Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association, is retiring from the organization when his contract ends on May 31, 2021.

Board Chairman Ben Surratt informed IBMA board members of Schiminger’s retirement this week and announced that he would assemble a search committee and engage an executive search firm to assist in finding a new Executive Director.

“When Paul was selected to be our Executive Director in 2015, the organization was in a time of transition,” said Surratt. “He hit the ground running, and brought much-needed, systemic change to many areas of IBMA. There’s no doubt that the organization has flourished under Paul’s leadership; the list of the organization’s accomplishments during his tenure is long. Paul has been a steady hand at the helm for the last 5 and a half years. Paul’s commitment to our music is strong; I know we will benefit from his expertise in many ways in the years to come. Though Paul will be retiring from our organization, I don’t expect to see him disappear from bluegrass. I hope you all will join me in thanking Paul for the tremendous work he has done for IBMA, the IBMA Trust Fund, and the IBMA Foundation.”

During the nearly six years that Schiminger oversaw the organization, the team’s many accomplishments included converting the IBMA to a 501(c)(3) organization; creating greater awareness for IBMA’s Trust Fund and Foundation; increasing awareness of, and programming for, greater diversity and inclusion in bluegrass music; continuing to work with the city of Raleigh, North Carolina to improve and build on IBMA World of Bluegrass; improving IBMA’s visibility and communication through greater online reach; a new website; new e-newsletter; a new membership portal, and more cohesive branding for all events during IBMA World of Bluegrass. Also under his leadership, the organization quickly adapted to COVID-19 by creating an online resource page and streaming calendar for the bluegrass community, mobilizing the IBMA Trust Fund to help those in need during the crisis, and moving the full IBMA World of Bluegrass event onto a virtual platform for the first time, with over 120 sessions, meetings, and performances.

“I was honored and humbled by my selection in early 2015, and I feel more so today knowing the true weight of the responsibilities in my role,” said Schiminger. “It was impossible to foresee the incredible experiences and friendships I have gained throughout this time. I arrived embracing the challenges facing all of us to build upon the IBMA’s successes and make impactful progress to strengthen and move the association forward for even greater future success.  I could not be more proud of the achievements we have all made together. This was a difficult decision, but one I feel is best for my family and me. I also feel this is excellent timing for the IBMA to make a transition to a new Executive Director. I want to make this process a smooth and successful one, so I am offering a six-month notice and will assist in any way possible with the coordination of the search and transition.”

“IBMA World of Bluegrass gives Raleigh the opportunity to host many of the best and most talented bluegrass musicians, fans and industry trailblazers each year, and that is thanks in large part to Paul Schiminger,” said Executive Vice President of Visit Raleigh, Loren Gold. “We will truly miss his strategic vision, collaboration and leadership in planning next year’s conference and festival but wish him the best in his retirement and are confident in the foundation he has set for IBMA’s future success.”

Symphonic Distribution Expands Nashville Offices

 

Nearly two years after opening up business in Nashville, Symphonic Distribution has announced the expansion of its offices to the historic Orbison building just steps off of Music Row. Named after the legendary Roy Orbison, this iconic building will serve as the new home of the evolving Symphonic Distribution team. The independent music distributor that operates out of Tampa, Florida—with offices in Brooklyn, New York; Denver, Colorado; Bogota, Colombia; and Nashville—will be committing to making Nashville their 2nd headquarters for the company.

Symphonic has increased the headcount in its Nashville office to six team members, with multiple new hires including Melissa Barber, formerly of ole/Anthem, has joined as Sr. Manager, Rights Administration & Business Affairs, and Wyatt Thomas, whose former posts include Sandbox Entertainment and a recent partnership with his own House Creative and Thinkswell, has also joined as Client Marketing and Streaming Promotions Manager.

“We are thrilled to share these announcements as they represent our further commitment to the Nashville music community and growing our business in Music City. Additionally, we are so excited to have Melissa and Wyatt join our ranks as the two of them individually bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective lanes to Symphonic and our clients. Onward and Upward!” says Randall Foster, Symphonic’s Vice President, Business Development & GM, Nashville.

Gary Morris Signs With Fusion Touring

Gary Morris has signed with Fusion Touring. Morris used his time in quarantine to launch the first season of the Gary Morris Podcast available now on all major streaming platforms.

“As an agent for 25 years, I have always followed Gary’s career and had the utmost respect for him as a multi-talented singer, writer, musician, publisher, Broadway and TV actor and entrepreneur. He is the complete package and I am thrilled that the timing is right to invite him to join our Fusion Touring roster of talent,” said Fusion Touring VP Mike Meade.

 

Darrell Rae Inks With Mixtape Music Group

Singer-songwriter Darrell Rae has signed with Mixtape Music Group. Rae moved to Nashville from Jacksonville, Florida to pursue his dreams in Music City. His latest single, “Proofs in the Bourbon,” has over 1.2 million spins on Spotify.

Rae joins Mixtape Music Group as the third staff writer, alongside Landon Magee and Bobby McLamb. A new independent music publisher, Mixtape Music Group has celebrated many singles this year and their catalogue includes recent songs written in collaboration with Liz Rose Music, Lady Luck, Riser House, Endurance, Sony, and more.

Spirit Music Nashville has signed a worldwide publishing deal with musician/producer/songwriter Dave Cohen. Co-producer of eight No. 1 songs and session musician on over 50 No. 1 songs, Cohen is teaming with Spirit to bolster his songwriting career.

Cohen moved from Calgary, Canada to Nashville in 2007, and began his time in Nashville touring with artists including Joe Nichols, Big & Rich, and Wynonna Judd before making the shift to session work as a studio musician in 2012. An award-winning keyboard player, Cohen was named ACM Keyboardist of the Year in 2017 and 2019 and MusicRow‘s Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians of the year for Keyboard in 2018 and 2020.

His production credits include Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Dallas Smith, Jake Owen, HARDY, and more. Cohen has also collaborated with top notch producers like Joey Moi, Dann Huff, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, and Shane McAnally.

“Dave Cohen has been a force in the session world for a long time, and we are beyond excited to partner with him to kickstart his songwriting career. Dave is a fantastic producer, hard worker, and brings all the good vibes into every room. He’s always been a songwriter at heart and I’m thrilled he’s taken this opportunity to work with the Spirit team,” said Spirit Music Nashville’s Creative Director, Kara Jackson.

“I look forward to finally getting to be creative in this new kind of way, with the songwriters and producers that I’ve spent so much time with in the studio over the years. I’m really excited to continue the success we have had together! I couldn’t think of a better, more seasoned team to help me navigate this new arm of my career than Frank, Kara and the Spirit family,” said Cohen.

Cohen joins a roster at Spirit Music Nashville that includes hit songwriter Jonathan Singleton, Grammy-winning songwriter David Garcia, a MusicRow Song of the Year winner and Grammy-nominated writer Jeremy Bussey, and ACM Guitar Player of the Year Derek Wells, as well as Bobby Hamrick, Brinley Addington, Frank Ray, and Neil Thrasher.

Morgan Wallen leaps from No. 10 to No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with his “7 Summers,” “More Than My Hometown,” “Somebody’s Problem,” “Still Goin Down,” and “Livin’ The Dream” lighting up the streaming charts.

A frequent collaborator, Michael Hardy, makes a significant leap to No. 2 with Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” “Livin’ The Dream,” and “Still Goin Down,” as well as Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night” and his own recent No. 1 hit, “One Beer.” Some of Wallen’s other co-writers, including Ernest Keith Smith (No. 5), Jacob Durrett (No. 9), and Ryan Vojtesak (No. 14), move up the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart as well.

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.