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Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs songwriters’ support

Songwriters, artists: sign petition to support MLC to collect streaming royalties. Take action now!

Nashville, TN (February 4, 2019) – The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Songwriters of North America (SONA), National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), today unveiled broad endorsements for their industry-consensus Music Licensing Collective (MLC) submission to the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO).

The submission, which will be filed by March 21st, creates the collective required by the Music Modernization Act (MMA) to license and administer mechanical rights. Additionally, the groups announced the MLC Board and Committee appointments and launched a website for all of the songwriters and artists who support the MLC to sign an official petition: SupporttheMLC.com and a site for music publishers to add their endorsements: SongConnect.org.

“We’ve worked for decades for the benefits the MLC will bring songwriters/composers, including licensing their digital mechanical royalties at no cost since the streaming music companies have agreed to fund the collective.” – Steve Bogard, President, NSAI

Increased royalty payments from streaming services

Personal note: The Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs your support to ensure its success on your behalf. It will create and maintain a thorough database of music composition copyrights (and the copyrights’ owners), collect mechanical royalties from digital music streaming services, and transmit those royalties to copyright holders based on the ownership claims set forth in the database.

Streaming services will pay mechanical royalties to the MLC based on the number of streams each song has racked up. This a major benefit for both artist and songwriters. The MLC will also set up a blanket mechanical license for streaming of music compositions, replacing the unwieldy Notice of Intention (NOI) that is currently filed when a streaming service cannot track down a copyright owner. This will result in significantly higher royalty payments for copyright holders in the MLC’s master database.*

All you have to do is join. And its free.

“The U.S. Copyright Office will choose who runs the MLC this Summer. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Songwriters of North America (SONA) and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) helped passed the MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT, working on the legislation for years. We are asking for your support for the MLC being created by us. We KNOW we can do the best job when it comes to licensing your songs and protecting your royalties because we’ve been doing it for decades.” – quote from the MLC website.

The Music Modernization Act (MMA) requires that the MLC is “endorsed by, and enjoys substantial support from, musical work copyright owners that together represent the greatest percentage of the licensor market.” Continue reading “Music Licensing Collective (MLC) needs songwriters’ support”

‘Inside Track’ Country news updates

Country news roundup for late January 2019

‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ my monthly music news column appears in Nashville Music Guide. The February edition will drop any day soon – a special edition for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019. Here are some Country news items that just missed the NMG print deadline. Check back here later for an excerpt from the February column and a link to it at NMG.

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project
Ray Stevens: 60 years in music
John Berry asks for prayers, God’s healing
Maxine Brown passes

Scroll down to read these news items

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project

Garth Brooks revealed the title of his upcoming studio album is FUN. Garth divulged the information during “Inside Studio G,” a weekly Facebook Live series airing every Monday on Garth’s Facebook page at 7:00 PM EST. Garth fans have been given a teaser of what to expect from his anticipated studio album, with Garth releasing “All Day Long.” The much-awaited record is available to preorder now.

“The title of the album was sparked because making it has been such a fun process to go through,” explained Garth. “Being able to go in and out of the studio while being on the tour, working with the same guys, it’s been amazing. The album will be available this spring and I want the fans to just have fun with this, because that’s what this has been.” More at Garth’s website and Facebook page.

Ray Stevens: 60 years in music

Continue reading “‘Inside Track’ Country news updates”

New babies for Carrie, Angaleena

It’s raining babies in the world of Country music

Carrie Underwood and her husband Mike Fisher are now parents to their second child, another boy, named Jacob Bryan, born in the early hours of January 21. The good news came after a number of setbacks for the couple. Carrie had suffered several miscarriages in addition to injuries as a result of a fall.

Former pro hockey player Fisher, 38, posted details on Instagram post on Wednesday following the Monday birth. He also posted photos of baby Jacob with both himself and Carrie.

