Music News (9/11/19)

Randy Travis To Be Honored With ASCAP Founders Award

Randy Travis will be honored with the ASCAP Founders Award during the upcoming 57th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The exclusive, invitation-only gala, which celebrates the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of 2018, takes place on Monday, Nov. 11 and will include special guest performances to honor Travis.

The Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius, which will enrich generations to come. Previous recipients include Rodney Crowell, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Jackson Browne, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Neil Young, among others.

Travis has been an ASCAP member for nearly four decades. He’s sold more than 25 million albums, earned seven Grammys, 11 ACMs, 10 American Music Awards, eight Dove Awards, five CMA Awards and two People’s Choice Awards. He’s also collected 22 No. 1 singles such as “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “I Told You So,” “Look Heart, No Hands,” “Whisper My Name,” and “Three Wooden Crosses,” which hit No. 1 on both the Christian and country charts. Travis also earned roles in movies and television shows including Touched By An Angel.

 
John Paul White Inks New Publishing Deal

Four-time Grammy Award winner John Paul White has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville. White, a former member of the popular duo The Civil Wars, has collaborated with and written songs for artists including Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Rodney Crowell, Eli Young Band, Ronan Keating, and more.

The Civil Wars earned Grammy wins for Best Folk Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for Barton Hollow. In 2016, White released his solo album Beulah. Since 2013, he led his own label Single Lock Records, out of Florence, Alabama; the label’s roster has included Lera Lynn and the late Donnie Fritts. White co-produced Fritts’ 2015 Oh My Goodness album and Lynn’s 2018 duets collection Plays Well With Others.

In April, White released his LP, The Hurting Kind, co-produced by Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner with co-writing credits from Nashville songwriters Bobby Braddock and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. White is currently touring throughout America, Europe, and Canada as he writes for his next record.

 
Demolition Music Partners With Symphonic Distribution

Demolition Music has entered an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Symphonic Distribution. Led by Symphonic’s VP of Business Development and Nashville General Manager, Randall Foster, the partnership is a perfect fit for Demolition’s diverse roster as well as its growing TV and film department.

The boutique company specializes in multi-genre publishing, artist development and label services. In 2018, Demolition also added a sync department in conjunction with Angry Mob Music and Resin8 Music.

Headed by Creative Managers Michael August and Jamie Dryburgh alongside President/Owner Jon D’Agostino, Demolition Music works in the Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and international markets. 

Symphonic Distribution is a 100% independent label services and distribution company founded by music producer Jorge Brea in 2006. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with offices in Brooklyn, Nashville, Denver, and Bogota, Colombia, Symphonic provides thousands of new and established artists and record labels with global digital music distribution, playlist pitching, release promotion, and comprehensive label services.

 
David Frasier Inks Publishing Deal With MV2 Entertainment

Pictured (back row, L-R): Derek Crownover (Member and Entertainment Law Practice Group Chair, Dickinson Wright), Nicole Sherrill (Creative Director, MV2), Megan Keelan, (Summer Associate, Dickinson Wright), Lauren Davis (Artist Management, Contract Administration, MV2), Ben Strain (Creative Director, MV2); (front row, L-R): Mike Whelan (Senior Creative Director, MV2), David Frasier, Tony Harrell (General Manager, MV2) Photo courtesy of MV2 Entertainment

David Frasier has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with MV2 Entertainment and acquired Frasier’s catalog. The catalog spans the last eight years and includes two No. 1 hits, Lee Brice’s “Drinkin’ Class” and “Most People Are Good” by Luke Bryan. It also includes cuts by Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Chris Young, Trace Adkins, and more.

MV2’s roster of writers also includes Thomas Archer, Nora Collins, Jimmie Deeghan, Nick Donley, Forrest Finn and Houston Phillips.