Music News (1/28/15)

Pictured (L-R): Stephanie Mundy-Self, Kella Stephenson-Farris, Catherine Stein (Moore).

Farris, Self & Moore, a boutique firm for songwriters, producers and national touring acts, is set to open at 40 Music Square East by principals Kella Stephenson-Farris, Stephanie Mundy-Self and Catherine Stein (Moore). The new business management and financial planning firm will specialize in business management and financial planning services, including accounting and HR.

The Kella Stephenson Company, originally founded to service the underserved songwriter community in 2006 has helped clients as Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird, Dallas Davidson, Natalie Hemby, Rodney Clawson and Nicolle Galyon.

The website for Farris, Self & Moore, LLC will launch in the coming days and will be available at fsmnash.com.

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Audiam, a New York-based online music collection service will be hosting a free seminar and luncheon on Jan. 30 to assist the local independent music community on how to get paid from YouTube, Spotify, Rhapsody, and other digital music services. The event will take place from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Frist Lecture Hall at Belmont University’s Inman Center. To RSVP, contact attend@audiam.com

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Pictured, Front Row: Ron Stuve and Blair Daly. Back Row: Missy Wilson, Kent Earls, Cyndi Forman and Travis Gordon.

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville (UMPG Nashville) has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with songwriter Blair Daly. Upcoming placements for Daly’s music include planned releases by artists such as Carrie Underwood, Maddie & Tae, Kip Moore, Art of Dying, Rita Wilson and Gary Allan, among others.

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Picturd (L-R): Eddie Robba-President/CEO, Ella Mae Bowen, Brandon Perdue-Production/Development CTM Writers INK, Shawn Bowling-Creative Manager CTM Writers INK

CTM Writers INK Music Publishing has signed singer/songwriter Ella Mae Bowen. She joins the current roster of Marcus Hummon, Chris Roberts and Autumn McEntire. In 2011, Bowen made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. That same year, her version of “Holding Out for a Hero” appeared on the Footloose soundtrack, making Bowen the only unsigned artist on the album.

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Back Row: HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Lee Krabel, BMI’s David Preston, HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Tim Stehli, BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley. Front Row: HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Butch Baker and Kaz Hori, BMI songwriter Sonia Leigh, attorney Jim Zumwalt

HoriPro has signed singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh to its roster. Leigh visited BMI’s Nashville office on Jan. 26 to celebrate the new venture with HoriPro, which has also represented artists and songwriters including Dean Dillon, Sophie B. Hawkins, Jerry Reed, Mike Walker, Elise Davis, and more. Leigh was featured at Jake Owen’s Beach Party concert, held at BMI Nashville in August 2014. Her newest single, “When We Are Alone” is available now.

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Pictured (L-R): Dan Hodges, Andrew Cochrane, Jared Porter, Tom Inglis

Dan Hodges Music LLC (DHM) and Australian-based Dog Whistle Music (DWM) have entered into a publishing co-venture, initially signing 2014 Toyota Star Maker winner, Jared Porter. Dog Whistle Music has just announced a recorded music distribution agreement with Universal Music Australia with releases from artists Melanie Dyer and Victoria Avenue in the first quarter of 2015.

Dan Hodges Music LLC will provide copyright administration for its own roster of clients, as well as Dog Whistle Music Publishing interests. The DHM-DWM co-venture is seeking songwriters for partnerships worldwide.

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Justin Ebach

Songwriter Justin Ebach has extended his publishing agreement with Word Music Publishing.

Ebach has penned the current singles for Group 1 Crew, David Dunn, Ashes Remain and OBB, as well as cuts for Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, The Newsboys and more. Ebach has also garnered cuts recently with Josh Turner, Casey James, Ashley Gearing, and more.

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Pictured (L-R): Christian Barker (Founder/President, Capri Nashville), Walker Hayes, Suzanne Strickland (Owner/CEO, RareSpark), Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt & Hayes), Scot Sherrod (VP/GM, RareSpark)

Singer-songwriter Walker Hayes has signed an exclusive world-wide music publishing contract with RareSpark Media Group. Previously signed to Capitol Nashville, the Alabama native moved to Nashville in 2005. He has found success in writing “Eat, Sleep, Love You, Repeat” for Rodney Atkins; “Joy Like Judy,” an anthem for The Bobby Bones Show; and Colt Ford‘s “Dirty Side.”

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