singer-songwriter Archives - Nashville Music Line

Alannah McCready raises the bar with her new EP, ‘Back To Me’

Reveals her “twin passions”

By Preshias Harris

Alannah McCready is a unique artist in so many ways. She is a dynamic performer in her live shows with skills honed during her years on the road. She is also a remarkable songwriter and found a new energy in her writing when the Covid pandemic brought personal appearances and touring to a screeching halt.

Another unique aspect to Alannah: she is a skilled hockey player. As she told me recently, “I’m from Minnesota, so we’re in the state of hockey and you basically get hockey skates when you get shoes!”

Read my entire interview with Alannah about her new EP at Center Stage Mag here.

Jordan Davis’ No. 1 party was a family affair

“Take It From Me” co-written with brother Jacob Davis and Jason Gantt

By Preshias Harris

It was a family affair – sort of – for Jordan Davis as he celebrated his second Number One song. The family tie-in? He co-wrote the song, “Take It From Me,” with his brother Jacob Davis along with Jason Gantt. It was a “number one” in more ways than one: this was the first No. 1 as writers for both Jacob and Jason.

L to R: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt at the No. 1 party. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Jordan, Jacob and Jason met with media to talk about the song before the official presentations hosted by the performing rights organizations, ASCAP and BMI. The party took place at the venue Ruby in Nashville on Tuesday, July 30.

Exactly one year to the day

I asked Jordan if he realized it was exactly one year ago – July 30, 2018 – that we had all gotten together to celebrate his previous No. 1.

“Oh my gosh, you’re right!” he said. “Hey, have you been talking to my mama? She reminded me yesterday that it was exactly four years to the day that Jacob and me played the Bluebird Café for the first time!”

Jordan made a point of thanking the songwriters in Nashville who accepted him even “when I wasn’t writing good songs like this.” He said those writers continued to stick with him instead of kicking him out and replacing him with another writer.

Second No. 1 from Home State

Continue reading “Jordan Davis’ No. 1 party was a family affair”

Songwriters: urge Congress to support Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act

CASE Act will help you fight infringement of your copyrights – affordably

by Preshias Harris

As a songwriter, imagine this nightmare situation: You are watching TV and a commercial comes on with a music track that sounds familiar. Very familiar. Hey, wait a minute! They’re using part of your song! But do you really have the resources to hire a legal team and the time to fight a lengthy and costly battle against a multinational corporation in federal court? That’s just one scenario where you, as a creator, might feel helpless in protecting your copyrights and holding on to your intellectual property.

Copyright Alliance is urging the creative community (including songwriters and independent music publishers) to support pending legislation that would create a copyright small claims court for creators. In many cases, individuals and small businesses have reason to believe their intellectual property copyrights have been violated but feel powerless to act because of the high cost of legal action associated with a claim in federal court. The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act) of 2019 has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 2426) and the Senate (S. 1273).

Create affordable Creators’ Small Claims Court

Continue reading “Songwriters: urge Congress to support Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act”

Marty Brown is back with ‘American Highway’

First studio album in 20+ years

Marty Brown is truly an irrepressible and unique personality in the world of Country music as anyone who has seen him play live can tell you. The Maceo, Kentucky, native came to Nashville and recorded several albums in the 1990s that garnered a lot of critical acclaim.

He then took a break from recording but was co-writing songs for other artists including Brooks and Dunn, Trace Adkins and Tracy Byrd.

America’s Got Talent brought him new fans

Marty Brown. Photo credit: America’s Got Talent

Marty found an entire new audience with his appearance on the eighth season of America’s Got Talent. The YouTube clip of his audition generated more than 11 million views. He reached the semi-finals, endearing himself to viewers and listeners with his voice and his lovable character.

He is now back with American Highway, his first studio album in more than twenty years. It is set for release May 17, 2019. Continue reading “Marty Brown is back with ‘American Highway’”

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””

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

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’”