Music News 10/6/11

John Ozier

John Ozier has been upped to VP A&R for Curb Records. He joined the label in 2002 and during his career has placed hits with Lee Brice, Tim McGraw, Heidi Newfield, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna and Natalie Grant.

Curb Chairman Mike Curb announced Ozier’s promotion from his former post as Director of A&R. “We’re proud to promote John to VP of A&R,” says Curb. “He’s worked in several divisions of the label and has always shown exemplary leadership skills.”

“I am honored and thrilled that Mike Curb has given me the opportunity to run the A&R Department at a record company that has been successful for over 50 years,” adds Ozier. “We have such a great roster and I look forward to working with every single artist.”

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The 2011 SESAC Nashville Music Awards will celebrate the year’s most successful songwriters and publishers at a new venue, The Pinnacle at Symphony Place. The move to The Pinnacle marks a location change for the awards event which was hosted at SESAC’s Nashville headquarters for almost two decades. The black-tie, invitation-only event will be held on Nov. 7, and will honor the top songwriters and publishers in Country and Americana music.

In more SESAC news, Joined by newly signed affiliate Mary Francis, SESAC executives Tim Fink and Amy Beth Hale celebrated the release of So Much In Between by Darin & Brooke Aldridge (Mountain Home) during the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference. The project was produced by acclaimed SESAC songwriter/musician Jerry Salley and features songs by some of Nashville’s most exciting writers including SESAC affiliates, Salley, Francis, singer/songwriter Karyn Williams, and Bernie Nelson. Darin & Brooke Aldridge were nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year at the IBMA Awards.

Pictured (L-R): Jerry Salley, SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale, Karyn Williams, Bernie Nelson, Darin Aldridge, Brooke Aldridge, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Mary Francis. Photo: Ed Rode

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Hit songwriter, publisher, veteran ASCAP executive, author and former President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Ralph Murphy recently (10/4) discussed his book Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting, The Book, at ASCAP’s Nashville offices.

Murphy has been successful as a songwriter for five decades. Consistently charting songs in an ever-changing musical environment makes him a member of that very small group of professionals who make a living doing what they love to do. Murphy’s book helps arm songwriters for success by demystifying the process and opening the door to serious professional songwriting.

Nashville Songwriters Association Executive Director Bart Herbison called the book, “A must read.” Grammy winnning Hall of Famer songwriter Don Schlitz has said about the book, “Ralph has taught countless grateful students (myself included) and still loves the art, the craft and the process. Now he has taken the time to write it down… lucky us!”