Music News 8/9/12

Deadwood, SD, will host a wagon train of over 20 songwriters for the inaugural Wild West Songwriters Festival October 11-14.

Songwriters and artists participating include Wayne Kirkpatrick, Jaren Johnston, Steven Dale Jones, Brandy Clark, Tyler Hilton, Bonnie Baker, Danny Myrick, Shane McAnally, Cary Barlowe, Josh Osborne, Carl Bell (of Fuel), Emerson Hart (of Tonic), Marc Beeson, Billy Burnette, Andrew McMahon, and Catilyn Smith.

The Festival will be held day and night at Deadwood’s historic establishments, including The Deadwood Mountain Grand, Saloon #10, The Bullock Hotel, and The Deadwood Loading Dock. Nightcap Socials, Happy Hours, and other events will be available for Weekend Pass Holders at $75. Single-Day tickets are available for $25-35. For more information, click here.

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The CMA Songwriters Series will return to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Thursday, September 13, and singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley will headline the evening’s 6:30 and 9 pm songwriter rounds.

“The CMA Songwriter series is a really cool gig,” said Bentley. “Joe’s Pub is so intimate and the audience is a huge part of those shows because they’re so close. It’s like everybody in the room is in on a secret or something. You’ve got four guys with guitars, telling stories and drinking whiskey…anything can happen!”

Joining Bentley for the performances will be songwriters Jim Beavers (Dierks’ “5-1-5-0,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance”), Jaren Johnston (Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Sara Evans’ “Anywhere”), and series host Bob DiPiero.

Tickets are $35 and $40. Visit www.joespub.com for more info.

Bentley also recently announced the release of his Country & Cold Cans EP, available Aug. 21, which features his new single “Tip It On Back.” Bentley will kick off college football season with the Country & Cold Cans: Back to College Tour, which includes performances by Jaren Johnston’s band The Cadillac Black. Dates here.
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SESAC is preparing a $300 million bond sale as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The bond offering is being marketed to both institutional investors and high net worth individuals and is backed by the revenues it receives that broadcast their music. The bonds are only available to “qualified institutional buyers,” or those who have $100 million or more of investable assets.

Based in Nashville, SESAC has the exclusive rights to the public broadcast or performance of such legendary artists as Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond.

This is the fourth time SESAC has issued bonds with proceeds going toward paying dividends to shareholders and being used to refinance existing debt among others.

Goldman Sachs is representing the bond offering. Click here for the full article.
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(L-R): Kent Wolfenbarger, Heather Cook; CEO Cook'n Up Music, Simone Simonton (songwriter), Tyler Middleton, and Ryan Beuschel: ASCAP Creative Manager

Cook’n Up Music Publishing signed a worldwide publishing and administrative agreement with songwriter, Simone Simonton. Simonton’s songwriting successes include Sugarland cuts “Baby Girl,” “Down in Mississippi,” “Speed of Life” and “Fly Away.” Simonton’s talent as a drummer/percussionist has also earned her album credits on Indigo Girls/Rites of Passage, Rarities, Retrospective: The Best of the Indigo Girls, Live: Back on the Bus, Y’all from the Indigo Girls.

CEO, Heather Cook says, “We’re excited to have Simone on the team! She brings an edge with her experience of five years as the drummer and primary songwriter for South 70 (Red Light Management), opening for Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young, Styx and others.”

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The Orchard recently announced the signing of the quartet Lonestar. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the band is uniting once again with their original lead vocalist, Richie McDonald, on an upcoming album release.

“Lonestar and The Orchard’s relationship reflects the synergy that is the new model for what bands are doing now and in the future,” says Lonestar’s manager, Corey Wagner. “The band is able to pick all of its partners—management, agent, distribution, promotion—to properly promote and share their new music and intense touring plans.”

“Twenty years ago, when I put this little band together to play in some bars and make a little money, I dreamed it pretty good but I never dreamed it quite this good,” says keyboard player and songwriter Dean Sams.

Lonestar is set to release its new album this fall through The Orchard. The first single “The Countdown” is currently available. Check their website www.lonestarnow.com for band updates.

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L–R: BLA’s Matt McGuire and Zinnia Martinez; RJ Stillwell; The Devious Angels’ Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves; and BLA’s Kevin Neal, Jake Kennedy, David Kiswiney.

Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA) has announced the addition of duo The Devious Angels to its roster. The duo, consisting of Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves, have been in the studio working on its debut album with producers Chad Jeffers and RJ Stillwell; Stillwell also manages the act.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to represent The Devious Angels and to be part of their team,” shared Kevin Neal, President of BLA. “Their songwriting and live performance is undeniable.”

The Devious Angels will perform on Tuesday, August 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at Mercy Lounge as part of The Billy Block Show. For more information, please visit www.thedeviousangels.com and www.buddyleeattractions.com.

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The Bobby Roberts Company recently signed John Anderson for exclusive booking representation.