Obviously Apple did not pay $3 billion for Beats Music last year without a reason. The New York Times is now shedding light on the technology company’s plans to build its own streaming music service expected for public release this year.

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, previously chief creative officer for Beats, is playing a major role in redesign, according to Ben Sisario and Brian X. Chen‘s unnamed sources. The service is said to share many of the same features as the prior Beats Music, such as curated playlists. However, the name Beats Music will likely be shed. Aesthetically, vivid visuals will likely conform to Apple’s sleek and minimal design.

Although the report notes there are no plans for a free listening tier, Apple is said to be planning a subsequent boost for its free iTunes radio, with an eye towards unreleased exclusives and geographic targeting, not unlike AM/FM radio.

The music industry is becoming bolder towards the technology giant as seen when licensing negotiations fell through in recent months for discounted rates. With the nearly 800 million iTunes accounts in its database, Apple may be an attractive alternative compared to, say Spotify. It’s own iTunes Radio is a popular alternative for data-restricted mobile listeners due to its low data consumption when compared to other music apps.

Brand Manager Danielle Taylor Exiting WMN

Friday, March 27 marks Danielle Taylor‘s last day with Warner Music Nashville. Taylor worked at the company for 12 years, rising from Promotion Coordinator to Brand Manager. Taylor’s prior career stops include Dreamcatcher Entertainment, Music Services Inc., and Copyright Management, Inc. She is seeking her next opportunity.

Taylor can be reached at 615musicmom@gmail.com.

Nine North Record Label Group, Edgehill Music Sign Deal With Toby (TK) King

Nashville-based Edgehill Music and Nine North Record Label Group has signed on for promotion, marketing and social media management work with artist Toby (TK) King. King, signed to Red Zebra Music, will work with Edgehill Music and Nine North Record Label Group to promote his single “I Ain’t Stupid.”

“These are exciting times for the Nine North Records Label Group and Edgehill Music Nashville in particular,” says Larry Pareigis, President, Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville.”Now it’s time for the industry to meet the man behind the music – the great Toby King!”

Pictured (L-R, back row); Larry Pareigis, President, Nine North Records Label Group, Angel Jennings, Director/Secondary Markets for Edgehill Music Nashville, Tim Svedlund, president, Red Zebra Music. (front row): Red Zebra Music’s Toby King.

Red Bow Records’ Chase Bryant Earns Top Country Video in Australia 

Red Bow Records’ Chase Bryant recently made his first trip to Australia. Upon landing at the airport in Brisbane, Bryant learned that his debut single – the Top 10 U.S. Country radio hit “Take It On Back” – had become the No. 1 Country video in Australia, courtesy of CMC Australia’s Top 50 Countdown. Bryant also took part in the CMC Songwriters Show alongside Lee Brice, Morgan Evans, Kristian Bush and Jeffrey Steele.

Pictured (L-R): Chase Bryant, Lee Brice, Morgan Evans, Kristian Bush, Jeffrey Steele and promoter Ron Potts at the CMC Songwriters Show. Photo: Jeremy Dylan

ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, has announced the results of its Board of Directors election. ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams announced the 12 writer and 12 publisher members elected to serve on the Board for a two-year term, beginning April 1, 2015.

Newly elected writer member in the at-large field is composer/producer Marcus Miller. In addition to Paul Williams, the writer members who were re-elected in the at-large field are: songwriter Marilyn Bergman; composer Richard Bellis; composer Bruce Broughton; songwriter-producer Desmond Child; composer Alf Clausen; composer Dan Foliart; composer Alex Shapiro; songwriter Valerie Simpson; songwriter Jimmy Webb; and composer Doug Wood.

The publisher directors re-elected in the at-large field are: Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV; Caroline Bienstock, Bienstock Publishing; Barry Coburn, Ten Ten Music; Laurent Hubert, BMG Gold Songs; Dean Kay, Lichelle Music; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; Mary Megan Peer, peermusic; Matt Pincus, SONGS Music Publishing; Irwin Z. Robinson, Cromwell Music; Michael Sammis, Universal Music Publishing Group; and Cameron Strang, Warner Brothers Music. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is publisher James Kendrick, Schott Music Corporation/European American Music Corporation.

ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership.

