Music News 02/02/2012

MusicRow announces the launch of the Rising Women on the Row event to salute up-and-coming women who have made substantial contributions to the Nashville music industry early in their careers. This year’s honorees will be feted at a sit-down breakfast and awards ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s. Click here for more information.

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Alex Heddle has been named Creative Director for Love Monkey Music and Tom-Leis Music, where he will be responsible for managing and plugging the catalogs of Bob DiPiero, Sarah Buxton, Amanda Flynn, Kimberly June, and Brandon Kinney. Heddle replaces Penny Everhard, who recently moved to BMI.

“I’m here to help the writers grow creatively and professionally,” says Heddle of his new position. “I’m aggressively pursuing opportunities for each writer and promoting the heck out of their respective catalogs.”

Heddle was previously with Writer’s Den Music Group, where he managed a writer staff including Adam Wright, Ronnie Rogers, Tami Hinesh, Ben Cooper, and Bonnie Bishop. Prior to that, he helped launch Propel Music as Creative Director, after previously worked same position at Ash Street Music in 2005. He is a 2008 graduate of Belmont University with a degree in Business Administration. Alex can be congratulated at Alex@TomLeisMusic.com or Alex@LoveMonkeyMusic.com.

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Shelby Kennedy

Derek George, President of publishing and artist development company Wide Open Music Group, is pleased to announce the addition of Shelby Kennedy as Sr. VP and Lynn Gann as VP, Publishing.

George, a songwriter and musician, co-founded Wide Open Music Group with Steve Williams. In its first year alone, the company secured cuts by Danny Gokey, Love and Theft, Bryan White, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and more.

“I’m so happy to have Shelby and Lynn on board,” said George. “They are the perfect guys to have on our team as we expand our publishing and artist management/development opportunities. I’m really excited about our new direction and Wide Open’s future in the industry.”

Kennedy brings a distinguished 25-year background in songwriting, publishing and production to the Wide Open team. He was most recently Sr. Vice President/COO at Cherry Heart Music, and has also held posts at ASCAP, BMI, and Lyric Street Records. His father is legendary guitarist and record executive Jerry Kennedy, and his brothers are songwriters Gordon and Bryan Kennedy. “I am looking forward to creating opportunities in this new frontier of our industry, where doing business as usual is expanded to the unusual,” said Kennedy. “I am proud to be on a team that can live up to its name…Wide Open.”

Lynn Gann

Gann also brings almost 25 years of experience to his new post as Vice President of the company’s publishing division. Beginning his career at Tom Collins Music, he later worked at MCA Music Publishing and Zomba Enterprises before joining Full Circle Music Publishing as Vice President/Partner in 2003. During his eight-year stint at Full Circle, he was responsible for hits such as Kenny Chesney’s “Boys of Fall,” Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” and the recent hit “Old Alabama.” He said, “I am excited to be working with such a talented and forward-thinking group of writers, artists and executives.”

Wide Open Music Group is located at 54 Music Sq. E., Ste. 390, Nashville, TN. Visit them online at www.wideopenmusicgroup.com.