Combustion Re-ups Hit Christian Songwriter with Atlas

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Pictured (L-R): John C. Beiter (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt, & Hayes), Matthew West, Combustion Music's Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn.

Pictured (L-R): John C. Beiter (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt, & Hayes), Matthew West, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn.

Matthew West has inked a four-year worldwide publishing deal with Combustion Music and Atlas Music Publishing.

“Matthew has been with Combustion since 2008, and continues to write and create incredible music in the Christian and country genres, that moves the needle…both in sales and how it touches peoples lives,” said Chris Farren, Combustion Music owner/President. “All of us at Combustion could not be happier to be continuing this successful relationship.”

West is a five-time Grammy nominee, was named Billboard’s top Christian music songwriter of 2013, and was recently awarded his first American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist. West also earned his ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year award in 2014, propelled by the major success of his single, “Hello My Name Is,” which spent a record-setting 17 weeks at the top of the Christian music charts, and named ASCAP’s 2014 Christian Music Song of the Year. West’s total career album sales are well over 1 million sold. He has had more than 12 No. 1  songs, including “The Motions,” and “Forgiveness.” West has also had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Michael W. Smith, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns, and many others.

An artist himself, West has released five studio albums. The title track of his 2011 holiday album inspired a television movie and his own debut acting role. His 2010 album, The Story of Your Life, landed at No. 3 on the Christian album chart in its debut week and spawned a book penned with noted author Angela Thomas, as well as a church curriculum DVD series.

Dan Hodges Music Adds To Roster

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Pictured (L-R): (front row) attorney Chip Petree, Jason Duke, Dan Hodges, (back row) ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin

ASCAP songwriter Jason Duke has signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with Dan Hodges Music LLC (DHM). DHM will also provide copyright administration for Duke’s back catalog of songs.

Duke co-wrote the song “Dibs” for Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album. He is a graduate of the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters Project (GPS), which pairs promising unsigned songwriters with publishers for the purpose of career development.

“We are so impressed with the creativity Jason brings to each write. He works hard and brings out the best in his co-writers, and it is evident in each composition,” commented Hodges.

DHM published the 2008 ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year, “Good Directions,” written by Rachel Thibodeau and recorded by Billy Currington, as well as recent titles recorded by ASCAP songwriter-artists The Swon Brothers, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire and Ballerini.

Industry Ink: ABC Radio, Warner/Chappell, BMI, Buddy Lee Attractions

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ABC-News-RadioABC Radio’s Kelly Gets New Address

ABC Radio producer Hunter Kelly has a new address, moving from his Music Cir. E. offices. His new address is: 514 Madison St., Nashville, TN, 37208. Phone and email remain the same: 615-482-5952; [email protected].

 

Warner/Chappell Adds SESAC Writer to Roster

SESAC affiliate Luke Sheets has signed with Warner/Chappell Music for publishing representation. Sheets often works with Warner Bros. recording artist Ryan Kinder. Recently, Sheets gathered with his SESAC representatives as well as executives from Warner/Chappell to visit and celebrate the new arrangement.

Pictured (L-R) Back: Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, SESAC’s John Mullins, Warner/Chappell’s Phil May, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Warner/Chappell’s Matt Michiels.Front row, (left to right): Warner/Chappell’s Travis Carter, Sheets and Warner/Chappell’s Blain Rhodes.

Pictured (L-R) Back: Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, SESAC’s John Mullins, Warner/Chappell’s Phil May, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Warner/Chappell’s Matt Michiels. Front row, (L-R): Warner/Chappell’s Travis Carter, Sheets and Warner/Chappell’s Blain Rhodes.

BMI Foundation Launches Scholarship Programs for 2015

BMI logoThe BMI Foundation has officially launched the following 2015 scholarship programs for young musicians attending colleges and universities nationwide.

1. BMI Student Composer Awards ($20,000 in prizes–under the age of 28–deadline was February 6)
2. peermusic Latin Scholarship ($5,000–age 16 to 24–due by Feb. 13)
3. John Lennon Scholarships (three $20,000 prizes–age 17 to 24–due by Feb. 27)
4. Woody Guthrie Fellowship ($5,000 in scholarly research–deadline was Feb. 2)

For the first time, applications may be completed entirely online.

 

Buddy Lee Attractions Adds Singletary

Daryle Singletary

Daryle Singletary

Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. (BLA) has announced the addition of recording artist Daryle Singletary to its lineup.

Singletary’s signing follows other newly signed acts in recent months including agreements with Jesse Kinch, Pete Rose and Brooke Hogan for exclusive booking representation.

Round Hill Music Plans Joint Venture

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round hill music1Round Hill Music has entered into a joint venture with Eric Krasno’s Feel Music Group. The joint venture will include a record label, Feel Music Records / Round Hill Records, as well as a publishing company. The two parties will merge resources in order to provide artist development, marketing, PR, promotion, synch licensing, and publishing administration.

The joint venture will use Sony/RED for record distribution.

Feel Music’s creator Krasno, is a founding member of the band Soulive and a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and guitarist (Derek Trucks Band “Already Free” and Tedeschi Trucks Band “Revelator”).

“I’m very excited to launch Feel Music Group with Round Hill as a partner. We’ve assembled a stellar team, and have some amazing releases planned over the next year. The London Souls are our first signing. As I’ve been a huge fan of the band for a long time, I think it’s a perfect way to kick things off,” Krasno says.
 

Industry Ink: BMLG, Larry Henley, Demolition Music Publishing, IEBA

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Republic Nashville and Big Machine Label Group Celebrate Grammys

Artists and executives at Republic Nashville and Big Machine Label Group celebrated after the Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta and Republic Records Founder/CEO Monte Lipman. Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta and Republic Records Founder/CEO Monte Lipman. Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry. Photo: Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry. Photo: Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Celebration of Life Service Set for Larry Henley

LarryHenleySlider

Larry Henley

A Celebration of Life service has been set for singer-songwriter Larry Henley, who died Dec. 18, 2014 at the age of 77. His compositions included “Wing Beneath My Wings,” “‘Til I Get It Right,” “He’s a Heartache,” “Is It Still Over,” “Lizzie and the Rainman,” and “Bread and Butter.”

The service will be held Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the first floor lobby of BMI (located at 10 Music Sq. E.). Those wishing to honor Henley can make donations to Alive Hospice, located at 1718 Patterson Street in Nashville.

 

Demolition Music Publishing Adds To Writer Roster

Demolition Music Publishing has signed Michael August, a New Jersey native who has made Nashville his home for the past two years.

Demolition’s President, Jon D’Agostino says the young company was proud to add Michael to their roster of writers because “Michael is that talented singer-songwriter who brings his ‘A’ game and ‘A+’ attitude to every writing session with the goal to write a hit and get it cut!”

DMP President Jon D'Agostino, DMP current DMP writers Adam Searan and Jason Eustice, welcome Michael August for to the songwriting team.

DMP President Jon D’Agostino, and DMP writers Adam Searan and Jason Eustice, welcome Michael August to the songwriting team.

 

IEBA To Offer Summer Scholarships 

International Entertainment Buyers Association has announced it will continue its Summer Internship Scholarship program and will award $15,000 in scholarships to 10 students interning in the entertainment business this summer. Each student will receive an individual scholarship of $1,500. Applications are available now at www.ieba.org. The application deadline is April 3, 2015.

In 2014, 10 summer scholarships were distributed to students at eight universities interning in eight states across the country. Internships included Hangout Fest, AC Entertainment, ROAR, Live Nation Clubs and Theaters, Rodeo Fame, and Progressive Global Agency.

Pictured (L-R)L Zach Swon of The Swon Brothers, Sinita Tatum (IEBA Student Member and 2014 MTSU graduate now employed with Neste Event Marketing), Kelly Feild (Belmont Student and 2014 IEBA Scholarship Recipient), and Colton Swon of The Swon Brothers.

Pictured (L-R): Zach Swon of The Swon Brothers, Sinita Tatum (IEBA Student Member and 2014 MTSU graduate now employed with Neste Event Marketing), Kelly Feild (Belmont Student and 2014 IEBA Scholarship Recipient), and Colton Swon of The Swon Brothers.

Warner/Chappell, Out Of The Taperoom Add To Writer Roster

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Hunter Phelps

Hunter Phelps

Warner/Chappell Music and Ashley Gorley’s Out Of The Taperoom Music have signed a worldwide publishing deal with songwriter Hunter Phelps. Phelps has shared the stage with major acts including Blake Shelton, Gary Allan, and Jason Aldean.

Regarding the announcement, Gorley said, “Hunter is a an amazing singer and his instincts as a songwriter are special. We are working on music with Hunter that is going to continue to build his fan base.”

Nashville Music Moguls Make ‘Billboard’ Power 100 List

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PIctured (clockwise, L-R): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O'Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Pictured (clockwise, from top left): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O’Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Billboard recently released its 2015 Power 100 Index, and some of Nashville’s power players are included alongside other top industry moguls.

Topping the list is Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, who led the charge in breaking four new artists in 2014, including Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sam Smith,and Ariana Grande, each selling more than 1 million albums and track equivalents in the United States in 2014. UMG also distributed the year’s best seller, Taylor Swift‘s 1989.

At No. 2 is Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino. Live Nation claimed 22 of 2014’s top 25 tours. Rapino helps guide some 20,000 employees in 100 offices around the world.

Rounding out the Top 10 are: Azoff MSG Entertainment’s Irving Azoff (No. 3), Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Martin Bandier (No. 4), Apple’s Jimmy Iovine (No. 5), Red Light Management owner/founder Coran Capshaw (No. 6), Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris (No. 7), iHeartMedia Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman (No. 8), Creative Artist Agency’s Rob Light (No. 9), with Apple’s Eddy Cue and iTunes’ Robert Kondrk at No. 10.

