Music News (9/27/17)

Ashley McBryde Signs With Warner Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN), Ashley McBryde

Warner Music Nashville has officially announced the label has signed Ashley McBryde to its artist roster. McBryde recently visited the MusicRow office to preview songs from her upcoming debut for Warner Music Nashville.

McBryde’s current single “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” recently hit No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Top 30 and will impact radio Oct. 16.

The singer/songwriter has already established herself in the industry, having toured with some of the biggest names in country, including Chris Stapleton and Eric Church. She is managed by Q Prime and represented by WME, and will be hitting the road in October for the SiriusXM Presents: The Highway Finds Tour.

Compass Records Signs Molly Tuttle

Pictured (L-R): Garry West, Compass co-founder, Molly Tuttle, Alison Brown, Compass co-founder.

Molly Tuttle has signed with Nashville-based Compass Records.

Tuttle is currently nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year honors, as well as a history-making nod as the first woman in the 27-year history of the IBMA Awards to be nominated for Guitar Player of the Year.

Tuttle released her debut solo EP Rise earlier this year. The seven-track project was produced by Kai Welch and features plenty of Tuttle’s signature guitar work. She is currently working on a full-length follow up to be released in 2018.

 
Aaron Eshuis Signs With SMACKSongs

Pictured (L-R): SMACKSongs’ Lee Krabel, Robin Palmer, Aaron Eshuis, Shane McAnally, Attorney Chip Petree and Kobalt’s Laura Alexander

SMACKSongs has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Aaron Eshuis, exclusively administered by Kobalt.

Eshuis is an accomplished writer and producer from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who has racked up cuts by A Thousand Horses, Rascal Flatts, Joe Nichols, Kid Rock, Cole Swindell and more. Most recently, Eshuis produced Sony Records recording artist Ryan Hurd’s debut EP.

Hunter Leath Signs With Daywind Music Publishing

(L-R): Daywind President Ed Leonard, Hunter Leath, Daywind Publishing Creative Director Joe Dan Cornett, Daywind Publishing VP Rick Shelton. Photo: Nashville Songwriter Association International

Daywind Music Publishing has signed songwriter Hunter Leath to its roster of writers.

Inspired by a vast variety of music, Leath began his songwriting career at a young age in the suburbs of Memphis. He dedicated himself to studying the writing styles of artists like Don Henley, Phil Vassar, Mac McAnally, and Billy Joel in order to develop a style that blends pop, country, and acoustic music. With this goal in mind, Hunter’s primary focus will be creating songs that will open doors within mainstream country, while also expanding Daywind Music’s reach within Christian music.

 
Carter Winter Inks Deal With BMI

Pictured (L-R): Bradley Collins of BMI, Becky Harris of Huskins-Harris Management, Carter Winter, manager Zach Beebe, Jen Sackett of Huskins-Harris Management and Dickinson Wright attorney, Noah McPike.

Carter Winter dropped by the BMI Nashville office to affiliate as a songwriter for performing rights representation. The BMI affiliation follows Winter’s recently announced signing with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, a deal that includes both publishing and an album.

Winter recently visited the MusicRow offices to preview tracks from his upcoming album, and to discuss his deal with Roc Nation.

Entries For The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Open Oct. 1

MerleFest will begin accepting entries for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) beginning Oct. 1. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans that takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C. CASC is one of the most acclaimed songwriting contests in roots and Americana music, having a reputation for launching careers and discovering important new talent. Winners in four categories (bluegrass, country, general and gospel/inspirational) will be chosen at MerleFest, which will take place April 26 – 29, 2018.

Now in its 26th year, CASC is an opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals, under the direction of Jim Lauderdale. Aspiring songwriters may submit entries to the contest using the online entry form: merlefest.org/ChrisAustinSongwritingContest/ or by mailing entries to MerleFest/CASC, POB 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. The deadline to enter is Feb. 1, 2018.

Net proceeds from the contest support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded over $41,000 to deserving students. To learn more details about the contest, visit MerleFest.org/CASC.

 
NMPA To Hold Inaugural Gold and Platinum Gala Oct. 19 in Nashville

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has long advocated for and recognized songwriters and publishers for their achievements, most notably with the NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program, which launched 10 years ago.

On Oct. 19, the NMPA will further recognize songwriters whose songs have reached Gold and/or Platinum status, with the inaugural Gold and Platinum Gala, to be held in Nashville on Oct. 19.

The exclusive, invitation-only event will honor the creators behind the songs that have earned Gold and/or Platinum certifications from the RIAA over the past year, from June 2016 through July 2017.

Among those songwriters who will be recognized for multi-Platinum achievements include Kenny Alphin, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Jim Collins, Zach Crowell, Dallas Davidson, Sean Douglas, Jerry Flowers, Ashley Gorley, Rob Hatch, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Jeffery Hyde, Brian Kelley, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, David Lee Murphy, Josh Osborne, Thomas Rhett, John Rich, Liz Rose, Joseph Spargur, Cole Swindell and Ryan Tyndell.

The RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams toward its Gold (500K), Platinum (1 million) and multi-Platinum (2 million+) thresholds. In coordination with the RIAA, the NMPA maintains a database of all awards and certifications, also notifying songwriters and music publishers that they have been certified.

ASCAP I Create Music EXPO Set For May 7-9

ASCAP has set the date for its 13th annual “I Create Music” EXPO for May 7 – 9, 2018 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

The largest conference for songwriters, composers, artists and producers in the country, the “I Create Music” EXPO offers a rare opportunity for aspiring music creators to learn from and collaborate with some of the most successful and creative people in the music industry.

Last year’s three-day event included performances from Michael McDonald, Ashley Gorley, J.T. Harding, Matt Jenkins, Dave Bassett and more. Among the previous EXPO keynote speakers are Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Quincy Jones, Ludacris, Carly Simon, Sara Bareilles, Lindsey Buckingham, Randy Newman, Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, Ne-Yo, Bill Withers, Aloe Blacc, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora Jeff Lynne. 

Every year, ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO participants attend creative and business-focused panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, one-on-one sessions, networking events, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations and performances. The ASCAP EXPO provides music creators with knowledge, tools, connections and a unique community of support and guidance. Registration information for the event will be announced at a later date.