Shouvik Das and Misha Hunke. Photo: Erika Goldring
BMI has named two promotions within the company’s Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services department. Both based in Nashville, Shouvik Das has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services, and Misha Hunke was promoted to Vice President, Administration & Publisher Relations.
These new roles will streamline the reporting structure of the Distribution & Administration departments, which previously reported as separate entities to Alison Smith, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations, and Administration Services. Both departments will now function under Das, who will continue to report to Smith. Hunke will now report directly to Das.
“Shouvik and Misha consistently go above and beyond to serve our songwriters, composers and music publishers,” shares Smith. “In the past year alone, they’ve overseen multiple initiatives including processing nearly two trillion performances, launching phase one of Songview and the early distribution of royalty payments to BMI’s affiliates during the first two quarters of the pandemic.” Smith adds, “This new reporting structure will help the department function even more seamlessly, and I look forward to working with Shouvik and Misha in their new roles and seeing the team thrive under their leadership.”
Das previously served as Vice President, Distribution & Administration Services. He joined BMI in 2003 as an Executive Director of Finance and Business Control Solutions before moving to Distributions and Administration Services, where he was Assistant Vice President of Performing Rights.
Das will continue to work closely with Smith to manage the relationships with BMI’s publishers, while overseeing the company’s domestic and international royalty distributions and administration services to affiliated songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Hunke was previously the Assistant Vice President of Distribution and Administration Services. She oversaw the teams’ daily functions and strategic direction, including collaborating with major publisher clients and industry-wide administration professionals regarding digital initiatives, royalties, licensing, data quality and administration. She also spearheaded strategic development projects designed to increase efficiencies, create quality controls, and improve customer service to affiliates. Hunke joined BMI in 1987 in the Writer/Publisher Relations department and has been a member of the Distribution and Administration Services department’s client service team since 1995.
Hunke will take on a more expansive role in leading business areas of the department, including affiliation, agreements, royalty assignments, research, publisher customer services, and online services. She will also continue to supervise the business team responsible for Songview, the searchable data platform developed with ASCAP that currently features copyright ownership information on over 20 million works.
Maurisa Pasick, Gwen Foster Join Brown Sellers Brown Management Staff
/by Lorie HollabaughMaurisa Pasick and Gwen Foster
Brown Sellers Brown Management, the full-service management company helmed by industry veterans Benny Brown, Jason Sellers and Paul Brown, has added two new faces to its in-house staff.
Promotion veteran Gwen Foster has been named West Coast Director of Promotion & Marketing, while industry executive Maurisa Pasick will serve as East Coast Director of Promotion & Marketing. They will support BSM’s roster that includes multi-Platinum country star Joe Nichols, as well as singer-songwriter Ben Gallaher and up-and-coming country artist Nate Barnes.
A 25+ year music industry veteran, Foster has worked with the likes of Luke Combs, Aaron Watson, Montgomery Gentry, Colt Ford, Don Henley, and more. She previously served as the Director of West/Southwest Promotion for Big Label Records, the Director of Midwest Promotion for Thirty Tigers, and in West Coast Promotion for I.R.S./Capitol Records, Average Joe Records, and Treehouse Records.
“I couldn’t be more excited about working with Benny Brown, Jason Sellers, and Paul Brown and the outstanding artists at BSB Management! Opportunities like this don’t come along every day and I feel very blessed to be collaborating with the on-fire Quartz Hill Records promotion team,” shares Foster.
Pasick joins BSB Management with over 15 years of promotion experience, spending more than a decade as the Northeast Director of Promotion for New Revolution Entertainment. Pasick most recently served as the National Director of Promotion for Riser House Records, overseeing a staff of five and working with Dillon Carmichael, Meghan Patrick, Ronnie Milsap, and more.
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to join a company with the reputation these guys have and, the music–oh my God–the music is good! So excited to jump right in,” says Pasick.
