(L-R): Randy Thornton, CEO, Non-Stop Music; Randy Wachtler, 615 Music Pres./CEO; and Brian Roberts, Sr. VP/CFO Warner/Chappell Music.
Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. and parent company of Non-Stop Music, today (12/10) announced the acquisition of 615 Music, a Nashville-based production music company. In addition, 615 Music’s President and CEO, Randy Wachtler, will take on the role of EVP, North America, for Warner/Chappell’s production music business.
The agreement establishes Warner/Chappell’s first Nashville production music operation and expands their presence in the sector of the music publishing business. As part of the agreement, 615 Music’s team of producers and composers will continue to create library content that will be owned, exclusively marketed and distributed by Warner/Chappell.
In making the announcement, Brian Roberts, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Warner/Chappell Music said, “We are delighted to welcome 615 Music founder Randy Wachtler to our management team and look forward to the addition of the talented 615 Music Nashville group as they bring their unique sound and energy to the Non-Stop Warner/Chappell family.”
Wachtler commented, “I’m extremely excited to join the Warner/Chappell family and work with Brian Roberts and Randy Thornton, as well as Warner/Chappell’s Chairman and CEO, David Johnson. I’ve known Randy Thornton for over 20 years through my work at the Production Music Association and I am thrilled we’ll be working together on the same team.”
Randy Thornton, CEO, Non-Stop Music said, “615 Music is an incredible force in the music production space with a long roster of impressive clients, particularly in the broadcast television promotion and news arena. This is an exciting and wonderful way to walk into the New Year and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
For more than 25 years, 615 Music has worked for network and cable clients and earned countless prestigious awards. The company is one of the world’s leading providers of production music to the entertainment, broadcast, advertising, and corporate industries, and is the recent recipient of an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Original Song” for NBC’s Today Show.
BMI Hires Nada Latto
/by Freeman“Nada is a veteran HR executive with over 20 years of well-rounded leadership experience in a number of broad and progressive HR environments,” says Esworthy. “Her valuable experience, insight and leadership will help us guide the human resource element of BMI to higher levels of achievement.”
Latto was previously employed with the Oreck Corporation, where she was involved with all HR functions. Prior to Oreck, Latto was Sr. VP of HR at Ozburn-Hessey Logistics in Brentwood. She holds a BS in Consumer Services from Middle Tennesse State University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Terra Firma Could Default on EMI Loan
/by Sarah SkatesSources told the New York Post that Terra Firma investors refuse to put any more money into the record label. Earlier this year Hands convinced them to plow $156 million into EMI to keep it from defaulting on the Citigroup loan.
Last month, Hands and Citigroup met in the courtroom, and Hands lost the lawsuit in which he claimed Citi convinced him to overpay for EMI.
Among EMI’s Nashville labels are EMI Christian Music Group and Capitol Records Nashville.
Jim Lauderdale Re-ups With Bug
/by Sarah SkatesBug Music CEO John Rudolph made today’s announcement. “We are thrilled to renew our deal with Jim—a talented writer and dynamic performer who has achieved great success in both country and Americana music—and honored to represent his body of work,” Rudolph said. “Jim’s genre-breaking contributions to music are immeasurable, and we look forward to more successes.”
Among the other songwriters signed to Bug are Kara Dioguardi, Luke Bryan, members of Kings of Leon, Gordie Sampson, and Ryan Adams, as well as songs by Johnny Cash.
Montana’s “1000 Faces” Video; Riversong Signs Hess
/by contributorRandy Montana Stars in “1,000 Faces”
Mercury Nashville artist Randy Montana recently shot a video in downtown Nashville for his upcoming single, “1,000 Faces,” written by Montana and Tom Douglas. The video, directed by Robert Deaton and George Flanigen, utilized over 60 extras to convert the closed city streets into a swarm of bustling pedestrians around Montana and his band. Photo: Alex Ferrari
(L-R): Stephen Hoell, Judd Sulcer, Homeland Ent. Group VP/GM Scott Godsey, and Steve Hess.
Riversong Records Signs Steve Hess and Southern Salvation
Riversong Records (a division of Homeland Entertainment Group) announces the recent signing of Steve Hess and Southern Salvation. The Nashville trio is comprised of baritone vocalist and pianist Steve Hess (nephew of Gospel Music Hall of Famer Jake Hess), lead singer Stephen Hoell and tenor singer Judd Sulcer. Their first project, Straight From The Heart, is set to be released the first week of January 2011.
Davidson Named Hot Country Songwriter of the Year
/by contributor(L-R): EMI’s Hannah Post, Missy Wilson, Josh Van Valkenburg, Dallas Davidson, EMI EVP/GM Ben Vaughn, Laura Wright, and “Big” Tom Luteran.
EMI Music Publishing’s Dallas Davidson will be honored in this year’s Billboard year-end issue as the Hot Country Songwriter of the Year. The award recognizes his nine charted country singles including multiple No. 1 country hits “That’s How Country Boys Roll” (Billy Currington), “Rain Is A Good Thing” (Luke Bryan), “Gimmie That Girl” (Joe Nichols), “All About Tonight” (Blake Shelton), and “All Over Me” (Josh Turner). Davidson also received multiple BMI Awards this year with additional chart-toppers including “Start A Band” (Brad Paisley/Keith Urban), “Put A Girl In It” (Brooks & Dunn), “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (Trace Adkins), and “Barefoot and Crazy” (Jack Ingram).
Davidson recently appeared in the TODAY Show Weekend’s “Secrets of Songwriters” special to talk about the tricks of his craft and was also awarded the CMA Triple Play Award earlier this year for “Rain Is A Good Thing,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll” and “Gimmie That Girl.”
Additionally, Davidson recently celebrated the release of the full-length album, Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector: The Brotherhood Album featuring Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson (Warner Bros.), a collection of songs written by Davidson and Rhett Akins.
Benefits: Toys For Tots, Music City Community Chorus
/by Freeman• • • •
CMA Songwriter Series; CMT Radio Live On Tour
/by contributorBob DiPiero, Brett James, Little Big Town and Lori McKenna headlined the most recent CMA Songwriters Series, held in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC on December 4. This was the second CMA-produced songwriters event held at the Library in 2010, with plans in the works for another one in Spring 2011. (L-R): DiPiero; Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild; James; McKenna; Library of Congress’ Chief of the Music Division Sue Vita; Pres./CEO The Smith-Free Group and CMA Ex-Officio Board Member Jim Free; Library of Congress’ Head of Acquisitions and Processing Section Denise Gallo, Ph.D; Special Asst. to the Librarian of Congress Suzanne Hogan; and Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: Mitchell Layton
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CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan was in Decatur, Ill Wednesday night (12/8) as part of the CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan on Tour. The city won the opportunity to host this free concert with the “Bring CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan to Your City” competition on Eventful. Alan and affiliate, WDZQ/95Q-FM in Decatur, were broadcasting live and hosted a concert featuring Justin Moore along with Thompson Square and Brett Eldredge at the Lincoln Square Theater. (L-R) back: Westwood One’s Sue Falco; WDZQ’s Tricia LeVeck; VP Radio MTV Music Group Lori Megown; Eldredge; WDZQ’s Rhiannon; CMT’s Sr. Dir. Music Programming & Promotion Stephen Linn; Thompson Square’s Shawna Thompson; and WDZQ’s Toby Tucker. Front: Moore; Alan; WDZQ’s Kimmy K; and Thompson Square’s Keifer Thompson. Photo: Dingo O’Brien
Paisley Plans New Album, Offers Free Download
/by FreemanFans visiting the site will also have the opportunity to pre-order This Is Country Music, which will grant access to exclusive content before the album’s release. The digital single for “This Is Country Music” will be available for purchase at digital retailers and thisiscountrymusic.com on December 21.
Warner/Chappell Acquires 615 Music
/by Michelle(L-R): Randy Thornton, CEO, Non-Stop Music; Randy Wachtler, 615 Music Pres./CEO; and Brian Roberts, Sr. VP/CFO Warner/Chappell Music.
Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp. and parent company of Non-Stop Music, today (12/10) announced the acquisition of 615 Music, a Nashville-based production music company. In addition, 615 Music’s President and CEO, Randy Wachtler, will take on the role of EVP, North America, for Warner/Chappell’s production music business.
The agreement establishes Warner/Chappell’s first Nashville production music operation and expands their presence in the sector of the music publishing business. As part of the agreement, 615 Music’s team of producers and composers will continue to create library content that will be owned, exclusively marketed and distributed by Warner/Chappell.
In making the announcement, Brian Roberts, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Warner/Chappell Music said, “We are delighted to welcome 615 Music founder Randy Wachtler to our management team and look forward to the addition of the talented 615 Music Nashville group as they bring their unique sound and energy to the Non-Stop Warner/Chappell family.”
Wachtler commented, “I’m extremely excited to join the Warner/Chappell family and work with Brian Roberts and Randy Thornton, as well as Warner/Chappell’s Chairman and CEO, David Johnson. I’ve known Randy Thornton for over 20 years through my work at the Production Music Association and I am thrilled we’ll be working together on the same team.”
Randy Thornton, CEO, Non-Stop Music said, “615 Music is an incredible force in the music production space with a long roster of impressive clients, particularly in the broadcast television promotion and news arena. This is an exciting and wonderful way to walk into the New Year and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
For more than 25 years, 615 Music has worked for network and cable clients and earned countless prestigious awards. The company is one of the world’s leading providers of production music to the entertainment, broadcast, advertising, and corporate industries, and is the recent recipient of an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Original Song” for NBC’s Today Show.
Lynn Honored with Van Lear Rose
/by contributorOverton and Lynn
A new rose has been named in honor of country legend Loretta Lynn. The “Loretta Lynn Van Lear,” named after the Grammy-winning album Van Lear Rose, will be delivered to Lynn’s ranch in the spring of 2011 and will be available for purchase by the fall of 2011.
“Roses have always been so special to me—I’ve loved them since I was a girl,” said Loretta. “So to have a rose named after one of my albums … well, I’m not sure I quite have the words for that! I’m just very, very honored. I can’t wait to have those Van Lear roses blooming in my yard!” she added.
The rose is classified as a floribunda, an ever-blooming hybrid with a deep apricot color. The plant will grow to roughly two feet, making it an ideal size for gardens and large containers.
Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton presented Lynn with the rose in celebration of her 50-year career and the recent release of Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. The album, released on November 9th, features artists Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Kid Rock and Paramore, among others, covering Lynn’s beloved songs.
The Loretta Lynn Van Lear
2010 was an exciting year for Lynn. She was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in January, recognizing her legacy and considerable career achievements. The Coal Miner’s Daughter album was one of 25 sound recordings chosen for preservation within the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, noting its cultural, historic and aesthetic significance. In October, the Recording Academy presented Lynn with the President’s Merit Award, honoring her contributions to country music. 2010 also marked the 50th anniversary of Lynn’s chart debut in 1960.