Music News (5/6/15)

Paul Williams, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board

ASCAP announced May 5 the results of its Board of Directors officers elections held on April 29 in Los Angeles.

Paul Williams was re-elected Chairman and President for the fourth time. Williams has held the office since 2009.

Doug Wood, a composer and producer of music for television programs and commercials, was newly elected as Writer Vice Chairman; and Irwin Z. Robinson, Vice President of Industry Affairs for Cromwell Music, was re-elected Publisher Vice Chairman.

Caroline Bienstock of publishing company Carlin America, was re-elected as ASCAP Secretary; and James M. Kendrick, representing Schott Music/European American Music, as Treasurer.

The ASCAP Board also elected a new publisher member, Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group.

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Pictured (L-R): Clay Myers, Tony Harrell

Industry members Tony Harrell and Clay Myers have teamed to form music publishing and artist development business MV2 Entertainment. Harrell will serve as General Manager, focusing on artist development, while Myers will work as Creative Director. Also joining the company are CEO and President James Archer, as well as executive team members Blake Gage and Harold Johnson.

Harrell was named MusicRow Magazine‘s Keyboardist of the Year in 2011. His work has appeared on albums from artists including Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn and more.

Myers began his career in music in the mid-’80s at Alabama’s publishing company Maypop Music. Myers later transitioned to Starstruck Entertainment to launch their music publishing division. He also worked as an artist manager for Billy Dean (Capitol Records), Linda Davis (Arista Records), 4 Runner (Polydor Records), and River Road (Capitol Records). Myers worked with Creative Artist Agency’s Chrysalis Music joint venture, where he aided in securing record deals for Little Big Town/Mercury Records and Emerson Drive/DreamWorks Records and at Roy Orbison Music/Still Working Music overseeing numerous chart topping singles.

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LeAnn Phelan

LeAnn Phelan has exited her post as joint leader of ASCAP’s Nashville Membership/Creative team, and joined the newly formed Sea Gayle Management. In the new role, she and Sea Gayle co-founder Chris DuBois will work with artists Jerrod Niemann and Jimmy Robbins.

Michael Martin remains in his role at the PRO.

Phelan’s career includes time with 19 Entertainment as a Writer/Producer Manager and as a preliminary judge for American Idol auditions seasons 6-9.

Before joining 19, she was Sr. Director, A&R at Sony Nashville and VP at Combustion Music. She started in publishing at Windswept in 1996, and began her career as a background vocalist/musician touring with Steve Winwood’s Roll With It World Tour in 1988.

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The 2015 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO took place last week at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, featuring many prominent members of Nashville’s music community among the nearly 200 panelists and performers. The conference is dedicated to the craft and business of songwriting, composing and producing.

The Straight Talk and Feedback from Country Music Pros panel featured Marc Beeson, Marc Driskill, Carla Wallace and moderator Michael Martin. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mike Reid led a Master Session.

Hit songwriter-producer Darrell Brown gave advice to attendees during song critique sessions. Ashley Gorley was among the star songwriters performing at the event’s closing session, The Writers Jam.

ASCAP’s Elizabeth Matthews, Song of the Year writer Toby Gad, and ASCAP’s John Titta.

Additionally, the 32nd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards were held April 29 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

ASCAP Pop Awards winners included:
● Songwriter of the Year: Max Martin
● Song of the Year: “All of Me,” written by Toby Gad, performed by John Legend
● Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV Tunes, LLC
● Independent Publisher of the Year: Prescription Songs LLC

Dave Grohl presented the ASCAP Founders Award to rock ‘n’ roll icons KISS. Patrick Simmons and Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers accepted the ASCAP Voice of Music Award from ASCAP Asst. VP, Creative Services Loretta Muñoz. And St. Vincent earned ASCAP’s Vanguard Award.

An exclusive, invitation-only crowd was on hand as the organization recognized the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed pop songs of 2014, including these winners with Nashville ties:

Several songs with Nashville ties were among ASCAP’s Most Performed Pop Songs. Click to see complete list.