Eventbrite Establishes Nashville Operation

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eb_press_bigTicketing company Eventbrite is launching a Nashville team this spring. The San Francisco-based operation plans to hire 45 customer support workers, some as early as this week, and have them on the job by the beginning of April. Employees will have the choice to work from home or in a co-working space.
“Eventbrite’s decision to expand into Nashville is indicative of how we are becoming a top city for driving innovation and tech talent,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said.
Founded in 2006, Eventbrite has offices in the U.K. and Latin America. Nashville was one of several cities in the running for the latest Eventbrite hiring efforts.
“We are so excited about launching a new team in Nashville,” said Rachael Neumann, Eventbrite’s director of customer experience strategy. “Nashville is a hotbed for tech savvy talent, culture, and the ‘make it happen spirit’ we look for when hiring.”
Bridging the gap between the Southeast and Silicon Valley has been a goal of many Nashville organizations. Launch Tennessee, a public-private partnership for the state and organizers of the Southland technology conference, recently visited Silicon Valley in order to form more partnerships for the state of Tennessee. “This announcement is exactly what we’ve been working toward,” said Launch Tennessee CEO Charlie Brock. “Eventbrite’s local presence is a prime opportunity for us to tap into those Silicon Valley assets and a way to implement them into our tech and startup culture. We hope to see additional partnerships between Nashville and San Francisco this year.”
To find out more about the available positions with Eventbrite, visit www.eventbrite.com/jobs.
 

Curb Music Publishing Extends Agreement with Songwriter Leathers

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Joe Leathers


Curb Music Publishing has extended its exclusive worldwide music publishing agreement with Joe Leathers. Leathers, a staff writer for Curb since 2003, has had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Lee Brice, Tim McGraw, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Houser, Thompson Square, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Dunn, Clay Walker, including three Top 10 singles- “Still” (McGraw), “Tough” (Craig Morgan) and “Where I’m From” (Jason Michael Carroll).
“We are incredibly honored to have Joe Leathers as a staff writer at Curb Music Publishing, and we look forward to building off of his already proven success,” says Curb VP of Publishing, Drew Alexander.
Leathers, a native of Memphis, Tenn., has spent time as a Golden Gloves boxer, NCAA Division I football player, airplane pilot, motocross racer, guitarist of the Memphis club circuit, husband, father of four and currently holds the position of Sr. VP and Branch Manager at Stifel Financial in Memphis, Tenn.

DISClaimer (2/12/14)

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bogguss1111When you have so many cool newcomers that it is hard to pick your award winner, that is a good day. This week marks the DisClaimer column debuts of Erica Hoyt, Leather & Lace and Chad Sullins & The Last Call Coalition. Any or all of them could be the DisCovery Award winner. With a toss of the coin, I’m giving the award to the family band, Leather & Lace.
Many of the rest of the discs reviewed here are flawed in one way or another. Miranda Lambert’s song doesn’t scan terribly well. Florida Georgia Line’s single with Luke Bryan is hardly a song at all. Maggie Rose has a terrific lyric, but can’t seem to deliver it with apt emotion. The only true piece of perfection is the Clinton Gregory/Collin Raye effort “Some Real Good People.” I’d give it some kind of song award if anybody had bothered to tell me who wrote it.
That leaves us with the disc which is offering something that’s always reliable, a grand vocalist performing classic songs. The Disc of the Day prize goes to the always classy Suzy Bogguss.
JJ LAWHORN/Good Ol’ Boys Like Us
Writer: Jonathan Lawhorn; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Songs of Hanover Holler/You Gotta Want It, ASCAP; Average Joe’s
-I still like his drawling accent, and this is his best written song to date. Once you get past the premise that God has a special place in Heaven for guys splattering mud in pickup trucks.
CLINTON GREGORY & COLLIN RAYE/Some Real Good People
Writer: none listed; Producers: Tammy Hyler/Larry Beaird; Publishers: none listed; Melody Roundup
-You wouldn’t think these two voices would go together, but they do. And what both men share is an appreciation for a well-written message song. Which this driving, uplifting number most certainly is. Richly deserving of massive airplay.
SUZY BOGGUSS/I Always Get Lucky With You
Writers: Merle Haggard/Gary Church/Freddy Powers/Bobby Whitson; Producers: Suzy Bogguss/Doug Crider; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Shade Tree, BMI; Loyal Duchess
-There is something about this woman’s voice that I have always found completely captivating. Her trademark lustrous warmth is all over Lucky, her just-released collection of Merle Haggard songs. She gives this 1983 George Jones hit co-written by the Hag a sweetly bluesy lilt that makes it sound brand new. This whole album is an audio gift with its emphasis on simple arrangements and pristine instrumental solos as well as its songs and their singer.
MAGGIE ROSE/Looking Back Now
Writer: Lisa Carver; Producers: Blake Chancey/James Stroud/Stephony Smith; Publishers: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Big Alpha Writers Group, ASCAP; RPM (track)
-This tale of betrayal, murder and prison execution is pretty dang cool. Her delivery of it, however, is bafflingly “sunny.” The purse doesn’t match the shoes.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE & LUKE BRYAN/This Is How We Roll
Writers: Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard/Cole Swindell/Luke Bryan; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Big Loud Mountain/Big Loud Bucks/Sony-ATV Tree/Peanut Mill, BMI; Republic Nashville
-Catchy bro country with beats to spare and a repetitive, repetitive, repetitive chorus that infects your mind.

