A2IM Names Board
A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music, has announced its 2011 Board of Directors. Big Machine GM Andrew Kautz is on the President’s Advisory Committee.
Newly elected A2IM Board of Directors: Priya Dewan (Warp Records), Tor Hansen (Yep Roc Records), Bruce Iglauer (Alligator Records), Martin Mills (Beggars Group) and Victor Zaraya (Razor & Tie).
Newly appointed A2IM President’s Advisory Committee: Andrew Kautz (Big Machine Records), Jim Selby (Naxos USA), and Denny Stilwell (Mack Avenue Records).
The remainder of the board in the middle of three-year terms is: Concord Music Group’s Glen Barros, Sub Pop’s Eric Brown, tinyOGRE Entertainment’s Jim Cooperman, Epitaph’s Dave Hansen, Kill Rock Stars’ Portia Sabin, and Tommy Boy’s Tom Silverman.

Format Expands Nashville Operations Headed by Anastasia Brown
Music supervision company Format Entertainment has expanded into Nashville and established a Format Music Publishing satellite office, headed by Anastasia Brown. She will represent local artists for film, TV pilots and commercials. In the last six months, Brown has licensed 10 songs and 12 masters with Nashville ties. She has also signed five local artists to the publishing division. She has been working on the Paramount Pictures re-make of Footloose, while also supervising New Regency’s The Darkest Hour (Emile Hirsch), the ABC-TV pilot from Marc Cherry Hallelujah, and more.
Ruby Records Opens in Nashville
New Hampshire based indie label Ruby Records has opened a Nashville office. CEO Gary Crane says the local operation has signed Jimmy Lehoux. Handling radio promotion is Tom McBee & Associates, with the Thompson Entertainment Group overseeing marketing and public relations.
Ruby Records Nashville (615) 754-8004 ext 3, New Hampshire (603) 715-1044, and [email protected].
McBee can be reached at (615) 824-5370 and [email protected].

Megan Burns at Thompson Entertainment Group can be contacted at (615) 742-8004 or [email protected].

James Burton’s Mother Dies
Condolences to musician and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member James Burton on the passing of his mother, Lola Poland Burton, on May 23, 2011. She was 96, and left a large, loving family to cherish her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James Burton Foundation, 714 Elvis Presley Ave, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101.
Composer Greg Sims’ New Film
Nashvillian Greg Sims composed music for the new film The Lion of Judah. The movie is the first 3-D animated faith-based film and is being released worldwide, including a premiere showing at Nashville’s Regal Hollywood 27. He also executive produced the soundtrack, which is available through online retailers such as Amazon.com and iTunes.

Bug Music CEO John Rudolph announced today the company has entered into an exclusive agreement to administer rights to Sugar Hill Records’ music publishing catalog. The deal gives Bug Music worldwide rights to a 600-title library containing a “who’s who” of country, bluegrass and Americana music.
The rosters at Sugar Hill Records’ two publishing companies, Southern Melody Publishing Co. and Queen’s Counsel Music, include Nickel Creek members Chris Thile, Sarah and Sean Watkins, Robin and Linda Williams, Ralph Stanley, Etta Baker, Claude Hensley, Ruth Franks, Doc Watson, Tommy Thompson of Red Clay Ramblers, and members of Donna the Buffalo, Austin Lounge Lizards and Seldom Scene.
“Sugar Hill’s Southern Melody Publishing Co. and Queen’s Counsel Music developed a rich catalog of American roots music,” Bug Music Senior VP Garry Velletri said. “Sugar Hill has done an amazing job in working with their writers, and we’re proud to represent and find new opportunities across multiple platforms for their music.”
Bug Music claims to be the largest U.S. independent contemporary publisher, spread across eight offices in the U.S. and Europe. Sugar Hill Records, co-founded in Durham, North Carolina in 1978, has grown to become one of the country’s premier country, bluegrass and Americana record labels.
 

My Good Girl Music has hired Ashley Hertzog as Creative Manager. My Good Girl Music is a joint venture between platinum producer Mark Bright and Sony/ATV Music Nashville.
Hertzog makes the move from Combustion Music, where she had worked since 2005 as Catalog Manager. She can be reached at (615) 259-5447 or [email protected].
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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has hired Michelle Tigard Kammerer and Cheri Lynn Martin as Directors of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, effective June 6, 2011.
Kammerer has more than 10 years of experience in the music industry, including almost seven years at the Nashville office of CAA. As a past chairman of the popular charity event Young Nashville Party, Kammerer helped secure sponsorships with brands including Coca-Cola, Loews Hotels and Virgin America Airlines.
Martin joins CRB from Seattle, Wash., where she specialized in A&R Development at Pledge Music. She has worked on marketing campaigns for artists, record labels including Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music Nashville, Capitol Records, and outfits like Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. From 2006-2010, Martin ran her own promotions and marketing firm, where she promoted artists including Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Phil Vassar. Martin also spent time as a National Promotion Director with RCA Label Group.
Kammerer and Martin will be charged with events including CRS 2012, set for Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville.

Singer/songwriter Bo Bice has been signed to RPM Music for publishing. “I’m proud to welcome Bo to the RPM family,” says company President Scott Siman. “We value Bo’s great experience and creativity and both staff and writers look forward to the music they will be creating together.”
Bice, who was an American Idol finalist in season 4, is currently represented by Rusty Harmon of MTM Management. MTM’s roster also includes Scarletta and Yarn. Former clients include Jason Michael Carroll plus Hootie and the Blowfish.
RPM Music is co-owned by Siman and Blake Chancey. The company’s catalog includes rights to songs such as “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (Alan Jackson), “I’m Movin’ On” (Rascal Flatts) and “Leave the Pieces” (The Wreckers), among others. Recent hits include “What Kinda Gone” (Chris Cagle), “Anything Goes” (Randy Houser), and Montgomery Gentry singles “One in Every Crowd” “Long Line of Losers” and “Oughta Be A Song About That.” The RPM Music writer roster includes Aubrey Collins, Benji Harris, Nathan Stoops, and Katie Rae Davis.