Music News 5/5/11

The No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” was feted with separate celebrations hosted by BMI and ASCAP on Tuesday, May 3.

The song was the first No.1 for husband-wife duo Thompson Square and its label Stoney Creek Records. It was penned by songwriting mainstays and good friends Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy.

ASCAP honored writer Murphy, publishers Old Desperadoes and N2D Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment and Thompson Square during a party at its Music Row offices. The song marks Murphy’s sixth career No. 1. He added to that tally with his seventh chart topper last week, Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little.”

(L-R): ASCAP VP and Managing Executive Tim DuBois, songwriter David Lee Murphy, Thompson Square's Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson, songwriter Jim Collins. Photo: Anna Maki

BMI saluted “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” with an event at its Nashville offices, honoring the songwriters, band, Cal IV Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment, and other team members. This song marks Collins’ seventh trip to the top of the charts and pushes his songwriting repertoire to over 20 million performances.

(L-R): Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill; co-writers David Lee Murphy and Jim Collins; BMI’s Jody Williams; Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Benny Brown; Stoney Creek Records’ April Rider; New Voice Entertainment’s Kurt Allison, Rich Redmond, Tully Kennedy, and David Fanning; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Jon Loba; Cal IV Publishing’s Billy Lynn; and Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Rick Shedd. Photo: Steve Lowry

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The Savannah Music Group Evening of Song took place recently at the Downtown Hotel Indigo featuring Savannah Music Group writers Dave Gibson and Nolan Neal. In attendance were Savannah GM Bob Saporiti and movie soundtrack mogul Frank Stallone.

(L-R) Gibson, Stallone, Saporiti and Neal Photo: Denise Fussell