Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff |

Blackbird Presents, Keith Wortman and The Raine Group have named Lance Freed President of the newly-formed Blackbird Music Publishing Group. Freed was previously President of Rondor Music International where he led the building of that company into the largest independent music publisher in the world, resulting in its sale to Universal Music Publishing Group.

Blackbird Music Publishing Group will have offices in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville, and has acquired the administration rights to the famed music catalog of Burt Bacharach. With over 400 songs, including timeless classics such as “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “What’s New Pussycat,” “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” the Academy, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician and composer had one of the most sought-after catalogues in the industry.

“Music publishing is a natural next step for us given that our work across film, television, concerts and festivals enables us to offer incredible opportunities to songwriters. There was only one name on the list for us to lead this effort and it was Lance Freed. Lance is the most thoughtful and creative music publishing executive in our industry, and I am thrilled that he has joined the Blackbird Presents family,” said Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.

“I am thrilled to join Keith, Blackbird Presents and The Raine Group as President of Blackbird Music Publishing Group. My entire career has been predicated on providing total, complete, personal focus on songwriters and their songs. Now I get to continue that journey and also provide a range of remarkable strategic and financial opportunities to songwriters given the similar philosophy and assets of my new partners,” said Freed, President of Blackbird Music Publishing Group.

“We are thrilled that Lance has joined the Blackbird Presents Family. We look forward to supporting him as he leads our strategic expansion into music publishing,” says Co-Founder and Partner of The Raine Group Jeff Sine.

(L-R): Derek Wells, Senior Director A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville; Brian Bradford, Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Bobby Hamrick; Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville and Michelle Davey, Administration Coordinator/Office Manager, Spirit Music Nashville

Bobby Hamrick has signed a publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville.

“As soon as I heard Bobby’s music, I knew I wanted to work with him,” said Frank Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “He is a rare talent who weaves effortlessly between genres while writing, singing, playing and producing. The entire Spirit Music Nashville team is thrilled to get the opportunity to partner with Bobby.”

Hamrick has written songs for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (“Roll the Dice”), Luke Bryan (“You Look Like Rain”), Lindsay Ell (“Always Kiss the Girl”), and many others. He is a singer, lyricist and producer/engineer and has also appeared as a session musician on Grammy-winning recordings and as a background vocalist on many hits.

“I couldn’t be happier to be making music with Frank, Derek Wells, Freeman Wizer and the rest of the team at Spirit,” said Hamrick. “I can’t wait to see what we do together!”

Since Frank Rogers’ appointment in May, Spirit Music Nashville has made quick impact with the formation of a JV with Platinum producer Derek Wells (also appointing Wells as Senior Director A&R Production) and earlier this month announced the signing of Jeremy Bussey. Other recent successes by Spirit Music Nashville and Fluid Music Revolution include ASCAP’s Song of the Year (“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell and Josh Osborne); SESAC’s Song of the Year (“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” by Billy Currington); CMA Song of the Year (“Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban) and CMA Album of the Year (From a Room: Volume 1 by Chris Stapleton); and a publishing interest in ACM nominations for Song of the Year (“Whiskey & You” by Chris Stapleton); Single of the Year (“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton and “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland) and Songwriter of the Year (Josh Osborne).

Brinn Black. Photo: Haley Crow

Brinn Black visited the MusicRow Magazine offices recently to perform her new single, “72’s,” which showcases the vulnerability in her storytelling and a voice imbued with warmth. The song finds her pining over a lover who seems more obsessed with his pack of Marlboro 72s than with her. The track follows her previous release, “Daddy’s Medicine.”

A longtime resident of Nashville, Black also formed the multi-day music retreat Lyrics On The Lake Songwriters Festival six years ago. The event has raised more than $100,000 for The Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals in Black’s home state of Virginia.

Brinn with MusicRow staffers.

Bonfire Music Group will launch Nashville-based Bonfire Management on Aug. 1. Led by Steve Johnson, the team includes Bonfire Music Group’s owner Lonnie Lassiter, CEO Ethan Burkhardt and marketing director Kyle Watson.

The artists on the Bonfire Management roster are Chatham County Line, The Barefoot Movement, The Slocan Ramblers, Jason Lee McKinney Band, Mike & Amy Aiken, and Anna Lynch. Bonfire Management will also oversee the operations of The Earl Scruggs Music Festival slated for its inaugural event Labor Day weekend of 2020 in Mill Spring, North Carolina at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

“I’m looking forward to all the great things ahead with Bonfire. I’ve known Lonnie and Ethan for over 10 years, we have worked closely, and they have turned in to family, just like the artists I’m privileged to be working with on the roster,” Johnson says. “I can’t wait to get things going. I’m beyond excited to be leading their Management Division. We have assembled a strong roster of artists and will be supporting a few festivals. It’s a fun mix of working with artists and events, really all the fun things I enjoy about the music community. Now, let’s make some wonderful noise and get things going!”

Most recently, Johnson spent more than six years as Artist Relations Manager at MerleFest. He also spent time as Tour Manager for Steep Canyon Rangers. Johnson has a diverse background including stints in hospital administration, air medical/aviation services, leading non-profit organizations both in and out of the arts/music communities, and in government affairs having spent time on Capitol Hill. To his music industry credit, Johnson started Mountain Music Entertainment and HoosierDevil, both focused on artist and event management and booking. He has worked with many artists providing management and/or booking support, including Junior Sisk, Lorraine Jordan, Mark Newton, Danny Burns, Nu-Blu, Songs From The Road Band, and Rodney Dillard. Additionally his companies have produced or supported several music events, including the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series, and Jam in the Trees. Johnson has directly served as Artist Relations Staff to Red Ants Pants Music Festival, Mountain Song, and Graves Mountain Festival of Music.

“We are excited for this new direction and to have Steve on board with the team,” said Burkhardt, CEO of both Bonfire Music Group and Pinecastle Records. “Steve is known for being a hard worker in the music community and is well connected to many facets of the industry. We look forward to great things ahead.”