Markland To Lead Downtown Music Publishing's Nashville Office

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Steve Markland. Photo: Steve Lowry

Steven Markland. Photo: Steve Lowry


Steven Markland has joined Downtown Music Publishing, where he has been appointed as Vice President of A&R and will establish the company’s first office in Nashville, according to Justin Kalifowitz, Founder/President of Downtown.
In his new role, Markland will sign and develop emerging and established songwriters, acquire catalogs and work closely with Downtown’s creative teams in New York and Los Angeles to create new opportunities for the Company’s writer roster.  He will report to Kalifowitz and Downtown’s Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Bergman.
A 25-year veteran of the music publishing industry, Markland has nurtured some of the most talented songwriters in Nashville including Brett James and Jeffrey Steele, as well as the two-time 2014 Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves.
Prior to joining Downtown, Markland served as Vice President of A&R, Nashville at Warner/Chappell Music, a position he held since 2009. Previously, Markland was tapped to open Windswept Publishing’s Nashville office in 1996. From 1993 to 1996, Markland was Director of Creative Affairs at Patrick Joseph Music. A native of Ohio, Markland began his career in the music industry as an intern at RCA Records while attending Belmont University in Nashville.
“For over two decades, Steve has proven to be a tireless champion of songwriters,” said Kalifowitz.  “As we expand our business to Nashville, home to one of the most vibrant songwriting communities in the world, Andrew and I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome such a passionate and talented executive to our team.”
Katie Armiger, Rich Robinson and Dave Berg are among the writers affiliated with Downtown Music Publishing. The growing company established an office in Los Angeles in 2013. Downtown’s catalog spans over 60,000 titles including the works of such diverse writer/artists as The Beatles, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, The Kinks, Hans Zimmer, Motley Crue, Seal, Ellie Goulding, and Neon Trees.

Chris Stapleton Inks Deal with Warner/Chappell Music

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Chip Petree (Petree Law), Alicia Pruitt (Director, A&R, WCM), Chris Stapleton, Ben Vaughn (EVP, A&R, WCM). (Back row, L-R): Steve Markland (VP, A&R, WCM), Matt Michiels (Production Manager, WCM), Blain Rhodes (Creative Coordinator, A&R, WCM), Phil May (VP & CM, WCM), Kris Wiatr (Wiatr & Associates)

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Chip Petree (Petree Law), Alicia Pruitt (Director, A&R, WCM), Chris Stapleton, Ben Vaughn (EVP, A&R, WCM). (Back row, L-R): Steve Markland (VP, A&R, WCM), Matt Michiels (Production Manager, WCM), Blain Rhodes (Creative Coordinator, A&R, WCM), Phil May (VP & CM, WCM), Kris Wiatr (Wiatr & Associates)


Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with top-charting songwriter and Mercury recording artist Chris Stapleton. Effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will publish Stapleton’s complete songwriting catalog as well as his future work.
“Chris is that rare songwriter who has earned commercial and critical acclaim, along with the widespread admiration of his peers,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “He’s an exceptional storyteller, singer, and musician, who weaves together country, bluegrass, and rock into songs that are genuine and captivating. We’re proud and thrilled to be representing Chris’s entire body of work, and everyone at Warner/Chappell is looking forward to working with him.”
“I’m very happy to be joining the team at Warner/Chappell,” said Stapleton. “The fact that all my material will be together in one house is a huge plus, and I’m excited by their forward-thinking approach to publishing. I have a feeling we’re going to do great things together.”
The Kentucky-born son of a coal miner, Stapleton moved to Nashville in 2001. He has since scored four No. 1 country hits, including “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” by George Strait, “Come Back Song” by Darius Rucker,” “Your Man” by Josh Turner, and five-week chart-topper “Never Wanted Nothing More” by Kenny Chesney. Most recently, he co-wrote Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer.”
Stapleton has racked up over 170 tracks on albums by, Adele, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and many others, while his songwriting partners have included the likes of Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, and Peter Frampton. He has won six ASCAP Awards and has contributed to the soundtracks of several feature films, including Cars 2 and Valentine’s Day.
Stapleton has had a diverse performing career since arriving in Nashville, including stints as the lead singer and guitarist of the acclaimed, three-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, and lead vocalist in the rock band The Jompson Brothers. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his solo country debut for Mercury Records.

