Music News 8/16/12

Pictured (L-R): Curb Music Publishing's Drew Alexander and Colt Cameron, Katie Kessler and ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel

Katie Kessler has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Curb Music Publishing.

Kessler was discovered after participating in ASCAP’s Country Songwriters Workshop and The ASCAP Belmont Songwriter Series. She is also a recent graduate of Belmont University.

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Chris Stapleton, Sarah Zimmermann (Striking Matches), Morgane Hayes, Eric Paslay, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Dave Berg and Justin Davis (Striking Matches)

Country songwriters and Napa Valley winemakers came together for ASCAP’s annual Nashville In Napa on August 11 at Baldacci Family Vineyards to benefit Notes for Education, founded by Frank Rogers and Debi Cali of Baldacci Vineyards.

This year’s event, featured songwriters including Jessi Alexander, Dave Berg, Morgane Hayes Stapleton, Eric Paslay, Jon Randall and Chris Stapleton. Prior to the main event, Radney Foster, Silverado Pickups and Striking Matches (Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann) entertained an audience on August 8, at the Napa Valley Opera House.

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink and Vezner. Photo: Peyton Hoge

SESAC has signed songwriter Jon Vezner for representation. Vezner has scored cuts by Martina McBride, John Mellencamp, and Faith Hill. He also co-wrote the Kathy Mattea classic “Where’ve You Been,” which went on to win Song of the Year honors at the CMA and ACM Awards and a Best Country Song Grammy.

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Pictured (L-R): Curb Publishing’s Colt Cameron, SESAC’s John Mullins, Bigger Picture’s Nick Garvin, Sheets, SESAC's Tim Fink, Bigger Picture’s Alan Kates, Curb Publishing’s Drew Alexander and Bigger Picture’s Jeff Carlton. Photo: Ed Rode

Singer/songwriter Luke Sheets has entered in an exclusive agreement with Curb Publishing/Bigger Picture Group for representation.

Sheets recently stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters with executives from Curb Publishing and Bigger Picture Group for a celebratory visit.