UMPG Signs Hunter Hayes

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Photo (l-r): (seated) Hayes. (Back row) Manager Ansel Davis, UMPG Creative Director Cyndi Forman and UMPG Nashville President Pat Higdon. Photo: Kay Williams

(Seated) Hunter Hayes; (Back row L-R) Manager Ansel Davis, UMPG Creative Director Cyndi Forman, and UMPG Nashville President Pat Higdon. Photo: Kay Williams

UMPG announces the signing of 17- year-old singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes to its roster of hit makers. With accomplishments claimed only by a seasoned entertainer, Hunter currently plays over 10 instruments and is continually adding to his musical repertoire. As a young child he appeared on several network television shows and played for many dignitaries including then President Clinton.

“The Climb” Wins MTV Music Award

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Photo 1 - Pictured L-R: Kos Weaver (VP Disney Music Publishing); Doug Howard (SR VP Lyric Street/Carolwood and Disney Music Publishing); Missy Roberts (Creative Director Stage Three Music Publishing); Jon Mabe (Stage Three Music Publishing); Jessi Alexander (Disney Music Publishing), and Tim Hunze (General Manager Stage Three Music Publishing)

Pictured L-R: Kos Weaver (VP Disney Music Publishing); Doug Howard (Sr. VP Lyric Street/Carolwood and Disney Music); Missy Roberts (Creative Director Stage Three Music Publishing); Jon Mabe (Stage Three songwriter); Jessi Alexander (Disney songwriter), and Tim Hunze (GM Stage Three Music)

Disney Music Publishing along with Stage Three Music and songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe toasted their recent win at the 2009 MTV Music Awards for Best Song From A Movie for the hit single “The Climb” performed by Miley Cyrus. After soaring to the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC charts, this smash continues to top the charts for the third consecutive week. It is currently climbing the country airplay charts and is one of the best-selling songs with more than 2 million downloads to date.

“Wow! I never dreamed I would have a golden popcorn to put on the piano,” said Jessi when hearing of the win. “Seriously, I’m incredibly honored to know this song has reached so many people and continues to be a fan favorite.”

Produced by John Shanks, “The Climb,” is from Hannah Montana: The Movie and the accompanying Platinum selling soundtrack.

Combustion Music Signs Will Bowen

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Standing L-R: Chris Farren, Ashley Hertzog, BMI's Beth Mason, Chris Van Belkom, Stephanie Greene; Seated: Will Bowen

Combustion Music has signed Will Bowen to an exclusive songwriting agreement. As an artist, Bowen was signed to Universal Records out of New York, and toured the country opening for acts like Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5. As a writer, his music can be found on multi-platinum albums, as well as in numerous TV and movie placements.

Show Me Your Hits Marks 10 Years

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ASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization’s founding and current members.
ASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization's founding and current members. Pictured (L-R): Connie Bradley, Kelly King, Cyndi Forman, Liz O'Sullivan, Kim Wiggins, Alicia Pruitt, Carla Wallace, Stephanie Greene, Kerri Edwards

Pictured (L-R): Connie Bradley, Kelly King, Cyndi Forman, Liz O'Sullivan, Kim Wiggins, Alicia Pruitt, Carla Wallace, Stephanie Greene, Kerri Edwards

Label Heads Discuss Changing Roles On CMA Series

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cma-logoUnderstanding the various functions and changing role of the record label is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is posted on CMA’s member Web site, My.CMAworld.com.

The third episode on Record Labels is available now and features interviews with Mike Dungan, President/CEO Capitol Records Nashville; Fletcher Foster, Senior VP/GM Universal Records South; Joe Galante, Chairman Sony Music Nashville; and Randy Goodman, President Lyric Street and Carolwood Records.

The series is part of CMA’s ongoing strategic mission of being a resource for the Country Music industry. The Association launched the monthly online educational series in April with an episode on Publishing, followed in June by a segment on Artist Management. The series is an exclusive benefit for members of CMA.

Future episodes include topics from Social Networking and Entertainment Law to Country Radio and Touring. Episodes are posted on the third Monday of the month. With each new episode, CMA members are able to submit questions to the panel of experts. Each segment, which is roughly 10 minutes long, is archived for easy access at any time.

Urban Signs With Universal Publishing

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urbanDavid Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Pat Higdon, President, UMPG Nashville, today announced the signing of a worldwide publishing agreement with Keith Urban. UMPG will publish Urban’s catalogue throughout the world, including his recently-released fifth studio album, Defying Gravity, which topped both the Billboard Top 200 and Country Album charts upon its release this past March.

“We are honored that Keith chose UMPG as his global home for music publishing,” said Renzer. “Keith is a huge star whose songwriting prowess and artistic success are only going to continue and we’re looking forward to working closely with Keith and his entire team in building on that success.”

“Keith is a phenomenal artist and songwriter and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him,” added Higdon. “We intend to work tirelessly to find new opportunities for his music. We are truly honored that Keith and his team have placed their trust in the UMPG and we will not let them down.”

The first single from Defying Gravity, “Sweet Thing,” recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart. It marked Urban’s third consecutive No. 1 and his 11th overall. His first charttopper came in 2000 with “But For The Grace Of God.” He also has ten Top 5s. He has released five original studio recordings, the last three of which have charted at #1. Urban has received two GRAMMY awards, five CMA Awards and four ACMs.

