Music News 01/26/2012

Combustion Music has announced the promotion of Kenley Flynn to Creative Manager. He originally joined the publishing company in 2011 following his graduation from Belmont University’s College of Entertainment and Music Business.

In this role, Flynn will work closely with Combustion President Chris Farren and VP Chris Van Belkom in catalog exploitation as well as managing a writer roster that includes Ashley Gorley, Brett James, Matthew West and Blair Daly.

Congratulate him here.

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Penny Everhard is the newest member of BMI's Writer/Publisher Relations team.

Penny Everhard has joined Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) as Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, it was announced today by Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville for BMI. Everhard will report to Williams and Clay Bradley, Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.

In her new position at the performing right organization, Everhard will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with BMI songwriters and music publishers in Nashville and throughout the Southeast region. She will also assist BMI writers and publishers with administrative and creative functions and help coordinate local and national songwriter events, showcases and seminars.

Prior to joining BMI, Everhard served as a song plugger and creative manager at both Tom-Leis Music and Love Monkey Music in Nashville, where she created and executed opportunities for staff writers, including top-tier artist and writer co-writes. In addition to also scouting and developing new talent, she oversaw day-to-day office management, and served as production assistant for all sessions, which included hiring musicians, booking studios and processing billing. Everhard studied Business Administration at Belmont University in Nashville, where she graduated with a BBA in Music Business.

Congratulate her at peverhard@bmi.com

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Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has added Black River Entertainment VP of A&R, Doug Johnson to the listening panel for the Music City Songwriting Competition. Johnson will review all songs submitted or postmarked between Jan. 27-29, and the writer of his top pick will be given the opportunity to perform before one of Black River artist Craig Morgan’s 2012 shows. Entries for the amateur songwriting competition will continue to be accepted through Jan. 31.

The competition will be narrowed to the top 25 entries to be judged based on melody, composition, originality, lyrics and commercial appeal by a panel including Morgan, Tim Nichols, Mike Sistad, Alex Torrez, Storme Warren and Butch Spyridon.

The winner will recieve $1,000 cash, five nights admission and airfare for two to Nashville’s CMA Music Fest with an interview on GAC and Sirius XM. A mentoring session from Craig Morgan will be offered along with a feature in American Songwriter, a co-write session, demo recording session and a single song publishing deal with Black River Entertainment.

Johnson has had over 100 cuts and seven No. 1s and worked with the careers of Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Ty Herndon, Clay Walker, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes, Wynonna and Lee Brice.

Songs are accepted by mail or mp3 online for $25. Additional songs for $15. All entries receive a copy of Morgan’s upcoming CD.

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Bruce Cockburn. Photo: Kevin Kelly

Rotten Kiddies Music, a subsidiary of independent publisher Carlin America, has announced the acquisition of Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s catalog.

An Ottawa native with over 30 albums to his credit, Cockburn has landed nine Top 10 singles over the course of his career. Hits such as “Going To The Country” (1970), “Wondering Where the Lions Are” (1979), and “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (1984) all performed well and brought Cockburn acclaim.

An accomplished guitarist, Cockburn has also composed works for television and film including the opening and closing credits to children’s series Franklin. As a songwriter, his works have been recorded by a diverse collection of artists such as Chet Atkins, Barenaked Ladies, Jimmy Buffet, Elbow, Dan Fogelberg, the Jerry Garcia Band, k.d. lang, and more.

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Kobalt Music Group is expanding with the launch of an Artist and Label Services division, as well as a Neighbouring Rights division.

The Artist and Label Services division is propelled by the company’s acquisition of AWAL, which distributes and promotes the recorded music of more than 5,000 independent labels and artists, including Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, the Editors, and Moby. Through the acquisition, Kobalt obtains access to AWAL’s worldwide distribution network of more than 200 digital retail partners, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, eMusic, Rhapsody, 7Digital, Beatport, Deezer, Nokia and 247.

During the coming year Kobalt Artist and Label Services division will roll out next generation services for artists and labels worldwide, offering digital retail, subscription, D2C and social media services, and advanced data analytics. AWAL will remain a standalone company within Kobalt Music Group. The company is expected to expand and will continue to operate independently from its London and Sheffield offices.

Paul Hitchman will serve as Managing Director of Kobalt Artist and Label Services, effective Feb. 1. Hitchman’s career includes co-founding the European digital music companies Playlouder, MSP and CI, as well as time at Warner Music UK and Arista/BMG UK. AWAL’s management team of Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Quarmby, Denzyl Feigelson and Paul Bower will remain intact reporting to Hitchman.

Kobalt Neighbouring Rights Limited (KNRL) has tapped Hans van Berkel, Founder and former CEO of leading rights society SENA, as KNRL Executive Chairman. In the U.S., John Simson, former executive director of SoundExchange, will serve as U.S. Representative for Artist Relations and Business Development. Sabine Jones, who previously ran neighboring rights societies PAMRA (UK) and SWISSPERFORM, has joined as KNRL Managing Director.