Warner/Chappell Nashville Signs Aussie Duo Seaforth

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Pictured: Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Laura Worley (LH7 Management), T.D. Ruth (Serling Rooks), Jessi Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Poppy (Shenanigoats), Mitchell Thompson (Seaforth), Pimento (Shenanigoats), Olive (Shenanigoats), Tom Jordan, Pippy (Shenanigoats), Alison Junker (Warner/Chappell), Patrick W. Ogilvy (Serling), Katie Jelen (Warner/Chappell), Brian Teefey (LH7 Management). Goats provided by Shenanigoats & featured as a nod to Seaforth’s matching goat tattoos

Aussie duo Seaforth has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Nashville. Earlier this month, Seaforth opened for Kane Brown at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The duo recently released two songs, “Talk to Me” and “Love That,” via RCA Records Nashville.

Seaforth includes childhood friends Mitchell Thompson and Tom Jordan, whose moniker comes from the Australian suburb where they grew up.

Kobalt Adds Jonathan Sherwood, Boy Named Banjo To Roster

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Boy Named Banjo signing

Kobalt​ has signed Nashville-based country group Boy Named Banjo (BNB) and alt-singer/songwriter Jonathan Sherwood. The worldwide agreements continue Kobalt’s existing partnership with publishing company Little Louder and includes worldwide administration for all of BNB and Sherwood’s future works.

Jesse Willoughby, GM for Kobalt Nashville, said, “We’re excited to continue our relationship with Little Louder and their growth by the new additions of Jon, Will and Barton. Arturo and Eric continue to identify incredible talent and we’re grateful to help them grow their company to new heights.”

Nashville natives founded BNB in 2011, releasing their first album The Tanglewood Sessions at the age of 18. The group has since released its sophomore record, Long Story Short (2014), and an EP, Lost On Main (2015). BNB took the stage at Bonnaroo in 2015. BNB is currently touring heavily, selling out shows across the eastern half of the US and recently performed at Colorado’s Seven Peaks Fest in August. Next up is a new album slated for release in 2019.

Said President, Little Louder Music, Arturo Buenahora, “I had known the kids in Boy Named Banjo for over a year before we signed them. Barton and William and the guys have been a touring band since their high school days and throughout college building a small but loyal fan base throughout the Southeast. The response to the music has been beyond anything we could have hoped for.”

Added Senior Creative Director, Kobalt Music, Laura Alexander, “The guys from Boy Named Banjo truly bring something different to our music community. We are fired up to see their story unfold going forward and are very thankful to have them join the Little Louder/Kobalt family!”

Jonathan Sherwood signing

California native Sherwood moved to Nashville five years ago after dropping out of college, and is now working with country up-and-comers: Seth Ennis, Brandon Ratcliff, and BNB.

Sherwood commented, “Little Louder and Kobalt hold the kind of reputation I want to be known for, so I am thankful they brought me into the family. We have great music in the works that I am eager and proud to put into the world.”

Buenahora said, “Laura Alexander sent me some of Sherwood’s music and I was immediately impressed with his style of songwriting. He got 2 cuts the day we signed him which is a first for me in over 20 years of publishing.”

Alexander added, “BMI sent Jon Sherwood over to meet with me and I instantly felt like he had something different to offer. Along with his unique style of writing, his energy and excitement for the craft stuck with me. Having Little Louder as a partner with us seemed like the perfect set up for someone like Sherwood. His positive attitude and work ethic are inspiring and we couldn’t be happier to have him in the family!”

ole Signs Pianist/Composer Paul Cardall

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Pictured (L-R): Attorney Daniel Novick; ole Senior VP of Finance & Administration Chris Giansante; ole CEO Helen Murphy; Paul Cardall; Tina Cardall; ole VP of Creative John Ozier; ole’s VP of Corporate Affairs & Business Development Gilles Godard

Nashville-based pianist and composer Paul Cardall has signed an exclusive worldwide recording and publishing agreement with ole. Additionally, ole has acquired Cardall’s catalog, including master recordings from all 22 of Cardall’s previous albums, master recordings of 12 additional albums from Cardall’s label Stone Angel Music, as well as Cardall’s publishing and writer’s share on all compositions.

To date, Cardall has earned six consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard New Age Albums chart. On Nov. 2, his holiday album Christmas debuted atop the New Age Albums chart. The project includes 13 piano-based holiday classics such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night,” as well as vocal collaborations with artists including CeCe Winans. Cardall will perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 28.

“Even though Paul is a world class pianist, a gifted composer, and one of America’s most successful independent artists, Paul is also a brilliant business man who has surrounded himself with an incredible team to win. All of us at ole are proud and privileged to have the opportunity to work with Paul and take his incredible success story to the next level,” commented Gilles Godard, ole’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development.

