Toby Keith and Stephen Colbert Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
The 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame 46th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner was a sparkling success, where icons Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry were inducted.
Stephen Colbert surprised the audience on stage to induct Keith, and gave an exciting performance of “As Good As I Once Was.” Keith wowed the crowd with a powerful rendition of “Clancy’s Tavern,” with Scott Emerick on guitar. Of his award, Keith said that it is “the only thing I ever wanted.”
Jennifer Nettles inducted Bobby Braddock after performing an emotional rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” which received a standing ovation. After his induction, Braddock performed what he called his “country rap” hit, “I Wanna Talk About Me,” made famous by fellow inductee Toby Keith. Click photo to hear Braddock discuss his lauded career on the new “Songcraft” podcast.
The night kicked off as Bernie Taupin posthumously inducted the great Willie Dixon. Ledisi performed an upbeat medley of Dixon’s chart-topping hits in his honor, including, “I Just Wanna Make Love To You,” “Hoochie Choochie Man,” “Spoonful,” and “Wang Dang Doodle” with Richie Sambora on guitar and vocals.
Zac Brown inducted The Grateful Dead’s Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia (posthumously) after a lively performance of “Casey Jones.” Hunter then performed one of the The Dead’s best-known songs, “Ripple.”
Lady Gaga (L) inducted Linda Perry (R) and gave a spectacular performance of “What’s Up.” Perry stunned audiences with a solo performance of her emotional hit, “Beautiful.” Photo: Michael Loccisano/ Getty/ SHOF
SHOF President/CEO Linda Moran presided over the ceremonies.
Mike O’Neill and Paul Williams presented the Visionary Leadership Award to ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento. The award acknowledges a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Board of Directors who has made a significant contribution in furthering the ongoing mission of the organization. SHOF inductee, Ne-Yo, had the audience clapping along with his performance of “Coming With You.”
Carly Rae Jepsen (R) gave a heartfelt performance of Cyndi Lauper’s (L) “Time After Time,” before inducting the songwriter who then performed her hit, “Hat Full Of Stars.” Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
John Titta introduced the 2015 Towering Song Award, which is presented each year to the creators of an individual song that has influenced our culture in a unique way over many years. This year, the award went to George David Weiss and Bob Thiele’s “What A Wonderful World.” Dr. John performed a unique version of the classic song.
The celebratory evening continued as SHOF inductee, Benny Blanco, presented Nate Ruess (of fun.) with the 2015 Hal David Starlight Award. Each year, this award is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs. Ruess then sang his new song, “Great Big Storm.”
Linda Perry returned to the stage to perform a rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” before introducing the iconic Tony Bennett. Bennett welcomed Lady Gaga to the stage, and presented her with the first-ever Songwriters Hall of Fame Contemporary Icon Award.
Michael Bublé hit the stage for a captivating performance of Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” before presenting the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, to icon, Van Morrison. Bublé then joined him for a soulful performance of his classic, “Real Real Gone.”
Pictured (L-R): Michael Buble and Nate Ruess Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Charlie Feldman, Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductee Toby Keith, and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams
Van Haze Exits MCA, Joins Red Light
/by Sarah SkatesVan Haze
Van Haze exited his post as VP of Promotion for MCA Nashville last week and is joining the Nashville office of Red Light Management today (June 22).
With a career background in radio promotion, Haze will be transitioning to a management capacity at Red Light.
His replacement at MCA will be named this week.
Haze joined Universal Music Group six years ago.
Creative Nation Signs Lori McKenna for Publishing, Management
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Jeff Skaggs, Beth Laird, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird. Photo: Spencer Combs
Hit songwriter and critically acclaimed artist Lori McKenna has signed a publishing and management deal with independent company Creative Nation.
The Boston-native has writing credits on recent hits/cuts including “Girl Crush,” “Your Side of the Bed” and “Sober” (Little Big Town); “I Want Crazy” (Hunter Hayes) and “God Made Girls” (RaeLynn). McKenna has released eight lauded studio albums.
“I wanted to find a place where I could better balance my career as a songwriter and I’m so excited to start this new venture with Creative Nation,” says McKenna. “It’s a dream come true to be a part of such an amazing team with my friends.”
“The fact that we’ve had such incredible writers come to us and want to work with us and be here, that’s really blown my mind,” said Beth Laird, Creative Nation Co-Owner. “I want to always feel like a family, which can always get bigger as long as you’re just very careful to get different people on the team.”