“Paul, Jason, and I are so excited to add Gwen and Maurisa to the Brown Sellers Brown Management family. Both their passion and experience are great additions to our team, and a great support for our artists and our other brands,” says BSB Co-Founder Benny Brown.
Pasick will be based in Nashville and can be reached at Maurisa@bsbmgmt.com. Foster will be based in Phoenix and can be reached at Gwen@bsbmgmt.com.
2021 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Female Songwriter Of The Year
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Female Songwriter of the Year category. Female Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 23 at 5 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscribed member here.
Allison Veltz Cruz
Hipgnosis Songs, SESAC
“Somebody Like That” recorded by Tenille Arts
Nicolle Galyon
Warner Chappell Nashville, BMI
“We Were Rich” recorded by Runaway June
“Gone” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini ft. Kenny Chesney
Natalie Hemby
UMPG Nashville, BMI
“Bluebird” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Settling Down” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“I’m Not For Everyone” recorded by Brothers Osborne
Alex Kline
Reviver Music, SESAC
“Somebody Like That” recorded by Tenille Arts
Emily Landis
BMG, BMI
“The Good Ones” recorded by Gabby Barrett
Hillary Lindsey
Concord Music Publishing, ASCAP
“One Beer” recorded by Hardy ft. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson
“Hole In The Bottle” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Almost Maybes” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” recorded by Taylor Swift
Parker Welling
Home Team/Warner Chappell Nashville, BMI
“Love You Like I Used To” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, More Set For 2021 iHeartCountry Festival
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (clockwise): Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Little Big Town
The iHeartCountry Festival will make its return on Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.
Now in its eighth year, the 2021 lineup will feature Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell, and Chase Rice. The show, presented by Capital One, will once again be hosted by iHeartMedia’s nationally-syndicated top on-air country personality, Bobby Bones.
“The iHeartCountry Festival is one of country music’s most-anticipated nights, and this year is especially exciting,” says Rod Phillips, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartCountry. “Live music is back, and we can’t wait to return to the Frank Erwin Center with this iconic lineup.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 30 at 12 p.m. CST. LiveXLive Media will also be exclusively streaming the main stage for fans globally and iHeartMedia’s country music radio stations will broadcast the event live in their local markets and on iHeartRadio.com.
BMI Ups Two In Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services Department
/by Lydia FarthingShouvik Das and Misha Hunke. Photo: Erika Goldring
BMI has named two promotions within the company’s Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services department. Both based in Nashville, Shouvik Das has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services, and Misha Hunke was promoted to Vice President, Administration & Publisher Relations.
These new roles will streamline the reporting structure of the Distribution & Administration departments, which previously reported as separate entities to Alison Smith, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations, and Administration Services. Both departments will now function under Das, who will continue to report to Smith. Hunke will now report directly to Das.
“Shouvik and Misha consistently go above and beyond to serve our songwriters, composers and music publishers,” shares Smith. “In the past year alone, they’ve overseen multiple initiatives including processing nearly two trillion performances, launching phase one of Songview and the early distribution of royalty payments to BMI’s affiliates during the first two quarters of the pandemic.” Smith adds, “This new reporting structure will help the department function even more seamlessly, and I look forward to working with Shouvik and Misha in their new roles and seeing the team thrive under their leadership.”
Das previously served as Vice President, Distribution & Administration Services. He joined BMI in 2003 as an Executive Director of Finance and Business Control Solutions before moving to Distributions and Administration Services, where he was Assistant Vice President of Performing Rights.
Das will continue to work closely with Smith to manage the relationships with BMI’s publishers, while overseeing the company’s domestic and international royalty distributions and administration services to affiliated songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Hunke was previously the Assistant Vice President of Distribution and Administration Services. She oversaw the teams’ daily functions and strategic direction, including collaborating with major publisher clients and industry-wide administration professionals regarding digital initiatives, royalties, licensing, data quality and administration. She also spearheaded strategic development projects designed to increase efficiencies, create quality controls, and improve customer service to affiliates. Hunke joined BMI in 1987 in the Writer/Publisher Relations department and has been a member of the Distribution and Administration Services department’s client service team since 1995.
