Industry Ink: Carnival Music, Dreamlined Entertainment, Prescription Songs, WMBA

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Carnival Music Introduces “Barnival” Songwriter Happy Hour

Dustin Christensen and Scooter Carusoe perform

Dustin Christensen and Scooter Carusoe perform during Carnival’s “Barnival” songwriter happy hour.

Carnival Music has launched a new performance space, dubbed Barnival, where the company will feature monthly writers rounds with their writers and special guests.

The first Barnival songwriter happy hour round took place July 14, and featured Carnival writers Scooter Carusoe and Dustin Christensen. The crowd was packed with writers, producers and publishing executives including Paul Worley, Kos Weaver, Forest Glen Whitehead, Sony’s Maragret Tomlin and Erik Peterson.

“It was so great to see Scooter, who has been such an important part of Carnival since our inception, sit right next to one of our newest writers, Dustin Christensen, and show people what Carnival is doing and that the song still matters,” said Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell.

 

Dreamlined Entertainment Group Inks Joint Venture With Prescription Songs

Kevin MaC

Kevin MaC

Keith Stegall‘s Dreamlined Entertainment Group has announced a joint venture with celebrated Prescription Songs (Katy Perry, Diplo and 50+ others) on the signing of writer/artist Kevin MaC. Virginia Beach native MaC’s first single “#Winning” is forthcoming. Promotion efforts will be helmed by Star Farm Nashville.

Stegall launched Dreamlined Entertainment Group earlier this year and last month announced a partnership with Star Farm Nashville to handle promotion and artist development for the company.

 

WMBA Supports Thistle Farms With Clothing Drive

(L-R): Rachel Cunningham, The Collective; Julia Grimoldi, Sony/ATV and WMBA Secretary; Dana Lalevee, NSAI and WMBA President; Katie Word, Sony/ATV; Nina Schollnick, Belmont Student; Macke Rodamaker, Belmont Student.

(Top, L-R): Rachel Cunningham, The Collective; Julia Grimoldi, Sony/ATV and WMBA Secretary; Dana Lalevee, NSAI and WMBA President; Katie Word, Sony/ATV; Nina Schollnick, Belmont Student; Macke Rodamaker, Belmont Student.

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) sponsored a clothing drive and hosted a free shopping day for residents of Thistle Farms on Saturday, July 9. Donations were collected from the music industry community, including large donations from Big Machine Label Group and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, as well as individual WMBA members and others who saw our information posted on social media. WMBA also donated a new television set for the residents to enjoy.

Thistle Farms is a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction.  It includes a residential program and social enterprise for survivors and an education and outreach program for the public.  The social enterprise includes a Bath and Body Care Line,Shared Trade Global Marketplace, Thistle Stop Cafe and The Studios Workshop. To learn more about Thistle Farms visit thistlefarms.org.

Brett James Receives Eighth ‘MusicRow’ No. 1 Challenge Coin

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Pictured (L-R): Brett James and MusicRow chart director Troy Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): Brett James and MusicRow chart director Troy Stephenson

Brett James accepted a MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for Carrie Underwood’s “Church Bells” on Wednesday morning (July 20). He co-wrote the song with Zach Crowell and Hillary Lindsey.

Since 2014, every song that has reached No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart receives a coin, which is presented to the artist and songwriter. After the presentation, James noted that he has another collection of challenge coins—ones he has received from military officials while visiting troops stationed overseas.

James’ previous No. 1 singles on the MusicRow chart include “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, “The Heart of Dixie” by Danielle Bradbery, “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert, “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert and Underwood, “Something in the Water” by Underwood, “Baby Be My Love Song” by Easton Corbin, and “Gonna Know We Were Here” by Jason Aldean.

Jon Pardi Enters Publishing Deal With Sony/ATV And Song Factory

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Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV; Jon Pardi; Jennifer Johnson, Song Factory; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV

Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV; Jon Pardi; Jennifer Johnson, Song Factory; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV

Jon Pardi has inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, in partnership with Song Factory.

A songwriter in his own right, Pardi co-wrote eight tracks on the Capitol Nashville project California Sunrise, including his gold-certified single, “Head Over Boots.”

Pardi says, “Having Sony/ATV and Song Factory come together to represent me as a songwriter is a dream come true. I couldn’t be more excited about the future and working with these two outstanding teams.”

Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson adds, “When Tom Luteran and Jennifer Johnson approached me with the idea of joining forces so that Jon would secure his place among the generations of legendary Sony/ATV singer/songwriters, all I wanted to do was find a way to accomplish that. Representing authentic artists like Jon energizes our entire team.”

Marty Dodson Signs With SNG Music

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Pictured (L-R): SNG's Steve Leslie, Marty Dodson, SNG's Gary Reamey Photo: Courtesy of SNG Music

Pictured (L-R): SNG’s Steve Leslie, Marty Dodson, SNG’s Gary Reamey Photo: Courtesy of SNG Music

Songwriter Marty Dodson has joined the roster of SNG Music, LLP, a publishing company co-founded by Steve Leslie and Gary Reamey in 2014.

