NSAI Honors Chart-Topping Writers At Special Event
(L-R): Brett Warren, Dave Barnes, Brad Warren, Tyler Reeve, Trent Tomlinson, Matt Jenkins, Josh Kerr, Marc Beeson, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, Thomas Archer, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Adam Hambrick, Daniel Tashian, Lee Thomas Miller, Shelby Yoder
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) honored 36 Nashville-associated writers whose songs topped the charts between April 2017 and July 2017 during an event Monday night (Sept. 11) at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. Writers in attendance at the special event were presented their awards by NSAI President, Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Director of Professional Membership and Events, Shelby Yoder.
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley
Recorded by: Darius Rucker
Recorded by: Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk
Recorded by: Old Dominion
Recorded by: Josh Turner
Recorded by: Luke Combs
Recorded by: Luke Bryan
Recorded by: Dan + Shay
Recorded by: Blake Shelton
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris
Recorded by: Dylan Scott
Recorded by: Florida Georgia Line featuring Backstreet Boys
Recorded by: Brett Young
BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, John Varvatos Launch Rock Joint Venture
Scott Borchetta, John Varvatos
Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and fashion designer John Varvatos have launched a joint venture aimed at discovering and developing rock acts. The first artist being represented on the newly created Big Machine Records/John Varvatos Records is California-based rock band badflower.
Borchetta and Varvatos met over five years ago at an Aerosmith concert where Cheap Trick was opening. Borchetta had just begun managing Cheap Trick and signed them to his Big Machine Records imprint.
This venture is not the first time Borchetta and Varvatos have created together. They previously partnered on the 2015 release of Zac Brown Band’s album Jeckyll +Hyde.
Read more at MusicRow.com.
Moon Taxi Inks Deal With RCA Records
Moon Taxi. Photo: Don VanCleave
Nashville-based five-piece rock band Moon Taxi has inked a major label deal with RCA Records.
Their latest single “Two High” has earned nearly 50 million streams on Spotify, and is in the Top 10 at Triple A Radio. The band has four previously-released albums, including 2015’s Daybreaker, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard New Artist chart.
The band’s songs have been used in commercials and TV spots for BMW, MLB, HBO Sports, NFL and McDonald’s, while the bandmembers have performed at festivals and events including Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Firefly, Hangout and more.
Rodney Crowell To Receive ASCAP Founders Award
Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell is the latest artist to receive the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at the upcoming 55th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The exclusive, invitation-only gala celebrating the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs of 2016, will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 6.
Read more at MusicRow.com.
BMI Distributes More Than One Billion In Royalties For The First Time In Its History
BMI has broken another revenue record for the third consecutive year, generating $1.130 billion to end its 2017 fiscal year. The company also distributed and administered $1.023 billion to its songwriters, composers and publishers, representing a 10 percent increase over last year and a new milestone for the organization. The results rank the performing rights organization with the highest royalty distributions of any rights organization in the world.
The company’s total domestic revenue, encompassing digital, media, and general licensing, came in at a record $836 million, a $52 million increase over last year. Digital revenue saw its highest performance to date, up seven percent to $163 million, helped in part by new long-term agreements with Netflix and Hulu, among others. Media Licensing came in at $524 million, a $32 million increase over last year driven by growth in the terrestrial radio, cable and satellite radio categories.
The $1.023 billion in total distributions included both domestic and international royalties, as well as royalties from direct deals that BMI administers on behalf of its publishers. Those deals, which account for approximately three percent of BMI’s total distribution, helped the company achieve its record payments to affiliates.
BMI processed nearly 1.4 trillion performances this year, 40 percent more than last year. This includes both audio and audiovisual performances, of which 1.35 trillion were digital, highlighting the ongoing move to digital within the industry as well as BMI’s ability to manage big data and convert it to actionable information.
Read more at MusicRow.com.