Photos: Rising Artists Making The Rounds

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Mandisa Celebrates First No. 1
On Monday (8/1) ASCAP celebrated the writers and publishers of “Stronger,” Mandisa’s No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, with a reception in Franklin, Tenn. Written by Ben Glover, David Garcia and Chris Stevens, the song marks Glover’s eleventh trip to the top of the charts and Garcia’s first. Publishers Brentwood-Benson Publishing and EMI CMG Publishing were also honored. “Stronger” is Mandisa’s first trip to No. 1 and is the lead single from her third studio album on Sparrow/EMI CMG, What If We Were Real.

Pictured (L-R): EMI CMG Label Group's Peter York, EMI CMG's Bill Hearn, ASCAP's Tim DuBois, Ben Glover, EMI CMG Publishing's Matt Ewald and Eddie DeGarmo, Mandisa, Brentwood-Benson Publishing's Dale Mathews and John Andrade, David Garcia, ASCAP's Michael Martin, Brentwood-Benson's Stacey Willbur, EMI CMG Label Group's Brad O'Donnell, Brentwood-Benson's Eric Hurt, EMI CMG Label Group's Karrie Hardwick. Photo: Cami Steger


 
UMPG Inks Striking Matches
Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville recently signed Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis of Striking Matches (formerly Common Thread) to an Exclusive Songwriter & Publishing Agreement. The duo is managed by John Grady of Crush Management. Philadelphia native Zimmerman met Atlanta native Davis when a professor at Belmont University paired them to perform for a classroom full of guitar majors. Their wide-ranging influences include Jerry Reed, The Beatles, John Mayer and Patsy Cline.

Pictured (L-R): seated: Striking Matches’ Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann. Back row: Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Pat Higdon, Crush Management’s John Grady and Universal Music Publishing’s Cyndi Forman. Photo: Rory White


 
Brett Eldredge Visits CMA
Atlantic Records’ Brett Eldredge stopped by the CMA offices this week to perform several songs from his upcoming debut album including the Top 25 single “Raymond” as well as his recently released “It Aint’ Gotta Be Love.”

Pictured (L-R): Violator Nashville Manager, Brad Kennard; Warner Music Nashville VP of Publicity, Tree Paine; Violator Nashville GM, Rob Baker; CMA Sr. Manager of Membership & Balloting, Brandi Simms; Brett Eldredge; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; CMA VP of Strategic Partnerships, Sheri Warnke; CMA Sr. Coordinator of Member and Industry Relations, Betsy Walker; Warner Music Nashville VP of Marketing, Kelli Cashiola; and BMI Director of Writer-Publisher Relations, Bradley Collins. Photo: Amanda Eckard / CMA

Rascal Flatts Feted For No. 1 Single, Platinum Album

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MusicRow Pres./Owner Sherod Robertson (R) presents a plaque to Jason Sellers (L) for the song reaching No. 1 on MusicRow's CountryBreakout chart. Photo: Christie King


Music executives gathered last night (8/3) to celebrate the recent chart-topping success of the Rascal Flatts hit “I Won’t Let Go,” from the pens of songwriters Jason Sellers and Steve Robson. It was the band’s 13th career No. 1 single.
ASCAP and the Flatts’ label home Big Machine Records hosted the evening at Nashville’s downtown Hard Rock Cafe. Big Machine boss Scott Borchetta upped the ante when he shared news that Rascal Flatts’s Nothing Like This album has been certified platinum.
“As we all know, the one-million sales mark of any album by any artist in the current environment is a big, big deal and I’m proud as can be that our first album with Rascal Flatts has hit this milestone,” said Borchetta. “Working with Gary, Joe Don and Jay over the last year has been an absolute blast and I look forward to making a lot more great Rascal Flatts music with them. They are consummate professionals, are ridiculously talented and it seems that they are having more fun than ever being in Rascal Flatts. I’m honored to have them with us at Big Machine.” Since 2000, the band has sold more than 20 million albums.
Publishers were on hand to salute the songwriters behind the “I Won’t Let Go.” Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson toasted Sellers, and BMG Chrysalis’s Darrell Franklin read a letter from Robson, who was in London with his family and unable to attend.
Jay DeMarcus spoke for the band, “With God’s help we have been able to bring together a wonderful group of people to surround and reinvigorate our career. We are living a dream come true.”

Jay DeMarcus, Jason Sellers, Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Scott Borchetta. Photo: Ed Rode


 

My Good Girl Music Revamps With Name Change

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Stephanie Greene and Mark Bright today (8/4) announced exclusively with MusicRow a renaming of their publishing company, previously known as My Good Girl Music. Going forward the company will be known as Chatterbox Music.
The publishing house will continue its joint venture with Sony/ATV, and all staff and songwriters will remain in place.
Chatterbox songwriters include Mallary Hope, Jamie Teachenor, Jason Saenz, Allison Veltz, and recent signing April Geesbreght.
Stephanie Greene and Ashley Hertzog can be reached at their new email addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]

The Chatterbox team pictured earlier this summer signing new writer Allison Veltz. (L-R): Mark Bright, Ashley Hertzog, Allison Veltz, Sony/ATV's Troy Tomlinson, and Stephanie Greene.

