Music News (9/11/13)

Michael O’Neill

Michael O’Neill has been named as the successor for BMI’s long-serving president and CEO Del Bryant.

O’Neill has been with BMI for 20 years, most recently as Sr. VP of repertoire and licensing. O’Neill’s appointment was a unanimous decision by BMI’s board of directors. O’Neill will begin his new role  as CEO on Sept. 16, and as president of the company in June 2014.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Amy Kurland

• • •

Amy Kurland, retired owner and manager of the The Bluebird Café listening room will be presented with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award at the 43rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Music City Center on October 13.

Pat Alger, Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, made the announcement on Sept. 9 for the distinction, which recognizes an individual who has nurtured songwriters and helped them master the art and craft of songwriting.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Via Twitter.

• • •

Congratulations to songwriter-producer Luke Laird and his wife Beth Laird at Creative Nation. Their son Jake Robert Laird was born Monday, Sept. 9 at 7:19 a.m. “Jake Robert Laird came at 7:19am this morning : ) Luke and I feel so blessed!!! 8lbs 7oz and 19in long,” Beth Laird shared via Twitter.

• • •

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed 22-year-old singer-songwriter Maren Morris. Morris hails from Arlington, Texas, where she has had three songs on the Texas Music Chart, including the No. 1 song “All That It Takes.” Morris has also appeared with artists including Pat Green, Gary Allan, Marty Stuart, Radney Foster, Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery and Eli Young Band.

Pictured (L-R): Safford Motley’s Scott Safford, Big Yellow Dog’s Kerry O’Neil, Maren Morris, Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Laura Wright, BMI’s Jody Williams and Big Yellow Dog’s Brad Kennard

• • •

BMG Chrysalis has welcomed songwriter Dylan Altman to its roster. Altman’s recent success includes “Take A Little Ride” (Jason Aldean) and “Barefoot Bluejean Night” (Jake Owen).

Pictured (L-R): Kent Marcus (Attorney, Marcus & Colvin LLP); Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Dylan Altman; Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director).

• • •

SWAT Music Group has signed Jay Brunswick to their Nashville publishing family. Brunswick has had 37 major and independent cuts by artists such as Josh Thompson, Jimmie Van Zant and Russell Hitchcock (Air Supply).

Pictured (L-R): SWAT co-owner and president Johnny Garcia, Jay Brunswick, and Noah McPike (Almon Law, PLLC).

• • •

Nashville’s Country Music Association announced finalists for the 2013 ballot this week, included were Song and Single of the Year (below). Additionally, the 31st Annual Canadian Country Music Association Awards Sunday night (Sept. 8) in Edmonton announced winners for its country (Single and Songwriter(s) of the Year winners below).

CMA Noms–SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“I Drive Your Truck,”Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
“Merry Go Round,” Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osbourne and Shane McAnally
“Pontoon,” Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird and Barry Dean
“Wagon Wheel,” Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor

CMA Noms– SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“Cruise,” Florida Georgia Line, Produced by Joey Moi, Republic Nashville
“Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw, Big Machine Records
“Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert, Produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Chuck Ainlay, RCA Nashville
“Merry Go Round,” Kacey Musgraves, Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves, Mercury Records
“Wagon Wheel,” Darius Rucker, Produced by Frank Rogers, Capitol Records Nashville

CCMA Winner–Single of the Year: “Leaning On a Lonesome Song” – Gord Bamford

CCMA Winner–Songwriter(s) of the Year: “Leaning On a Lonesome Song” – Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens, Ray Stephenson