On Sept. 16, 2016, federal Judge Louis Stanton issued an order rejecting the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) interpretation of the BMI consent decree, allowing BMI to continue its longstanding practice of fractional licensing. The DOJ appealed that decision, and today BMI filed its brief in response.

BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill issued a statement regarding BMI’s brief:

“BMI’s appeal argument is extremely simple in that it comes down to the language of our decree. As Judge Stanton clearly stated, there is nothing in the BMI decree that prevents us from engaging in the industry-wide practice of fractional licensing. What is not simple, however, is the impact the DOJ’s interpretation of our decree would have on the marketplace. It would stifle competition, hinder collaboration and unfairly benefit music users at the expense of the American songwriter. As always, we hope for the opportunity to sit down with the new leadership of the DOJ to educate it about the negative ripple effect its 100% licensing interpretation would have on the entire music industry.”

Pictured (L-R): Manager JW Williams, BMI’s David Preston, Jordan Walker, Jon Langston, Jonny McGuire, manager Mickey Jack Cones, BMI’s Mason Hunter and George Dickel’s Jay Needham

BMI held its fourth installment of its summer Rooftop On The Row series Tuesday night (Aug. 15) with Walker McGuire and Jon Langston. The George Dickel and Cumulus-sponsored event attended by Music Row tastemakers, friends and family was held on the BMI rooftop amid stunning views of a sunset over the Nashville skyline.

Duo Walker McGuire

BMI’s David Preston, Jon Langston and manager Kerri Edwards

The 2017 CMA Fest special on ABC drew 5.71 million viewers on Wednesday, Aug. 16, according to zap2it.com, earning its biggest audience in three years. The special drew footage from this year’s CMA Music Festival, which was held in Nashville on June 8-11.

The three-hour special earned a 1.2 share among adults 18-49.

Pictured (L-R): Tom Harrison, David Tolliver, and Tyler Bell.

Three Hounds Music has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with singer/songwriter David Tolliver. A Music City fixture for nearly a decade, Tolliver is best known as half of the critically acclaimed country/rock duo Halfway to Hazard. He has co-written the majority of Halfway to Hazard’s three albums, and has had cuts by Tim McGraw, Jarrod Niemann, Brantley Gilbert, Wynonna Judd, Neal McCoy and numerous others.

“I’m really excited about beginning this new page in my life and I’m so happy to be doing it with Three Hounds Music,” says Tolliver. “Tom Harrison (CEO/Founder) and Tyler Bell (General Manager) are good people and I’m looking forward to a great future with them.”

In addition to Tolliver, the Three Hounds family includes songwriters Bobby Terry (Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson), Chris Cavanaugh (Kip Moore, Lonestar, Steve Holy), Sarah Beth Terry (Craig Morgan), Kevin Brandt (Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis), and new Americana duo Fleener.

Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced Alan Jackson and Chris Stapleton will perform at its 11th Annual ACM Honors event, taping Aug. 23 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and airing Sept. 15 (9-11 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. It has also just been announced Jason Aldean, Bobby Bones, Ross Copperman, Lady Antebellum and Jimmy Webb will present.

Previously announced performers include Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Hillary Scott, Kelsea Ballerini, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, and George Strait. Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Cassadee Pope, and Brett Young will participate in special off-camera moments in the ceremony.

The two-hour special is dedicated to celebrating the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards. Those include Ballerini (Gene Weed Milestone Award), Keith (Poet’s Award), Bob Kingsley (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), Reba McEntire (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), Nashville (Tex Ritter Film Award), Dolly Parton (Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Shel Silverstein (Poet’s Award, awarded posthumously), Strait (Cliffie Stone Icon Award) and Lori McKenna (Songwriter of the Year). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards.

Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com and the Ryman Auditorium box office for $60 and $100.