Music News (3/5/14)

NSAI will hold the Spring Training 2014 event on March 28-29 in Nashville.

Among the sessions will be the “Big Loud and Proud” panel, featuring Seth England and Chris Tompkins, and moderated by Craig Wiseman. A panel on “The Publisher/Writer Relationship” will be led by Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill and Blain Rhodes.

A session titled “How To Get Your Music Out There” will be led by Karen Blair, Kevin Grosch, Jason Markey, Simon Perry, and Michele Vice-Maslin, and moderated by David Hooper. “Inside the Writer’s Room” will feature Josh Kear and Shane McAnally. A closing interview and performance will feature Desmond Child.

All Spring Training registrants will have access to Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes a full week before they go on sale to the general public, and at a special discounted rate of $80 ($20 off the regular price).

For more information and to register, visit tinpansouth.com.

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ASCAP‘s 9th annual “I Create Music” EXPO will feature Nashville artists, writers and executives. The expo is set for April 24 – 26, 2014 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

The expo will feature a master session from singer-songwriter Amy Grant, songwriting sessions and performance from Shane McAnally, as well as a Hit Producers Panel with Country producer Michael Knox, pop/R&B producer Rob Knox, and others. Other initial participants with Nashville ties include include Darrell Brown, and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. Additional participants have yet to be announced.

Programming includes:

• Keynote Panel with Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald
• Master Session with Amy Grant
• Hit Songwriters Panel with Justin Timberlake’s collaborator James Fauntleroy, Boys Like Girls’ Martin Johnson, pop songwriter Savan Kotecha, “Wrecking Ball” co-writer MoZella and prolific songwriter Lindy Robbins
• Hit Producers Panel with country producer Michael Knox, pop/R&B producer Rob Knox and others
• Live Performance Song Feedback with Darrell Brown, a multi-part workshop
• Legislative Session with Congressman Tom Marino and Paul Williams
• Songwriters working in Musical Theatre with Glen Ballard, Stephen Bray, Holly Knight and Shane McAnally
• Master Session with composer Bear McCreary
• Music Supervisors Panel
• Performances by Richie Sambora, Shane McAnally and many others

Registration is available at ascap.com.

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Andrew Dorff

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed its exclusive publishing deal with songwriter Andrew Dorff. Dorff co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak” with UMPG songwriters Hayes and Luke Laird. Dorff also co-wrote Ronnie Dunn‘s Top 10 hit, “Bleed Red.”

Additionally, Dorff has secured cuts by Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and The Robertson Family. He has upcoming cuts with McGraw, Evans and Kenny Chesney.

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BMG Chrysalis has signed recording artist, songwriter and performer Dave Barnes. His solo-written No. 1 song “God Gave Me You” was recorded by Blake Shelton and has garnered both CMA and GRAMMY nominations for Country Song of the Year.

Barnes has also had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Danielle Bradbery, as well as the No. 1 single “All That I Can Do,” recorded by Bethany Dillon. His eighth studio album, Golden Days, was released in January.

Celebrating the signing of Dave Barnes, pictured (L-R, Front): Chris DeTray (Be Music & Entertainment); Sara Johnson (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); Dave Barnes; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis VP, Creative); Ryan Beushel (ASCAP); (Back): Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis Creative Director); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis Vice President)

In more news from BMG Chrysalis, the company has announced a promotion and a major catalog purchase. BMG recently acquired the publishing catalog by songwriting legend Hal David from his sons. The catalogue features all of David’s publishing interests in iconic songs such as “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” “Walk On By,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Alfie.”

Based in Los Angeles, Zach Katz is promoted to Chief Creative Officer, BMG Chrysalis North America. He will continue to report directly to Laurent Hubert, President of Marketing & Creative, and oversee the LA and NY-based creative staff. Executives Kos Weaver (Nashville), Richard Blackstone and David Hirshland will continue to report to Hubert.

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Danny Myrick

Round Hill Music has added to their Round Hill Nashville division by signing an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with songwriter Danny Myrick.

Myrick’s career has included time as lead singer and principal songwriter for country band Western Flyer, as well as background vocalist for Montgomery Gentry, Keith Anderson, and Blake Shelton. He shifted his focus to songwriting, penning “International Harvester” (Craig Morgan), “Loud” (Big & Rich), “Truck Yeah” (Tim McGraw), “She’s Country” (Jason Aldean) and cuts for Montgomery Gentry, Gloriana and others.

Myrick recently completed projects for up and coming artists Annie Bosko and Jesse Lee, and is currently working in the studio on the first Nashville release by Old Southern Moonshine Revival.