Several power players with strong Nashville ties also made the rankings, including:

No. 23: Big Machine Label Group Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta
No. 33:  Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan
No. 37: Live Nation president of country music touring Brian O’Connell
No. 66: Warner Music Nashville president/CEO John Esposito
No. 74: The Messina Group president Louis Messina
No. 76: Maverick partner Clarence Spalding
No. 93: Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham

NSAI Honors Songwriters, Chart-Topping Hits

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Pictured (L-R): NSAI Board Legislative Chair Brett James, Lynn Anderson, Bart Herbison, Casey Anderson, NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller

Pictured (L-R): NSAI Board Legislative Chair Brett James, Lynn Anderson, Bart Herbison, Casey Anderson, NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller

The Nashville Songwriters Association International presented No. 1 plaques to several songwriters whose compositions reached the top of the charts between August and November 2014. The No. 1 party, sponsored by Bill Lynch and Lynch Wealth Management of Raymond James, was held Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 at Music Mill, NSAI’s Music Row headquarters.

Additionally the Stephen Foster award was presented to Liz and Casey Anderson, two of NSAI’s founding members. Casey accepted for both himself and his late wife. Lynn Anderson, entertainer and daughter of the recipients, performed a medley of her parents’ songs, including “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers” and “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive.”

Kneeling: NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller. Seated: Luke Laird, Troy Verges, Michael Carter, Cole Taylor, Rob Hatch, Ben Glover, Bart Millard, Mark Irwin, David Garcia, Andrew Dorff, Brett James. Standing: Wade Kirby, Barry Dean, Rhett Akins, Phil O’Donnell, Marc Beeson, Matt Dragstrem, Zach Crowell, Bernie Herms, Dallas Davidson

Kneeling: NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller. Seated: Luke Laird, Troy Verges, Michael Carter, Cole Taylor, Rob Hatch, Ben Glover, Bart Millard, Mark Irwin, David Garcia, Andrew Dorff, Brett James. Standing: Wade Kirby, Barry Dean, Rhett Akins, Phil O’Donnell, Marc Beeson, Matt Dragstrem, Zach Crowell, Bernie Herms, Dallas Davidson

Songs Recognized (August – November 2014)

“Burnin’ It Down,” Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, recorded by Jason Aldean
“We Are Tonight,” Marc Beeson, Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, recorded by Billy Currington
“I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice, Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch, recorded by Lee Brice
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish,recorded by MeghanTrainor
“Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins, recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Hope In Front Of Me,” Danny Gokey, Bernie Herms, Brett James, recorded by Danny Gokey
“Bartender,” Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Rodney Clawson, recorded by Lady Antebellum
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift, recorded by Taylor Swift
“Greater,” Ben Glover, David Garcia, Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Michael John Scheuchzer, Robby Shaffer, Barry Graul, recorded by MercyMe
“Where It’s At (Yep, Yep),” Cary Barlowe, Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins, recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” Cole Swindell, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Michael Carter, recorded by Cole Swindell
“Roller Coaster,” Michael Carter, Cole Swindell, recorded by Luke Bryan
“Tonight Looks Good On You,” Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley, recorded by Jason Aldean
“Fix My Eyes,” Luke Smallbone, Joel Smallbone, Seth Mosley, recorded by for KING & COUNTRY
“Sippin’ On Fire,” Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, Cole Taylor, recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Out Of The Woods,” Taylor Swift, recorded by Taylor Swift
“Gotta Get Away,” Patrick Carney, Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton, recorded by The Black Keys
“Leave The Night On,” Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, recorded by Sam Hunt
“Neon Light,” Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, recorded by Blake Shelton
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift, recorded by Taylor Swift
“Sunshine & Whiskey,” Luke Laird, Jaren Johnston, recorded by Frankie Ballard
“Day Drinking,” Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Barry Dean, Troy Verges, recorded by Little Big Town

Warner/Chappell Production Features Frampton In Artist Series

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hummingbird in a box peter framptonWarner/Chappell Production Music, Warner Music Group’s production music arm, has launched a new Artist Series with its first offering, Peter Frampton’s Hummingbird in a Box.

The series will highlight recording artist offerings available for license, with work from artists spanning a variety of music formats.

“We are thrilled to launch our new Artist Series collection with talented artist and good friend, Peter Frampton. Hummingbird in a Box is a work of art that will translate easily to film, television and new media licensing,” said Warner/Chappell Production Music President & CEO, Randy Wachtler.

“I’ve known Randy Wachtler as a good friend for many years. I am looking forward to working with Warner/Chappell Production Music, Randy and his worldwide team on this project,” Frampton said.

Hummingbird in a Box is exclusively available for licensing through Warner/Chappell Production Music.

Black River Publishing Adds Catalog Manager

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kelly bolton

Kelly Bolton

Black River Entertainment’s Vice President of Publishing Celia Froehlig has announced the hiring of Kelly Bolton as Catalog Manager for Black River Publishing.

“Kelly’s passion for songs and love of songwriters make her a perfect fit for BRE,” Froehlig said.

Bolton previously worked with TKO Artist Management and oversaw artist social media, brand marketing, as well as brand promotion on the road with Toby Keith’s Shut Up and Hold On Tour.

Kelly joins Black River Publishing’s Creative Director Dave Pacula in reporting to Froehlig and has already started in this position.

Kelly can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 615-780-3070.