Music News (9/2/15)

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Travis Carter (Warner/Chappell), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Scott Hendricks (Warner Bros. Records), Landon Dirickson (Attorney). Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Jackson Nance, Leslie Roberts (BMI)

Warner/Chappell has added 16-year-old singer-songwriter Jackson Nance to its roster. Nance is also signed with performing rights organization BMI.

Nance, a Leiper’s Fork, Tenn., native, was recently commissioned by The Alabama Tourism board to write and record an original song with session musicians from The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers.

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Pictured (L-R): Kevin Lane (BMG, Creative Director); Myles Lewis (Manager – busbee, Inc.); Kos Weaver (BMG, Executive Vice President); Pearce; busbee; Daniel Lee (BMG, Senior Creative Director).

Songwriter-artist Carly Pearce has signed a worldwide joint publishing agreement with BMG Nashville and with multi-genre hit songwriter and producer busbee. Pearce and busbee are putting the finishing touches on new music for a forthcoming EP.

Pearce has been featured as part SiriusXM’s The Highway’s ‘On The Horizon’ program, has been named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and has performed multiple times on The Grand Ole Opry.

She has signed with Jeff Gregg at CAA for exclusive booking representation and has opened shows for Kelsea Ballerini, Josh Abbott Band, and others.

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Pictured (L-R): Devon Devries, VP Creative Film & TV; Daniel Agee; Carla Wallace, Co-Owner; Alex Stefano, Film & TV Music Manager.

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed songwriter/producer Dan Agee to an exclusive publishing agreement. Agee previously toured as the Musical Director for Red Bow recording artist, Joe Nichols. Most recently he has been in the studio producing the latest project for Jessie James Decker. The first single, “Lights Down Low,” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart, and sold over 18K downloads during the first week.

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(L-R, standing): MV2’s Clay Myers and Tony Harrell, Lauren Spahn (Oakley’s attorney), Robert Filhart (ASCAP writer rep). (L-R, sitting): Cherie Oakley, Mark Oakley

MV2 Entertainment’s Clay Myers and Tony Harrell have added songwriters Mark and Cherie Oakley to the company’s roster. Mark and Cherie were the songwriting duo behind Reba’s 2011 hit “Turn On The Radio.

Tennessee native Mark Oakley got his first industry gig as a member of Dann Huff’s band Giant. He has gone on to work with artists including like Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Martina McBride, Michael McDonald, Dolly Parton and Michael W. Smith. He has also been the music director for many artists such as Jewel, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood and Gretchen Wilson.

Cherie Oakley has worked as an in-demand background vocalist, performing with artists including Trace Adkins, Big and Rich, Kelly Clarkson, Rosemary Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Lucy Hale, Alan Jackson, Kenny Loggins, Idina Menzel, Jennifer Nettles, Carrie Underwood, and Gretchen Wilson. She can be heard on records from artists such as Danielle Bradbery, The Band Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Cassadee Pope, Gretchen Wilson, ABC’s Nashville and more.

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Pictured (L-R): Diamond Eye Music’s Callie Benjamin and Chris Burch, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Reid and Diamond Eye’s Alyssa Adams. Photo: Bev Moser

SESAC-affiliated artist/songwriter/producer Simon Reid has signed a publishing agreement with Diamond Eye Music. Originally from the UK, Reid is also an accomplished session musician with 15 years of experience working with a variety of artists in Nashville studios.

As well as having an honors degree from Edinburgh Napier University, he has produced a track for ABC Family’s 10 Things I Hate About You, co-written a song for The British Red Cross, won 1st place in The Pacific Songwriting Competition (Pop/Ballad category), and was awarded a place in the BBC Songwriters’ Academy in 2008.

As a session musician, Simon has performed live with The Wanted (BBC1), We See Lights (Canada), The Rise (Italy) and Jamie Kimmett (Italy).

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Tree Vibez Music, a new artist development and music publishing company founded by Florida Georgia Line members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, will showcase the works of their writers and artists at an event called “The Hang.” The event will take place at 3rd & Lindsley on Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

The lineup will include music from TVM writers Jordan Schmidt, Jimmie Deeghan, and Drew Castle, along with performances from SNO, Zach Lockwood, Chase Coy, and a special guest.

Doors for the event open at 5:30 p.m., with music starting at 6:00 p.m., and the first 50 guests will be receiving free TVM swag. This event is free to the public.