Mike O’Neill: Photo: Ron Rinaldi Photography
The Board of Directors of BMI has extended Mike O’Neill’s contract as President and CEO for five years, through 2021.
Paul Karpowicz, Chairman of the BMI Board of Directors and President, Meredith Local Media Group, made the announcement on Wednesday (June 22).
“BMI has continued to thrive and evolve under Mike’s leadership, providing both the stability and innovation needed in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said Karpowicz. “The company is on track to once again generate record revenues and distributions to our music creators and copyright owners and remains committed to fighting for and preserving the fair value of our affiliates’ music.”
Karpowicz added, “Beyond Mike’s dedication to our creators and licensing customers, his support of the BMI team is second to none. We couldn’t be more confident in Mike’s leadership and vision to take BMI into the future.”
Under O’Neill’s leadership, BMI achieved record-breaking revenue and royalty distributions for the fiscal year 2015, generating $1.013 billion, the highest in the company’s history and the most public performance revenue generated for songwriters, composers and publishers by any music rights organization in the world.
In addition, the company distributed and administered a record $877 million, and for the first time, took in more than $100 million in digital revenue, making it the first PRO to achieve that milestone.
As President and CEO, O’Neill oversees all of BMI’s business operations, both domestically and globally, and directs the company’s strategic growth to benefit BMI’s writers, composers, music publishers and licensees. He has worked at BMI for 22 years, overseeing nearly every department within the company, including BMI’s writer, composer and publisher relations group, licensing organization, royalty distribution group and administrative services teams.
O’Neill joined BMI in 1994 as Director, Group and National Accounts from CBS-TV Network, where he was Director, CBS Affiliate Relations. Within two years, he was appointed Assistant Vice President, Media Licensing, and was continually promoted to positions of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure.
In September of 2013, O’Neill was appointed Chief Executive Officer and assumed the additional title of President in July of 2014.
O’Neill holds an MBA from Rutgers University in Marketing and Finance and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Montclair University. He is a member of the BMI Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the T.J. Martell Foundation, the Broadcasters Foundation of America, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation and Monmouth Medical Center Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of FastTrack and is the Honorary Chair of the BMI Foundation.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Reveals 12 Nominees
/by Jessica NicholsonNominees in the Songwriter category include: Aaron Barker, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Frank Dycus, Alex Harvey, Jim McBride, Gary Nicholson, Jim Rushing and Russell Smith.
Nominees in the Songwriter/Artist category include: Arthur Alexander, Amy Grant, Townes Van Zandt and Tony Joe White.
The selection for the Veterans category is underway. Because it is an in-house process separate from the ballot, only the winner is announced.
There will be four inductees in the class of 2016: two songwriters, one veteran, and one songwriter/artist. The inductees will be announced in July.
LifeNotes: “A Place To Fall Apart” Songwriter Freddy Powers Passes
/by Robert K OermannFreddy Powers. Photo: Facebook.com/thefreddypowers
Songwriter, producer and ace musician Freddy Powers has died at age 84.
Powers was a confederate of such country stars as Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. His songs include the Haggard hits “A Place to Fall Apart” (1984), “Natural High” (1985), “Let’s Chase Each Other Around the Room” (1984) and “A Friend in California” (1986), several of which he co-wrote with the superstar.
Powers and Haggard were also among the co-writers of the 1983 George Jones hit “I Always Get Lucky With You.” Freddy Powers’ songs were also recorded by Big & Rich, Suzy Bogguss, Ray Charles and Stoney LaRue.
Among Freddy Powers’ production credits is the 1981 Willie Nelson LP Over the Rainbow, a platinum seller. He was in Nelson’s band for a time and played guitar on several albums by both Haggard and Nelson.
Like Nelson, he was came of age musically in the Texas honky tonks. In Ft. Worth, he got to know guitarist Paul Buskirk, another close collaborator with Nelson. All three men shared an affinity for expanding country’s sonic landscape to include swing and jazz.
Freddy Powers had a long residency in Las Vegas in the 1970s, performing in a nightclub act that combined country, comedy and Dixieland jazz.
After reconnecting with Nelson and co-producing his landmark LP, Powers was invited to California by Haggard. They lived on neighboring houseboats on Lake Shasta, and Powers’ songwriting abilities blossomed. He also became a guitarist in Haggard’s band for 20 years.
