Music News 8/18/11

CMA Songwriters Series

Billy Currington and Josh Thompson will be featured artist/songwriters at upcoming CMA Songwriters Series shows October 6 and 7.

New York City’s Joe’s Pub will celebrate its grand re-opening with two nights of Nashville songwriters for the popular “CMA Songwriters Series” October 6 and 7.

Mercury Nashville artist Billy Currington, whose songwriting credits include “That’s How Country Boys Roll” and “Walk A Little Straighter” will be the featured artist/songwriter Thursday, October 6. Columbia Nashville’s Josh Thompson, who has hit singles “Way Out Here” and “Beer On The Table” in addition to songs for Jason Aldean and more, will be featured on October 7.

Performing both nights will be Scotty Emerick (“I Love This Bar,” “Good As I Once Was”) and David Lee Murphy (“Dust On The Bottle,” “Big Green Tractor”), and Bob DiPiero, who will serve as host in addition to performing his songs.

The event is part of Joe’s Pub’s grand re-opening, following its first renovation in 13 years. As part of the make-over, Joe’s has made renovations to seating, restrooms, artist dressing rooms, and moved the entrance from Lafayette Street inside The Public Theater lobby. Patrons can now also reserve seating online. Reserved tickets are $30, and VIP tickets for the October 6 show are $40.

Nashville In Napa
ASCAP recently sponsored Nashville In Napa August 6 at Baldacci Family Vineyards in Napa, California. The fundraiser supports music education through a unique event combining music, wine and food. This year’s performers were Jessi Alexander, Radney Foster, Brett James, Jon Randall, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Hayes and Craig Wiseman. nashvilleinnapa.com.

(On ground, L-R): Craig Wiseman, Morgane Hayes, Nashville In Napa organizer/Baldacci Family Vineyards GM & winemaker Debi Cali, Jessi Alexander, Brett James, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad; (On Baldacci sign, L-R): Chris Stapleton, Jon Randall, Radney Foster; Photo: Julie Meirick

Sandestin Music Festival
BMI was a co-sponsor of the 2nd Annual Sandestin Music Festival in Destin, FL August 12-13. The packed lineup featured top notch hitmakers Jeffrey Steele and James Slater; Broadway star Lari White; and up-and-comers Kree Harrison, Thomas Rhett, Joanna Cotten, Jon Pardi, and the Pernikoff Brothers.

(Back row, L-R): BMI’s Mary Loving, Trustcore’s Darryl Edmonds, and BMI’s Mark Mason; (Front row, L-R): Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Shawna Meisner, BMI’s Jody Williams, Thomas Rhett, Jeffrey Steele, James Slater, and Lari White. Photo: Steve Lowry

Hall of Fame Hosts Connie Smith Residency
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is prepping its 2011 Artist-in-Residence series with Connie Smith. She’ll be joined onstage at the Ford Theater by some of her favorite collaborators for the intimate performances, taking place Monday nights Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 12. Event tickets can be purchased by Museum members for $35 per show, or by the general public for $45 per show at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or the Museum box office.

Cary Barlowe

Cary Barlowe Re-Ups With Major Bob
Major Bob Music has re-signed Cary Barlowe to an exclusive worldwide songwriting deal. The two-time Grammy nominee has had genre-crossing cuts from Tobymac, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum’s No. 1 “American Honey,” and Danny Gokey’s current single, “Second Hand Heart.”

Barlowe also continues his rock career as a writing member of both The Honeymoon Thrillers and Luna Halo.

“Major Bob Music is extremely excited to continue the momentum and success we have achieved with Cary,” says Jesse Frasure, Director of A&R, Major Bob Music. Going into his fifth year with Major Bob, we still have much more to accomplish and are honored to help build his brand in a variety of genres.”

Magic Mustang Inks Producer/Songwriters
Magic Mustang has signed Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy and Rich Redmond to publishing deals. The writers are three of the four members of Nashville-based music production company, NV, who recently produced the Stoney Creek Records’ chart-topping debut album for Thompson Square.

“Not only are they brilliant musicians and producers, they are incredible songwriters,” says Magic Mustang Creative Director Juli Griffith. “These talented guys were already part of our BBR/SCR family, producing many of our acts and part of Jason Aldean’s band, so I am thrilled to officially add them to the Magic Mustang roster.”

Current roster of writers on the Magic Mustang team include Jason Aldean, Sherrie Austin, Rob Hatch, John Edwards, Westin Davis, Ash Bowers, Blake Wise and Thompson Square.

Pictured (L-R): Kurt Allison, CEO/Pres. Benny Brown, BBR/SCR Creative Dir. Juli Griffith, Magic Mustang Music, and Tully Kennedy.