Music News 8/23/12

Franklin Theatre will host a songwriters night benefit next Monday (8/27) at 7 p.m with proceeds benefiting Williamson County CASA. The organization works in the court system through trained community volunteers collaborating with key agencies, legal counsel and community resources serving as the child’s advocate and representation in juvenile court.

Hosted by Shannon McCombs, the evening will feature performances by Rivers Rutherford (“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You”–Brooks & Dunn, “Real Good Man”–Tim McGraw, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me”–Montgomery Gentry), Wil Nance (“She’s Everything”–Brad Paisley, “Round About Way”–George Strait), Bob Regan (“Your Everything”–Keith Urban, “Thinking About You”–Trisha Yearwood) and Billy Yates (“Choices”–George Jones).

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 for classic admission and $75 for cabaret admission. They can be purchased here.

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Janson and Stegall taking a break in the studio. Photo: Nick Garvin

Chris Janson is celebrating a major hit as co-writer of Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” while finishing up his first album with Bigger Picture Group. Janson has spent the summer in the studio with producer and Bigger Picture Group Chairman Keith Stegall working on the project.

Janson credits Stegall with helping him find the motivation to stay his course in the music industry. “I had given up on the music business, and then I met Keith,” he says. “We just hit it off. He approached me about liking my music and what I was doing with it and something just clicked. He really motivated me to move forward.”

As a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, Janson has writing credits with Guns N’ Roses and others, and contributed harmonica to Lee Brice’s album Hard 2 Love. Janson released a single, “’Til A Woman Comes Along,” in 2010 on BNA Records. Having opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr., Janson continues touring and will play a showcase at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on Mon., Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.

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Kent Earls, Executive VP/GM of Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville announced key appointments in the company’s Nashville office. Cyndi Forman has been promoted to VP, Creative; Missy Wilson has joined the team as Senior Creative Director; Freeman Wizer has been promoted to Creative Director, and Travis Gordon has been appointed Creative Manager.

“These appointments represent UMPG Nashville’s creative investment and commitment to the Nashville songwriter community,” said Kent Earls. “Cyndi, Missy, Freeman, and Travis, along with the entire Creative team at UMPG Nashville, are dedicated to delivering the very best in client services to our songwriters.”

Cyndi Forman will lead the Nashville creative team, reporting to Earls. Forman has secured cuts including Kenny Chesney’s “You & Tequila” and developed newcomer Hunter Hayes, as well as working with Mark Nesler, Rivers Rutherford, and Shane McAnally. Missy Wilson was most recently with EMI Music Publishing and delivered cuts for Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, and many others. Freeman Wizer’s songplugging credits include cuts for Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw and more. He most recently signed up-and-coming writer Ryan Hurd. Travis Gordon will be focused on writer development, plugging, and pitching. He was most recently with William Morris Endeavor.