(l-r): Jim Beavers, Dierks Bentley and Brett Beavers. Photo: Ed Rode

ASCAP Nashville’s Marc Driskill welcomed a crowd to celebrate Dierks Bentley’s No. 1 hit “5-1-5-0″ yesterday (8/30) at the newly expanded Tin Roof on Demonbreun in Nashville. “5-1-5-0,” which the singer co-wrote with Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers, marks Bentley’s 10th No. 1, all of which were co-written by Bentley with one or both of the brothers.

BMI’s Clay Bradley noted the brothers have accumulated 16 No. 1s between the two—seven for Jim, nine for Brett—as he presented No. 1 cups to the writers.

Capitol Records Nashville Sr. VP of Promotion Steve Hodges encouraged the writers for 10 more hits before presenting them with the infamous Capitol Records impaler awards. Other Capitol staffers, Shane Allen, Tom Becci, and Cindy Mabe were called to the stage to present a special 10th No. 1 plaque to Bentley.

Producers Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten received special plaques from ASCAP and Daniel Lee of BMG Chrysalis reminisced about Bentley’s last No. 1, “Home.”

“Jim is a character,” teased presenter Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, referring to the memorably funny hits like “5-1-5-0” and “Red Solo Cup.”

“Ten years ago, Brett introduced me to Dierks at Pie Wagon,” recalled Jim Beavers. “Dierks changed my life, and my family’s life. But something to remember, is this song is the most hyphenated song title since ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E.’”

“Today I reminisced, driving up 4th and 5th Ave downtown,” said Bentley after thanking his manager and publicist Mary Hilliard Harrington of the Greenroom. “My experience in Nashville has been like songwriting. I didn’t come to this town with a hook, but have collected certain lines that meant something. And when you put each song together, they tell a story of my career.”

Dierks delivered special plaques to individuals who contributed to the success of the single, including label staff and the writer and production team.

Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox presented a financial contribution on behalf of each writer towards the Dierks Foundation’s Miles and Music for Kids. Brandi Simms offered the writers CMA Medallions to which the writers accepted with a collective cheer of ooh’s and awe’s. Bill Mayne presented the CRB No. 1 awards.

Lance Carpenter stopped by the ASCAP offices last week to celebrate his recently inked publishing agreement with Songs of Bigger Picture. In recent years ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel has worked with the songwriter to help him develop his craft.

Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Songs of Bigger Picture's Jason Campbell, Lance Carpenter, and Songs of Bigger Picture's Jeff Carlton and Nicholas Garvin

• • • •

Republic Nashville Promotion Coordinator Kathleen Drosey is relocating to Louisville, KY with her fiance, and has accepted a new position with Church Hill Downs.

“We are both Wilkes-Barre, PA natives, so I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Kathleen for many years,” says Republic Nashville President/BMLG EVP Jimmy Harnen. “She was here in the Ape den from day one and while we’ll certainly miss her, we are excited as she enters the next wonderful chapter of her life.”

Republic Nashville is currently seeking candidates to fill the position. Resumes can be sent to National Director of Promotion Matthew Hargis here.

• • •

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has opened online registration for its September international panel, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17, 4-6 pm at Cabana Restaurant. Attendance is free for AIMP members and $40 for guests. Visit www.aimp.org to register.

• • •

Music industry veteran April Potter Holleman has launched Creative Vision Entertainment in Hendersonville, TN. The new company specializes in tour booking, artist management, and song publishing. Clients include American Idol finalist Phil Stacey, FFH, The Ball Brothers, John Lemonis, the Browders, and Crosby Lane.

April Potter Holleman has over 16 years experience in the music industry, including time in booking with the Harper Agency and owning her own April Potter Agency. She has also worked in management, consulting, promotion, and publishing. Email her at april@creativevisionentertainment.com or visit www.creativevisionentertainment.com.

• • • •

San Francisco native Lara Johnston has been named the winner of the inaugural Unsigned Only Music Competition, as her song “K.I.S.S.” was chosen out of nearly 7500 entries worldwide. Judges included Cyndi Lauper, St. Vincent, Kenny Rogers, 3 Doors Down, and more. As the winner, Johnston will be mentored by a group of music industry executives for guidance in her career. More information here.

Front row (L-R): Zach Horowitz, Chairman & CEO, UMPG Worldwide; Billy Joel; Lance Freed, President of Rondor Music. Back row (L-R): Michael J. Sammis, EVP Operations and CFO Worldwide, UMPG; Don Ienner, Consultant; Todd Kamelhar, Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman; Lee Eastman, ESQ, Eastman & Eastman; David Kokakis, SVP/Head of Business Affairs/Business Development, UMPG.

Music icon Billy Joel has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing administration agreement with Rondor Music and Universal Music Publishing Group Worldwide (UMPG), it was announced today (8/30) by Lance Freed, President of Rondor, and Zach Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of UMPG Worldwide. The agreement encompasses Joel’s entire catalog of music.

Since scoring his first success in the early 1970s, Joel’s albums have gone on to sell over 150 million copies globally, including over 75 million in the U.S. Standards written solely by Joel include “Just the Way You Are,”  “Only the Good Die Young,” “Movin’ Out,” “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” “She’s Always a Woman,” “My Life,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Tell Her About It,” “Uptown Girl,” “The Longest Time,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” to name just a few.

In the United States and Canada, where his publishing has been self administered, the new deal with Rondor will start Oct. 1. Outside those territories, the Rondor/UMPG arrangement will begin Jan. 1, 2013 when his current administration deal expires.

His catalog was previously self-administered in the U.S. and he has not been with a publishing company in the U.S. since the 1980’s. Under the new agreement he is exploring synch licensing opportunities for the first time.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Billy Joel has chosen to bring his songs to Rondor and UMPG,” said Horowitz. “There are few songwriters in the history of music that have created a catalog of such hits, depth and quality. With Rondor’s distinctive focus and care, and UMPG’s global scale, administrative infrastructure and network of worldwide sync specialists, we are uniquely positioned to maximize the extraordinary opportunities that exist for Billy’s music.”

“Publishing is a cornerstone of the music business, one of the reasons songs live and thrive around the world years after they’ve been written or recorded,” explained Joel. “Rondor and Universal Music Publishing Group understand the complexities of music publishing in general and the nuances of my catalog in particular. The successful ongoing administration of my songs is in good hands under the stewardship of Rondor and UMPG.”

“Billy’s catalog is one of the greatest in contemporary music,” added Freed. “His songs are melodic and memorable, and he writes conversationally in universal themes that are timeless and borderless. Billy’s music is as important to his era as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin’s were to theirs. It’s truly an extraordinary privilege to welcome Billy to Rondor.”