Middleworth Exits EMI; Sherrod Leaves Major Bob

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After a twelve year tenure with Major Bob Music, Inc., Sr. Director, A&R Scot Sherrod is exiting the company to pursue new opportunities. Owner, Bob Doyle says, “Throughout his time at Major Bob Music, Scot has been an integral part in the growth of our company, its writers and its catalog. We are excited for him and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

“Being part of Major Bob’s family for well over a decade has been an amazing experience,” adds Sherrod. “To all the writers connected to Major Bob – current and past; representing you and your songs has been a great honor. As I forge a new chapter in my career, I am looking forward to new opportunities where I can apply my talents and experience.” Sherrod can be reached at 615-533-6291 or scotsherrod@me.com.

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Glenn Middleworth has exited his role at EMI Music Publishing where he served as Sr. Advisor to A&R. He spent a total of ten years with the publisher, including time from 1994- 2002, and again from 2008 until present. During 2002-07 he headed Famous Music Nashville as Vice President, until the company was sold to Sony/ATV. His career started with almost ten years at Jerry Bradley’s Forrest Hills Music, followed by a brief time at Acuff-Rose/Opryland. Middleworth is pursuing new opportunities and can be reached at glenn.middleworth@comcast.net.

Signings: Max Barnes; Lorrie Morgan; 615 Music

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Pictured: Ray Stevens, Max T. Barnes, Perry Howard (BMI), Sabrina Shelfer (Creative Director, Ray Stevens Music). Photo: Ben Surratt

Pictured: Ray Stevens, Max T. Barnes, Perry Howard (BMI), Sabrina Shelfer (Creative Director, Ray Stevens Music). Photo: Ben Surratt

Max T. Barnes has signed a publishing deal with Ray Stevens Music. The chart topping songwriter has an impressive list of hits, including six No. 1 singles, nine Top 10’s and a Song of the Year Nomination for the career launching hit “Love Me” by Colin Raye. Barnes recently penned the current Ray Stevens single, “We the People,” which has received over 2 million YouTube views in just 30 days. Throughout his career, Barnes has written over 30 charting singles recorded by artists such as Randy Travis, John Anderson, Vern Gosdin, Diamond Rio, Montgomery Gentry, Jo Dee Messina, Billy Dean and George Jones, among others.

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The Bobby Roberts Company, Inc. has signed Lorrie Morgan for exclusive Booking Representation. Morgan’s hitmaking career has resulted in 14 top ten hits, seven gold or platinum albums and four Female Vocalist of the Year awards. Her string of hits include “Five Minutes,” “Something in Red,” “Watch Me” and “What Part of No.” The Bobby Roberts Company can be reached at 615-859-8899.

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615 Music, under the direction of Pres. and CEO Randy Wachtler, has signed the U.K.-based “In-spired” production music catalog and will be representing it exclusively in the US and Canada. The “In-spired” catalog is comprised of 16 virtual CDs, with new music being released quarterly. The catalog is available online, and via hard drive. 615 will be pitching the catalog for use in feature films and trailers, and television programs and promos.

SESAC To Offer Watermarked Files

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sesac_logo_animatedNashville-based SESAC has joined with Activated Content Corporation (ACC) and Digsound to create a web-based delivery system for watermarked audio files named Ruby DS. The advanced audio-recognition technology is designed to improve the performing rights organization’s ability to track performances for music licensing and royalty distribution. Ruby DS securely delivers audio files via email with metadata that identifies the sender and the downloader creating a unique watermark in the process. The watermark becomes available to anyone with a web browser.

Hunter Williams, Senior VP of Strategic Development at SESAC, said, “Technology is changing the way music is consumed at the B2B level. Creators need tools to authenticate and protect their intellectual property (IP) as it travels through the digital domain. Copyright owners expect greater accuracy and transparency in accounting from their business representatives. Similarly, music consumers are looking for better efficiency in licensing content that they wish to exploit. The Ruby DS system responds to these needs in a very direct way.”

SESAC, ACC, and DigSound are inviting parties to join the Beta Launch of Ruby DS. It is not necessary to be a SESAC affiliate in order to participate. Those interested should visit SESAC.com for more information. Ruby DS is another step in SESAC’s ongoing mission to embrace the latest technologies for the benefit of its member writers and publishers plus streamline the copyright usage process for its clients.

Ole Acquires Richie McDonald Catalogue


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rmMusic publisher ole has acquired the majority of songwriter/performer Richie McDonald’s 250-song catalogue, and entered an administration deal with him for select new copyrights. Best known as the singer for multi-platinum group Lonestar, McDonald’s catalogue includes the No. 1s “I’m Already There,” “ My Front Porch Looking In,” and “Mr. Mom,” as well as the hits “Coming Home for Christmas,” “Let Them Be Little,” “Mountains,” and “Simple as That.” His songs have also been recorded by John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker, Billy Dean, Sara Evans and others.

