Songwriter Roundup: ASCAP, BMI, Cornman Music, Creative Nation

ASCAP Hosts Showcase Series at Bluebird Cafe

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Martin McDaniel, Raquel Cole, Alyssa Bonagura, Jeb Gipson and ASCAP’s Ralph Murphy.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hosted the September installment of its long-running showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The ”in the row” showcase on the Bluebird stage featured ASCAP songwriters Alyssa Bonagura, Jeb Gipson, Martin McDaniel and Raquel Cole, who celebrated her first performance at Nashville’s historic listening room. 

BMI’s Trapped Above Ground Showcase Tributes Pilgrimage Music Festival

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Better Than Ezra member and Pilgrimage Festival founder Kevin Griffin, BMI songwriter Jake Nawas, BMI songwriter Guthrie Trapp, SunTrust’s Andrew Kintz and Dusty Miller, Pilgrimage Festival founder Brandt Wood and BMI songwriter Guthrie Brown.

BMI’s weekly Trapped Above Ground showcase at the Acme turned into a special sneak peek of the BMI-sponsored Pilgrimage Music Festival, to be held Sept. 26 and 27. Partnered with SunTrust Bank and HDRadio, the iteration of the showcase highlighted acts playing on the inaugural festival stages.

Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers band welcomed Guthrie Brown, of Guthrie Brown and the Family Tree, Better Than Ezra member and Pilgrimage Festival founder Kevin Griffin and NAWAS to the stage, each highlighting their unique sound. For more information on the festival, go to www.pilgrimagefestival.com.

Cornman Music Writers Team To Benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital

Cornman Music songwriters will rally for an intimate evening of music performances, to benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Brett James, Erik Dylan, Caitlyn Smith, Josh Mirenda, and Steven Lee Olsen will be joined by Jimmy Robbins and Leah Turner.

The event will be held Sept. 29 at B.B. King’s Blues Club, beginning at 7 p.m. VIP tickets are $30, and include seating close to the stage, valet parking, and two drink tickets. Music City Cat seating is $10. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Creative Nation Holds Benefit For Preston Taylor Ministries

Photo (Left to Right): Lori McKenna (CN), Steve Moakler (CN), Barry Dean (CN), Luke Laird (CN), Maggie Chapman (CN), Sara Horton (PTM Advancement Director), Chan Sheppard (PTM Executive Director), Beth Laird (CN CEO), Natalie Hemby (CN), Scott Stevens (LA writer/producer), Native Run’s Bryan Dawley and Rachel Beauregard (CN).
Photo: Spencer Combs