CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES BRINGS LEGENDARY TUNESMITHS TO NEW YORK CITY

NASHVILLE – The CMA Songwriters Series will bring some of Nashville’s legendary hit makers to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Wednesday, May 11 (6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET). Bill Anderson, Dean Dillon, Steve Wariner and Craig Wiseman will join host Bob DiPiero in sharing the stories behind some of Country Music’s biggest hits.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, “Whisperin’ Bill” Anderson is one of the most awarded songwriters in the history of Country Music. Charting his first hit in 1959, Anderson wrote and performed such classics as “City Lights” and “Once a Day.” Anderson has continued to write hits well into the 21st century including two CMA Song of the Year award winners, “Whiskey Lullaby,” recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, and “Give It Away,” recorded by George Strait as well as writing the “The Guitar Song,” the title track of Jamey Johnson’s latest release. Anderson is the first member of the Country Music Hall of Fame to perform at the CMA Songwriters Series.

“Songwriting is what lured me into Country Music in the first place,” said Anderson. “So, being able to do a little pickin’ in New York with some of my Nashville writer friends is going to be extra cool for this whisperin’ hillbilly!”

Responsible for penning many George Strait classics including “The Chair,” “Unwound” and “She Let Herself Go,” Dean Dillon has been crafting hits for over 30 years. The Tennessee-born songwriter has also written songs recorded by Kenny Chesney (“A Lot of Things Different”), Lee Ann Womack (“Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago”), and Toby Keith (“A Little Too Late”).

Beginning his career as a professional musician at the age of 17, Steve Wariner is known as much for his mastery of the guitar as well as for his songwriting expertise. Having written and recorded such hits as “Life’s Highway,” “Two Teardrops” and the 1998 CMA Single and Song of the Year winner “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” Wariner has also penned songs recorded by Garth Brooks (“Longneck Bottle”) Keith Urban (“Where the Blacktop Ends”), and Clint Black (“Nothin’ But the Taillights”).

“I’m so excited to join the CMA Songwriters Series,” said Wariner. “They say that you’re known by the company you keep, and in this case I’ll be in the great company of my friends Bill Anderson, Dean Dillon, Craig Wiseman, and Bob DiPiero. It’s not every day that I get to hang out with all these guys together, so I’m looking forward to listening to them and sharing some of my own songs.”

With well over 300 cuts and 18 No. 1 singles, Craig Wiseman is one of today’s most celebrated songwriters. Wiseman has had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney (“The Good Stuff” and “Summertime”), Toby Keith (“Love Me If You Can”), and Tracy Lawrence (“If the Good Die Young”). Wiseman also won the CMA Song of the Year Award in 2004 for “Live Like You Were Dying” (recorded by Tim McGraw), and again in 2006 for “Believe” (recorded by Brooks & Dunn).

Acting as the host for the evening is Bob DiPiero, one of Nashville’s most consistent and prolific hitmakers with songs recorded by Tim McGraw (“Southern Voice”), Montgomery Gentry (“If You Ever Stop Loving Me”), George Strait (“Blue Clear Sky”), and Brooks & Dunn (“You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out Of the Girl”).

Tickets for the May 11 CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub are $30 each and go on sale Wednesday, March. 30, at 2:00PM/ET. For information about Joe’s Pub or to order tickets, visit www.joespub.com or call (212) 967-7555 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM/ET. Joe’s Pub is located at 425 Lafayette St. in New York City. Official sponsors for the CMA Songwriters Series include American Airlines, ASCAP, BMI, and Great American Country (GAC). American Airlines is the official airline of the CMA Songwriters Series.

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ASCAP Elects Board Of Directors

New York, NY, March 10, 2011: The results of the biennial election for the Board of Directors of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) were announced today by ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams. Twelve writer and twelve publisher members have been elected to serve on the Board for a two-year term commencing April 1, 2011.

In addition to Mr. Williams, the writer members who were re-elected in the at-large field are: songwriter Marilyn Bergman; composer Richard Bellis; composer Bruce Broughton; songwriter Hal David; composer Dan Foliart; songwriter Wayland Holyfield; composer Johnny Mandel; songwriter Valerie Simpson; songwriter Jimmy Webb; and composer Doug Wood. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is composer Stephen Paulus.