With offices in Nashville, Los Angeles and Toronto, 
ole is one of the world’s largest independent, full-service music publishers. The ole catalogue includes over 40,000 songs and 30,000 hours of film and TV music. Among the company’s most recent awards are Canadian Country Music Association Publisher of the Year for 2007, 2008, 2009; SESAC #1 Most Performed Song “White Horse” (Liz Rose/Taylor Swift); and 2009 BMI Awards for “Trying To Stop Your Leaving” (Brett Beavers/James Beavers) and “Picture to Burn” (Rose/Swift). ole also earned its first Grammy nomination in December 2009 for Best Country Song for “White Horse.”

May Moves To Warner/Chappell VP/GM

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Phil-May-01Phil May has been appointed to the newly created position of  VP/GM Nashville at Warner/Chappell Music. May will report directly to Scott Francis, President Warner/Chappell Music and Chairman/CEO Warner/Chappell Music U.S. May will oversee business and administrative activities for the Nashville office and work closely with Tracy Gershon, Senior VP A&R who also reports to Francis. May’s responsibilities include the day-to-day business management of Warner/Chappell’s Nashville office, as well as the contracts and copyright administration departments. May will negotiate songwriter contracts and the acquisition of songwriter catalogs while identifying future strategic partnerships in Nashville.

Prior to joining Warner/Chappell Music, May was one of the Founding Partners of global music publisher R2M Music LLC, from 2006 to 2009, where he worked on catalog valuations and acquisitions and integrated acquired catalogs into R2M Music’s portfolio. He also spent 11 years with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, including from 2001 to 2003, as VP of Global Administration where he headed the company’s U.S. and international royalties, copyright, licensing and information systems departments.

Last Fall the Warner/Chappell Nashville office also brought veteran Steve Markland on board as VP of A&R. Markland reports to Gershon.

National News: Labels Face Antitrust Suit; Arbitron; Bergman Catalogue

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An antitrust lawsuit alleging price fixing of digital downloads by the major labels has been reinstated by a federal appeals court. EMI, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, are among the defendants in the case that will be allowed to proceed. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the October 2008 decision of a lower court which dismissed the case.

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Board member William Kerr has been named President/CEO of Arbitron following the resignation of Michael Skarzynski.

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Spirit Music Group has acquired Threesome Music, the song catalogue of acclaimed multiple Grammy, Oscar and Emmy-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Through the agreement, Spirit will acquire rights to more than 300 songs recorded by such classic artists as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti. The catalog also includes timeless standards recorded by Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Neil Diamond/Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson.

Signings: Josh Gracin’s New Team; Molly Hunt

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Josh Gracin

Josh Gracin

Josh Gracin is building a new team, and has recently signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for booking representation. BLA Pres. Kevin Neal will be the responsible agent and can be reached at 615-244-4336 and kneal@blanash.com.

As a former Lyric Street artist, Gracin had hits such as “I Want To Live,” “Nothin’ To Lose,” “Stay With Me (Brass Bed),” and “We Weren’t Crazy.” The former Marine burst onto the national scene in 2003 as a finalist on American Idol.

Kevin Neal

Kevin Neal

It was previously announced that Gracin has signed with Full Scope Entertainment for management, working with Ken Madson (615-329-4762, kenmadson@gmail.com). His new label home is Average Joes Entertainment; also the home to country rapper Colt Ford. Contact Shannon Houchins at 615-329-4762 and averagejoesent@gmail.com. A new single is expected in the spring. Essential Broadcast Media’s Leigh Parr is handling publicity (615-327-3259 leigh@essentialbroadcastmedia.com).

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molly

Singer-songwriter Molly Hunt recently signed with Ann Wilson Music, Inc. The 13-year-old has been making the co-writing rounds on Music Row. Pictured at her BMI signing: Hunt, BMI’s David Preston and Ann Wilson.

Songwriter Dale Dodson Enjoys Roles At Carnival, Sony/ATV

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daleSongwriter and country music historian Dale Dodson has a unique new arrangement that allows him to remain as a staff writer for longtime publisher Sony/ATV and also take on a creative services role at Carnival Music.

Dodson is the writer or co-writer of songs including “Look Who’s Back In Town” by George Strait, “Good News, Bad News” and “Everything But Quits” by Strait and Lee Ann Womack, “20 Years and 2 Husbands Ago” by Womack, “Senses” by Reba McEntire and “I Bought The Shoes That Just Walked Out On Me” by Dierks Bentley.

