Inside Track in Music Row Archives - Page 23 of 48

Spotify, Amazon try to cut songwriter rates

“You have used us” songwriters tell Spotify

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Songwriters’ stinging open letter to Spotify
NSAI, NMPA statements about Spotify, Amazon challenge to songwriter royalty increase

As you know by now, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) recently issued a ruling raising songwriters’ rates for streaming and other mechanical uses by more than 44 percent. Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) led the fight to achieve this ruling on behalf of song creators.

“You cannot feed a family when you earn hundreds of dollars for millions of streams.” – Bart Herbison, NSAI Executive Director

The rate increase came after a lengthy trial where the NMPA and NSAI faced tech giants Google, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pandora. This huge victory for songwriters is now in jeopardy due to the streaming services’ filing.

NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison stated, “It is unfortunate that Amazon and Spotify decided to file an appeal on the CRB’s decision to pay American songwriters higher digital mechanical royalties. Many songwriters have found it difficult to stay in the profession in the era of streaming music. You cannot feed a family when you earn hundreds of dollars for millions of streams.

“Spotify specifically continues to try and depress royalties to songwriters around the globe as illustrated by their recent moves in India. Trying to work together as partners toward a robust future in the digital music era is difficult when any streaming company fails to recognize the value of a songwriter’s contribution to their business.”

‘Attempt to cut songwriter pay by one third’

Continue reading “Spotify, Amazon try to cut songwriter rates”

Tin Pan South showcases hit songwriters

World’s largest songwriter festival attracts fans from all over the world

Hundreds of songwriters, music publishers, media and music industry people – along with thousands of fans – gathered for the 27th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank. Tin Pan South Fast Access passes sold out within days. The Festival took place in Nashville, March 26 – 30 with hit songwriters performing at different venues across the city.

Over 400 songwriters performed at this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, telling stories behind the biggest hits they’ve written and then performing the songs as they were originally composed. There were also special guests who popped in to help out their ‘Songwriter Friends.”

Trae Landon. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Singer/songwriter Craig Campbell performed at his scheduled appearance at The Bluebird Cafe early show and then headed across town to join Trea Landon at his Listening Room Cafe round for Play It Again Music Publishing with Dallas Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Josh Mirenda and Justin Wilson. Cole Taylor also made a surprise appearance.

94 shows across Nashville

There were 94 shows scheduled at various locations around Nashville. Highlights for the first night included two sold-out shows at The Bluebird Cafe, legends TG Sheppard, Eddy Raven, Frank Myers and others at the Hard Rock Cafe late show, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and others at new Tin Pan venue TRUE Music Room and Bar, rocker Jim Peterik and friends at The Local and more. Continue reading “Tin Pan South showcases hit songwriters”

Scotty McCreery’s romance inspired “This Is It”

Number One party celebrates with co-writers

Scotty McCreery turned his own love story into a No. 1 hit. “This Is It” became Scotty’s second No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay charts, following 2017’s smash hit, “Five More Minutes.”

(L to R) Aaron Eshuis, Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers. Photo: Ed Rode

He celebrated the success of “This Is It” at a Number One party on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, with co-writers Aaron Eshuis and Frank Rogers. The song was produced by Eshuis, Rogers and Derek Wells. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, was held at ASCAP’s Nashville offices.

“If you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d be here, I’d have told you you’re crazy,” said Scotty as he began his remarks at the party. “It’s been an incredible ride.”

A very personal song

“This Is It” has become a very personal song for Scotty. He and long-time girlfriend, Gabi Dugal, had known each other since kindergarten and dated for about six years before Scotty proposed while on a hike to a romantic spot near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

“I wrote it a couple of days before our engagement,” Scotty revealed during the No. 1 party. He played the song to Gabi just an hour after he proposed. He sang the song to her at their wedding and says that he sees Gabi in his mind when her performs it on the road every night. “It’s easy to write love songs about you, baby,” Scotty said to Gabi during the presentation ceremony. “I appreciate you saying yes and marrying me, otherwise this song probably wouldn’t have made it to radio!” He added, “’This is NOT It’ is not a good title!”

Scotty thanked co-writers Eshuis and Rogers for being by his side. “Frank, you’ve been a mentor to me for years now. I feel you really ‘get’ me and what I want to say, and you help me say it. I appreciate you, brother.” Continue reading “Scotty McCreery’s romance inspired “This Is It””

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ March 2019

30+ music news items you’ll want to read

The March edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, is now ready to read at Nashville Music Guide. Inside Track is the longest-running monthly Country music column in America. This month’s column includes dozens of news items about upcoming tours, new releases and music industry news.