Industry Ink (1/31/14)

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Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon


Former WHN assistant program director (and now operations manager of Cumulus Nashville and program director of WSM-FM and WKDF) Charlie Cook, WHN music director (now with Cumulus Media Networks) Pam Green and Ed Salamon will present a panel about WHN radio with Alabama’s Jeff Cook on Monday, Feb. 17 at 6 pm at Two Old Hippies in The Gulch 401 12th Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37203 (across from The Station Inn).
The discussion will be followed by a signing for Salamon’s book WHN: When New York City Went Country.
For more information, visit twooldhippies.com.

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i don't see heaven111Songwriter and author Jennifer Adan has released her debut children’s book, I Don’t See Heaven. After winning a songwriting competition sponsored by Jeffrey Steele, Adan relocated to Nashville and joined NSAI and WCA. She penned Blake Shelton‘s chart-topping single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone.”

I Don’t See Heaven is available for order on amazon.com and can be found in select Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide.

                • • •

 ascap 100 years11ASCAP will present a writer’s round at the Bluebird Cafe on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. The round will feature Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, Deric Ruttan and Leah Turner. Reservations are now available.

Big Loud Shirt Industries Signs Matt Dragstrem

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Matt Dragstrem-1111

Matt Dragstrem


Big Loud Shirt Industries has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Matt Dragstrem. A graduate from Belmont University, Dragstrem recently had his song, “Typical,” recorded by Amy Stroup, featured on the ABC drama Pretty Little Liars.  He has also had songs used on the Game Show Network and penned pop artist Tiffany Houghton’s single “High.”
“I’ve known Matt since my freshman year of college in Greenville, Ill. Since the day I met him, his talent has been obvious and I knew he would do some great things one day.” says Big Loud Shirt’s VP, Seth England. “We couldn’t be more proud to bring him in the Big Loud Shirt family and bring our friendship full circle as well.”

Address Change: BBR Music Group

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bbrBBR Music Group has moved to a new location in the Music Row area. As of Jan. 30, The music group’s new address is 65 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. Emails and phone numbers will remain the same.
Companies under the BBR Music Group include Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, RED Bow Records, BBR Management and Magic Mustang Music.

CountryBreakout Awards To Honor Top Songwriter

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CRS12
For the first time in the history of the CountryBreakout Awards, MusicRow will honor the songwriter who accumulated the most No. 1s from the previous year on the MusicRow Chart.

On Feb. 18, the invite-only 2014 CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards will reveal the Songwriter of the Year, and present long established airplay awards including Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group/Duo of the Year, Breakout Artist of the Year, Independent Artist of the Year, Label of the Year, and Reporter of the Year.
A total of 44 songs reached No. 1 last year, based on reports from MusicRow’s panel of Country stations from across the U.S.
“I am pleased to align two bedrocks of our industry, publishing and radio, at this year’s CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards,” said MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “As the MusicRow Chart increases its momentum, it’s an honor to acknowledge a member of the publishing and songwriting community as leading songwriter of the year.”
Subscribe for your invitation to the ceremony, which will feature performances by Native Run (Show Dog-Universal) and Natalie Stovall and the Drive (HitShop Records).
In 2014, MusicRow introduced the No. 1 Challenge Coin to honor the artists and songwriters who have earned a No. 1 song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart throughout the year. With each new chart, recipients will be chronicled in the “Charts” menu at MusicRow.com.

