Music News (10/28/15)

The BMI Foundation has established a Nashville Songwriting Scholarship. It will be an annual competition open to emerging country music songwriters nationwide who will compete for a $5,000 scholarship.

Entrants must be current students of a U.S. college or university and between the ages of 17 and 24. Entries are open to the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. All lyrics and music must be original. Online applications opened Oct. 1, 2015 and must be submitted no later than Feb. 15, 2016. For more information, visit bmifoundation.org/nashville.

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Pictured (L-R): Robert Filhart, ASCAP; Chip Petree, attorney, Ritholz/Levy; Kos Weaver, BMG; Ben Goldsmith, writer; Greg Gallo, Big Deal; Dale Bobo, Big Deal; Sara Knabe, BMG; Pete Robinson, Big Deal

Ben Goldsmith, the former creative manager at BMG Chrysalis, has signed a publishing deal with BMG and Big Deal Music. Goldsmith is a co-writer on Jerrod Niemann’s current single, “Blue Bandana.”

Goldsmith participated in ASCAP’s GPS program for new songwriters. His hometown is Lexington, Virginia, and he is a graduate of The University Of Miami.

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Pictured (L-R): Lesley Kalish, BBR Management; Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP, Creative; Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R; Noah McPike, Almon McPike Law, PLLC; Matt Thomas; Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG; Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has signed an exclusive global publishing deal with Matt Thomas, songwriter and lead singer of the band Parmalee.

Thomas co-wrote seven songs on Parmalee’s first album, 2013’s Feels Like Carolina (Stoney Creek Records). The project launched four hit singles, including “Carolina” which became a No.1 country airplay hit and was certified gold. In addition to the success of “Carolina,” the album also featured the singles “Musta Had a Good Time,” “Already Callin’ You Mine,” and “Close Your Eyes,” which became a Top 5 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The band is currently writing and recording the follow-up to Feels Like Carolina.

Pictured (L-R): Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R; Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP, Creative; Ryan Hurd; Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG; Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director; attorney Chip Petree of Ritholz Levy.

Songwriter Ryan Hurd has extended his exclusive global publishing deal with UMPG Nashville.

Since Hurd signed his first music publishing deal with the company three years ago, he has secured multiple major label cuts and had four singles on Billboard’s Country singles chart, including the No. 1 “Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe.

UMPG will be working to help Hurd pursue a label deal, in addition to supporting his development and reach as a songwriter. Hurd earned a nomination this year for MusicRow‘s prestigious Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award, and has been collaborating with artists including Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, and Randy Houser.

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Photo (L-R): Devon Devries, VP of Creative – Film/TV A&R, Alex Stefano, Film & TV Music Manager, Justin Forrest, Carla Wallace, Co-Owner, Kent Marcus, Attorney, Kerry O’Neil, Co-Owner

Big Yellow Dog Music has inked a deal with Nashville rocker Justin Forrest. Forrest’s “City Life,” the first track on his independently released project Chapters, caught the attention of Nashville radio station Lightning 100, and later ranked No. 5 on Lightning 100’s Top 100 Hit List. He was also recently named by Nashville Lifestyles in the Top 25 Artists to Watch in 2015.

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Kate Richardson and Mickey Jack Cones.

Richlyn Marketing will now represent producer-engineer Mickey Jack Cones for public relations.

Cones has worked on five recent No. 1 country singles. Cones writes, plays, sings, records, mixes and produces for artists including Joe Nichols, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and more. His production credits also include the soundtracks to Act of Valor and Country Strong.

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MusicRow‘s Publisher Issue print magazine has hit shelves. The magazine has ran digital editorial to promote the exclusive print coverage with Charlie Worsham and Jon Nite. To read more, pick up your copy, available or purchase online for $30 and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.