Music News 11/4/2010

BMI and ASCAP joined forces to throw a party at Rooster’s in Nashville, celebrating Josh Turner’s #1 hit, “All Over Me.” The song was co-written by the “Peach Pickers”—the songwriting power trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip. The Pickers have also collaborated on Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie That Girl,” and Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight.”

Pictured (L-R): Warner/Chappell’s Steve Markland; This Music’s Rusty Gaston; ASCAP’s Tim DuBois; co-writers Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, and Dallas Davidson; Josh Turner; BMI’s Jody Williams; UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser; and EMI Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran.

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Anastasia Brown

Anastasia Brown has joined LA/NY based Format Entertainment, which specializes in music supervision, production and soundtracks for film. Format has worked on films such as Iron Man 1 & 2, Sex and the City 1 &2, The Blindside, Alvin and The Chipmunks 1 & 2, and Swingers.

Brown will head up a Nashville Format branch, act as a music supervisor, plus tap into musical talent residing in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Having already developed offices in Los Angeles and New York, Format looks forward to the Nashville expansion.

“I’ve spent the last several years focusing on bridging Nashville with the film and entertainment communities in New York and LA,” says Brown. “I am passionate about music and excited to join forces with Format to take Nashville and its singers, songwriters and musicians to the next level. Whether it be supervision, consultation, artist representation or raising film financing for music driven films, I’m committed. I believe Nashville will become the true third coast within the next few years.”

Brown has worked with artists such as Sting, Peter Frampton, Leon Russell, Waylon Jennings, Junior Brown, John Berry and Keith Urban, whom she helped launch in 1994 as co-manager. She has experience in artist management, A&R, and publishing and was asked to join NBC’s Nashville Star as a celebrity judge.

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Maxine Edwards

SESAC has announced the appointment of Maxine Edwards to Vice President, Broadcast Operations. Edwards previously served as Vice President, Licensing Administration & Process Development. In her new position, she will be responsible for directing and evaluating strategic licensing initiatives within the broadcast and digital media industries. She will continue to work out of the SESAC headquarters in Nashville.

“Maxine brings a deep understanding of the ever-changing licensing world and has proven to be a confident and effective leader,” states Pat Collins, SESAC President/COO. “She possesses a clear vision of the future of SESAC and I feel she will continue to contribute significantly to SESAC’s ongoing growth in the music world.”

Edwards joined SESAC in 1995 as Manager, Account Resolutions and was subsequently promoted to Director, Administration & Support in 1997. In 2000, Edwards was named Senior Director, Licensing Administration before being promoted to Vice President, Administration & Process Development in 2005. Prior to joining SESAC, Edwards served as Senior Case Manager for Chapter 13 Trustee, Western District of TN.
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The Songwriter Agency, a firm centered on booking hit songwriters in mainstream venues, has opened its doors in Nashville. Music industry veterans Paul Compton, Randy Harrell, and Rod Parkin co-founded the agency, which already has a roster of over 30 country, rock, and pop writers.

Among those on the roster are Regie Hamm (David Cook’s “Time Of My Life”), Buddy Cannon, Wynn Varble, Deanna Bryant (Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy”), and Phillip White (Rascal Flatts’ “I’m Moving On”).

“We created The Songwriter Agency as an outlet for some of the most talented and gifted composers and creators of award-winning music to get out and perform their songs,” says Compton, President/co-founder of the company. “Music fans know the songs, now they’ll get a chance to listen to the creators of songs that are literally woven in the fabric of our lives.”

For booking opportunities contact Randy Harrell at 904-437-8463 or randy@thesongwriteragency.com.