Industry Ink (1/27/14)

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CRS2014-LogoCountry Radio Seminar officials have announced that a limited number of tickets are still available for the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.
As previously announced, Vince Gill will be honored at the ceremony with the 2014 Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Career Achievement Award. Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will perform a tribute to Gill as well as presenting him with the prestigious award during the event. In addition, Ed Hardy, CMA Board Chairman, will be honored with the 2014 President’s Award at the ceremony.
Honorary radio inductees are Larry Wilson, Alpha and L&L Broadcasting, and Mike Brophy, WKLB in Boston, Mass. The inductees in the On-Air category are Paul Schadt, WKKT in Charlotte, N.C. and Jim Denny, WFMS in Indianapolis, Ind.
Tickets are available for $110 each and can be purchased by contacting Chasity Crouch at [email protected] or 615-329-2191. Similar to previous years, the event is expected to sell-out.

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nashville edge11Journal Broadcast Group and Radionomy have launched Nashville Edge Radio. Nashville Edge Radio will focus on the latest hits in Country music, including the top songs from the past six months, as well as new music and exclusive conversations with Nashville’s most popular Country artists.

A companion website aims to keep fans updated on the latest artist news, videos, songs and touring information. Writers for the site include veteran journalists Phyllis Stark and Stephen L. Betts.

To hear Nashville Edge Radio, visit their official website or search for Nashville Edge Radio on the TuneIn Radio app via a mobile device.

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centricity music logoCentricity Music and Centricity Music Publishing have signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Brentwood-based, Music Services, Inc. Under this new partnership, Music Services will be responsible for the royalty accounting for both the record and publishing assets of Centricity and the licensing of their recorded masters and songs.
Centricity’s Record roster includes Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Carrollton, Jason Gray Jonny Diaz and Canadian country group, High Valley.
Music Services currently serves the needs of 25 record labels and 200 music publishers representing the rights to some 3,400 owned or administered catalogs.

Catch This Music Expands With CTM Records

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JR Sign Invite11Catch This Music LLC (CTM) continues to expand with the creation of CTM Records, and has signed flagship artist Jared Mitchell.
“CTM is founded on the premise of artist-friendly relationships,” said Eddie Robba, owner and CEO. “In today’s industry the pendulum has swung too far from the artist and songwriter. We believe in the philosophy that all should succeed: artist, songwriter, publisher and record label. Today we are advancing that by creating our label and launching our very first artist, Jared Mitchell.”
A free concert and signing party is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 8-10 p.m. at Tin Roof Nashville, and will feature songs from Mitchell’s current CD The Maiden Voyage and new tunes from upcoming releases. Mitchell is a pop-Americana, singer-songwriter, who has also signed his publishing to CTM Writers Ink.
“I have amazing friends and supporters in this town, and I can’t wait to get them all together on Wednesday,” Mitchell said. “I’m going to rock the Tin Roof as a way of saying thank you to everyone who has believed in me.”
“Jared is a gifted singer, songwriter and musician,” said Robba. “The first time I met him, I knew I wanted to sign him. We will focus on his artist career, which places him a little left of center, but I know as a writer he will have hits on mainstream country radio.”
Mitchell moved here from Sparks, Nev., to attend Belmont University and is one of the first graduates of the university’s songwriting curriculum.
Mitchell is signed for management and booking to Bigfoot Music and Outdoors. Among the upcoming dates booked for the artist is a 13-city tour of the Tin Roof restaurant chain. Tin Roof Nashville is located at 1516 Demonbreun St.

In Pictures: Nashville Songwriters

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ASCAP members Ralph Murphy, Danny Flowers, Chris Wallin and Mark D. Sanders performed in an “Alive At The Bluebird” benefit round on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at The Bluebird Cafe. The Alive At The Bluebird concert series began in January and will continue through Feb. 1, with all proceeds to benefit local nonprofit organization Alive Hospice. More than 90 artists have signed on for this year’s series, which helps Alive Hospice provide hospice care and grief support services in Middle Tennessee. Since its inception, the concert series has raised more than $500,000.

