Industry Ink Wednesday (4/13)

/by

Producer Charlie Peacock, Erika Attwater, Jonathan Richards, and Twenty Ten Creative Director, Sam Ashworth. Photo: Allister Ann


Grammy winning producer Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars, Switchfoot), Sr. VP of A&R for Twenty Ten Music has signed new country band Attwater to an exclusive production and publishing deal.
The band, made up of Erika Attwater and Jonathan Richards, started recording with Peacock in January and the result is described as classic rock a la Fleetwood Mac with bluegrass flavoring. Among the Nashville tunesmiths who have contributed to the project are Luke Laird, Sam Ashworth, Trent Dabbs, and Matthew Perryman Jones. Peacock also recruited A-list session players, and engineers Justin Niebank and Richie Biggs. Attwater first met Peacock by following him on Twitter.
•••••••

Lindsay Bertelli


Tour production exec Lindsay Bertelli has launched Reach, LLC, an entertainment marketing agency. She has a long history of working with the star-studded CMT On Tour and will keep working with the tour as one of her first clients. Other clients include Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc, World Vision, and Calgary Stampede.
Bertelli began her career at Moore Entertainment Group, which later affiliated with both TBA Entertainment and AEG Live. As Senior Project Manager, she managed nine years of production and sponsorship for CMT On Tour. Other professional highlights include project management of Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson’s 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour, Brooks and Dunn’s Neon Circus & Wild West Show and Playboy’s 50th Anniversary Club Tour. Corporate clients with product and touring projects have included Nescafe, Crown Royal, Yuban Coffee, and Toyota.
Serving as President of Reach, Bertelli brings with her Director of Talent Buying Amy Bryan, Producers Lauren Keckley and Katie Sanders, and Executive Assistant Whitney Williams.
Reach LLC can be contacted at 114 30th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212, 615-340-5390, email addresses are firstinitiallastname@reachnash.com (ex. lbertelli@reachnash.com).
•••••••
WRVW-FM Nashville, TN was recently awarded the National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Radio Award for their outstanding commitment to community service.
•••••••
The radio tower of legendary Nashville station 650AM WSM has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. In more WSM AM news, the station set a ratings record last month according to Arbitron PPM ratings for the February 2 – March 2 time period. The station’s increase in share of the Nashville listening audience is the largest gain any country station in any market has ever generated between January and February.

[updated 4/13] Bobo, Hunze Exit BMG Chrysalis

/by


Dale Bobo


MusicRow has also learned that Tim Hunze, Sr. VP of BMG Rights Management has exited the company. Hunze headed the Nashville office of Stage Three Music, and was brought under the BMG Chrysalis umbrella when it acquired Stage Three.
Hunze can be reached at timhunze@gmail.com and 615-414-1097.
•••••
Dale Bobo is exiting his role as Exec. VP of Chrysalis Music following the company’s merger with growing publishing giant BMG, which is now known as BMG Chrysalis.
Bobo first took office at Chrysalis in April 2010. With more than 25 years of experience, the publishing vet’s resume also includes a lengthy term as Sr. VP/GM of Warner/Chappell Nashville. He tells MusicRow, “I can honestly say I enjoyed every single day at Chrysalis. Working with amazing writers like Brett Beavers, Jeff Stevens, Jim McCormick, Victoria Banks, Shelley Skidmore and Danny Orton has been a dream come true. Being a part of an office with Abbe Nameche, Patricia Wittmer and Jersey Ross has been really fun and having the opportunity to work under Chrysalis President Kenny MacPherson has been awesome. For a publishing guy it doesn’t get much better than that.” Contact him at dalebobo@me.com.
Corporate mergers often lead to consolidation of staff and positions. When Chrysalis acquired S1 Songs in April 2010 it led to the departure of S1 Sr. VP/GM Pat Finch, who was replaced by Bobo. Finch is currently representing hit songwriter Brett Jones’ Big Borassa publishing.
BMG has been on a buying spree for more than a year, and continues to acquire big-name catalogues and publishers. Nashville is feeling the trickle-down effect as staffs are consolidated. The local EverGreen Copyright office, which was purchased by BMG in 2010, recently experienced downsizing. BMG Chrysalis’ Music City operations are being run out of new offices at Cummins Station under the leadership of Executive VP Darrell Franklin.
Richard Blackstone is Chief Creative Officer of BMG Chrysalis US. Based in the US headquarters in New York City, he has strong ties to Nashville. He reports directly to CEO Hartwig Masuch.

