Music News (2/17/16)

Grammys Honor Nashville Songwriters

Pictured (L-R): Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose celebrate the Grammy-winning song “Girl Crush” backstage. Photo: Becky Fluke/instagram

The 58th annual Grammy Awards were presented in two ceremonies on Monday, Feb. 15. A majority of this year’s 83 awards categories were presented during the Premiere Ceremony prior to the telecast, including Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” writers (Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna) for Best Country Song. Alabama Shakes earned Best Rock Song for “Don’t Wanna Fight” and Jason Isbell picked up Best American Roots Song for “24 Frames.”

Also Grammy-related, MusicRow.com has exclusively interviewed 2016 Grammy Producer of the Year Jeff Bhasker, who produced RCA Records/Arista Nashville’s Cam in addition to Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars‘ 2016 Record of the Year, “Uptown Funk,” and select tracks from Taylor Swift‘s Red album.

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, VP, peermusic Nashville; Brandon Kinney; Kim Wiggins, Senior Creative Director peermusic Nashville. Photo : Shalacy Griffin

peermusic Signs Brandon Kinney

Brandon Kinney is the latest signing to peermusic’s Nashville songwriting roster.

His credits include Randy Houser’s “Boots On,” Lonestar’s “You’re Like Comin’ Home,” Craig Campbell’s “Outta My Head,” and several cuts on Cole Swindell’s debut album. His songs have also been recorded by Willie Nelson and Hank Williams. Jr.

A native of West Texas, Kinney lists his musical influences as Roger Miller, Don Williams and John Anderson.

Reviver Records Signs peermusic Writer

Speaking of peermusic, its 22-year-old writer, Michael Tyler, has signed a recording deal with Reviver Records.

The Thayer, Missouri-native co-wrote Dierks Bentley‘s new single, “Somewhere on a Beach,” as well as Jason Aldean‘s “Laid Back” from the album Old Boots, New Dirt, and the label’s LOCASH songs “Shipwrecked” and “Ain’t Startin’ Tonight.”

At age 13, Tyler had an online meeting with Aldean’s producer, Michael Knox, who is now his manager. Tyler signed to peermusic as a songwriter in 2012.

Pictured (L-R): Gator Michaels, David Ross, Michael Tyler, Michael Knox. Photo: Jeremy Westby, Webster PR.

Demolition Music Publishing Signs Drew Smith

Pictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino and Drew Smith.

Demolition Music Publishing has signed songwriter/artist Drew Smith to its roster. A Lawrenceburg, Tennessee native, Smith has had recent cuts with Randy Houser and Merle Haggard, and he has opened for Big & Rich, Lee Brice and others.