“Paul is a true musical virtuoso and we’re very pleased that ole is the new home for his incredible body of work, as well as for the works of other talented artists signed to his Stone Angel Music label,” added Helen Murphy, ole’s Chief Executive Officer.

“As an independent artist who has been blessed with a level of success, I had to learn strong principles and discipline inherent in my craft. Those same principles make up the core values of ole. It is in spirit of those principles, as well as a spirit of innovation, community, integrity, and a strong relationship with fans, that I join forces with ole to light the world with music. Whether we’re creating a ground breaking piano album, songwriting, producing or scoring films, my recordings and the existing Stone Angel Music catalogue, together with ole’s talented team of creatives, will continue to serve as a blessed resource for millions of people who use it as a tool to create an atmosphere of peace,” said Cardall.

Warner/Chappell Nashville Signs Tyler Reeve

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Pictured (L-R): Ryan O’Nan (ROAR), Ryan Beuschel (Warner/Chappell), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Tyler Reeve, Tiffany Dunn (Loeb & Loeb), Becky Harris (Huskins-Harris), Phil May (Warner/Chappell)

Songwriter and recording artist Tyler Reeve has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Nashville. The Alabama native was recently awarded BMI Song of the Year for Brett Young’s triple-platinum single, “In Case You Didn’t Know.”

His other notable writing credits include Love and Theft’s “Whiskey On My Breath,” Luke Combs’ “I Got Away with You,” from his platinum debut album, This One’s For You, and Chris Young’s “Where I Go When I Drink.”

Reeve is managed by Ryan O’Nan at ROAR and represented by Tiffany Dunn of Loeb & Loeb, Becky Harris of Huskins-Harris, and Morgan Kenney at WME for touring.

BMG Signs Matt Roy To Pub Deal

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Pictured (L-R): Matt Cottingham, Ritholz Levy Fields LLP; Carrie Murphy, WME; Rakiyah Marshall, Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Courtney Allen, Creative Director, BMG Nashville ; Matt Roy; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Adi Sharma, WME

Singer-songwriter Matt Roy has signed a new publishing agreement with BMG in Nashville. The 22-year-old Belmont University graduate penned “Pull It Off,” featured on Kane Brown’s Platinum-certified self-titled debut project, as well as “Refill” from Adam Doleac’s debut EP.

Roy, a Glen Rock, New Jersey native, began playing the guitar at eight years old and was performing by 12. As a teenager he started playing country music and also found a passion for songwriting. Roy moved to Music City full-time in 2014 and has been writing and performing ever since.

Demolition Music Signs Worldwide Admin Deal With Angry Mob Music

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Nashville-based Demolition Music has entered into a worldwide administration deal with Los Angeles publisher Angry Mob Music. Under the deal, Angry Mob will provide creative, administration and synch services for Demolition songwriters and its catalog.

“Demolition Music achieved one of its most important goals this year when it aligned its pool of passion and talented songwriting team with the ‘get it done’ DNA of a truly remarkable L.A. company like Angry Mob.” says Demolition President Jon D’Agostino. “It’s a bi-coastal relationship that is bridged with common threads of passion, hard work, and determination to build a winning brand of songs together. ”

“We are thrilled to begin working with the great team and songwriters of Demolition Music,” says Marc Caruso, CEO Angry Mob Music. “Our companies share an ethos to work hard, to be forward thinking, and to respect and value the American songwriter. Our teams truly complement each other and we look forward to achieving great success together.”

 

Sony Completes Acquisition Of EMI Music Publishing

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Sony Corporation of America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation (“Sony”), completed the acquisition of the entirety of the approximately 60 percent equity interest held by the investor consortium led by Mubadala Investment Company in DH Publishing, L.P. (“EMI”), which owns and manages EMI Music Publishing on Nov. 14, 2018.

The equity purchase price totaled $2.3 billion, based on an enterprise value of $4.75 billion. As a result of this acquisition, EMI has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony and will be merged into Sony/ATV. This acquisition follows the previously announced signing of a definitive agreement on June 29, 2018.

As a result of this acquisition, Sony expects to record additional operating income of approximately 105 billion yen, representing a non-cash step-up gain for the approximately 40 percent equity interest in EMI that Sony already owned and reflecting costs relating to the acquisition, in the Music segment in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. Sony also assumed EMI’s existing interest-bearing debt of approximately $1.3 billion as a result of this acquisition, of which $0.96 billion was repaid immediately from Sony’s existing cash.

The expected impact of this transaction on Sony’s consolidated results has already been incorporated into the forecast for consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, as announced on October 30, 2018. As previously announced, Sony is currently evaluating the income tax expense expected to result from the closing of this transaction.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Jesse Frasure, Steve Cropper Honored At BMI Country Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Mike Steinberg, Jesse Frasure, Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Music and emotions ran high at this year’s BMI Awards banquet on Music Row Tuesday night (Nov. 13).