Previously with Universal Music Publishing Group for the last six years, McKenna tells Billboard, “I’m a singer-songwriter at the end of the day, and when I started talking to Beth as a publisher, she really lit a fire under my artist ass. I’ve always wanted to be the best writer I could be, but now without putting the artist side on the backburner.”
McKenna joins Creative Nation’s roster of artists and songwriters: Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Maggie Chapman, Native Run, Steve Moakler and recently signed Pulse/Creative Nation writer, Tyler Johnson.
Third Annual ASCAP Presents at CMA Music Festival
/by Kelsey_GradyPictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Jonathan Singleton, Rivers Rutherford and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Songwriters Rivers Rutherford, Jon Nite, Jonathan Singleton and Ashley Gorley at the HGTV Lodge
Photos: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski
ASCAP presented a bevy of hit songwriters and emerging songwriter-artists at the 2015 CMA Music Festival on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. The third annual ASCAP Presents at the CMA Music Festival was held for the first time at the Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage on 4th Avenue and showcased more than two dozen acts, ranging from fresh-faced new talent to emerging songwriter-artists boasting publishing or record deals and recent tours with major label acts.
The lineup on Saturday included Vanessa Bransan, Jeston Cade, Josh Mirenda, Carlton Anderson, Hunter Phelps, CJ Solar, Kalisa Ewing, Jameson Rodgers, Joe Hall, Ryan Griffin andBrett Young.
Sunday’s showcase featured Brad Blackburn, Joshua Okeefe, Corey Kent White, Mitchell Lee, Jacob Davis, Steven Clawson, Hailey Whitters, Chris Cavanaugh, Lauren Jenkins, Patrick Thomas and David Ray.
The shows were hosted by ASCAP Nashville Vice President of Membership Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad, Creative Director Robert Filhart and Creative Manager Beth Brinker.
On Sunday, June 14, ASCAP presented the second annual ASCAP Hit Songwriters Round at the HGTV Lodge in the CMA Music Festival’s “Fan Alley.” Mega-hit writers Ashley Gorley (“Don’t It,” “Tonight Looks Good On You,” “Kick the Dust Up”), Jon Nite (“Smoke,” “Beachin,” “We Were Us”), Jonathan Singleton (“A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” “Diamond Rings & Old Barstools,” “Let It Rain”) and Rivers Rutherford (“Southern Style,” “Real Good Man,” “These Are My People”) treated festival-goers to a taste of real Nashville with a traditional songwriters round. The show was hosted by Great American Country’s Suzanne Alexander.
Pictured (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Steve Emley, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Joe Hall and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Combustion’s Chris Van Belkom, Combustion Atlas Music Publishing’s Jameson Rodgers and ASCAP’s Michael Martin
Sony Music Nashville artist Ryan Griffin
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Big Machine Music songwriter-artist Lauren Jenkins, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and Cornman Music/Warner Chappell Music’s songwriter-artist Josh Mirenda
Condolences To Fount Lynch And Family
/by Sarah SkatesTheir son John-Thomas L Lynch was laid to rest in Fosterville, Tenn. on Wednesday, June 17.
Also mourning the loss are big sisters Naomi and Cordi. The family is recovering at home.
Cards of condolence may be sent to Fount and Krystal Lynch c/o Sony Music Nashville, 1400 18th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212.
Josh Turner And Al Roker Fulfill A Father’s Musical Dream
/by Troy_StephensonDuring the show’s Father’s Day “Make Your Today,” Lusk met with Turner and NBC’s Al Roker at the famed studio to record his original song “Sally & Jack.” Lusk was joined by members of his family and friends for the occasion.
Lusk had early dreams of being a country singer, but as life took a different path and he became a single parent and an adoring father of two young boys, he put his family first and his musical aspirations aside.
Turner expresses, “It was such a special day for me to get to share this with Lewis. As a father myself, I respect the sacrifices parents make for their children. In this case, Lewis put his dreams on a shelf for the sake of his boys, and to have a hand in helping make that dream come true for him here is something I won’t forget.”
To watch the segment, click here.
L-R: Turner, Lusk, Roker
Benefit News: ACM Lifting Lives, Music City Tennis Invitational
/by Sarah SkatesACM Lifting Lives Music Camp
ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp is in session this week in Nashville, Tenn. with campers from around the country participating in a week of activities and excursions around Music City. The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education. Renowned songwriter/producer Ross Copperman and songwriter Heather Morgan lead campers in a songwriting session, creating “Wherever You Go,” an original song based on campers’ personal experiences and inspirations. The camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Photos: Getty Images/Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives
Campers pose with Ross Copperman and Heather Morgan at ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp.
