30A Songwriters Fest Returns To Florida

Northwest Florida’s Highway 30A will play host to numerous prominent songwriters over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in 2011 (January 14-16) for the second annual 30A Songwriters Festival.

The Cultural Arts Association of Walton County is producing the event, which is sponsored by the Beaches of Walton County and will feature three nights of performances by over 100 songwriters in 17 venues along Highway 30A. Scheduled to perform are Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls, Jeffrey Steele, Shawn Mullins, Rodney Crowell, Chely Wright, Gary Nicholson, Gretchen Peters, Tim Nichols, Dar Williams, Mat Kearney, Mary Gauthier, Greg Barnhill, and many more.

Weekend passes may be purchased online at 30ASongwritersFestival.com for $75, and $35 day passes will also be available. Passes may be purchased locally at Central Square Records at 89 Central Square in downtown Seaside, FL.

MusicRow Acquisition Returns Robertson To The Row

Sherod Robertson, who spent years in the music business at Arista Records (during the ’90s), will soon add “MusicRow owner” to his repertoire. SouthComm, the parent company of Music Row Communications, discovered a perfect opportunity to capitalize on MusicRow’s growth by selling the industry trade to Robertson, SouthComm’s current CFO.

“I am very excited to be working with David Ross who has created a stellar music industry publication,” said Robertson. “And while many Chicken Littles think the sky is falling in the music industry, all it takes is one look at the CMA Awards last week, to know that the voice of country music is as strong as ever. Granted, there are and will be many changes in our industry’s future, but I am excited about the role MusicRow will help play in that evolution.”

David Ross will continue in his position as MusicRow Publisher and Sherod Robertson will serve as President of MusicRow Enterprises LLC plus continue his post as CFO of SouthComm.

MusicRow, now entering its 30th year was founded by Ross in 1981. It was acquired by Southcomm Communications, LLC in 2008. Written for people in the music business, it employs a strategic mix of print and digital information streams to ensure its readers get the information they need in the fastest and most convenient manner.

SouthComm Communications is headed by CEO Chris Ferrell. Founded in 2007, its current roster of publications includes City Paper, Nashville Scene, Her, Nashville Post and more…

EMI Signs Davidson; Better Angels Signs White

EMI SIGNS SARAH DAVIDSON
Songwriter Sarah Davidson has signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing.

(L-R): EMI’s Laura Wright, Ben Vaughn and Tom Luteran; Sarah Davidson; Craig Hayes, attorney Zumwalt, Almon & Hayes; and EMI’s Josh VanValkenburg and Missy Wilson.

BETTER ANGELS SIGNS JASON WHITE
Singer/songwriter Jason White has inked a recording contract with Better Angels Music Group. In January, he will release The Longing, produced by Better Angels CEO Rob Rappaport. White has been a Better Angels staff writer for three years and is best known for writing “Red Ragtop” (Tim McGraw).

(L-R): Gary Ray, Dir. Artist Relations; Jason White; and Rob Rappaport.

Liz Rose Music Signs Shackelton

L-R: (Top) Beth Laird from BMI, Scott Ponce with Liz Rose Music and Whitney Daane from Kobalt Music Group; (Bottom) Liz Rose and Emily Shackelton

Recently opened publishing company Liz Rose Music has signed singer/songwriter Emily Shackelton.

“I am thrilled to announce Emily’s signing,” says Scott Ponce, Liz Rose Music general manager/creative director. “We have been fans of her writing for a while and are excited to be working with her in our new venture.”

Shackelton moved to Nashville in 2007 and within a year she had a publishing deal. In the spring of 2008, American Idol winner David Cook performed her song “Dream Big” on the show, which sold over 250,000 copies on iTunes and made it inside the Top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She has had numerous cuts by major label artists worldwide.

Shackelton states, “I am proud to be a part of this new dynamic creative team and look forward to a life full of words and music.”

Rodney Clawson Re-ups With Big Loud Shirt

L-R: Seth England, Rodney Clawson, Amy Allmand and Craig Wiseman.

Grammy nominated songwriter Rodney Clawson recently renewed his publishing deal with Big Loud Shirt. Clawson has penned the hits “I Saw God Today” (George Strait), “Amarillo Sky” (Jason Aldean), “Sunshine & Summertime” (Faith Hill), “Lost In This Moment” (Big & Rich), and current single “Old School” (Chuck Wicks).

Clawson has had songs cut by Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Craig Morgan and Randy Montana. As a producer, he has worked with Jake Owen and James Wesley.

Tony Ramey Joins Davis Music-Publishing

L-R: Davis Music Group GM Gator Michaels and Tony Ramey

Songwriter Tony Ramey has joined Davis Music Group as Creative Director/Songwriter for the company’s publishing division. He will report directly to GM Gator Michaels.

Ramey has written songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Craig Morgan, Trent Tomlinson, Bucky Covington, John Michael Montgomery, Doug Stone, Kevin Denny, Clay Walker, George Strait, and many others.

Davis Music Group has also signed songwriter David Chamberlain.

Monty Powell Signs With Ole Publishing

SESAC-affiliated songwriter Monty Powell stopped by the performing rights organization’s Nashville headquarters to celebrate his new publishing agreement with Ole Publishing.

Powell, SESAC’s 2009 Songwriter Of The Year, has been one of country’s most successful and prolific songwriters over the last few years scoring hits including “Days Go By,” “Kiss A Girl,” “Til Summer Comes Around” and 2009 SESAC’s Song of the Year, “Sweet Thing” all recorded by superstar Keith Urban. Most recently, Powell was the recipient of the CMA’s coveted “Triple Play” Award for three No. 1 hits in one year.

Pictured (left to right): Ole Publishing’s Gilles Godard, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Ole Publishing’s Michael McCarty, Powell, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Ole’s Robert Ott. Photo: Ed Rode

Davis-Kidd To Close Nashville Store

MusicRow sister publication Nashville Post reports:

After serving Nashville for thirty years, Davis-Kidd Booksellers is closing its doors.
Cincinnati-based Joseph-Beth Group, which purchased the business from founders Karen Davis and Thelma Kidd in 1997, today announced the closure of the store, located in the Mall at Green Hills, as it filed a Chapter 11 reorganization petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court at Lexington, Ky.

Click Here To Read Full Story

Davis Kidd has operated a CD sales department and has always aided local musicians with indie product.

Bobby Karl Works the BMI Country Awards

BMI Icon Billy Sherrill and Song and Songwriter of the Year winner Taylor Swift

Chapter 354

Photos by Rick Diamond and Andrew H. Walker

The 58th annual BMI Country Awards – the first of all the country accolades – mixed young with old like never before.

Taylor Swift, 20, became the youngest person ever to be named the organization’s Songwriter of the Year. Nineteen tunesmiths won their first BMI Awards, including Justin Moore, Eddie Montgomery, Bubba Strait and Jon Mabe.

On the other hand, Sony/ATV won its ninth consecutive and 33rd overall Publisher of the Year honor. And the crowd was full of classic Music Row personalities such as Norro Wilson, Fred Foster, Jerry Crutchfield, Jerry Chesnut, Jerry & Connie Bradley, David Briggs, David Malloy, Dickie Lee, Bucky Wilkin, Larry Henley, Jo Walker-Meador, Jim Foglesong, Tom Collins, Even Stevens, Kenny & Corky O’Dell, Bob Beckham and Layng Martine.

As always, the manically schmoozy cocktail hour set the tone for the evening. Big Al Anderson came bearing news that he’s doing a record with Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin next month. I complimented Thom Schuyler on his excellent radio voice as the host of the new Bluebird Café radio series on WPLN. Ashton Shepherd said her sophomore CD is ready to go. Both of Paul Overstreet’s sons are now in the biz. At last year’s banquet, we celebrated Nash Overstreet’s pop band Hot Chelle Ray getting signed to Arista (the record is out now, and it’s a dandy). This year, we’re toasting Chord Overstreet as a new cast member on the TV and music phenom Glee.

As we entered, the Steel Magnolia kids were posing for snapshots with the fans gathered on the other side of the street from the red carpet. So cute. The star-gazing was abundant. Jack Ingram, Kix Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Jeff Hanna, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dailey & Vincent, Joey + Rory, Clay Walker, Randy Houser, Billy Burnette, American Idol alumnus Casey James, Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Eric Church, Rodney Atkins, Rhett Akins, Easton Corbin, Jason Aldean, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Joe Don Rooney & Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, The Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Ira Dean and Craig Morgan were all in the house.

Most were dressed to kill. Chris Young was in a gray tailored suit and a black cowboy hat. Suzi Ragsdale wore a black sequined top over pegged black slacks. Butch Baker was garbed in his grandfather’s gold brocade, big-band jacket/uniform. Jake Owen was in a sleek, fitted, sharkskin suit. Tanya Tucker sported silver sequins. Carrie Underwood had upswept hair and a formal, retro black mini dress. Josh Turner chose a trim gray suit. Martina McBride was a vision in a backless, gray, floor-length gown covered in pale blue sequins. Taylor Swift wore a shiny, black shift. Faith Hill was breathtaking in a Grecian-inspired, draped halter dress in tones of beige and taupe.

We entered the banquet room to the lively strains of The Belleville Outfit. Love them. Tables were covered in crimson tablecloths and centered with candelabras dripping with crystals set in piles of red-hots candies. Masses of red, tropical anthurium flowers surrounded mirrored posts with more crystals hanging above. The schmoozing continued during the brie, apple and spinach salad. The main course was surf and turf with asparagus, green beans, tomato and butter-infused mashed potatoes.

“What a lovely night for a party,” proclaimed Del Bryant in greeting the crowd. He introduced special guests Sandra Lee from the show Semi Homemade on TV’s Food Network and Chad Kroeger from the band Nickelback. Here are two people I bet you didn’t know were BMI country songwriters – Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and CBS TV newsman Bob Schieffer. Both were also recognized. Del’s introduction of Frances Preston drew the evening’s first standing ovation.

“Songwriters, this is your night; this is your community; this is your home,” Del concluded. Jody Williams and Clay Bradley ably co-hosted the actual awards presentations, assisted by Beth Laird. Yes, she and winning tunesmith Luke Laird have tied the knot. “Welcome to the greatest cocktail party in country music,” quipped Clay.

Folks like Troy Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Angelo, Wynn Varble and Lee Thomas Miller took to the centrally situated stage one by one. Around the middle of the evening, Del reappeared to laud Billy Sherrill as this year’s BMI Icon. “Billy Sherrill changed the face of country music,” stated Del. The legendary producer has more BMI country awards than any other songwriter. Following a video tribute, Ronnie Dunn sang “The Most Beautiful Girl,” Martina McBride sang “Til I Can Make it on My Own,” George Strait sang “My Elusive Dreams,” and Faith Hill sang “Stand By Your Man.” Billy, himself, led the well-deserved standing ovations for each.

“Thank you very much,” said Billy. “I’m not a big talker. This is overwhelming to me.” “We couldn’t create an award big enough to show how we feel about you,” said Del. “Most of all, we want to thank you for what you’ve done for this community.” Then Del mistakenly dismissed the audience, apparently thinking the night was over, but quickly recovered asking everyone to turn around and stay.

So after Clay and Jody gave out the other half of the awards, the Song of the Year was proclaimed to be “You Belong with Me,” penned by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose. This was Taylor’s third consecutive year to win this honor. Also: She got a custom Martin D-42 guitar for being named Songwriter of the Year.

“It’s been a really emotional week for me,” said Taylor, who’s new Speak Now CD instantly sold a million. “Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends. He was 21. I always sang my songs first for him. So I dedicate this to Jeff Lang. I want to thank everyone in this room who inspires me every day.”

Songwriting and publishing royalty peppered the banquet. Jim Beavers, Brett Beavers, Bob DiPiero, Bobby Pinson, Bobby Braddock, Bobby Rhymer, Bob Doyle, Bobby Tomberlin, George Teren, George Ducas, Tim Mensy, Tim James, Tom Shapiro, Tom Douglas, Tom Botkin, Dean Dillon, Dallas Davidson, Dennis Morgan, Kent Blazy and Cory Batten were sharing the fellowship. So were Pam Rose, Frank Myers, Randy Scruggs, Kye Fleming, Celia Froelig, Tracy Gershon, John Scott Sherrill, Jeffrey Steele and Stephanie Bentley.

Pat Finch was totally elegant in a white, double-lapel dinner jacket with a pale blue dress shirt. Natalie Hemby turned heads in a red cocktail dress. Scott Siman was in a sporty chapeau and tails-out embroidered shirt. Fletcher Foster was in black velvet. Melissa Peirce rocked a strapless white mini dress. Shawn Camp wore a cream-colored fedora. Casey Beathard was in a black western shirt with white embroidery.

During the lengthy ceremony, Jody paused to praise retiring WSIX radio legend Gerry House and The Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher for his the-show-must-go-on response to May’s flood. He also pointed out the music community’s outpouring of support with many flood-relief club shows and concerts.

At 11:00 p.m., we headed back to the BMI lobby to enjoy desserts and the super sound of the Harold Bradley Band. Power couples working the room at various points during the evening included Lari White & Chuck Cannon, Sherrie Austin & Will Rambeaux, David & Carolyn Corlew, Marcus Hummon & Bekka Stevens, Mayor Karl Dean & Anne Davis, Eddie Bayers & Lane Brody, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Beverly Keel & Ronnie Steine and Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander.

Other fabulons vogue-ing about included Luke Lewis, Joe Galante, Gary Overton, Bart Herbison, Kay Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Ron Stuve, Kyle Lehning, Jewel Coburn, Bill Ivey, Jim Free, Chris Horsnell, Mark Wright, Joe Chambers, Michael Knox, Tony Brown, Frank Liddell, Scott Hendricks, Garth Fundis, Ken Robold, John Dorris, Erv Woolsey, Mike Milom, Paul Worley and Whitney Daane.

Bobby Karl Works SESAC Awards and CMA Week Events

Chapter 353

Hillary Scott and Tim Fink

Graciousness, warmth, elegance and relaxed conviviality—these are the things we associate with SESAC’s annual awards banquet.

This year, the smallest of the performing rights organizations has shown more muscle than ever, with pieces of hits by such top stars as Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, George Strait and Keith Urban. But its banquet (11/8) retains its “family” feeling.

The cocktail tent was a sea of friendly chatter. Gary Burr greeted Ray Wylie Hubbard, saying, “The last time we saw each other, we were on stage at Radio City singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Ringo Starr.” And how many of us can say the same? Scott Robinson is all aglow about an upcoming Matraca Berg CD that Dualtone is releasing, which is “twelve years in the making,” he sez. Anna Wilson is pumped about her Countrypolitan Duets album. It has its introduction at the Ryman on Tuesday’s Grand Ole Opry show (11/16).

Mingling and munching on the mini ham & biscuits, turkey panini and yummy veggie roll-ups were Dan Hays, Don Henry, Pete Fisher, Peter Cronin, Peter Cooper, Tim McFadden, Tim Wipperman, David Macias, David Ross, Buddy Cannon, Buddy Miller, Steve Moore, Steve Bogard, Dale Bobo, Bill Mayne, Beth Orton and Blake Chancey.

Looks we liked? Katie Armiger took first place in a stunning, off-the-shoulder, ruffled ebony cocktail dress. Shannan Hatch was a cutie in a sleeveless silver mini dress. Susana Ross chose a cream-colored sheath. Nancy Shapiro was in sequins. Buddy Miller was resplendent in a multi-hued, patterned jacket. Anna Wilson, as always, was an eye-full in a figure-hugging, wine-colored gown with a colorful shoulder wrap.

“What am I, chopped liver?” complained Monty Powell when I complimented Anna. He was a looker, too, wearing a black velvet jacket over a black western shirt with white piping. He was also a trend setter. Clay Myers? Black velvet jacket. Beth Nielsen Chapman? Black velvet jacket. Jim Lauderdale? Embroidered black velvet jacket. Ken Johnson? Navy velvet jacket.

We entered a serene dinner tent erected on SESAC’s front parking lot. The dinner tables were draped with gold cloths. Calla lily and orchid centerpieces glowed with votive candles.

The salad was a mélange of clementines, manchengo, fennel, raspberries and arugula with drizzled vinaigrette. The main course was pistachio encrusted mahi-mahi, filet mignon, risotto, potato puree and honey-thyme infused carrots. Yum. Chocolate and vanilla mousses with whipped cream topped the banana Anglaise dessert spiked by chocolate biscotti as the irresistible finale.

“This year is SESAC’s 80th anniversary,” announced Pat Collins to the applauding crowd. “Eight decades of providing service and dedication. Have a wonderful and entertaining evening: It’s going to be a blast,” he promised.

He was right. Lady Antebellum kicked things off with a thrilling performance of “Need You Now.” “Wow!” said Trevor Gale. “That’s all I can say.” He pointed out that SESAC has had an unprecedented year with successes in urban, Latin and bluegrass musics, not to mention Mumford & Sons. If you have not heard that record yet, go out and get it right now.

Tim Fink praised attendees Mayor Karl Dean and the Opry’s Pete Fisher for their response roles during May’s flooding. Ray Wylie Hubbard took the stage to do the delightful “Drunken Poet’s Dream.” Ray was one of the Americana music winners, as were Lauderdale, Chapman and Jerry Salley.

The Inspiration Award was given to Jim Lauderdale. Buddy Miller saluted him with a performance of “King of Broken Hearts,” then descended from the stage to embrace Jim. “I’m not really sure what this award is for, but, hey, I’m gonna take it,” said Jim. “This room is filled with people who are keeping music alive.”

Country award winners in attendance included Victoria Shaw, Kim Tribble, Brice Long, Blaine Larsen, Cary Barlowe, three-time honoree Monty Powell and Gary Burr. Ben Vaughn, Tom Luteran and other staffers accepted Publisher of the Year honors for EMI Foray.

Lady A’s Hillary Scott was named Songwriter of the Year, thanks to her co-writing “I Run to You,” “Our Kind of Love” and the Song of the Year “Need You Now.” I have a feeling that this is a portent of more statuary to come this week.

Hillary said that affiliating with SESAC, “was the first thing I ever signed that made me feel like a professional. I’m so proud and happy to be part of this incredible organization. I look around this room and see so many writers I want to write with. I’m very, very humbled, and thank you.” She also praised her fellow Lady A members Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, saying, “You inspire me on a daily basis.”

Parents Lang Scott & Linda Davis clapped and beamed. So did Bob Doyle, Robert Ott, Roger Murrah, Rick Carnes, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Ralph Shultz, Drew Alexander, Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Tinti Moffatt, Terry Wakefield, Tammy Genovese, Tamara Saviano, Al Moss, Alan Kates, Carla Wallace, Hank Adam Locklin, Woody Bomar, John Styll, Dana Strong, Elliot Mazor, Scott Siman, Erika Wollam Nichols and Giles Goddard.

Click For List of SESAC Award Winners

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Most SESAC attendees were looking at the event as the first of a trio of awards galas this week. We party professionals have already been hard at work. For us, the round of bashes began on Sunday (11/7) with the Music City Walk of Fame inductions of Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Jimmy Dickens, Rascal Flatts and the late Bobby Hebb and Eddy Arnold. It was a lovely, balmy afternoon.

Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus

Many of the same stars gathered at the Ryman that evening (11/7) for the sold-out, 50th anniversary concert for Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. In addition to Mel, Jimmy and Kris, I spotted Lorrie Morgan, Randy Houser, The Grascals, Mandy Barnett, Joanna Smith and Tootsie’s owner Steve Smith. Also on the concert bill were Terri Clark, Colt Ford, Mark Chesnutt, Ronnie McDowell and Dean Miller.

(L-R): Tootsie’s owner Steve Smith, co-host Terri Clark and Panama City Tootsie’s co-owner Al Ross. Photo: Ed Rode

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The next day, we headed back downtown (11/8) for the album-release party for Get Closer by Keith Urban at the Hard Rock Café. But before we officially did that, Mike Dungan gave the star and producer Dann Huff a Platinum Record award for Defying Gravity.

(L-R): Keith Urban; Defying Gravity producer Dann Huff; and Mike Dungan, Capitol Records Nashville Pres./CEO. Photo: Ed Rode

“I cannot put into words what it means to Capitol Records to work with Keith Urban,” said Dungan. “He always represents himself, the industry and humanity at a level that almost makes you want to cry. I cannot think of a better ambassador for us.”

“Thank you everybody for coming in today,” said Urban. “There’s a lot going on, so it’s great to see a club full of people. It feels good to have such a long relationship with Capitol, 13 years and three presidents. I’m very, very proud to be on that label.”

He strapped on his guitar to perform “Put You in a Song” from the new CD and introduced “Without You” from it. He also reached way back to his Ranch days to perform “Walk in the Country.”

Ron Stuve, Ron Huntsman, Donna Hughes, Dan Hill, Darrell Brown, John Huie, Kyle Young, Steve Buchanan, Phyllis Stark, Teresa George, Mary Ann McCready, Lisa Harless, Susan Stewart, Pat Higdon, Autumn House, (the ubiquitous) Jeff Walker, Nicole Kidman, Ansel Davis, and Vernell Hackett applauded. I told Deborah Evans Price that I was the first person to buy her book, The CMA Awards Vault, at the CMA office. And I was. Kay West was also there, on the hunt for a sighting of Jake Gyllenhall.

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Speaking of movie stars, whose bright idea was it to schedule the premiere of Country Strong at the exact same time as the SESAC banquet? Jimmy Carter, Cindy Watts and a number of other media mavens were working the red carpet in Green Hills (11/8). They were rewarded by appearances by Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Tobey Maguire, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Jerrod Niemann, Joey + Rory, Kix Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Mark Collie and Steel Magnolia.

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Ashley Gearing performing at the Aristo Center Stage Party. Photo: izzynashville.com

Oh, one more thing. On that same afternoon at The Stage on Broadway (11/8), the Aristo Center Stage Party was staged. Ty Herndon, Amber Hayes, Ashley Gearing, Daisy Mallory, Rachel Holder and D.J. Miller were booked, with The Country Vibe’s Becca Walls and Chuck Long doing the emcee duties. So don’t come whining to me about three straight nights of awards. The party boy had LOTS of gigs to pay attention to before the rest of you were on the job.

Amber Hayes at the Aristo Center Stage Party. Photo: izzynashville.com