Music News (1/10/18)

Songwriter Petition Circulates To Support Music Modernization Act

The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) has created a petition to collect and amplify the voice of songwriters in agreement of H.R. 4706, The Music Modernization Act of 2017, which is aimed at updating what the association calls “archaic laws” for the biggest achievement music creators have seen in the Digital Age.

Thousands of signatures have been collected so far in support of the December 21, 2017 legislation Congressman Doug Collins and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries introduced.

Visit gopetition.com to read more or add your voice.

 
Troy Cartwright Joins Warner/Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Alison Junker (Warner/Chappell), Troy Cartwright, Jenni Tackett (Red Light Management), Will Overton (Warner/Chappell)

Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Troy Cartwright.

The Berklee-trained musician was the recipient of the 2014 Rising Star Texas Music Award. The following year, he put out a self-titled debut album, and in 2016, he released his latest EP, Don’t Fade.

Cartwright divides his time between songwriting and performing, having toured with Rob Baird, Stoney LaRue, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and others. These days, the Dallas native calls Nashville home.

Cartwright is managed by Shawn McSpadden and Jenni Tacket at Red Light Management and represented by Austin Neal at WME. His attorney is Chip Petree.

 
Big Deal Music Signs Forest Glen Whitehead

Pictured (back row): Dale Bobo, Greg Gallo, Whitney Whitehead, Nate Drake, Pete Robinson, Robert Filhart. Front row (L-R): Austin Adams, Forest Glen Whitehead, Kelly Bolton

Big Deal Music Group has signed songwriter and producer Forest Glen Whitehead to the roster. Whitehead, a Louisiana native, produced and co-wrote several songs on Kelsea Ballerini’s now Platinum, Grammy-nominated, debut album, The First Time, as well as her most recent sophomore album, Unapologetically.

To date, he has achieved No. 1 songs with Ballerini including “​Love Me Like You Mean It,” and “Peter Pan.” Whitehead is also a writer on her current and climbing Top 10 single, “Legends” co-written with Ballerini and Hillary Lindsey. Whitehead has also had songs recorded by Brantley Gilbert, Dylan Scott, and Jacob Davis, among others.

Wixen Music Publishing Founder Speaks On Spotify Lawsuit

While Spotify reportedly prepares for a coming initial public offering, having recently filed with the SEC, the streaming service has had to contend with several legal obstacles, including a recent $1.6 billion lawsuit from California-based publisher Wixen Music Publishing.

To read more visit MusicRow.com.