Music News (4/19/17)

NaFF Announces Best Original Song Nominees

The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) has announced the nominees for Best Original Song. The contenders were written and recorded specifically for 2017 NaFF feature length films. This year’s winners will be announced at an award ceremony on Friday, April 28 at Regal Hollywood 27. The 48th Nashville Film Festival will take place April 20-29.

Nominees for Best Original Song:

From Augie, “This is How I Look at You,” written by Julian Raymond, performed by Keith Carradine

From Boomtown, “Heart’s Too Heavy,” written and performed by John Moreland

From Dog Years, “To Get Here,” written by Diane Warren, performed by Willie Nelson

From Dog Years, “Yet To Come,” written by Jamie Floyd and John Martin, and recorded by Stranger Friends

Gary Burr Master Class Moves To InDo Nashville

Gary Burr is hosting his annual three-day Songwriting Master Class at InDo Nashville, April 21-23.  This marks the first time the event will be held at InDo Nashville, the coworking, office and event space located in the SoBro neighborhood of Nashville. Songwriters interested in attending the three-day intensive seminar can get more details at garyburr.com. The course includes one-on-one critiques and lectures by Burr and other writers, and is designed to help songwriters improve and raise their game.

Dan Fernandez Joins Big Deal Music

Dan Fernandez has signed a publishing deal with Big Deal Music.  Fernandez is a multi-genre writer.

Erik Belz Signs with Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution

Pictured L-R (front row): Frank Rogers, Erik Belz, Daniel Novick (Savur Threadgold LLP). (Back): Brian Bradford (Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville), Daniel Hill (President, Spirit Music Nashville), and AJ Burton (Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution).

Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution has signed songwriter/producer Erik Belz to an exclusive publishing deal.

Belz is a songwriter and producer born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Los Angeles, California. His songs have been cut by artists such as Pitbull, Austin Mahone, Lia Marie Johnson, Metro Station and Jez Dior to name a few. In 2015, Erik produced and co-wrote Lia Marie Johnson’s single “Moment like you,” which peaked at No. 2 on the iTunes dance chart. Erik’s music has appeared in such shows such as CSI and Scorpion. Belz has been working professionally as a freelance producer since graduating from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in 2010.

Steven McMorran Joins Major Bob Music Roster

Steven McMorran has signed with Major Bob Music. The Little Rock, Arkansas, native has had cuts in multiple genres and by a variety of artists including Tim McGraw, Celine Dion, Joe Cocker, and Michael Bolton.

BMI Signs Jamie McLaughlin

Pictured (L-R): Jamie McLaughlin, Jody Williams of BMI

Singer/songwriter Jamie McLaughlin has joined BMI. The son of BMI songwriter Pat McLaughlin, Jamie has been busy writing and performing at Nashville venues.

BMG Management, Kent Wells Productions Sign Taylon Hope

Taylon Hope

Eleven year-old singer-songwriter Taylon Hope recently signed a management & development deal with BMG Management & Kent Wells Productions soon after the release of her new single, “Showin’ My Roots.”