The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters), in partnership with H&R Block, will provide free tax services to songwriters in Nashville and Los Angeles. The service is part of the Foundation’s effort to provide direct assistance to working songwriters.

“The goal of the SONGS Foundation is to empower songwriters to be as successful as possible, and one of the greatest burdens they face is dealing with taxes. Our hope is that by offering this service through H&R Block they feel a weight lifted and find more time to dedicate to their craft,” said NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation President David Israelite.

For more information and to apply, visit Free Tax Preparation

In an effort to provide more comprehensive support for songwriters, the organization has also unveiled its new board of directors, which includes award-winning songwriters and leading publishing executives.

The new members include songwriters such as Kobalt’s Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, UMPG’s Dan Wilson, Reservoir’s Lauren Christy, Concord’s Allison Russell, Warner Chappell’s Jordan Reynolds, Peermusic’s Gaby Moreno and Sony Music Publishing’s Cam. Jewel will continue her service on the board.

Joining the songwriters are industry executives including Sony Music Publishing’s Jon Platt, Warner Chappell Music’s Carianne Marshall, Reservoir’s Golnar Khosrowshahi, Peermusic’s Kathy Spanberger, BMG’s Keith Hauprich, Concord’s Jim Selby, Kobalt’s Alison Donald and UMPG’s Jennifer Knoepfle. Israelite, EVP & General Counsel Danielle Aguirre and SVP of External Affairs Charlotte Sellmyer will retain their positions on the board.

“We are thrilled to bring together this level of talent, experience and insight onto one board for the sole purpose of helping songwriters,” said Israelite. “The foundation has achieved a great deal, but there is so much more we can and will do for creators with the guidance of this unparalleled group.”

Kacey Musgraves Celebrates Deeper Well Album Release

Pictured (L-R): Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment), Steve Berman (Interscope), John Janick, Kacey Musgraves, Michelle An, Nick Miller, Jennifer Bowling, Cindy Mabe (UMG Nashville), Brittnie Grajeda, Gary Kelly, Chelsea Blythe, Jake Basden.

Kacey Musgraves celebrated the release of her newest album Deeper Well with a sold-out album release show at Ryman Auditorium last week. Sandbox Entertainment, Interscope Records and UMG Nashville joined the Grammy winner for the event.

During the show, Musgraves performed the album from top to bottom. She then came back out for an encore and performed “She Calls Me Back” with Noah Kahan before ending the show with her cover of Bob Marley‘s “Three Little Birds.” The following afternoon she signed over 1,300 vinyls for fans at Grimey’s in Nashville.

Terri Clark Performs At Members-Only CMHOFM Concert

Terri Clark and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Vice President of Development Ben Hall. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Terri Clark performed at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s annual members-only concert last weekend, “The Big Gig.” Her set included some of her biggest hits including “Better Things To Do,” “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” and more. The event took place in the CMA Theater.

Exile Receives ‘Exile Day’ Proclamation

Exile

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductees Exile received a proclamation during their show at the Troubadour Theater in Lexington, Kentucky last weekend. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton honored the group by declaring March 14 as “Exile Day.”

“In some ways, any recognition we receive in Kentucky is the sweetest of all. Our roots run deep in Kentucky turf, and a Proclamation like this affirms our love of home. We are most grateful!” shares the band.

CMHOFM Hosts Panel Discussion With Altan & Jerry Douglas

Pictured (L-R): CMHOFM Processing Archivist John Fabke, Jerry Douglas, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Martin Tourish, Ciarán Curran, Founder and CEO of Music City Irish Fest Brenda Willis, Clare Friel, Dáithí Sproule Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Last weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a panel discussion with Celtic band Altan and Grammy-winning musician Jerry Douglas. Moderated by CMHOFM Processing Archivist John Fabke, the discussion touched on the panelists’ influences, career highlights and creative process, as well as the historic and current musical exchange between country, bluegrass and Celtic musical traditions.

The panel was presented in collaboration with Music City Irish Fest. It was also filmed and will be available on the museum’s website at a later date as part of the museum’s digital program series Live at the Hall.

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) is holding a special memorial auction commemorating what would have been the 85th birthday of the late national radio personality Bob Kingsley.

The auction features plaques gifted to Kingsley by various artists over the years, with bidding starting at $85. Additionally, vintage American Country Countdown apparel is available for purchase. All proceeds from the auction and merchandise sales will benefit the Country Radio Hall of Fame.