Dodson has had more than 100 songs cut from artists such as Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, and The Plain White T’s.

His country hits include Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven,” Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and “Let Me Down Easy,” and Rascal Flatts’ “While You Loved Me.” He’s also had success in Asia with the song “Bounce” recorded by Cho Yong Pil.

“We are very proud to welcome Marty to our SNG family of writers,” Leslie said. “I’ve known him both as a friend and co-writer for 20 years. He represents all the qualities which make SNG Music unique among music publishers. He’s a great writer, a mentor to our younger songwriters, and a smart businessman. We feel lucky to have him.”

Hits From The Hall Offers Tom Douglas, Richard Leigh, Shane Minor

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Pictued (L-R): Tom Douglas, Richard Leigh, Shane Minor

Pictued (L-R): Tom Douglas, Richard Leigh, Shane Minor

Nashville songwriters Tom Douglas, Richard Leigh and Shane Minor will perform at City Winery on Wed., July 27, at 7 p.m. as part of the Hits From the Hall series.

Hits From The Hall is a fundraiser benefitting the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Douglas was inducted into the Hall in 2014. Leigh entered in 1994.

Tickets are $20 for downstairs seating; $30 for limited upstairs VIP seating.

Douglas’ hits include Collin Raye’s “Little Rock,” Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Tim McGraw’s “Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s.” Leigh’s catalog includes Billy Dean’s “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” and Reba McEntire’s “The Greatest Man I Never Knew.” Minor’s hits include Kenny Chesney’s “Live a Little,” Diamond Rio’s “Beautiful Mess,” and Cole Swindell’s “Chillin’ It.”

Green Hills Music Group Signs Mary Haller To Publishing Deal

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Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar, Mary Haller, Sheree Spoltore. Photo: Jill Block

Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar, Mary Haller, Sheree Spoltore. Photo: Jill Block

Boston songwriter Mary Haller has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Green Hills Music Group.

She was introduced to Green Hills president Woody Bomar by Sheree Spoltore, president of songwriter career development company Global Songwriters Connection.

Bomar said, “I met Mary a couple of years ago at a GSC event. I was impressed and started listening to her songs. We have already gotten a couple of cuts and I look forward to this exclusive relationship and a lot more success!”

Said Haller, “I am honored to be working with such a successful publisher. Woody understands songwriters and songwriting like no one else I know.”

Green Hills Music Group also markets the music of Bob Regan, Steve Mitchell, Danika Portz, Rich Karg, Bonnie Baker, Steve Williams and Georgia Middleman.

 

Travis Denning Signs Deal With ole, RED Creative Group

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Pictured (L-R): Shellien Kinsey, ole, Creative Admin. Manager; Brooke Antonakos, RED Creative Group, VP of Creative; Jeremy Stover; Travis Denning; John Ozier, ole, VP of Creative; Mike Whelan, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Ben Strain, ole, Creative Director; Emily Mueller-Olson. ole, Creative Manager

Pictured (L-R): Shellien Kinsey, ole, Creative Admin. Manager; Brooke Antonakos, RED Creative Group, VP of Creative; Jeremy Stover; Travis Denning; John Ozier, ole, VP of Creative; Mike Whelan, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Ben Strain, ole, Creative Director; Emily Mueller-Olson. ole, Creative Manager

ole and RED Creative Group LLC have signed a deal with songwriter Travis Denning that gives ole exclusive administration rights to his music.

Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, Denning moved to Nashville in 2014. Within a year, he signed his first publishing deal with Jeremy Stover’s RED Creative Group. Stover is an ole songwriter and record producer.

Denning has secured two cuts on Justin Moore’s upcoming album, Kinda Don’t Care. He also co-wrote Chase Rice’s new single, “Everybody We Know Does.” His songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean and newcomer Jordan Rager.

“Travis Denning has quickly established himself as a deeply gifted songwriter, and a terrific artist in his own right,” says John Ozier, Vice President, Creative of ole. “We anticipate yet another fruitful collaboration with RED Creative Group, by way of our work with Travis.”

“Working with the best in the music business is very important to me,” says Denning. “Collaborating with ole and RED Creative Group so soon is even better than I bargained for.”

Starstruck Writers Group, 10,000 Hours Extend Deal With Alex Kline

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Pictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, Starstruck Entertainment; Shannan Hatch, SESAC; Courtney Allen, Starstruck Entertainment; Alex Kline; Erin Enderlin, 10,000 Hours; Neil Zacharuk, 10,000 Hours

Pictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, Starstruck Entertainment; Shannan Hatch, SESAC; Courtney Allen, Starstruck Entertainment; Alex Kline; Erin Enderlin, 10,000 Hours; Neil Zacharuk, 10,000 Hours

Starstruck Writers Group and 10,000 Hours have renewed their co-publishing agreement with producer/songwriter Alex Kline.

“I could not be more excited to continue our relationship with Alex Kline. She is a triple threat; incredibly talented songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Her passion for her craft and her work ethic make her a publisher’s dream. We are looking forward to being a part of her continued success,” says Courtney Allen, creative director at Starstruck Writers Group.