“Not only can Dale write songs that sound like they fell off a 1959 Wurlitzer jukebox,” says Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, “but he has the ability to go into a catalogue and understand what kind of songs suit specific artists…We were able to work with Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson on creating a place for Dale here where he’s able to work with my writers, set-up co-writes, pitch out songs…and possibly help us become more dynamic, all the time continuing in his relationship with his primary publisher.”

“Dale is an invaluable resource to us,” agrees Tomlinson. “He knows our heritage catalogue better than I’d say anyone in Nashville, and he understands where those songs should find homes, as well as writing classic old school standards, which have found some amazing homes…We are very excited to have this opportunity to see one of our very best grow in new and exciting ways.”

“When you look at the writers who’ve been part of Sony/ATV, that is a lineage I’ve always taken very seriously,” Dodson says. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Hank Williams, Bobby Braddock, Willie Nelson, Dean Dillon. And to be able to be a part of watching Carnival Music—a place that’s always signed writers’ writers like Bruce Robeson, Natalie Hemby, Troy Jones and Scooter Carusoe—develop into hopefully the same piece of the same kind country music history is a challenge and a thrill I’m looking forward to.”

Dodson, a native of Berkeley Springs, WV, came to Nashville in 1987 to work in the shows at Opryland, did a short stint with Evelyn Shriver Public Relations and started at Sony/Tree 1992 as a writer who also consulted on catalogue from Hank Cochran, Buck Owens, Harlan Howard and the myriad back catalogues under the Sony/ATV umbrella.

Letter To The Editor Re: Urban At PC Awards

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Some members of the music community are riled up over Keith Urban’s acceptance speech for Favorite Male Artist at last night’s (1/6) People’s Choice Awards. On stage at the Nokia Theatre LA Live he thanked fans and said the most important thing to him is that people hear his music, even if they download it illegally.

Here’s one reader’s thoughts in an open letter to Music Row:

On Wednesday night (1/6), on the People’s Choice Awards, Keith Urban won the award for Favorite Male Artist. In his acceptance speech, he stated, “I don’t even care if you download it (my music) illegally, give it to your friends, I really don’t care.”

I think it is appalling for one our biggest and brightest stars to openly encourage people to break the law by downloading music illegally.

Urban and wife, Nicole Kidman, likely have millions of dollars. And, he probably won’t miss the royalties when people steal his music. However, I wonder what his label, Capitol Records Nashville, has to say about his statement? And what about his co-writers and other songwriters on Music Row whose talents he depends on to continue with his hugely successful career? Can they afford to work for free?

While other artists such as Madonna, Elton John, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Jay Z, Lenny Kravitz and other superstars from all genres are speaking out for the rights of songwriters, Keith Urban, in one short statement, sent out a strong message to potentially millions of young listeners around the world – that music is free for the stealing. He “really don’t care.”

I manage and promote songwriters and their record labels who offer free legal downloads of their songs in major publications and on the web in efforts to help promote their careers. But that is their choice. They have given their permission.

Our community of songwriters – and the world music industry at large – have been devastated by the proliferation of illegal downloading and file-sharing. The last thing that we need is for one of our most popular artists to promote the practice.

I think Keith Urban should rethink his position and apologize for his statements – or start giving away tickets to his shows.

Music is owned by the creators – and they should get paid for it. It is not free. We all depend on it for our living.

Clif Doyal
Owner, Clif Doyal Agency, LLC
CDA Promotions-Nashville

Ole Signs Chris Wallin

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(L-R): ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard, Chris Wallin, and ole’s Shane Barrett

(L-R): ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard, Chris Wallin, and ole’s Shane Barrett

Ole has acquired the catalogue of hit songwriter Chris Wallin and entered a worldwide co-publishing deal with him. Among the No. 1s he has written or co-written are Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can,” Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink,” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Something To Be Proud Of.” He brings these and over 100 more songs including hits “I’m Tryin’” (Trace Adkins) and “Speed” (Montgomery Gentry) to ole.

The White Pine, Tennessee native says he was drawn to ole’s international reach—it has offices in Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles—and development commitment to its writers when deciding to sign with them. He says, “It’s clear that ole is a company that doesn’t stay in the box.”

He moved to Nashville in the 1980s and soon landed his first songwriting deal, garnering cuts by artists such as Lorrie Morgan, Keith Anderson, Anthony Smith, Trace Adkins, Jeffrey Steele, Confederate Railroad, Neal McCoy, Brad Paisley and Diamond Rio. Wallin is also an active advocate for songwriter’s rights and often works with NSAI to protect intellectual property rights.