Music News 4/7/11

>>>Alan Jackson and EMI Music Publishing have extended their relationship with a new global deal. The country superstar first signed with the publisher more than ten years ago. The new co-publishing agreement covers Jackson’s classic catalog of songs including “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When,” “Good Time,” “Small Town Southern Man” and “Drive. The announcement of Jackson’s deal extension with EMI Music Publishing follows his new recording deal with EMI in Nashville. Jackson’s upcoming studio album will be released as a joint venture between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and Capitol’s EMI Records Nashville label.

>>>Songwriter Mike Ulvila has signed a publishing deal with Davis Music Group. Ulvila, also known for his work as a musician and producer, has had songs recorded by Kenny Rogers and Ronnie Milsap. Davis Music Group is a full-service artist development, management, publishing and production company with artists including Point of Grace and Jacob Lyda, and songwriters David Chamberlain, Trey Matthews and Tony Ramey.

Mike Ulvila (L) and Gator Michaels (R)

>>>Ray Stevens has signed with the Bobby Roberts Co. for booking and Absolute Publicity for public relations representation. Multi-platinum selling Stevens is currently in the studio working on several all new albums including Ray Stevens: Spirit of ’76 and the tentatively titled, Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, a 100+ song collection of some of the greatest comedic tunes of all time.

(L-R): Bobby Roberts, Ray Stevens, Absolute Publicity's Don Murry Grubbs

>>>SESAC has signed singer/songwriter Nathan Bell for representation. Bell, who recently released his latest album, Black Crow Blue, stopped by the SESAC offices to visit and celebrate with the staff.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink; Nathan Bell; SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale. Photo: Ed Rode

>>>Dawn Delvo has joined Black River Entertainment to oversee content management, social networking and e-commerce for the label and its artists. Since moving to Nashville in 2006, the North Dakota native has been building her resume and most recently worked at Lotos Nile: Media Marketing Music. Black River Entertainment artists include Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling, Craig Morgan and Due
West.

>>>JKMusicwerks and owner Jeffrey Kadlubowski have signed songwriter Eric Durrance to a one-year contract. Durrance has had hits including Jake Owen’s “Eight Second Ride.” His other songwriting credits include two songs on the soundtrack for the movie The Passion of The Christ, as well as three hit Christian singles with his former band Big Dismal.

>>>Word Music Publishing has signed hit songwriter Steven Dale Jones. The Grammy nominated/award winning writer is known for penning such hits as “One More Day” (Diamond Rio), “Ten Thousand Angels” (Mindy McCready), “He Gets That From Me” (Reba), and many more. Showing his diverse talent, Jones has had cuts from artists as wide-ranging as the Gaither Vocal Band, John Legend, Cassandra Wilson, Josh Turner, and John Waite. Word Music Publishing is also home to hit songwriters Paul Alan, Matt Boswell, Ian Eskelin, Michael Farren, Becca Mizell, Shaun Shankel, and Jason Walker.

Pictured (L-R): Word Music Publishing's Chad Segura, Steven Dale Jones, and Word Music Publishing's Chad Green