Most recently, Kline produced Tara Thompson’s debut EP on Valory Music Co. She co-wrote the first single, “Someone to Take Your Place,” as well as three of the other songs. Kline also co-produced, programmed, and co-wrote Maggie Rose’s current single “Same Sky.” Her songs have been recorded by Jess Moskaluke and Lonesome River Band; she has produced Scott Stevens and Australian artist Adam Brand.

Kline also produced Erin Enderlin’s sophomore release, I Let Her Talk.

“The first time I saw Alex perform, I was immediately intrigued by her unique sound. She has a killer ability to capture and bring to life unique song ideas, and she’s a mad genius in the studio, sure to be a force as a producer in Nashville and beyond,” says Enderlin, co-owner of 10,000 Hours, LLC.

“I am thrilled to continue working with my dream publishing team. It’s inspiring to wake up every day and be able to work with such great people who believe in what I do and have the kind of drive and determination to make incredible stuff happen. I am very much looking forward to seeing what the next year holds,” commented Kline.

BMI Signs ‘The Voice’ Contestant Chance Peña As Affiliate

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI Songwriter Chance Peña, Chance’s mother Michelle Peña and Secret Road’s Wayne Davis.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI songwriter Chance Peña, Chance’s mother Michelle Peña and Secret Road’s Wayne Davis.

Chance Peña, contestant on season 9 of NBC’s The Voice, stopped by the BMI Nashville office on Tuesday (July 12) to officially sign as an affiliate. Chance is a Secret Road Music Publishing writer and developing artist. Peña also performed at The Basement later that day.

Peña is a Tyler, Texas, native who wowed The Voice judges with a rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire.” He began playing guitar at 8 years old, and by 11, he had begun writing songs and performing in local bars and barbecue joints. Now a teenager, he eventually added banjo, ukulele and cajón to his musical arsenal.

He names Hudson Taylor, the Lumineers, and Mumford & Sons as his influences.

 

MV2 Entertainment Takes Writing Retreats To Luxury Level

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Pictured (L-R): Bart Allmand, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy, Tyler Farr, Jay Allen, Robert Arthur, Clay Myers, & Tony Harrell. Photo: Jeff Winkleman

Pictured (L-R): Bart Allmand, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy, Tyler Farr, Jay Allen, Robert Arthur, Terry McBride, Clay Myers, & Tony Harrell. Photo: Jeff Winkleman

Inside a classic Victorian home/office on Music Row, Clay Myers and Tony Harrell of MV2 Entertainment are explaining a new model for a songwriting retreat that’s returning for a second year this fall.

Rather than heading to the mountains or the beach, Myers and Harrell are assembling a handful of writers signed to their publishing company, several other Nashville songwriters with early career momentum, and maybe an artist or two. And then they’ll all decamp to West Texas (about 200 miles west of Austin) to a place called JL Bar Ranch & Resort, which is owned by Harrell’s teenage buddy, James Archer.

James Archer

James Archer

Archer is CEO of MV2 and he has a soft spot for ‘90s country but he isn’t known for being in the music business. Instead he’s an entrepreneur in oil and gas who sold a company called Multi-Chem to Halliburton in 2011.

The sum was undisclosed but it provided Archer a chance to build a 13,000-acre ranch that’s in the middle of nowhere—yet offers a private airport, a luxurious lodge, a five-star restaurant, 16 cabins on site, a music venue, a gym, a general store, a home studio, a variety of shooting ranges, and the list goes on. Believe it or not, there’s a lot of songwriting that gets done during the day—and well into the night.

Tony Harrell

Tony Harrell

“We made it fun and we were building the concept as we went,” explains Harrell, MV2’s General Manager. “This was our first one and it worked out great and we feel like we’re onto the right thing now. If we bring at least one artist that’s an artist who is on the radio, who loves to hunt and loves to write, and then bring two or three hit song guys and maybe a couple of others who are sprinkled in the mix… you know, when you get out of town sometimes, the creative juices tend to flow.”

MV2, which stands for the words mission, values, and vision, opened in Nashville in 2015. Almost immediately, Harrell and Myers participated in leadership training at Archer’s request; the lodge is equipped for corporate retreats too, although songwriters probably have a better time around the campfire.

Clay Myers

Clay Myers

Last year’s participants included Jay Allen, Bart Allman, Robert Arthur, David Fanning, Tyler Farr, Tully Kennedy, Terry McBride and Josh Mirenda. Incidentally, at least three of the songs written at the event are on hold with artists.

Harrell and Myers want to keep the gathering about the same size this fall but also want to tie it to a charity, perhaps with a final-night showcase for the public that would benefit local organizations. All the songwriters are guests, without an expectation to pay, although the retreat is by invitation only.

“I think we had a great blend of talent there. The people always make something fun,” says Myers, MV2’s Senior Creative Director of Artist Development. “I think we truly see the potential. You know, one of the great things about the retreat is, once you’re there, you’re there. You might as well be a part of it because there’s no running to the city.”

Pictured (L-R): Robert Arthur, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Bart Allmand. Photo: Cody Roberts

Pictured (L-R): Robert Arthur, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Bart Allmand. Photo: Cody Roberts