Music News (2/8/17)

Black River Entertainment Signs Abby Anderson As Artist And Writer

Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Dave Pacula, Rick Froio, Abby Anderson and Black River’s Gordon Kerr

Black River Entertainment has added singer-songwriter Abby Anderson to its artist and publishing roster. Anderson celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 2, signing her formal contracts on the stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

A Texas native, Anderson spent most of her early years at a piano singing the songs of her favorite music artists: Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, and K.T. Oslin. In 2014, her unique arrangement of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” renamed “Let Freedom Ring,” caught the attention of radio journalist/host Glenn Beck who welcomed her to perform the patriotic song on his show, garnering her national attention. With the encouragement of CAA agent Kylen Sharpe Anderson moved to Nashville in February 2015 and began developing her songwriting and refining her sound.

Warner/Chappell Nashville Signs Austin Taylor Smith

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Devin Dawson (Atlantic/WMN), Alison Junker, Austin Taylor Smith, Mary Lauren Teague (Loeb & Loeb), Ben Vaughn, Alicia Pruitt. (Back row, L-R): Ryan Beuschel, Will Overton, BJ Hill, Matt Michiels, Phil May

Warner/Chappell Nashville has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Nashville-based songwriter and musician Austin Taylor Smith.

After earning his degree in Commercial Vocal Music from Belmont University in 2012, Smith joined rock band John & Jacob. The band released their debut album in 2014, performed at Bonnaroo, Hangout Festival, and Firefly Festival in addition to touring with Kacey Musgraves. The Texas native has also worked with Devin Dawson (Atlantic/WMN).

Major Bob Music Signs New SESAC Writer Harrison Kindy

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Major Bob Music Owner/President Bob Doyle, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, songwriter Harrison Kindy, and Major Bob Music’s Tina Crawford and Chandler Thurston.

Songwriter Harrison Kindy, who just became a SESAC-affiliated writer, has signed his first publishing deal with Major Bob Music.

BMG Signs Travis Meadows

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee (BMG), Chris Oglesby (BMG), Kevin Lane (BMG), Travis Meadows, Kos Weaver (BMG), Sara Knabe (BMG)

BMG has signed singer-songwriter Travis Meadows. The Jackson, Mississippi native has penned radio singles including Jake Owen’s “What We Ain’t Got,” and Dierks Bentley’s “Riser.” He also contributed “Knives of New Orleans” to Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood project, and “Dark Side” on Church’s The Outsiders.

Meadows also earned industry acclaim for own albums Killin’ Uncle Buzzy, which took an honest look at coping with addiction, and its follow-up Old Ghosts and Unfinished Business.

Valory Music Co. Signs Delta Rae

Pictured (L-R): Back Row – BMLG SVP A&R Allison Jones, Valory National Director Promotion Ashley Sidoti and SVP Promotion George Briner, Delta Rae’s Mike McKee, BMLG COO Andrew Kautz, Delta Rae’s Eric Holljes, BMLG VP A&R Julian Raymond, Delta Rae’s Manager Adam Schlossman. Front Row – Delta Rae’s Ian Holljes and Brittany Holljes, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Delta Rae’s Liz Hopkins and Grant Emerson

The Valory Music Co. has signed North Carolina band Delta Rae to its roster. Liz Hopkins and Brittany Holljes front the six-piece band, whose harmonies are rounded out with Holljes’ brothers Eric (vocals, piano) and Ian (vocals, guitar) as well as Mike McKee (percussion) and Grant Emerson (bass). Delta Rae chose their moniker from a mythical story the Holljes siblings’ mother wrote about a Southern girl of the same name who summons the Greek gods to earth.

A regular on the festival circuit since forming in 2009, Delta Rae’s larger-than-life performances earned coveted spots at Bonnaroo, Tortuga Music Festival, Austin City Limits, Hangout Fest, SXSW and Lollapalooza in addition to sold-out headlining tours. The band has received national attention with features in NPR, Washington Post and the New York Times as well as inclusion in Forbes‘ 30 Under 30 list.

When they are not on the road, brothers Ian and Eric hone their songwriting skills, generating a majority of the band’s writing credits as well as co-writing songs for notable acts like Rascal Flatts (“I Have Never Been To Memphis”) and Mike Posner (“Cooler Than Me”). Delta Rae is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming album.