Music News (8/31/16)

Nathan Chapman Signs With Warner/Chappell

Nathan Chapman

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter and producer Nathan Chapman.

Chapman has composed more than 30 songs for major label releases, including for Phillip Phillips, Lady Antebellum, Michael Ray, Dan + Shay, Jake Owen, Eric Paslay, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, Lauren Alaina, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, O.A.R., Mickey Guyton, Thompson Square, and Darius Rucker, whose song “Homegrown Honey” was Chapman’s first No. 1 hit.

Chapman has released his own project, Revival, featuring songs penned with Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, Leslie Satcher, Stephanie Chapman, Hillary Lindsey, Andrew Dorff, and Mary Steeburgen. Chapman also penned the end title for the film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

As a producer, Chapman has worked on all five of Taylor Swift’s albums, earning a Grammy award for Album of the Year as a producer on 1989. Chapman has had 16 No. 1 hits as a producer, and has worked with artists such as Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Lionel Richie, Sara Evans, Shania Twain, Colbie Caillat, Cassadee Pope, Lady Antebellum, Jewel, and most recently, on Keith Urban’s No. 1 hit “Break on Me.”

Caroline Watkins Joins Warner/Chappell Nashville

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Alicia Pruitt, Warner/Chappell; Caroline Watkins; Brenner McDonald, Butler Snow LLP. (Back Row, L-R): Ryan Beuschel, Warner/Chappell; Matt Michiels, Warner/Chappell; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; Will Overton, Warner/Chappell; Travis Carter, Warner/Chappell

Warner/Chappell Nashville has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Caroline Watkins.

Over the past few years, the Nashville native has made a name for herself, performing regularly at some of the city’s landmark establishments, including the iconic Bluebird Café.

Watkins will begin her studies at Belmont University in the fall as a music business major.

CMA Awards Nominations Include Song Of The Year Contestants

The Country Music Association announced Wednesday morning (Aug. 31) nominees for its 50th annual CMA Awards, which will air live on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. The nominees included Song of the Year, among other categories. Visit MusicRow.com for a full list of nominees.

50th annual CMA Awards Song of the Year Nominees
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Burning House,” Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man,” Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
“My Church,” busbee and Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church and Jeff Hyde

Texas Governor Objects To DOJ Ruling On Fractionalized Licensing

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally asked the Department of Justice to reconsider its recent decision regarding consent decrees and fractional licensing.

In June, the music publishing community responded with disappointment, shock and surprise when the Department of Justice unexpectedly introduced a 100 percent licensing model involving PROs.

The decision on 100 percent licensing means that a song co-written by an ASCAP songwriter and a BMI songwriter would be available to license with approval from just one PRO. It also means that if a songwriter owns only a portion of the song, he or she can license the full song, as long as that songwriter ensures the other credited writers are getting paid. Under the current system, known as fractionalized licensing, each copyright owner in the song takes care of licensing their portion.

Read more at MusicRow.com.