Kompass Music Signs SVRCINA

Kobalt Music Publishing’s sister company, Kompass Music, has entered into an agreement with artist/writer SVRCINA.

SVRCINA has been in Nashville’s writing community for several years. In 2009, while going by the name Molly Hunt, she was just 13 when she signed a publishing deal with AWMG Entertainment. She is working on a new EP set for release in 2016.

Kompass is a multimedia company focused on artist development, film, and television placements administered by Kobalt music worldwide.

 

Publishers Compete In COHKS Dart Tournament in Nashville

This past Wednesday, the semi-annual COHKS Dart Tournament was held at Edgefield Sports Bar and Grill in East Nashville. The five competing publishers making up the letters in COHKS include Combustion Music, Ole Rights Management, HoriPro Entertainment Group, Kobalt Music Group, and Sea Gayle Music Publishing. Each company provides two teams who compete for the holy grail of dart trophies, which was previously held by Ole.                

The tournament went into double elimination until the last two teams went head to head for the win. Sea Gayle beat out HoriPro in the final round, taking home the trophy.

 

AIMP To Host A&R Development Panel

AIMP  will welcome several top independent music publishing execs on Oct. 29 to discuss publishing and A&R development. Michael McAnally Baum, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Rusty Gaston, John Ozier, and Kos Weaver. Sea Gayle Music’s Marc Driskill will moderate the panel.

The panel will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room, located at 2 Music Square West. The event is free for AIMP members, and $20 for AIMP non-members.

Fifth Third Bank has signed on as a sponsor. To register, visit aimp.org.

 

Rend Collective Launches Rend Family Records With Capitol Christian Music Group

Northern Irish folk worship band Rend Collective has announced the launch of Rend Family Records, a partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

The label’s first signing is Urban Rescue, a revival band from Los Angeles, fronted by Jordan Frye. Urban Rescue has released “Kaleidoscope,” the first single from its upcoming album.

“Rend Collective has always been about finding wild and colourful ways to worship God, so as Rend Family Records, we hope to shine a spotlight on artists who are redefining the landscape of musical worship,” Rend Collective shared. “We’re calling ourselves a ‘family’ on purpose, because we want this label to be another extension of the thing we call ‘church.’ Our goal is to create an environment where discipleship is valued more than the ‘next great idea,’ to be pastorally-minded instead of product-driven.”

Backroad Anthem band members Craig Strickland (lead vocals/acoustic), Toby Freeman (lead vocals/electric), Eric Dysart (fiddle), Josh Bryant (lead electric), Brandon Robold (bass/vocals), and Isaac Senty (drums), met while leading worship at a church in Fayetteville, Ark., approximately three years ago, and discovered they shared a mutual passion for country music.

“We decided to make a country cover band to make money on the side, and we all had ‘real’ jobs,” says band member Craig Strickland. After the third performance sold out, the guys quickly realized the newly-formed band would soon become more than a side gig. Within six months of forming, the Backroad Anthem was opening for artists including Justin Moore and Eli Young Band.

They also brought their music to college students across the country. “We built a following outside Nashville by singing at sorority houses around the SEC/Big 12 like Mississippi State, Alabama, Kansas State, Georgia,” says Craig. “It’s amazing how when you walk up to a sorority house with six dudes and a fiddle, they will let you in,” he quipped.

The band offered a three-song acoustic preview at the MusicRow office this week. The performance included “No Show,” “Disco Ball,” and their current single, “Torn.”

“We started out in a Suburban,” Strickland recalled of the band’s early days. “My dad’s company boss gave us the Suburban and we were in that for three years.” Thanks to a generous, music-loving benefactor, the group recently upgraded. “We were playing this private event for this guy who just loves music and owns a few companies. He said he wanted to help us get out of the Suburban and into something a little bigger. We were like, ‘Keep talking…’” he laughed. “I went to lunch with him and I told him that in order to get to the status we want to be at, selling out arenas, at the top and playing music in front of thousands each night, we wanted people to come alongside us, either financially or by getting the word out.” The band is now traveling to gigs in a Mercedes Sprinter Van.

The new ride is being put to good use. Backroad Anthem has signed with WME, and performs upwards of 150 shows per year. Their schedule includes a hometown concert in Fayetteville on Oct. 23. They will play Nashville’s Exit/In on Nov. 17.