BMI Promotes Camellia Petty

/by

Camellia Petty


BMI has promoted longtime employee Camellia Petty to Vice President, Product & Application Development.
In her new role, Petty is responsible for building the business processes and technical foundations required to meet the future needs of BMI’s songwriters, composers, publishers and licensees.
Since joining BMI in 1995 as Project Manager, she has played a key role in creating innovative programs to accurately distribute royalties to BMI’s songwriters and music publishers. Those programs include new methodology for the precise distribution of royalties from professional sports teams, theme parks, airlines and live performances in concert venues of all sizes.
She reports to Nashville based James King, Senior Vice President, Business Technology. “Camellia’s abilities and experience equip her to thrive in this position,” King said. “She has the knowledge, discipline, and passion required to deliver the next generations of technology for our affiliates and business partners.”
Petty holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tennessee) and an Associate of Science degree from Nashville State Technical Institute. Petty is an active member of the Nashville Technology Council, the BMI Foundation and ORACLE Customer Support Council.

Alan Jackson Extends Deal With EMI Publishing

/by

Alan Jackson and EMI Music Publishing have extended their relationship with a new global deal. The country superstar first signed with the publisher more than ten years ago. The new co-publishing agreement covers Jackson’s classic catalog of songs including “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Small Town Southern Man” and “Drive.”
The announcement of Jackson’s deal extension with EMI Music Publishing follows his new recording deal with EMI in Nashville. Jackson’s upcoming studio album will be released as a joint venture between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and Capitol’s EMI Records Nashville label.
“I write hurtin’ songs, cheatin’ songs, drinkin’ songs, lovin’ songs…and to me, those things are just a part of life and part of country music,” says the multiple award winning artist and writer. “The folks at EMI have been there with me for a good while, and I’m glad we’re going to keep on working together.”
Jackson has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and topped the country singles charts 35 times.
EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon commented: “We’re very happy to have extended our longtime relationship with Alan at EMI Music Publishing, especially as it comes so soon after he signed a new partnership with EMI Records Nashville. Alan is an incredible talent as both a songwriter and a recording artist, and we’re privileged that he is a part of the EMI family.”
EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive Vice President & General Manager Ben Vaughn said: “Alan Jackson is simply a modern day poet, and folks from Australia to Albuquerque and all points in between connect to the songs that he writes. It’s an honor to have represented him for so long, and we’re all looking forward to building on the huge success he has had to date.”
In Nashville, EMI Music Publishing is also home to Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Chris Young, Kelley Lovelace, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott and more.

Industry Ink Tuesday (4/5)

/by

>>>SESAC has signed singer/songwriter Nathan Bell for representation. Bell, who recently released his latest album, Black Crow Blue, stopped by the SESAC offices to visit and celebrate with the staff.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink; Nathan Bell; SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale. Photo: Ed Rode


Mark Montgomery


>>>Tech guru and entrepreneur Mark Montgomery has joined the writing team at Forbes.com, covering all his favorite topics: music, media, technology and entrepreneurship.

Dawn Delvo


>>>Dawn Delvo has joined Black River Entertainment to oversee content management, social networking and e-commerce for the label and its artists. Since moving to Nashville in 2006, the North Dakota native has been building her resume and most recently worked at Lotos Nile: Media Marketing Music. Black River Entertainment artists include Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling, Craig Morgan and Due
West.

