Music News (8/30/17)

Black River Publishing Welcomes Josh Wilson And Bobby Huff

Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr with Josh Wilson, Wilson’s wife Becca, and their two-year-old son Asher.

Artist and songwriter Josh Wilson has inked deals with both Black River Christian and Black River Publishing.

Wilson, who was named ASCAP’s Writer/Artist of the Year in 2012, independently released two albums before signing with Sparrow Records/Capitol CMG. Recording six albums with the label, he achieved multiple Top 10 radio singles, including two No. 1’s (“Jesus Is Alive” and “Before The Morning”). He’s also toured with artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day and Casting Crowns.

Pictured (L-R): Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr, Attorney Jim Zumwalt, Attorney Lauren Kilgore, Bobby Huff, and Black River’s Dave Pacula, Eric Hurt, and Katie Barolak. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Songwriter, producer and musician Bobby Huff has signed with Black River Publishing’s roster.

Prior to moving to Nashville, Huff lived in Los Angeles for several years, which has allowed him to foster writing relationships in a myriad of musical genres. He has written with, and for, artists including Reba McEntire, Billy Currington, Chris Lane, Simple Plan, Casting Crowns and KISS’ Gene Simmons. Huff has produced projects from artists including Halestorm, Tim Finn, Saliva, Rod Stewart, Papa Roach and more.

Complimenting his writing and production credits, Huff has found success in the film and television space with placements including “Winter Light,” the Tim Finn track he produced that is featured in the end credits of the 2005 film adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Additional placements spanning across networks including ABC, FOX, Disney, ESPN, HBO, NBC, and CBS, are Grey’s Anatomy, American Idol, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Teen Beach Movie 2, and most recently, in the film Tomorrowland.

 
Carter Winter Signs With Roc Nation

Carter Winter has signed a publishing deal with Roc Nation.

Winter recently finished his second studio project, The Whiskey In Me, which was produced by Mark Bright and Chad Carlson and reached the No. 4 spot on iTunes and No. 34 on Billboard‘s country albums chart. He is a spokesperson for Durango Boots and has his own line of boots coming out soon.

Roc Nation announced a publishing partnership with Warner/Chappell Music last year as well as a joint venture, Rhythm House, with songwriter/producer/publisher/DJ Jesse Frasure.

Three Hounds Music Signs David Tolliver

Pictured (L-R): Tom Harrison, David Tolliver, and Tyler Bell.

Three Hounds Music has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with singer/songwriter David Tolliver. A Music City fixture for nearly a decade, Tolliver is best known as half of the critically acclaimed country/rock duo Halfway to Hazard. He has co-written the majority of Halfway to Hazard’s three albums, and has had cuts by Tim McGraw, Jarrod Niemann, Brantley Gilbert, Wynonna Judd, Neal McCoy and numerous others.

In addition to Tolliver, the Three Hounds family includes songwriters Bobby Terry (Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson), Chris Cavanaugh (Kip Moore, Lonestar, Steve Holy), Sarah Beth Terry (Craig Morgan), Kevin Brandt (Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis), and new Americana duo Fleener.

Liz Rose Offers Peek Into A Day In The Life Of A Songwriter In New NSAI Workshop

Liz Rose and the Nashville Songwriters Association International are presenting a unique workshop event, “Inside the Industry with Liz Rose.” The one-of-a-kind event Nov. 30–Dec. 3 will give participants an exclusive “peek behind the curtain” of the day-to-day life of a songwriter and offer them the opportunity to learn the ins and out of how a publishing deal works and how to get one.

Participants will also have the opportunity to gain record label insight from Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy (VP, A&R), participate in a Q&A session with Jody Williams (VP, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI), and get a first-hand look at the demo development process, from song to studio. Attendees will also receive industry song feedback, participate in peer co-writing sessions, join a performance night at The Country, followed by a performance feedback session with Liz Rose Music, and more. They will also have the opportunity to attend a Bluebird Café Performance featuring Liz Rose and Friends during the four-day experience.

Interested applicants can apply now through October 1, 2017 for the first application period. Only twenty participants will be accepted, and more details can be found at nashvillesongwriters.com.