Say Hi to the “Littlest Pistol!” Angaleena Presley and her husband, Jordan Powell, welcomed daughter Phoenix Joeleena Jean Powell on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Weighing in at 7.8 lbs., and measuring 17.5 inches, Phoenix made her debut at 7:49 a.m. CST. The baby’s name is especially meaningful, as it merges family monikers with homages to both a beloved matriarch and a late friend.

“We chose Phoenix all together, Joeleena is a combination of my friend Tony Joe White who passed away a few months ago and ‘leena,’ which is family name from Angaleena’s side,” Jordan explains. “Jean is my grandmother’s name — she’s 92 and helped raise me.” The details were first revealed in People magazine.

Jason & Brittany. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty

Jason Aldean and wife Brittany are expecting the birth of the second daughter that they have named Navy Rome. In fact, they are expecting the birth at any minute. The new baby will join brother Memphis who celebrated his first birthday in December 2018.

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

Songwriters honored for Jimmie Allen, Morgan Evans hits

Two ‘Number One’ parties in Nashville

Jimmie Allen (Stoney Creek) celebrated his debut No. 1 single “Best Shot” at The Local in Nashville, Tuesday January 21. Pictured (back, L-R) are Major Bob’s Tina Crawford, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Wide Open Music’s Ash Bowers, Major Bob’s Chandler Thurston, BMI’s David Preston, the label’s Jon Loba and producer Eric Torres; (front, L-R) songwriter Josh London, Allen and songwriter J.P. Williams.

Morgan Evans (Warner Bros./WEA), celebrated his first chart topper, “Kiss Somebody,” at No. 1 party held at Soundcheck in Nashville. Pictured (front, L-R) are songwriter/producer Chris DeStefano, Evans and songwriter Josh Osborne; (back, L-R) the label’s Adrian Michaels, Matt Signore, John Esposito, Scott Hendricks, Tom Martens and Justin Luffman.

Morgan Evans celebrates first No. 1 ‘Kiss Somebody’

Number One party toasts Evans, DeStefano, Osbourne

“Kiss Somebody” is the first No. 1 in the USA for Morgan Evans, both as a songwriter and as an artist.

(L to R): Josh Osbourne, Evans, Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Preshias Harris

Australian-born Morgan and his label Warner Brothers along with ASCAP, BMI and APRA AMCOS (Australia’s PRO) came together to celebrate for the three songwriters. Morgan, his producer Chris DeStefano (also a co-writer) and Josh Osbourne were at Sound Check January 17 to receive awards, kudos and plaques.

The single is off of his Top 10 US debut album, “Things That We Drink To.” Morgan’s artistic vision came full circle with his producer and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano. The eclectic country album arrived at #1 on the ARIA Top Country Albums Chart and scored a Top 5 debut on the all-genre ARIA Top Albums Chart in Australia. Evans’ current single “Day Drunk” has held the #1 spot on Australia’s Music Network Country Airplay Chart for 21 consecutive weeks. That track also topped the all-genre TMN Hot 100 Airplay chart for two weeks in Australia, almost unheard of for a Country act. The album has garnered critical acclaim and it looks like 2019 is not even going to slow down.

From 2007 talent show to 2018 No. 1

Morgan Evans. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Back Story: Morgan Evans moved to Nashville two years ago from his native Australia, where his career was already flourishing. He won a talent show in 2007 where the prize was a trip to Nashville to record a single. He is married to Black River’s Country star Kelsea Ballerini. He signed with Warner Bros in 2017 and released his U.S. debut “Kiss Somebody.”
Evans is supporting Old Dominion on the MAKE IT SWEET TOUR to kick off 2019, before joining the first leg of Dan + Shay THE TOUR beginning in February. At a NSAI fundraiser with Evans and his album’s co-writers and friends, they revealed that Evans and DeStefano had both co-written each of the album’s 11 songs (including the duet song with wife Kelsea)!

