Underwood Performs/Writes Narnia Title Track

Carrie Underwood will be on the silver screen this holiday season, well at least her voice will. Underwood, has co-written the title song, “There’s A Place For Us” from the upcoming film The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 10. A rough cut of the film was shown for Underwood, together with co-writers Hillary Lindsay and David Hodges. Producer Mark Bright was also part of the team.

“I’m a big fan of the ‘Narnia’ books and films,” says Underwood. “I was blown away by the film. People are going to be really excited when they see it. The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader presents an imaginative world that’s also relatable because it’s easy to connect the characters and themes to our own lives,” Underwood continues. “The land of Narnia represents a place where the young heroes truly belong. That inspired me to get together with David and Hillary and write ‘There’s a Place for Us,’ which says that for everybody, there’s a place where you’re powerful and where you belong. The movie and song are about finding that place where you fit in.”

“There’s a Place for Us” will receive major broadcast and online debuts this month, and will be available for purchase exclusively at iTunes on November 16th.

The Highway Girl Does “Ring of Fire”

Samantha Murphy

Indie artist and Internet pioneer Samantha Murphy, also known as The Highway Girl, partnered with licensing and royalty service RightsFlow to raise awareness for Limelight, a service that assists artists with clearance for cover songs for release.

Murphy wrote, produced and is featured in the informational video “Ring of Fire,” which explains how the Limelight service assists artists in securing the necessary mechanical licenses and pay royalties to songwriters and publishers.

“I wanted to record a version of this Johnny Cash song for years,” Murphy explains. “Limelight provided the solution for my licensing needs and allowed me to finally record this amazing song.”

CMT will add Murphy’s music video for “Ring of Fire” to their Wide Open Country program this week.  Murphy produced the song, from her forthcoming album Some Assembly Required, with multi-Grammy-winning producer Ray Kennedy (Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle).

“Samantha is the rare combination of accomplished musician, technology advocate and champion for artists and songwriters.  She has produced not only a compelling video that highlights Limelight’s ease-of-use, but has also delivered a memorable version of Johnny Cash’s classic “Ring of Fire.” We are extremely grateful for her talents, passion and vision for this incredible song,” said Michael Kauffman, SVP of Sales & Marketing at Rightsflow.  The video premiered on both the Limelight and Highway Girl websites and is available through various channels and social networks in order to create awareness and education within the musician community.

Vezner Has An App

Grammy winning songwriter Jon Vezner has aptitiude. His new music video, “I’ve Got An App For That” co-written with Si Kahn highlights what may be becoming an addiction for millions of people worldwide.

The music video, created by filmmaker Louise Woehrie of Whirlygig Productions is inspired by Vezner’s wry humor and deadpan persona. Using a traveling minstrel theme, Woehrie joined forces with co-director/editor Chip Johnson and graphic designer Casey Burres to bring the tale to life as Vezner dons his troubador hat to comment and commiserate with fellow app addicts about life on the cutting tech trail.

Broken Bow Signs Cook; Blackmon in ASCAP’s SCORES Program

Pictured (L-R): BBR’s A&R/Artist Development Tina Crawford, Magic Mustang’s Creative Director Juli Newton-Griffith, BBR CEO/President Benny Brown and Kristy Lee Cook.

Broken Bow Signs Kristy Lee Cook

Broken Bow Records announced the signing of Kristy Lee Cook to a recording and publishing deal on Broken Bow Music and Magic Mustang Music.

Singer-songwriter Cook, who appeared on the seventh season of American Idol, is also known for her work as a host for The Outdoor Channel’s Outdoor’s 10 Best and Versus’ Goin’ Country.

“Kristy Lee Cook has a natural talent and beauty that is very captivating,” says Benny Brown, Broken Bow Records’ CEO/President. “She has so much going on and is so passionate about her music, we are thrilled to sign her to our Broken Bow roster.”

Jason Aldean is my favorite country artist,” enthuses Cook.  “To be on the same label as Jason is truly a dream come true!  I feel like everything has fallen into place and I am now going to get a real shot at my music career.  I am so thankful and excited about my future.”

Odie Blackmon

Odie Blackmon Gives Back in ASCAP’s America SCORES Program

Grammy-nominated songwriter Odie Blackmon has enrolled in ASCAP’s Songwriter Residency at America SCORES, a national songwriting mentorship program. This program gives ASCAP writers and composers the opportunity to give back to their communities through engaging and inspiring inner-city children through songwriting and recording.

Through the program, ASCAP members collaborate with children over three sessions, co-writing a song and recording it in a professional studio. Blackmon will lead songwriting classes with kids in the St. Louis area and will record the songs at Shock City Studios. The finished song will be included on ASCAP’s compilation CD, which will be distributed to each of the schools involved in the program and to music industry decision makers.