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Erica Hoyt


CHAD SULLINS & THE LAST CALL COALITION/Couple 1,000 Miles
Writer: Chad Sullins; Producer: Mike McClure; Publisher: Madcor; no performance rights listed; Madcor (track)
-He sings in a macho, world-weary baritone, and the band backs him with an appropriately muscular tone. Steel, electric guitar, organ and percussion are as important here as the wandering-man lyric. The album is titled Wicked Spell, and it casts one. Very promising.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Automatic
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Nicolle Galyon/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Warner-Tamerlane/EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike, BMI; RCA
-The thrilling track churns and froths and foams all around her. Amid the excitement, Lambert yearns for a simpler time when everything wasn’t automatic. The song is somewhat word-y and hardly ever rhymes, but I guarantee you’ll hang on every line.
ERICA HOYT/Love Me For Me
Writers: Armstrong/Hoyt/Rossebo/Waters; Producers: Jon Armstrong/Ryan Rossebo; Publisher: none listed; EH (track)
-Sweet and girl-y. Well produced, well written and well sung. But you might want to double check your insulin level before listening.
KELLIE PICKLER/Closer To Nowhere
Writers: Carson Chamberlain/Wade Kirby/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Luke Wooten/Frank Liddell; Publishers: none listed; Black River (track)
-La Pickler’s latest is a rhythmic sultry suggestion about going out, making out, acting out or just being alone together. I remain a huge fan, and this sensuous song is splendid.
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Leather & Lace


LEATHER & LACE/Red
Writers: Sam Tinnesz/Jennifer Zuffinetti/Blake Bollinger/Lisa Carver; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publishers: none listed; Leather & Lace
-This is a sibling band of three brothers and a sister, so the CD is titled Family Tree. On its kick-off single, the sound is faintly menacing, minor-key, “outlaw” country rock, and the lyric has a roulette-wheel gambling romantic theme. Hot stuff.

MusicRowRecess: 'Achy Breaky 2'

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achy breaky2Billy Ray Cyrus is blowing up the blogosphere with news of “Achy Breaky 2,” his collaboration with rapper Buck 22, son of Dionne Warwick. Check out this video of the reworked hit—complete with trippy rocketship, scantily clad space girls and a name-check of daughter Miley. The intro from Larry King is icing on the alien cake.

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Songwriters Hall of Fame Names New Class

