Copyright Society Of The South Elects New Board Members

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csos11The Copyright Society of the South has elected a new Board of Directors for the 2014 term, as well as officers. The Board is comprised of music publishers, attorneys, administrators and performing rights representatives. Janice Jackson (Travellers Hollow Music LLC), will begin her eighth year tenure as Administrative Director. Richard Frank, Jr. has been named a Lifetime Honorary Director of the Copyright Society of the South.
The new CSOS Board of Directors for 2014:
Officers
Chairman of the Board – John Barker, ClearBox Rights
Vice Chairman – Jill Napier, Music Services, Inc.
Secretary – Kele Currier, ASCAP
Treasurer – Denise Stevens, Loeb & Loeb
Board Members
Karl Braun, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Amy Cranford, Amy Cranford Consulting
Wendi Crosby, Major Bob Music
Ted Goldthorpe, Sony/ATV Music
Misha Hunke, BMI
John Rolfe, Rolfe Entertainment Law
Lifetime Honorary Director
Richard Frank, Jr.

DisClaimer: Superstar In The Making?

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Chris Young

Chris Young


Happy New Year. For the first time in history, I believe, the first “DisClaimer” column of the year actually includes a song that references that moment in time. It is a marvelously written number called “December Thirty One” that earns its writer and singer, Levi Lowrey, a big ol’ DisCovery Award. It is also a free download. Get it.
There no question at all who has the Disc of the Day this week. That honor goes to Chris Young. Now, will somebody please tell me when this format is going to make him the bazillion-selling mega-superstar he deserves to be?
WINK KEZIAH/When I Get Paid
Writer: Wink Keziah; Producers: Wink Keziah/Dale Meyer; Publisher: Nuagatone, ASCAP; Great South (track)
-The lead-off track of Cowbilly, this Texan’s fourth CD, is a toe-tapping trucker’s blue-collar lament. He not only has the coolest name, but he is SO beyond backwoods country that it’s frightening.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Bottoms Up
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brett James/Justin Weaver; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Indiana Angel/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion/Music of the Corn, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
-Okay, it’s the same old lyric — the pick-up truck, the girl in the blue jean cut-offs, the radio turned up, the keg of beer blah, blah, blah. The differences are that this guy has a truly gripping, husky, charismatic singing voice and the tuneful production really rocks. Bro-country dressed up with a little more class than usual.
COLBY DEE/Missed The Exit
Writers: Colby Dee/Jake Etheridge/Lena Stein; Producers: Daniel Dennis/Colby Dee; Publisher: none listed; CD (track)
-She’s tired of playing nice: “I was gonna take the high road, but I missed the exit.” The lyric is better than the monotonic melody, and the rock production style does nothing for me.
CHRIS YOUNG/Who I Am With You
Writers: Marv Green/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly/Made for This/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
-This guy is arguably our finest young Country vocalist. This powerful love song gives him plenty of room to emote. I remain an enormous fan. Play this now.
levi lowrey

