Artist Updates: Old Dominion, Sister Hazel, Craig Morgan

Old Dominion’s Album On NPR Music’s First Listen

Old Dominion

Old Dominion

Old Dominion is gearing up for the Nov. 6 release of their debut album Meat and Candy, and offering fans an early look at the project via NPR Music’s First Listen. The band’s first single, “Break Up With Him” was recently certified Gold.

The band will attend the ASCAP Country Awards on Monday, Nov. 9, as well as the 49th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 11 and then head back out on the road for shows in Mobile and Tuscaloosa, AL, Winston Salem, NC, Indianapolis, Kansas City and then wrap up the full release week in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 12.

 

Sister Hazel To Release Country Project in 2016

unnamed-1Sister Hazel is set to release their first album in five years, Lighter In The Dark, in Febuary 2016 on Croakin’ Poets. The project is the band’s first entry into country music. The 14-track collection was produced by Nashville producer Chip Matthews (Lady Antebellum, Brooks & Dunn).

“The five years since our last record has been anything but a straight and clear path,” states bassist/vocalist Jett Beres. “After making records together for over 20 years, we found ourselves struggling to find The Sound; a body of work that would honestly represent who each of us were as a band and as individuals.  The music that was created was our “lighter in the dark.” The songs that form this record slowly began to illuminate a clarity of direction and creativity for us.  In choosing a record title, this lyric from the song ‘Something to Believe In’ became the clear choice to represent our journey, our struggles, and ultimately our deliverance.”

Craig Morgan, Kidde Fire Safety Launch New Ad Campaign

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Craig Morgan with firefighters from the Dickson, Tenn. fire department.

Craig Morgan and Kidde Fire Safety are encouraging families to be fire safe and stay connected to home. The televised ad campaign features the TV host, military veteran and Country Music chart-topper along with Kidde’s new RemoteLync™ Monitor and Camera, and Kidde’s Worry Free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Filmed on location with the Dickson, Tennessee Fire Department, the 30- and 15-second spots, featuring Black River Entertainment artist Morgan, began airing on ABC television stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Houston, Raleigh, Fresno and Nashville in connection with “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” on ABC on Nov. 4. Morgan and Kidde representatives will join national and local fire service leaders for an official “kick off” event the morning of the CMA Awards in Nashville.

“As a former first responder, I know danger can strike at any time and I want to know my family is safe whenever I leave home,” shared Morgan. “I’m glad to work with Kidde to help keep other families safe and help them find simple solutions to keep them connected to home.” In 2011, the Country Music star put his EMT training to use and rescued two children from a burning house in his home state.

“Working with Craig Morgan and the Dickson Fire Department was a great experience,” said Chris Rovenstine, vice president of marketing, Kidde. “This is our fourth year locally sponsoring the CMA Awards on ABC. Kidde’s mission, to help protect family and property from fire, directly aligns with the core values of many Country Music fans — family, home and safety. It’s a partnership that resonates and that will hopefully help save lives and keep families connected.”

Dale Franklin Awards Add Alabama, Martina McBride, Don Schlitz

alabama southern drawl

Alabama, Martina McBride and Don Schlitz are confirmed to perform at the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Awards on Nov. 16 in Nashville. The gala event is presented by BMLG.

Purchase Dale Franklin Tickets Here

As previously announced, the event will honor Jo Walker-Meador with the Founding Council Award, Steve Buchanan with the Brian Williams Ambassador Award and Reba McEntire with the Dale Franklin Award. Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott will host the event in the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The tribute show, which begins at 7:30 pm, will be preceded by a cocktail reception beginning at 5:30 pm. Seats on the main floor are sold out, but good seats remain available throughout the theater. Tickets are $150 each, and seating is general admission.

The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, named for the first executive director of Leadership Music, was created in 2004 to recognize a music industry leader who exemplifies the highest quality of leadership and leading by example.