Songwriting success led to TV appearances on Austin City Limits and elsewhere. Freddy Powers even co-hosted a talk show for the Austin Music Network cable channel.
He issued the solo CD The Country Jazz Singer in 2000. His gypsy jazz style was also captured on such recordings as 2004’s My Great Escape.
Freddy Powers died in Texas on Tuesday, June 21, following a 12-year struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He founded the Freddy Powers Parkinson Organization to raise funds for research and to aid fellow Texans who had the disease. He is survived by his wife Catherine.
Industry Ink: CAA, Who Knew, Belcourt Theatre
/by Jessica NicholsonCAA Promotes Two In Nashville Office
Butera now books college dates across all genres, and has been with CAA for slightly over five years.
Forbert will begin working with teams booking country tours and has been with the agency for three years.
Who Knew Presents Events Panel On July 21
Speakers will include Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern, Pilgrimage Music Festival Partner and Better Than Ezra guitarist Kevin Griffin, SAE Nashville Music Business Program faculty chair Dr. E. Michael Harrington, Americana Music Association executive producer Jed Hilly, Music City Roots senior producer Craig Havighurst, and iV CEO Steve Keller. They will share their professional wisdom and insight into what it takes to be a leader in the Nashville music industry.
Tickets are on sale for $10 (early bird price) at eventbrite.com. Tickets will be $15 beginning June 29 and $20 at the door.
Belcourt Plans July 22 Reopening
The Belcourt Theatre will reopen on July 22 after a renovation and preservation project on its 90-year-old building that has been underway since the beginning of the year. The Nashville landmark and renowned art house cinema’s reopening programming schedule will be announced soon.
The Belcourt closed its doors to undertake the renovation after the last screening on Dec. 24, 2015, the theatre’s first major work in 50 years. The project’s cost is $5 million. To date, the Belcourt Campaign has raised approximately $4.2 million in gifts and pledges from individuals, foundations and businesses.
CMHoF Will Host Gretsch Guitar Pull In July
/by Craig_ShelburneTommy Emmanuel, Eddie Pennington, Joe Robinson and Nashville duo Striking Matches will take part in a special program, titled The Gretsch Sound: A Guitar Pull, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sat., July 16 at 2 p.m.
The event is presented in support of the exhibition American Sound and Beauty: Guitars from the Bachman-Gretsch Collection, which ends its run July 17.
Through this casual musical performance, these master players will discuss the unique features of Gretsch design and demonstrate their individual musical styles with their own instruments.
Tommy Emmanuel is regarded as one of the world’s leading fingerstyle guitarists. He is a two-time Grammy nominee and one of only five guitarists named Certified Guitar Player (CGP) by Chet Atkins.
Kentucky native Eddie Pennington, a perpetuator of the “Muhlenberg Sound” of Merle Travis, is a recipient of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship and a member of the National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame.
Virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Robinson is an Australian Guitar Magazine award winner and a winner of Australia’s Got Talent.
Striking Matches, the songwriting, guitar-wielding, alternative-country duo of Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmerman, has been featured on the ABC series Nashville. Their debut album, Nothing but the Silence, was produced by T Bone Burnett.
The program participants will sign commemorative Hatch posters following the performance.
The Bachman-Gretsch Collection was amassed by Canadian guitarist and songwriter Randy Bachman, a key member of rock bands the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Bachman acquired more than 300 historic and rare Gretsch guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. His collection was purchased in 2008 by the Gretsch Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gretsch family.
American Sound and Beauty: Guitars from the Bachman-Gretsch Collection is the largest exhibition of stringed instruments ever mounted by the museum. The 75 guitars presented also offer the most comprehensive look at the Bachman-Gretsch Collection ever made available to the public.
BMI Extends President/CEO Mike O’Neill’s Contract Through 2021
/by Craig_ShelburneMike O’Neill: Photo: Ron Rinaldi Photography
The Board of Directors of BMI has extended Mike O’Neill’s contract as President and CEO for five years, through 2021.
Paul Karpowicz, Chairman of the BMI Board of Directors and President, Meredith Local Media Group, made the announcement on Wednesday (June 22).
“BMI has continued to thrive and evolve under Mike’s leadership, providing both the stability and innovation needed in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said Karpowicz. “The company is on track to once again generate record revenues and distributions to our music creators and copyright owners and remains committed to fighting for and preserving the fair value of our affiliates’ music.”
