ole Signs Tony Martin

Independent rights management company ole has inked a deal with Nashville songwriter Tony Martin. Martin’s songs include 15 No. 1 hits, such as “Time Is Love” by Josh Turner and “Banjo” by Rascal Flatts. He has also notched eight Top 5 and five Top 10 tracks.

“I’ve been itching to find a publishing company with the reach of a major and the spirit of an indie, so when ole came calling, I knew it was the place for me,” said Martin. “I’m excited to have the freedom to focus on the creative while ole handles the rest.”

Under the deal, ole has purchased Martin’s catalog and future co-publishing rights.

Pictured (L-R): Leslie Roberts, Director, BMI; Ben Strain, Creative Director, ole; Emily Mueller, Creative Manager, ole; Jody Williams, VP, BMI; songwriter Tony Martin, Mike Whelan, Sr. Creative Director, ole; Shellien Kinsey, Creative Coordinator, ole; John Ozier, GM Creative, ole.

Brennin Signs To Deluge Music

Brennin is the latest signing to Deluge Music’s Nashville roster. “All It took was hearing his new EP and him walking in the door and I was in!” says President Mark Friedman.

Brennin is also represented by WME.

Pictured (L-R): Mark Friedman (Deluge Music), Brennin, Stephanie Greene

peermusic Writers Go “Somewhere On A Beach” For Writer Retreat

Pictured (Front to back): Michael Tyler, artist, Reviver Records; Michael Knox, Jaron Boyer, Brandon Kinney, Jeffrey East.

Staff and writers with peermusic Nashville converged “somewhere on a beach” to celebrate new signings Jeffrey East and Brandon Kinney, as well as the current chart success of the single “Somewhere on a Beach” (Dierks Bentley) co-written by Michael Tyler and Jaron Boyer.

BMI’s Jody Williams, songwriter Nicolle Galyon, Karen Williams, Raul Malo, Ed Williams, and songwriter Rodney Clawson

BMI’s Jody Williams has been named the recipient of the Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award, which honors those who provide recognition and support to songwriters.

The award is named for the late University of Texas football coach Darrell K Royal, who was known for his appreciation for musicians and songwriters.

BMI’s Jody Williams accepts the Darrell K Royal Texas Music Legend Award. Photo: Ted Parker Jr.

Williams was honored during the Feb. 20 ceremony at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, where he was recognized for his work with Texas Heritage Hall of Fame members Robert Earl Keen, Whitey Shafer and Larry Gatlin, as well as musicians like Shakey Graves, Maren Morris, Gary Clark Jr. and more.

The winner is inducted alongside four songwriters into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association. Joe Ely, Will Jennings, Roy Orbison and J.D. Souther were the songwriters selected for his year’s induction.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke at the event, and Raul Malo, Nicolle Galyon and Rodney Clawson were among the performers.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Photo: Ted Parker Jr.

Photo Caption (L-R): Producer Dann Huff, “Die A Happy Man” Songwriter Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” Songwriter Joe London, Producer/”Crash And Burn” Songwriter Jesse Frasure. Photo: Erika Goldring

The Valory Music Co. artist Thomas Rhett and his fellow songwriters had plenty to celebrate Monday (Feb. 22) as music industry members gathered to honor Rhett’s two latest No. 1 singles (bringing his total as an artist to five consecutive No. 1 songs) with a BMI-hosted shindig at Nashville’s BarTaco, a favorite dining spot for Rhett and his wife Lauren.

“Die A Happy Man” spent six weeks atop the country songs rankings, the first song since 2008 to manage that feat. BMI’s Leslie Roberts noted that the song went from being written to topping the country chart within one year. The song followed Rhett’s previous No. 1 “Crash and Burn,” penned by Jesse Frasure and Chris Stapleton.

Though Rhett was celebrating his third No. 1 song as a songwriter (“Die A Happy Man”), the party was a first for many of his fellow songwriters.