Jesse Frasure was named the organization’s Country Songwriter of the Year, thanks to “No Such Thing As a Broken Heart,” “Marry Me,” “A Girl Like You,” “Unforgettable” and “Ring On Every Finger.”

“He has transformed the sound of modern country music,” stated BMI’s Jody Williams. “I am so proud of this guy.”

“This is a little bit surreal,” Jesse told the crowd. “I came from the Vanderbilt Breast Clinic today. My wife [Stevie] had a double mastectomy three weeks ago, and she’s here, looking stunning. And she’s cancer-free. She’s a bad-ass, and I wouldn’t be here without her.

“This is the most amazing community. There’s so many people who make this possible along the way. I love you guys.” He particularly cited BMI attendees Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett. Another star, Jay-Z, saluted him via video, because of the songwriter’s association with Rhythm House Music.

Pictured (L-R): BMI Vice President Creative Jody Williams, John Legend, Steve Cropper and BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

There was this one more Jesse Frasure shout out: “Steve Cropper, I’m honored to be in the same room with you.”

He was referring to this year’s BMI Icon honoree. Throughout the evening, Cropper was saluted with performances that recognized his contributions as a guitarist, songwriter and/or producer.

Mike Farris and Lucie Silvas turned in a barn-burning medley of “Soul Man”/”Hold On I’m Coming,” featuring Cropper’s iconic guitar riffs being played by Kenny Greenberg.

Recording artist Maggie Rose performs onstage at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Maggie Rose sang a sizzling “Midnight Hour.” Why can’t the industry find a place for this talented woman? Luke Combs was a bruising brawler on “Knock On Wood.” He’s never sounded better. John Legend’s smooth, sultry performance of “Dock of the Bay,” again with Greenberg on guitar, was the capper.

BMI’s Mike O’Neill said, “It is my absolute honor, my absolute privilege, to honor Steve Cropper. He’s deeply influenced songwriters and musicians.” Mike noted Steve’s membership in the Rock, Songwriters and Musician Halls of Fame, as well as his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. “The Smithsonian is displaying Steve Cropper’s guitars, because he shaped American music.”

Among those saluting Cropper via video were Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives, Charlie Daniels, Ringo Starr and Garth Brooks.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Keith Urban, UMPG’s Kent Earls, and BMI’s Mason Hunter onstage at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

The honoree’s commemorative Icon silver bucket was inscribed, “for your unique and indelible influence on a generation of music makers.”

“An Icon Award is a big deal,” said Cropper. “God bless you guys for coming, and thank you so much.

“The tears will not stop flowing. Goodnight, Otis, wherever you are.” “Dock of the Bay,” which Steve Cropper wrote with Otis Redding, has been performed more than 11 million times.

BMI’s Song of the Year award went to “In Case You Didn’t Know,” penned by Tyler Reeve and Trent Tomlinson, who accepted alongside collaborator and performer Brett Young.

Luke Combs performs onstage at the BMI Country Awards 2018 at BMI Nashville on November 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Brett was among a bevy of record makers who attended. Others included Maren Morris, LoCash, Mac McAnally, Dustin Lynch, John Oates, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Charlie Worsham, Maddie & Tae, Chris Lane, Levi Hummon, T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Charles Kelley (Lady A), Chris Janson, RaeLynn, Bekka Bramlett, Chris Young, Luke Bryan, Abby Anderson, Michael Ray, Phillip Sweet (LBT), Granger Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sisterhood, Cole Swindell, Lanco, TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban, Deborah Allen, The Warren Brothers and Frankie Ballard.

Earning their first BMI awards were Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Mike Henderson (The Kingsnakes, The Bluebloods), Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes, Devin Dawson and Cameron Duddy (Midland). In fact, among the credits of the 50 hits honored were 25 first-time songwriter winners.

Others first-timers included Ben Stennis, Keesy Timmer, Brandon Lancaster, Trent Harmon, Kyle Fishman, Joshua Miller, Taylor Phillips and Thomas Marc Archer. On the other side of the spectrum were Rhett Akins, winning his 34th BMI Award, and Rodney Clawson, winning his 32nd BMI Award.

Recording artists Karen Fairchild and Maren Morris attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

The BMI parking garage was transformed into a wonderland, thanks to glittering, multi-tiered chandeliers and multi-hued indirect lighting. Tall, hydrangea-encrusted arches framed the entryways. Tables were set with elegant, black satin tablecloths. Massed lilies and roses were in huge centerpieces surrounded by glowing tea lights.

It felt like sitting in a meat locker, however. I wore a turtleneck and a scarf with my tux. I felt sorry for the young women garbed in skin-baring evening gowns. Ed Morris warmed his hands over the table’s tiny tea-light flames.