The publisher directors re-elected in the at-large field are: Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV; Caroline Beinstock, Bienstock Publishing; Barry Coburn, Ten Ten Music; John L. Eastman, Edwin H. Morris; Roger Faxon, EMI Music; David Johnson, Warner Brothers Music; Dean Kay, Lichelle Music; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; David Renzer, Universal Music; and Irwin Z. Robinson, Cromwell Music. Re-elected in the Symphonic and Concert field is publisher James Kendrick, Schott Music Corporation/European American Music Corporation. The newly elected publisher member of the Board is Laurent Hubert, BMG Gold Songs.

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world’s largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 400,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com

Watch Lane Brody’s “Flames Turned Blue” Here

Lane Brody Releases Environmentally Focused Video for New Single, ‘Flame’s Turned Blue’

GMV Nashville artist and multi-Grammy nominee, Lane Brody, has released the video for her newest single, “Flame’s Turned Blue.”

Winner Earns Opportunity to Perform at CMA Music Festival

BILLY RAY CYRUS AND PATTY LOVELESS CALL ON AMERICANS TO ‘TUNE UP FOR COPD’ IN NEW SONGWRITING COMPETITION

Ridgefield, CT-The DRIVE4COPD national public health initiative today announced that it is partnering with the Country Music Association (CMA) to launch the Tune Up For COPD Songwriting Competition, featuring Country Music stars Billy Ray Cyrus and Patty Loveless. The competition challenges Americans to create a new DRIVE4COPD song to help raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Last year, Loveless wrote the campaign anthem, ‘Drive,’ in honor of her sister Dottie, who died of COPD when she was only 48 years old.

In line with the DRIVE4COPD mission, Tune Up for COPD asks amateur songwriters to write a song with a motivational message that encourages people to be proactive in taking control of their lives and be healthy. The winner will have the opportunity to perform his or her song live at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville in June 2011. In addition, fans can log onto DRIVE4COPD.COM to view and vote on entries. A “fan favorite” song, determined by the highest number of online votes, will be showcased online.

“I learned at an early age from my grandfather, who was a pastor, both the impact COPD symptoms have on one’s life and the power of a person’s voice. And I’ve taken those lessons with me throughout the years,” said Cyrus, the newest celebrity to become a DRIVE4COPD Ambassador. “I know music motivates people to take action, and that’s why I’m asking America to help us find the next great song to drive awareness of COPD.”

Tune Up for COPD contestants can upload videos and lyrics sheets before April 15. A winning entry will be chosen by a panel of impartial judges including Cyrus, Loveless, industry experts and members of DRIVE4COPD partnering organizations like the American Association for Respiratory Care, Country Music Association, COPD Alliance, COPD Foundation, NASCAR® and U.S. COPD Coalition. The prize includes a 3-day/2-night trip for the winner and a guest to attend the 2011 CMA Music Fest and perform his/her winning song. For complete competition rules and information, visit DRIVE4COPD.COM.

COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both, is a progressive disease that makes it harder and harder to breathe. It kills more people every year than breast cancer and diabetes combined. Of the top 10 leading causes of death, it’s the only one on the rise.

“It’s overwhelming to realize that half of the 24 million Americans who may have COPD don’t know it1b,” said Brian Carlin, MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine. “The first step in getting the help you may need is to find out if you are at risk.”

DRIVE4COPD encourages those aged 35 or older to log onto DRIVE4COPD.COM to take a brief, five-question screener to see if they might be at risk for COPD. If the screener indicates risk, results can be printed and brought to a healthcare professional to discuss.

About DRIVE4COPD
Launched in February 2010 by founding partner Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., DRIVE4COPD is a landmark public health movement embraced by leading health, business, entertainment and sports organizations that are aimed at driving fundamental change in COPD awareness and management in this country. The unified efforts of the DRIVE4COPD network of organizations help people identify symptoms of COPD, take action to see if they may be at risk for the disease, and talk to their healthcare provider. The campaign is driven by a powerful coalition of organizations including the American Association for Respiratory Care, Country Music Association, COPD Alliance, COPD Foundation and the U.S. COPD Coalition.  DRIVE4COPD is the Official Health Initiative of NASCAR®.