Pictured (L-R): Hannah Martin, Manager, ACM Lifting Lives; Lorie Lytle, ACM Lifting Lives Board Member and Music Camp Founder; Beth Moore, Director of Community Development at Vanderbilt University; Heather Morgan; Ross Copperman; Melita Rippy, VUMC Entertainment Industry Relations; Elizabeth Dykens, Ph.D., Annette Schaffer Eskind Professor and Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center; Lori Badgett, ACM Lifting Lives President.
Music City Tennis Invitational Benefits Center for Child Development at Vanderbilt
The 42nd Annual Music City Tennis Invitational presented by Jackson National Life Insurance Company, raised $84,650 for the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The MCTI 2015 committee makes donation to Center For Child Development at Vanderbilt.
Song Suffragettes Showcase Celebrates First Anniversary
/by Kelsey_GradySong Suffragettes anniversary show at The Listening Room Cafe. Pictured (L-R) Back Row: Alex Masters, Brit Willson, Morgan Dawson, Julia Cole, Maddy Newton, Mignon Grabois. Front Row: Kalie Shorr, Baylor Wilson, Natalie Stovall, Karli Chayne, Ruthie Collins, Ella Mae Bowen
Song Suffragettes celebrated its first anniversary Monday, June 15 with a sold out show that featured twelve of Nashville’s country female singer-songwriters along with special guests Ruthie Collins and Natalie Stovall. The Monday night show has become the largest weekly showcase at The Listening Room with regular sell-outs and standing-room-only audiences. It has featured over 80 young women to date.
“As the name suggests, Song Suffragettes is all about giving talented and deserving ladies the chance for their musical voices to be heard,” says Song Suffragettes founder and music executive Todd Cassetty. “It’s a positive environment in which new female artists can develop, connect and hone their craft.”
Special guest Deana Carter at Song Suffragettes Saturday performance at CMA Close Up stage at Fan Fair X. Pictured (L-R): Morgan Dawson, Kalie Shorr, Deana Carter, Julia Cole, Kristen Kelly, Maddie Larkin
In addition to Stovall and Collins, the Song Suffragettes first anniversary show featured Ella Mae Bowen, Karli Chayne, Julia Cole, Morgan Dawson, Hannah Ellis, Mignon Grabois, Alex Masters, Maddy Newton, Kalie Shorr, Emily Weisband, Baylor Wilson and Brit Willson in three separate performance rounds. During the night, Tracy Gershon, VP A&R Rounder Records, also spoke to the packed house about the state of females in country music today.
“I am so proud of this movement and the hard work these girls put into their careers day in and day out. The talent is unbelievable and I walk away from every show inspired,” says Helena Capps who books all Song Suffragettes shows.
Cassetty says, “In only a year, we’ve watched Song Suffragettes performers land publishing deals and record label meetings as the country music community has embraced what these young women are doing. Stay tuned for year two as we continue to #LetTheGirlsPlay.”
Special guest Jamie O’Neal at Song Suffragettes Sunday performance at CMA Close Up stage at Fan Fair X. Pictured (L-R): Mignon Grabois, Kalie Shorr, Jamie O’Neal, Karli Chayne, Brit Willson
The Song Suffragettes showcase is every Monday night at 6 pm at The Listening Room Cafe, and is broadcast live on Periscope starting at 6:30 p.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Bluegrass Blog: World of Bluegrass, SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers
/by Lorie HollabaughPerformers previously announced for this year’s Wide Open Bluegrass include Steep Canyon Rangers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Balsam Range, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Wailin’ Jennys, The Kruger Brothers (with special guests), The Claire Lynch Band, Flatt Lonesome, Band of Ruhks, and performances from the critically acclaimed Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited project.
Wide Open Bluegrass is part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, a five-day annual bluegrass music homecoming/convention. World of Bluegrass also includes the IBMA Business Conference (Sept. 29 to Oct. 1), the 26th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards (Oct. 1), and the Bluegrass Ramble showcases (Sept. 29 to Oct. 1). Additional details and pricing information are available at ibma.org.
New Albums From The SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers
And the Grammy Award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers will release a new CD, Radio, Aug. 28 on Rounder Records. Produced by Jerry Douglas, the title track of the album, their ninth studio collection, premiered earlier this week on The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy blog. The Rangers perform between 125 and 150 dates per year, including tours they share with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.
Spirit Music Group Acquires Catalog of Christian Songwriter Jason Ingram
/by Eric T. ParkerJason Ingram. Photo: Ed Rode
Spirit Music Group has acquired a portion of the publishing catalog of top Nashville Christian songwriter and producer, Jason Ingram.