“Whenever I see the city skyline, I remember the first time I came to Nashville and I looked at that skyline and I imagined being a part of that community. And every time I have that thought, I get that rush of memories, especially on a day like today when we get to stop and look back and celebrate things. These guys have sat up here a lot of times, but for me, it’s the first I’ve experienced this. And I guess, more than anything, it means that I get to keep doing this for a long time.” – Morgan Evans

Continue reading “Morgan Evans celebrates first No. 1 ‘Kiss Somebody’”

CMA names recipients of Triple Play Awards

Tickets on sale now for Feb 19 show

The Country Music Association has revealed the recipients of the 10th annual CMA Triple Play Awards, an honor presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

In total, 10 songwriters will receive trophies this year: Luke Combs, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne and Thomas Rhett.

Galyon will host a very special CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank performance, taking place Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville at 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM) and also featuring Combs, Gorley, Kear, McGill and Osborne.

(L to R) Nicolle Galyon, Luke Combs, Ashley Gorley, Josh Kier, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne set to appear at CMA Songwriters Series, Feb 19. Photo: CMA

Continue reading “CMA names recipients of Triple Play Awards”

Music Row’s ‘Inside Track’

January 2019 column now posted at Nashville Music Guide

My column “Inside Track on Music Row” is the longest continually-published monthly Country music column in the USA. You can read the full column at Nashville Music Guide, here. Meanwhile, here are a couple of excerpts…

Esquire’s 10 Best Country Albums of 2018
Alabama’s 5 Decades of Music
Chris Young’s Single & Tour News
Marshall Tucker Band’s 2019 Concert Dates

Esquire’s 10 Best Country Albums of 2018

ALBUM NEWS: Esquire Magazine announced their “10 Best Country Albums of 2018” in December. And the list doesn’t exactly match current Country Radio airplay, either. Esquire’s pick for No. 1 on their list: ‘Best Years of My Life’ by Pistol Annies ( Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley). ‘Desperate Man’ from Eric Church is No. 2 and Brandi Carlile’s ‘By The way, I Forgive You’ takes third place. Also in the magazine’s top ten: albums by Willie Nelson, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, and more. Read the full article here.

Alabama’s 5 Decades of Music

ICONIC MUSIC NEWS: Iconic Country Band, ALABAMA will celebrate five decades of music in 2019. Their “50th Anniversary Tour,” will sweep the United States with nearly 30 live concerts already on the books. “We never thought playing for tips at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that 50 years later we would still playing arenas, stadiums and festivals,” says ALABAMA frontman Randy Owen. The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Restless Heart, Chris Janson, Tracy Lawrence and Exile will join ALABAMA on select dates during the tour. It kicks off on January 10 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. Additional dates will be announced soon. Tour updates here.

Chris Young’s Single & Tour News

SINGLE NEWS: ‘Raised On Country’ is Chris Young’s newest single, and he’s getting fans amped up with a fun new contest online. “I reference a whole lot of artists that I grew up listening to in the song by name, so I’m going to post this link, you guys can go vote, and every week, whoever gets the highest number of votes, artist-wise, I will go record one of my favorite songs of theirs that I grew up on and really made me raised on country,”

In the promo video, Chris says the new single is coming “very, very soon, although I’m not going to say exactly when yet. Very soon!” Chris’ latest number one single from the “Losing Sleep” album is, “Hangin’ On.” Young also announced a limited series of concerts slated for the U.K. in 2019. Chris will take his headlining Losing Sleep World Tour overseas in May of 2019 for shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London, accompanied by support act Lindsay Ell. Tickets for the U.K. leg of the Losing Sleep World Tour on sale at Young’s official website.

Marshall Tucker Band’s 2019 Concert Dates

SOUTHERN ROCK NEWS: Legendary southern rock group The Marshall Tucker Band has revealed the first leg of live concert dates for its newly announced Through Hell & High Water… And Back Tour 2019. The first round of dates includes stops in Las Vegas, NV, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Verona, NY, Scottsdale, AZ, Glenside, PA, Mobile, AL, Charleston, SC, and the 2019 Southern Rock Cruise. Entering their 48th year on the road with nearly 30 live concerts already on the books, the iconic band shows no signs of slowing down.

“When we started the band in the early 70s, we did it for beer money on the weekends,” reminisces Marshall Tucker Band lead singer Doug Gray. “Never in a million years would I have believed that we’d still be out here jammin’ for as long as we have. What a journey… onward we ride!” The tour kicks off on January 4 in Clearwater, FL at the Capitol Theatre. More dates will be announced soon at www.marshalltucker.com.

That’s just a small taste of the 25+ news items in my January column, “Inside Track on Music Row” now posted at Nashville Music Guide.

Catch up with my column and much more at the NMG website.

‘New Faces of Country Music’ set for CRS

Stars on the rise at Country Radio show

Jimmie Allen, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, LANCO, Dylan Scott will strut their stuff for radio honchos

The 2019 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is just around the corner, set for Feb. 13-15, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. CRS is an annual convention that brings together thousands of Country radio air personalities, program directors and consultants. They are joined by record label executives, A&R staff and artist management teams, eager to expose their acts to radio’s decision makers.

A highlight at every CRS is the New Faces of Country Music® show. The ‘Class of 2019’ will consist of: Jimmie Allen (Stoney Creek), Russell Dickerson (Triple Tigers), Lindsay Ell (Stoney Creek), LANCO (Arista), and Dylan Scott (Curb). The annual new artist showcase event officially closes out the seminar and remains one of the most anticipated events each year at CRS.

I have attended CRS for many years and always look forward with excitement to the New Faces show. Here is an overview of the artists that will be part of the ‘Class of 2019.’

Jimmie Allen

With such an amazingly successful 2018 in his rearview mirror, we have to keep reminding ourselves that Jimmie Allen is still technically a newcomer. But he’s definitely not new to Nashville. Reinforcing the maxim that ‘Nashville is a ten-year town,’ Jimmie arrived in Music City in 2007 at the age of 22 with a bank balance of $21.00. Virtually broke, Jimmie was reduced to sleeping in his car at first, so he could send money from paychecks back to his mom in Delaware.

Working a variety of jobs over the years, he was determined to follow his dream in music. Developing his skill as a songwriter, he signed a publishing deal with Wide Open Music in 2016. Then, in 2017, he was signed to Stoney Creek Records by Jon Loba, Executive VP of BBR Music Group. Jimmie’s debut album, ‘Mercury Lane,’ was named after the street he grew up on in Delaware. The album’s lead-off single, “Best Shot,” topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. With that song, Jimmie made history as the first black artist to launch their career with a No. 1 at Country radio.

In an interview with The Tennessean in December, Jimmie said he always carries $2.00 in his pocket every day with the promise that he must have given it away before bedtime. The reason: back when he first came to Nashville, someone gave him a dollar. He bought a chicken sandwich at McDonalds that he tore in half to make it last for two days.

“It made every sacrifice worth it. I got to look my son in the eyes and tell him, ‘If you work hard and are good to people, eventually you’ll get an opportunity to make your dreams happen.” – Jimmie Allen, speaking of his success in an interview with the Tennessean, December 28, 2018

Music and tour dates at Jimmie Allen’s website and on Facebook.

Russell Dickerson

It’s also been a good year (or two) for Russell Dickerson. A fan favorite, he currently has over 200 million streams on Spotify and approximately 30 million YouTube views. He graduated from Belmont University with a degree in music and signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2010, releasing an EP, “Die to Live Again,” the following year. Continue reading “‘New Faces of Country Music’ set for CRS”

Mark Wills to join Opry

Surprised on stage by Vince Gill

Plus… scroll down for a sneak peek at items from the January edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row.

Mark Wills ‘reduced to tears’ by Vince Gill
Bryan Wayne’s very special album
Tour news from Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Mark Wills to be inducted into Opry

Congrats to my friend Mark Wills who will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Vince Gill surprised Mark with the invitation on stage at the Opry on December 21. Mark was speechless with emotion, falling to his knees and covering his face with his hands. “I always liked him,” said Vince. “Now I like him even more. He’s a crybaby like me!”

