Tag Archive for: In Charge

Page Kelley Joins Milom Joyce Horsnell Crow

Page Kelley

Milom Joyce Horsnell Crow PLC has welcomed attorney D. Page Kelley III to the firm. Kelley, a veteran music business attorney most recently with Baker & Kelley, brings his individual and corporate music clients to MJHC’s established entertainment, intellectual property, media and technology practice. He has joined Mike Milom, Robin Mitchell Joyce, Chris Horsnell, David Crow and Natalya Rose in the 3310 West End Avenue office.

Kelley, Milom, Joyce and Horsnell enjoyed a previous association when, in 1994, Kelley left his in-house counsel position with Arista Records/New York and joined Wyatt, Tarrant & Comb’s Entertainment and Intellectual Property Group in Nashville.

In 1997, Kelley accepted an in-house position with Arista Records/Nashville, moving to Word Entertainment as Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs in 2000 and returning to private practice in 2002.

Milom, Joyce, Horsnell and Crow launched MJHC in October 2007 after six years at Bass Berry and Sims. With the addition of Kelley, MJHC expands its nearly 40 years of consecutive experience.

Overton Named Chairman of Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville Chief Executive Officer Gary Overton has been given the additional title of Chairman, officially becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Music Nashville. Overton joined the company in May as CEO.

The title of Chairman was previously held by longtime Sony Nashville leader Joe Galante.

Based in Nashville, Overton reports directly to Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Music Entertainment.

Sony Music Nashville is comprised of four country label operations—RCA, Columbia, BNA and Arista Nashville—and leading Christian music company Provident Music Group. Sony Music Nashville is a division of Sony Music Entertainment and is home to superstars including Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Brooks & Dunn.

Foster Moves To Management?

It remains unconfirmed, but MusicRow’s Crystal Ball sees a flashing red light signaling that Fletcher Foster is leaving label land to join a management team with a couple of well-known clients. More information is expected in the near future.

Foster has also just been announced as a co-producer of Fox’s new American Country Awards.

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CMA Board Visits Fontanel

Pictured left to right: CMA Board members David Ross, Publisher, Music Row Publications; Tony Conway, President, Conway Entertainment Group LLC; Ron Sakamoto, President, Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.; Jeff Walker, President, the Aristomedia Group; and Storme Warren, Host "Headline Country" and President, Surfing Moose Productions.

Dale Morris, President of Morris Management Group and Co-Owner of Fontanel, (L) and CMA Chairman of the Board Steve Moore (R).

The CMA Board of Directors were invited to experience Fontanel, the former home of four-time CMA Award winner Barbara Mandrell, by current co-owners Dale Morris and Marc Oswald.

A reception was held on Wednesday, July 21, during which the Board toured the mansion and learned about the latest developments of Nashville’s newest entertainment complex.

Pictured left to right: CMA Board member Victor Sansone; CMA Board President and Gaylord Entertainment Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment Steve Buchanan; CMA Board member and Morris Management Group Executive Vice President Clint Higham; and Morris Management Group President and Co-Owner of Fontanel, Dale Morris.

Syncs Help Sony/ATV Fight Slump

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville Pres./CEO Troy Tomlinson

This week’s announcement that Treehouse Records was being folded into Stroudavarious Records was the latest in a string of label changes which also included the shuttering of Lyric Street and Golden Music. In the changing environment, publishers like Sony/ATV are turning efforts to alternative income streams.

It’s not hard to calculate how the drastic drop in album sales is hurting publishers. Sony/ATV Nashville Pres./CEO Troy Tomlinson explains the chain reaction like this: “Fewer labels equals fewer artists which equals fewer albums being made, with fewer cuts and therefore fewer singles.”

In the wake of dwindling singles and sales—traditionally the biggest money makers—Sony/ATV is focusing more efforts on sync licensing as a growing income booster. Tomlinson has been building the then one-man department since he stepped into his current role about five years ago. “Now we have five people in the Nashville office who are responsible for TV, film, and commercials, as well as pitching songs for merchandising opportunities, lyric reprint opportunities, and overall marketing of our songs in more non-traditional ways,” he explains. “We’re fortunate that the Sony/ATV New York and L.A. offices work all day every day with our Nashville office. Once the makers of the film or commercial determine they need a country song to help convey their message, then I have New York or L.A. working immediately with the Nashville team to make our very best pitches for that spot.”

Tomlinson is also keeping an eye out for other burgeoning revenue streams, such as the proliferation of mobile devices. “As more people determine that they want it all in a mobile device, that has to ultimately provide us with opportunities for growth,” he says.

While music outlets and distribution methods are shifting, Tomlinson says the focus remains the same as always. “At the end of the day, we try lots of different things to stimulate revenue, but at the base of all of those, you still have to begin with a great song. You have to trust that the very best songs will be released and move people, which will result in income for the writers and publishers.”