Levi Lowrey


LEVI LOWREY/December Thirty One
Writers: Levi Lowrey/Travis Hill; Producers: Matt Mangano/Clay Cook; Publishers: Southern Ground/Abbot’s Creek/Scrambler, BMI/ASCAP; Southern Ground
-Lowery is the co-writer behind the Zac Brown Band hits “Colder Weather” and “The Wind.” In advance of his album’s release, you can get a free download of this song at his website. It’s an evocative ode to romantic optimism sung in an engaging folkie tenor. The production is somewhat busy, but there’s real promise here.
RAY BENSON/A Little Place
Writer: Ray Benson; Producers: Lloyd Maines/Sam Lightnin’ Siefert/Ray Benson; Publisher: Asleep at the Wheel, BMI; Bismeaux (track)
-Ray Benson’s solo outing is quite a departure from the western-swing music he makes as the leader of Asleep at the Wheel. This title tune, for instance, is a tender ballad that is downright philosophical. A gentle and supremely listenable revelation.
MARK MCKINNEY/Lonely Bones
Writer: Mark McKinney; Producer: Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; CTK Entertainment
-It is well written, but the arrangement plods like a crippled mule.
CHUCK WICKS/Us Again
Writers: Chuck Wicks/Andy Dodd/Tiffany Vartanyan; Producers: Chuck Wicks/Andy Dodd/Ilya Toshinsky; Publishers: WB/CEW/Shady Hill/Seven Peaks/Dodd/Not Your Average Girl/Silva Tone, ASCAP; Blaster
-Wicks rose to fame with 2007’s “Stealing Cinderella.” This comeback single has wistful verses that softly yearn to recapture romance, alternated with quasi-shouted choruses that are just a little too loud. Even so, the thing has polish, panache and professionalism overall.
BRANDON RHYDER/That’s Just Me
Writer: Brandon Rhyder; Producers: Matt Powell/Brandon Rhyder; Publisher: Dogwood Hill, BMI; BR (track)
-The title tune to this fellow’s CD is relaxed and jaunty in praise of the simple things in life. It’s pretty basic, but every now and then, less can be more.
RICK BABB/Startin’ From Scratch
Writers: Rick Babb/J.M. Taylor; Producer: Milo Deering; Publisher: Royal T (no performance rights listed); Old Hat (track)
-The songwriting is fairly simplistic and his voice isn’t particularly distinguished, but the instrumentation surrounding him is an audio wonderland of echoey, ringing guitars and chiming steel.

iHeartRadio Country Festival Debuts In March

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iHeartCountryFestival2014Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced today (Jan. 8) the first-ever iHeartRadio Country Festival. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen and Dan + Shay are on the line up for the event at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center on Sat., March 29. Nationally-syndicated Country music personality Bobby Bones will host.
“The response to our country performers at the last three iHeartRadio Music Festivals was so incredible we decided to create an entire show just for them,” said John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises. “It will be a country fan’s dream and a testament to the power of country music and recognition of the stature of these artists.”
Clear Channel will launch a six weeklong nationwide promotion Mon., Jan. 13, giving fans the opportunity to win a trip to Austin for the festival. The promotion will run across more than 120 Clear Channel Country radio stations as well as on iHeartRadio. Tickets go on sale to the general public Jan. 18 at 12 p.m. EST.
“Country music is experiencing an unprecedented explosion of popularity with music fans across America, and there’s no better way to celebrate that than by building on the incredible success of our annual 2-day iHeartRadio Music Festival and creating the biggest dedicated multiplatform event ever featuring the biggest stars in Country music,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “The core of our business is the bond our local stations have with our listeners and an important part of that is to give them extraordinary events no one else can provide.”
The iHeartRadio Country Festival will stream live on Clear Channel’s Country music radio stations in the local markets and on iHeartRadio.com. More artists will be announced soon.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 markets through 840 owned radio stations.

Curb Restructures Top Tier

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dennis hannon

Dennis Hannon


The Curb Group announced a restructuring of top management this afternoon. Dennis Hannon will assume the title Executive Vice President of Strategic Development for Curb Records. With Hannon transitioning from his previous role as General Manager, Jim Ed Norman, CEO of The Curb Group, will expand his role to include the oversight of Curb Records, Sidewalk Records, The Curb Family Foundation, Curb Racing, and Curb Publishing.
Additionally, Taylor Childress, Vice President of Curb Records and Sidewalk Records, will become Vice President of The Curb Group, working alongside Norman.
According to Hannon, “These are challenging times for our industry, and the need for strategic planning and alliances has never been greater. Curb Records has a 50-year history of innovation and success. We have an incredible team of hard working, dedicated and talented artists and employees at Curb. I look forward with great enthusiasm, to the new opportunities ahead.”
jim ed norman

Jim Ed Norman


Chairman Mike Curb stated, “I am extremely proud and appreciative of all that Dennis has accomplished for this company over the last quarter century. There is no question our company would not be where it is today, if not for his abilities and tireless dedication. I couldn’t think of a more perfect person to tackle the strategic development of Curb Records and help grow our business in new and exciting ways.”
Added Norman, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working closely with Mike for many years. Through music, philanthropy, education and racing, the many contributions Curb has made to Nashville are innumerable and Mike’s continued leadership in the areas of social justice and human rights has been a constant inspiration. It’s an honor to be working with Curb in such a comprehensive and inclusive way. Finding synergies in these areas will be a challenging but exciting opportunity.”

