Music News 2/17/2011

>>Curb Music Publishing recently hosted a two-day Songwriters Retreat at Blackberry Farm near the Smoky Mountains.

Curb writing retreat (front row, L-R) Senator Lamar Alexander and Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson; (back row, L-R) Blackberry Farm's Sam Beall, Curb's Director of Publishing Drew Alexander, Bobby Tomberlin, Capitol artist Kelleigh Bannen, Curb artist Lee Brice, songwriter Billy Montana, and Anderson's manager Lee Willard.

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Sony Music Nashville has officially welcomed the band Bush Hawg as the newest act on its RCA Nashville roster. Bush Hawg’s debut album will release later this year.

Pictured (back, l-r): Bush Hawg producer/manager Michael Knox; Sony Music Nashville Creative Services VP Scott McDaniel; Marketing Sr. VP Paul Barnabee; Promotion Sr. VP Skip Bishop; Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; and Sales VP Kerri Fox-Metoyer; RCA Nashville Promotion VP Keith Gale; Sony Music Nashville A&R VP Jim Catino; and Buddy Lee Attractions President Kevin Neal. (front, l-r): RCA Nashville Natl. Director of Promotion Norbert Nix; and Bush Hawg band members Jim Phipps, Russ Caldwell, Craig Hand, Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire, and Ben Helton. Photo credit: Alan Poizner

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The 19th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will take place March 29-April 2 in Nashville. The event is produced by Nashville Songwriters Association International which asserts that it is the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. Last year 300 songwriters performed over 70 shows at eight Nashville venues in front of crowds estimated to exceed 9,000.

Regions Bank returns as presenting sponsor. Platinum sponsors include American Airlines, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. “Regions Bank is proud to be the title sponsor of Tin Pan South for the fifth consecutive year,” said Lisa Harless, Senior VP, Entertainment and Sports Division. “Songwriters are the lifeblood of our musical, creative community, and Regions is proud to salute the songwriters again in 2011!”

Tin Pan South will hold its annual preview party this year at The Rutledge on March 8 from 3:30-5:00. Several writers will perform and schedules, venues, and more will be announced. Visit tinpansouth.com to purchase Fast Access passes and find festival updates. Fast Access passes go on sale March 9.