I am so happy for Mark. We have known each other since the 1990s and he has always been a big supporter of the Opry (as Vince mentioned during his invitation). Mark released his first single – “Jacob’s Ladder” – way back in 1996, and chalked up two No. 1 hits, “19 Something” and “She’s in Love.” Other chart hits include “I Do (Cherish You),” “Back at One,” “She’s In Love” and “Places I’ve Never Been.” The formal induction ceremony is set for January 11, 2019, at the Grand Ole Opry. Find tour info and more here.

Bryan Wayne, fighting ALS, releases special album

The release of Bryan Wayne’s ‘While You Wait’ album was celebrated at SESAC’s Nashville office recently. Diagnosed with terminal ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) last year, Bryan recorded the album for his wife, two boys and an industry that continues to support his dreams. The 14-song collection is available here.

“I made this record, because I knew I’d lose my voice and I wanted my boys, friends and family to hear me singing my songs forever no matter what,” said Bryan. “So many friends and family over the years had asked me when was I ever going to make a record of my own too, so here it is!” At the celebration, Wayne was joined by friends that included Ashley Gorley (who performed the title cut), Neil Thrasher, Bonnie Baker, Jason Blaine, Joanna Janet and Big & Rich. Donations may be made to Bryan Wayne Galentine and Family by sending a check (made payable to Bryan Wayne Galentine) to: Bryan Wayne Galentine c/o Chris Burch, 1012 16th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. A Gofundme account has also been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/thebwaynetrain

Tour news: Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Continue reading “Mark Wills to join Opry”

Inside Track on Music Row teaser

Garth, Thomas Rhett, Jay Leno and more

Here is a link to my ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ column for December 2018. It appears in Nashville Music Guide and is the longest-running continuously-published country music column in the USA.

As always, thanks to NMG editor Amanda for making the column look so great. And a reminder that the January edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ will be published soon.

Meanwhile here are a few excepts from the December column…

Thomas Rhett 2019 tour dates announced

ARTIST NEWS: Thomas Rhett announced details for his VERY HOT SUMMER TOUR with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins. Thomas Rhett is set to kick off the summer on May 17 in Spokane, WA. Initial public on-sales are available via thomasrhett.com.

Fans can also purchase tickets for additional select cities beginning Friday, January 25 as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com. Additional dates will continue to roll out over the coming weeks. Live Nation is the national tour promoter. “We just closed out our 2018 tour in the U.K. last week and I’m already thinking about next year’s tour,” said Rhett. “I’m glad we have the winter to plan and come up with some crazy stuff for next year because I can’t think of a better way to spend the summer than out on the road with my fans. And, I get to bring my dad and two of my favorite artists in country music along for the ride.”

Last minute gift hint for Garth fans

GARTH NEWS: Garth’s The Anthology Part III, LIVE, is now available. It’s a detailed, insider look at Brooks’ electrifying concerts, with behind-the-scenes stories, insider secrets, and interviews with band and crew. It contains 5 CDs with 52 live recordings, never before seen photographs and 10 augmented reality experiences that can be seen on the Garth Live app.

It also includes the new live album, TRIPLE LIVE. It’s the soundtrack of the record breaking, number one tour in North American history. Additionally, The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour is coming to Gainesville, FL, on Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM at University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It’s the first Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Concert in 25 years. Tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or either Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000.

Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy set for Opry House show

PERFORMANCE NEWS: A special performance will take place during next year’s 2019 Nashville Comedy Festival, iconic American comics Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy are set to take the stage for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event on the historic stage of The Opry House.

This special event is exclusive to Nashville, as it will be the first time and only place to see both artists share the stage. The legendary “clean comedy” entertainers will perform at The Opry House on Sunday, April 14. Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster.com, the Opry House box office, the Ryman Auditorium box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Much more to see here at ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ at Nashville Music Guide.