GAC Wins ASCAP 2008 Partner in Music Award

10/16/2008

ASCAP Sr. VP of Licensing Vincent Candilora and ASCAP member/country music artist Brad Paisley presented Great American Country (GAC) President Ed Hardy and GAC Sr. VP of Programming Sarah Trahern with the 2008 “ASCAP Partner in Music Award” during Monday night’s (10/13) ASCAP Country Awards. The honor recognizes the network for an exceptional contribution toward the promotion and support of songwriters, musicians and artists serving to expand the reach of country music.

Pictured (L-R): Hardy, Paisley, Trahern and Candilora. Photo: Kay Williams

UMPG On The Verge(s)

10/16/2008

Universal Music Publishing Group has re-signed songwriter Troy Verges to an exclusive songwriting deal. Verges was the 2002 BMI and NSAI Songwriter of the Year and has written numerous chart-topping hits. His songs have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, Jessica Simpson, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, IL Divo, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and many more.

(L-R): UMPG Sr. VP Kent Earls, UMPG Creative Director Whitney Williams, UMPG Executive VP/GM Pat Higdon, (seated) Troy Verges. Photo: Darcy Ferris/Debra Kay

Industry News Thursday (10/16/08)

Nominations for the annual GRAMMY® Awards will be announced live on primetime television during The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®. The Dec. 3 special will reveal nominations in at least six...

IEBA Honors Buyers, Agents, Promoters, More

Sarah Skates – 10/15/2008

(L-R): IEBA President Carey Harveycutter, Steve Moore, and IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis.

Gil Cunningham of Neste Event Marketing was named Entertainment Buyer of the Year, and Kevin Neal of Buddy Lee Attractions was chosen as Talent Agent of the Year at last night’s International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Honors Dinner at the Nashville Hilton. In a tie, AEG Live! and Red Mountain Entertainment were recognized as Concert Promoter of the Year. Nashville ruled in the Venue and Festival of the Year categories, which were won by the Sommet Center and CMA Music Festival, respectively. Entertainer awards went to Sugarland for Small Venue Artist and Kenny Chesney for Large Venue Artist.

Guests enjoyed music from Mandy Barnett and host Joe Piscopo prior to the presentation which included Kix Brooks surprising AEG Live Sr. VP Steve Moore with IEBA’s Humanitarian Award for his extensive work with underprivileged children in Guatemala. The prestigious IEBA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Loggins & Messina, who performed several of their best-loved hits including “House at Pooh Corner” and “Danny’s Song.” IEBA President Carey Harveycutter gave John Saunders the President’s Award.

The organization also saluted the Country Music Association’s 50th Anniversary with performances by Crystal Gayle, Joe Nichols, and Diamond Rio. As previously announced, Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) received the Agency of the Year Award, presented by Rick Springfield.

(L-R): Dana Williams, Jimmy Olander, Jimmy Messina, Steve Moore, Kenny Loggins, Marty Roe, and Dan Truman.

McBrides Sign Rachel Thibodeau To Publishing Agreement

Sarah Skates – 10/15/2008

Rachel Thibodeau is the first songwriter to sign with John and Martina McBride’s new publishing company Little Champion Music. She received ASCAP’s Song of the Year Award on Monday night for her co-write "Good Directions," and also co-wrote two songs on Martina’s most recent Waking Up Laughing album. The Minnesota native—who lists Martina as a major musical influence—says, “There aren't two people in this world that I'd rather work with. They encourage me to grow as a writer and as an artist and I am constantly learning from both of them.”

In 1997, Thibodeau left her home state for the first time and moved to Nashville. In June 2003, she signed a publishing deal with Murrah Music Group, and three months later had her first cut with Lila McCann.

John says, "Rachel is one of the most talented, incredible, hard-working people we have ever come in contact with."

Martina agrees, "We plan on signing more writers as we find ones that are as special as she is."