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song hall inducteesRay Davies, Donovan, Graham Gouldman, Mark James and Jim Weatherly will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York at the organization’s 45th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. The star-studded induction event is slated for Thursday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Ray Davies founded the rock band The Kinks with his brother Dave in London in 1964. As the band’s lead singer and chief songwriter, Davies penned countless tracks including a string of 14 top ten international hits starting with “You Really Got Me,” and followed by “All Day and All of The Night,” “Tired of Waiting For You,” “Set Me Free,” ‘‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” “Sunny Afternoon,” “Waterloo Sunset,” “Lola,” “Apeman,” and “Come Dancing.”
Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan and producer Mickie Most collaborated on chart-topping songs including “Sunshine Superman,” “Mellow Yellow” and “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” In 1965 Donovan became the first artist Clive Davis signed to CBS/Epic Records. Donovan’s hits include “Atlantis,” “Catch The Wind” and “Season Of The Witch.”
Graham Gouldman wrote hits for Herman’s Hermits (“Listen People,” “No Milk Today”), The Yardbirds (“For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul” and “Evil Hearted You”), and The Hollies (“Look Through Any Window,” “Bus Stop”). In 1972, he formed the band 10cc and co-wrote many of their hits including “Rubber Bullets,” “I’m Not In Love” and “The Things We Do For Love.”
Mark James first came to prominence penning “Hooked On A Feeling” for B.J. Thomas in 1969. Later, the band Blue Swede transformed it into a 1974 chart topper. James’ career breakthrough came when Elvis Presley cut his song “Suspicious Minds.” In addition to hits penned for Presley which include “Moody Blue,” “It’s Only Love” and “Raised On Rock,” James co-wrote the classic “Always On My Mind,” which was recorded by Elvis and became a signature hit for Willie Nelson in 1982.
Jim Weatherly has been writing songs for almost 50 years. He garnered his first hit with “Neither One Of Us,” which was recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips. Gladys and The Pips went on to record 12 of his songs including “Where Peaceful Waters Flow,” “Midnight Train To Georgia” and “You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.” The latter was also recorded by Ray Price. Ray Price recorded 38 of Weatherly’s songs. Bob Luman also had a top five hit with “Neither One Of Us.” As an artist, Weatherly has had his own success with “The Need To Be,” and country hit “I’ll Still Love You.” Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks are just some of the artists who have recorded Weatherly’s songs.
Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $1000 each, and are available through Buckley Hall Events, (212) 573-6933. Net proceeds from the event will go toward the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.

Father And Son Produce MusicRow No.1s

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coleandlukeFather and son Jeff and Jody Stevens may be the first family members to produce consecutive No. 1s on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Jody’s smash production “Chillin’ It,” recorded by Cole Swindell hit the No. 1 position on Jan. 9, followed one week later by Jeff’s production of “Drink A Beer,” recorded by Luke Bryan. Jeff has previously produced and co-written Bryan’s singles “All My Friends” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.” Jeff and Jody are one of many father-son pairs involved in the industry.
Additionally, Swindell and Bryan are the first two artists to take home MusicRow’s coveted Challenge Coin, awarded to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 song on MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Chart.

Trick Pony Reunites

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Trick Pony


Trick Pony members Heidi Newfield, Keith Burns and Ira Dean have reunited after disbanding in 2006.
The trio, best known for the songs “On A Night Like This” “Just What I Do,” and “Pour Me,” first considered the idea of re-teaming last year prior to a Boston benefit concert. Each member was asked separately to take part in the benefit as a trio for the special cause. Burns, Newfield and Dean went to dinner before the concert to discuss the possibility.
“We instantly started cutting up and laughing and talking about remember this and remember that,” recalls lead vocalist Newfield on the trio’s official website. “My face hurt from two and a half hours of laughing about all this stuff that we’d done and swapping stories. It was like literally three old friends picking up where the good stuff left off.”
“Ira said he didn’t think we’d come close to making our best music yet as Trick Pony,” guitar player Burns remembers of the meeting.
“We said let’s just get together and write, look for songs and have fun in the studio to see if there’s something there,” adds Dean. “So we went in and wrote, dug through catalogs and listened. We’ve just started scratching the surface with this stuff, but there’s something there … there’s definitely something there.”
The trio has a newly redesigned website at trickpony.com.
Trick Pony is managed by Graham Artist Management and booked by WME Entertainment.

3 Ring Circus Music Signs Brandon Hood

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Pictured (L-R): 3 Ring Circus Music creative director Whitney Parker, Franklin Management’s Darrell Franklin, Brandon Hood, Jeffrey Steele, and 3 Ring Circus A&R/artist management director Casey LeVasseur. Photo credit: Anthony Scarlati

Pictured (L-R): 3 Ring Circus Music creative director Whitney Parker, Franklin Management’s Darrell Franklin, Brandon Hood, Jeffrey Steele, and 3 Ring Circus A&R/artist management director Casey LeVasseur. Photo credit: Anthony Scarlati