Previous Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award honorees are Tony Brown (2004), Gerry House (2005), Emmylou Harris (2006), Frances W. Preston (2007), The Bradley Family: Owen (posthumously), Harold, Jerry, Connie and Patsy (2008), Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong and Allen Reynolds (2009), Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson (2010), CMA (2011) and Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Randy Owen (2012).

The Founding Council Award was created in 2014 to honor Leadership Music’s 12 founding members and to commemorate the organization’s 25th anniversary. Jo Walker-Meador is the first recipient of the award.

The Brian Williams Ambassador Award was created in 2009 as a tribute to the late Music Row banker who had served key roles for Leadership Music. Like Williams, it honors those who have served as a bridge between the Nashville music and business communities. Williams was the first recipient, posthumously; Nashville Mayor Karl Dean received the award in 2012.

The event is sponsored by BMLG, City National Bank, CMA, ACM, Ryman Hospitality, SESAC, CAA, Avenue Bank, Radio Music Licensing Committee, and Country Music Hall of Fame. Tangible Vision is producing the tribute concert.

Seven CMA-Nominated Songwriters Join SiriusXM Broadcast

Pictured (L-R): Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Brice Long, Hillary Lindsey, Storme Warren, Shane McAnally, Casey Beathard, Josh Osborne. Photo: SiriusXM

Pictured (L-R): Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Brice Long, Hillary Lindsey, Storme Warren, Shane McAnally, Casey Beathard, Josh Osborne. Photo: SiriusXM

Seven songwriters nominated in this year’s CMA Song of the Year category joined a one-hour discussion at SiriusXM’s Nashville studio.

Among the participants are Shane McAnally (“American Kids” and “Take Your Time”), Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey (“Girl Crush”), Brice Long (“Like A Cowboy”), Josh Osborne (“Take Your Time”), and Casey Beathard (“Like A Wrecking Ball”).

SiriusXM morning host Storme Warren hosted the roundtable discussion, set to air on the satellite broadcaster’s The Highway (Ch. 56) on Monday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 10 p.m. After those broadcasts, the SiriusXM program will be available on-demand.

“It all begins with the song,” said Warren. “And the heartbeat of Nashville is the songwriting community. Watching the creators of music perform their songs in the most organic, stripped-down way has always been one of my favorite parts of our job. I’m proud to share the roots of five of the biggest songs of the year and the artists behind the artists who created them. The seven songwriters have over 100 Top 10 songs between them. It’s awe-inspiring to hear them perform and share their stories.”

2015 Song of the Year Nominees

“American Kids”
Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally
Performed by Kenny Chesney

“Girl Crush”
Written by Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey
Performed by Little Big Town

“Like A Cowboy”
Written by Randy Houser and Brice Long
Performed by Randy Houser

“Take Your Time”
Written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
Performed by Sam Hunt

“Like A Wrecking Ball”
Written by Eric Church and Casey Beathard
Performed by Eric Church

Chris Janson Releases Debut Album, Confirms ‘Tonight Show’

Chris Janson album cover

Chris Janson released his debut album, Buy Me a Boat, today (Oct. 30), a decade after moving to Nashville. Thanks to the success of the title track, he’s now confirmed to perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on Nov. 9.

Signed to Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville, Janson co-wrote all 11 songs on the album and co-produced the project with Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois and Byron Gallimore. His current single is “Power of Positive Drinkin’.” Tim McGraw appears on the track, “Messin’ With Jesus.”

“I’ve been looking forward to this day a long time and I can’t believe it’s here. This is my first debut album and I couldn’t be happier. It’s been a long time coming,” said Janson. “To have Tim McGraw join me on ‘Messin’ with Jesus’ was a special treat. I’ve been a fan of his work for a long time. He’s such a star and a super cool dude. The whole album takes you from fun to serious with everything in between, kind of like my live shows. It’s been a roller coaster of a journey!”

Buy Me a Boat follows a five-song EP released in 2013 by Bigger Picture Music Group.

Janson will tour with Blake Shelton in 2016. He has also performed on the Grand Ole Opry more than 100 times.