Hunke will take on a more expansive role in leading business areas of the department, including affiliation, agreements, royalty assignments, research, publisher customer services, and online services. She will also continue to supervise the business team responsible for Songview, the searchable data platform developed with ASCAP that currently features copyright ownership information on over 20 million works.
Jason Aldean Earns 25th Career No. 1 With ‘Blame It On You’
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean has reached another career milestone this week as he charts his 25th career No. 1 with his latest hit, “Blame It On You.” The single currently holds the top spot on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Singles chart and Billboard‘s Country Airplay this week. The single also went No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart on May 21, 2021.
The track marks back-to-back chart-toppers off his sixth consecutive No. 1-selling album, 9. “Blame It On You” gives Aldean his 34th Top 10 song on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart since making his chart debut in 2005, which is more than any other artist to date.
“25 No. 1 songs is bigger than I could have dreamed while I was driving that delivery truck back in Macon, GA,” Aldean shares. “This one is for the fans, country radio, and my team for taking this crazy ride with us.”
Aldean is returning to the road Aug. 5 for his Back In The Saddle Tour in Virginia Beach with special guests Hardy and Lainey Wilson. For more tour and ticket information, click here.
Ashley Gorley Tops MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley hits the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on the following charting songs: “Country Again” by Thomas Rhett, “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy, “Sand In My Boots” by Morgan Wallen, “Single Saturday Night” by Cole Swindell, and “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton.
Corey Crowder, who spent seven weeks atop the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, shifts down one to No. 2, with credit on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” by Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line, “Famous Friends” by Chris Young and Kane Brown, and “Minimum Wage” by Blake Shelton.
Nicolle Galyon moves up one to round out the top three.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
ACM Party For A Cause 2021 Set To Make Nashville Debut
/by Lydia FarthingThe Academy of Country Music has announced the return of its annual ACM Party for a Cause benefiting ACM Lifting Lives on Tuesday, Aug 24, debuting for the first time ever in Nashville at the Ascend Amphitheater.
This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will be hosted by SiriusXM’s The Highway host Storme Warren, with live performances by Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and special guests Tenille Townes, Trisha Yearwood, and more to be announced.
“ACM Lifting Lives is thrilled to be back and celebrating Party for a Cause with a historic debut in Nashville,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “ACM Lifting Lives has worked tirelessly this year in finding innovative ways to raise funds virtually for the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund – successfully distributing more than $3.5 million to members of the country music community in need. While we are proud of the aid we have been able to provide, we are excited to rock Nashville and to once again lift lives with the power of music. Party for a Cause is a terrific celebration of live music and charitable giving and we look forward to bringing it to Music City for the first time while welcoming back all our fans.”
Proceeds from ACM Party for a Cause will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, which works to lift lives through the power of music. Additional details regarding the event, including performances, will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event will be available beginning Tuesday, July 20.
2021 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Male Songwriter Of The Year
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Male Songwriter of the Year category. Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 23 at 5 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscribed member here.