Among this month’s 30+ music news items…

Johnny Lee’s tell-all autobiography
Marty Brown’s new single from upcoming album
LA trio Honey County is ‘High On The Radio’
Brooks & Dunn share more details on Reboot album
Music Biz 2019 convention set for May 5–8
Tin Pan South hits Nashville March 26-30

BOOK NEWS: Johnny Lee racked up 17 Top 40 country hits in the early and mid 90s. His 1980 single “Lookin’ For Love” became a crossover hit, making it to the Top 5 of Billboard’s pop charts and No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Now, Lee has written “STILL Lookin’ For Love: Johnny Lee: An Autobiography” with Scot England. In it, he tells of the highs and lows of his life as a country artist… continue reading here.

CD NEWS: Marty Brown returns to Country radio via Play MPE with “Umbrella Lovers,” a hypnotic new single from his upcoming CD, AMERICAN HIGHWAY (Plowboy Records). The track combines a laid-back, big-city vibe with Brown’s distinctive vocal. Jangling guitars, a slight “island vibe” and easy vamps keep the track moving along with a “live” room sound. Fans can hear “Umbrella Lovers” on SoundCloud now… continue reading here.

CD RELEASES: LA-based trio Honey County’s new EP, ‘High on the Radio,’ is loaded with six tracks of California cool and southern spice. The EP showcases the girls’ stacked harmonies and layered musical styling. The girls of Honey County, Dani Rose, Devon Jane and Katie Stump, have released a plethora of videos throughout the past two years leading up to this release… continue reading here.

DUO NEWS: The best-selling duo of all time Brooks & Dunn have revealed more details regarding their upcoming album REBOOT. The duo shared with fans their collaborator for each timeless track, with each artist contributing their own unique spin. Available on April 5, the 12-track release will see the duo team up with… continue reading here.

INDUSTRY NEWS: Entertainment Industry’s Convention– Music Biz 2019 is set for May 5 – 8 in Nashville. Every year, these efforts to support the business culminate at the Music Biz conference, four days of insightful presentations and powerful discussions on the most pressing topics affecting our industry… continue reading here.

TIN PAN SOUTH NEWS: The 27th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival just bumped the scheduled show count up to triple digits. Fans will have the opportunity to choose between over 300 songwriters performing at over a 100 shows at ten of Nashville-area music venues featuring hit-makers from all genres of music. The popular week-long Fast Access passes are now on sale… continue reading here.

To read the entire column, visit Nashville Music Guide.

Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Alexis Ebert is set to “Ride Or Die” with new single

Free-spirited singer songwriter creates music to have fun to

Alexis Ebert’s list of achievements is impressive. When you meet her, it’s even more impressive to realize that she has already packed all this into such a young life. Her resumé includes items that performers twice her age are still dreaming about.

Alexis Ebert. Photo: Rezonant Music Publishing

Opening for Tanya Tucker as a child, snagging a song publishing deal at the age of eleven. Then performing in a major theater production and touring when she was twelve, as well as singing for the President. Sharing the same stage as Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Trace Adkins and many more. Having her songs included in the soundtrack of theatrical movies. Arriving in Nashville and cutting an album followed by the heartbreak of a major label record deal that fell apart.

Experiences, both good and bad, that have served to empower Alexis to make her the songwriter and recording artist she is today. Now she has a new single, “Ride or Die” with a full album to follow. During the 2019 Country Radio Seminar, we sat down to talk about her new music (the video for “Ride or Die” includes a cameo appearance by John Rich) and her unique musical journey.

‘Ride Or Die’ drops March 29

Your new single, “Ride or Die,” will drop March 29, and that’s a real rockin’ song that you wrote with Tammy Hyler. It sounds like you had a lot of fun with that song.

Alexis Ebert: Yes, a lot of fun! I went into it wanting to write a bad-ass song. Basically, the story of “Ride Or Die” is about the guy who isn’t just going to pick you up from jail, but he’d be sitting right next to you, there in jail. That person who is just going to be there regardless, good or bad. They’re going to hang with you. You’re probably going to get into some trouble but it’s going to be worth it. That’s the whole idea behind it. There’s a music video that we shot. There’s a cameo from John Rich in the video. That video should come out in the next couple of weeks. Continue reading “Alexis Ebert is set to “Ride Or Die” with new single”

MLC needs songwriters’ support

Ensures streaming services pay royalties

A reminder to all songwriters and music publishers: please sign the petition supporting the Music Licensing Collective!

