Sony Music Publishing has made their second donation to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), half of which will fund grants through the non-profit organization called the WRITER Foundation (We’re Ready In Time of Emergency Relief).

“NSAI created the WRITER Foundation in 2020 to assist songwriters in financial need due to the Coronavirus pandemic following a generous donation from Sony Music Publishing to meet that need,” says WRITER Foundation Treasurer Bart Herbison. “Many songwriters are still experiencing great financial hardship as the live segment of the global music industry remains essentially shut down, impacting performance royalty income and other revenues. With the longevity of shutdowns and reciprocal effects, many songwriters who may not have initially experienced the Coronavirus-related economic impact are now struggling. Chairman/CEO Jon Platt and Sony Music Publishing recognized such needs and their generous gift will allow the Foundation to provide assistance to even more songwriters/composers.”

In addition to Sony Music Publishing, the Foundation received donations in 2020 from Concord Music Publishing, Troy Verges, MusicNotes, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Tamara Casey, Amy Cranford, Tim Reiland and Scott Parker.

The WRITER Foundation will reopen applications on Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m. CST for $1,000 assistance grants. Visit www.writerfoundation.org for more details on eligibility and registration.

Kidd G. Photo: Ford Fairchild

WME has signed country hip-hop breakout artist, Kidd G.

Signed to Big Machine Label Group’s Valory Records, in partnership with Rebel Music and Geffen Records, Kidd G’s debut EP, Teenage Dream, peaked at No. 3 on Billboard Heatseekers Album chart. The 2020 project yielded the Billboard Top 40 Hot Country Songs chart debut single “Dirt Road.”

The Georgia native has surpassed 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, in addition to his rapidly growing fan base nearing one million followers on TikTok. He is currently in the studio working on his debut full-length album slated for this summer.

Kidd G is managed by LJ Stoll at Se Lavi Productions and Stan Gabart at Rebel Lavi Music.

Rodney Atkins To Celebrate 2 Billion Pandora Streams With Special Concert

Rodney Atkins. Photo: Trevor Roberts.

Curb Records recording artist Rodney Atkins will celebrate 2 billion Pandora streams with a Dreamstage concert in Nashville on May 25, 2021. Atkins will also be presented with a Pandora Billionaire plaque to commemorate the achievement.

“With more than 2.5 million streams per week and 2 billion overall, Rodney is a Pandora powerhouse,” says SiriusXM & Pandora’s Head of Country Talent Relations Beville Dunkerley. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone with an artist whose music has consistently connected with our listeners.”

“A billion of anything is a lot, but 2 billion streams on Pandora is more than I can imagine! I am honored and thankful to Pandora for the support and to the fans out there who listen,” shares Atkins.

Fans can join Atkins at 8 p.m. CST at Ole Red in Downtown Nashville, both virtually and in-person. General admission virtual or in-person tickets can be purchased here.

Tape Room Music Adds Caroline Hodson As Catalog Manager

Caroline Hodson. Photo: Mackenzie Leigh Baker.

Tape Room Music has added Caroline Hodson as Catalog Manager. In this position, she will be responsible for overseeing and managing all songs within the Tape Room catalog and assisting in the overall creative landscape of the company.

“Caroline’s passion for songwriters, dedication and tenacity make her a perfect addition to the Tape Room family,” shares Kelly Bolton, VP/Creative of Tape Room Music. “She is a rockstar and I look forward to the growth and future successes she will inevitably bring to our company.”

Hodson graduated from Belmont University in 2020 with a degree in music business. Originally from Portland, Maine, she moved to Nashville in 2017 and started with Tape Room as an intern where she worked directly with the publishing department. She is also a member of the Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) and has been on the board and ambassador team since 2018.

I’ll Fly Away Foundation Launches Partnership To Inspire Kids Through Songwriting

The I’ll Fly Away Foundation, which uses the power of music to engage children and improve their lives through songwriting, has announced a partnership with the Kirklees Council, Grammy Museum Mississippi, and Stax Music Academy. Through this partnership, the I’ll Fly Away Foundation will be connecting children from the United Kingdom and the United States through an online songwriting workshop to unlock their creative potential and help inspire their dreams.

Founded in 2011 by husband and wife team Betsy Brumley and Kevin Bernier, the I’ll Fly Away Foundation celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. The saying goes “it all starts with a song,” and the I’ll Fly Away Foundation believes that a song can change a life.

“I’ve always believed every crisis has a silver lining and because of the pandemic we were able to form an international songwriting collaboration project earlier than planned. We knew we needed to bring hope to young people in both our nations. Our partners are like family and we have come together to unite our children in song,” shares Brumley.

“I am so excited to be working with the I’ll Fly Away Foundation and partners, to deliver this fabulous project. Through songwriting, we hope to bring young people together from the heart of West Yorkshire, UK, and the USA to explore their creativity, develop new skills and most importantly build friendships,” says Strategic Lead for Cultural Development of Kirklees Council Kath Wynne-Hague.