Music News 6/2/11

SESAC’s Nashville Music Awards has been set for Monday, November 7 at the company’s Nashville headquarters. The invitation only event, which honors the top songwriters and publishers in country and Americana, awarded Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott with its coveted Songwriter of the Year honor in 2010.

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The 9th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival tunes up tomorrow, offering original music, professional instruction and open jam sessions. The festival runs June 3-5 in and around the Music Row area. Registration is currently open. Check http://www.songwritersfestival.com/ for details.

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The popular Mow the Row Lawnmower race on Demonbreun, benefiting the Hospitality House in honor of Joshua Ragsdale, has been postponed. Originally set for June 7, the event will now be rescheduled for later. Watch mowtherow.com for updates.

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Registration for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2011 in Nashville opens today. The week-long event runs September 26 – October 2 and features a business conference, the International Bluegrass Music Awards, and the Bluegrass Fan Fest. More info at http://worldofbluegrass.org/

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At the International Country Music Conference held recently at Belmont University, the Belmont Book Award for best book on country music was presented to Bar Biszick-Lockwood for her book Restless Giant: The Life and Times of Jean Aberback & Hill and Range Songs. Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ralph Emery by Belmont Book Awards founder and Chair Don Cusic (pictured below).

(L-R): Cusic, Biszick-Lockwood, Emery.

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Duff Berschback

Sony/ATV has promoted Duff Berschback to Sr. VP, Legal Affairs and Business Development, Nashville. Most recently Sony/ATV’s VP, Business Affairs, Berschback will continue his responsibilities for all aspects of business and legal affairs in the Nashville office, including signings, catalog acquisitions, joint ventures, and litigation. His new role will including developing new business models, strategic relationships and growth initiatives. Berschback joined Sony/ATV in 2007 as Sr. Dir., Business Affairs. Prior to that he worked for a private law practice representing writers, artists, managers and more.

Sony/ATV has also announced the signing of Kristen Kelly to an exclusive publishing deal. The Texas artist also recently inked a record deal with RCA and is working on music with producers Paul Overstreet and Tony Brown. She is one of the first clients to join John Grady’s new Crush Nashville roster.

(L-R): Front: Stephanie Cox, Kristen Kelly, Paul Overstreet; Back: Troy Tomlinson, John Grady, Ben Strain, Jordan S. Keller