Industry Ink (1/7/14)

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sara evans

Sara Evans


ACM Lifting Lives®’ January “My Cause” web feature will spotlight RCA Nashville recording artist Sara Evans and the charity organization, Alabama Forever. The web feature drives awareness of artist-supported charitable organizations and supports fundraising efforts for those philanthropies. Evans is scheduled to release her seventh studio album Slow Me Down on March 4, 2014.
“My Cause” allows ACM Lifting Lives to tangibly demonstrate the Academy’s support of country music artists.  Over the past two years, ACM Lifting Lives has donated more than $190,000 to artists’ favorite charities through this program, and will again make a donation in addition to driving fan awareness.
This month, “My Cause: Alabama Forever” highlights an organization that was founded in response to the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that ravaged the state of Alabama. The organization’s core purpose is to help Alabama communities in need by offering viable resolutions to maintain the best possible life for the citizens of Alabama for generations to come.
To donate, visit alabamaforever.org.

YouTube video

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CRS2014-LogoMonday, Jan. 13 is the deadline to purchase $499 regular rate registrations for Country Radio Seminar 2014. The on-site rate will take effect on Jan. 14, increasing registrations to $599 per person.
The CRS 2014 agenda includes more than 20 educational panels and industry-leading speakers, including “Cracking the Code: Using Data to Discover the Hits,” “Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, Beats: It’s Their Country, Too,” “Marketing On A Shoestring Budget,” “Would You Like Sales Prospects to Call You?” and more. In addition, the 2013 CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Little Big Town, will present a panel about perseverance in the Country music industry and featured musicians from the new award-winning documentary Muscle Schoals will present a panel discussing the impact that Muscle Shoals has had on the music industry.
For more information, visit countryradioseminar.com.

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Jana Kramer

Jana Kramer


The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. (CVC) is accepting entries for its seventh annual Music City Songwriting Competition until Feb. 15. Elektra Nashville recording artist, actress and songwriter Jana Kramer is serving as the honorary ambassador of the competition and will offer a mentoring session to the winner among other prizes.
The competition is open to amateur songwriters only and will accept entries now through Feb. 15, 2014. Submission forms with completed entries can be mailed to Music City Songwriting Competition, P.O. Box 190633, Nashville, TN 37219 USA or submitted online. Submission fee for the first song is $30 USD. Each additional song is $20 USD. For more information and to enter a song, visit visitmusiccity.com.

Young Fans Love Underwood Most

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carrie underwood1Carrie Underwood is the most popular artist among 12-to-24-year-olds who like Country music, as well as the most popular Country artist among everyone in that age group. This news comes as part of a study called “Understanding Country Radio’s Next Generation of Listeners,” conducted by Edison Research.
The survey’s complete findings will be unveiled at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville during sessions on Feb. 19 and 20.
Respondents who like Country music had favorable impressions of Underwood (82%), Tim McGraw (80%), Blake Shelton (77%), and Luke Bryan (75%).
Among all survey participants, the top artists they associate with Country music are Underwood (48%), Kelly Clarkson (44%), Taylor Swift (43%) and McGraw (40%).

