Music News (10/14/15)

Pictured (L-R): NaSHOF board chair Pat Alger; Inductees Mark James, Rosanne Cash, Even Stevens and Craig Wiseman and NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Nashville industry gathered to celebrate their own on Sunday night (Oct. 11) as Even Stevens, Mark James, Rosanne Cash and Craig Wiseman were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The 45th anniversary of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was the biggest crowd ever, according to NSHoF board chair Pat Alger.

Even Stevens was inducted by Hugh Prestwood. The band Loving Mary turned in an arrangement of the Stevens co-written “Drivin’ My Life Away.” Nashville pop performer Paul McDonald reimagined “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman.”

Jody Williams inducted Mark James. Accompanied by his own mandolin picking, Hunter Hayes reinterpreted the James classic “Suspicious Minds.” B.J. Thomas drew a standing ovation with a recreation of his immortal “Hooked on a Feeling.”

Rodney Crowell inducted Rosanne Cash. He was her first husband and is now her good friend. Cash’s present husband, John Leventhal, backed Emmylou Harris on piano as she sang a rendition of Cash’s “I Was Watching You.” Then Vince Gill delivered Cash’s classic “Seven Year Ache” in the same key in which she recorded it.

Bob DiPiero inducted Craig Wiseman. Jeffrey Steele wove 11 of Wiseman’s songs into a three-minute medley. Ronnie Dunn came out to perform “Believe.” Then Tim McGraw on “Live Like You Were Dying.”

Publicity executive John Van Mol was given the NSHoF Keystone Award for his work negotiating with the Music City Center to house the NSHoF video displays and artifacts.

Pictured (L-R): Back row NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison and NSAI president Lee Thomas Miller. Front Row (L-R): Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna (Song of the Year for “Girl Crush”) and NSAI Songwriter of the Year Rodney Clawson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Two others, Tom Douglas and Steele, were among the additional songwriters honored during the gala. The event began with Bart Herbison and Lee Thomas Miller presenting awards to the writers of the 11 “Songs I Wish I’d Written,” as voted on by the members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Usually, it’s 10, but there was a tie this year.

Hall of Famers Douglas and Steele won for “Raise ‘Em Up,” co-written with Jaren Johnston. In addition, Jonathan Singleton and Melissa Peirce won for “A Guy Walks Into a Bar” (co-writer Brad Tursi was absent). Kevin Kadish won for “All About That Bass” (Meghan Trainor was absent). Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird won for “American Kids” (Shane McAnally was absent). Barry Dean, Laird and Singleton were honored for “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools.”

Chris Tompkins and Clawson won with “Dirt.” The song’s performers Florida Georgia Line were in the crowd. Singers Maddie & Tae were also on hand for “Girl in a Country Song,” written by Aaron Scherz with the duo’s Taylor Dye and Maddie Marlow.

Lee Brice, Dallas Davidson and Rob Hatch were voted winners for their “I Don’t Dance.” Josh Kear, Andrew Dorff and Mark Irwin won for “Neon Light.”

Jennifer Wayne was there to collect an award for “She Don’t Love You” (co-writer Eric Paslay was absent). Non-Nashville collaborators Max Martin and Shellback weren’t there for “Shake It Off,” but Taylor Swift accepted via video.

Songwriter Nicolle Galyon presented the 2015 NSAI Songwriter of the Year prize to her husband, Rodney Clawson. “He’s my Songwriter of the Year, every year,” she said.

The NSAI’s Song of the Year was “Girl Crush,” penned by Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey.

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Pictured (L-R): Big Loud Shirt Creative Director Matt Turner, Brad Warren, Big Loud Shirt Owner Craig Wiseman, Brett Warren, and Big Loud Shirt VP Seth England

Songwriters Brad and Brett Warren, better known as the Warren Brothers, have signed a co-publishing deal with Big Loud Shirt Industries.

Their songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw (“If You’re Reading This,” “Felt Good On My Lips,” “Highway Don’t Care”), Toby Keith (“Red Solo Cup”), Keith Urban (“Little Bit of Everything”), Dierks Bentley (“Feel That Fire”), Jerrod Niemann (“Drink to That All Night”), Martina McBride (“Anyway”), Faith Hill (“The Lucky One”) and more.

Kris Kristofferson

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Bluewater Music has signed Grammy award‐winning Kris Kristofferson to an administration agreement for his Jody Ray Publishing catalog covering the world, excluding the US and Canada.

Kristofferson is a Country Music Hall of Fame member with 15 BMI Award Winning Songs to his credit. “Here Comes That Rainbow Again,” “A Moment of Forever,” and “Chase the Feeling” are just a few of the songs that Bluewater will now administer.

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BMG writer Hillary Lindsey spoke with MusicRow as part of a Writer’s Notes series for the magazine’s now-available annual Publisher issue. A tease was revealed on MusicRow.com. For the full interview, check out the annual MusicRow Publisher Issue.