Dierks Bentley Inks Deal With Kobalt Music Copyright

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Willard Ahdritz (Kobalt founder/CEO), Merril Wasserman (EVP, Business Development), Dierks Bentley, Richard Sanders (President, Kobalt North America), Laura Alexander (Senior Creative Director), Stephanie Cox (VP, Creative), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville).

Pictured (L-R): Willard Ahdritz (Kobalt founder/CEO), Merril Wasserman (EVP, Business Development), Dierks Bentley, Richard Sanders (President, Kobalt North America), Laura Alexander (Senior Creative Director), Stephanie Cox (VP, Creative), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville).

Dierks Bentley has inked a deal with Kobalt Music Copyright for representation of his back catalog, including hits such as “I Hold On,” “Home,” “Drunk On A Plane,” “Sideways,” and more, MusicRow has confirmed. Kobalt will also handle administration for Bentley’s future compositions.

“I couldn’t be more happy about joining the Kobalt team,” said Bentley. “Everyone I’ve had a chance to meet emits a feeling of belief in the power of songs and songwriting. You can’t help but sense their excitement about writing collaborations and possibilities. I look forward to having the positive energy surrounding me as we start thinking about the next project.”

Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO of Kobalt, commented, “Dierks Bentley is a gifted artist and songwriter who has only grown stronger over the years. We very much believe in him and feel strongly that he will keep growing and that the best is yet to come.”

Jesse Willoughby, General Manager of Kobalt, Nashville stated, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring such a phenomenal artist like Dierks Bentley into the Kobalt family. His career continues to thrive as he pushes new boundaries on every project. His eighth album release speaks volumes about his contribution to country music and popular culture as a whole. Welcome to Kobalt, Dierks!”

 

Industry Ink: CRS, BMI, Catch This Music, YEP

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Scott Hamilton Tapped For CRS Keynote

Scott Hamilton

Scott Hamilton

Olympic Gold Medalist, television broadcaster, and best-selling author Scott Hamilton will be the keynote speaker at Country Radio Seminar 2017. CRS President Charlie Morgan will conduct the interview on Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 4 – 5:00 p.m.

As a first time guest of Country Radio Seminar, Hamilton will inspire others through his motivational story and how to overcome life’s obstacles. Hamilton captured the attention of the world in 1984 with his Olympic gold medal performances in Saravejo. He continues to share his passion for the sport as a commentator, performer, and author (Landing It, 1999; The Great Eight, 2009).

As a cancer survivor, Hamilton launched the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, Chemocare.com and the 4th Angel Mentoring Program. He is also the founder of the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy at Ford Ice Center in Antioch, TN, in partnership with the Nashville Predators. Hamilton was diagnosed with his third brain tumor in October, but faced the news with his trademark positive attitude.

The $599 regular registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2017 is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

BMI Hosts Holiday Tree Lighting

Pictured: (L-R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, Anderson Benson’s George Anderson, Mayor Megan Barry, Anderson Benson’s Brent Daughrity and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry.

Pictured: (L-R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, Anderson Benson’s George Anderson, Mayor Megan Barry, Anderson Benson’s Brent Daughrity and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry.

BMI hosted its 22nd annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration Dec. 8 with a full house of BMI employees, family and industry friends. Sponsored by Anderson Benson, party-goers were encouraged to bring a gift for Toys for Tots and collected almost 100 presents. BMI’s Jody Williams toasted to another great year in Nashville and wished everyone a happy holiday season.

 

 

Catch This Music Writer’s Ink Signs Trannie Stevens
ctm-signs-trannie-stevens

Catch This Music Writer’s Ink has signed rising songwriter Trannie Stevens. She arrived in Nashville 16 months ago and was the 2016 winner of Texas Songwriter U, a contest judged by Liz Rose, Jack Ingram, and Radney Foster.

“Our CTM Writer’s INK family is so excited to have Trannie Stevens join our team of creators,” said President/CEO Eddie Robba. “Trannie is a writer that’s willing to step outside of the box and strives to push for deep lyric and inspiring melodies.”

