Music News (3/29/17)

Tin Pan South Kicks Off For 25th Year In Nashville

Tin Pan South Kick Off Party 3.27.17 © Moments By Moser Photography

The Music Row branch of Regions Bank threw open its doors to host the Tin Pan South kick-off party for the songwriter festival’s 25th anniversary on March 27.

This year’s Tin Pan South round of showcases will take place Tuesday—Saturday nights, March 29-April 1 at Nashville venues The Blue Bar, The Commodore Grille, Douglas Corner Café, The Country, The Station Inn, The Bluebird Café, Whiskey Rhythm Saloon, The Listening Room, The Hard Rock Café, and 3rd & Lindsley. Arrive early. The shows are often sold out.

The bookings include 400+ tunesmiths, including Buddy Cannon, Sonny Curtis, Randy Montana, Billy Montana, Billy Falcon, Mac Davis, Lari White, Lori McKenna, Rhett Akins, Dickey Lee, Pat Alger, Leslie Satcher, Shane McAnally, Brothers Osborne, Natalie Hemby, Brent Cobb, Lance Miller, Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs, Beth Nielsen-Chapman, Keb Mo, Desmond Child, Gary Burr, Paul Overstreet, Kim Richey, Angaleena Presley, Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters, Larry Gatlin, Allen Shamblin, Al Anderson, Rivers Rutherford, Bobby Braddock and Bekka Bramlett.

Thomas Rhett, Virginia Davis, Rhett Akins, Roc Nation Launch Publishing Venture

Thomas Rhett, Virginia Davis

Thomas Rhett, his longtime manager Virginia Davis (G Major Management), as well as his songwriter father Rhett Akins have launched a new creative endeavor with Jay Z’s Roc Nation, named Home Team Publishing.

Thomas Rhett’s personal publishing will stay with his long-standing publisher EMI/SONY.

Eric Olson is the company’s first signing. The Seattle, Washington native moved to Nashville in 2010 and connected with Kelly Clarkson’s musical director, Jason Halbert, with whom he went on to co-produce and write Clarkson’s smash hit “Catch My Breath.” Olson has collaborated with artists such as Dave Barnes, Danielle Bradbery, Mr Hudson, Dan Tyminski, Cappa, Chris Lane and Akins.

 
Razor & Tie Music Publishing Signs Sean McConnell

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Jen Duke, Creative Manager, RTMP; Brad Kennard, VP Creative, RTMP; Kent Marcus, Attorney; Ross DuPre, Manager. Front: Sean McConnell

Razor & Tie Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Sean McConnell. With a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell and signing with Rounder Records in 2016, he released the eponymous Sean McConnell to critical acclaim.

McConnell will join Drew Holcomb again this year on his Souvenir Tour, running from March 29-April 8.

Randy Montana Inks Deal With Warner/Chappell Music

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Ryan Beuschel (WCM), Will Overton (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Alison Junker (WCM), Travis Carter (WCM), David Crow (Attorney). (Front row, L-R): Casey Beathard, Randy Montana, Billy Montana, Tom Douglas

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Randy Montana. The company celebrated the signing by hosting a writers’ night at the Bluebird Café in Nashville that featured performances by Montana playing alongside some of his songwriting heroes, including Tom Douglas, Casey Beathard, and Montana’s father, Billy Montana.

Montana has penned songs for Jon Pardi, Justin Moore, Drake White, David Nail, George Strait, and Parmalee, in addition to writing “What If I Was Willing,” which was featured on the TV series Nashville. He has also toured with Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, and Sugarland.

 
Kate Bowen Inks With Neon Cross, Warner/Chappell

Kate Bowen. Photo: Sebastian Smith

Kate Bowen has signed a publishing deal with Neon Cross Music and Warner/Chappell. Neon Cross, the publishing and production company owned by producer Jay Joyce, is also home to Jeremy Spillman, Devin Dawson, Andrea Davidson, and Brandon Lancaster with LANco.

Warner/Chappell, Liz Rose Music, BMI Ink Deal With Cameron Bedell

Pictured (Back row, L-R): BJ Hill (WC), Will Overton (WC), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Alison Junker (WC), Alyson McAnally, (LRM), Natalie Paslay (LRM), Travis Carter (WC), Scott Ponce (LRM). (Front row, L-R): Liz Rose (LRM), Cameron Bedell, Brad Beausir (LRM)

Warner/Chappell, Liz Rose Music and BMI have announced a new deal with Kansas native Cameron Bedell.

Bedell, who moved to Nashville in 2010 to attend Belmont University, spent his first years in Nashville playing shows and making albums both as a solo artist and with his band The Skunks.

After appearing on American Idol in 2014, Bedell began to focus on full-time songwriting and producing.

For All Seasons Signs With Centricity Music

Pictured (L-R): John Mays, Centricity Sr. VP/A&R; Jeff Luckey, Emily Hamilton, Randy Charlson, Johnny Hamilton, For All Seasons; Matt Ewald, Centricity Director/A&R; Steve Ford, Centricity General Manager

Centricity Music has signed worship band, For All Seasons, to publishing and record deals with the label. Hailing from Southern California, the band members, Emily Hamilton, Johnny Hamilton, Randy Charlson, and Jeff Luckey, come to Centricity after 10 years of making music together.

For All Seasons is currently writing and recording songs for their upcoming EP, which will be released in early 2018.