“CRS continues to celebrate the life and career of the legendary Bob Kingsley by teaming up with Nan Kingsley for this unique auction generously benefiting the Country Radio Hall of Fame,” says RJ Curtis, Executive Director of CRB/Country Radio Seminar (CRS). “What a fitting way to commemorate his 85th birthday and remember his 1998 CRHOF induction.”

The auction is live now through April 2. For more information, click here.

Cameo Carlson

Cameo Carlson of mtheory will receive The Music Business Association’s 2024 Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement at the organization’s third annual Bizzy Awards dinner on May 15 at the JW Marriott Nashville, as part of the Music Biz 2024 Conference.

Carlson is the CEO of manager and artist services company mtheory, which provides global marketing and strategic support for artists and artist managers. In 2022, Carlson spearheaded mtheory’s Equal Access Development initiative in partnership with CMT, that gives artists and managers from underrepresented demographics (BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women) the resources, training and networking opportunities they are not always afforded in country music. Carlson also co-created the Nashville Music Equality group and Digital Divas mentoring group, and currently serves on the Academy of Country Music Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) will receive the 2024 Impact Award for Technological Excellence at the event. Since the passing of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018, which led to The MLC’s designation in 2019 and its full operationalization in 2021, The MLC has fully cemented itself as an essential part of the U.S. music industry’s royalty payments structure. It has built a public database of over 33 million unique works, which can be used free of charge to help artists and rightsholders verify ownership; collected and distributed over $1.7 billion in royalties to songwriters, music publishers, and other rightsholders via blanket mechanical licenses issued to DSPs; and has reached a current match rate of over 90% for all usage. In addition, The MLC has developed a world-class support team and suite of tools within its online portal to help its more than 37,000 members claim and register their works and get paid their mechanical royalties.

The Music Business Association also announced the finalists for the additional seven crowd-nominated award categories to be presented at the dinner, which will be hosted by Gina Miller, SVP & GM of MNRK Music Group, and feature a special performance by Angie K. Additional performances and special guests will be revealed in the coming weeks. The finalists are below.

Leading Light Award:
For a company or executive that has supported their staff via internal initiatives aimed at improving mental health & wellbeing and work/life balance.
– Tiffanie DeBartolo, Chief Executive Super Goddess, Bright Antenna Records
– Leah Ducey, Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Universal Music Group Nashville
– Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore
– Joel T. Jordan, Founder & President, Synchtank

Agent of Change Award:
For a company that exemplifies a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices, executive development, and promotion structure.
– ATL Collective
– The Beatport Group
– Keychange U.S.
– The Right Productions

#NEXTGEN_NOW One To Watch Award:
For an executive under 40 whose work (professional and/or volunteer) has been exceptional, innovative, and stands out as a contribution to the industry.
– Andrew Batey, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beatdapp
– Jorge Brea, Founder & CEO, Symphonic
– Alex Mas Cepero, Marketing Director, TIDAL
– Morgan McKnight, Executive Director, Production Music Association

Maestro of Metadata Award
For a company or executive who has made a significant impact in the area of data processing, credit clarification, streamlining or otherwise promoting clean data and best practices.
– BMAT Music Innovators
– Dae Bogan, Head of Third Party Partnerships, Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
– Arthur Fitzgibbon, Brazil Director, ONErpm
– OpenPlay

Frontline Innovator Award
For a retail store who showed exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers.
– Grimey’s Music, Nashville, TN
– Electric Fetus, Minneapolis, MN
– Rough Trade, New York, NY
– The Sound Garden, Baltimore, MD

Marketing Superstar Award
For a marketing campaign that was innovative and thought provoking. Candidates can be from any sector of the industry, and campaigns can be physical or virtual.
– Elsewhere’s Club Membership Program
– Barbie The Album Early Listening Events, WMX & Atlantic Records
– De La Soul, A.O.I. LLC, distributed by Chrysalis Records & Reservoir
– Eric Nam – House on a Hill, The Orchard

Music Business Educator of the Year Award
Celebrates a music business educator who inspires students to enter the music business.
– Larry Miller, Clinical Professor & Director, NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program, New York University
– Jessica Muñiz-Collado, Assistant Professor of Music Business, University of North Texas
– Joe Rapolla, Chair, Music & Theatre Department & Director, Music Industry Program, Monmouth University
– Patricia Rivera MacMurray, Lecturer, Escuela de Derecho Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico