Music News (1/20/16)

BMI Promotes/Elevates Five, Hires One

Pictured (Top Row, L-R): Bradley Collins, Leslie Roberts. (Bottom Row, L-R): David Preston, Penny Gattis, Josh Tomlinson.

Five members of BMI’s Writer-Publisher Relations team in Nashville have been promoted, with elevated responsibilities assigned to Bradley Collins, Leslie Roberts, David Preston, Penny Gattis and Erica Glidewell. Additionally, recent Belmont graduate Josh Tomlinson has been hired as Associate Director, Writer-Publisher Relations.

Collins, formerly a Senior Director, has been promoted to Executive Director, with responsibilities covering No. 1 parties, representing BMI on the ACM board of directors, oversight of nightly showcases and events, such as Buzz at the Basement, and oversight of publishing company rosters.

Roberts, formerly a Director, has also been promoted to Executive Director, with responsibilities covering Christian music and the BMI Christian awards, college programming such as Catalog Cast, oversight of record company rosters and representing BMI within the AIMP.

Preston has been promoted to Senior Director from Director, with duties including covering legacy writer relations and as an industry and civic representative.

Gattis, formerly an Associate Director, has been promoted to Director, and will continue to spearhead the Nashville film and TV activities, including BMI’s Sync THIS! Events in both Nashville and Los Angeles, and the annual Fontanel Writer’s Retreat. This year’s Fontanel retreat features both country and pop writers and will take place January 18-22.

Glidewell has been promoted to Director, Strategic Partnerships, Writer-Publisher Relations. Her new duties will have her responsible for accounting oversight of sponsorships, fulfillment of contracts with sponsors and event space management. Additionally, she will continue to serve in her role as the executive assistant to Jody Williams.

Additionally, Tomlinson has been hired as an Associate Director, Writer-Publisher Relations. A recent Belmont graduate, he brings a fresh perspective on Nashville’s expanding music scene to the team.

AIMP Nashville Names Three New Board Officers

Pictured (L-R): John Ozier, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Kim McCollum-Mele

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville has announced new board officers for 2016.

John Ozier (ole) has been elected the new Executive Director, a position formerly held by Marc Driskill (Sea Gayle Music). Ree Guyer Buchanan (Wrensong Music) has maintained her position as Treasurer, and Kim McCollum-Mele (Words & Music) succeeds Denise Nichols (The Primacy Firm) as Secretary.

John Allen (New West Records/Publishing), Craig Currier (peermusic), Marc Driskill, Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Denise Nichols, and Randy Wachtler (Warner Chappell Production Music) are also serving on the board.

Round Hill Inks Jimmy Robbins and Bob DiPiero

Seated (L-R): Josh Saxe, Associate Director, A&R, Round Hill Music; LeAnn Phelan, Sea Gayle Management; Jimmy Robbins; Mark Brown, VP/GM, Nashville, Round Hill Music.
Standing: Jordan Keller, attorney; Matthew Beckett, attorney.

Pictured (L-R): Mike Milom, attorney; Bob DiPiero; Mark Brown, VP/GM, Round Hill Music Nashville; Matthew Beckett, attorney

Round Hill Music and Baby Needs New Shoes have entered into a co-publishing agreement with songwriter/producer Jimmy Robbins. In addition, Round Hill Music acquired a portion of Jimmy Robbins’ existing catalogue of songs from Baby Needs New Shoes. Singer-songwriter Keith Urban is a partner in publishing outfit Baby Needs New Shoes.

Round Hill Music has also entered into an asset purchase agreement with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero to acquire DiPiero’s Love Monkey Music catalog. DiPiero recently signed with Kobalt moving forward. DiPiero was recently featured as part of MusicRow‘s podcast series.
 

Big Deal Signs Ross Lipsey

Pictured, Back row (L-R): Greg Gallo, Big Deal; Dale Bobo, Big Deal; Bradley Collins, BMI. Front row (L-R): Pete Robinson, Big Deal; Ross Lipsey, writer; Noah McPike, attorney, Almon/McPike.

Ross Lipsey has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Big Deal Music.

Originally from Monterey, Louisiana, Lipsey moved to Nashville last year after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

SESAC Signs Dave Pittenger

Pictured (L-R): Magic Mustang Publishing’s Juli Newton-Griffith, Pittenger and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Songwriter/producer Dave Pittenger has signed with SESAC for representation.

Pittenger, who co-wrote Tyler Farr’s “Better In Boots,” is signed with Magic Mustang Publishing, and stopped by SESAC’s Nashville office to visit with executives and make the partnership official.

Creative Nation Adds to Staff and Roster

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Lai, Tyler Johnson.

Creative Nation has added Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Tyler Johnson, in a partnership with Los Angeles-based Pulse Music Publishing. Johnson’s credits include Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, P!nk, Miley Cyrus, One Republic, Elle King and Mikky Ekko. Johnson spent the last few years developing new country artist Cam, co-writing eight tracks and co-producing Cam’s debut release, Untamed. He is currently working with new artist Rafferty who broke into the scene last fall with his song “Apple Pie” (co-written/co-produced by Johnson), which was featured on the latest iPhone 6 commercial.

Creative Nation has also moved Sarah Lai into the role of Senior Director of Marketing + Publicity. In this newly created position, Lai will oversee all marketing, digital and publicity initiatives for the company’s roster of songwriters and artists. She will also handle day-to-day management responsibilities for “Girl Crush” co-writer Lori McKenna.

ASCAP Confirms A-List Writers at California Event in April

Nashville songwriters Desmond Child, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley and Brett James will participate in the 2016 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Los Angeles in April.

Child will host the event’s Center Stage writers-in-the-round on April 28, as well as an attendee song feedback session. In addition, DeStefano will participate in a hands-on Hit Producer panel and perform at the conference’s closing Writers Jam.

Meanwhile, Gorley will take part in the EXPO’s Master Sessions. In addition, James will join the annual Hit Songwriters panel that features modern top hitmakers from across the charts including Dave Bassett (Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song”), Jacob “JKash” Kasher (Maroon 5’s “Sugar”), and Poo Bear (Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean”).

Others signing on for the EXPO are songwriters Bonnie Baker (Reba McEntire’s “My Sister”) and songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead (Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It”).

The event will be held April 28-30 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

New Songwriter Networking Series To Begin

A networking and performance series for songwriters, titled The Hippie Chick Twang Java Jam, will launch on Thursday (Jan. 21) at 6:30 p.m. Presented by Hippie Chick Twang Music Publishing and Media, the series will take place on the third Thursday of each month at Just Love Coffee at 1528 Demonbreun St.

Songwriters looking for co-writers, artists looking for songs, musicians looking for band opportunities, and studios, stylists, and any industry support looking to connect with talent should bring business cards for the organized networking segments. The event will feature hit songwriters, new writers, and reserved slots for open mic.

The inaugural Java Jam will feature Hippie Chick Twang’s Kim McLean and Jake Neumar, as well as Dean Miller and other songwriters.

Hippie Chick Twang will also be developing teams and signing songwriters for their non-profit division called Music Does Good. Networking and performances will culminate in an all-person jam to close the night.

To perform at one of the monthly events or to get more information about The Hippie Chick Twang Java Jam, contact Devon O’Day at devonoday@msn.com or call (615) 400-5140.