DRIVE4COPD Celebrity Ambassadors** include Emmy-nominated actor Jim Belushi, multi-platinum recording artist and television star Billy Ray Cyrus, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner, Grammy Award-winning country music star Patty Loveless, Go Daddy and NASCAR Nationwide SeriesT Driver Danica Patrick, and Pro Football great Michael Strahan. Each has lost a loved one to COPD and has seen first-hand the impact of the disease.

This initiative aims to help millions of people affected by COPD by focusing national attention on this common and debilitating disease.

**The DRIVE4COPD Celebrity Ambassadors are paid spokespeople of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema – makes it harder to breathe because less air is able to flow in and out of the lungs.

As many as 24 million Americans may have COPD – even those who haven’t smoked in years – and half of them remain undiagnosed. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It kills one person every four minutes and more people each year than breast cancer and diabetes combined.

Common symptoms of COPD include coughing, with or without mucus, or shortness of breath. These symptoms are often confused with normal signs of aging. As COPD progresses, symptoms tend to get worse and more damage occurs in the lungs. Breathing gradually becomes more difficult until people with COPD feel like they are inhaling and exhaling through a small straw.

DRIVE4COPD Partnering Organizations
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the founding sponsor of the campaign, has joined forces with a cross-section of organizations to raise the profile of COPD in America:

American Association for Respiratory Care
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is the leading national and international professional association for respiratory care. The AARC encourages and promotes professional excellence, advances the science and practice of respiratory care, and serves as an advocate for patients and their families, the public, the profession and the respiratory therapist. To learn more about the AARC visit the website at www.aarc.org or visit our consumer website www.yourlunghealth.org.

Country Music Association
More than 6,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association. Formed in 1958 as the first trade association for a single genre of music, the organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry while advancing the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s strategic imperatives – CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards. For information about CMA visit www.CMAworld.com.

COPD Alliance
The COPD Alliance was formed to provide primary care clinicians with timely information, tools and support to facilitate the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of COPD. We are composed of multidisciplinary societies and corporations whose commitment is to help primary care clinicians improve their patients’ quality of life through early diagnosis and management of COPD.

COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created in 2004, and has become the COPD community’s forefront organization, driven by the individuals affected by COPD, that has addressed educational, research and advocacy issues that concern the community in order to improve the quality of life for the 24 million Americans affected by COPD. For more information about the COPD Foundation and its programs, call the C.O.P.D. Information Line at 1-866-316-COPD (2673) or visit the website at www.copdfoundation.org.

NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports. NASCAR sanctioned races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and 20 languages. NASCAR® fans are the most brand-loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.

U.S. COPD COALITION
Founded in 2001, the U.S. COPD Coalition is a nonprofit organization that brings together patient foundations and organizations, health professional organizations, individuals, and government agencies in the true definition of a coalition. These organizations work together in a unified manner to promote the interests of individuals affected by COPD, their family members, physicians, and scientists. The goal of the member/partners of the Coalition is to improve COPD patient needs with a keen eye to the future.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 142 affiliates in 50 countries and more than 41,500 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

In 2009, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of US $17.7 billion (12.7 billion euro) while spending 21% of net sales in its largest business segment, Prescription Medicines, on research and development.

For more information, please visit http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

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NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. The NASCAR Nationwide SeriesT word mark use used under license by NASCAR, Inc., and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

©2011 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved.
DRIVE4COPD is a trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Song Fest on Music Row Opens Sign Ups For 9th Annual June Performances

3 Days of Live Original Music from all genres on multiple stages, classes, Open House, networking and gathering of old friends in Nashville, TN represent the past, present and future of songwriting.

The 9th Annual, 2011 Nashville SongWriters Festival is several music happenings in one! Find your place in the mix. Its part live original music festival, part music conference, part networking opportunity and part gathering of old friends held June 3-5. The live performances, education and Open House are concurrently running events. Attendees can take in all or parts and Play it by ear!

Songwriters of all genres share their music on multiple stages and open sing rings. The fest is open to all forms of songwriting, from the novice to the professional. There are no pre qualifications to play or attend. Everyone is encouraged to come as they are. All attendees will have the opportunity to share their words or music and find their place in the mix.

While at the fest, writers can also attend Pro Instruction classes, workshops and gather other personal tid bits, all about the craft and business of songwriting.

An Open House is held by participating recording studios, publishers, song pluggers and other music related businesses where writers can drop by without an appointment to ask questions, exchange samples or discuss what part they play in the business of Music. Register your music related music business for the Open House or if you are a festival attendee, stop by and check out some of the industry.