Buy Me a Boat track list:
1. “Buy Me A Boat” (written by Chris Janson/Chris DuBois)
2. “Power Of Positive Drinkin’” (Chris Janson/Mark Irwin/Chris DuBois)
3. “Under The Sun” (Chris Janson/Casey Beathard/Ed Hill)
4. “Holdin’ Her” (Chris Janson/James Otto)
5. “Messin’ With Jesus” (with Tim McGraw) (Chris Janson/Pavel Dovgalyuk/Kelly Roland)
6. “Right In The Middle” (Chris Janson/Justin Wilson/Brandon Kinney)
7. “Save A Little Sugar” (Chris Janson/Chris DuBois/Jim Beavers)
8. “Back In My Drinkin’ Days” (Chris Janson/Ken Johnson)
9. “Where You Come In” (Chris Janson/Ed Hill)
10. “Yeah It Is” (Chris Janson/Kenneth Wright)
11. “White Trash” (Chris Janson/Casey Beathard)

MusicRowPics: William Michael Morgan

William Michael Morgan performs for MusicRow staffers.

William Michael Morgan performs for MusicRow staffers.

Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville newcomer William Michael Morgan is a throwback to a more traditional sound in country music. His baritone voice heavily reflects his traditional influences, including the sounds of George Jones, Johnny Cash, John Anderson, and Johnny Paycheck.

Morgan’s intro to country music came early. He heard Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” age the age of 5. By age 9, he was beginning to learn guitar and looking up videos of Marty Robbins songs on YouTube. Those searches led to discovering the works of Keith Whitley and other traditionalists. “I just fell in love with that style of music,” says Morgan.

The Vicksburg, Miss., native offered a three-song acoustic performance at the MusicRow office, previewing music from his upcoming major label debut project.

He began with “Vinyl,” a track co-written by Carson Chamberlain and Ashley Gorley.

His current single, “I Met A Girl,” harkens to the effortless traditional country sounds of George Strait, and its writers are three of Nashville’s current crop of hitmakers–Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen, and artist Sam Hunt.

“It says something that has been missing in today’s country music, as far as putting a girl up on a pedestal,” Morgan says of the song.

Morgan also offered a cover of Keith Whitley’s “I Never Go Around Mirrors” (the song was originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell).

William Michael Morgan with MusicRow staffers.

William Michael Morgan with MusicRow staffers.

 

Industry Ink: CMA Foundation, Rock The Cradle, No Shave November, Dickinson Wright, Hart Street Entertainment

CMA Foundation, Charles Kelley Announce Research Funding For National Association For Music Education

Pictured (L-R): Glenn Nierman, President, President; Elijah Micheaux; Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer, CMA; Charles Kelley; Ron Samuels, Board Chairman, CMA Foundation; Beth Slusher, President and Chair, Give a Note Foundation Board. Photo: Dusty Draper / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Glenn Nierman, President, President; Elijah Micheaux; Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer, CMA; Charles Kelley; Ron Samuels, Board Chairman, CMA Foundation; Beth Slusher, President and Chair, Give a Note Foundation Board. Photo: Dusty Draper / CMA

During the annual conference of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the CMA Foundation and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum announced a $150,000 grant from the CMA Foundation to the Give A Note Foundation. In 2011, the NAfME created the Give A Note Foundation to strengthen music education opportunities through grants and research. The grant will bring CMA’s music education funding for 2016 to a record $2.6 million, bringing the organization’s total contributions to $13.6 million. The grant recipients for 2016 will be announced in coming months.

The grant will fund a national study on access to music education that can be analyzed and made available to organizations who wish to make informed decisions for philanthropic gifts in music education – where the need exists, and where the infrastructure exists to make gifts sustainable and impactful.

“We couldn’t think of a better platform to talk about the importance of supporting sustainable music education programs than sharing this expanded strategy with the teachers who are on the front line of this important issue every day,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

“The CMA continuing their mission to support music education is something all of us artists are proud to be part of,” said Kelley. “But, what really takes it to the next level for me is that they continue to reevaluate where the money is going so that the resources can be used where they are most valuable. I think that evolution of giving makes an even bigger impact on these kids.”

 

Rock the Cradle Benefit Concert Features Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele, Sarah Buxton

Pictured (top row L-R): Erik Milam, Dan Thompson Rachel Stimpson, Mark Stimpson, Connie Bradley, Jeffrey Steele, Andrew Kintz, Shane Tallant, Troy Tomlinson; (bottom row L-R): Michelle Milam, Sarah Buxton, Craig Wiseman

Pictured (top row L-R): Erik Milam, Dan Thompson, Rachel Stimpson, Mark Stimpson, Connie Bradley, Jeffrey Steele, Andrew Kintz, Shane Tallant, Troy Tomlinson; (bottom row L-R): Michelle Milam, Sarah Buxton, Craig Wiseman

The Rock the Cradle Songwriters Night, supporting newborns in need, was held lOct. 21 at the Loveless Barn in Nashville. Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and Sarah Buxton performed for the benefit attendees. Proceeds benefit newborns in need at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and the Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Shane Tallant served as host of the annual event while Connie Bradley and Troy Tomlinson served as event co-chairs. The guests at the packed venue enjoyed a cocktail reception preceding a full dinner buffet.

Performing in the round, each tunesmith took turns singing their hits to a fully engaged audience. Wiseman, a 2015 inductee to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, performed chart-toppers “Live Like You Were Dying” (Tim McGraw) and “Boys ‘Round Here” (Blake Shelton).

Steele’s performances included “The Cowboy in Me” (McGraw), a song co-written with Wiseman, as well as “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban/Eric Church). He stunned the audience with his shredded version of “Gone” (Montgomery Gentry).

Accompanied by her husband Tom Bukovac, Buxton entertained the guests with “Sun Daze” (Florida Georgia Line), “Put You in a Song” (Urban) and “Stupid Boy” (Urban). Buxton referred to Wiseman as her first mentor when she came to Nashville who called the event “the stuff that matters.”

 

No Shave November Reminder

Screen Shot 2015-10-30 at 11.53.49 AMParticipants in this year’s No Shave November fundraiser for St. Jude Kids are encouraged to stop by the Country Music Association office on Monday, Nov. 2 at 9:15 for a quick “Day 1” photo.

Currently, this year’s Chairman of the Beard, Josh Turner‘s team (The Backwoods Boys) is in the lead. To date the fundraiser has earned $540,000 to benefit children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To participate, put down the razor for the month of November. Register online and donate a $30 entry fee, then stop shaving. Awards will be given to the best beard, the worst beard, and other prizes. To register, visit nsn4sjk.com. Then, create or join a team, and encourage friends and family to join the team and donate. On November 1, post a date-stamped “Day 1” photo to facebook.com/nsnforstjude. On Nov. 30, post a date-stamped final photo.

The Beard Bash will be celebrated in Nashville on Dec. 1.

 

Dickinson Wright PLLC Adds Two Staffers

DW Leaders Logo REVAMP FINAL 2011-12Dickinson Wright PLLC, a full-service law firm with international offices, has hired Ariel Mason and Dustin Kovacic as associate attorneys. Mason joins the firm’s downtown Nashville office and Kovacic joins the office on Music Row.

Dustin Kovacic worked as a law clerk in Dickinson Wright’s Music Row office prior to his employment. He assisted in drafting producer, songwriter, management, pitching and consulting agreements for entertainment clients. He also researched and drafted memos on various topics for litigation including copyright and employment law. Kovacic also worked extensively on a major publishing catalogue sale purchase during his time at the firm.

Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Kovacic worked as an Intern for Nashville entertainment law firm Shackelford, Zumwalt & Hayes, LLP. He continued his work in entertainment law as a Law Clerk at Crownover Firm, LLP, in Summer 2014, led by Dickinson Wright’s current Entertainment Law Practice head Derek Crownover. In law school, he served as Senior Development Editor for the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law. He was also a member of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.

Mason previously worked for Dickinson Wright as a summer associate in the Nashville office, where she composed arguments for inclusion in trial briefs and motion memoranda.

