Industry Ink: BMI, RIAA, Catch This Music, Tina Wright

BMI Celebrates During ‘Tennessee Whisky and Cigars’ Party

BMI’s Nashville office celebrated its partnerships with AT&T, HD Radio, Texas Roadhouse, and more via a Tennessee Whisky and Cigars party at BMI Nashville’s rooftop terrace. Drinks were provided courtesy of George Dickel Master Distillery.

The partnerships allow BMI to support songwriters and music composers with festival appearances, writing workshops, and additional events.

Additional partners aiding BMI’s mission include SunTrust, Avenue Bank, Epiphone, Diageo, City National Bank, and Beam Suntory.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Diageo’s Allison Ferreira, George Dickel Master Distiller Allisa Henley and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Randy Houser Earns RIAA Gold Certification

Randy Houser‘s hit, “Like A Cowboy,” which Houser penned with Brice Long, has been certified gold by the RIAA. “Like A Cowboy” has garnered more than 500,000 sales and on-demand streaming units.

Houser is currently on Luke Bryan‘s Kick The Dust Up Tour, and Bryan surprised Houser with the news during a tour stop in Sacramento, and presented him with a gold plaque during a collaboration with Houser and fellow tourmate Dustin Lynch midway through the concert.

Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch, Luke Bryan, and Randy Houser.

CTM Writer’s INK’s Chris Roberts To Release Album

Chris Roberts. Photo: Amanda Van Sandt

Chris Roberts, a writer/artist with CTM Writer’s INK, will release his first solo album, The Way West, on Oct. 30 via TuneCore, iTunes, and online at catchthismusic.com. The project features 11 tracks, all co-written by Roberts. The Way West was produced by Jason Gantt, and includes collaborations with Sam Ashworth, Johnny Bulford, Chris Gelbuda, Scott Stepakoff, and more.

“I think this solo record is long overdue,” said Roberts, a founding member of the band One Flew South. “I’ve been singing and recording in groups and on demos for other people for years and just realized I don’t have an album of just me.”

Roberts has toured with artists including Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, and Dave Matthews. He spent several years on New York City’s Broadway circuit, as a cast member in The Civil War, Tommy, and Godspell.

Roberts signed to CTM Writer’s INK in 2014.

Former Country Music Hall of Fame Media Relations Exec To Release Debut Novel

Tina Wright

Tina Wright, the former longtime head of media relations at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, has written her debut novel. Heaven in the Dark, a love story spanning two continents and two generations, will be released on Oct. 20.