In Pictures: ASCAP Foundation, ‘American Idol’, LANCO, NSAI, Kesha, BMI

The ASCAP Foundation Christian Songwriters Workshop

Pictured (front, L-R): Workshop participants Audriana West and Nate Cornell, Full Circle Music’s Stacey Willbur, and workshop participant Amanda Tutalo; (back, L-R) workshop participants David Ashley Trent, David Dennis, Madyson Williams and Ian Miller, and ASCAP’s Kele Currier. Not pictured: Workshop participant Karissa Selby.

The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop was held Monday (Oct. 2) and Tuesday (Oct. 3) at ASCAP’s Music Row offices and led by industry veteran Full Circle Music’s ​Stacey Willbur.

The workshop is part of an ongoing series designed to focus on the development and education of promising new songwriters. The sessions included intensives on the craft of songwriting, developing an eye for objectively looking at your songs, expanding your sources of inspiration, nurturing a creative community, marketing your songs and an overview of music publishing.

Support for this workshop is provided by The ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Fund.

 

‘American Idol’ Kicks Off Auditions in NYC

Pictured (L-R): Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest, and Luke Bryan.

Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, along with host and producer extraordinaire Ryan Seacrest, were on hand when ABC’s American Idol kicked off judge auditions in New York City this week. The three judges round out the panel for the beloved music competition series’ first season on ABC, while Seacrest returns as host.

LANCO Visits the Academy of Country Music in LA

Pictured (L-R): LANCO’s Eric Steedly (lead guitar), LANCO’s Tripp Howell (drums), ACM CEO Pete Fisher, LANCO’s Brandon Lancaster (lead vocals), LANCO’s Jared Hampton (keyboards, banjo), and LANCO’s Chandler Baldwin (bass). Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Sony Music Nashville’s LANCO to their Los Angeles office last week. The band performed a stripped down version of their hit single, “Greatest Love Story,” as well as acoustic renditions of a few fan-favorites from their self-titled EP. LANCO also offered a dose of new music from their upcoming debut album.

To watch LANCO’s exclusive performance and discussion on the rapid rise of success behind their current single, click here.

NSAI in DC

Pictured (L-R): NSAI’s Executive Director Bart Herbison, NSAI’s Sr. Director Jennifer Turnbow, TN Senator Bob Corker, and songwriters Deric Ruttan and David Hodges.

Nashville Songwriters Association International was in Washington, DC last week for meetings with members of Congress about songwriter streaming royalties and music licensing legislation.

Kesha at Ryman Auditorium

Pictured (L-R): Ellen Truley, SVP, Corporate Relations, SESAC; ET Brown, Manager of Creative Services, SESAC; Kesha; Kelli Turner, EVP and CFO, SESAC; and Vector Management’s Jack Rovner. Photo: Jason Davis

SESAC songwriter and pop star Kesha performed the second night of her Rainbow Tour at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 27.

BMI, ALT 97.5 Host Rockin’ Eastside Sounds Event

Pictured: BMI’s Branden Bosler (left) and Nina Carter (center) with The Cunning.

BMI and ALT 97.5 showcased two up-and-coming rock bands at the Basement East last Wednesday night (Sept. 27) for another installation of the Eastside Sounds series. ALT 97.5’s current Local Artist in Residence, The Cunning, took the stage before South Carolina rock n’ roll band Hannah Wicklund & the Steppin Stones.

BMI Presents YEP Rewind: TRL

Pictured (L-R): JT Hodges, artist; Amelia Varni, YEP Executive Director; Jackie Lee, artist; Jessie James Decker, artist; Mickey Guyton, artist; MaryAnn Keen, BMI; and Paul Digiovanni, artist and producer. Photo: Jason Myers

BMI presented YEP Rewind: TRL (Total Recall Live) to a sold-out crowd at Nashville’s The Basement East last Tuesday night (Sept. 26). JT Hodges hosted the throwback night of music while guests enjoyed performances by Jessie James Decker, Mickey Guyton, Jordan Rager, Maggie Rose and others.