3 Ring Circus Music, the independent company founded by Jeffrey Steele, has signed producer/writer Brandon Hood to a publishing deal.
A native of Blairsville, Ga., Hood attended Belmont University, where his guitar playing and production skills caught the attention of noted producer Dann Huff and his business partner, Darrell Franklin. They signed Hood to their Crosstown Songs venture and continued to work with him after their company was sold in 2009. Franklin serves as Hood’s manager as well as management rep for Steele and a 3 Ring Circus consultant.
Hood has collaborated as a producer and writer in several musical genres with artists such as Burt Bacharach, Westlife’s Shane Filan, and Matt Wertz.
“I’m very excited to be working with Brandon in this new phase of his career through 3 Ring Circus Music,” said Franklin. “Jeffrey Steele’s energy, dedication and longtime experience as a songwriter and producer will take Brandon to another level. Brandon has the goods–his writing, production and playing are amazing–and this is going to be a big year for him,”
3 Ring Circus Music’s current roster includes Steele, Hood, and Country trio The Shuggah Pies.

ACM's Bob Romeo Comments On Justin Moore's ACM Nomination

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Justin Moore

Justin Moore


As previously reported, the Academy of Country Music and Country fans have narrowed down the nominees for the fan-voted New Artist of the Year to three finalists: Justin Moore, Kip Moore and Brett Eldredge.
To clarify Valory Music Co. artist Justin Moore’s inclusion as a New Artist of the Year finalist, the ACM offers additional information regarding the selection process in this category.
ACM’s New Artist of the Year criteria includes, “Any solo artist that has sold 500,000 copies of a previously released album… according to Nielsen Soundscan, are not eligible for this category.” While Eldredge and Kip Moore qualify under this criteria, Justin Moore has sold more than 500,000 units of each of his first two albums, 2009’s Justin Moore, and 2011’s Outlaws Like Me.
According to the ACM’s CEO Bob Romeo, the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors (which consists of 70 seasoned Country music industry professionals) discussed the stipulation with regard to Moore, and determined that including him as an eligible artist in the New Artist category would be more in the spirit of the New Artist of the Year Award, than excluding him would have been.

“The Academy of Country Music Board of Directors – which I have been a part of for 25+ years – has a long history of supporting new country music acts,” Bob Romeo says. “The Board finds that being in step with trends and acknowledging the country music landscape has improved our process and guaranteed the best candidates over the years. This decision is in line with our criteria, and the Board’s right to be flexible in our efforts to be inclusive vs. exclusive of a young artist who has had budding success. We have to remember that Justin is a new face to mainstream music fans, media, and the like. He has earned this nomination and we congratulate him and all ACM Award nominees, and look forward to celebrating their work at the Awards in April.”

The Academy of Country Music general criteria states, “The criteria and voting procedures are set forth by the ACM Board of Directors in accordance with the bylaws, and may be amended from time to time as the Board deems appropriate in the best interest of Country music. Any disputes shall be resolved by the Chairman of the Board in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.”

Sony/ATV Re-Signs With BMI

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SonyATV_logoSony/ATV Music Publishing has re-signed with BMI to allow its catalog to be licensed under the performing rights organization’s blanket license. Last week, Universal Music Publishing also re-upped with BMI.
Publishers including UMPG, BMG Chrysalis, Sony/ATV and Sony/ATV’s administered EMI Music Publishing, previously withdrew digital rights from BMI and ASCAP, so the publishers could negotiate directly with digital music services in hopes of receiving a higher market rate.
But courts ruled against partial rights withdrawal from the PROs; for example, taking away digital rights but leaving other rights.
bmi-logo1111featuredIn a statement, BMI and Sony/ATV said their new agreement provides stability to the music publishing copyright marketplace while affording an opportunity for BMI and music publishers to seek regulatory and legislative change to protect the value of copyright for songwriters, composers and music publishers alike.
“Sony/ATV is proud to renew our relationship with BMI, which will continue to license the world’s largest and most relevant music catalog to the hundreds of thousands of businesses that rely on music to drive their profits,” said Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier. “In the current digital environment, it is critical that we reform the current system which does not fairly compensate songwriters and composers. BMI is an important player in this fight.”
“We appreciate the vote of confidence from Sony/ATV and the faith our writers and composers place in us every day as their trusted broker,” said BMI CEO Michael O’Neill in a statement. “It is our privilege to represent the incredible writers and musical works in the Sony/ATV repertoire. We are dedicated to the mission to fairly value the rights of publishers and songwriters in today’s market.”