Both Mason and Kovacic are Vanderbilt University Law School graduates. Mason received her undergraduate degree in English and History from Vanderbilt University, and Kovacic earned a Bachelor of Music degree and a degree in Political Science from the University of Florida.

 

Hart Street Entertainment Staffs Up

Julie Reliford

Julie Reliford

Hart Street Entertainment has hired Julie Reliford as VP, PR & Marketing. Reliford’s career began in the mid-’90s at Decca Records, where she worked with Shelia Shipley Biddy. She later worked at Sony Publishing, before moving into a focus on marketing including for a technology company, mental health services, internet marketing, and eventually director of marketing for a financial services company.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Julie Reliford to the Hart Street Entertainment team,” announced Hart Street president Zach Farnum. “Marketing and Public Relations are a vital part of this industry and I know that Julie will rocket Hart Street and our artists to the top in both of those fields. She has proven time and time again throughout her career to be innovative and driven, and she truly cares about her clients and their successes.”

That drive and dedication is echoed by one of her recent clients, hit singer/songwriter Phil Vassar. “Julie is an excellent publicist,” says Vassar. “I really appreciated her taking the time to get to know me and then finding media angles that fit my personality. She was always available when needed and was in daily contact with my manager. She is always willing to go the extra mile and is a pleasure to work with.”

Reliford can be reached at 615-645-9592 or at jreliford@hartstreetentertainment.com.

Chuck Wicks Schedules Blaster Records Album For 2016

Chuck Wicks album cover

Chuck Wicks will release his second album, Turning Point, on Feb. 26 on Blaster Records. The collection comes eight years after his RCA debut, Starting Now, which featured the hit, “Stealing Cinderella.”

While balancing his role as a radio co-host on the syndicated program America’s Morning Show With Blair Garner, Wicks co-wrote all 11 tracks on the album.

“I have a lot of creative interests but the one thing that remains consistent is my songwriting. I’ve been working harder than ever on my craft and I think this album reflects that,” he says. “I’ve also always been interested in production, so getting to co-produce Turning Point with my good buddy and co-writer Andy Dodd was big career milestone for me.”

Wicks’ songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean (“I Don’t Do Lonely Well”), the Swon Brothers, Frankie Ballard and Steve Holy. In addition to touring in 2016, Wicks is training for an Ironman triathlon in May.

Turning Point Track Listing:

1. “She’s Gone” (Written by Chuck Wicks, Brett Tyler and Jeffery East)
2. “Fix Me” (Chuck Wicks, Amy Krechel, Angela Krechel and Courtney Krechel)
3. “Us Again” (Chuck Wicks, Tiffany Vartanyan and Andy Dodd)
4. “Whole Damn Thing” (Chuck Wicks and Liz Rose)
5. “Tell Me” (Chuck Wicks, Steph Jones and Andy Dodd)
6. “Saturday Afternoon” (Chuck Wicks, Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins)
7. “I Don’t Do Lonely Well” (Chuck Wicks, Tom Shapiro and Neil Thrasher)
8. “Salt Life” (Chuck Wicks, Mike Mobley and Vicky McGehee)
9. “Always” (Chuck Wicks and Emily Shackelton)
10. “Whatcha Got Girl” (Chuck Wicks, Neil Mason and Corey Crowder)
11. “Over You Gettin’ Over Me” (Chuck Wicks, James Slater and Rachel Thibadeaux)

Big Loud Records Expands to Canada, Hires Brianne Deslippe

Brianne Deslippe. Photo: Leo Gomez

Brianne Deslippe. Photo: Leo Gomez

Big Loud Records has hired Brianne Deslippe as General Manager and National Director of Promotion, Canada. Big Loud Records will open its Canadian office in Toronto on Nov. 23, in partnership with Universal Music Canada. Deslippe will work from the label’s Canadian headquarters, and will report directly to label president Clay Hunnicutt.

“Brianne’s reputation, relationships, and expertise in Canada and beyond is unmatched,” says Hunnicutt. “We could not be more thrilled to have someone of her caliber leading Big Loud Records Canada. She is the perfect person to direct our efforts, support our artists and find new talent. Now this is a true international alliance!”