The submission, which will be filed by March 21, creates the collective required by the Music Modernization Act (MMA) to license and administer mechanical rights. (The MLC will not replace your existing P.R.O.) The Register of Copyrights will designate the MLC from submitted applications based on an entity proving itself able to achieve the goals of the MLC, as well as meeting all the legal requirements as stipulated in the MMA.

A major benefit: MLC will collect and distribute your mechanical streaming royalties for free.

As mentioned in a previous post here, at least one other organization is bidding for the right to administer these services. However, MLC is the one formed as a collective that includes and is endorsed by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Songwriters of North America (SONA) and National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). Additionally, MLC receives the endorsement of your Performing Rights Organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. It is the applicant that is run by songwriters for songwriters.

When the MLC is up and running, there will be no charge for songwriters to participate. The financial benefits for songwriters under the new MMA are considerable, particularly with increase in potential income from streaming and downloads that MLC will administer.

But time is running out and MLC needs your endorsement to show the US Copyright Office that the MLC has your support. Take a moment to add your endorsement now at supportthemlc.com.

MLC ‘great new tool’ for songwriters

Excerpt from ‘About the MLC:’ Streaming companies must license millions of individual songs and no agency exists to do this job. Music publishers may collect mechanical royalties for a songwriter or hire a company to collect them. Many self-published songwriters must pay someone to collect their royalties, do the often-complicated job themselves, or many just don’t bother with collecting them at all.

The Music Licensing Collective, or MLC, will be a great new tool for American songwriters and in January 2021 will begin licensing your mechanical streaming royalties for FREE! It’s free because the streaming companies agreed to pay all the costs as part of the MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT. All you’ll have to do is join!

Read more information about how the MLC will help songwriters at no charge to you here.

#supportthemlc #musicmodernizationact #songwriters

Blake Shelton’s ‘mystery kiss’ photo

Can you I.D. the air personalities from 2003 CRS?

When Blake Shelton likes you, he shows his love with a kiss.

L to R: Unidentified, Blake Shelton, Eddie Haskell, Unidentified. Can you help I.D. these guys? Photo: Preshias Harris

Dierks presents award to Blake. Photo: Catrina Engleby / Nashville Music Guide

During the Warner Music Nashville “Warner Wednesday” luncheon, part of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS), Blake was presented with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award. He received the award from last year’s recipient, Dierks Bentley.

“I scratched my name off,” said Dierks as he handed over the Award. “It’s all yours.”

Accepting the award, Blake pulled Dierks in close and planted a big kiss on his forehead.

Who ARE those radio guys?

But this wasn’t the first time Blake has surprised someone at CRS with a kiss. Back in 2003, I caught up with Blake at that year’s CRS. It was then held at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel and the ‘old’ Convention Center. As we talked, three country radio air personalities joined us. The guys all moved in close for the photo, and that’s when Blake planted one on the guy next to him!

So I know that Blake is the kisser. But who is the kissee? Take a look at the photo above. I have lost my notes from that day and I need your help!

I know that the curly-haired gent to Blake’s left is Eddie Haskell, now Senior VP / Programming for iHeartMedia, Ft Collins, CO. Eddie was previously Program Director at KYGO-FM 98.5 Denver, CO.

But who are the other two fellers, both the ‘kissee’ far left, and the fourth man, far right?

C’mon, air personalities and radio biz people; help me out here and I’ll send you a little ‘thank you’ gift and post the correct photo I.D. (and your name) in a post at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Send your I.D. of the guys in the ‘Mystery Kiss’ photo to me here or preshias@nashvillemusicline.com

Here’s another photo from that same day, back at CRS 2003. I hope this jogs your memory.

Unidentified, Blake, Eddie, Unidentified. Photo: Harris

Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance

Keith Urban forgets words to new song

CRS featured an unforgettable show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as Darius Rucker reunited with his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates. Unforgettable? Well… Keith Urban DID forget the words to his new song, which made the show unforgettable for a forgetful reason!

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMG) invited attendees of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) to a lunchtime showcase at the Ryman Auditorium on February 14. CRS, now in its 50th year, is the world’s largest gathering of radio decision-makers and the recording artists who wish to interact with them.

Little Big Town at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Royce Risser, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Promotion emceed the event, getting in a few witty ‘digs’ at radio execs in the audience as he light-heartedly urged them to add these songs to their playlists. In a fast-moving show, each act came on stage to perform one song – generally a cut that would impact Country Radio in the days or weeks ahead. (See below for a full list of performers.)

Keith Urban debuts “We Were”

Keith Urban came out on stage to perform “We Were,” a song so new that he brought out his cell phone so he could sing and play along to it. Technology is subject to Murphy’s Law (If anything can go wrong, it will) and the track stopped playing after just a few bars.

