Music News 4/12/12

Chris Tompkins kissing his latest catch. Photo: Rodney Clawson (co-writer of “Feel Like A Rockstar” and “Drunk On You”)

Chris Tompkins has renewed his publishing agreement with Big Loud Shirt.

Tompkins co-wrote the new Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw duet “Feel Like A Rockstar,” Luke Bryan’s current Top 20 single “Drunk On You,” and earned a Grammy Award for the Carrie Underwood hit “Before He Cheats.”

Underwood’s upcoming album will include two songs by Tompkins, including the title track, “Blown Away.”

Additionally, Tompkins has had songs cut by Scotty McCreery, Chris Young, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Jimmy Buffett, Plain White T’s, Daughtry and Nickelback.

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Ram Writers Group’s Doug Merrick, Sharpe, producer Will Rambeaux and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Peyton Hoge

SESAC singer/songwriter Liz Sharpe has signed with Ram Writers Group for publishing representation. Sharpe, who released her debut disc, Kiss Your Soul in 2011, is currently working on a new project.

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Razor & Tie Music Publishing writer Catt Gravitt recently celebrated her first No. 1 song: “Alone With You” recorded by Jake Owen. Co-written with Shane McAnally and JT Harding, the track has already gone Gold — having sold over 600K downloads.

This is Razor & Tie Music Publishing’s second country No. 1 in less than six months, following Dave Barnes’ “God Gave Me You,” recorded by Blake Shelton.

Jake Owen and Catt Gravitt

Gravitt’s other recent/current singles and cuts include “Why Ya Wanna” (Jana Kramer), “Amen” (Edens Edge), “Honesty” (Kelly Clarkson), and two cuts on Adam Lambert’s next album.

“We have been proud to work with Catt Gravitt for nearly five years,” said Sharon Tapper, Vice President Music Publishing. “She is an extraordinarily talented writer, blessed with a creative spirit that enables her to connect with artists and co-writers on a very deep level, enabling her to create songs that resonate with honesty and truth. We are proud and honored to be part of Catt’s team.”

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Music industry veteran Janice Soled has launched My Music Screen, an online subscription service for artists, songwriters, publishers and record companies looking to pitch their works for TV and film.

“My Music Screen is a modern, interactive, web-based approach to a music pitch sheet,” says Soled. “I first realized the need for such a targeted service to help artists and songwriters make this connection, while working with publishers and music supervisors at Conexion Media Group in Nashville.”

During her tenure with Conexion, Soled managed exploitation and media licensing for the company’s catalogs, placing music with TV, film, ad agencies and video games. Her resume includes experience with RCA Label Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Pictures Music Division.

My Music Screen subscribers pay an annual fee for access to the list of films and shows in production, which also includes the ability to submit up to 10 Mp3s a month for consideration. Submissions are reviewed for suitability and pitched by My Music Screen. The service is for professional use only, and does not accept demos.

More info here.