Keith Urban celebrated his 21st No. 1 single, this time for the title “Wasted Time,” on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The gathering was hosted by three PROs: ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, respectively representing songwriters James Abrahart, Urban and Greg Wells.

Located on the 27th top level of Nashville’s recently opened Westin Hotel, overlooking 360° of Nashville. The altitude of the hotel was a fitting place for Urban’s storied success to be recognized, albeit window cleaning rigs were suspended from the roof and sounds of jackhammers and drills in the background.

“I remember the first time I came here in 1989,” recalled Urban.“It’s amazing how the city has grown. Like where the BMI building is now, looking at all the buildings around it, I was thinking if you haven’t been here in a few years your first thought would be, ‘Did they move the BMI building closer to town?’”

Urban’s co-writers on the song each celebrated their first No. 1 on country radio despite substantial success in outside genres. Los Angeles-based Wells has produced and written for the likes of Adele, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and more. Los Angeles/Atlanta/Nashville-based Abrahart, who was referred by his nickname JHart, has worked with artists including Jusin Bieber, Jason Derulo and Usher.

“Nashville is growing because of artists like Keith and songs like ‘Wasted Time,’ said Sara Knabe on behalf of BMG’s work with Wells. “That’s the reason people come here and are moving here, and the reason we have this building. Greg is based in our L.A. office, and its his first trip to Nashville and he has a killer week of writes. We’re honored to have you here and want to work with you as much as you want to be here!”

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville’s Kent Earls also spoke on behalf of Abrahart and Urban. Each publisher met their Los Angeles writer just one hour before the event.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and event host/BMI’s Jody Williams all spoke. As with the publishers, the two former PRO reps remarked on only recently meeting their respective writers, Abrahart and Wells. Each offered an open open door invitation for continued success in Nashville.

“There’s nothing like a Keith Urban No. 1 Party,” said Williams of his writer. “They’re more of everything—so special and great-feeling.”

For the label, Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan credited many staffers for the success of the two-week No. 1 and offered praise for Urban’s diligence in delivering Ripcord as a whole album.

“It’s honestly one of the best records I’ve been associated with, and I am old—I’ve been doing this a long time! It’s a two-week No. 1 and the third No. 1 single from this album,” said Dungan.

The writers expressed surprise at the No. 1 recognition and gratitude for Urban’s graciousness.

“This is my first big country song,” said Abrahart. “I grew up in Atlanta and always had such a deep respect for country music and jumped at the opportunity to work with Keith when Greg brought it to me. Keith is a true example of what a legendary artist is. It’s rare to have an artist that gives credit and doesn’t take credit.” Abrahart went on to note of Urban’s graciousness in mentioning the names of his co-writers at concerts.

Wells added, “There’s a downside [to working with Keith], it kinda wrecks working with any other artist. It’s so spoiling. No ego. I think he could be famous for his guitar playing alone. As a Canadian living in Los Angeles, I’ve felt a warm welcome [from Nashville]. I love that you value songwriting. It’s heartening to see this [party]. It’s unique, it doesn’t happen in LA, I’ve had other successes and we’ve never had a party for any of them. Thank you very much!”

Urban gave the final word, noting the privilege of recognizing his team members behind the scenes.

“Nashville is unique. It’s a beautiful thing because it’s always been about the song. The writers matter. I get to stand on stage and witness the reaction to a song. Everyone behind the scenes doesn’t get to see or feel that or certainly the acknowledgement their creativity deserves. That’s why I love these parties, because it’s a team effort.

Urban thanked his label and detailed how his early years in Nashville prepared him for his current success.

“Nashville and Music Row has given me the foundation to be able to go to a studio in L.A. and meet these two guys who I’ve never written with…and be creative with them immediately. It’s really an extraordinary gift. I love songwriting and making records. I feel really blessed to be in this town. It’s rare these moments happen and they matter.”

The CRB, Pinnacle Bank and CMA were also in attendance to present accolades.

 

 

Mike Fiorentino has signed a publishing deal with Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution.

Since moving to Nashville in 2007, Fiorentino has penned and arranged numerous songs for Hasbro for use in toys, commercials, and network television, founded an independent record label/production team with longtime friend Kyle Cook, guitarist of Matchbox 20, and collaborated with production team Phivestarr writing for artists like Bubba Sparxxx and Colt Ford. He also topped the iTunes chart with “Wasted Love,” performed by The Voice Season 7 runner-up, Matt McAndrew, which also debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“It’s such an honor to be working with the entire team at Fluid/Spirit!” Fiorentino said. “Working along side, and learning from Frank Rogers is something every writer/producer dreams of. AJ has been a great friend and champion of mine for several years, and am thrilled to be able to continue working with him.”

“Mike and I have been working together off and on over the past five years and we could not be happier to officially welcome him into the Fluid Music Revolution and Spirit Music Nashville family. We are excited to be a part of this new chapter with Mike,” said AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution.

Writer’s Den Music Group Hosts Second Unsigned Writer’s Retreat

Writer’s Den Music Group recently hosted their second Unsigned writer’s retreat at Bell Bottom Farm in Cedar Hill, Tennessee. Songwriter’s participating were Anna Vaus, Aby Gutierrez, Andrew Tufano, Betsy Lane, Brittany Kennell and Emily Hackett.

 

ACM Welcomes River House Artists/Columbia Nashville’s Luke Combs

The Academy of Country Music welcomed River House Artists/Columbia Nashville recording artist Luke Combs to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Combs previewed songs from his upcoming album This One’s For You, along with his current single, “Hurricane.”

Songwriter Isaac Fox has been signed to a joint venture between MusInk and the recently-launched Rezonant Music Group. Fox, who resides in Nashville, was trained at the Royal College of Music in London (violin) while making a name for himself in the UK as a go-to multi-instrumentalist for UK-based pop/rock acts, including Irish pop artist Shane Filan.

“From the beginning, Rezonant’s plan was to be a multi genre publishing company,” Rezonant CEO Tim Wipperman said. “Our team sees great potential in Isaac. He’s a 24-year-old musical prodigy and has a great pop song sensibility. We are also excited to go into this co-venture with Richard Orga and MusInk. Partnerships such as this will help us create a strong foundation and allow us to accomplish our goals in a smart and creative way.”

Rezonant Music Publishing was established in 2016 by founding partners and music publishing veterans Wipperman (Nashville) and Garry Velletri (New York), along with financial consultant Alan Walter (Los Angeles). Within the company’s first several months of operation, it signed songwriter and producer Ross Copperman. Rezonant also acquired rights to songwriter Matt Jenkins’ catalog and will be working in conjunction with Combustion Music and Warner/Chappell to exploit those works.