Announced today (June 19) by David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group, the deal includes a catalog of songs Ingram wrote under the Showdown/Sony joint venture. Ingram’s copyrights include Bebo Norman’s “I Will Lift My Eyes,” Salvador’s “Shine,” Chris Tomlin’s “White Flag” and “I Will Follow,” Hillsong’s “Forever Reign,” and Building 429’s “Where I Belong,” to name a few.
Ingram was named SESAC’s 2007 Christian Songwriter of the Year, and received nominations for addition to Gospel Music Association (Dove Award) Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year.
Renzer commented, “We are pleased to add these songs to the Spirit Music Group family. With this latest acquisition, we further extend our reach into the thriving Nashville market.”
In July 2014, Spirit Music Group acquired Cal IV Entertainment, the established Nashville-based independent music publisher, production, and artist management company. The move marked Spirit’s first official presence on Music Row. In February, Spirit acquired the publishing assets of West Main Music, a leading independent Christian/Contemporary Praise & Worship publishing catalog, including “Never Once” co-written by Ingram and recorded by Matt Redman; and “Help Me Find It” co-written by Ingram and recorded by The Sidewalk Prophets.
Spirit Music Group is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Los Angeles, Nashville and the Netherlands. Spirit is a portfolio company of Pegasus Capital Advisors, the New York-based private equity fund manager that has been providing creative capital and strategic solutions to growth companies since 1996.
Songwriters Hall of Fame Inducts Bobby Braddock, Toby Keith In New York
/by Sarah SkatesToby Keith and Stephen Colbert Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
The 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame 46th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner was a sparkling success, where icons Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry were inducted.
Stephen Colbert surprised the audience on stage to induct Keith, and gave an exciting performance of “As Good As I Once Was.” Keith wowed the crowd with a powerful rendition of “Clancy’s Tavern,” with Scott Emerick on guitar. Of his award, Keith said that it is “the only thing I ever wanted.”
Jennifer Nettles inducted Bobby Braddock after performing an emotional rendition of “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” which received a standing ovation. After his induction, Braddock performed what he called his “country rap” hit, “I Wanna Talk About Me,” made famous by fellow inductee Toby Keith. Click photo to hear Braddock discuss his lauded career on the new “Songcraft” podcast.
The night kicked off as Bernie Taupin posthumously inducted the great Willie Dixon. Ledisi performed an upbeat medley of Dixon’s chart-topping hits in his honor, including, “I Just Wanna Make Love To You,” “Hoochie Choochie Man,” “Spoonful,” and “Wang Dang Doodle” with Richie Sambora on guitar and vocals.
Zac Brown inducted The Grateful Dead’s Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia (posthumously) after a lively performance of “Casey Jones.” Hunter then performed one of the The Dead’s best-known songs, “Ripple.”
Lady Gaga (L) inducted Linda Perry (R) and gave a spectacular performance of “What’s Up.” Perry stunned audiences with a solo performance of her emotional hit, “Beautiful.” Photo: Michael Loccisano/ Getty/ SHOF
SHOF President/CEO Linda Moran presided over the ceremonies.
Mike O’Neill and Paul Williams presented the Visionary Leadership Award to ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento. The award acknowledges a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Board of Directors who has made a significant contribution in furthering the ongoing mission of the organization. SHOF inductee, Ne-Yo, had the audience clapping along with his performance of “Coming With You.”
Carly Rae Jepsen (R) gave a heartfelt performance of Cyndi Lauper’s (L) “Time After Time,” before inducting the songwriter who then performed her hit, “Hat Full Of Stars.” Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
John Titta introduced the 2015 Towering Song Award, which is presented each year to the creators of an individual song that has influenced our culture in a unique way over many years. This year, the award went to George David Weiss and Bob Thiele’s “What A Wonderful World.” Dr. John performed a unique version of the classic song.
The celebratory evening continued as SHOF inductee, Benny Blanco, presented Nate Ruess (of fun.) with the 2015 Hal David Starlight Award. Each year, this award is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs. Ruess then sang his new song, “Great Big Storm.”
Linda Perry returned to the stage to perform a rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” before introducing the iconic Tony Bennett. Bennett welcomed Lady Gaga to the stage, and presented her with the first-ever Songwriters Hall of Fame Contemporary Icon Award.
Michael Bublé hit the stage for a captivating performance of Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” before presenting the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, to icon, Van Morrison. Bublé then joined him for a soulful performance of his classic, “Real Real Gone.”
Pictured (L-R): Michael Buble and Nate Ruess Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty/ SHOF
BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Charlie Feldman, Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductee Toby Keith, and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams