The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Songwriters of North America (SONA), and SESAC today announced they have agreed to work together to support the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The broad coalition demonstrates an unprecedented commitment by the industry to support songwriters and music publishers, who will benefit from the bill’s ultimate passage, resulting in the most comprehensive reform to the music copyright business in generations.

The bill creates a single mechanical licensing entity which will establish an open, transparent copyright ownership database that will be overseen by music publishers and songwriters and paid for by digital services.

At the encouragement of Senators deeply involved in the legislation and recognizing the importance of the MMA for the future of the music industry, the parties have endorsed a provision under consideration by the Senate to amend the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s (MLC) administration of voluntary licenses outside the scope of the Section 115 compulsory license in order to ensure private vendors can continue to participate in the music market, maintaining competition which is beneficial to songwriters and producers.

All parties have enthusiastically agreed and respectfully request the Senate pass the MMA.

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite: “We are thrilled that we have mutually agreed on a path forward. We are stronger when our music family speaks with one voice and this agreement will allow us to come together to work towards the passage of the MMA. Songwriters need and deserve this bill. We thank the Senators involved for their leadership and guidance.”

SESAC Chairman & CEO John Josephson: “SESAC has been fighting for songwriters since 1931 and continues to do so with its enthusiastic support of the MMA. At the encouragement of Senators closely involved in this legislation, all parties came together to agree on outstanding items related to the MMA including the reform of the Section 115 compulsory license and other important related matters. We share a collective responsibility to help ensure that the MMA benefits all stakeholders in the industry and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.”

NSAI: “Reaching consensus within the music industry, on what may be the most important songwriter legislation in history, is a win for American songwriters and the broader music community. We are pleased to have put our differences behind us and support this bill in unanimous harmony. The Nashville Songwriters Association International has been a friend and fan of SESAC’s for decades and that is how our relationship will immediately resume.”

Songwriters of North America Executive Directors Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley: “We are pleased to have come together with our partners SESAC, the NMPA, SONA and NSAI to move forward as a unified music community to support the successful passage and implementation of the much-needed Music Modernization Act. SONA would personally like to thank our partners, the NSAI and songwriter Ross Golan for their efforts and support in mobilizing the songwriter and artist community nationwide.”

The Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow noted of the development, “Music industry unity got the Music Modernization Act through the House and it will take that unity to get it through the Senate. The Academy is gratified that the music industry worked through its differences and can work together to pass MMA into law.”

ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews offered the following statement: “After working so hard for so long to update our music licensing laws, we must keep working together to keep the Music Modernization Act moving forward. All parties have had to give and take in order to achieve this consensus legislation that has so far seen widespread, bipartisan support and would help update music licensing laws to improve the future for music creators. We hope the Senate will pass it without delay.”

AIMP also released the following statement: “The AIMP applauds the NMPA and SESAC for coming to the table to move past their issues and confirming their unconditional support of the MMA. We hope that this clears the way for all Senators to embrace the MMA and move this forward.”

Robert K. Oermann

Benefiting Nashville-based non-profit Music Health Alliance, Music Row Storytellers will feature music industry historian and journalist, Robert K. Oermann on Monday, October 29 at the Wellspire Center (907 Gleaves St., Nashville, TN 37203). Valet parking will be provided.

A 6:00 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by a 6:30 p.m. program honoring Oermann. The evening will be filled with laughs and stories from Robert K. and surprise guests who’ve been part of his career.

Tickets are available for purchase here for $75.00 (fees included).

Music Row is lined with stories, but few people have witnessed as many – and have as many to tell – as Robert K. Oermann. Since arriving in Nashville 40 years ago, “Bobby Karl” has documented, chronicled and helped tell countless tales of the people, places and events that give Music City its moniker. He’s a natural and deserved choice as this year’s Music Row Storytellers honoree.

Music Row Storytellers is an event designed to honor people who stand the test of time in telling the stories that make the music industry so fascinating – the journalists, interviewers, reporters, show hosts and others who’ve lived, breathed and witnessed these moments alongside the music-and decision-makers of Music Row.

Robert K. Oermann’s love of music can be traced back to his Pittsburgh childhood, when he clerked in his grandmother’s record store. He moved to Nashville in 1978 for a job with the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.

His freelance writing put his byline into such publications as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire, TV Guide and – in the early 1980s – the pages of an emerging newspaper called USA Today (as its first country-music reporter and critic). A dozen years with the daily Tennessean made him a Music City staple, as he evolved to become the community’s go-to journalistic source, critic, commentator and tastemaker. His entertaining singles reviews – an anchor of MusicRow magazine since its inception in 1981 – have made him a music-industry must-read.

As the author of eight books, the host of the hit podcast Children of Song and a creative force in film and TV documentaries, he has chronicled America’s musical culture for decades, sometimes in collaboration with his wife, Mary A. Bufwack. Liner notes, artist bios and interviews created by Robert K. have breathed life into the careers of innumerable artists, musicians, songwriters and producers. He has served and continues to lend his expertise and perspective to numerous organizations – The Recording Academy, the CMA, the Nashville Public Library, Leadership Music and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame among them. He is also a spokesman for Music City as a convention speaker, a mentor to students and a frequently televised commentator.

Simply put, Robert K. Oermann is a Music Row “Storyteller.”

Bobby Photo

Bobby Bones, host of The Bobby Bones Show, has added VP stripes to his growing list of achievements, as he steps into the role of VP/Creative Director of iHeartCountry.

Bones reaches more than nine million people monthly as host of The Bobby Bones Show and Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, in addition to more than 5 million monthly downloads of his morning show podcast. He will continue as host of both radio programs along with his new role, as well as hosting and executive producing his new radio show Women Of iHeart Country. The Bobby Bones Show is nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks on more than 100 radio stations, in addition to airing on iHeartRadio, and Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones is heard nationwide on more than 160 stations.

In addition, Bones will continue to participate in iHeartMedia’s marquee live events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Awards, as well as host the iHeartCountry Festival and iHeartRadio Album Release parties for artists.

“Country continues to be one of the fastest-growing music formats and Bobby is the leading on air personality connecting with country fans across multiple platforms nationwide,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. “He has created a relatable, fun and engaging brand of entertainment that drives unmatched results for our advertising and partners. We’re proud to be in the country music business with Bobby, and look forward to developing new and exciting ways to reach this expanding community.”

“This is the opportunity I’ve been chasing my entire career,” said Bones. “Thanks to Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler and Kevin Legrett for their years of support and for the space to build this partnership.”

With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 131 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or TV outlet in America.

Pictured (L-R): Jon Loba, EVP, BBR Music Group; Zach Katz, President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG US; Michael Knox, Jess Rosen of Greenberg Traurig; Sara Knabe, VP A&R, BBR Music Group

Music Producer Michael Knox has opened Music Knox Records in conjunction with BMG.

Through the new label imprint, Knox will focus on developing new artists, though no signing announcements have been made as of yet. Knox will also continue in his role as VP for peermusic Nashville.

“I know this sounds cliché, but it’s a dream come true for me,” Knox said. “I’m excited to work with Zach [Katz, President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG U.S.], Jon [Loba, EVP, BBR Music Group] and the entire BMG family. Considering our history together, I couldn’t imagine a better team to work with on this exciting new venture.”

The venture follows the announcement of Knox’s radio show, Knox Country 360.