Though songwriter, producer, and Major Bob Music VP of A&R Frasure penned his first No. 1 song with Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze,” his attendance at the party for “Crash and Burn” marked his first time being honored as a songwriter during a No. 1 party. BMI gave Frasure a BMI guitar to commemorate his first No. 1 song.

The multi-talented Frasure has written for FGL, Meghan Trainor, and Kenny Chesney, produced for TobyMac, and also serves as VP of A&R for Major Bob Music and remains an in-demand DJ for artists like Nicki Minaj and Cee Lo Green.

Jesse Frasure thanked his co-writer Stapleton, who could not attend. “Me and Chris are the ultimate odd couple. I’m so proud of him. It’s been wild to watch this ride, and I’m honored to call him a friend and a co-writer. I don’t ever quite feel justified to be in the same room with him. We have this motto that says, ‘Sad Songs For Dance Floors,’ that’s what we write.”

The party was also a first for Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” co-writers Joe London and Sean Douglas, who are based in Los Angeles and had never attended a Nashville-style No. 1 party.

London, a producer and songwriter, has had hits including Pitbull’s “Pitbull” and “Day Drinking,” as well as Fifth Harmony’s “BO$$” and Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle.” Meanwhile, Douglas has penned “Heart Attack” for Demi Lovato, and Derulo’s “Wiggle” and “Talk Dirty.” Douglas is also the son of actor Michael Keaton.

“This is one of the most special songs I’ve been a part of,” said Rhett. “I feel like I found myself on this record process, and in my life right now, just in rooms of people that don’t make any sense and should never have a chance of working.” The writers each thanked their wives for inspiring the R&B-influenced song.

(L-R): Back Row – Producer Dann Huff, EMI Blackwood’s Troy Tomlinson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Warner Chappell’s Marc Wilson, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner
Front Row – Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, “Die A Happy Man” songwriter Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man” songwriter Joe London, Big Deal Music’s Casey Robinson, Producer/”Crash And Burn” songwriter Jesse Frasure

Meanwhile, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson welcomed Rhett’s wife Lauren to the stage and thanked her for providing Rhett’s inspiration for “Die A Happy Man.” He also presented Lauren with a gift from Tiffany & Co.

Among those celebrating Rhett’s two chart-toppers were Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn and Marc Wilson, CMA’s Brandi Simms, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and Charlie Cook, producer Dann Huff, Big Deal Music’s Pete Robinson, and Valory Music Company’s George Briner.

Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox announced the bank would make two donations on behalf of the writers of both songs to 147 Million Orphans, a charity supported by Thomas Rhett and Lauren.

Thomas Rhett is aiming to add to his chart-topper total with his latest single, “T-Shirt,” a song he has been eager to include on an album for several years.

“I really wanted to cut it on the first album. So this song has been with me for a long time. It was one of my wife’s favorite songs that I put on hold that I didn’t write. It’s just fun and if there was ever a time to put out a song that I always wanted to put out, why not do it after that one? I think it’s a great song to lead into the summertime, and we love playing it live. We’ve been playing it live for like three years, so for it to finally get the recognition that I’ve wanted it to for a long time, this was our shot so we went for it,” he said.

Though Rhett says his team is likely to follow “T-Shirt” with another single from Tangled Up, he is already thinking ahead to the next album.

“[Tangled Up] came out in September, and by the time ‘Die A Happy Man’ had gone Number One, the album had been out for like three months. As an artist I think you feel like you have to turn things around so fast,” he said. “You really do have time to be creative. If you don’t take that time to be creative, then you are going to put something out that’s not worth anybody’s time, in my opinion, at least for myself. I’ve already been out on the road writing a ton and I’m not even writing for me, I’m just writing songs to figure out what direction my brain wants to go, what kind of songs I want to write, where I’m at in my life right now, what kind of content I want to write, so it’s just really fun to get back in and be creative again and start that process again.”