Stevens said, “I deeply value relationships, daily growth, and pushing the envelope within the best genre in the world, country music. I’m so glad CTM is a place where I can be myself and am surrounded by people and writers with the same mentality. God is so good!”

Stevens has opened concerts for Toby Keith, Ronnie Dunn, Eric Paslay and Jack Ingram.

 

 

(YEP) Announces 2017 Board of Directors

Executive Director Amelia Varni of Universal Music Publishing Group (headshot attached, photo credit: Dallas Wilson)

Amelia Varni will serve as Executive Director of (YEP). She works at Universal Music Publishing Group. Photo: Dallas Wilson.

Nashville’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) announces the 2017 Board of Directors led by Executive Director Amelia Varni. The 2017 Board of Directors includes Alina Thompson (Country Music Association), Caroline Melby (Belmont University), Christina Wiltshire (Sea Gayle Music), Garrison Snell (Gyrosity Projects), Jaclyn Carter (Shore Fire Media), Jarrod Holley (Suit Music Management), Katie Roth (Creative Nation) and Rachel Knight (Turnipblood Entertainment/The Knight Agency). Catherine Moore (Farris, Self and Moore) will continue as the organization’s treasurer.

YEP’s 2017 “Alumni Class” includes Andrew Cohen (Suit Music) and MaryAnn Keen (BMI), who founded the organization at Tin Roof in Nashville six years ago.

“I’m honored to have been chosen by the board to carry this responsibility,” says Varni. “Andrew [Cohen] has been extremely helpful leading me through this transition for the past six months. We’re looking forward to YEP’s growth in 2017 with the help of our team and Nashville’s continued support.”

Warner/Chappell Music Promotes Alicia Pruitt To Sr. VP, A&R

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Alicia Pruitt

Alicia Pruitt

Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has promoted Alicia Pruitt to Senior Vice President, A&R. She previously served as Senior Director, A&R. During her tenure at Warner/Chappell, Pruitt has signed new talent, secured top cuts for the publisher’s songwriters, and furthered their careers. She has worked closely with songwriters Kacey Musgraves, Michael Dulaney, Chris Stapleton, Derek George, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina and Lee Miller, among others.

“Warner/Chappell has given me the opportunity to work alongside such amazing talent – both in my colleagues and across our amazing songwriting roster,” said Pruitt. “I’m committed to fostering the careers of songwriters at every level, and my Warner/Chappell family provides the freedom and resources to do just that. I’m excited to continue to be a part of this team and expand my role here at Warner/Chappell. I consider myself very blessed to have the opportunity to work with music and songwriters that I love dearly.”

“Alicia Pruitt is dedicated to songwriters,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Nashville. “Her passion and integrity across all parts of the business is known throughout the halls of Warner/Chappell and beyond, and it’s a great honor to announce her well deserved promotion today.”

Word Music Publishing Signs Jonathan Lee

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Pictured (L-R, back row):Rod Riley, Joel Timen, Janine Appleton, Trevor Mathiesen, Josh Bailey. (L-R, front row): Jonathan Lee, Jonathan Mason

Pictured (L-R, back row):Rod Riley, Joel Timen, Janine Appleton, Trevor Mathiesen, Josh Bailey. (L-R, front row): Jonathan Lee, Jonathan Mason

Word Music Publishing has signed a worldwide exclusive songwriting agreement with worship leader and Dove-nominated songwriter Jonathan Lee.

Formerly with Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Centricity Publishing, Lee’s songs have been recorded by for King & Country, Newsboys, Selah, and Phillips, Craig & Dean. Lee is a co-writer of for King & Country’s “Proof of Your Love.”

“It’s been crucial to our team to make sure we are building a strong group of worship leaders that see the local church as the major leagues when it comes to how we partner together,” says Jonathan Mason, Director of Word Worship Music. “Jonathan’s love for the local church cannot be denied and we believe new songs of worship will continue to rise through his continued ministry.”

As part of this new partnership, Lee will write songs to lead and release through his own recordings as well as for other artists as a staff songwriter for Word Music Publishing.