The band just earned the Discovery of the Day honor from MusicRow‘s Robert Oermann‘s weekly DISClaimer column.

Backroad Anthem’s debut four-song EP, Torn, is available now.

 

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced the newly-elected Board of Directors for the 2015-16 term. Previously announced officers include Chairman Paul Barnabee, President Ken Tucker, Vice President Ben Vaughn, Treasurer Duane Clark, Parliamentarian Paul Moore, Sergeant-at-Arms Tim DuBois and Secretary Tiffany Moon.

“I’m excited to work with so many committed industry leaders who have invested their time and shown real devotion to hands-on involvement with the Academy,” said Barnabee. “As a team, we have helped the ACM brand accomplish record-setting feats this year and I know we all look forward to more excitement in 2016.”

This year, there were six qualifying professional categories elected by the Academy’s membership. In addition to those elected, director-at-large positions have been appointed by Chairman Paul Barnabee, President Ken Tucker and Vice President Ben Vaughn. Directors are elected from each category based on the number of members in that category. Each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year.

Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include (full board listing with categories also attached):

Tony Brown, TBE Enterprises
Enzo DeVincenzo, Red Light Management / 377 Management
Byron Gallimore, Streamsound
Rusty Gaston, THiS Music
Roger Gearhart, Graham Brothers Entertainment
Michael Knox, Michael Knox Productions / peermusic Nashville
Dustin Lynch
David Macias, Thirty Tigers
Chris Parr, MAVERICK
Kimberly Perry
Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville
Cole Swindell
Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

Newly appointed members of the Board of Directors include:

Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck
Bradley Collins, BMI
Crystal Dishmon, ShopKeeper Management
Kerri Edwards, KPentertainment
Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry
Brandon Gill, Morris Higham Management
Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley Co.
Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music
Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
Gayle Holcomb, WME
T.K. Kimbrell, T.K.O. Artist Management
Greg McCarn, Black River Records
Doc McGhee, McGhee Entertainment
Daniel Miller, Fusion Management
Carmen Romano, FBMM
Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group

FULL ACM BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016

OFFICERS

Chairman Paul Barnabee, Sony Music Nashville
President Ken Tucker, Apple
Vice President Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Nashville
Treasurer Duane Clark, FBMM
Parliamentarian Paul Moore, PGM Connections, LLC.
Sergeant-at-Arms Tim DuBois, Artist Management Partners
Secretary Tiffany Moon, Academy of Country Music

AFFILIATED

Tony Brown, TBE
Buddy Cannon, Cannon Productions
Michael Knox, Music Knox / peermusic Nashville
Mike Kraski, Tenacity Management
Kathy Armistead Olen, Atticus Brand Partners

ARTIST/ENTERTAINER/MBI

Lee Brice
Dustin Lynch
Kimberly Perry
Cole Swindell

CLUB/CASINO/CONCERT-VENUE OPERATOR

Roger Gearhart, Graham Brothers Entertainment
Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Enterprises
Troy Volhoffer, Premier Global Partners
Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

COMPOSER

Lee Thomas Miller

MANAGER

George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Enzo DeVincenzo, Red Light Management / 377 Management
Chris Parr, MAVERICK

MEDIA/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media

MUSIC PUBLISHER/PRO

Frank Liddell, Carnival Music
Rusty Gaston, THiS Music

ON-AIR PERSONALITY

Bob Kingsley, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40

RADIO

Charlie Cook, Cumulus Nashville

RECORD COMPANY

Byron Gallimore, Streamsound
Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville
David Macias, Thirty Tigers
Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville

TALENT AGENT

Curt Motley, PARADIGM Agency

TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER

Brad Garrett, Police Productions
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation

TV/MOTION PICTURE

Tom Forrest, taillight

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck

Bradley Collins, BMI

Ross Copperman

Benson Curb, Curb Records

Dallas Davidson

John Dickey

Crystal Dishmon, Shopkeeper Management

Kerri Edwards, KPEntertainment

Seth England, Big Loud Shirt Music Publishing*

Chris Farren, Combustion Music

Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry

Leslie Fram, CMT

Jay Frank, Universal Music Group

Brandon Gill, Morris Higham Management

Jimmy Harnen, BMLG

Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley Co.

Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music

Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GREENROOM

Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group

Gayle Holcomb, WME

Laura Hutfless, FlyteVu

T.K. Kimbrell, T.K.O. Artist Management

Jon Loba, BBR Music Group

Greg McCarn, Black River Records

Doc McGhee, McGhee Entertainment

Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management

Daniel Miller, Fusion Management

Chris Oliveria, CBS Radio*

Carmen Romano, FBMM

Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group

Kimberly Schlapman

Lane Wilson, WME

*Selected by the officer leadership team to fill the remaining period of vacated one-year director-at-large terms.

PAST CHAIRS

Darin Murphy, CAA
Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville
Butch Waugh
Bill Mayne, Country Radio Broadcasters
John Grady, Crush Management
Rod Essig, CAA

IEBA Honors Judy Seale

International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) has recognized Judy Seale with the organization’s International Buyer of the Year honor, during its 45th annual conference in Nashville.

Seale is the leading lady behind Judy Seale International, which coordinates for numerous festivals in Europe and Asia. Since 1987, Judy Seale has produced more than 400 international tours and festivals, featuring artists from the genres of country, rock, and classic rock.

“It’s very humbling to be recognized by such a prestigious organization as IEBA,” remarked an appreciative Seale during her acceptance speech.

“My thanks go to all the agents, managers, publicists, and entertainers who have supported me throughout the years. Special thanks to The Bellamy Brothers who have introduced me to the phenomenon of performing before sold out audiences of country music fans in strange places like The Faroe Islands, New Caledonia, India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and next year Iceland. I also want to recognize someone who is here with us in spirit tonight – Jeff Walker. He was one of my biggest supporters and a dear friend. Last of all, thanks to everyone who has supported my efforts to secure quality celebrity entertainment for our troops deployed overseas in harm’s way,” Seale continued.

 

ACM Welcomes Olivia Lane

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Spark Music Group recording artist Olivia Lane to the office while she was in Los Angeles recently.

While at the Academy, she performed her current single, “You Part 2,” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.

Some of Nashville’s ace song creators showed off multiple talents during a joyous celebration of Keith Urban‘s 19th No. 1 song, “John Cougar John Deere John 3:16,” also the title track for his upcoming album.

Kicking off the early morning bash with an energetic performance, Urban was flanked by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman and Dann Huff in an all-star rendition of “John Cougar John Deere John 3:16.” Urban traded vocal lines with McAnally, Osborne and Copperman, while Huff added several delectable guitar licks. They ended with Urban ad libbing atop a chorus provided by the writers and musicians.

“This has to be the earliest No. 1  party in history,” said BMI’s Jody Williams. Nashville’s music industry clearly didn’t mind, as a throng of supporters poured into elegant event space The Rosewall to celebrate.

Among those honoring the writers, artist and producers were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Randy Gimmett of Global Music Rights (celebrating their first No. 1 party in Nashville for writer McAnally), Black River Music Publishing’s Celia Froehlig, Robin Palmer and Robert Carlton of Smack Songs, Universal Music Group Nashville president Cindy Mabe, Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Brooke Sanders and Holly Lane.

Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuels announced the bank would make a donation to My Life Speaks on behalf of the songwriters.

EMI Blackwood/Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg was quick to thank producer Huff. “Thank you for putting modulation back into a country song,” he said.

“The reason I’m in Nashville is because of Keith Urban,” Copperman from the stage at The Rosewall. “Somebody handed me his record. I grew up listening to rock ‘n’ roll and [Keith’s album] was one of the first country albums I’ve ever heard and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s the kind of music I want to do.’ This song is my proudest song I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m glad to share it with these guys.”

Osborne also shared how proud he was of the song, and recalled a humorous anecdote about landing an Urban cut. “I was telling Keith how much he loved the Fuse record. Keith goes, ‘Well, the only thing it’s missing is a Josh Osborne song.’ I replied, ‘To be fair, most of your albums have had that problem,'” he said, drawing a round of laughter from the industry crowd.

Urban thanked McAnally for sending him the song. “That was a great email to get. It was hot out of the oven, and I’m one of those artists that goes, ‘How come that artist got that song?’ and I’m wondering how people get the song, and I became one of those guys that got the song. It’s an amazing feeling and that’s apparently how it happens. You just have to answer your email promptly,” he stated. “I think I’ve become good at responding to songs pretty quick, because if I don’t, somebody will.”

“It’s what this town and genre is about, simple gratitude and a feeling of just being blessed to do what we do,” Urban summed. “These No. 1 parties are important because…they are really about everyone who works behind the scenes who never get recognition.”