Craig Morgan To Take 'The Journey Tour' In February

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craig morgan

Craig Morgan. Photo credit: Bill Konway


Craig Morgan announced the first leg of his 2014 tour, VA Mortgage Leader Presents Craig Morgan The Journey Tour. The first date of the 20+ show tour launches Jan. 21 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The tour currently runs through April, and additional dates will be added soon.
Joining Morgan for select dates on the tour is special guest Chad Warrix, who will open the shows. Warrix is one of the founding members of the duo Halfway to Hazard.
VA MORTGAGE LEADER PRESENTS CRAIG MORGAN THE JOURNEY TOUR 2014
*Feb. 7 Jacksonville, Fla.–Mavericks
*Feb. 8 Bradenton, Fla.–Joyland Nightclub IV
Feb. 13 Mobile, Ala.–Saenger Theater
*Feb. 14 Terrell, Texas–Silver Saloon
*Feb. 15 Ledbetter, Texas–Chicken Ranch Dance Hall
*Feb. 28 Minneapolis–Mill City Nights
*March 6 Sioux Falls, S.D.–The District
March 8 Vernal, Utah–Western Park
March 15 Sayreville, N.Y.–Starland Ballroom
March 16 Meadville, Pa.–Allegheny College
*March 20 Columbus–Live at the Bluestone
*March 21 Indianapolis–8 Seconds Saloon
*March 22 Ft. Wayne, Ind.–Rusty Spur
*April 3 Spokane, Wash.–Knitting Factory
*April 4 Boise, Id.–Knitting Factory
*April 5 Reno, N.V.–Knitting Factory
*April 8 San Diego–House of Blues
*April 10 Hollywood, Calif.–House of Blues
*April 11 Anaheim, Calif.–House of Blues
*indicates dates with special guest Chad Warrix

Lady Antebellum Inks New Management Deal

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daniel miller headshot11

Daniel Miller


Lady Antebellum has signed a new management deal with Red Light Management, after ending a management relationship with Borman Entertainment. Red Light’s Coran Capshaw has brought in Fusion Music’s Daniel Miller, who has had a long working history with Lady Antebellum, to be part of day-to-day management for the trio, MusicRow confirms.
In 2000, Miller joined the Nashville staff of Borman Entertainment. Over the next 13 years at Borman, Miller rose to VP of Artist Management, seeing Lady Antebellum from signing to selling more than 10 million albums worldwide. In 2013, Miller launched Fusion Music, an artist management and development company, with publicist Regina Stuve. Fusion Music’s artists include David Nail, Amber Carrington, Native Run and Holly Williams. Miller will continue to oversee Fusion Music.
Red Light Management’s Nashville roster also includes Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore, The Band Perry, Natalie Stovall, and others.

Kennedy Signs With MP Music House

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Pictured (standing, L-R): Dan Marshall and Tom Petrone. Seated (L-R): John Kennedy and Derek Crownover.

Pictured (standing, L-R): Dan Marshall and Tom Petrone. Seated (L-R): John Kennedy and Derek Crownover.


Songwriter John Kennedy has signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with MP Music House. Kennedy, a Mississippi native, co-wrote Leann Rimes‘ Top 5 hit from 2008, “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way.” Other artists who have recorded Kennedy’s songs include Faith Hill, Billy Ray Cyrus, Josh Gracin, Jack Ingram and others.
MP Music House is owned by professional hockey scout, Danny Marshall (of the Bobby Orr Group), and New York-based songwriter, Tom Petrone. The publishing company has a current Nashville catalog of over 300 songs and is adding Kennedy’s new songs to its repertoire. Scott Paschall and Matt Lindsey will be working MP Music House’s catalog.

Nashvillians Up For Best Original Song Oscar

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the hummons

The Hummons


A song written by Marcus Hummon, son Levi Hummon and Andrew Dorff is in the running for an Academy Award. “Make It Love” from the film Two: The Story of Roman & Nyro is on the list of 75 potential final nominees for Best Original Song. The final ballot will be revealed Jan. 16.
The film is about megahit songwriter Desmond Child, his partner Curtis Shaw, and the birth of their twins via surrogate. “Make It Love,” performed by The Hummons, will soon be available via HitShop Records and Child’s Deston Entertainment.
Several songs with Nashville ties are on the long list, but unfortunately songwriters names aren’t given. Among the contenders:
• “Sweeter Than Fiction” from One Chance, performed and written by Taylor Swift with fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff
• “Last Mile Home” from August: Osage County, written and performed by Kings of Leon
• “Forgiveness” from Brave Miss World, performed by Natalie Maines and Ben Harper, written by Linor Abargil
This list includes artist names but not songwriters.