Wiles, Evans Announce Do Write Music

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dowriteDwight Wiles, President of Smith Wiles & Co., today (7/20) formally announced Do Write Music, his joint venture with music publishing veteran Marghie Evans. The company specializes in all aspects of music publishing administration and clearance services for songwriters, publishers, independent producers and label owners, and corporations in need of publishing administration, royalty accounting and licensing services.

Evans serves as Managing Director for Do Write Music, which was originally formed in February 2008 to provide ‘in-house’ music publishing services for Smith Wiles clients. Now it has expanded to include outside entities. In its first year of business, Do-Write Music represented various music publishing catalogs, including four major hits: “Johnny and June,” “In Color,” “One In Every Crowd” and “Shuttin’ Detroit Down.”

Evans was Head of Rights and Clearances for PolyGram and Universal Home Entertainment until 2001 when she moved to Nashville. Since then she has been an independent media consultant, and served as administrator for several independent publishers and songwriters, clearing music for film, TV and video projects, as well as licensing audio and audio visual projects for independent record companies and artists.

Do Write Music is under the umbrella of services provided by business management/tax accounting firm Smith Wiles & Co., and its affiliate, Copyright Exchange, which provides marketing and brokerage services for sellers and buyers of music copyrights. All three entities are located at 900 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203. Do Write Music can be reached at Dowritemusic.com, 615-620-0522, or marghie@dowritemusic.com.

Publishing Notes: Sony/ATV, Green Hills Music

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sonyatv_logo_offSeveral financial firms are looking into purchasing Michael Jackson’s share of the Sony/ATV catalog. Among those interested are Colony Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Plainfield Asset Management and the media mogul Haim Saban, the New York Times reports. Jackson’s 50% stake in the publisher–which owns a majority of the Beatles copyrights–could be worth as much a $500 million, says the newspaper. Sony/ATV’s catalog includes songs by Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell, and is the publishing home to artists/writers Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Bill Anderson, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, and Eric Church, among many others.
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Amie Sistad, Woody Bomar, and Tony Darren

Indie publisher Green Hills Music Group, headed by Woody Bomar, has scored numerous cuts and singles lately. It’s current singles are Bomshel’s “Fight Like A Girl,” and Jimmy Wayne’s “I’ll Be That.” The publisher, which represents music by Bonnie Baker, Rick Giles, J Fred Knobloch, Georgia Middleman, Paul Nelson, Bob Regan, and Steve Williams, also has two cuts on the upcoming George Strait album. Since opening two and a half years ago, Green Hills has secured 62 cuts by artists such as Jake Owen (2), Bomshel (5), Mark Chesnutt (2), Nashville rockers American Bang, and Luke Bryan.

NSAI/Frost Specialty Offering Group Infringement Insurance

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nsai-logoThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Frost Specialty today (7/15) announced the creation of the first-of-its-kind Group Copyright Infringement Insurance Policy for songwriters. This unique group insurance plan will dramatically reduce the cost of infringement-insurance premiums while establishing lower available coverage limits.

“Until now, this kind of coverage was cost prohibitive or unavailable to most songwriters,” said NSAI President, Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Bogard. “Typically a songwriter or composer had to purchase a minimum of $1,000,000 in infringement coverage when in fact, the majority of infringement claims are resolved for less than $100,000,” Bogard continued. “We addressed that problem and the overall cost of such insurance.”

The NSAI/Frost Group Copyright Infringement Policy will offer coverage amounts beginning at $100,000 for less than $1,600 annually. Coverage at this low level was generally unavailable prior to creation of this group plan. More coverage is available for those who require it.

Contact Robert Frost at 615.322.9171 for more information.

Bug Music Promotes Johnson, Adds Williams

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Sara Johnson, Ed Williams

Bug Music Publishing has announced two new executive appointments in the Creative Services division at its Nashville offices. Sara Johnson has been promoted to Senior Director of Creative Services, Nashville and Ed Williams has been appointed to Director of Creative Services, Nashville.

Johnson and Williams will oversee all aspects of copyright development, writer management and client relations effective immediately. Both will report to Roger Murrah, Senior Vice President, Nashville.

Johnson was formerly Creative Director and has been with the company over two years. Prior to his new appointment Williams has held various positions throughout the music industry, including publishing, producing demo sessions, casting and pitching songs, as well as assisting in day-to-day artist management.

“With all of the songs our writers are creating, along with the number of amazing copyrights already in Bug Music’s vast catalogs, I’ve been very pleased with the great work Sara is doing, getting our songs heard and recorded,” said Murrah. “She and I both feel strongly that Ed Williams is ideally suited to help us increase our activity even more.”

Headed by CEO John Rudolph, Bug Music boasts over 250,000 copyrights including the classics “What a Wonderful World,” “Fever” and “Happy Together.” The catalog is also home to hit songs by Johnny Cash, Ashley Gorley, Pete Townshend, Townes Van Zandt, Kara DioGuardi, Ryan Adams, and Kings of Leon.

Based in the Bug Music Nashville office at 33 Music Square West, Suite 104B, Johnson can be reached at sjohnson@bugmusic.com and Williams at ewilliams@bugmusic.com.