Charity News: Combustion Music, Christmas 4 Kids, Musicians On Call

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Combustion Music Raises $75K During Hope Town Music Festival

combustion-music

Combustion Music hosted its third annual Hope Town Music Festival on Friday Dec. 2 on the island of Elbow Cay in the Bahamas. Over $75,000 was raised from the four songwriter rounds, with the income going to support Every Child Counts, Friends of the Environment, and Hope Town Fire & Rescue.

Combustion Music President Chris Farren welcomed songwriters including Ashley Gorley, Brett James, Chris Destefano, Matt Jenkins, Jameson Rodgers, Jordan Walker, Johnny McGuire, Mickey Jack Cones, Chip Esten, John Nite, Kendall Marvell, Andy Albert, and Marc Beeson, who all contributed their time and songwriting efforts.

“All of my friends donated their time and talents, and together with the local community and some incredible Nashville sponsors, we raised a bunch of money that will all stay on the island and really make a difference… not to mention the fact that we all had a blast,” said Farren.

“We at SunTrust Music Row have been involved with the Hopetown Music Festival since its inception in 2013.  We are so glad to be a part of such a great cause, that gives back to such a special place like Hopetown,” said Suntrust First Vice President Dusty Miller.

Sponsors, partners, and donors participating included ASCAP, The Academy of Country Music, SunTrust Bank, Hackney Financial, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell, IBC Airways, Sword Rowe & Company, Abaco Inn, Albury’s Ferry Service, Abaco Buzz, Hope Town Inn and Marina, Hope Town Harbor Lodge, Harbour’s Edge, Commonwealth Brewery Limited, Lighthouse Marina, Rock Around The Clock, Island Cart Rentals, and Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

 

Artists Revealed For Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show

Charlie Daniels Christmas 4 kidsChris Stapleton, Darryl Worley, 3 Doors Down, Shenandoah, 38 Special, TG Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Ray Scott, Guy Gilchrist and James Robert Webb are a few of the artists set to participate in the annual Christmas 4 Kids tour bus show, to be held at Hendersonville, Tenn. Walmart on Monday, Dec. 12. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., stars will gather on parked tour buses to meet fans and give them an inside look at their homes away from home.

Admission to the event is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children ages 2-12 and $20 for a family pass. Admission for children under 2 is free. Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Hendersonville Walmart (204 North Anderson Lane, Hendersonville, TN 37075) on the day of the event.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, over 400 underprivileged children from 29 different schools around Middle Tennessee will participate in a day-long shopping excursion. The day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer’s luxury tour bus, dinner, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. To wrap up the day, the tour buses journey to the Hendersonville Walmart, where the kids receive a new winter coat and $150 to spend on anything they like.

 

Musicians On Call Teams With Radio Disney Country

moc-logo-blackMusicians On Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in hospitals across the country, teamed up with Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country recently to bring the healing power of music to patients at City of Hope in Los Angeles. With the help of one of Radio Disney’s biggest stars Alex Aiono and country music newcomers Temecula Road, patients, families and caregivers at City of Hope were treated to a lobby performance as well as MOC’s Bedside Performance Program.

The visit, presented by Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country, and sponsored by the Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Program, City National Bank and Genentech was in celebration of Musicians On Call’s Half A Million Moments campaign, the milestone of performing for 500,000 patients, families and caregivers across the country.

Both artists are featured on the new track entitled “The Human Race” that also features longtime MOC supporters Kelsea Ballerini, Scotty McCreery, Lindsay Ell, LOCASH, Tegan Marie and more. Fans can purchase single on iTunes, with some of the proceeds going to benefit MOC.

Warner/Chappell Music and Sea Gayle Sign Kelley Lovelace

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Ryan Beuschel (WC), Christina Wiltshire (SG), Kelley Lovelace, Ben Vaughn (WC), Jake Gear (SG), Mike Owens (SG), Chris DuBois (SG), Brad Paisley (SG) in Paisley’s home bar, “Ye Olde Potion Room Pub.”

(L-R): Ryan Beuschel (Warner/Chappell), Christina Wiltshire (Sea Gayle), Kelley Lovelace, Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell) and Sea Gayle’s Jake Gear, Mike Owens, Chris DuBois, and Brad Paisley in Paisley’s home bar, Ye Olde Potion Room Pub.

