Bug Music has renewed its administration agreement with award-winning songwriter, producer and recording artist T Bone Burnett. The publishing company has represented the artist since its inception in 1975. Burnett’s acclaimed work has resulted in Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and American Music Award wins. His recent production work includes The Union from Elton John and Leon Russell.
Pictured at a Grammy Week event co-chaired by Sir Elton John and Leon Russell honoring Burnett. (L-R): Bug Music’s SVP of Creative Services Eddie Gomez, CEO John Rudolph, Burnett, and President David Hirshland. Photo: Getty Images
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SESAC affiliate Anthony Smith, who co-wrote the Lone Star hit, “What About Now” among many others, has signed with Nettwerk One Music/Revelry Music Group for publishing. See which other songwriters also joined the new joint venture here.
Back row (l-r): Nettwerk One Music’s Blair McDonald; Revelry Music Group’s Greg Beeckman and Greg Gallo. Front row (l-r): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Revelry’s AJ Burton, Anthony Smith and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Peyton Hoge
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Upper Management Music has signed Gene Watson, who is currently working on a duets album with labelmate and bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent. They have previously released two duet singles. The first single from the new project is expected in May, with the album to follow in June. Watson is known for his 1975 hit “Love in the Hot Afternoon,” his 1982 hit “Fourteen Carat Mind,” and his signature song, “Farewell Party.”
Upper Management Pres. Herb Sandker and Gene Watson make the agreement official during the first recording session at Ronnie's Place on Music Row.
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Mountain Heart has signed with The Roots Agency/SMG Artists for exclusive performance booking representation. With offices in New Jersey, Michigan, and Tennessee, The Roots Agency represents more than thirty artists from genres including Americana, blues, pop/rock and jazz. Larry Kosson will be the responsible agent for Mountain Heart. He can be reached at Larry@therootsagency.com.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
/by Sarah SkatesBug Music has renewed its administration agreement with award-winning songwriter, producer and recording artist T Bone Burnett. The publishing company has represented the artist since its inception in 1975. Burnett’s acclaimed work has resulted in Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and American Music Award wins. His recent production work includes The Union from Elton John and Leon Russell.
Pictured at a Grammy Week event co-chaired by Sir Elton John and Leon Russell honoring Burnett. (L-R): Bug Music’s SVP of Creative Services Eddie Gomez, CEO John Rudolph, Burnett, and President David Hirshland. Photo: Getty Images
• • • • •
SESAC affiliate Anthony Smith, who co-wrote the Lone Star hit, “What About Now” among many others, has signed with Nettwerk One Music/Revelry Music Group for publishing. See which other songwriters also joined the new joint venture here.
Back row (l-r): Nettwerk One Music’s Blair McDonald; Revelry Music Group’s Greg Beeckman and Greg Gallo. Front row (l-r): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Revelry’s AJ Burton, Anthony Smith and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Peyton Hoge
• • • • •
Upper Management Music has signed Gene Watson, who is currently working on a duets album with labelmate and bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent. They have previously released two duet singles. The first single from the new project is expected in May, with the album to follow in June. Watson is known for his 1975 hit “Love in the Hot Afternoon,” his 1982 hit “Fourteen Carat Mind,” and his signature song, “Farewell Party.”
Upper Management Pres. Herb Sandker and Gene Watson make the agreement official during the first recording session at Ronnie's Place on Music Row.
• • • • •
Mountain Heart has signed with The Roots Agency/SMG Artists for exclusive performance booking representation. With offices in New Jersey, Michigan, and Tennessee, The Roots Agency represents more than thirty artists from genres including Americana, blues, pop/rock and jazz. Larry Kosson will be the responsible agent for Mountain Heart. He can be reached at Larry@therootsagency.com.
CMA Music Fest Lineup Additions
/by MichellePreviously announced performers include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban, with more to be revealed later.
For ticket information, please visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Top (L-R) Chris Young, Little Big Town; Bottom (L-R) Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley
Spotify Celebrates One Million Paid
/by adminDaniel Ek
Spotify has about 10 million registered users across the U.K., Finland, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Spain and a song catalog with over 10 million tracks. The company offers a free ad-supported channel with a cap on total time per month, and a paid subscription offering with better quality sound that also allows users to enjoy the service on mobile devices. Reports say that Spotify lost $26 million in 2009, however the pace of success has been accelerating in recent months. For example, the first goup of 250,000 subscribers took 21 months to amass. However, the last group, from 750,000-1 million took a scant three months.
Of course the biggest single question mark now hanging over Spotify, is its ability to seal the deal with the U.S. labels and launch on this side of the big pond. Reports indicate that Sony and EMI in fact have formed agreements to enable a U.S. launch, but that leaves WMG and Universal still deciding. Should the service successfully negotiate, its next big set of metrics will find it being measured against iTunes which controls the digital market stateside.
BMG Chrysalis Combines Name, Staff
/by Sarah SkatesNow operating under the new moniker BMG Chrysalis, the growing music company continues to rework its top leadership. The name change follows the news that the BMG’s acquisition of Chrysalis is complete.
Last week it was announced that Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Lascelles will leave his post at the end of the month. Lascelles, a longtime Chrysalis executive, steered the company during its $175 million purchase by BMG Rights Management last year. He joined Chrysalis in 1994.
