Music News 06/28/12

Creative Nation Showcase at The Basement
Monday night (6/25) Creative Nation songwriters Luke Laird and Barry Dean rounded up co-writers Rhett Akins, Brett Eldredge, Ashley Gorley, Natalie Hemby, Matt Jenkins, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Jonathan Singleton for a performance at The Basement. The group debuted 10 songs to an industry crowd during the event that marked Creative Nation’s first show since the company announced its grand opening last month.

Pictured (L-R): Beth Laird, Creative Nation Co-Owner and General Manager; Luke Laird, Creative Nation Co-Owner and Songwriter/Producer; Kacey Musgraves; Natalie Hemby; Shane McAnally; Brett Eldredge; and Barry Dean, Creative Nation Songwriter. Photo: Thomas Gentry

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Roots Three Music and ole Sign Jeff Coplan

Pictured (L-R): Gilles Godard, Chief Creative Officer/ole; Ron Kitchener, President Roots Three Music; Jeff Coplan and Denny Carr, Director of A&R, Roots Three Music

Roots Three Music and ole have entered a worldwide co-publishing deal with hit songwriter/producer Jeff Coplan. The deal also includes a futures component.

Coplan has helped develop and produce RCA recording artists Love and Theft, and co-wrote the band’s current hit “Angel Eyes.” It is the lead single from the band’s upcoming release. Coplan is also working with BlackjackBilly, who is busy touring and finishing its first album.

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Parallel Entertainment Hires Hannah Showmaker

Parallel Entertainment is pleased to welcome recent Belmont University graduate Hannah Showmaker to its Nashville office. In her new role, Showmaker will work on both the management and publishing sides of Parallel Entertainment helping with day-to-day operations as well as with clients and administrative duties.

Hannah, 22, is originally from Charleston, Mo. She graduated from Belmont this past May with a degree in Music Business and a minor in Public Relations. Her resume also includes time at Red Bull, The Country Network and PLAMedia.

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Warner/Chappell and Parallel Music Ink Dean Alexander

Warner/Chappell Music, along with Parallel Music Publishing, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Dean Alexander. The artist is currently working on his debut album for Warner Music Nashville.

Additionally, Warner/Chappell Nashville has hired Blain Rhodes as Creative Coordinator. A native of Brunswick, GA, Rhodes began his career working on the road with Luke Bryan and followed that gig with a stint at William Morris.

(L-R): Alicia Pruitt (Sr Director, A&R, Warner/Chappell), Steve Markland (VP A&R Warner/Chappell), Dean Alexander, BJ Hill (Sr Director, A&R, Warner/Chappell), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music Publishing), Phil May (GM/VP, Warner/Chappell), and C.T. Wyatt (Manager, Parallel Entertainment).

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Carrie Underwood Plays CMA Songwriters Series in Boston

Carrie Underwood is slated to make her first appearance in the popular CMA Songwriters Series, when it returns to Boston on Tuesday, July 31 at Royale in the downtown Theater District.

Joining Underwood for the event will be some of her hit co-writers Brett James (“Cowboy Casanova”), Luke Laird (“So Small”), and Hillary Lindsey (“Just a Dream”). As usual, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero will host and perform at the event. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 29) and are $50 for VIP seating, $39 for reserved, and $25 for general admission.

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Love and Theft Sign Publishing to EMI 

RCA Nashville’s Love and Theft has signed with EMI Music Publishing Nashville. The duo of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson currently has the single “Angel Eyes” approaching top 10 on all the charts. Love and Theft’s upcoming self-titled album for RCA will be in stores July 24.

(L-R): Back: EMI's Laura Wright, Missy Wilson, Ben Vaughn. Front: EMI's Tom Luteran, Barker-Liles, Gunderson, EMI's Josh Van Valkenburg