Karpowicz added, “Beyond Mike’s dedication to our creators and licensing customers, his support of the BMI team is second to none. We couldn’t be more confident in Mike’s leadership and vision to take BMI into the future.”
Under O’Neill’s leadership, BMI achieved record-breaking revenue and royalty distributions for the fiscal year 2015, generating $1.013 billion, the highest in the company’s history and the most public performance revenue generated for songwriters, composers and publishers by any music rights organization in the world.
In addition, the company distributed and administered a record $877 million, and for the first time, took in more than $100 million in digital revenue, making it the first PRO to achieve that milestone.
As President and CEO, O’Neill oversees all of BMI’s business operations, both domestically and globally, and directs the company’s strategic growth to benefit BMI’s writers, composers, music publishers and licensees. He has worked at BMI for 22 years, overseeing nearly every department within the company, including BMI’s writer, composer and publisher relations group, licensing organization, royalty distribution group and administrative services teams.
O’Neill joined BMI in 1994 as Director, Group and National Accounts from CBS-TV Network, where he was Director, CBS Affiliate Relations. Within two years, he was appointed Assistant Vice President, Media Licensing, and was continually promoted to positions of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure.
In September of 2013, O’Neill was appointed Chief Executive Officer and assumed the additional title of President in July of 2014.
O’Neill holds an MBA from Rutgers University in Marketing and Finance and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Montclair University. He is a member of the BMI Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the T.J. Martell Foundation, the Broadcasters Foundation of America, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation and Monmouth Medical Center Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of FastTrack and is the Honorary Chair of the BMI Foundation.
Darius Rucker Joins Maverick Management Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonDarius Rucker has signed with Maverick Management, MusicRow has confirmed. The Nashville office of the international music management firm is led by Clarence Spalding. Chris Parr will guide Rucker’s career, while Jason Hause will handle day-to-day duties.
Rucker joined Maverick following a long association with McGhee Management, which he exited in February 2016. Rucker is signed to Capitol Records Nashville.
Spalding also represents artists including Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, and more.
Universal Music Group Nashville Adds Director of Strategic Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonGary Keffer
Universal Music Group Nashville has added Gary Keffer as Director of Strategic Marketing.
Keffer was most recently Director, Media and Partnerships for Remington Arms Company, where he managed media strategy for broadcast, print and digital platforms as well as handled media sponsorships and product placement for films such as American Sniper and Jurassic World. Keffer graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his MBA at UNC Greensboro.
“Gary is going to be a strong addition to our strategy and partnership marketing teams,” notes Brad Turcotte, VP, Marketing. “His knowledge of brand collaborations will be a huge asset to our team and artist roster.”
“I am truly honored to join UMG Nashville,” says Keffer. “The depth of talent on the artist roster plus the proven success with fans is without equal. I’m looking forward to working with Brad and his team creating opportunities to unlock even more value in the artists and their music.”
Keffer will help facilitate artist and brand partnerships for the entire UMG Nashville roster including Luke Bryan, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Canaan Smith, Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Easton Corbin, Gary Allan, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Mickey Guyton and more.
He can be reached at gary.keffer@umusic.com.
Artist Updates: CMT’s Next Women Of Country, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Meghan Trainor
/by Jessica NicholsonCMT’s Next Women Of Country Gather During CMA Fest
CMT’s Next Women of Country showed fans what girl power is all about when Brooke Eden, Clare Dunn, Lauren Alaina, Margo Price and Tara Thompson joined together for a showcase at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this past CMA Festival.
CMT launched its “Next Women of Country” campaign in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Several Next Women alumnae—Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe included—have achieved both commercial and critical acclaim. Since 2015, CMT expanded the franchise with its first-ever female-powered tour and has featured such artists as Brandy Clark, Jana Kramer, Jennifer Nettles, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson
Pictured (L-R): Tara Thompson; Lauren Alaina; Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT;
Brooke Eden; Clare Dunn; Margo Price; Abi Tapia, Senior Manager of Public Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Jason Aldean Films Inaugural ‘CMT Concert Of The Summer’
CMT joined Jason Aldean this past weekend for the filming of the inaugural CMT Concert of the Summer documentary special, which takes fans inside and backstage at one of this summer’s biggest tours, Aldean’s Six String Circus Tour, filmed during the Live Nation LakeShake Windy City Country Music Festival in Chicago.
Pictured (L-R): Chris Parr, Manager, Spalding Entertainment; Margaret Comeaux, CMT VP Music and Events Production; Jason Aldean; John Hamlin, Executive Producer, Switched on Entertainment
Kenny Chesney, Meghan Trainor Set For Macy’s July 4th Celebration
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney and Meghan Trainor will join 5 Seconds of Summer to perform during the 40th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The show will broadcast live on NBC from New York City, and will include more than 56,000 pyrotechnic effects.
The 25-minute synchronized light show will be choreographed to music from Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday and the United States Air Force Band.
The show will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Spirit Music Group Adds Worldwide COO To Jon Singer’s Title
/by Eric T. ParkerJon Singer
Spirit Music Group has promoted Jon Singer to Worldwide Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, Spirit Music Group, as announced today by David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group.
Based in New York, Singer previously served as Spirit’s Worldwide CFO since joining the company in 2011. He will continue to oversee the company’s global finance operations, analyze and negotiate new deals, source and structure strategic partnerships and joint ventures and contribute to the company’s overall strategic planning and growth.
Singer was responsible for Spirit’s Nashville presence, acquiring Cal IV Entertainment in July 2015 to establish their first official presence on Music Row. In addition the company added the StyleSonic catalog, and in January of 2016 they acquired Frank Rogers’ interest in copyrights at Sea Gayle Music and Spirit formed a JV with Rogers to bring in new talent.
“As Spirit continues its aggressive growth, Jon has functioned as a true partner and played a key role in not only overseeing our day-to-day operations, but also in helping us identify and close important deals contributing to our rapid expansion,” said Renzer. “Jon’s extensive experience in finance (including his tenure at major labels Decca and Island Def Jam) along with the many strong relationships he’s built throughout his years in the industry are all helping to make a meaningful contribution to our team.”
“The way I have seen this company grow in recent years has been incredible, and I am fortunate to be surrounded at Spirit Music Group by such a talented and dedicated team,” said Singer. “It is truly a privilege to represent the many amazing song writers who have entrusted us with their valuable copyrights. I appreciate the support David and the Board have shown me throughout the years and I am eager to continue to build on the many strengths that make Spirit a premier global music publisher.”
Prior to joining Spirit, Jon spent 15 years on the recording side of the music business, most recently as CFO for the Decca Label Group (a division of Universal Music). While at Decca, Singer diversified the company from being the largest classical label in the world to an adult pop label having success with Sting, Elton John, Alison Krauss/Robert Plant and Celtic Thunder to name a few. His experience also includes Director of Finance for Island Def Jam Music Group, where he integrated Island, Def Jam and Mercury record labels creating the Island Def Jam Music Group during their acquisition by Universal.
Spirit Music Group, founded in 1995, is one of the world’s leading independent music publishers, owning and/or managing more than 75,000 songs spanning seven decades and every musical genre. Spirit is a portfolio company of Pegasus Capital Advisors, the New York-based private equity fund manager.
Industry Ink: Brett Eldredge, Provident Music Group, Full Circle Academy
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge Debuts New Video At Chicago’s Wrigley Field
Brett Eldredge premiered the music video for his new single “Wanna Be That Song” last night (June 21) at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The baseball-themed video was filmed recently at the ballpark. In addition to premiering the video, Eldredge threw out the first pitch and lead the crowd in the ceremonial “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.
Pictured: Brett Eldredge with members of his team from Warner Music Nashville and Long Shot Management.
Provident Music Group/Sony Music Entertainment Promotes Ben Howard
Ben Howard
Ben Howard has been promoted to Executive VP of Provident Films. He previously served as Sr. VP for the company’s film division. Howard manages partnerships with movie partners including The Kendrick Brothers (War Room), The Erwin Brothers (Woodlawn), and more.
Producer Seth Mosley’s Full Circle Academy Presents Music Makers Bootcamp
Seth Mosley
Full Circle Academy presents the first Music-Makers Bootcamp, dedicated to producers, artists and songwriters in the Nashville area.
Led by producer Seth Mosley, a small group of students enrolled in the bootcamp will have the opportunity to receive training from music industry professionals in music production and songwriting. Mosley has been named SESAC’s Writer of the Year, and earned a Dove award for Songwriter of the Year in 2015.