the songwriting community was actually bestowed on two individuals: Songwriters Hall of Fame member Cowboy Jack Clement, and songwriter/artist Lorene Mann, who created the NSAI’s famed “It All Begins With A Song” slogan.
NSAI also presented the first Writers Round Host Award to Debi Champion, who has led songwriter nights at the Commodore Lounge for years. “The greatest gift, besides my family and friends, has been meeting these songwriters,” said Champion in her acceptance.
Mann also praised the work NSAI on behalf of songwriters, offering an important piece of advice to artists and people in the business: “Treat the struggling songwriter with kindness, because you never know who might be building you a mansion tomorrow.”
No. 1 songs and songwriters:
“A Little Bit Stronger” – Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, Hillary Scott (recorded by Sara Evans)
“All About Tonight” – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“All Over Me” – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip (recorded by Josh Turner)
“Anything Like Me” – Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley, Dave Turnbull (recorded by Brad Paisley)
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Jim Collins, David Lee Murphy (recorded by Thompson Square)
“As She’s Walking Away” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette (recorded by Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson)
“Colder Weather” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, Coy Bowles (recorded by Zac Brown Band)
“Come Back Song” – Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton, Casey Beathard (recorded by Darius Rucker)
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Andy Gibson, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers (recorded by Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson)
“Felt Good On My Lips” – Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren (recorded by Tim McGraw)
“Free” – Zac Brown (recorded by Zac Brown Band)
“Heart Like Mine” – Travis Howard, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe (recorded by Miranda Lambert)
“Honey Bee” – Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“If I Die Young” – Kimberly Perry (recorded by The Band Perry)
“Let Me Down Easy” – Marty Dodson, Jennifer Hanson, Mark Nesler (recorded by Billy Currington)
“Live A Little” – Shane Minor, David Lee Murphy (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“Lover, Lover” – Daniel Pritzker (recorded by Jerrod Niemann)
“Mine” – Taylor Swift (recorded by Taylor Swift)
“Old Alabama” – Chris DuBois, Randy Owen, Brad Paisley, Dave Turnbull (recorded by Brad Paisley w/ Alabama)
“Our Kind Of Love” – Busbee, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott (recorded by Lady Antebellum)
“Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” – Troy Jones (recorded by Billy Currington)
“Radioactive” – Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill (recorded by Kings Of Leon)
“Rain Is A Good Thing” – Dallas Davidson, Luke Bryan (recorded by Luke Bryan)
“Roll With It” – Tony Lane, David Lee, Johnny Park (recorded by Easton Corbin)
“Someone Else Calling You Baby” – Luke Bryan, Jeff Stevens (recorded by Luke Bryan)
“Somewhere With You” – J.T. Harding, Shane McAnally (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“The Boys of Fall” – Casey Beathard, Dave Turnbull (recorded by Kenny Chesney)
“This” – Kara DioGuardi, Frank Rogers, Darius Rucker (recorded by Darius Rucker)
“Turn On The Radio” – Cherie Oakley, Mark Oakley, J.P. Twang (recorded by Reba)
“Undo It” – Kara Dioguardi, Martin Frederiksen, Luke Laird, Carrie Underwood (recorded by Carrie Underwood)
“Voices” – Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Chris Young (recorded by Chris Young)
“Water” – Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley (recorded by Brad Paisley)
“We R Who We R” – Ammo (Joshua Coleman), Benny Blanco (Benjamin Levin), Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald), Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ke$ha (Kesha Sebert) (recorded by Ke$ha)
“Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – Earl Bud Lee, John Wiggins (recorded by Blake Shelton)
“Why Wait” – Tom Shapiro, Neil Thrasher, Jimmy Yeary (recorded by Rascal Flatts)
“Without You” – Dave Pahanish, Joe West (recorded by Keith Urban)
Mac McAnally
• Hit songwriter and musician Mac McAnally will release his first live recording Live in Muscle Shoals Oct. 11 on Mailboat Records. Recorded during the W.C. Handy Music Festival, the CD includes his hits “Back Where I Come” (Kenny Chesney), “All These Years” (Sawyer Brown), and “Down the Road” (Chesney), as well as “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and more.
McAnally is the reigning and three-time winner of CMA Musician of the Year, and will vie for the trophy again on Nov. 9.
He also produced the new album by Mockingbird Sun, The Muscle Shoals EP, featuring lead single “Lucky Guy,” co-written by Liz Rose.
Matt Rogers
• Better Angels Music Group staff songwriter Matthew J. Rogers landed a cut with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. It will be released on iTunes today (9/20) as part of the NFL’s Official Gameday Music of the NFL, Volume 2 package. The track, “You Gotta Want It,” was co-written by Chris Weaver.
Katie Herzig
• Songwriter Katie Herzig is the recipient of this year’s ASCAP Foundation Sammy Cahn Award for her song “Closest I Get.” The Award, created in 1995, commemorates the life and career of the great lyricist and ASCAP Board member Sammy Cahn. Herzig joins a group of distinguished past recipients that include John Mayer, Josh Ritter, and Lori McKenna. Herzig is currently on the Ten Out of Tenn tour and her fifth album, The Waking Sleep, will be released this month.
Pictured recently at the Bluebird: Beth Nielsen Chapman and Todd Wilkes
• Applications are being accepted for the Jeffrey Steele Songwriting Bootcamp, hosted by 3 Ring Circus Music and BMI. Thirty applicants will be chosen based on songs and applications submitted by Oct. 28. Visit JeffreySteele.com for details.
• NSAI’s Songposium shows kick off tonight (9/20) at the Bluebird Cafe with Tom Douglas, Gordie Sampson, and James Slater. The fundraiser series runs through Sept. 24. Also, Bluebird On The Mountain takes place this coming Sat., Sept. 24 with Bob DiPiero, Leslie Satcher and Al Anderson.
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), the music rights management organization further extended its 20-year record of annually increasing revenue collections for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 with revenues in excess of $931 million. Revenues for 2010 totaled $917 million.
According to BMI it will distribute royalties of $796 million to the over 500,000 songwriters, composers and copyright owners it represents. Last year’s distribution tally was about $789 million.
Del Bryant
BMI President & CEO Del Bryant said, “In addition to the strength of our repertoire, a key factor in our ability to grow revenues despite a challenging global economy is the enduring value of our core offering: the blanket license. Securing unlimited public-performance rights to BMI’s entire repertoire of more than 6.5 million works with one stable agreement is as valuable for new media companies such as YouTube and Spotify as it is for our radio, television, cable network and general licensees.”
According to BMI, the repertoire was invigorated by global megahits from songwriters such as Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and Rihanna, and breakout success across a wide spectrum of genres from songwriter/artists such as urban sensation Nicky Minaj, British chanteuse Adele, urban/Latin phenomenon Pitbull and Nashville artists The Band Perry, Easton Corbin and Jason Aldean. These newer songwriter/artists build on a foundation laid by BMI icons such as The Eagles, ZZ Top, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson and Queen.
BMI’s press announcement claims it operates with an overhead among the lowest of any music rights organization in the world, an achievement made possible by the company’s long-term dedication to technology. In 2010, the organization processed almost 100 billion copyright transactions on behalf of its music creators, copyright owners and licensees.
BMI’s largest revenue category is Cable & Satellite which accounts for about 34% of collections. Radio is a close second contributing 30%.
(L-R) C.T. Wyatt, J.P. Williams (caricature) and Tim Hunze.
“We are up and running and are looking for great writers,” says Tim Hunze, who now heads up Parallel Music Publishing’s Nashville offices. “We believe being a boutique publisher is perfect for today’s ever changing environment.”
Parallel Music Publishing is a partnership between Hunze, Parallel Entertainment Founder & CEO, J.P. Williams, and C.T. Wyatt, who runs the Nashville office of Parallel Entertainment. Parallel just recently moved into its new office on Music Row, located at 1505 16th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. 615-750-2613. Parallel Entertainment and Parallel Music Publishing will share that office space.
Before Parallel, Hunze worked for Stage Three Music where he helped cultivate the talents of writers like 2009 BMI Songwriter of the Year, Bobby Pinson, and 2010 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Brett James. He has also worked with hit songwriters Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin, Lee Miller and Jon Mabe.
Parallel Music’s parent company, Parallel Entertainment is a full service talent management and production company. It has produced everything from motion pictures to music albums to programming for a variety of cable television networks, including HBO and Comedy Central. Its talent roster boasts some of comedy’s most notable acts like Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Lisa Lampanelli as well as music acts like Zella Day and Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Dean Alexander. It also manages actors including former CMT Insider host, Lance Smith.
“We have extensive contacts in the TV, motion picture, video game, and music industries,” Hunze explains. “The opportunities and possibilities for Parallel Music Publishing’s songwriters are endless. We love country music but we’re not limiting ourselves to any one genre.”
Ben Strain
Ben Strain has joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville as Creative Manager. Strain spent the last seven years at Sony Music Nashville, serving as Creative Coordinator in the A&R department as well as a Creative Manager for Sony Music. Beginning Sept. 18, reach Strain at 615-726-8300 or [email protected].
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EJ Bernas
MCA Southwest Regional promo rep EJ Bernas will exit his post with the label, as he begins his newly created job as VP Entertainment for Nashville-based Tin Roof Corporation. The company operates six bars including the popular Demonbreun location, with three more in development and construction. He started on Sept. 2 and is currently pulling double duty until he officially departs the label in early October. Reach him at [email protected] going forward.