Music News (11/2/22)

Save The Date: MusicRow Announces Date For 10th Annual ‘Rising Women On The Row’

MusicRow is proud to announce the date for its 10th annual “Rising Women on the Row” breakfast, honoring female executives in the music industry. Once again at The Omni Nashville Hotel, “Rising Women on the Row” will take place the morning of Thursday, March 23, 2023.

MusicRow Owner & Publisher Sherod Robertson held the first-ever “Rising Women on the Row” in 2012. He was inspired to start the beloved event when thinking of his grandmother, and how she was never honored for her accomplishments and tenacious spirit. Since its inaugural year, MusicRow has named nearly 50 deserving executives as “Rising Women on the Row.”

Past Rising Women honorees include—2020/2022: Jen Conger, JoJamie Hahr, Mandy Morrison, Missy Roberts, Jennie Smythe, Stephanie Wright; 2019: Janine Ebach, Kelly Janson, Meredith Jones, Lenore Kinder, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jennifer Turnbow; 2018: Faithe Dillman, Leslie DiPiero, Becky Gardenhire, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Annie Ortmeier, Janet Weir; 2017: Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, Juli Newton-Griffith; 2016: Abbey Adams, Amanda Cates, Cris Lacy, Leslie Roberts, Risha Rodgers; 2015: Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman, Lou Taylor; 2014: Julie Boos, Caryl Healey, Ebie McFarland, Alicia Pruitt, Kelly Rich; 2013: Cyndi Forman, Cindy Hunt, Beth Laird, Cindy Mabe, Brandi Simms; 2012: Shannan Hatch, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens, Carla Wallace.

Applications for 2023’s class will open in January 2023.
 

Spirit Music Nashville Signs Grammy Winner Joy Williams

Pictured (L-R, front row): Spirit Music Nashville’s Michelle Davey, Derek Wells, Joy Williams, Spirit Music Nashville’s Hannah Hall and Frank Rogers. (L-R, back row): Spirit Music Nashville’s Brian Bradford and Red Light Managements Clay Hunt. Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Nashville.

Spirit Music Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Joy Williams to a worldwide co-publishing deal.

Williams’ songwriting credits include The Civil Wars‘ albums Live at Eddie’s Attic; Poison & Wine; Barton Hollow, which won a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2011; and The Civil Wars. Her other Grammy-winning works consist of “Barton Hollow” (Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2011), “Safe & Sound” with Taylor Swift (Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2012) and “From This Valley” (Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2013). She also penned “Stand By You,” which was recorded by Rachel Platten and peaked at No. 37 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard‘s Adult Top 40.

Last year, the four-time Grammy winner entered into a multi-faceted agreement with Spirit that included the acquisition of compositions from her various song catalogs, including her award-winning work as part of the duo The Civil Wars, as well as several masters that she controls. Additionally, Spirit announced it would administer Williams’ most recent solo album, Front Porch, as well as her compositions going forward. Through this new deal, Spirit Music Nashville will also publish her works on a go-forward basis.
 

Jaron Boyer Signs With Wide Open Music Publishing

Jaron Boyer and Victoria Goodvin (Wide Open Publishing)

Jaron Boyer has signed a publishing deal with Wide Open Music.

Boyer has written songs for artists including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt, Clay Walker and Rascal Flatts. He has penned four No. 1s, including “Hell Of A Night” (Dustin Lynch), “Somewhere On A Beach” (Dierks Bentley), “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley) and “Girl Like You” (Jason Aldean).

The 2016 SESAC Country Song of the Year award-winner’s latest cut, “Mind On You” (George Birge), was most-added at country radio upon its release earlier this month.

“I’m so excited to be signing with Wide Open. Blessed to have the opportunity to work with Ash Bowers and Wide Open VP/General Manager Victoria Goodvin on a daily basis. God is good,” says Boyer.
 

Music Industry Veterans Launch Dream 3 Publishing

Dream 3 Publishing. Photo: Jason Myers

Greg Hill, Laurel Kittleson-Cobb and Emily Olson have joined forces to launch Dream 3 Publishing.

Hill owns Hill Entertainment Group, a company focused on brand building in the entertainment space. He currently overseas the management of Rodney Atkins, Mark Wills, The Naomi Judd Estate, Jennifer Hart and others.

Kittleson-Cobb is the founder of Rainier Entertainment, a music consulting company for A&R, publishing, management, and artist development. She consults for RECORDS Nashville, developing their artist roster, scouting new talent, and overseeing the song selection and recording process of the entire roster. Additionally, Kittleson-Cobb consults for 19 Recordings with their Nashville based artists, assisting in all publishing aspects as well as management, and independently does A&R for artists Caroline Jones and Drew Baldridge.

Olson, who has over 10 years of experience in publishing, has secured over 150 cuts in her career for artists, including Brett Young, Randy Houser, Sara Evans, Mickey Guyton, Justin Moore, Trisha Yearwood, Trace Adkins, and more.

With over five decades of combined experience in different faucets of the industry, involvement with countless No. 1s and their instrumental roles in the careers of some of country’s biggest stars, the industry veterans aim to build a boutique publishing company that focuses on great writers, great songs and developing talent.

Olson will run the day-to-day publishing operations for Dream 3 Publishing, including setting up co-writes and pitching songs. Kittleson and Hill will continue running their businesses and will filter in talent with the writers of Dream 3.