Tomlinson relies on his passion for great music to maintain a positive outlook, but admits the current climate is bleak. “Even with all the things that we’re doing to generate more or new revenue, it won’t in any way in the near future offset what we have lost with regard to physical mechanicals. But, you can either adhere to the notion that the sky is falling, or you can make the very best of what opportunities come your way. We are blessed that we are still in a business that puts out a product that people want. And people want music more than ever, and have easier access to it than ever—although there are still obstacles to work out—I believe that in the long run it will be a positive for publishers and songwriters.”

Pat Finch Representing Big Borassa Music

(L-R): Brett Jones and Pat Finch

Hit songwriter Brett Jones has recruited publishing veteran Pat Finch to represent his catalog and publishing company, Big Borassa. Finch was most recently Senior Vice President/General Manager of S1 Songs in Nashville, where the company’s latest achievements included No. 1’s by Easton Corbin (“Little More Country Than That”), Rascal Flatts (“Unstoppable”), and George Strait (“I Gotta Get To You”).

Big Borassa is home to songwriters Jones, Dallas Davidson, Joanna Smith, and Martin McDaniel. Among Jones’ recent charttoppers are Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll” and Jason Aldean’s “Crazy Town.”

Finch and Jones first worked together on the late ’90s hits “A Little Past Little Rock,” “Better Man, Better Off” and “You Won’t Ever Be Lonely.”

Finch can be reached at patrickfinchmusicpublishing@gmail.com or 615-400-3197.

Bon Jovi, Vector Management Part Ways

Bon Jovi and Vector Management have ended their relationship after five years, according to the New York Post. The report says Jack Rovner was handling management duties for the rockers who were signed to the powerhouse roster.

Jon Bon Jovi tells the Post: “The boring truth is we decided to go in different directions and thanked both Jack and his team for a great job. He is and will remain a close friend and someone who I will be very grateful to for his dedication.”

A spokeswoman for Vector Management sent this statement: “Jack and everyone at Vector are very proud of the work they did [with Bon Jovi] together over the last five years, including their first Grammy awards, first No. 1 chart debuts globally, and even a No. 1 on the country charts. Vector continues to represent the nation’s top-selling acts, including Kings of Leon, Kid Rock, Dierks Bentley and many others.”

Dan Bowen Exits CMA

It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that CMA VP of Strategic Marketing & Communications, Dan Bowen, has exited the Country Music Association, as a result of his position being eliminated.

According to his CMA public phone message, Bowen can now be reached at DanBowenDB@gmail.com or 615-440-6346.

Lifenotes: Ella Tomlinson, Mother of Troy Tomlinson

Condolences to Sony/ATV President/CEO Troy Tomlinson and his family on the passing of his mother, Ella Tomlinson, on May 30.

The devoted wife and mother was born in Sumner County, TN and retired from Eaton Corp. in Gallatin in 1984.

She is survived by four sons, James (Faye) Wright of Gallatin; Bobby (Polly) Wright of Gallatin; Troy (Sylvia) Tomlinson of Portland; and Tim (Vanessa) Tomlinson of Portland; daughter, Mary Watson of Jackson, TN; ten grandchildren; several great grandchildren; sisters and brothers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Tomlinson.

Funeral services for Mrs. Tomlinson will be held at 1 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 1) at Wilkinson & Wiseman Funeral Home in Portland, TN, followed by interment in Old Brush Cemetery. Visitation will precede from 10 a.m. until the funeral at 1 p.m. Wilkinson & Wiseman Funeral Home can be reached at (615) 325-4191.

Alison Krauss Joins Borman Entertainment

Gary Borman officially announced this morning that 26-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss has signed with Borman Entertainment for management. “Alison’s timeless talent defies stereotype or any ordinary definition,” says Borman. “It is truly a privilege to represent such a gifted artist.”

Previous manager Denise Stiff (DS Management) and Krauss amicably parted ways last February after a relationship that lasted almost 23 years with a mutual statement that said, “We have the utmost respect and love for one another.”

Krauss was first signed to Rounder Records at age 14. Over her nearly three-decade career she has earned multiple CMA, GMA, ACM and IBMA Awards and is the most decorated female artist in Grammy history. Krauss and band Union Station are currently recording a new album.

Borman Entertainment, formed in 1976, has offices in Los Angeles and Nashville. The Music City division is headed by industry veteran John Grady. In addition to Krauss, the firm represents Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Michael Franti.

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MusicRow’s Humble Scribe first tipped the new Borman/Krauss pairing on April 14 saying, “The Scribe’s crystal ball is percolating like a Starbucks on steroids. Alison Krauss…soon to affiliate with a respected management company with Nashville and Los Angeles offices.”