Music News (4/26/17)

AIMP Nashville Awards Nominees Announced

Nominees have been announced for the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards, which will be presented for the first time by the Academy of Country Music. The awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium May 8 and will feature performances from Nashville’s hottest independent writers and artists. Nominees were selected by 300 AIMP voters through anonymous ballots.

See the nominees at MusicRow.com.

Renee Blair Signs With SMACKSongs for Publishing/Production

Pictured (L-R): Renee Blair, Shane McAnally. Photo: Weiss Eubanks

Epic Records artist Renee Blair has signed a worldwide publishing and production deal with Shane McAnally‘s SMACKSongs. McAnally and Blair head into the studio this week to begin work on a new album, due out later this year. Upon moving to Nashville, St. Louis native Blair began collaborating with Starkitechs’ Brandon Riester to develop her sound, which ultimately caught the attention of Epic Records’ CEO L.A. Reid, who signed her to Epic.

 
William Michael Morgan Joins BMI

Pictured (L-R): William Michael Morgan, BMI’s Bradley Collins

William Michael Morgan stopped by BMI’s Nashville office on April 18 to officially join the performing rights organization. The singer-songwriter has been touring in support of his debut Warner Music Nashville album Vinyl, which was released late last year.

The album includes his debut single, “I Met A Girl,” penned by Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt, and Trevor Rosen. Morgan is currently promoting his followup single, “Missing.”