Music News 6/9/11

The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville will host performances by a slew of songwriters during CMA Music Festival. Kicking off tonight (6/9), the 5th Annual Songwriters Series will run through Saturday, June 11. Shows start at 10 PM. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Musicians On Call.

Thursday, June 9—BMI presents Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Thomas Rhett Akins, and Rhett Akins. After-Party featuring LoCash Cowboys.

Friday, June 10—ASCAP presents Dave Berg, Clay Mills, Ashley Gorley, and Chris Stapleton. After-Party featuring Matt Stillwell, Rachel Farley and
 Ty Stone.

Saturday, June 11, 2011—SESAC presents Monty Powell, Jon Nicholson, Rob Hatch, and Brian White. After-Party featuring Aly Sutton, Marthia Sides, and The Roys.

Tickets and details here.

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The CMA Awards will be presented Nov. 9.

The weather may be hot, but cool weather and cooler parties are on the horizon. Nashville’s music business is already eyeing the fall awards season, which brings numerous annual events, culminating with the CMA Awards.

Among the causes for celebration are performing rights organizations saluting the most-performed songs of the year, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions.

All of these exclusive black-tie events are invitation only, except for the CMA Awards, which offers tickets to the public.

Here’s the list in chronological order:

Tues., Sept. 13—ASCAP Country Music Awards, venue to be announced

Sun., Oct. 16— 41st annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Renaissance Hotel Nashville

Mon., Nov. 7— SESAC Nashville Music Awards at the company’s Music Row offices
Tues., Nov. 8—59th annual BMI Country Awards at the company’s Music Row offices
Wed., Nov. 9—45th annual CMA Awards air live (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
MusicRow keeps a running list of industry events here.

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A room full of family and friends joined BMI in celebrating the team behind the Billy Currington No. 1 hit “Let Me Down Easy” at a party on May 31. Co-written by Marty Dodson and husband-wife duo Mark Nesler and Jennifer Hanson, the song marks Currington’s seventh trip to the top. The BMI team of co-writers have also had their fair share of success on the charts: “Let Me Down Easy” is Dodson’s third No. 1, Hanson’s second, and Nesler’s sixth.

Pictured (L-R): ole’s Gilles Godard, Mercury Records’ Ken Robold, producer Carson Chamberlain, co-writer Marty Dodson, Billy Currington, co-writers Jennifer Hanson and Mark Nesler, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Disney Music Publishing’s Kos Weaver, ole’s Arthur Buenahora, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry