Music News 8/19/2010

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)’s SongPosium Week is set to educate, elevate and celebrate songwriters from Monday, September 20 through Saturday, September 25.

Kicking off the week is the World’s Largest #1 Party at NSAI (1710 Roy Acuff Place) on Monday, September 20 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Industry professionals and SongPosium attendees are invited to this event, co-sponsored by Avenue Bank and The Recording Academy, which honors songwriters from the past year for their chart-topping tunes. Three special organizational awards – the Stephen Foster Award (in recognition of generous support for – and dedication to – songwriters, the music industry and NSAI), the Maggie Cavendar Award of Service (in recognition of extraordinary service to the songwriting community) and the NSAI’s President’s Choice Award (in recognition of outstanding contributions to the protection and betterment of the songwriting profession) will be presented as well.

From Tuesday, September 21 through Friday, September 24 NSAI will turn Music Row into a songwriting university to educate the songwriting community during SongPosium. Featuring more than 120 classes taught by some of the biggest names in the music industry, this is the most comprehensive songwriting educational event available. Attendees can fashion their schedule based upon individual needs and interests. Classes are available a la carte or in a discounted bundle called the Max Pack. Registration is now open here.

The Bluebird Café will also host 2 shows nightly from Tuesday, September 21 through Saturday, September 25 featuring songwriters like Brett James (“Cowboy Cassanova”), Rebecca Lynn Howard (“Forgive”), James Dean Hicks (“Goodbye Time”) and many more. Reservations can be made at bluebirdcafe.com are strongly recommended. SongPosium attendees will have priority access to shows via a promo code.

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Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Bartholomew recently stopped by BMI’s Music Row offices. The legendary songwriter, producer, musician, arranger and A&R man hooked up with Fats Domino and their collaborations sent shock waves from New Orleans, forever changing the soundscape of American music. Bartholomew wrote classics including “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walkin’” “Blue Monday,” “Walkin’ to New Orleans” “I Hear You Knocking,” “Let the Good Times Roll” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “One Night (With You),” and thousands more.

Pictured at BMI are BMI’s Perry Howard; Dave Bartholomew’s son, Ron; attorney Russ Hicks; Dave Bartholomew, Jr.; Dave Bartholomew, and BMI’s Thomas Cain and Clay Bradley. Photo by Drew Maynard

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New Revolution Entertainment’s Rob Dalton was the guest speaker at a recent Nashville Publishers Network meeting. The organization of independent song publishers meets monthly at BMI to share information about recording artists and labels who are looking for material. If you are interested in joining NPN, contact Frank Michels at 615-354-0670 or michels8@comcast.net.

Pictured at a recent Nashville Publishers Network meeting (L-R): Erik Thorson, NPN treasurer; guest speaker Rob Dalton of New Revolution Entertainment; Bob Dellaposta, NPN president; Bill Renfrew, NPN guest coordinator; Marc Rossi, NPN tip sheet writer; and Frank Michels, NPN vice president.

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From (l-r): Noah Dewey, Justin Lantz, Matt Jenkins, Meghan Orga, Gene Cook, Richard Orga, Leigh Reynolds

Black Ink Music Publishing announced two new hirings recently. Noah Dewey has re-joined the company as VP of Creative Services and Meghan Orga is on board as the Office Manager.

Richard Orga has been at the helm of Black Ink for seven months. The boutique music publishing company is home to writers Matt Jenkins, Justin Lantz, Leigh Reynolds and Gene Cook.

“We try diligently to provide an environment at Black Ink Music that encourages creativity,” says Orga. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously but we do work very hard—we have to. We are small but we think big!”