In late February, Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG Rights Management, announced that the new BMG Chrysalis will be led in the UK by Alexi Cory-Smith and John Dobinson. Steven Moran is the global Chief Operating Officer.
Nashville is already feeling the trickle-down effect from these changes, with today’s news of downsizing at the company’s EverGreen office. More news is expected as the local offices continue to merge.
In a separate, ongoing story, BMG Chrysalis is one of the potential purchasers for Warner Music Group.
Nashville Hootenanny Showcases Rising Talent
/by Sarah SkatesNashville Hootenanny founder David Malloy with the showcase's signature owl logo.
The monthly Nashville Hootenanny at Westwood Studios is a burgeoning showcase for unsigned talent.
The event started about six months ago when producer/hit songwriter David Malloy invited friends over to his then recently purchased Westwood Studios to enjoy a night of music. Since then, the showcase has become a monthly fixture, with over 150 artists playing the event. Malloy says he is specifically not seeking signed artists, in order to help indies “break through the system.”
Nashville Hootenanny has fostered a loyal online following, with more than 1400 people tuning in for its February showcase. The event is streamed live and there is also an accompanying live chat for viewers. Each artist performs two songs, keeping the show moving at a lively pace. Among past guests have been successful songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall (see video below).
In addition to the live streaming the Hootenanny website offers clips from past performances, as well as interviews with industry execs, including manager Scott Siman and engineer Chuck Ainlay.
The February event was a “Teen Hoot” hosted by You Tube sensation CJaye LeRose, with Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser, Lilly Winwood (daughter of Steve Winwood), and America’s Got Talent finalist Julienne Irwin.
Members of the music industry are invited to the monthly series. The next Hoot is March 26 at 8 PM.
Ferlin Husky Hospitalized
/by Sarah SkatesThe 85-year-old singer has been in ailing health in recent months.
His career breakthrough came from his part in the Jean Shepard hit “A Dear John Letter.” The two reunited later for the follow up answer song, “Forgive Me John.”
Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone.” In 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was once again No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks.
Husky has dabbled in acting and made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including The Steve Allen Show and Toast of the Town.
Husky pictured at the May 23, 2010 Medallion Ceremony for his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (L-R): Steve Buchanan, CMA President of the Board and Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment, Gaylord Entertainment; Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board; Kyle Young, Director, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ferlin Husky; and 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Billy Sherrill. Photo Credit: 2010, John Russell/CMA.
Date Set For CMT Awards
/by Sarah SkatesThe CMT Music Awards will take place Wed., June 8, organizers announced today (3/8). No other details were revealed.
This date coincides with the CMA Music Festival, which will take over downtown Nashville June 9-12.
Last year the CMT Music Awards took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and tickets were available for fans to purchase.
Star-Studded TV Special Celebrates Kenny Rogers' 50-year Career
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Smokey Robinson, Linda Davis, Chris Isaak, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and the Oak Ride Boys perform during the TV taping in April 2010. Photo: Rahav Segev/Retna Ltd.
Kenny Rogers is the subject of a new GAC special documenting his 50-year career. Taped at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Connecticut, the performance show features Rogers with a slew of guests including: Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Smokey Robinson, Chris Issak, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Sheena Easton, The Oak Ridge Boys, and the original First Edition.
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will debut tonight (3/8) at 8:30 p.m. EST on Great American Country (GAC). Executive Producer/Writer Kelly Junkermann mixed in vintage clips and interviews with the live performances.
Rogers has also released his first Gospel album, exclusively at Cracker Barrel. The Love of God collection features guest vocals by Point of Grace, The Whites and others. Among the beloved songs on the album are “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”
Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers perform. Photo credit: Rahav Segev/ Retna Ltd.
[updated] Tim Allen, Jan Rodgers Exit BMG Chrysalis's EverGreen
/by Sarah Skates[updated] Jan Perry Rodgers left EverGreen at the end of 2010. She is freelancing for publishers, managers, and producers and can be reached at janpr@comcast.net or 615-604-8991 (cell).
Tim Allen exited his position as Director of Licensing with BMG’s EverGreen office last week. He has worked in publishing for 17 years and had been with the company for 14 of those, surviving several changes in ownership. At least one other licensing staff member also exited.
Allen was originally hired as Licensing Manager for Integrated Copyright Group (ICG) in 1996. EverGreen Copyrights purchased ICG in 2006, and Allen was promoted to Director of Licensing. BMG purchased EverGreen Copyrights in October 2010.
Allen’s recent negotiations include numerous film and television placements such as “Country Strong” for the film of the same name, and ad campaigns for Chevy and AT&T. He also helped create the licensing module of ICG’s proprietary software, and EverGreen’s e-store allowing consumers to purchase license agreements online.
Allen can be reached via e-mail at tim.allen.nash@gmail.com or by phone at 615-498-6769.
Tin Pan South Preview Party Today
/by Sarah SkatesThe 19th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be held Tuesday, March 29 – Saturday, April 2, in Nashville. Produced by NSAI, the world’s largest all-songwriter festival offers 75+ shows. Fast Access Passes let guests club-hop with preferred admission, and go on sale tomorrow (3/9) at tinpansouth.com. Proceeds from the festival support the Nashville Songwriters Association International.