Warner/Chappell Music and Sea Gayle Music have signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated songwriter Kelley Lovelace. Lovelace’s work has been recorded by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, and many others. He has 23 Top 10 hits to his credit, including 16 No. 1s (eight of which were recorded by Paisley). Warner/Chappell and Sea Gayle will also represent a significant part of Lovelace’s back catalog.

“Signing with Warner/Chappell and Sea Gayle is truly the best of both worlds for me—I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect partnership,” said Lovelace. “I have had such incredible enthusiasm and motivation from both companies that it’s actually causing me to dig a little deeper and write a little more. I think my best songs are the ones I will be a part of in the future. I haven’t been this optimistic in a long, long time. Feels like I just moved to town.”

“There is a very short list of songwriters that have earned the success that Kelley has achieved,” said Chris DuBois, Co-Owner, Sea Gayle Music. “He has as much talent in the writer room as anyone I have ever known and I speak for everyone at Sea Gayle when I say how proud and honored we are to welcome him to this partnership between Sea Gayle and Warner/Chappell.”

Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Nashville, added, “In an ever-evolving industry, one thing that does not change is the importance of a great idea. Kelley Lovelace has proven, time and time again, that his craftsmanship and wordsmithing is among the elites in the songwriting profession. On behalf of the entire WCM team, it is a great pleasure that we enter into this new partnership with our friends Kelley Lovelace and Sea Gayle.”

Lovelace is the recipient of MusicRow magazine’s Song of the Year award for “He Didn’t Have To Be,” which was co-written and recorded by Paisley. Lovelace has been nominated for country song of the year by all of the major awards shows, including the Grammys, CMA Awards and ACM Awards. Lovelace is represented by attorney Chip Petree.

NMPA, YouTube Reach Agreement to Distribute Unclaimed Royalties

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NMPA

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), on behalf of music publishers and songwriters, and YouTube have negotiated an agreement to distribute royalties for musical works used in videos on YouTube where ownership was previously unknown.

The agreement addresses the challenges around identifying ownership of musical works, and it will help solve the problem of attribution so that music publishers and songwriters can not only be paid for works viewed on YouTube in the past where ownership was previously unknown, but also be paid for those identified works moving forward.

Music publishers will have the ability to opt into this agreement during the opt-in period, which opens on Dec. 12, 2016 and will remain open through Feb. 28, 2017.

Following the opt-in period, YouTube will provide participating publishers with a list of songs YouTube may have been unable to obtain proper ownership information for. This will allow participating publishers to claim ownership in those songs and receive accrued royalties from the period between August 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015.

The claiming window will be 3 months long. After the claiming window, participating publishers will receive claimed accrued royalties. Any accrued royalties that remain unclaimed will be distributed to participating publishers based on each publisher’s market share and on revenue paid for known usage on YouTube during the initial accrual period. The agreement, however, will not affect the rights of any publisher or songwriter who does not choose to participate.

This process will be repeated for future 12-month usage periods beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2019.

“We appreciate YouTube’s willingness to work with us on behalf of the industry to help pay out millions of dollars in previously unclaimed royalties to publishers and songwriters,” NMPA President and CEO David Israelite said regarding the agreement. “It is essential that we work with digital services like YouTube – the most popular digital platform for music discovery – to fix the challenge of incomplete ownership information to ensure royalties are no longer unmatched and music owners are paid accurately by the platforms that rely on their work.”

“The revenue earned by the music industry on YouTube continues to grow significantly year over year, and we’re committed to making sure that publishers are paid for the usage of their works on our platform,” said Tamara Hrivnak, Head of Music Partnerships, Americas for YouTube and Google Play. “We are excited to partner with the NMPA to address the industry-wide challenges associated with identifying publishing ownership on digital platforms.”

 

Magic Mustang Music Signs Radney Foster

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(From Top Left, Clockwise): Magic Mustang Music’s Juli Newton-Griffith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba; BBR Music Group’s Colton McGee; Radney Foster; BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown.