Tyler Farr. Photo: Joseph Llannes

Tyler Farr brought a group of ace songcrafters on board for his upcoming sophomore album, Suffer In Peace, slated for release April 28. Among the writers on his new project are Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Hillary Lindsey, Melissa Peirce, Jonathan Singleton, Brad Tursi, The Peach Pickers (also known as hit writers Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip), Wade Kirby, Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Josh Kear, Gordie Sampson, and more.

Farr co-wrote three tracks on the 11-song project, including “Poor Boy,” “I Don’t Even Want This Beer,” and “Why  We Live Here.”

The project also features a duet with Jason Aldean on “Damn Good Friends,” penned by Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, and Neil Medley. The song should make for a convenient onstage duet opportunity, as Farr is currently on tour with Aldean’s 2015 Burn It Down tour.

The lead single from the album, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” recently reached No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart.

Fans who visit Farr’s official website can purchase an album bundle that includes not only an autographed copy of Suffer In Peace, but an instant download of Farr’s cover of AWOLNATION’s “Sail,” which has become a fan favorite during Farr’s live shows.

A deluxe package offers an autographed CD, instant download of “Sail,” as well as a leather/stainless steel flask emblazoned with Suffer In Peace, and a Tyler Farr real bullet bottle opener keychain.

Track Listing For Suffer In Peace

1. C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.
Chris Tompkins/Craig Wiseman/Rodney Clawson

2. A Guy Walks Into a Bar
Melissa Peirce/Jonathan Singleton/Brad Tursi

3. Withdrawals
Josh Kear/Gordie Sampson/Hillary Lindsey

4. Damn Good Friends (Duet with Jason Aldean)
Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Neil Medley

5. Suffer in Peace
Aaron G. Barker, Sr./Phil O’Donnell

6. Raised to Pray
Lance Miller/Adam Sanders/Brad Warren/Brett Warren

7. Criminal
Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ashley Gorley

8. Better in Boots
Justin Wilson/Dave Pittenger

9. Poor Boy
Tyler Farr/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip

10. I Don’t Even Want This Beer
Tyler Farr/Wade Kirby/Phil O’Donnell/Houston Phillips

11. Why We Live Here
Tyler Farr/Dallas Davidson/Houston Phillips

Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame will soon house a Grammy Museum Gallery, courtesy of a partnership with music executive and philanthropist Mike Curb, MusicRow has confirmed. The Musicians Hall of Fame is housed within the Municipal Auditorium.

A press conference was held this morning (March 26) at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, where Mayor Karl Dean, Bob Santelli (executive director at the Grammy Museum), Joe Chambers (founder/CEO of the Musicians Hall of Fame) and Mike Curb were on hand to make the announcement.

With 7,000-square-feet of space, the gallery is projected to double the Musicians Hall of Fame’s exhibit space, and to offer attendees an interactive experience to explore various facets of making music, from studio engineering and production, to singing and songwriting. Funding for the project will come via a $1 million contribution from the Metropolitan Government’s 4% Fund, used for facility upgrades, while private contributions are expected to raise up to another $1 million.

“The Musicians Hall of Fame is a diverse multi-genre museum, much like the GRAMMY Museum,” said Chambers of the Musicians Hall of Fame. “Our collection of iconic musical instruments that have been used in the studio and live by some of the greatest musicians in the world, married with the GRAMMY Museum’s state-of-the-art, interactive and educational gallery, will be a great experience for all visitors to Music City.”

“I’ve been proud to work with Neil Portnow and Bob Santelli and to be a part of the Los Angeles GRAMMY Museum with our Curb Gallery, Music Mentoring Program and the Curb Careers in Music Program,” Curb said.  “Nashville is fortunate to have a Mayor such as Karl Dean who has the vision to bring the GRAMMY Gallery and the educational programs to Nashville. In addition to the Mayor we’ve had the support of the Deputy Mayor Greg Hinote, Butch Spyridon and Peter Heidenreich.  It is exciting that Joe Chambers’ Musicians Hall of Fame will now be the home for the GRAMMY Gallery and that Joe’s hard work will result in doubling the size of this magnificent Nashville museum.”

In 2013, the Curb Foundation made a $1 million donation to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. In recognition of the donation, the Grammy museum officially renamed its fourth floor exhibition space The Mike Curb Gallery.

In August 2013, the Musicians Hall of Fame re-opened in the Municipal Auditorium, after its former location was torn down to make way for the Music City Center.