Lynda Ragsdale and Sam Powers have been promoted to Partners at business management and consulting firm O’Neil Hagaman, LLC.

Prior to joining O’Neil Hagaman, Ragsdale graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science and worked in public accounting for over 20 years. She joined the firm in 2013 and previously served as Tax Director for the company.

A resident of Franklin, Tennessee, Ragsdale oversees a staff of five and provides tax support to the entire business management staff. Her responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of tax planning and compliance on the federal, multi-state and international levels. She also provides business management services to clients in the music publishing and broadcast entertainment industries.

“Lynda has made an invaluable contribution to the firm through her leadership and tax knowledge. We are proud to announce her addition to the partnership group,” says Cheryl Harris, O’Neil Hagaman Co-Founder & Partner.

Powers worked at both Little Big Town Music and Sony/ATV Tree Publishing prior to joining O’Neil Hagaman. He was bassist and songwriter for the indie-rock band Superdrag from 1999 to 2003. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Powers has worked in the Intellectual Property Group (formerly the Special Projects division) since 2007.

Previously a Principal, Powers remains Co-Head, alongside Craig Owens, of the company’s Intellectual Property Group, comprising a six-person team. Powers and Owens oversee all aspects of the intellectual property issues of O’Neil Hagaman’s clients, including purchase and sale of publishing, overseeing the administration of active artist-owned labels, related contract review and consulting with music entrepreneurs.

“Sam is such a positive force in our music community. His unique combination of superior intellectual skills and deep industry experience, matched with genuine empathy, makes him an invaluable contributor. Welcome to the Partnership group!” says Kerry O’Neil, O’Neil Hagaman Co-Founder & Partner.

Big Loud Records has announced the signing of country-folk singer-songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin.

Born, raised and currently living in Morgantown, West Virginia, Godwin is influenced by artists such as Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Ryan Bingham, Willie Nelson and Chris Knight. His two already released LPs, Seneca and How the Mighty Fall, illustrate the sound he has created that references blue-collar sensibilities, cinematic country-folk soundscapes and sharp-minded songwriting.

“I’m thrilled to partner up with Big Loud Records for this next chapter of my career. Their enthusiasm and belief in my music matches that of my family, friends, bandmates, and team,” says Godwin. “Ultimately that is what is most important. It’s been an unbelievably good experience getting to know Seth [England], Nate [Yetton], and the entire Big Loud staff. I’m so excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to share new music with the world.”

“We’re honored to be partnering with Charles Wesley Godwin in this capacity,” shares England, Big Loud Partner / CEO. “I first heard about Charles last year from my brother Eric; fatefully, the timing aligned perfectly with when our company was exploring endeavors in alternative genres, branching out into Americana, indie, folk, roots, and more. I was blown away immediately by Charles’ undeniable talent, grit, songwriting ability, and distinct perspective; it truly sets him apart. Big Loud is excited to stand proudly with him and his team as we launch a new chapter for our company and bring this body of music to the world.”

Godwin’s year ahead includes headline club show dates out on the road, as well as support slots on tours with left-of-center chart-topper Zach Bryan and country outlaw Cody Jinks. Godwin is managed by Arthur Penhallow Jr. and Reed Turner at True Grit Management.

“The most important thing to Charles was finding a partner who would fully support his artistic vision. Big Loud is clearly committed to that and their passion for Charles’ music is unmatched,” notes Penhallow Jr. “We look forward to working with them during this exciting next phase of his career.”

“Charles Wesley Godwin is a force to be reckoned with as a songsmith, in the studio, and on stage,” Yetton, adds Big Loud Records VP of A&R. “We are more than fortunate that Charles would trust Big Loud Records with this incredibly exciting new chapter in his exploding career. The best is yet to come for him.”

The Honorable Louis L. Stanton of the Southern District of New York has ruled in favor of BMI in their court debate over live concert rates with Live Nation, AEG and the North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA). BMI affiliates will now receive a rate that is 138% higher than the live concert industry’s historical rate.

Judge Stanton also ruled that this new rate will be applied to an expanded revenue base, taking into account the way modern promoters monetize concerts. This includes tickets sold directly onto the secondary market, servicing fees received by the promoters and revenues from box suites and VIP packages.

“This is a massive victory for BMI and the songwriters, composers and publishers we represent. It will have a significant and long-term positive impact on the royalties they receive for the live concert category,” states Mike O’Neil, BMI President & CEO. “We are gratified the court agreed with BMI’s position that the music created by songwriters and composers is the backbone of the live concert industry and should be valued accordingly. Today’s decision also underscores BMI’s continued mission to fight on behalf of our affiliates, no matter how long it takes, to ensure they receive fair value for their creative work.”

