Music News (5/14/14)

(L-R): Songwriters Tom Douglas, Roxie Dean and Rivers Rutherford perform as Senators Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander and Orrin Hatch look on.

The Songwriter Equity Act is being introduced in the U.S. Senate, following a previous introduction in the House of Representatives.

Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) gathered at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on May 12 to announce the legislation to amend federal law to allow songwriters to be compensated for the fair market value of their work.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Publisher Board member Leeds Levy, songwriter Josh Kear, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ASCAP Writer Board member Dan Foliart and ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento.

Award-winning songwriters and composers from different music genres spent Wednesday, May 7 meeting with elected officials to insist on music licensing reform as part of the inaugural ASCAP “Stand with Songwriters” Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.

Challenges facing songwriters in today’s digital music marketplace were discussed and policymakers were urged to support updates to federal laws that regulate how songwriters license their works.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

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BMI‘s 19th annual Key West Songwriter’s Festival opened May 7 with headliner Anders Osborne on Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort. The evening continued with performances from some of music’s biggest songwriters including Natalie Hemby, Wendell Mobley, Dean Dillon, Dylan Altman, Tony Joe White and more. The event wrapped May 11 and featured more than 50 showcases and concerts at venues throughout the island.

Pictured (L-R): BMI Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Mark Mason, Anders Osborne, Key West Mayor Craig Cates, Key West Songwriter’s Festival founder Charlie Bauer, and BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. Photo: Erika Goldring

Pictured (L-R): BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams, Tony Joe White, Kacey Musgraves, Robert Earl Keen, BMI Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Mark Mason.

SESAC also took over hotspot Kelly’s Caribbean during a packed showcase at the Florida festival. The event was hosted by songwriters Rob Hatch (“Goodnight Kiss”) and Lance Miller (“Drink To That All Night”) and offered performances by John & Jacob, Ken Johnson, American Young, Cary Barlowe, Greg Barnhill, Justin Wilson, Phillip Coleman, Karyn Williams and Andi Zack.

Songwriter Lance Miller, SESAC’s Tim Fink, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and songwriter Greg Barnhill. Photo: Sheel

Songwriter Cary Barlowe (far left) performs with country duo John & Jacob. Photo: Sheel

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Pictured (L-R): VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; Mike Krompass; Black River Entertainment CEO, Gordon Kerr.

VP of Black River Publishing Celia Froehlig has signed music producer, songwriter, and engineer Mike Krompass to Black River Publishing.

Krompass, a Toronto, Canada native, began his career has a studio/live session guitar player. As a touring musician, Krompass shared the stage with Nelly Furtado, David Archuleta, Elton John, U2, Destiny’s Child, Boys II Men, Bruno Mars and others. He was also a band member of Smash Mouth, where he played guitar and served as the band’s music director.

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Pictured (L-R): Jim McCormick, Lisa Ramsey Perkins and Jessi Alexander

Music publishing company Little Extra Music, founded by Lisa Ramsey Perkins, has signed an agreement to represent the select back catalogs of songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jim McCormick.

Alexander’s recent co-written hits include Blake Shelton‘s “Drink On It” and “Mine Would Be You,” Lee Brice‘s “I Drive Your Truck,” and Eric Paslay‘s “Song About A Girl,” among others. “I Drive Your Truck” earned Alexander MusicRow‘s Song of the Year title in 2013, as well as Song of the Year honors from the ACM, CMA and NSAI. Her song “Didn’t Know Love” was recently recorded by Celine Dion.

McCormick’s catalog of songs includes recordings by Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Milsap and others. Recent recordings include Jason Aldean‘s rendering of McCormick’s “Take a Little Ride” and Brantley Gilbert‘s cut of his “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Luke Bryan recorded three of McCormick’s songs on his Spring Break…Here to Party album.

Additionally, McCormick is signed to BMG Chrysalis.