Music News (8/17/16)

ASCAP, BMI Align To Fight DOJ Consent Decree Interpretation

ASCAP and BMI have united in a joint campaign against the Department of Justice’s interpretation of their respective consent decrees, and to advocate for consent decree reform.

BMI has initiated the process of challenging 100 percent licensing in federal court. Meanwhile, ASCAP will take the lead for the two PROs to pursue a legislative solution to continue fractional licensing, as well as other remedies for what the two performing rights organizations call outdated consent decree regulations.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

NaSHOF Announces Four New Inductees

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Bob Morrison, Townes Van Zandt, Aaron Barker, Beth Nielsen Chapman

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced Townes Van Zandt, Bob Morrison, Aaron Barker, and Beth Nielsen Chapman will be inducted as its newest members.

The four new members will join the current 199 existing members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame when they are inducted during the 46th annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, slated for Oct. 9 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Big Machine Music, 19 Publishing Form Joint Venture

Pictured (L-R): Nick Fradiani, Trent Harmon

Big Machine Music and 19 Publishing have entered into a joint music publishing venture. The agreement will allow Big Machine Music to co-publish and administer all rights for Big Machine Records/19 Recordings artists Nick Fradiani and Trent Harmon, and administer the associated rights for 19’s share. The artists won American Idol in Seasons 14 and 15, respectively.

Josh Miller Jointly Signs To Warner/Chappell, Cornman Music

Pictured (L-R): Front: Nate Lowery, Cornman; Miller; Kelly Donley, Safford/Motley; Scott Safford, Safford/Motley. Back: Bradley Collins, BMI; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; Ryan Beuschel, Warner/Chappell; Brett James, Cornman; Jody Williams, BMI; Shea Fowler, Cornman

Warner/Chappell Music and Cornman Music have signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter Josh Miller.

A self-described member of the “mixtape generation,” Miller’s music combines elements from the various genres of music he grew up listening to: country storytelling, pop melodies, and R&B phrasing. This marks the first time Miller has been signed to a music publisher.

Big Yellow Dog Music Inks Deal With Keelan Donovan

Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace, co-owner, Big Yellow Dog; Devon Devries, VP of Film and TV A&R, Big Yellow Dog; Keelan Donovan; Alex Stefano, Film and TV Music Manager, Big Yellow Dog; Noah McPike, Partner, Almon & McPike, PLLC; Matt Lindsey, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed singer/songwriter Keelan Donovan to its roster.

Donovan is finishing an EP, produced by Dan Agee and Daniel Tashian.

Creative Nation Adds Belmont Student Kassi Ashton To Roster

From (L-R): Beth Laird, Creative Nation; Matthew Beckett, Beckett Law Office; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright; Kassi Ashton; Johnny Ellett, Ten Four Management; Luke Laird, Creative Nation; Carrie Murphy, WME.

Creative Nation has signed songwriter Kassi Ashton to its roster. Ashton is a senior at Belmont University in Nashville, and is slated to graduate in December.

Creative Nation is an independent music publishing and management company owned by songwriter Luke Laird and CEO Beth Laird, and includes writers Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Maggie Chapman, Natalie Hemby, Native Run, Steve Moakler and Tyler Johnson.

CTM Writer’s INK Signs Paige Blue

Paige Blue

CTM Writer’s INK has signed writer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Paige Blue to an exclusive songwriting agreement.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native starting writing in Nashville in 2015 and already has accrued a list of TV and film placements, including The Vow (Sony), Delivery Man (Disney), The Brass Teapot (Magnolia Pictures), Beauty is Embarrassing (Future You Pictures), Makers (PBS/AOL Initiative), The Words (CBS Films), and multiple placements on MTV’s The Real World.

Blue was also the drummer and vocalist for the indie-rock band Avian Sunrise, who released two records produced by Paul Leavitt (The Used, Yellowcard, All Time Low) and toured the U.S. for several years. She will continue writing for film and TV, and producing several indie-pop artists, but will also be writing for country and other projects as well.

“Our CTM Writer’s INK family is excited to have Paige join our team of creators. What drew me to Paige is that she is a little left-of-center. Her tracks, producing and writing ability have been a hidden secret that Nashville is now starting to realize,” said Eddie Robba, President/CEO of CTM Writer’s INK.

CTM’s roster also includes Scott Stevens, Faren Rachels, Autumn McEntire, Ella Mae Bowen, Chris Roberts and catalog of Marcus Hummon.

SNG Music Adds Zarni de Vette To Publishing Roster

Pictured (L-R): SNG Partner Steve Leslie, Zarni de Vette, SNG Dir. Admin. & Promotion, Kathleen Mullet, SNG Partner Gary Reamey. Photo: Amber Beckham Photography

SNG Music, LLP, has added Zarni de Vette to its publishing roster.

Born and raised in South Africa, de Vette was awarded the prestigious Scott Benson Scholarship for outstanding achievement in songwriting at the Berklee College of Music. After graduating in 2011, she had cuts by The Gibbonses and Mia Verdoorn, as well as having songs placed on SpikeTV, The Food Network, a Red Bull commercial and with many indie campaigns abroad.

In addition to Zarni, SNG’s staff of stellar writers includes Leslie, SNG Music partner Gary Reamey, recent signee Marty Dodson, John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner Marianne Allison, Texas teen Abbey Cone and SNG Songwriter Emeritus Bobby Fischer.