For registered and non performing writers there will be a Writer’s Area provided by the Fest near the Info Booth. At the display table attendees can deposit their CDS and the fest staff will take inquiries or make sales for participants. Also drop off a copy of your songs in the Fest Drop Box where your materials can be checked out by the fest or forwarded to others.

Come to share your music and have fun playing the songs that you have written. While at the fest we hope you get inspired, reinvigorated, find co writers, network and write some new tunes.

Another historical gathering begins to shape up as we throw down at this years congregation to celebrate the spirit of the songwriter. Many special guest and surprises await but as always, the real featured writer is you!

Registration is now officially open. Performing and Non performing songwriters, music related business, volunteers and the public wishing to participate in the June 3-5, 2011 activities can visit the web site at www.SongWritersFestival.com or Email Popcorn@SongWritersFestival.com or call 615-424-1491 or 931-296-4067 for more info.

2011 BMI Student Composer Awards Competition Opens

The opening of the 59th annual BMI Student Composer Awards competition has been announced by BMI President and CEO Del Bryant and BMI Foundation President Ralph N. Jackson. The competition, which is co-sponsored by BMI and the BMI Foundation, will award $20,000 in prizes. Student composers under the age of 28 who are citizens of the Western Hemisphere (North, South and Central America, the Caribbean Island Nations and the Hawaiian Islands) may apply. All entries must be postmarked no later than February 11, 2011.

The Student Composer Awards were established in 1951 to encourage young composers in the creation of serious music, and, through cash prizes, to aid in continuing their musical education. Celebrated composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich serves as the Awards Chair; Milton Babbitt is the Chair Emeritus. Composer luminaries such as William Bolcom, George Crumb, Mario Davidovsky, Philip Glass, John Harbison, Aaron Jay Kernis, Donald Martino, Steven Mackey, Christopher Rouse, Joseph Schwantner, Michael Torke and Charles Wuorinen received their earliest recognition through this program.

There are no limitations as to instrumentation, style or length of work submitted. The prizes, which range from $500 to $5,000, are awarded at the discretion of the final judging panel and compositions are judged completely under pseudonyms. Official rules and entry forms are available on the Foundation’s BMI Student Composer Awards page.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 97% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.

Durango Songwriter’s Expo Feb. 24-26 in Santa Barbara Wine Country

BMI will proudly sponsor the 7th Annual Durango Songwriter’s Expo/Santa Barbara Wine Country, slated for February 24-26 at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott near Solvang, CA. Part networking hive, part educational seminar, the Durango Songwriter’s Expo offers aspiring songwriters the opportunity to mingle with and learn from peers, established hit-makers, and leading industry executives. BMI troubadours Big Al Anderson, Chuck Cannon, Danny Myrick, and more number prominently among the featured performing songwriters scheduled to attend.

BMI songwriters, composers and publishers may take 10% off standard registration rates. Register now.

The Expo’s “Write with the Hitmakers” songwriting contest is also underway. Participants may choose to enter in one of three categories: pop/rock, country/Americana, and, for the first time, film/television. The winner in the pop/rock field will write with Toad the Wet Sprocket’s Glen Phillips and earn a one-song publishing contract; the country/Americana winner will pen and tune with hit writers Ken Johnson and Andi Zack and also earn a one-song publishing contract; and the film/TV victor will receive an offer from LA’s Riptide Music.

Enter the “Write with the Hitmakers” songwriting contest.

For more information on the 7th Annual Durango Songwriter’s Expo/Santa Barbara Wine Country and “Write with the Hitmakers” competition, visit durango-songwriters-expo.com.

Nielsen Signs Off on Radio Ratings

Just two years after taking on rival Arbitron in the radio-ratings market, in early December the Nielsen Company announced it would discontinue its domestic “sticker diary” radio-measurement service, effective immediately.

The decision, said Nielsen in a brief statement, would not impact the company’s international radio-ratings offering in the 11 non-U.S. countries it currently serves. Additionally, back data and limited access to the company’s Radio Advisor software will continue to be available for use by Nielsen clients, as required.

