Music News (10/8/14)

Pictured (L-R): Pat Alger, Board Chair, NaSHOF Foundation; inductees Gretchen Peters, Tom Douglas and John Anderson; Mark Ford, Executive Director, NaSHOF Foundation. Front Row: Inductee Paul Craft. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

It was an all-star celebration Sunday evening (Oct. 5) at Nashville’s Music City Center, as John Anderson, Paul Craft, Tom Douglas, and Gretchen Peters were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Paul Craft was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Layng Martine, Jr. Thomas Rhett performed a medley of songs, including “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life” and “Brother Jukebox.” Britt Ronstadt performed “Keep Me From Blowing Away” and Bobby Bare closed out the set with “Drop Kick Me, Jesus.”

Gretchen Peters was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Rodney Crowell. Brandy Clark performed a medley of “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” and “Independence Day” while Trisha Yearwood sang “On A Bus To St. Cloud.” Bryan Adams sent a congratulatory video message to Peters.

Tom Douglas was inducted by his longtime publisher Troy Tomlinson. The music segment featured Collin Raye performing “Little Rock,” Hall of Fame member and co-writer Allen Shamblin singing “The House That Built Me” and Tim McGraw with “My Little Girl.” Lady Antebellum sent their congratulations to Douglas via video.

John Anderson was inducted by Big & Rich’s John Rich, who also performed a medley of Anderson penned hits, including “Wish I Coulda Been There” and “Chicken Truck.” Hall of Fame songwriter Bobby Braddock sang “Seminole Wind,” while Josh Turner performed “Swingin’.”

Hall of Fame songwriters Matraca Berg and Don Schlitz presented the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award to publisher Pat Higdon.  

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) also presented its annual Songwriter Achievement Awards. The organization’s professional songwriter members voted “Automatic” (written by Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert / recorded by Miranda Lambert) as their Song of the Year. The Songwriter of the Year prize went to Ashley Gorley.  The Songwriter/Artist of the Year was awarded to Jack White.

In addition to honoring the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, NSAI presented “The 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” Awards, voted on by NSAI’s Professional Membership, to the following writers and their songs: “All Kinds Of Kinds” (Phillip Coleman, Don Henry / recorded by Miranda Lambert), “Boys ’Round Here” (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Craig Wiseman / recorded by Blake Shelton), “Cop Car” (Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Matt Jenkins / recorded by Keith Urban), “Drink A Beer” (Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton / recorded by Luke Bryan), “Drunk On A Plane” (Dierks Bentley, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins / recorded by Dierks Bentley), “Follow Your Arrow” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves / recorded by Kacey Musgraves), “Give Me Back My Hometown” (Eric Church, Luke Laird / recorded by Eric Church), “I Hold On” (Dierks Bentley, Brett James / recorded by Dierks Bentley), “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” (Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele / recorded by Tim McGraw w/ Faith Hill) and “Mine Would Be You” (Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan / recorded by Blake Shelton).

To see more photos, visit MusicRow.com.

• • •

Troy Tomlinson receiving Belmont’s Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series “Distinguished Lecturer” honor.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has teamed with Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business for the “All Access” program, which will allow students to share their talent with the publishing company, and give Sony/ATV the opportunity to discover Belmont University’s potential songwriting talent.

The program will allow students to have two songs reviewed by Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Creative Team. The team then selects a limited number of students to perform their songs live for the Sony/ATV team during showcases held each semester. After the live performances, a limited number of students will be extended an invitation to attend a day in the Sony/ATV studio with an engineer.

• • •

In celebration of three years, Catch This Music will host a parking lot party on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1008 17th Ave. S. Food and drinks will be provided. RSVPs requested to shona@catchthismusic.com.

• • •

Pictured (L-R): LBK Entertainment’s Marty Wheeler, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Layne, Ed Cash, Be Music’s Chris DeTray, Scott Cash, Be Music’s Michael Blanton and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Ed Rode

Singer/songwriter Ivory Layne has signed with SESAC for representation. Layne stopped by the SESAC Music Row headquarters with members of her management and publishing team to visit and celebrate.

Her song performance of “Something’s Gonna Happen” is currently featured in the fall TV campaign for the popular women’s clothier, White House|Black Market.

• • •