As usual, attendees worked the room like madcaps. BMI always has a huge schmooze factor, to the extent that the hosts have to continually ask the crowd to tone it down so that we could hear what was transpiring on stage.

Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson at the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

Biz mavens there included Ron Stuve, Blake Chancey, Randy Goodman, Shane Tarleton, Paul Worley, Leslie Fram, Liz Rose, David & Karen Conrad, Randy Talmadge & Trav Livingston, Scott & Sandi Spika Borchetta, David & Susana Ross, Mike Vaden, Storme Warren, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Tony Brown, Allen Brown, Wes Vause, Kelly Sutton, Jessie Schmidt, Mark Wright and Whitney Daane.

Not the least of these was Ben Vaughn, who led his Warner-Tamerlane staff to the stage to collect BMI’s 2018 Country Publisher of the Year Award. The company was behind 20 of the 50 hits honored. The same pubbery won at ASCAP the night before, so here’s a toast to twin victories.

We dined on beef medallions with gravy, asparagus, braised carrots and absolutely delicious scalloped potatoes. Desserts were served in the BMI lobby after the ceremony.

Pictured (L-R): Rodney Clawson, Thomas Rhett and Rhett Akins attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Enjoying the repast were Dennis Quaid, Chris Wallace, Rita Wilson, Scott Hamilton, Rory Bourke, Layng Martine, Jeffrey Steele, Even Stevens and Jerry Crutchfield. Mike O’Neill made a point to single out former Icon awardees Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Mac Davis and Bob DiPiero. He also offered a shout-out to Lee Thomas Miller, who campaigned for the Music Modernization Act. So did Bart Herbison and David Israelite, who drew standing ovations.

“The way Nashville embraces music and the way all of you support one another is truly unique,” said O’Neill. “Country music is special.”

BMI distributes $1.1 billion annually in royalties, more than any other PRO in the world. The BMI country honors were launched in 1953 as Nashville’s first music awards.

Pictured: Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell attend the 66th Annual BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Lauren Alaina attends the BMI Country Awards 2018 at BMI Nashville on November 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI President/CEO Mike O’Neill, recording artist Chris Young and BMI Vice President, Creative, Jody Williams attend the BMI Country Awards 2018. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI

Round Hill Music Celebrates New Office With Grand Opening

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Round Hill Music Nashville Staff

Round Hill Music officially opened its new Nashville office on Monday (Nov. 12), celebrating with a grand opening. The newly renovated building at 1800 Grand Avenue is an extension of their offices at the historic, former Quad studio complex.

Nashville SVP GM Mark Brown says, “We are excited to have this beautiful new space to accommodate our growing staff and writers.”

Round Hill Music, a full service boutique publishing company, opened its Nashville office in 2014. Since then it has become home to some of Nashville’s most iconic song catalogs and writers.

ole Appoints New CEO

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Helen Murphy

Independent music publisher ole has named a new chief executive officer. Helen Murphy has been announced as successor to Robert Ott, who will continue to serve as an advisor to Murphy and the ole Board of Directors.

Murphy previously founded International Media Services, Inc, which provides strategic and financial advisory services to clients in the global media and entertainment industries. Services include structuring and negotiating brand extensions; negotiating and executing new media/digital growth opportunities; financial/organizational restructuring and integration activities; and negotiating and structuring acquisitions.

Murphy said, “I am passionate about music and very excited that the music industry has returned to growth around the world. Given the ever-increasing ways people have to consume music, I believe we have an incredible opportunity at ole to continue to create value for our songwriters, our artists and our global production music and intellectual property business partners. I look forward to working with the team at ole and with its founding partner, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Ontario Teachers’).”

Prior to founding IMS in 2004, Helen was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Warner Music Group (WMG). At WMG, Murphy was responsible for the finance, human resources, business development, information technology and real estate functions. In 2012, she was the lead external negotiator for Sony Corporation and Mubadala Development Company to acquire The EMI Music Publishing catalog for $1 billion and to negotiate a long-term administration deal for the Sony/ATV Catalog with Mubadala. Murphy also was CFO for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and led the initial public offering of the company. In the 1990’s, she held a series of senior financial positions, including CFO at PolyGram Music Group (now Universal Music Group).

“It has been a privilege and honor to found ole and grow the company to its present position as a global player,” Ott said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many incredible people over the years and have learned so much from them. I’m thankful to Ontario Teachers for their belief in a dream and wish Helen Murphy and ole every success in the future.”

Ontario Teachers’ Senior Managing Director, Capital Markets, Gillian Brown said, “We believe that Helen’s track-record, industry knowledge, creative relationships and passion for excellence make her the right person to lead the next phase of ole’s growth and development in this exciting time for the company and for the industry. We thank Robert for the contribution he has made to ole during his tenure. His decision to stay on as an advisor to Helen and the Board will ensure a smooth transition and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”