Industry Ink (3/1/13)

Top Row (L-R): Amanda Merki, Executive Assistant to Kent Earls, UMPG Nashville; Ron Stuve, VP of A&R/Special Projects, UMPG Nashville; Whitney Williams, Creative Director, UMPG Nashville; Missy Wilson, Senior Creative Director, UMPG; Tammy Helm, Manager of Administration, UMPG Nashville; Travis Gordon, Creative Manager, UMPG Nashville; Freeman Wizer, Creative Director, UMPG Nashville?Bottom row (L-R): Kendall Connell, Receptionist, UMPG Nashville; Cyndi Forman, Vice President, Creative, UMPG Nashville; Troy Verges; Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville; John Mark Capers, Catalog and Studio Manager, UMPG Nashville

Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed their exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Troy Verges, co-writer of Hunter Hayes‘ No. 1 hit “Wanted.” Verges has been with UMPG since 1999.

“Year after year, Troy continues to write the hits that move the needle in Nashville, most recently with the songs ‘Wanted’ and ‘Beer Money.’ Universal Music Publishing Nashville is so proud and honored to extend our successful relationship with Troy. We look forward to many more years of great songs,” said Executive VP/General Manager, UMPG Nashville, Kent Earls.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue working with Universal. UMPG Nashville has been my publishing home for most of my career. I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing creative team taking care of my songs. Can’t wait to see where we go from here!” said Troy Verges.

Verges also wrote “Beer Money,” recorded by Kip Moore. In 2011, he garnered Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his original composition “Coming Home,” which was featured prominently in the film Country Strong. His songs have been recorded by Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Chesney, Celine Dion and Il Divo, among others.

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Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Josh Kear, Tenn. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, co-chair of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, songwriter Dan Wilson and ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams

ASCAP presented a performance and Q&A session with hit songwriters Josh Kear and Dan Wilson on Tuesday (Feb. 26) in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., in an event to entertain and inform members of Congress and their staffs about the creative process of songwriting and the challenges facing songwriters in the digital world. The event was hosted by ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, while Rep. Marsha Blackburn, co-chair of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, welcomed the songwriters to the Hill.

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Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe has partnered with MerleFest for a special kickoff event in Nashville prior to the North Carolina festival. The event is set for April 24, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Loveless Cafe. MerleFest, a four-day festival, will take place April 25-28 in Wilkesboro, N.C. The MerleFest-themed show on April 24 in Nashville will feature five artists from the 2013 lineup: The Waybacks, Pokey LaFarge, Della Mae, Jim Avett and Peter Rowan.

“Music City Roots and MerleFest are both well-known for showcasing the best in roots and acoustic music and have hosted many of the same artists in the past. It is a natural fit to have Music City Roots host a special ‘global kick off’ for MerleFest 2013, which includes some of the great talent we will feature on the festival this year,” says Steve Johnson, Events and Artist Relations manager for MerleFest. “We hope everyone can attend the festival and will also visit our friends at Music City Roots for the ‘MerleFest sampler’ on April 24!”