Music News (10/12/22)

SESAC Announces Date For Nashville Music Awards

SESAC has announced that its Nashville Music Awards will be back in person this year for the first time since 2019. The invitation-only event will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sunday, Nov. 6, kicking off CMA week in Nashville.

At the annual awards, SESAC will be honoring the Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year, as well as performance activity awards for both country and Americana music. Previous award winners include Jimmie Allen, Hillary Scott, Matt McGinn, Lee Brice, Blanco Brown, Lance Miller, Margo Price, Niko Moon, Justin Ebach, Alex Kline, Jon Nite, Hayes Carll, and more.

“We can’t wait to celebrate our songwriters and publishers in person this year,” shares Shannan Hatch, Vice President of Creative Services. “Our writers have made some incredible music over the past few years, and we are thrilled to have a night honoring all their amazing achievements.”
 

MusicRow’s Publisher Issue Features ‘State Of The Union’ Panel, A Look Into Catalog Sales, More

MusicRow Magazine has released its 2022 Publisher Issue print edition, with Mercury Nashville’s Maddie & Tae on the cover.

This annual resource includes the 2022 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies, as well as organizations and services available for songwriters.

Inside the issue, MusicRow brings back its State of the Union roundtable, this time featuring UMPG’s Cyndi Forman, Sony Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Endurance Music’s Michael Martin, Warner Chappell’s Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, and Tape Room Music’s Kelly Bolton. The five publishers sat down with MusicRow to discuss returning from the pandemic, multi-genre success in Nashville, “interpolation fever” in the songwriting community, and more.

Elsewhere, MusicRow taps entertainment attorney Jess L. Rosen to explain the recent uptick in catalog sales. The Publisher Issue also features an opinion piece on cutting outside songs from Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville. Additionally, music industry veterans Clay Bradley, Jody Williams and Suzanne Lee look back on the history of a well-loved Nashville tradition: No. 1 parties.

This issue also offers a glimpse into Prescription Songs’ multi-genre success. “It’s called Music City, it’s all genres and all types of music,” shares Prescription Songs Nashville’s Head of A&R, Katie Fagan. NSAI’s Bart Herbison helps explain the recent royalty rate change, boiling down what that means for songwriters. Reel Muzik Werks’ Teri Nelson Carpenter discusses the journey to starting her Nashville office.

MusicRow’s 2022 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Sony Music Publishing’s Elle King, 50 Egg Music/UMPG’s Shane Minor, Big Loud’s Jamie Moore, BMG’s Emily Landis, Boom Music Group/Warner Chappell’s Chris Tompkins and SMACK’s Josh Jenkins.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2022 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
 

Red Street Records Launches New Publishing Division, Signs Kelley Lovelace

Pictured (L-R): Red Street Records Co-Owner/Chairman Dan Crockett, Kelley Lovelace, Kelly King, Jay DeMarcus

Red Street Records has launched its new publishing division, Red Street Publishing, with Kelley Lovelace as its flagship writer. The new publishing arm will be helmed by Kelly King, Senior Director of A&R, and Harrison Sokoloff, Director of Publishing and A&R.

Through its new go-forward deal with Lovelace, Red Street Publishing has also acquired songs from his hit-packed catalog. The Grammy-nominated writer has 17 No. 1s with cuts from Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow and more.

“I’ve known Kelley for years. His talent, work ethic, and success, speaks for itself,” notes Owner/CEO Jay DeMarcus. “On top of it all, you won’t find a better human being. I’m proud to have him join our Red Street family.”

“As Red Street announces the launch of our new publishing division, I can’t imagine a better songwriter than Kelley Lovelace to help us get things started,” adds King. “Kelley is one of the most talented and respected songwriters in country music, and we could not be more excited about this partnership.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to enter into this creative journey with Red Street,” Lovelace shares. “Jay DeMarcus is a great leader with such a positive energy, and he has put together an incredible creative staff with the ever so talented Kelly King and Harrison Sokoloff. I’m more motivated than ever to create and see what we can build together.”

Earlier this year, MusicRow caught up with DeMarcus and Red Street Records Country flagship artist Ryan Griffin to talk about its new country division and look ahead at the future of Red Street Records. Click here to read the full interview.