(L-R): Rachel Thibodeau, Martina McBride, John McBride

McGraw Criticizes Label Over Greatest Hits Release; Label Responds

David M. Ross – 10/14/2008

“I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music,” said Tim McGraw commenting on his Curb Records release which hit stores on Oct. 7. Debut week SoundScan sales data will be available tomorrow, Oct. 15. According to a statement from McGraw, Curb Records released the Greatest Hits package without his involvement or input even though he has been working on a new studio album for over a year and debuted some of its songs on his latest tour. McGraw charges the label chose to release the Greatest Hits specifically as a means to extend the term of his recording contract.

“I’ve only had one studio album since my last hits package,” the artist said. “It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me.”

McGraw manager, Scott Siman explains McGraw’s disappointment from a creative level. “True musical artists put a lot of sweat, time, energy, and ultimately their heart into recording a new record,” says Siman. “It is their passion. They pour countless hours over chords, melodies, and rhythms just to define each song to sonic perfection. Tim McGraw is no different. He makes amazing music, is not afraid to push the envelope, and according to most anyone you talk to on Music Row he has an iconic talent to hear a song and transform it into something not many others can do.”

“The McGraw fan is Tim's backbone,” Siman told Music Row. “Those who stand by him and look forward to hearing anything he records; those who attend his concerts every year just to catch a glimpse of him singing their favorite songs live. This is why upon Curb's most recent release of Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits 3, something needs to be said.”

McGraw sums, “I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record. Sure I love the songs and I don’t want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist. In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans ‘I’m Tim McGraw and I don’t approve their message.’”

Curb Records’ Executive VP/GM, Dennis Hannon indicated that he had numerous conversations with McGraw’s representatives with respect to all aspects of the Greatest Hits 3 album and the good news is that the album is anticipated to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart. “Nevertheless,” he says, “we share Tim McGraw’s disappointment with the first week’s sales levels and we acknowledge that unfortunately the week that this album was released was right at the peak of the collapse of the economic and finance markets. We are going to work hard to try to take the current single ‘Let It Go’ to No. 1 in hopes that the economic climate is improving and that sales will also improve.”

ASCAP at the Ryman Celebrates Songwriters

10/14/2008

The recent (10/13/08) ASCAP Country Awards celebrated the PRO’s most performed songs of the year, honoring Alan Jackson with Writer/Artist of the Year, EMI Music Publishing as Publisher of the Year, and Dave Berg as Songwriter of the Year. Song of the Year honors went to Rachel Thibodeau for “Good Directions,” the Billy Currington hit she penned with Luke Bryan. As previously announced, Reba received the organization’s prestigious Golden Note Award and was saluted with a musical tribute.

Among other highlights, ASCAP recognized the CMA’s 50th anniversary, and presented a moving video tribute in memory of the late Merlin Littlefield, a longtime ASCAP employee.

(Top L-R) ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento, Rachel Thibodeau, Dave Berg, and ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley. Photo: Ed Rode
(Bottom L-R) Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento. Photo: Kay Williams

Bonnie Bishop Plays Austin City Limits

10/13/2008

Montage Music Group writer and Austin, TX native Bonnie Bishop recently performed on the BMI Stage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Later that day, she also joined fellow Texan Robert Earl Keen during his set.

Pictured L-R: Mark Mason/BMI Senior Director of Writer/Publisher Relations, Bonnie Bishop, Bobby Rymer/Montage Music Group Head of Publishing and Clay Bradley/BMI Asst. VP of Writer/Publisher Relations

Industry News Tuesday (10/14/08)

The Deluxe Fan Pack of Kenny Chesney’s Lucky Old Sun hits stores today (10/14/08) via Blue Chair/BNA Records. iTunes hosted a “Countdown To Kenny Chesney’s Lucky Old Sun,” offering one track from the new...

Country Hall To Highlight Dean Dillon

Sarah Skates – 10/13/2008

Dean Dillon will be the subject of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters on Sat., Nov. 1. Museum Editor Michael Gray will interview Dillon and share related elements from the Museum’s collection such as recordings, photos and film clips. Dillon will perform several original songs during the program, and sign autographs immediately afterward.

Dillon’s 30-year career has produced more than 50 George Strait cuts, including No. 1s from “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property,” to the more recent “The Best Day” and “She Let Herself Go.” His extensive catalog also includes cuts by George Jones, Keith Whitley, Pam Tillis, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith. The 1:30 p.m. program, which will be held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members.