Nielsen began offering its diary-based service — which utilized stickers bearing the names of radio stations that listeners regularly tuned in to — in late 2008 in response to proposals from Cumulus Radio for a new, small-market radio-measurement service. In addition to Cumulus, other Nielsen clients included Clear Channel, Maverick Media, ESPN Radio and Black Crow.

It is unclear whether Cumulus will immediately fill the void left by Nielsen in its smaller markets through similar diary-service ratings data provided by Arbitron. While acknowledging that audience research plays a key role in the effort to streamline data gathering and boost shareholder value, in an interview with Radio Business Report Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus Media, said that Cumulus will “re-allocate these resources to better serve our sales organization and our clients . . . and this may or may not include syndicated audience research.” On Nielsen’s decision to exit radio ratings, Dickey speculated that, despite having a strong product, “they are a very large company and their strategic priorities have evolved.”

Clear Victor Earlier in the month, Arbitron announced that it had inked a six-year ratings-service contract extension with chief client Clear Channel Radio worth an estimated $540 million. Concurrently, Arbitron increased its 2011 revenue guidance by 6 to 8 percent over current-year levels. As of last year, Clear Channel accounted for approximately 19 percent of Arbitron’s total revenues. Arbitron’s main data-gathering tool is its Portable People Meter (PPM), a mobile device that registers consumers’ exposure to media and entertainment using an inaudible code embedded in terrestrial, satellite and online radio content. PPM, along with diary ratings, have been “an integral part of the radio buy-sell process for both terrestrial and digital outlets,” said Arbitron president and CEO Bill Kerr.

Though Nielsen declined to elaborate on its decision to exit the U.S. radio-ratings business, the news came just days after the Arbitron-Clear Channel deal was announced — hardly a coincidence, suggested some media observers. “For a company the size of Nielsen, it just made no sense to handle only 51 markets,” commented RBR. “It looks like someone at HQ made the call that competing head-to-head with Arbitron was not going to be worth the investment — and pulled the plug.”

While Nielsen’s departure gives Arbitron extra breathing room, the company’s PPM data-gathering technique remains the subject of controversy, particularly among minority broadcast groups who charge that the system often undercounts urban listeners. A year ago, former Arbitron CEO Michael Skarzynski promptly resigned after providing false testimony about the effectiveness of the PPM system during a Congressional hearing.

New ‘BMI Live’ Program Allows Performing Songwriters To Register Live Concerts for Royalty Payments

BMI has launched BMI Live, a program enabling performing songwriters to register their concerts and set lists online to be considered for payment in live music venues, regardless of size.

To qualify, songwriters need to enter their live musical performances on BMI’s website, www.bmi.com. BMI will pay royalties to both writers and publishers via direct deposit in its June distribution for performances occurring from July 1 through December 31, 2010. Concert performances eligible for the June royalty distribution must be entered on the BMI website by March 31, 2011. The distribution from BMI Live will be made quarterly after this initial June 2011 launch.

Mike O’Neill, BMI Senior Vice President, Repertoire and Licensing, says the program is designed to ensure that performing songwriters in all stages of their careers receive payment for concerts of all sizes, from coffee shops to football stadiums.

“Small venues and clubs are the lifeblood for songwriters and bands,” explains O’Neill. “These venues support live, local music, as well as touring artists and are the cradle of tomorrow’s stars. We’re committed to helping songwriters get paid for their music in these venues, as they provide a vital stage for their music.”

Available only online,BMI Live is an on-going program that allows songwriters to input up to six months of their performance data. Songwriters may input their tour information at their convenience for concerts from the previous six months and receive these royalty payments quarterly. Both headliners and opening acts may input tour information, and the program is open to all BMI affiliates.

BMI Live is designed to be the most accurate distribution of live musical performance royalties in the United States. As the global leader in rights management, BMI is the only American performing right organization that tracks and pays royalties for the top 300 live concert tours in the nation each quarter. BMI also tracks and pays royalties for music used in many different venues, including sports arenas, stadiums, aircraft and theme parks, as well as radio and television.

“Live performance is vital to every songwriter,” says O’Neill. “We thank the thousands of small-business owners who support live music and pay licensing fees to BMI. Our goal is to make sure that the licensing fees BMI receives go back to the songwriters who play in these venues. This program gives those performing songwriters working even the smallest venues a better opportunity to share in the royalty pie.”

For updates on the BMI Live program, go to www.bmi.com/live and follow BMI on Facebook and Twitter.