Music News (1/14/15)

Elizabeth Matthews

ASCAP announced Elizabeth Matthews has been named Chief Executive Officer of the organization, after previously serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at ASCAP since 2013.

She replaces former ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento who retired December 31 after 33 years of service, including 17 years as CEO.

Matthews, a unanimous choice among the Board’s 12 writer and 12 publisher members, begins her tenure at the helm immediately.

As ASCAP’s Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Matthews led a six-year transformative strategic plan and was a key internal leader on modernizing ASCAP’s licensing systems and pushing for reform of ASCAP’s consent decree. She also spearheaded the organization’s support for introducing the Songwriter Equity Act in Congress.

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Liz Fischer

BMI has added Liz Fischer as VP, Corporate Communications and Marketing, reporting to Mike O’Neill, BMI President and CEO, based in BMI’s New York office.

Fischer will oversee BMI’s Corporate Communications and Marketing functions, including the company’s media relations strategy, advocacy communications, corporate and digital marketing and social media programs. She will also ensure the consistent delivery and execution of BMI’s brand messaging across all platforms.

Prior to BMI, Fischer spent nearly 19 years at NBCUniversal, most recently Vice President, Communications for NBC News, where she oversaw the media relations for NBC News’ programming, business and research initiatives, digital group and executives.

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Celia Froehlig

Black River Entertainment’s CEO Gordon Kerr has announced the contract renewal of Vice President of Publishing, Celia Froehlig.

In 2014, Black River’s publishing arm celebrated songs including Josh Osborne’s “My Eyes” (Osborne/Dorff/James), performed by Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Sebastian; “We Are Tonight” by Billy Currington; and “Leave The Night On” by Sam Hunt.

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Pictured (L-R): Erin Enderlin, Scott Stevens, Alex Kline

Singers, songwriters and entrepreneurs Erin Enderlin and Alex Kline have formed Cotton Gin Productions, a full-service music production company based in Nashville. The company’s first signing is artist and songwriter Scott Stevens from Knoxville, Tenn.

Four of his songs have been used on the ABC TV show General Hospital, and some of his instrumental compositions can be heard on HGTV. SESAC writer Stevens has been in the studio with Enderlin and Kline writing and working on his upcoming project.

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Pictured (L-R): Dan Hodges, Quinn Loggins, and Michael Johnson, Counsel to Loggins.

Dan Hodges Music and Wanted Woman Music have signed Nashville native Quinn Loggins to a songwriting agreement. The son of Dave Loggins, Quinn studied commercial music at Belmont University.

Wanted Woman Music has entered into a worldwide creative administration agreement with DHM for current and past works. Dan Hodges Music offers creative services in the form of catalog representation, worldwide royalty administration and music production.

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Pictured (Seated): Carolyn Dawn Johnson; (Standing, L-R): Denise Nichols, The Primacy Firm; Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Little Extra Music; Denise Stevens, Loeb & Loeb

Little Extra Music has signed singer/songwriter/producer Carolyn Dawn Johnson to a worldwide publishing agreement.

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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.

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Pictured (back row, L-R): Ryan Beuschel (W/C), Travis Carter (W/C), BJ Hill (W/C), Phil May (W/C), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C). Pictured (front row, L-R): Alicia Pruitt (W/C), Michael Dulaney, Chip Petree (Partner – Ritholz Levy). Photo: Jason Krupek / J. Krupek Photography

Warner/Chappell Music extended a long term co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Michael Dulaney.

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Farren (Combustion Music owner/President); Sara Walters (Loeb & Loeb), Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music VP); Luke Foley; Kenley Flynn (Combustion Music Creative Director); and John Strohm (Loeb & Loeb).

Luke Foley has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Nashville independent publishing venture Combustion Atlas.

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