(From Top Left, Clockwise): Magic Mustang Music’s Juli Newton-Griffith; BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba; BBR Music Group’s Colton McGee; Radney Foster; BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown.

BBR Music Group has signed Radney Foster to its Magic Mustang Music publishing roster.

The Texas singer-songwriter has crafted numerous chart-topping songs, including hits for Sara Evans (“A Real Fine Place To Start”), and Keith Urban (“Raining On Sunday,” and “I’m In”). Foster has also notched his own hits with 1992’s “Just Call Me Lonesome” and 1993’s “Nobody Wins.”

He has also had cuts by Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, The Dixie Chicks, and Darius Rucker.

“I’m so excited to be working with Benny, Juli and Noah and the whole team at Magic Mustang,” says Foster. “Their enthusiasm has sparked a whole new wave of creativity in me.”

Foster is writing a book of short fiction to accompany his upcoming album and is set to make his professional stage debut this winter in Troubadour, premiering at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre on Jan. 18, 2017.

“I am elated to have such a great songwriter and icon on our roster,” says Juli Newton-Griffith, VP of Publishing for Magic Mustang Music. “His talents are limitless and this is going to be a fun ride!”

Industry Ink: NSAI Documentary, Entrepreneur Center, Tony Wood

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Luke Bryan To Appear in NSAI Documentary

Luke Bryan recently visited the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) to appear in a documentary to be released in 2017. While there he congratulated some of Nashville’s top songwriters who were attending an awards breakfast and legislative briefing.

luke-bryan-visits-nsai

(L-R): Casey Summar, NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller, Trent Summar, Cole Taylor, Corey Crowder, Luke Bryan, Jason Duke, Jim Beavers, Melissa Peirce, Frank Rogers, Brett Beavers and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

 

Leadership Change at Entrepreneur Center

Sam Lingo

Sam Lingo

Sam Lingo is leaving his post as President and COO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center effective Dec. 31. He has spent nearly seven years with the business incubator which has strong ties to Nashville’s tech and music communities. He will move into an advisory role in 2017. According to reports, it is unlikely his positions will be filled.

 

 

 

Tony Wood Wraps Year With Seven Christmas Cuts

Word Publishing’s Tony Wood is putting a bow on 2016 with seven cuts on new Christmas albums by Stars Go Dim, We Are Messengers, Travis Ryan, Selah, Austin & Lindsey Adamec and Alisa Turner.

Wood is celebrating his 25th year as a professional songwriter. He is a multiple Dove Award Winner with 29 No. 1s in his repertoire.

L to R- Word Publishing Staff and Tony Wood: Trevor Mathiesen, Jonathan Mason, Joel Timen, Tony Wood, Janine Appleton, Josh Bailey

(L-R): Word Publishing’s Trevor Mathiesen, Jonathan Mason, Joel Timen, Tony Wood, Janine Appleton, Josh Bailey

Kobalt Music Publishing, Songs For FCM Publishing Sign Riley Friesen

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Pictured (L-R): Seth Mosley, Riley Friesen, Stacey Wilbur. Photo: Celi Mosley

Pictured (L-R): Seth Mosley, Riley Friesen, Stacey Wilbur. Photo: Celi Mosley

Songs for FCM Publishing, along with Kobalt Music Publishing Global, have signed writer Riley Friesen to a publishing deal. Friesen’s credits include songs for Family Force 5, Michael W Smith, Jordan Feliz, Audio Adrenaline and Group 1 Crew.

Full Circle Music is led by Seth Mosley, who earned a Grammy nomination earlier today (Dec. 6) for “Priceless” (for KING & COUNTRY) in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance category. Mosley earned his first Grammy honor in 2014, for producing for KING & COUNTRY’s album Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.

“I love getting to work with people that I am already a fan of, and Riley Friesen is one of those people. I became a mega fan of his production chops and songwriting sensibilities on his work on the previous Family Force 5 record. I was producing other tracks on the record and just hearing his songs, made me want to step my game up because iron sharpens iron,” shares Mosley. “I am so excited about the future of Riley Friesen and getting to be a part of the journey with him.”