Industry Ink Wednesday (8/3/11)

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Preston signing Dolly Parton to BMI in the late 1960s. (seated) Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Standing Bill Earl Owens, and Preston. Photo: BMI.com


Living Legends Meet
Revered music exec Frances Preston will be the featured guest on One on One with John Seigenthaler Friday, Aug. 5 at 7:00 p.m. on NPT-Channel 8. The half-hour interview with the acclaimed journalist focuses on Preston’s storied career as President and CEO of BMI, and touches on many of the songwriters and dignitaries that she has worked with.
HFA Inks ONErpm
The Harry Fox Agency has announced licensing and Administration Services agreements with ONErpm. ONErpm is a global digital distribution solution and direct-to-fan music store for independent artists, and labels. Under the licensing arrangement, HFA will clear songs on behalf of ONErpm’s clients for distribution to key digital music stores in the U.S. ONErpm also recently announced the launch of a Facebook application which enables musicians and labels to market and sell their music from their Facebook page.


Odie Blackmon


 
Blackmon Leading Songwriting Class
Hit songwriter Odie Blackmon will teach a class at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music starting Aug. 25. “The Nashville Number System for Songwriters” will be held 15 Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. and is for adults and teens who write songs, sing, or play an instrument but may not read traditional music. Blackmon is a Grammy nominee whose hits include George Strait’s “She’ll Leave You With A Smile,” Lee Ann Womack’s “I May Hate Myself In The Morning,” and Gary Allan’s “Nothing On But The Radio.” Details here.
Bomar Contact Update
Woody Bomar’s Green Hills Music Group has a new phone number: 615-478-0313. Green Hills is working with writers Paul Duncan, and Dave Rivers, and maintains catalog from Bonnie Baker, Bob Regan, Rick Giles, Georgia Middleman, and Steve Williams. The company has cuts on upcoming releases from Eden’s Edge, The Dirt Drifters, Hunter Hayes, and songs on current albums by Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Jake Owen and Rachel Holder. The address remains 1231 17th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37212, and [email protected]
Execs To Be Honored
Industry execs Martha and Mike Borchetta, and Bonnie Garner will receive WHINNY awards this October from the Women’s Horse Industry Network for their efforts and involvement in the equine industry.
Williams Working With Weirs
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and his two daughters were working in Nashville this week. Among their appointments was a session with vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams. Weir has been training with Williams since the 1980s.

Signing Stories

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Management: BMI singer-songwriter Corey Hunt has signed a management agreement with Chris Keaton’s new company, Chris Keaton Presents. Hunt recently relocated to Nashville from North Carolina. Keaton can be reached at (615) 313-7211 or [email protected].

(L-R): BMI's David Preston, Corey Hunt and Chris Keaton


 
Publishing: Songwriter Trent Summar has re-upped with Universal Music Publishing Nashville and Nicholson Music Group. He’s had cuts by Billy Currington, Jack Ingram, Gary Allan and Pat Green. Plus, Summar is expected to have writing credits on upcoming releases by Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, and The Dirt Drifters.

Publicity: Don Murry Grubbs’ Absolute Publicity has signed Dailey & Vincent for representation. The duo is the reigning IBMA Entertainer of the Year.

Dailey & Vincent were joined onstage by Vince Gill during Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman on July 21. Photo: Ryman Archives


 

Perry's Legal; Freeman Signs; Halper Moves

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The Band Perry on tour bus with band, crew and songwriter Jeff Cohen


The Band Perry recently celebrated a particularly special milestone this weekend; youngest brother Neil Perry’s 21st birthday.
While on tour opening for Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic Tour, TBP celebrated with a cupcake display created by sister Kimberly and a box of cupcakes from visiting songwriter, Jeff Cohen. McGraw also contributed to the festivities by having a cake delivered to the vocalist/mandolin player.
After McGraw invited The Band Perry on stage to duet on his song, “Can’t Be Really Gone,” Neil received a special thrill when he was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by the entire arena. Neil jokingly says, “I’ve never been ‘forced’ to eat so many cakes in a day. It was one to remember. And I’m legal!”
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(L-R): Doug Colton, Steve Freeman, Karli Figueroa


Colton Entertainment has signed songwriter and award winning producer Steve Freeman to an exclusive songwriter and co-publishing agreement.
“We are excited to have Steve in our camp. He is an incredibly talented writer and producer, with the drive to match. He has a lot going on and we are proud to be on his team,” says Doug Colton, President of Colton Entertainment.
Since 2006, Freeman has produced and/or written 11 Billboard charting singles and has produced nine nationally distributed albums for Keith Bryant, The Stellas, Stevie Walker, SingleTree and more. He has worked with Ronnie Milsap, Rich Redmond, Jimmy Nichols, BlackHawk and many more.
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The Law Office of Wayne Halper, Esq. has relocated to 1301 16th Avenue South, Nashville, Tn 37212. He can still be reached at (615) 429-8500 and emailed at [email protected]
 

Chicks With Kix; Dirt Drifters To MusicRow

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The songplugging group The Chicks With Hits recently met with Kix Brooks at his home to pitch songs for his upcoming solo project.