Blackmon’s number one 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.” He has been honored with three ASCAP song awards, a Nashville Songwriter Association International Award, and Billboard Magazine distinguished him as #1 Hot Country Songwriter in 2005. Blackmon is a Lecturer of Music at Vanderbilt University.

“I’m very thankful to get this chance to share my passion for music with the kids in St. Louis,” Blackmon says. “I hope to plant seeds there that will grow long after I am gone.”

Chrysalis Inks Skidmore, Dierks in N.Y.C., Martina and Train on Crossroads

(From Bottom Left Clockwise) Jersey Ross/Chrysalis Music; Patricia Wittmer/Chrysalis Music; Dale Bobo/Chrysalis Music; Skidmore; Terry Elam, manager/Fitzgerald Hartley; Tiffany Dunn, attorney/Loeb & Loeb; and Abbe Nameche/Chrysalis Music.

Artist/songwriter Shelley Skidmore has signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis Music. Dale Bobo, EVP at Chrysalis Music Nashville says, “Shelley is the authentic real deal, having grown up playing and singing in her parent’s band all around her home state of Kentucky and into Ohio and West Virginia.  She has a smart point of view that really comes through when she writes and performs.  We are tremendously excited to be working with Shelley at Chrysalis Music.”

Pictured (left to right): Songwriter/producer Jon Randall Stewart, ASCAP’s Earle Simmons, Disney Music songwriter Jessi Alexander, Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley just wrapped a four-night residency in New York City, including a show with Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall Stewart at Joe’s Pub.

Martina McBride, Train

Country superstar Martina McBride will join hit band Train on CMT Crossroads, premiering Saturday, November 20th at 8:00 pm ET/PT. This is McBride’s second time on the CMT series; her first appearance was with rock icon Pat Benatar in 2003.

BMG US Taps Richard Blackstone

Richard Blackstone

Music rights company BMG has hired Richard Blackstone to be the Chief Creative Officer of BMG US. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music and, more recently, has been working with the Zac Brown Band. Blackstone, who will be based in BMG’s US headquarters in New York City, also has strong ties to Nashville. In this newly created role, he will report directly to Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG.

Since its founding in late 2008, BMG has completed a number of major acquisitions including Crosstown Songs America, Cherry Lane Music Publishing Inc, Stage Three Music and Evergreen Copyrights, as well as signed a number of prominent artists and songwriters.

Blackstone will oversee the rosters of the recently acquired companies as well as direct efforts to sign new talent to continue to build on the company’s rapid growth.

Blackstone has been a respected executive in the entertainment industry for nearly 20 years. In 2005 he was appointed to the position of Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell, becoming responsible for all aspects of Warner Music Group’s worldwide music-publishing division operating in over 35 countries.

In 2007 he broke from WMG and transitioned to work in new media. He has been working with the Zac Brown Band, specifically advancing the songwriting career of Wyatt Durette, Brown’s frequent co-writer. The signing of Durette is one of his many successful signings which also include helping launch the musical careers of Linkin Park, Macy Gray, Britney Spears, and many others.

Prior to joining WMG, Blackstone was President of Zomba Music Publishing. Originally a transactional attorney, Blackstone joined Zomba in 1989 as Director of Business Affairs. Recognizing his talents in both business and the arts, he was later promoted to the dual role of Head of Creative and Head of Business Affairs, a position that included oversight of Zomba’s Country Music division located in Nashville. Once BMG acquired Zomba Publishing, Blackstone was made President and was given the additional responsibility of overseeing Brentwood Benson Music Publishing, the leading contemporary Christian music publisher.

Marvell Re-ups With Bug; Songwriters In Chicago; BMI Buzz

Hit songwriter Kendall Marvel renewed his publishing deal with Bug Music recently. He is the writer behind hits including “Right Where I Need to Be” (Gary Allan), “Tougher Than Nails” (Joe Diffie), and “Yee Haw,” “Startin With Me,” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” (Jake Owen). His songs have been recorded by Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, and more.

(L-R) front row: BMI’s Jody Williams; Marvel; Bug Music’s John Allen. Back row: Bug Music’s Ed Williams, Roger Murrah and Sara Johnson; and BMI’s Perry Howard

CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominee The Band Perry, singer/songwriter/radio personality Kix Brooks, respected songwriter Bob DiPiero, and singer/songwriter David Lee Murphy brought the CMA Songwriters Series to Chicago's Joe's Bar on Oct. 8. (l-r) Reid Perry, DiPiero, Kimberly Perry, Neil Perry, Murphy, and Brooks.

The October installment of BMI Buzz at the Basement featured another round of hand-picked up-and-comers: Neal Carpenter, Shannon LaBrie and Adam James. Staged quarterly at the Basement, BMI Buzz offers three-song sets from young new voices ready for the mainstream. Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Beth Mason, Neal Carpenter, Shannon LaBrie, Adam James, and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Key A&R Hires at EMI Music Publishing Nashville

Laura Wright

EMI Music Publishing Nashville announced two new hires today: Missy Wilson and Laura Wright. Wilson and Wright join the A&R team led by Ben Vaughn, EMI Music Publishing Executive Vice President and General Manager, Tom Luteran, Vice President of A&R, and Josh Van Valkenburg, Director of A&R.

