KPI Teams With Shane Barrett

kpi music group logo1Independent music publishing company KPI Music Group recently finalized a strategic partner agreement with Nashville songplugging entrepreneur Shane Barrett. The writer roster at Lexington, Ky.-based KPI Music Group includes Buffy Lawson, Brooklyn James, Eldon Huff, Kwan Wilson and Bo Allen. As acting A&R Director, Allen is involved with the development of new artists, as well as co-managing existing writers.
During Barrett’s A&R tenure at MCA Records-Nashville, he found songs for Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and others.
Some of Barrett’s most recent cuts have been with Luke Bryan, Gretchen Wilson, Jo Dee Messina, and the Little River Band. As Nashville Creative Director at ole Songs, Inc., he pitched/secured cuts by the Eli Young Band, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, and many others.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Shane, and I fully anticipate his talent and reputation will be a distinct complement to the music created by our amazing writers,” says KPI President & CEO Louis Police.

Johnny Cash 'Life' Book and CD Coming Soon

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The life and music of Johnny Cash will continue to be remembered in two new releases. LIFE Unseen: Johnny Cash — An Illustrated Biography will be released on Aug. 13 in honor of the 10th anniversary of the entertainer’s death. The book will include 192 pages of Cash photos from the Sony archives, along with interviews featuring the singer’s family as well as new reminiscences from his children Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash.

A new collection of music will be released via Legacy Records in conjunction with the book. LIFE Unheard: Johnny Cash features solo acoustic recordings made at the House of Cash studio at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn, as well as live concerts taped at the Newport Folk Festival and at the White House. The project will include a previously unreleased studio version of Ben Dewberry’s “Final Run,” along with “Movin’ Up,” recorded for Cash’s 1981 made-for-television special, The Pride of Jesse Hallam.
Cash died on Sept. 12, 2003, from complications from diabetes.

BMI Welcomes Gibson

Nashville songwriter Andy Gibson recently joined the BMI songwriting family. Co-writer of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s hit “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Gibson is currently recording his debut album with producer James Stroud.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Gibson and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Gibson and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard.

SESAC Signs Aiken

SESAC has welcomed artist/songwriter Mike Aiken for representation. Aiken, who is also a licensed United States Coast Guard captain, has released his sixth album, Captains & Cowboys, on Northwind Records.
Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) and Ben Strano (Jack Sundrud/Poco) produced the project. The album features musicians Dan Dugmore on pedal steel; Tammy Rogers on fiddle and mandolin; Michael Webb on accordion, bass and B3; and Michael Grando on drums.
Aiken recently stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters for a visit.

Pictured (L-R): Mike Aiken and SESAC’s Tim Fink.  Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): Mike Aiken and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Craig Morgan Releases Track List, Artwork

Craig-MorganCraig Morgan announced details for his forthcoming Black River Entertainment album, The Journey (Livin’ Hits), during a live Facebook conference last week.

The social media unveiling also allowed fans to participate in a Q&A with Morgan.
Set for release Sept. 3, the Phil O’Donnell co-produced album offers eight of Morgan’s hits and four new tracks, including his latest single, “Wake Up Lovin’ You.”
“I think we’ve put together a really great album with new music that looks ahead to the future as well as some of the fan-favorite songs that speak to who I am at my core and what my fans love in my live shows,” said Morgan.
The new record will be available for pre-order in the coming weeks.
The Journey (Livin’ Hits) Track Listing:
1.  “Wake Up Lovin’ You”* (Josh Osborne, Matt Ramsey, Trevor Rosen)
2.  “We’ll Come Back Around”* (Brandy Clark, Jessie Dillon, Trevor Rosen)
3.  “Party Girl”* (Carson Chamberlain, Wade Kirby,  Jeff Stevens)
4.  “If Not Me”* (Tom Douglas, Lee Miller)
5.  “More Trucks Than Cars” (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Craig Wiseman)
6.  “This Ole Boy” (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip)
7.  “International Harvester” (Shane Minor, Danny Myrick, Jeffery Steele)
8.  “Tough” (Joe Leathers, Monty Criswell)
9.  “Little Bit of Life” (Tony Mullins, Danny Wells)
10. “Redneck Yacht Club” (Thom Shepherd, Steve Williams)
11. “That’s What I Love About Sunday” (Adam Dorsey, Mark Narmore)
12. “Almost Home” (Craig Morgan, Kerry Kurt Phillips)
*new songs