Pictured (l-r): Danny Flowers, special guest Sophie Sanders, Mark D. Sanders, ASCAP's Ralph Murphy, Chris Wallin and special guest Camille Wallin

Pictured (L-R): Danny Flowers, special guest Sophie Sanders, Mark D. Sanders, ASCAP’s Ralph Murphy, Chris Wallin and special guest Camille Wallin

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The CMA Songwriters Series kicked off its landmark tenth season Wednesday at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The showcase marked the first time CMA Songwriters Series has traveled to Sundance, and featured special guests Brandy Clark, Brett James, Chris Stapleton, and Lee Ann Womack sharing the stories behind their hit songs.

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board member Brett James, Lee Ann Womack, Brandy Clark, and Chris Stapleton backstage at the CMA Songwriters Series at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival. Photo Credit: Erik Philbrook / ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board member Brett James, Lee Ann Womack, Brandy Clark, and Chris Stapleton backstage at the CMA Songwriters Series at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival. Photo: Erik Philbrook / ASCAP

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ASCAP kicked off the new year with the first installment of its “We Create Music” showcase series on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at The Basement. The showcase featured three-time ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year/hit country songwriter Ben Glover (“Hard to Love”); Ten Ten Music songwriter-artist duo Cotton Wine; Big Machine Music songwriter-artist Courtney Cole; and up and coming songwriter-artists Ashlee Hewitt, Hunter Johnson and William Michael Morgan.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Cotton Wine's Femke and Brandon James, Ben Glover, Courtney Cole, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan and Evyn Mustoe, William Michael Morgan and Hunter Johnson. Photo by ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Cotton Wine’s Femke and Brandon James, Ben Glover, Courtney Cole, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and Evyn Mustoe, William Michael Morgan and Hunter Johnson. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.

Signings & Hirings (1/24/14)

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calabrese111

Kayla Calabrese


Kayla Calabrese has signed with Next Generation Artist Management, a division of Spin Doctors Nashville.
“I have known Al Brock and Kristin Johnson for a while and I’ve come to trust them and their judgment,” Calabrese says. “Spin Doctors’ radio promotion department was already promoting my new single, to radio, so it just made sense to have their management company involved in my entire career instead of just part of it.”
“We are so proud to have Kayla on our team,” adds Next Generation Artist Management president Kristin Johnson. She is a true gem with a heavenly voice and a great head on her shoulders. She will go far in Country music.”
Calabrese’s first single, “Kiss Me,” from her self-titled album, reached No. 59 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart; Calabrese recently released her second single, “This Is How It Feels.”

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Given Music Publishing has signed songwriter/instrumentalist Chris Caminiti to its roster. Caminiti, a Chicago native, moved to Nashville in 2005 to further his songwriting craft. He was a Top 4 finalist in consecutive years in the CMT/NSAI song contest, and has performed during Tin Pan South and Key West Songwriter’s Festivals.

“I have watched Chris Caminiti blossom as a writer over the last year, and in the last six months he has really come into his own,” said the company’s VP/GM Mike Sebastian. “Chris’ unique take on lyrics, combined with his production and melody chops, make him sure to be a successful and diverse writer.”

Pictured (Front row,L-R): Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. (Back row, L-R): Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. (Back row, L-R): Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.

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Landon dirickson

Landon Dirickson


Landon Dirickson has been named a partner in the Nashville, Tenn., based law firm of Davis Dirickson, PLLC (formerly Ansel L. Davis & Associates, PLLC).
The firm’s practice is focused on a range of entertainment related matters including negotiation of agreements for artists, producers, managers, publishers, songwriters and executives. In his new position, Dirickson will play a continuing role in the representation of many of the firm’s current clients as well as focusing on the growth of new business.
The Tulsa, Okla., native joined the firm shortly after graduating from law school in 2005 and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar that same year. While at the University of Tulsa Law School Dirickson was one of two students selected from his class for publication of a legal article concerning trademark dilution under Federal Trademark Law. He is a member of the Troubadour Society of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Young Entertainment Professionals and is an alumnus of Society of Leaders In Development.