He continues, “While we’re thrilled with this outcome, we find it incredibly disappointing that it took millions of dollars and years of litigation to get Live Nation, AEG and NACPA to finally pay songwriters, composers and publishers what they deserve.”

Bailey Zimmerman‘s meteoric rise continues with his latest chart-topper, the Platinum “Rock And A Hard Place,” which reached the No. 1 spot in less than 15 weeks at radio.

The track is not only the No. 1 song this week on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, but raced to the top even faster than his first multi-Platinum smash, “Fall In Love.” Zimmerman’s three-month and three-week span between these first two chart-toppers is the quickest for any act’s first two hits in nearly 25 years, according to Billboard.

Named one of New York Times’ Best Songs of 2022, “Rock And A Hard Place” also marks Zimmerman’s first Top 10 hit on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. The track hits the top 10 in its 41st week on the Hot 100 – rewriting the record for the longest climb to the top 10 for a song by a soloist in the chart’s history. It continues its reign as one of the top 4 most-streamed country songs in the U.S., and totals more than 550 million global streams to date.

Zimmerman’s new album, Religiously. The Album., is due out May 12 via Warner Music Nashville/Elektra. He is up for two awards at the upcoming CMT Music Awards, for Male Video of the Year and Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, and is currently out on the road now supporting Morgan Wallen‘s 50+ date “One Night At A Time World Tour.”

Sheree Spoltore was raised by music in her home state of Arkansas. Her parents, Jackie and Johnny Young, were touring singers, songwriters and musicians who opened for the likes of Eddy Arnold and Ray Price when they came through their region.

Spoltore’s dad even operated a studio in the Muscle Shoals area at one time, so it was no coincidence that she took up the lifestyle of music as well. After cutting her teeth by singing in church, she went on to tour Europe, perform at Carnegie Hall and even play a presidential inauguration. She also began her songwriting journey while growing up in Arkansas.

Spoltore came to Nashville in 1995 to be part of the music industry. She says, “When you come here, it’s like breathing for the first time. Merle Kilgore, who became my mentor, gave me my first job listening to all the back catalog [at his company.]”

Thus began Spoltore’s habit to hustle. She earned a publishing deal, waited tables at the Nashville Palace and even managed to pitch songs, all while raising three kids. Her talent and charisma brought her multiple opportunities to work on the business side of things as well.

“I was really fortunate to get a world view of the music industry,” Spoltore says. “As a creative director, I got to serve the gifts and talents of legendary writer Chris Gantry, who’s known as a Music Row rogue but is an incredibly talented man.

“Then I worked for Barbara Orbison for several years and she was really good to me. Her world was a very big world and she opened up every door that she had to me,” she adds. “From there I was fortunate enough to work at NSAI for seven years. I really appreciate the opportunity that Bart Herbison gave me there to serve songwriters.”

While at NSAI, Spoltore saw a need that she felt she could help fill in the songwriter community that came through the doors.

“What I noticed was that I was able to create real success for people through one-on-one mentoring,” Spoltore says. “I like to figure out how I can maximize and amplify what makes songwriters unique and what makes them different. I get to dig for treasure. I’m a treasure hunter.”

Thus, in 2013, Spoltore opened Global Songwriters Connection to help connect songwriters to publishers and resources needed to have a successful career. The company provides mentoring, connections, song evaluations and an individualized plan to each of its members.

“I have been fortunate to facilitate over 200 publishing deals, whether it be as a connector or a facilitator,” Spoltore says. “That is done by opening up a door, making someone aware of a songwriter and putting together a plan of action that really positions that person to succeed. That is my passion.

“The motto of my company is to encourage, equip and empower creators to be making a living and a difference with their gifts and talents.”

Spoltore brings her decades of experience to her role as President of GSC. She taps into her experience as a hustling songwriter when mentoring and creating introductions for creators.

“When I opened up GSC, it was with a desire to be able to offer online services direct to market. My goal was less about [getting songwriters’] publishing deals, but more about how can I teach them to make a living. Just because you don’t get a publishing deal or a label deal, doesn’t mean you’re not supposed to be making a living with your gifts and talents.”

Spoltore’s husband Lou Spoltore of the entertainment company Live On Stage, has provided help with booking songwriters to play gigs, which has allowed them to continue to fund their dreams of being a Music Row hitmaker.

Spoltore will celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary during a mixer at the CMA Event Center on Thursday (March 30) from 5 to 7 p.m. The catered celebration sponsored by Chater Songs and ASCAP is open for public to come and go as they make their way to Tin Pan South.

GSC will also be giving out awards at the mixer, presenting the Lorna Flowers Community Encourager Awards to Warner Chappell’s Christina Wiltshire and posthumously to John Cirillo.

Spoltore sums, “It’s our way of saying thank you to the community and my industry friends for their wonderful support. We’d love to see everyone there and say hello.”