Music News (7/17/13)

Pictured (L-R): Steve Markland (Warner/Chappell), Shea Fowler (Cornman), Brett James (Cornman), Olsen, Nate Lowery (Cornman), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell)

Cornman Music and Warner/Chappell Music have a signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter and recording artist Steven Lee Olsen. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Olsen has had songs recorded by Craig Morgan, The Judds, Melissa Lawson and Swedish Idol winner Kevin Borg. He’s currently working on new music with Brett James, Brandon Hood and Dann Huff. For more, visit stevenleeolsen.com.

A birthday card from the Keith Urban collection that features Urban’s single “Long, Hot Summer.”

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Keith Urban fans now have a new way to give music as a gift this summer–not through an album, download or concert tickets, but through greeting cards.

Urban has teamed with Hallmark Gold Crown stores to offer a collection of Hallmark Keith Urban sound cards that includes 12 cards, ranging from celebrating birthdays and friendship, to sending love and encouragement. Priced at $4.99, each card in the line features a 15-second sound clip from some of Urban’s songs such as “Long, Hot Summer” and “Sweet Thing.”

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24/7 Media, Adtegrity, AOL, Condé Nast, Google, Microsoft, SpotXchange, and Yahoo!, with the support of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, have committed to a set of best practices to address online infringement by reducing the flow of ad revenue to operators of sites engaged in significant piracy and counterfeiting, according to a statement from the White House.

Under the guidelines, ad networks will maintain and post policies discouraging or preventing sites that sell counterfeit goods, engage in copyright piracy or otherwise violate laws. They will also accept and process notices from rights holders about sites in question, provide guidance for the content of a “proper” notice, and identify the “designated agent” to receive a notice.
Read more at MusicRow.com.

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“It’s impossible to overstate Reba’s impact on country music,” said Country Music Hall of Fame’s Museum Director Kyle Young, announcing the Aug. 9 opening of Reba McEntire’s 10-month biographical exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Opening weekend of Reba: All The Women I Am includes a host of promotional events, including the 2011 Country Music Hall of Famer participating in a special interview on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Hall’s Ford Theatre, sharing life and career highlights. Free with museum admission or membership, McEntire’s interview requires a program pass due to limited seating. The interview will also be streamed live here.

Additionally, the weekend includes a Reba-themed Songwriter Session on Saturday (Aug. 10) at 11:30 a.m. with Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart,” “It’s  Your Call,” “And Still” and “Forever Love”) and Will Robinson (“I Know How He Feels” and “Somebody’s Chelsea,” written with Hengber and McEntire), as well as a Sunday (Aug. 10) screening of GAC Backstory: Reba McEntire at 2:00 p.m.
Read more at MusicRow.com.

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Songwriter Keesy Timmer has signed with Nashville publishing company Blue Guitar Music.

Pictured (L-R) are: Sam Ramage, Chief Creative Officer, Blue Guitar; Lori Maxwell, CFO, Blue Guitar; Danny Pool, owner of the publishing company; Mike Kraski, General Manager, Blue Guitar; Daniel Wood, President, Blue Guitar and Timmer (seated).

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The CMA Songwriters Series returns to Joe’s Bar in Chicago for a special night on Aug. 1 at 8:30 p.m./CT. Celebrating its ninth remarkable year, the CMA Songwriters Series features guests Matraca Berg, Kristian Bush, Bobby Pinson and Bob DiPiero, who will also serve as the evening’s host. Tickets are on sale at joesbar.com.