Dierks Bentley And Friends Support Wildfire Victims

Dierks AZ

Dierks Bentley


Dierks Bentley headlined the Country Cares Concert at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Ariz. on July 22. The event raised more than $476,000 for families of the 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shot firefighters who recently perished fighting Arizona wildfires. The Band Perry, Randy Houser, David Nail and country stations KLME and KAFF joined Bentley in his efforts to raise money.
Family members of the 19 victims and the lone surviving firefighter attended the concert, which included a photo tribute to the fallen firefighters during Bentley’s performance of his new song “Here On Earth.” The singer also performed a rendition of “Home” with a bagpipe intro by the Rural Metro Pipe and Drum Corp.
The concert’s proceeds will benefit the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities, which will aid the families of the 19 fallen firefighters. For more information, visit dierks.com

SoundExchange Hires LeVine

SoundExchange has added Barry LeVine as vice president of Industry Relations. LeVine will oversee the organization’s artist and label outreach program, along with driving strategic relationships with other organizations within the music community.
Most recently, LeVine served as global executive vice president of Entertainment Relations at Gibson Brands, where he was responsible for maximizing relationships within the entertainment world and creating awareness of Gibson entertainment and lifestyle products in 19 markets worldwide.
Prior to Gibson, Barry served in senior management roles at ShoutCrowd Media/Fan2Band Inc. and SonyBMG Music Entertainment.
“I’m pleased to announce Barry LeVine will join us as our vice president of Industry Relations. He brings a solid reputation and broad set of industry and artist outreach skills to our team,” said SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe. “Barry’s unique experience will be key in the development of new programs for the 90,000 artist and 28,000 rights owner accounts that we currently serve, as well as creating new connections and opportunities as we move SoundExchange into its next chapter.”

SOURCE Awards Sets Date

sourcelogo40411The 2013 SOURCE Awards will take place Sept. 24 and will honor seven women who have been a vital source in the success of Music Row and the Nashville entertainment industry during this year’s 11th annual event.
The 2013 Honorees are Bebe Evans (Charlie Daniels Band, Inc.), Bonnie Garner (Rothbaum and Garner, Columbia Records, Dick Cavett Show), Gerrie McDowell (Gerrieco, Curb, Capitol and Mercury Records), Debi Fleischer-Robin (Fleischer-Robin Enterprises, Columbia/Sony Records, Crystal Gayle), Paula Szeigis (Charlie Daniels Band, Inc.), Sarah Trahern (Great American Country, TNN, C-Span), plus a posthumous recognition for Donna Hilley (Sony/ATV Publishing).
The celebration will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Historic Municipal Auditorium in Nashville (417 4th Avenue North.) Information on how to purchase tickets to the awards will be released in the coming weeks.
Major sponsors for this year’s event include MAC Presents; Sony/ATV Publishing; Martin, Allbee & Associates, LLC; and Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative.
Founded in 1991, SOURCE is a nonprofit organization supporting women executives and professionals who work in all facets of the Nashville music industry. In 2003, the annual SOURCE Awards were established to pay respect to and honor the women who helped develop and build upon the foundation of the music industry in Nashville. SOURCE also pays tribute to women who presently make major contributions with their work in the industry.

Shooter Jennings Co-Headlines Tour with Reverend Peyton

shooter jennings tour1Shooter Jennings and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will co-headline a string of tour dates throughout the U.S. this fall. The tour will begin in Bloomington, Ind. on Friday, Sept. 27.
Jennings, the self-described “son of a rebel saint,” released his new album, The Other Life, earlier this year. Indiana natives Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band’s work ethic keeps them on the road 250 dates a year. Their latest album, Between The Ditches, released in 2012.
Sept. 27 Bloomington, Ind.—Bluebird Nightclub
Sept. 28 Muncie, Ind.— Muncie Community Civic Center *
Oct. 2 Des Moines, Iowa— TBD*
Oct. 3 Lincoln, Neb.— Bourbon Theatre
Oct. 4 Denver, Colo.— Bluebird Theatre
Oct. 5 Kansas City, Mo.— Knuckleheads
Oct. 9 Little Rock, Ark.— Revolution Music Room
Oct. 10 Birmingham, Ala.— Workplay Theatre
Oct. 11 Atlanta— Masquerade
Oct. 19 Live Oak, Fla.— Magnolia Music Fest *
Oct. 20 Live Oak, Fla.— Magnolia Music Fest **
* Rev. Peyton only
** with Jimbo Mathus & Alvin Youngblood Hart

Warner Bros. Records Adds To Artist Roster

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Cole Swindell


Singer-songwriter Cole Swindell is set to release his debut single, “Chillin’ It,” on Warner Bros. Records on Aug. 19. Independent radio airplay and social media have already contributed 140,000 in sales of the single. Swindell has appeared on select dates on Luke Bryan‘s Dirt Road Diaries Tour. It’s quite the career trajectory for the Georgia native; Swindell started out as Bryan’s merchandise rep.
Swindell filmed a video announcement for his fans, complete with news of his label signing.

YouTube video