Kobalt Music Publishing Inks New Deal with Shane McAnally

Shane McAnally

Shane McAnally

Kobalt Music Publishing has welcomed ACM Songwriter of the Year 2014 Shane McAnally back to its fold in a new worldwide admin and creative services deal.

Covering all new works from July 2014, the deal also finds Kobalt retaining works from 2009-2012, which have been with the company from the start through an earlier admin deal). Additionally, the agreement covers all works from McAnally’s publishing company SMACKSongs, which represents writers including Jo Eldridge, Matt McGinn, and Matthew Ramsey.

McAnally said of the deal: “Kobalt’s model is one that is often imitated, but has yet to be perfected by anyone else. The combination of their incredible creative team along with the accuracy and reach of their collection methods, make them an undeniable perfect partner for me and the Smack family. We are all very excited to be working together again!”

Kobalt Senior VP, Creative (Nashville) Whitney Daane added: “The opportunity to work with Shane McAnally again, as well as to partner with the team at SMACKSongs, is fantastic. We started this journey with Shane in 2009, and to be a part of the profound impact he has had on contemporary country music and help him continue to expand his career as both a writer and producer is thrilling. His talent and passion for music are inspirational.”

Chase Bryant Renews Publishing Deal

Pictured: Alex Orbison (President, Still Working Music) and Chase Bryant.

Pictured: Alex Orbison (President, Still Working Music) and Chase Bryant.

BMG Chrysalis and Still Working Music have renewed their publishing agreement with Red Bow artist Chase Bryant.

Bryant was the late Barbara Orbison‘s final signing to Still Working Music.

“Three years ago, my mom Barbara famously refused to allow a teenage Texan who had just moved to Nashville to leave her office without him signing with Still Working,” says Alex Orbison, President of Still Working Music. “I can tell you that it was a beyond special and sweet moment to sit down last week with Chase Bryant and put pen to extending that deal both re-affirming my late mother’s vision and recognizing the immense talent she saw and that I have had the honor to witness and nourish. Still Working is a special place and our Chase Bryant is one HUGE reason for that—rock on my friend!”

“I am incredibly impressed by Chase’s talent, not just as an artist and musician but as a songwriter. Chase is a true triple threat, we are fortunate to be on his team and excited to continue our work with our friends at Still Working” says Kos Weaver, EVP of BMG Chrysalis Nashville.

Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Matt Nolen, Ryan Lafferty, Derrick Southerland, and Skip Black are also signed to the Still Working Music roster. Still Working Music is a partner with BMG Chrysalis on all current writers.

Industry Ink: ASCAP, Sony Music Nashville, CRS, Gilda’s Club Nashville

Dave Berg

Dave Berg

ASCAP songwriter, producer and artist Dave Berg will participate in the ASCAP Songwriter Residency, in partnership with America Scores. The Residency is a mentorship program that provides a platform for songwriters to engage and inspire elementary and middle school students in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Berg will co-write a song with 16 America SCORES Portland 3rd through 5th grade students at Davis Elementary School on Jan. 26-27. Berg will take students through the songwriting process, from structure to lyrics, followed by a day of tracking at Kung Fu Bakery Recording Studio on Jan. 28. The finished song will be included on a special compilation album made up of songs created from this year’s six ASCAP Songwriter Residencies throughout the US. ASCAP produces and distributes this collection to each of the America SCORES schools involved with the program, as well as to music industry influencers.

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Pherson Scott McDaniel

Pherson Scott McDaniel

MusicRowLife: Congratulations to Sony Music Nashville VP Creative Services Scott McDaniel and his wife Kristy on the arrival of their fifth child and first boy, Pherson Scott McDaniel, born in Nashville on Christmas Day, weighing in at 7 lbs, 9 oz.

Pherson is a Scottish name which translates as “Parson” and is the name given to those who have a desire to inspire others to a higher cause.

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Ashley Silver

Ashley Silver

Ashley Silver has been added as Marketing Coordinator for Country Radio Seminar, providing support for its Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships department.

Silver previously held manager positions with Edgehill Cafe and California-based Pacific Event Productions. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism, and interned with Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, as well as with the San Diego Padres.

Silver can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-327-4487.