Undeterred, Urban re-started the track and, when it once again failed, he carried on singing to just his acoustic guitar. But a minute or so later he suddenly stopped. “Oh my gosh!” he told the audience. “I’ve forgotten the words to this dang song! Can you believe it!”

A less experienced artist might have suffered a total meltdown, blowing a song in front of hundreds of radio professionals who make the decisions about what gets aired. But being a true professional, he picked up the threads of the song and carried on, much to the delight of his audience. If nothing else, they will all remember Urban’s “We Were” when they get back to their radio stations.

Vince Gill at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Later, Vince Gill took the stage and, as he sat on his stool, he jokingly said he had been planning to bring his phone out and play to a track on it. “Keith said that was a really cool idea,” said Gill glancing off to the side of the stage with a smile. Guess no one is going to let Keith forget that. 2019 marks the 30th year that Vince Gill has been with MCA, part of the UMG family of labels. Risser noted that Vince has earned 18 CMA Awards and 20 Grammys, including wins for ten consecutive years.

More highlights of the UMG show

Continue reading “Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance”

Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny celebrate Number One hits

Swindell’s eighth No. 1; Tenpenny’s first No. 1

Cole Swindell recently celebrated his eighth No.1 single as an artist. “Break Up In The End” was written by Chase McGill, Jessie Jo Dillon and Jon Nite, and produced by Michael Carter. The No. 1 party was hosted by ASCAP and BMI at The Topgolf in Nashville.

(L to R): Chase McGill, Jessie Jo Dillon, Cole Swindell, Jon Nite. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Both McGill and Nite have had successful, award-winning careers as songwriters, but “Break Up In The End” was the first No. 1 for Dillon, who was presented with a Taylor guitar to mark the accomplishment. The presentation was made by BMI’s Leslie Roberts.

This No. 1 was an ‘outside song’

Swindell was commended for going with an ‘outside’ song; that is, a song that he did not write or co-write himself, although he is known as a successful songwriter. Named MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year in 2014, he has also received the CMA Triple Play Award for writing three No. 1 hits within a twelve-month period. But in the case of “Break Up In The End,” Swindell and his label chose to release a song that came from outside writers. (As it happens, Swindell has written previously with Jessie Jo Dillon, but did not know she was one of the writers of “Break Up” when he heard the demo.)

During the presentation, Warner Nashville’s John Esposito noted that Swindell is the only artist to have ever topped Country Aircheck’s chart with his first seven singles, prior to this his eighth No. 1. Esposito presented Swindell with an RIAA Gold plaque, adding that the Platinum plaque “is on the way.”

See Cole Swindell’s website here and his Facebook page

Tenpenny’s No. 1 is his debut single

On February 11, it was time for Mitchell Tenpenny to celebrate at a No. 1 party for “Drunk Me.” The song was written by Tenpenny with Jordan Schmidt and Justin Wilson. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC was held at the Tin Roof in Nashville.

“Drunk Me” is Tenpenny’s debut single from his debut album, “Telling All My Secrets,” released in February 2018. Tenpenny was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in music business. Continue reading “Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny celebrate Number One hits”

Aldean, Ballerini top MusicRow Awards

CountryBreakout winners hailed for radio spins

The MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards were once again the unofficial kickoff to the Country Radio Seminar (CRS). Air personalities, program directors, radio execs, recording artists and record label folks gathered at the Listening Room in Nashville, Wednesday, February 12 for the 17^th annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Award show.

(L to R): Alex Kobrick MusicRow Chart Director, Kelsea Ballerini, Sherod Robertson, MusicRow Publisher. Photo: Preshias Harris

Each year, MusicRow magazine recognizes the artists and songwriters who have made the greatest impact on the secondary-market radio stations whose airplay reports provide the statistics for MusicRow’s weekly charts.

Attendees were treated to performances from CJ Solar, who opened the proceedings with an energetic and rockin’ full-band set, and Chase McKinney who closed the show with a cool acoustic set. In between, MusicRow owner and publisher Sherod Robertson announced the winners for 2018 and presented the awards.

CJ Solar

CJ Solar was called back to the stage to receive the Independent Artist of the Year Award. CJ’s two singles, “Airplane” and “American Girls,” together totaled 38,689 spins. Both singles entered the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart, and appear on his five-song EP, Get Away With It (Sea Gayle Records). An accomplished songwriter, CJ scored his first No. 1 as a writer in 2018 with “Up Down,” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Florida Georgia Line. Continue reading “Aldean, Ballerini top MusicRow Awards”