“I’ve only had the opportunity to work closely with Brianne a short time but her energy, knowledge, and dedication are immediately apparent,” says Jeffrey Remedios, President and CEO of Universal Music Canada. “I applaud Big Loud on their savvy hire and congratulate Brianne on this well-deserved opportunity. I’m very happy to continue working together with the Big Loud family in our ongoing partnership.”

Deslippe’s previous career stops include Country Format Supervisor at Universal Music Canada, representing Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Dallas Smith, and Johnny Reid. She also served as National Promotion Director at Open Road Recordings and eOne Music Canada. The Windsor, Ontario native is a four-time nominee for CCMA Record Company Person of the Year.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Big Loud team in various capacities over the years and I have always admired their talent, drive and innovative approach,” Deslippe says. “With the launch of Big Loud Records, I believe they have created something very special. It’s an honor to have been asked to join their team and I look forward to furthering all of the label’s efforts and artists in the Canadian market.”

Deslippe joins the newly announced stateside promotion team comprised of David Clapper, Southeast Region; Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; Dave Kirth, West Coast Region, led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and Hunnicutt.

Big Loud Records is the newly launched label founded by manager Seth England, producer Joey Moi, songwriter Craig Wiseman, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Hunnicutt. The label roster includes Chris Lane (“Fix”) and Dallas Smith (“Kids With Cars”).

Deslippe can be reached at brianne@bigloudrecords.com or at 416-908-1717.

Carnival Music Signs Dustin Christensen

Pictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, Courtney Gregg, Dustin Christensen, Emily Schiraldi, Matthew Miller

Pictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, Courtney Gregg, Dustin Christensen, Emily Schiraldi, Matthew Miller

Carnival Music has announced the signing of singer/songwriter/producer, Dustin Christensen to a worldwide publishing deal.

“Dustin possesses an unmatched talent, accentuated with an effortless vocal delivery and keen lyrical and melodic sensibilities,” says Carnival’s Courtney Gregg. “His musical ability is paired with an unrelenting work ethic. We are extremely charged and humbled to have him at Carnival.”

Christensen says, “I’m excited to be working with a publishing company that truly cares about writing good songs and that feels like home. When I was choosing which publishing company to go with, Carnival felt like a good fit right away.”

Born in Idaho and raised in Utah, Christensen was recently a member of the rock band Jerrytown and currently holds membership in the bluegrass project, The Lower Lights. He appeared on season nine of NBC’s The Voice, where he earned a “four chair turn” at his blind audition with a rendition of Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train.”

Splitting time between Nashville, Los Angeles, and Utah, Christensen has established himself as a sought-after producer, currently working on a new solo project to be released in early 2016, the follow-up to his previous effort, Highway Lines.

Seth Ennis Signs With Warner/Chappell Music, Liz Rose Music

Back Row: Alicia Pruitt (WC), Phil May (WC), Corey Crowder (Producer), Ben Vaughn (WC), BJ Hill (WC), Alyson McAnally (LRM), Travis Carter (WC), Natalie Paslay (LRM), Matt Michiels (WC). Front Row: Scott Ponce (LRM), Ennis, Liz Rose (LRM)

Pictured back row (L-R): Alicia Pruitt,Warner/Chappell; Phil May, Warner/Chappell; Corey Crowder, producer; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; BJ Hill, Warner/Chappell; Alyson McAnally, Liz Rose Music; Travis Carter, Warner/Chappell; Natalie Paslay, Liz Rose Music; Matt Michiels, Warner/Chappell. Pictured front row (L-R): Scott Ponce, Liz Rose Music; Seth Ennis; Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music.

Warner/Chappell Music and Liz Rose Music have signed a co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Seth Ennis. The Valdosta, Ga., native began playing music at age 5, picking up piano, drums, guitar, and eventually singing. By age 13, he began writing songs. He has spent time touring as a multi-instrumentalist with various artists, including Rissi Palmer.