Music News (7/24/13)

Independent music publishing company KPI Music Group recently finalized a strategic partner agreement with Nashville songplugging entrepreneur Shane Barrett. The writer roster at Lexington, Ky.-based KPI Music Group includes Buffy Lawson, Brooklyn James, Eldon Huff, Kwan Wilson and Bo Allen. As acting A&R Director, Allen is involved with the development of new artists, as well as co-managing existing writers.

Some of Barrett’s most recent cuts have been with Luke Bryan, Gretchen Wilson, Jo Dee Messina, and the Little River Band. As Nashville Creative Director at ole Songs, Inc., he pitched/secured cuts by the Eli Young Band, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, and many others.

During Barrett’s A&R tenure at MCA Records-Nashville, he found songs for Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and others.

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Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach, composer of over 70 Top 40 Hits, has signed an exclusive administration deal for North America with Universal Music Publishing Group for his catalog and new material. Bacharach is focusing on the country genre with much of his new material, and is working closely with UMPG Nashville Executive VP/GM Kent Earls and UMPG Nashville staff, as well as collaborating with Universal’s country songwriters including Lori McKenna.

“It’s great to be able to work with people who have the same passion and love for songwriting that I do, and Zach (Horowitz), Kent and his staff have made it clear that for them, the music comes first. I’m excited to continue working to make great songs with the UMPG team and their songwriters,” says Bacharach.

Bacharach’s agreement with UMPG encompasses the entirety of his New Hidden Valley Music catalog, including “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Walk On By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “This Guy’s In Love With You,” “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,” “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and more.

During his long career, Bacharach has won eight Grammys Awards, three Academy Awards, and an Emmy Award.

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Entertainment business management company Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group has hired Wayne Milligan as Director of Special Services and Royalty Compliance. In his new role, he will focus on songwriter services and music licensing for film, television and brand advertising; he will also oversee royalty processing and compliance auditing.

Milligan, a Belmont University graduate with two decades of industry experience, most recently served as Director of Administration at Big Machine Label Group. He has also managed the administration, licensing and royalty/audit services for catalogs including Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses and REO Speedwagon. Prior to his work at Big Machine, Milligan worked with accounting firm Sussman & Associates.

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Nashville songwriter Andy Gibson recently joined the BMI songwriting family. Co-writer of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s hit “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Gibson is currently recording his debut album with producer James Stroud.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Gibson and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard.

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SESAC has welcomed artist/songwriter Mike Aiken for representation. Aiken, who is also a licensed United States Coast Guard captain, has released his sixth album, Captains & Cowboys, on Northwind Records. Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) and Ben Strano (Jack Sundrud/Poco) produced the project.

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

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Songwriter-artist Ryan Griffin recently stopped by the ASCAP Nashville office to join the PRO as a writer member. Griffin is managed by Clint Higham and Will Hitchcock of Higham Management and is published by Dan Hodges Music, LLC. For more information, visit ryangriffin.com.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Ryan Griffin, and Dan Hodges Music LLC’s Dan Hodges and Nickie Lancaster.

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Black River Publishing has signed 19-year-old singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. “Kelsea has a very bright future as writer/artist. We are happy and excited to have her join our BRE family,” says Black River Publishing VP Celia Froehlig.

For more information, visit blackriverpublishing.com.

Pictured (L-R): Black River Entertainment CEO, Gordon Kerr; Kelsea Ballerini; VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; and Black River’s Publishing Assistant and Catalog Manager, Robert Carlton.

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Gavin DeGraw

Kobalt Music Group has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with artist Gavin DeGraw. In addition to representing the artist’s upcoming projects, Kobalt will represent the use of DeGraw’s music in the media.

For more information, visit  kobaltmusic.com.