Music News 7/19/12

Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Nashville hitmaker, Shane McAnally and Smack Ink (ASCAP), to an exclusive, worldwide administration agreement.

McAnally has written hits for Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire, Chris Young, Miranda Lambert, and Luke Bryan, to name a few. McAnally first gained recognition on the songwriting scene for co-writing Womack’s Top 20 single “Last Call.” Since then, he has used his talents to pen the No. 1 singles “Somewhere With You,” recorded by Chesney, and “Alone with You” recorded by Jake Owen.

Other tracks Shane McAnally has collaborated on include: “Neon” (Young), “Mama’s Broken Heart” (Lambert), “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” (Bryan), and Chesney’s current single “Come Over.”

McAnally also recently completed production on the debut album for Universal Music Nashville recording artist Kacey Musgraves (co-produced with Musgraves and UMPG writer Luke Laird).

(L-R): (front): Smack Ink's Robin Palmer, Shane McAnally, attorney Jason Turner; (back): UMPG Nashville VP Creative Cyndi Forman and UMPG Nashville Exec. VP/GM Kent Earls

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Standing (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Dennis Lord and Magic Mustang Publishing’s Juli Newton-Griffith. Seated: Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson.

SESAC has announced the signing of Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square for representation. Thompson along with wife and duo partner, Shawna Thompson, took home the ACM’s Top Vocal Duo of the year in 2012. Thompson Square stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters recently to visit and celebrate the new partnership.

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Buddy Lee Attractions is launching a country and southern rock talent competition, Bands, Bourbon & B.A.S.S. in association with Evan Williams Bourbon and Bassmaster.

The talent search includes solo artists and bands from across the nation. Five finalists will perform Sept. 6 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon and will be judged on showmanship, musicianship and vocal abilities by a committee of music and entertainment industry executives.

The grand prize is $1,000 cash, a professional photo shoot in Nashville and the opportunity to open for RCA/Sony recording artists Bush Hawg. Second and third place winners will receive cash prizes of $500 and $250, respectively.

“We see extraordinary talent come and go on Music Row, and this talent search was created to give artist hopefuls the chance to be seen and heard…and treated like an ‘artist for a day,’” explains Donna Lee, Vice President & General Manager/Buddy Lee Attractions.

The entry fee is $75.00 and must be received by Aug., 22. Click here for details.

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Pictured (L-R): Front Row–Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta, FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, Republic Nashville Pres./BMLG EVP Jimmy Harnen; Back Row – BMLG GM Andrew Kautz, Big Loud Mountain Partner/Florida Georgia Line Manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Big Loud Mountain/Florida Georgia Line Manager Seth England, Big Loud Mountain Partner Craig Wiseman, BMLG VP A&R Allison Jones, and Big Loud Mountain Partner/Florida Georgia Line Producer Joey Moi. Photo: Ivan Clow

Earlier today (7/16), Florida Georgia Line inked its first major record deal with Republic Nashville/BMLG.

Monroe, Georgia’s Tyler Hubbard and Ormond Beach, Florida’s Brian Kelley recently released a digital EP, It’z Just What We Do on Big Loud Mountain, a partnership between Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk. The debut single, “Cruise,” has sold over 100,000 downloads to date. Republic Nashville will amp up promotion efforts for the title.

“Florida Georgia Line has built a gigantic army of loyal fans, one by one all across the USA and Canada! Their talent, energy and work ethic are second to none,” said Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen.

The duo will maintain existing commitments on Jake Owen’s and Brantley Gilbert’s tours, and recently appeared on the Country Throwdown Tour.