Back row: Ree Guyer Buchanan, Debbie Zavitson, Dianna Maher, Kix Brooks, Stephanie Cox, Abbe Nameche, Kim Jones, Whitney Daane. Front row: Celia Froehlig, Melanie Howard, Judy Harris, Janie West, Robin Palmer

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Warner Music Nashville’s The Dirt Drifters visited the MusicRow offices on 7/26 to meet the staff and perform a few songs including current single, “Always a Reason.”

(L-R): Ryan Gardenhire (manager, Breakaway Artists); The Dirt Drifters Jeremy Little, DD's Matt Fleener, MR's Sherod Robertson, MR's Christie King, DD's Nick Diamond, MR's Sarah Skates, DD's Ryan Fleener, MR's Jon Freeman, DD's Jeff Middleton and MR's David Ross

SESAC Partners With INgrooves For Digital Distribution

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SESAC has announced a new partnership with INgrooves a leading provider of digital distribution, marketing and promotion services to the global music & video community via its One Digital platform. INgrooves will service SESAC-represented content to online retailers, mobile carriers, and other digital media outlets. Through this relationship, SESAC will now be able to service content, for which publishing and master rights are owned by its affiliated artists and songwriters, to INgrooves’s list of over 500 online and mobile destinations worldwide. SESAC’s utilization of the One Digital end-to-end digital asset management platform, made possible by the arrangement, automates many distribution and administrative functions for SESAC artists and connects them directly to leading online and mobile stores worldwide.  In addition, the partnership provides clients customized marketing, promotion, and administrative support to help maximize the earnings potential of specific music releases and catalogues.
According to SESAC, the deal signifies an evolution in its digital strategy.  While licensing and royalty accounting remain core competencies, new value-add services such as digital delivery and distribution will augment opportunities for licensing SESAC-represented content in the marketplace.
“A PRO is often the first industry relationship an aspiring artist, songwriter, or composer has in their career,” said Hunter Williams, Sr. VP, Strategic Development, Distribution and Research Operations, SESAC, Inc. “In the age of DIY (do-it-yourself), it’s more important than ever that we use this position to provide complementary services to our affiliated artists and writers to help them meet their professional goals. The more opportunities SESAC can create for its artists and writers to distribute their content into the marketplace, the more opportunities it will present for SESAC to monetize that content in the licensing arena.”
 

Spotify Taps HFA

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The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) has entered into a publishing licensing, administration and management agreement with Spotify, which is in the middle of its US launch following much success overseas. HFA will clear mechanical publishing rights for Spotify, licensing certain rights in millions of musical works.
Under the agreement, Spotify will utilize HFA’s end-to-end publishing licensing, reporting, and royalty services. HFA’s state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive database make the organization uniquely qualified to provide these services.
Headed by President & CEO Gary Churgin, HFA has more than 46,000 affiliated publishers.

All About Music, Film, TV Retreat Visits BMI

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The All About Music Film and TV Retreat brings a small number of talented artists together with music supervisors from L.A. for a week of bonding designed to help the participants get their music into film and TV. When Emmit Martin, the founder and organizer of the retreat, was working in L.A. and trying to pitch music to supervisors, he noticed that office visits were generally not enough to establish successful business relationships. “When you go to somebody’s office, most of the time they’re really distracted, so I thought to myself that there has to be a better way,” explains Martin. “I wanted to start bringing supervisors to Nashville—into our territory—and allow us to host them and show them some Southern hospitality, and the diverse music scene that we have here.” Part of this year’s retreat included a music/luncheon at BMI whic gave songwritiers an opportunity to showcase with some short acoustic sets fro the music supervisors.

(L-R): See Music’s Chuck Bein, ABC/Disney’s Tony Von Previeux, Lifetime TV’s Marianne Goode, MTV’s Laura Webb, Fusion Music Supervision’s Chris Mollore, Firestarter Music’s Andrea Von Foerster, BMI’s David Preston, E! Entertainment’s Rebecca Reinks, All About Music’s Emmit Martin, Whoopsie Daisy Music’s Madonna Wade Reed, Lone Wolf Music Supervision’s Lindsay Wolfington and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry