John Ozier
ole’s Nashville office is thriving under the new
leadership of General Manager
John Ozier. Since taking helm of the operation in May, Ozier has signed several songwriters and added staffers.
“We have a completely new, restructured creative team over here,” he explains. “We have five full-time creative people:
Ben Strain, Emily Mueller, Shellien Kinsey, Gary Ray and myself. Shellien and Gary came over as part of the Better Angels catalog purchase. We have a roster of about 15 writers, so it’s a really good ratio. We’re ready to go to the next level with client service.”
The 2013 Better Angels catalog transaction, which includes almost every song on
Josh Thompson’s current album, is one of the publisher’s many acquisitions in the nine years since its inception. In recent years the company bought the Jody Williams catalog which includes several
Taylor Swift songs. In the last two years ole has grown 150 percent. “ole has invested over $275 million in deals, which is pretty amazing,” continues Ozier. “And we’ve just added $135 million to our capital structure. ole is more committed to Music Row than ever. When I came over
Robert Ott [ole’s Toronto based Chairman and CEO] gave me carte blanche to run things the way we need to be successful. Then I hired Ben and Emily. Now it’s time for us to make everyone aware of what we’re doing here. I don’t think people realize how big our catalog is. We’ve got over 30,000 country songs.”
Tyler Farr
The creative team is combing through that back catalog. That’s how they scored a cut by new Warner Music Nashville artist
Michael Ray. The song was penned in 2008 by
Marty Dodson and
Jimmy Yeary and is part of the Blacktop catalog, which ole now owns.
ole has fingerprints all over the debut album by another rising WMN star,
Charlie Worsham. He is an ole writer who penned most of the project and co-produced it with fellow ole songwriter
Ryan Tyndell.
Since taking office Ozier has signed Sony Music Nashville artist
Tyler Farr as well as writer
Josh Dorr. He plans to finalize agreements with two or three others before the end of the year. Farr has writing credits on eight songs on his debut album and Dorr scored a Casey James cut the first week of his publishing deal. All of these writers call ole home along with
Brett Jones,
Bruce Wallace, Dave Turnbull, Dean Brody, Frank Myers, Gord Bamford, Jeff Copland, Jesse Lee, Lyndi Ortega and
Matt Rogers.
“We’ve got over 30,000 country songs.”
In recent months ole writers have scored cuts by cast members of Duck Dynasty and Florida Georgia Line. The FGL song, “People Back Home,” was written by Tyndell, Brent Anderson and FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard on the ole tour bus. “The bus is a wonderful tool,” continues Ozier. “It lets us put our writers in an intimate setting with the artist, and allows the artist to get off their crowded bus to write. It gives us direct access to the artist. It’s publishing in 2013 and it’s a testament to ole’s vision. Our slogan is majorly indie because we have the funding of a major but the flexibility of an indie. Coming from Curb, I’m really familiar with that. It fits really well with what I do.”
Josh Dorr
Ozier made the move after more than a decade at Curb Records and Curb Publishing. The last two years of his time there were spent as VP of A&R for the label where he placed hits by
Rodney Atkins (“Take A Back Road”) and
Lee Brice (“A Woman Like You,” and “I Drive Your Truck”). The latter of which won CMA Song Of The Year and
MusicRow Song of the Year. Ozier also secured and co-wrote Brice’s smash “Hard To Love.”
It was his first hit as a songwriter and was selected by his peers as one of the “Songs I Wish I’d Written,” an honor presented at the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. “It was very humbling to be on the stage with that caliber of writers,” admits Ozier. “Even to be standing in the room with those people is an honor and to be up there as a peer and a co-writer took my breath away.” His latest cuts are by Farr (“Whiskey In My Water”), Worsham (“Rubberband”) and Thompson. “Since I’ve been at ole I haven’t written a song,” he says. “I want our writers to know I’m here to work for them and I’m not competing for opportunities. I wanted to focus on running the company. The next two years are going to be very exciting.”
The Agency Group's Nashville Office Adds Two
/by Jessica Nicholson“We are thrilled to have Scott and Stu join our team in Nashville,” stated Neil Warnock, Worldwide President of The Agency Group. “As we continue to develop The Agency Group worldwide it is a pleasure to have two such talented agents, Scott and Stu, join us in our Nashville office. We look forward to developing our working businesses with the Nashville community and introducing Scott and Stu’s artists to worldwide territories.”
After years of touring with such acts as the Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic, Galloway left the road to work in the William Morris Agency mailroom in 1996. In 2003 he was awarded New Agent of The Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association. In 2006 he became VP of APA in Nashville. His eclectic roster of artists includes: Asleep At The Wheel, Bill Kreutzmann, Cody Canada and The Departed, Dread Clampitt, Jake Shimabukuro, Sundy Best and The Molly Ringwalds.
Prior to joining The Agency Group, Walker worked as an agent at APA Talent and Literary Agency in Nashville. Walker’s career in the music business began as an assistant at the William Morris Agency. Walker’s clients include Wanda Jackson and Shooter Jennings.
The Agency Group’s Nashville office is located at 209 Tenth Ave. S., Ste. 505.
Artist Updates (11/18/13)
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Jones
Nashville music fans who did not obtain a ticket to the upcoming tribute show to the late George Jones still have an option to see the performance. Today (Nov. 18), during the unveiling of the George Jones monument in Nashville, Nancy Jones announced that fans will be able to watch the concert (which will be held Friday, Nov. 22) outside the Bridgestone Arena.
A jumbotron will play the concert live for Nashville fans; the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. The tribute concert will not be televised.
The family of George Jones has also established a scholarship fund at Middle Tennessee State University. Nancy Jones will make the first donation to the fund, while MTSU Recording Industry Department Chair Beverly Keel will oversee the donation drive for the fund. Donations can be made online at mtsu.edu/give, or via mail at George Jones Scholarship Fund, MTSU, Office of Development, Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Katy Epley, MOC Director of National Expansion and Program Director -Washington DC; Scott Welch, MOC Board Chairman; Kelly Clarkson; Dr. Leslie Faerstein, MOC Executive Director; Dana Sones, MOC Program Director – Nashville; Shane Tarleton, MOC Advisory Board. Photo Credit: Glenn Sweitzer
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Kelly Clarkson helped Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville raise more than $106,000 by performing to a sold-out crowd at Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville for the MOC Nashville sixth anniversary party presented by Citi.
Clarkson performed fan favorites “Since U Been Gone,” “My Life Would Suck Without You,” and “Stronger” as well as songs from her Christmas project, Wrapped In Red. Clarkson also donated her 2012 American Music Awards performance dress to Hard Rock Cafe for display in its world-famous memorabilia collection in exchange for a $9,000 contribution to MOC Nashville.
• • •
Luke Bryan
After Luke Bryan‘s first show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden sold out in five minutes, the singer-songwriter’s second show has now sold out as well. The second show will be held Sept. 12, 2014. Bryan’s 2014 tour, That’s My Kind of Night Tour, will launch Jan. 16 in Columbus, Ohio and will feature Lee Brice and Cole Swindell on the first leg of the tour.
“I can’t thank my fans enough for being so eager to see us play in New York City,” said Luke. “They have made my first time playing Madison Square Garden a two-time experience. I’m trying to let it all sink in but I cannot wait to get there and share my live show with them!”
• • •
Pictured: Chelsea Bain (r.) visits with NASCAR Sprint Cup great Tony Stewart (l.) and his new pet piglet “Pork Chop” in Stewart’s motor coach prior to the final race of the NASCAR season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.
Jobe Recording artist Chelsea Bain performed at the final NASCAR race of the 2013 season at the Homestead-Miami Speedway recently, and met with NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Tony Stewart. Bain has headlined the Coca Cola stage at no less than 40 NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races across the country since February of this year.
She is currently in the studio with producers Stan Lynch and Billy Chapin, working on a project set to release in early 2014.
Duncan Signs With Given Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Given VP/GM Mike Sebastian, Duncan, and Given Entertainment partner Cindy Owen.
Whitney Duncan has signed a publishing deal with Given Music Publishing. Duncan has collaborated with songwriters including Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, Chris Tompkins, and Kara DioGuardi, and her songs have been recorded by numerous artists including Danielle Bradbery.
“Whitney is a proven and professional writer as well as a ‘Survivor,’ and I very much look forward to working with her,” said Given Music’s VP/GM Mike Sebastian. “She is a talented, gifted writer and a wonderful person, and she brings a lot to the Given Music Publishing team.”
She appeared on season 23 of Survivor: South Pacific in 2011, where she lasted 28 days in the jungle of Samoa. She recently cut new sides with producers Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum and Paul Worley, and will be releasing new music in 2014.
Sweet Talk Publicity Hires Publicity Manager
/by Jessica NicholsonElice Cuff
Sweet Talk Publicity has hired Elice Cuff as Publicity Manager. Cuff will report to Sweet Talk Publicity founder/owner Jensen Arrowsmith and can be reached at ecuff@sweettalkpr.com.
The entertainment and music media relations boutique firm represents Frankie Ballard, Florida Georgia Line, Will Hoge, Michaelis, Jake Owen, Corey Smith and Dallas Smith.
Prior to her role at Sweet Talk Publicity, Cuff served as an Associate Producer for the CMT Radio Network. She has also worked with All Access Music Group, Hot Schatz P.R., Noise New Media Group and Capitol Records.
Born and raised in Salisbury, Md., Cuff holds a Bachelor of Arts, Communications; Media Studies and Journalism degree from Virginia Wesleyan College.
December Guitar Pull To Benefit CMHOF
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Janson
Chris Janson, Corey Smith , Katie Armiger, and Brent Cobb will perform at an acoustic guitar pull as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s emerging artist membership program at the Ford Theater stage on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the museum.
Tickets to the show are on sale now at http://countrymusichalloffame.
Since 2011, dozens of artists have joined the museum family through the program. Membership donations support the museum’s mission and museum membership offers many benefits, including unlimited free admission and discounts at the Museum Store, Hatch Show Print and Two Twenty-Two Grill.
Marathon Music Works To Host Four of Texas' Best
/by Lorie HollabaughRandy Rogers Band
Marathon Music Works in Nashville will become red dirt territory Saturday, Feb. 22 when The Randy Rogers Band, Josh Abbott Band, Stoney LaRue, and Wade Bowen all grace the stage of the Clinton Ave. venue.
For nearly a decade the Randy Rogers Band has kept the same band lineup while growing their fanbase across the Southwest and now beyond, and the band recently recorded a new live album and DVD, Homemade Tamales, at the legendary Floore’s Country Store, which are slated to hit stores in early 2014.
The Josh Abbott Band recently premiered the riveting video for “She Will Be Free,” which tackles the often-taboo topic of human sex trafficking. The clip is a stark reminder that sex trafficking is a modern day form of slavery happening not only abroad in third world countries, but also in the United States.
Tickets will go on sale this Friday (Nov. 22) at 10 a.m. for the 18 and over show. $20 in advance, $25 day of show, and are available from Ticketfly.
NoiseTrade Exchanges Downloads For Fan Information
/by Lorie HollabaughIn turn, artists often use the fan information to book concerts in cities and towns across the country that experience the highest download numbers.
The site moves more than 300,000 downloaded albums per month, mostly for indie artists, according to Readwrite.com.
Indie artists mostly populate the site, but acts like Fun. and the Lumineers have put up bonus material, b-sides, and extras from albums on Noisetrade, as well as artists like the Civil Wars, who gave away an intimate live show from Eddie’s Attic in Ga. to fans.
The site is also planning an expansion into ebooks and audiobooks in the coming weeks as well.
For more information, visit noisetrade.com.
Moore, Atkins Among Christmas 4 Kids Benefit Performers
/by Jessica NicholsonChristmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event, are used to give more than 400 children from 29 different schools, a day-long shopping excursion.
The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer’s tour bus, dinner, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hendersonville Expo Center. To wrap up the day, the tour buses journey to the Hendersonville, Tenn., Wal*mart, where the kids receive a brand new winter coat, and $150.00 to spend on anything they want.
For more information, visit ryman.com.
Country Now Introduces "Live From Blackbird"
/by Jessica NicholsonPerformances include Parmalee’s “Carolina,” “Day Drinkin'” and “Already Callin’ You Mine” from the group’s Dec. 10 release Feels Like Carolina. Nichols performed “Sunny and 75” from his album Crickets, along with “Hee Haw,” and “Footlights.” Bradley’s appearance on the program includes the songs “Somethin’ Like Somethin’,” “Name On It,” and “Hurt Awhile.”
James also recently recorded “Light Years,” “Never Walk Away”, “Drive” and “She’s Money” for the show; the most recent taping featured Love and Theft. The duo performed “Amen”, “If You Ever Get Lonely,” “You Didn’t Want Me” and a special Christmas medley. These tapings will air beginning in December.
“Live From Blackbird” is produced and directed by Stokes Nielson. Butch Waugh and Jay Frank serve as strategic advisors for the show.
MusicRow: Exclusive Interview With ole's John Ozier
/by Sarah SkatesJohn Ozier
ole’s Nashville office is thriving under the new leadership of General Manager John Ozier. Since taking helm of the operation in May, Ozier has signed several songwriters and added staffers.
“We have a completely new, restructured creative team over here,” he explains. “We have five full-time creative people: Ben Strain, Emily Mueller, Shellien Kinsey, Gary Ray and myself. Shellien and Gary came over as part of the Better Angels catalog purchase. We have a roster of about 15 writers, so it’s a really good ratio. We’re ready to go to the next level with client service.”
The 2013 Better Angels catalog transaction, which includes almost every song on Josh Thompson’s current album, is one of the publisher’s many acquisitions in the nine years since its inception. In recent years the company bought the Jody Williams catalog which includes several Taylor Swift songs. In the last two years ole has grown 150 percent. “ole has invested over $275 million in deals, which is pretty amazing,” continues Ozier. “And we’ve just added $135 million to our capital structure. ole is more committed to Music Row than ever. When I came over Robert Ott [ole’s Toronto based Chairman and CEO] gave me carte blanche to run things the way we need to be successful. Then I hired Ben and Emily. Now it’s time for us to make everyone aware of what we’re doing here. I don’t think people realize how big our catalog is. We’ve got over 30,000 country songs.”
Tyler Farr
The creative team is combing through that back catalog. That’s how they scored a cut by new Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray. The song was penned in 2008 by Marty Dodson and Jimmy Yeary and is part of the Blacktop catalog, which ole now owns.
ole has fingerprints all over the debut album by another rising WMN star, Charlie Worsham. He is an ole writer who penned most of the project and co-produced it with fellow ole songwriter Ryan Tyndell.
Since taking office Ozier has signed Sony Music Nashville artist Tyler Farr as well as writer Josh Dorr. He plans to finalize agreements with two or three others before the end of the year. Farr has writing credits on eight songs on his debut album and Dorr scored a Casey James cut the first week of his publishing deal. All of these writers call ole home along with Brett Jones, Bruce Wallace, Dave Turnbull, Dean Brody, Frank Myers, Gord Bamford, Jeff Copland, Jesse Lee, Lyndi Ortega and Matt Rogers.
In recent months ole writers have scored cuts by cast members of Duck Dynasty and Florida Georgia Line. The FGL song, “People Back Home,” was written by Tyndell, Brent Anderson and FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard on the ole tour bus. “The bus is a wonderful tool,” continues Ozier. “It lets us put our writers in an intimate setting with the artist, and allows the artist to get off their crowded bus to write. It gives us direct access to the artist. It’s publishing in 2013 and it’s a testament to ole’s vision. Our slogan is majorly indie because we have the funding of a major but the flexibility of an indie. Coming from Curb, I’m really familiar with that. It fits really well with what I do.”
Josh Dorr
Ozier made the move after more than a decade at Curb Records and Curb Publishing. The last two years of his time there were spent as VP of A&R for the label where he placed hits by Rodney Atkins (“Take A Back Road”) and Lee Brice (“A Woman Like You,” and “I Drive Your Truck”). The latter of which won CMA Song Of The Year and MusicRow Song of the Year. Ozier also secured and co-wrote Brice’s smash “Hard To Love.”
It was his first hit as a songwriter and was selected by his peers as one of the “Songs I Wish I’d Written,” an honor presented at the Nashville Songwriters Hall Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. “It was very humbling to be on the stage with that caliber of writers,” admits Ozier. “Even to be standing in the room with those people is an honor and to be up there as a peer and a co-writer took my breath away.” His latest cuts are by Farr (“Whiskey In My Water”), Worsham (“Rubberband”) and Thompson. “Since I’ve been at ole I haven’t written a song,” he says. “I want our writers to know I’m here to work for them and I’m not competing for opportunities. I wanted to focus on running the company. The next two years are going to be very exciting.”