Eric Durrance


>>>JKMusicwerks and owner Jeffrey Kadlubowski have signed songwriter Eric Durrance to a one-year contract. Durrance has had hits including Jake Owen’s “Eight Second Ride.” His other songwriting credits include two songs on the soundtrack for the movie The Passion of The Christ, as well as three hit Christian singles with his former band Big Dismal.

Steven Dale Jones Signs With Word Publishing

/by

Pictured (L-R): Word Music Publishing's Chad Segura, Steven Dale Jones, and Word Music Publishing's Chad Green


Word Music Publishing has signed hit songwriter Steven Dale Jones. The Grammy nominated/award winning writer is known for penning such hits as “One More Day” (Diamond Rio), “Ten Thousand Angels” (Mindy McCready), “He Gets That From Me” (Reba), and many more. Showing his diverse talent, Jones has had cuts from artists as wide-ranging as the Gaither Vocal Band, John Legend, Cassandra Wilson, Josh Turner, and John Waite.
Word Music Publishing is also home to hit songwriters Paul Alan, Matt Boswell, Ian Eskelin, Michael Farren, Becca Mizell, Shaun Shankel, and Jason Walker.

BMI Presents Annual Christian Awards

/by

The evening's top winners. Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Phil Graham and Jody Williams; Universal Music Publishing's Dale Mathews; Songwriters of the Year Rodney Griffin, TobyMac and Bo Rinehart; Song of the Year writer Scott Krippayne; and BMI's Beth Laird and Mike O'Neill. Photo by John Russell


BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most-performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual Christian Music Awards, held last night (4/4) at the company’s Music Row offices in Nashville. Among the evening’s top honorees were Rodney Griffin, tobyMac, Needtobreathe’s Bo Rinehart, Scott Krippayne and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Genre-jumping star tobyMac shared his second consecutive Christian Songwriter of the Year crown with southern gospel favorite Rodney Griffin and pop-savvy rockers Needtobreathe’s Bo Rinehart.

Scott Krippayne performs BMI Christian Song of the Year “What Faith Can Do." Photo by John Russell


“What Faith Can Do” earned Christian Song of the Year honors for its creative team. Written by Scott Krippayne and published by Pirk Music, the song was recorded by alt-rock outfit Kutless.
With five songs in the most-performed list, Universal Music Publishing Group was named Christian Publisher of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.
The awards ceremony also saluted the late Christian music industry legend Don Butler with a special tribute.
The evening was hosted by BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Director Beth Laird, of BMI’s Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations Department.
Guests and honorees also enjoyed performances by Triumphant Quartet and Sidewalk Prophets.
A complete list of the 2011 BMI Christian Award winners is available at www.bmi.com.

Universal Music Publishing celebrates its fourth consecutive BMI Christian Publisher of the Year title. Pictured are (l-r): Universal Music Group’s Stacey Wilbur, Eric Hurt, Dale Mathews, Leslie Linebaugh, and John Andrade. Photo by John Russell


The 2011 BMI Christian Songwriters of the Year. Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams; Songwriters of the Year Rodney Griffin, Bo Rinehart and TobyMac; and BMI’s Beth Laird. Photo by John Russell


 

Better Angels Staff Updates

/by

Better Angels Music Group President/CEO Rob Rappaport has added Chief Creative Officer to his roles, and will also become Creative Director of the Publishing Group. Previous Creative Director Todd Wilkes has exited the company but will continue to work with Better Angels as a consultant.
Better Angels Director of Artist Relations Gary Ray will assume the post of Vice President, Operations, where he will be responsible for the daily business of both the Music and Publishing Groups.
Additionally, Richard E. Gathright has joined Better Angels as Chairman of its Advisory Board of Directors. Gathright is a 40 year business veteran who currently holds the position of Chairman, CEO and President of SMF Energy. His career includes time with energy and logistics companies such as TransMontaigne Inc. and Aberdeen Petroleum PLC.
Better Angels is celebrating its third year of business on Music Row, and its roster includes David Adam Byrnes, Jason White, Russell Hitchcock, Josh Thompson, Ward Davis and more.