Ross Copperman
Sony Music Publishing Nashville, BMI
“Nobody But You” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“The Other Girl” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey
“Lady” recorded by Lady A
“We Were Rich” recorded by Runaway June
“Happy Anywhere” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Beers And Sunshine” recorded by Darius Rucker
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini ft. Kenny Chesney
Jesse Frasure
Warner Chappell Nashville/Rhythm House/Roc Nation, BMI
“Some People Do” recorded by Old Dominion
“Center Point Road” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Hole In The Bottle” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Almost Maybes” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
Ashley Gorley
Round Hill Music, ASCAP
“Catch” recorded by Brett Young
“One Big Country Song” recorded by LoCash
“Hole In The Bottle” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Hard To Forget” recorded by Sam Hunt
“One Of Them Girls” recorded by Lee Brice
“Single Saturday Night” recorded by Cole Swindell
“We Were Rich” recorded by Runaway June
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by Hardy
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“You Should Probably Leave” recorded by Chris Stapleton
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Warning” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Country Again” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Randy Montana
Warner Chappell Nashville, BMI
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” recorded by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
“Better Together” recorded by Luke Combs
“Pretty Heart” recorded by Parker McCollum
“Young Man’s Blues” recorded by Parker McCollum
“We Didn’t Have Much” recorded by Justin Moore
“Cold As You” recorded by Luke Combs
“If It Wasn’t For Trucks” recorded by Riley Green
Josh Osborne
Sony Music Publishing Nashville/SMACK Songs, ASCAP
“Never Be Sorry” recorded by Old Dominion
“Nobody But You” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Hard To Forget” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Breaking Up Was Easy In The ‘90s” recorded by Sam Hunt
“How They Remember You” recorded by Rascal Flatts
“Happy Anywhere” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Beers And Sunshine” recorded by Darius Rucker
“7 Summers” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Next Girl” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Josh Thompson
MV2 Entertainment, BMI
“One Margarita” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Ain’t Always The Cowboy” recorded by Jon Pardi
“Be A Light” recorded by Thomas Rhett featuring Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban
“Build Me A Daddy” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“Wasted On You” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Dan + Shay To Celebrate Album Release With Centennial Park Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughThe show marks the first time a major concert has happened at the venue and will cap off the release day of the duo’s fourth studio album. General on sale for all tickets begin Friday, July 23 at 10 a.m. CST.
The Good Things Album Release Concert precedes the duo resuming their headline Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour this fall with new 2021 dates. The 30-date trek launches Sept. 9 in Greenville, South Carolina and concludes on Dec. 7 in Boston. The tour includes stops at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sept. 16 and Staples Center in L.A. on Oct. 15. Alternative pop rockers The Band Camino and 3x Grammy nominee and multi-Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress will join the pair as special guests for all dates.
Bill Anderson Celebrates 60th Anniversary As Opry Member, Honored With “Bill Anderson Day”
/by Lydia FarthingBill Anderson Celebrates 60th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry Member. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry honored Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson on his 60th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday, July 17. In celebration of the Grammy-nominated and ACM Poet Award honoree, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an official proclamation that July 17 is “Bill Anderson Day.” Nashville Mayor John Cooper also proclaimed July 17 as “Bill Anderson Day” in Music City.
Anderson made his Opry debut just a few weeks before his 21st birthday and became an official Opry member less than three years later on July 15, 1961 at 23, making him the youngest member at the time. Sara Evans and Opry members Mark Wills and Vince Gill joined other artists on stage to congratulate the Country Music Hall of Famer on his milestone 60th Anniversary.
Pictured (L-R): Scott Bailey, President, Opry Entertainment; Bill Anderson; Gina Keltner, Talent Director, Grand Ole Opry; Dan Rogers, Vice President/Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
“First of all, it’s really hard to imagine I’ve been at the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years,” shared Anderson. “It seems like yesterday they asked me if I wanted to be a part of this great family, and of course I couldn’t wait to tell them yes and be a part of this wonderful family… I tell people all the time that the Grand Ole Opry is like Yankee Stadium to a baseball player, or Broadway to an actor, or Hollywood to someone in film. It’s the highest rung on the ladder. It’s as high as you can go in country music and I’m just thankful that I’ve gotten to be here for 60 years.”
Anderson’s music career started in 1958 when Ray Price recorded his song, “City Lights” and it stayed at the top of the Billboard country charts for 13 weeks. Soon after this success, he signed with Decca Records and began to have hits of his own such as “Po’ Folks,” “Mama Sang a Song,” “Still” and “Bright Lights and Country Music.” Through the years Anderson has written hit songs for numerous artists, including Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan,” Conway Twitty’s “I May Never Get to Heaven,” and many more, including Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different,” George Strait’s “Give It Away,” and Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby,” with the last two hits winning CMA Song of the Year honors.