Industry Ink (4-2-13)

Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with up-and-coming Canadian country singer/songwriter Aaron Goodvin. Goodvin’s first full length album, Brand New World, released in 2012, reached the iTunes Top 5 Canadian Country Charts and he has placed highly-anticipated upcoming cuts for Luke Bryan and Scotty McCreery.

Front Row: BJ Hill (WC), Noah McPike (Almon Law), Goodvin, Blain Rhodes (WC); Back Row: Alicia Pruitt (WC), Ben Vaughn (WC), Phil May (WC), Matt Michels (WC)

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Darryl Worley

The Bobby Roberts Company has signed Darryl Worley for exclusive Booking Representation. Worley has topped the charts with singles including “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “Have You Forgotten.”

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“Larry’s Country Diner,” the popular down-home television show that airs on RFD-TV (as well as FamilyNet), has signed a deal with its newest corporate sponsor, Springer Mountain Farms. Georgia-based and family-owned Springer Mountain Farms was the first poultry producer to gain the endorsement of the American Humane Association for the implementation of an antibiotic-free and vegetarian diet for its livestock.

“Springer Mountain Farms is pleased to sponsor Larry’s Country Diner. The show embodies our core values and celebrates an era of great family-friendly entertainment,” said Springer Mountain’s President, Gus Arrendale.

Springer Mountain Farms joins current sponsors farm equipment manufacturer and supplier Tarter Farm & Ranch Equipment, PFI — America’s Western Store “Boot Daddy” and vintage-style radio and jukebox manufacturer Crosley.

Upcoming performances on “Larry’s Country Diner” include John Anderson (April 4), Dailey & Vincent (April 11), The Quebe Sisters (April 18) and Riders in the Sky with Wilford Brimley (April 25).

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Finalists have been selected for the annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2013. Now in its 21st year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy®-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest 2013 takes place from April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Writers of the following 12 songs, selected from over 700 entries, will compete on the Austin Stage in Alumni Hall at MerleFest on Friday, April 26, at 2 p.m.

Bluegrass
Aaron Burdett (Saluda, N.C.) – “Magpie”
John Cloyd Miller (Asheville, N.C.) – “Cloud of Dust”
Todd Grebe (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Master of My Destiny”

Gospel/Inspirational
Melody Walker (San Francisco, Calif.) – “Black Grace”
Lorraine Jordan (Garner, N.C.) – “Judgment Day”
Kelsi Robertson Harrigill (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) – “Just Any Moment”

Country
Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Homesick”
Eliot Bronson (Atlanta, Ga.) – “Sad Town”
Michaela Anne Miller (Brooklyn, N.Y.) – “Lift Me Up”

General
Ryan Tanner (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Days to Think of You”
Justin Wade Tam (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Cold Chicago”
Ben Roberts (Nashville, Tenn.)- “Gold ”

Each of the 12 finalists will enjoy admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest, and will receive a mentoring session with Jim Lauderdale. In addition, the first place winners will receive a performance slot on the Cabin Stage on Friday of the festival.Distinguished songwriters Matraca Berg, Lynda Dawson and Chris Smither will be among the judges that determine this year’s winners.

Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest help support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception the scholarship has awarded over $36,000 to 75 deserving students.