Music News (3/28/13)

(L–R): Front Row: Cindy Heath, Brandi Simms, Cyndi Forman, Cindy Mabe, Beth Laird. Back Row: Sherod Robertson, Jessica Nicholson, Sarah Skates, Eric Parker, Caitlin Rantala, Mary Ann McCready. Photo: Alan Mayor

One of the challenges facing the Nashville music industry is maintaining its famous sense of closeness and community, and it looks like we’re developing another occasion to do just that.

The second annual MusicRow “Rising Women on the Row” breakfast at Maggiano’s (March 22) sponsored by City National Bank gathered folks from throughout the community to schmooze and love on one another. Despite adding two tables additional tables this year, the event sold out again and could have been even bigger.

“With Twitter and email and other forms of social media, people don’t see each other face-to-face as much,” said MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson before the event. “People need to talk to each other.”

Talk they did. The honorees were UMPG’s Cyndi Forman, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Monarch Publicity’s Cindy Heath, the CMA’s Brandi Simms and UMG’s Cindy Mabe. Because they come from diverse segments of the industry, they drew the perfect crowd. Folks who don’t ordinarily interact daily, gladly swapped salutations.

Read more at MusicRow.com, here.

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The results of the biennial elections for the board for ASCAP were announced on March 27 by ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams. Twelve writer and twelve publisher members have been elected to serve two-year terms commencing April 1, 2013.

Newly elected writer member in the at-large field is composer Alf Clausen. In addition to Williams, the writer members who were re-elected in the at-large field are: songwriter Marilyn Bergman; composer Richard Bellis; composer Bruce Broughton; composer George Duke; composer Dan Foliart; songwriter Wayland Holyfield; songwriter Valerie Simpson; songwriter Jimmy Webb; and composer Doug Wood. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is composer Stephen Paulus.

The publisher directors re-elected in the at-large field are: Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV; Caroline Bienstock, Bienstock Publishing; Barry Coburn, Ten Ten Music; John L. Eastman, Edwin H. Morris & Co.; Zach Horowitz, Universal Music; Laurent Hubert, BMG Gold Songs; Dean Kay, Lichelle Music; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; Matt Pincus, Songs Music Publishing; Irwin Z. Robinson, Cromwell Music; and Cameron Strang, Warner Bros. Music. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is publisher James Kendrick, Schott Music Corporation/European American Music Corporation.

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Big Deal Music, the newly formed publishing company reuniting longtime Chrysalis Music colleagues Kenny MacPherson, Dave Ayers and Jamie Cerreta with Michael McDonald and Pete Robinson, have signed an expansive administration agreement with BMG.

Under the agreement, BMG will provide global state-of-the-art administration and pro-active exploitation services to the Big Deal catalog in North America, Germany, UK, Scandinavia, France, Benelux, Spain & Italy. The deal further provides a framework, when appropriate, for the two companies to sign talent jointly.

Big Deal will continue in its mission of finding and nurturing unique talent. Artists already signed to the Big Deal roster include My Morning Jacket, Jim James, The Black Angels, Ethan Johns, Missy Higgins, FIDLAR, The Walkmen, Korey Dane and songwriters Brad Tursi and Lee Anna McCollum.

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• • The Google for Creators event is set for April 18 at Anthem in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood. Reps from Google/YouTube will share the latest tools to empower artists and entertainment industry professionals to create, expose and promote art, grow audiences and monetize content. Included will be how to get the most out of digital platforms like YouTube and Google+. Tickets are sold out but details and a wait list can be found here.

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The 21st Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival has added two shows at the popular 3rd & Lindsley venue, aptly titled “From Texas to Tennessee” and “Celebrating the Music of ABC’s ‘Nashville'” on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The addition of the new shows brings the total number of venues to 10, promising the best songwriters the world has to offer.

Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes are sold out, but individual admission is available for both 3rd & Lindsley shows for $12.00 cash at the door on a first come, first served basis.

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Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Rachel Proctor and Clay Myers

Big Tractor Music has signed songwriter Rachel Proctor. As a recording artist with BNA Records, Proctor released a pair of Top 20 hits, including her debut single “Days Like This,” followed by “Me and Emily,” before deciding to focus entirely on her songwriting career. She has had songs recorded by artists including Jewel, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Jessica Simpson, Kenny Loggins, Jana Kramer and Gary Allan, among others.

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Pictured (L-R): Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/Songwriter/Producer Luke Laird, BMI’s Jody Williams, Creative Nation’s Co-Owner/General Manager Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Creative Nation’s Creative Manager Julie Stuckey and Maggie’s attorney, David Crow. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Creative Nation.

Creative Nation celebrated the signing of songwriter/artist Maggie Chapman by hosting an intimate gathering on March 18th at the company’s office in Nashville. Friends, family and members of the music industry community were on hand to join in the festivities.