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gilda's club nashville11Gilda’s Club Nashville is offering a half-marathon training, titled Gilda’s Gang, with Franklin, Tenn.-based CareCore/MedSolutions serving as the presenting sponsor. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Gilda’s Gang,which helps prepare participants to run or walk the Country Music Half-Marathon. The 2015 season begins Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. with a celebration and health fair at Gilda’s Club (1707 Division Street).

To join the Gang, participants pledge to raise a minimum of $750, with all monies going directly to support the free programs at Gilda’s Club Nashville.

 

BMG Chrysalis Signs Andrew DeRoberts

BMG Chrysalis has signed songwriter/producer Andrew DeRoberts to its roster.

Based in Nashville, DeRoberts has worked on records by artists including OneRepublic, Keith Urban, Miley Cyrus, Kris Allen, and has had songs recorded by Canaan Smith and Thompson Square. DeRoberts co-produced Adam Hambrick‘s Wheels Or Wings EP, which reached the Top 10 on the iTunes Country Albums chart.

Andrew Signing Pic1

Pictured (back row, L-R): Emily Peacock (AAM), Leslie DiPiero (AAM), Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis). (front row, L-R): Beka Tischker (AAM), Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Andrew DeRoberts, Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis),  Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis)

BMG Chrysalis Extends Term with Jeff Stevens

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): From Left To Right: Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis, Senior Creative Director); Jeff Stevens; Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis, Creative Director); Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis, Executive Vice President)


BMG Chrysalis recently announced it has extended its publishing agreement with multi-hit songwriter and producer Jeff Stevens.
Stevens has secured numerous No. 1 singles as a songwriter during the course of his career, which includes producing UMG superstar Luke Bryan and writing his “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.”
Additional hits include George Strait‘s “Carrying Your Love With Me”, “True,” “Carried Away,” and Tim McGraw‘s “Back When.”

Coburn Sells Portion of Ten Ten Music To Nettwerk

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Jewel Coburn, co-founder and co-owner of Ten Ten Music, has sold her half of the independent publishing company to Nettwerk.
Over the last 30 years, Ten Ten has boasted more than a dozen No. 1 singles and Top 20 hits and album cuts. Coburn will shift her focus into Eleven Eleven Music, which she co-founded in 2011 with publishing veteran Jason Morris.
“I was a writer and an artist from an early age,” says Coburn. “So I always felt an affinity with writers and artists. I feel my talent has been to recognize great writers and artists and help them realize their dreams. I love nothing more than to hear a great song and get it where it needs to go. Nothing has changed. That is my passion.”
Eleven Eleven have just scored their first Top 10 single with Big & Rich’s “Look At You,” co-written by Shannon Lawson and John Rich. Other writers on the Eleven Eleven roster include Angela Kaset, Charley Stefl, Max T Barnes, Nathan Bell and Wendy Waldman. The company also represents the catalogs of Shannon Lawson and Lauren Lucas.
In a story published last week on MusicRow.com, it was reported that Nettwerk One Music (NW1) has acquired a 50 percent stake in Ten Ten Music and the two companies have formed a publishing joint venture. To read this full story, Click HERE.

Industry Ink: BMI, Warner/Chappell Production Music, CMA, Tim Rushlow

Mercy Lounge’s John Bruton poses with BMI’s Jody Williams, Ugly Kids Club’s Steve Wilson and Aleigh Shields, BMI’s Brooke Ivey and BMI’s Mark Mason before the 8 off 8th Jingle Ball. Photo: Cameron Gray

Mercy Lounge’s John Bruton poses with BMI’s Jody Williams, Ugly Kids Club’s Steve Wilson and Aleigh Shields, BMI’s Brooke Ivey and BMI’s Mark Mason before the 8 off 8th Jingle Ball. Photo: Cameron Gray


Broadcast Music, Inc.’s 8 off 8th Jingle Ball helped ring in the holiday season December 8, 2014, at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge. The Jingle Ball, one of the free, weekly series’ biggest bashes, featured eight up-and-coming bands taking their talent to the stage.

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Warner/Chappell Production Music Christmas Party at SINEMA

Warner/Chappell Production Music Christmas Party at SINEMA

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CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern (center) and CMA Board members Jeff Walker (l) and Michael Martin collect Toys for Tots during the annual CMA member holiday party Thursday night. Photo: Dusty Draper/CMA

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the Country Music industry and fans, the holidays will be a little brighter for children in Middle Tennessee. CMA collected more than 5,000 toys that will be distributed to deserving children by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation this year.

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L-R – Bill Cody (Host), Tim Rushlow,  Dean Warfield (PD) ,Charlie Mattos (Producer) and Jimmy Ritchey (producer/Row Entertainment)

Pictured (L-R): Bill Cody (Host), Tim Rushlow, Dean Warfield (PD), Charlie Mattos (Producer) and Jimmy Ritchey (producer/Row Entertainment)


Tim Rushlow joined Bill Cody recently on Coffee, Country & Cody, to talk about his new project, Tim Rushlow & His Big Band Classic Christmas, and to share a few of his favorite tracks on the album with listeners.

ASCAP CEO LoFrumento Announces Retirement

ASCAP's John LoFrumento

ASCAP’s John LoFrumento


ASCAP’s John LoFrumento has announced that he will retire as CEO of the performing rights organization, effective Jan. 1.
LoFrumento spent 33 years at ASCAP, with 17 of those year in the CEO role. LoFrumento’s career began in accounting, where he worked his way to a vice president and controller role at American Express prior to joining ASCAP as a controller in 1981. He worked his way through organization’s ranks, becoming CEO in 1997.
“When I became CEO in 1997, we set a course aimed at transforming ASCAP into a new kind of organization that would be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century, and I am so proud of what we have achieved,” LoFrumento said in a statement to staff. “Through a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in all areas of our operation, ASCAP has become the world’s most sophisticated and efficient music rights organization, home to more than 520,000 of the world’s greatest music creators. And I am able to retire with tremendous confidence in ASCAP’s future, knowing that the Board’s search for a new CEO is well underway.”
ASCAP is home to many of music’s top songwriters and artists, including Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Brandy Clark, and Jennifer Nettles.
“I started out as an accountant and I never imagined I would end up in a career that brought me the absolute joy of helping to serve and protect the world’s greatest songwriters – many of whom have become great friends,” LoFrumento summed in the memo. “It has been an incredible journey — not always easy, but endlessly exciting and fulfilling.”
LoFrumento’s successor will be named shortly.

Jordan Rager Signs Deal with Ole, Blue Chrome Key Publishing

Pictured, seat (L-R): Jordan Rager and Producer Jeremy Stover. (Standing, L-R): Peter Hartung, Co-Manager of Jordan Rager, and John Ozier, ole General Manager of Creative Nashville. Not pictured: Barry Williams, Co-Manager of Jordan Rager.

Pictured, seat (L-R): Jordan Rager and producer Jeremy Stover. (Standing, L-R): Peter Hartung, co-manager of Jordan Rager, and John Ozier, ole General Manager of Creative Nashville. Not pictured: Barry Williams, co-manager of Jordan Rager.

ole and Blue Chrome Key Publishing have inked a deal that gives ole worldwide administration rights to singer/songwriter Jordan Rager.

After appearing on The Voice at the age of 17, he has toured with Justin Moore and played shows with Kip Moore, Casey James, Love & Theft, Gretchen Wilson, Bo Bice, and David Allen Coe. Rager recently signed a record deal with Broken Bow Records and is currently recording his debut album with producer Jeremy Stover, a fellow ole songwriter.

“Jordan is only 20 years old, but he’s already accomplished more than many musicians do in an entire lifetime,” said John Ozier, General Manager of Creative at ole. “From his upcoming album with Jeremy, to his touring success, to his original appearance on The Voice, Jordan’s certainly off to a great start. We’re happy he chose to work with us at ole and are excited to help him reach new heights with his music.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to get some truly amazing opportunities in my career, and working with ole – Blue Chrome Key is yet another big step forward for me musically,” said Rager. “I’ve had a blast working with their staff, especially Jeremy, and we’ve only just gotten started. I’m excited for the road ahead.”

Former Canadian Mechanical Society Employees Steal $1M

CMRRACMRRA, Toronto, Canada-based mechanical society has reported the former Vice President of Finance and Administration and former Executive Assistant employees undermined the electronic banking facility to steal approximately $1 million from the collective. The recently discovered incidents were said to take place until October 2013.
President, Caroline Rioux and Chair, Board of Directors, Gary Furniss issued a statement December 10, in a letter on the society’s website. An insurance policy has helped recover the full amount and revised processes are now said to be in place with the institution. Legal action will be ongoing.
Founded in 1975, the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. is a music licensing collective responsible for distributing mechanical and broadcast royalties to publishers from licensees certified by the Copyright Board of Canada.