Songwriter Pics (6/13/14)

Pictured L-R: State Senator Ray S. Jones II, GRAMMY-winning Songwriter Josh Osborne and State Rep. Leslie Combs. Photo: Dawn Delvo, Black River Entertainment

Black River Publishing’s Josh Osborne was honored in his hometown this week after a joint resolution passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate adding the Kentucky native’s name to the US 23 Country Music Highway in Pike County. Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford also declared June 11 as “Josh Osborne Day, Pike County Kentucky.”

“Growing up on Country Music Highway, knowing how much all those artists have influenced and inspired me, and now to think that I am even a small part of that heritage means the world to me,” shared Josh. “I honestly don’t think any honor could mean more to me.”

Among those celebrating along with the hometown crowd were Black River Entertainment’s CEO Gordon S. Kerr; VP of Black River Publishing Celia Froehlig, and other staff members, as well as songwriters Shane McAnally (“Downtown,” “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”) and Brandy Clark (“Better Dig Two,” “Mama’s Broken Heart”).

 • • •

Front Row (L-R): Tennessee Hospitality Association CEO Greg Adkins, Oklahoma Restaurant Association President & CEO Jim Hopper, Kelly Archer, BMI’s Jessica Frost, Coca Cola Refreshments Sales Executive Amy Berardi. Back Row (L-R): Coca Cola North America Senior Sales Executive Mike Loomis, Bruce Wallace, Emerging Brands President & Oklahoma Restaurant Association Board Chair Kim McLendon, Phil Barton, and BMI’s Dan Spears.

BMI recently treated restaurateurs from Oklahoma to an intimate songwriters round during the Oklahoma Restaurant Association board dinner, held June 3 at Fontanel in Nashville.

Bruce Wallace, Kelly Archer, and Phil Barton offer hit songs including“On My Highway” (Jason Aldean), “Damn You Bubba” (Trace Adkins), “Love Like Mine” (ABC Nashville’s Hayden Panettiere), “Gonna Die Young” (Dierks Bentley) and “A Woman Like You” (Lee Brice). The Oklahoma Restaurant Association represents more than 4,000 restaurant and food-service members and has been a BMI partner for 11 years.