Missy Wilson

Both Wilson and Wright will work with EMI Music Publishing’s songwriter roster, which includes Rhett Akins, Guy Clark, Kelley Lovelace and Tom Shapiro. They will also be responsible for discovering and developing new talent.

Missy Wilson (formerly Roberts), A&R Director, recently worked with Stage 3 Publishing and Disney Music Publishing. Laura Wright, A&R Manager, was formerly with publishing veteran Bobby Rymer at The Writer’s Den.

Garner Renews Contract, Kobalt Launches New Service, and BMI Board Announced

Blair Garner Renews Radio  Contract

Blair Garner has renewed his contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Garner, a two-time recipient of the ACM’s “On-Air Personality of the Year,” hosts After MidNite with Blair Garner, which is heard by 2.7 million weekly listeners. The show will continue to broadcast daily from midnight to 6 a.m. on over 260 stations. Garner has been in national syndication for 17 years.

“I’m very pleased to continue my relationship with Premiere,” Garner says. “It’s an exciting time for radio and the opportunities for engagement that Premiere continues to develop–from on-air and digital to off-air events–are tremendous and benefit our listeners, artists, affiliates, record labels and advertisers. I look forward to breaking new ground with the Premiere team!”

Kobalt Launches Balance Updates

Kobalt Music Group launched a revolutionary service which will allow its clients to individually monitor their global royalty account balances online. The service, called Kobalt Weekly Online Balance Updates, allows clients to view current balances for their next quarterly statement period. Additionally, they will be able to request an online advance, allowing almost immediate access to their accruing royalties.

“With our new Weekly Online Balance Updates and Kobalt’s direct global collection infrastructure, copyright owners for the first time in history can get their money up to 2.5 years faster than the traditional industry standard,” explains Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Music Group. “This gives our clients a significant advantage in transparency and value.”

Formed in 2001, Kobalt Music Group administers more than 175,000 copyrights worldwide on behalf of over 900 content holders.

BMI Board of Directors Announced

BMI announced new and re-elected members to its Board of Directors at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, held in Nashville on October 19th. Jack Sander, former Vice-Chairman of Belo Corporation in Dallas, Texas, was re-elected as Chairman of the Board, and Cecil L. Walker, former Chairman & CEO, Gannett Broadcasting, Atlanta, GA, was re-elected Presiding Director. Both will serve one-year terms.

New Board members are Michael J. Fiorile, Vice Chairman and CEO of Dispatch Broadcast Group and President & COO of The Dispatch Printing Company, Columbus, OH; and Mark P. Mays, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., San Antonio, TX. Re-elected Board members are Catherine L. Hughes, Founder & Chairperson, Radio One, Inc., Lanham, MD; and Jerome L. Kersting, President, Tribune Broadcasting Company, Chicago, IL.

Those continuing in their terms on the Board are: Del R. Bryant, President & CEO, BMI, New York, NY; Amador Bustos, President & CEO, Bustos Media Holdings, LLC, Granite Bay, CA; Susan Davenport Austin, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation and President, Sheridan Gospel Network, New York, NY; N. John Douglas, President/CEO, AIM Broadcasting, LLC, Palo Alto, CA; Craig A. Dubow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gannett Co., Inc., McLean, VA; Kenneth J. Elkins, President & CEO, Pulitzer Broadcasting and Senior Vice President, Broadcasting, Pulitzer Publishing Co. (retired); Philip A. Jones, Mission Hills, KS; Paul Karpowicz, President, Meredith Broadcasting Group, Rocky Hill, CT; Virginia Hubbard Morris, President, Hubbard Radio and Vice President, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., St. Paul, MN; Mark Pedowitz, Founder and Chairman, Pine Street Entertainment, Burbank CA; G. Neil Smith, President, GNS Media, LLC, Liberty, SC.

BNA Signs Casey James; Bluewater Inks Billy Livsey

American Idol alum Casey James recently inked a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Nashville. New music from The Casey James Band is expected next year.

Pictured (l-r): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, James, Sony Music Nashville A&R Executive VP Renee Bell

••••••••

Bluewater Music has signed a worldwide administration agreement with musician, producer and songwriter, Billy Livsey. He was an in-demand session player during the 70’s and 80’s, recording with rock n’ roll greats such as Tina Turner and Ronnie Lane. After success in England, he relocated to Nashville to write country hits for artists such as George Strait, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker and Mark Chesnutt. “With a catalog of 700+ songs strong, Billy is one of the hardest working people I know,” says Bluewater Music COO, Peter Roselli. “We’re proud to be taking care of Billy’s great catalogs.”

Pictured (L-R): Peter Roselli, Billy Livsey