ASCAP Christian Awards Honor MercyMe, Dan Muckala

/by

Pictured (l-r): Songwriter of the Year Dan Muckala, ASCAP’s Tim DuBois, EMI CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, Third Day’s Mark Lee, Tai Anderson and Mac Powell, ASCAP’s Marc Driskill. Photo: Kay Williams

Songwriter Dan Muckala, and band MercyMe were among the top honorees at last night’s (3/28) ASCAP Christian Music Awards, presented at Nashville’s Richland Country Club.

ASCAP VP and Managing Executive, Nashville Tim DuBois, presented Muckala with his first Songwriter of the Year award. Muckala penned three of ASCAP’s most performed Christian songs of the past year, including Song of the Year “All of Creation,” recorded by MercyMe. The song spent an extraordinary 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian radio charts.

Accepting for ASCAP's 2011 Christian Song of the Year, “All of Creation.” Pictured (l-r): Simpleville Music's Kirk Dahlgren, Christopher Steadman and Mark Nicholas, Songwriter of the Year Dan Muckala, ASCAP's Tim DuBois, Kobalt Music's Jeff Skaggs. Photo: Kay Williams


MercyMe was honored with its first-ever ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year award. In addition to taking home Song of the Year last night, the band has collectively received 52 ASCAP Most Performed Song awards throughout its career.
ASCAP Publisher of the Year honors went to EMI CMG Publishing for the eighth consecutive time. The company had six award-winning songs: “Before the Morning,” “I Will Follow,” “Jesus Saves,” “Lead Me,” “My Help Comes From the Lord” and “Our God.”
In a special presentation, Third Day became the first Christian artist to receive the Vanguard Award for extraordinary impact. Kerrie Roberts and newcomer Trevor Morgan saluted the band with a musical tribute of some of its biggest hits.
Among the other award winners who performed for the industry crowd were Brandon Heath, Matthew West, Chris August and Sanctus Real.

Third Day was honored with ASCAP's Vanguard Award for its extraordinary contributions to Christian music. Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's Tim DuBois, Third Day's Mark Lee, Tai Anderson and Mac Powell, Provident Music's Terry Hemmings. Photo: Kay Williams


 

Accepting for ASCAP's 2011 Christian Publisher of the Year, EMI CMG Publishing. Pictured (l-r): EMI CMG Publishing's Matt Ewald, Jimi Williams and Casey McGinty, ASCAP's Tim DuBois, EMI CMG's Eddie DeGarmo, Jeremy Ash, John Thompson and Kent Draughon. Photo: Kay Williams





Industry Ink Monday

/by

>>>The deadline to apply for the next class of Leadership Music is Thursday, March 31. Established entertainment industry leaders are encouraged to apply for the eight-month, music business education program. Application forms, program dates, policies and FAQ’s are available online at www.leadershipmusic.org.

Larry Wayne Clark


>>>Songwriter and MusicRow contributor Larry Wayne Clark will be inducted into the British Columbia Music Association Hall of Fame during an event set for April 23 in Coquitlam, B.C. Clark has won numerous awards from the organization, including producer of the year. He has had cuts by Lee Greenwood, the Statler Brothers and more.
Clark and wife Maggie Ross are living in Saint John, New Brunswick while he undergoes cancer treatment. They have been working with the local music scene, where he is producing, mentoring and writing. Here is his recent blog for the Songwriters Association of Canada about how his illness has affected his songwriting. More from Clark here or email him at info@brainchildmusic.com.
>>>The CMA Songwriters Series will bring some of Nashville’s legendary hit makers to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Wednesday, May 11. Bill Anderson, Dean Dillon, Steve Wariner and Craig Wiseman will join host Bob DiPiero in sharing the stories behind their biggest hits. Ticket details at www.joespub.com.
>>>ASCAP is accepting submissions for the ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards Competition for books, articles, liner notes, broadcasts and websites on the subject of music. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2011. For additional information, click here or contact Esther SanSaurus at esansaurus@ascap.com.