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With Chip Hardy(Songplugger) Sherrill Blackman(Songplugger/publisher) Mike Sebastian(Publisher, Ole Music Publishing) Steve Bloch(Publisher, listening for Curb Records) Lynn Gann (Publisher, Full Circle Music Publishing) Tim Hunze, (Publisher, BMG) Natalie Harker (Publisher, Cal IV) Greg Gallo (Songplugger) Clay Myers (Publisher, Orbison)
IF YOU are one of the thousands of songwriters out there with not many or NO industry contacts, this is your chance to have your songs listened to by a real music row industry executive! And what's better is you have a full hour to pick his brain! They will mentor you on all things music industry and aide in you your songwriting career!
The cost of the service is $100.00 for a one hour mentoring session and consultation with one of these Industry Professionals. OR you can have Chip listen to ONE song and do a WRITTEN critique for $25.
The way the songwriting mentor session works is, you will send over a maximum of three (3) songs prior to your consultation date. This will give your mentor some time to listen to your songs and take some notes. This also means that no time is wasted in your hour long consultation.
If you are in town, you will be meeting with your mentor in person and if you aren't in town you can do your consultation/mentoring session over the phone or via Skype.
If you are interested in this service, you can either call us at 615-386-8360 or fill out the form below and we will get everything set up for you!
Here is an overview of each mentor:
CHIP HARDY Chip's resume is very impressive. As a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded and released by numerous superstars including Dionne Warwick, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Reba McIntire, Dean Martin, TG Sheppard and Barbara Mandrell. As a producer and Vice President of A&R at MCA Nashville, he has worked with Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Reba McIntire, George Strait, The Oakridge Boys, Glen Campbell and Roger Miller to name a few. As Vice President of Evergreen Publishing, VP of Marathon Key Publishing, Hammstein Publishing and Stroudavarious, Chip has overseen and nurtured the careers of many hit songwriters.
SHERRILL BLACKMAN Sherrill Blackman was recently honored as "Songplugger of the Year" by Music Row Magazine, Nashville's main industry publication.
He moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 1980 and graduated from Belmont University with a bachelor of arts degree in music business in 1982 and began his career working with American Image Productions. From there he moved to the Nashville Songwriters Association International where he became a well known and respected figure in the Nashville music community.
His next move was to Buckhorn Music, one of Nashville’s oldest independent publishing companies where, as creative director, he helped organize Kris Kristofferson’s song catalog in addition to songplugging, copyright administration, and licensing. By the time Sherrill left Buckhorn Music in 1994, he had completely reactivated the company and secured recordings in Country, Gospel, and Bluegrass, including three recordings by LeAnn Rimes on her independent album released in 1994. The first, “I’LL GET EVEN WITH YOU,” was included on her Curb Records debut album, BLUE (now at 6 million sold). The other two songs, “BROKEN WING,” and “SURE THING,” were featured on LeAnn’s second Curb album, THE EARLY YEARS. This album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Pop and Country charts simultaneously and is approaching triple platinum status.
Since November 1994, Sherrill has been busy with his own company, The SDB Music Group, which is home to three publishing branches and a professional songplugging service. Since its inception, he has secured cuts on major label artists such as John Michael Montgomery, Leann Rimes, Don Williams, Steve Holy, Trace Adkins, George Jones, Blackhawk and many more. Sherrill’s many Gospel cuts include the #1 “The Journey” and the Top Ten, “Journey On Believer,” by Christian Country artist Melody Bieser.
As a songwriter, he has had a few of his compositions recorded by artists like the Ensminger Family, gospel; The Flat Creek Skilletlickers, bluegrass; The Sidebusters, comedy; and Richard Helm, blues.
One of his songs, "We Are Leaves," has been featured in five gospel songbooks and one wedding songbook. Another of his songs, "It's Opening Day," was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Archives in 1994. In 2003, Esther Haynes and The Swingin' Diners recorded "It's Opening Day" and featured it on the baseball song anthology CD, "Diamond Cuts: Top of the Sixth."
MIKE SEBASTIAN Leaving his hometown of Jackson, Missouri in 1985, Mike came to Nashville to complete a Music Business degree at Belmont University. Upon graduation, he became the Professional Manager at New Clarion Music Group, a small independent publishing company.
Though a new company, Mike soon made his mark as a song plugger when he pitched "Country Club" to Travis Tritt. Not long after, Alan Jackson had "Midnight In Montgomery". From that point on Mike was responsible for recordings on Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels and others.
In 1992, Reba McEntire's Starstruck Writers Group offered Mike a position at their newly formed company as Creative Director. Responsible for pitching songs as well signing new talent, he signed Troy Martin and pitched the new song "She Can't Say I Didn't Cry" to Sony Records artist Rick Trevino. Continuing to develop new writers, he placed such songs as "It's Your Call" and "And Still" for Reba McEntire.
When MCA Music Publishing, offered Mike a position as Creative Director in 1994, he decided to take the opportunity to work at one of Nashville's most successful music publishing corporations. "The opportunity to see world wide publishing at it's best and to work with some of Nashville's greatest writers, was too appealing" comments Mike. "I saw it as a great place to learn more about publishing". Working with such writers as Gary Burr, Russell Smith and Byron Hill, Mike was soon getting songs recorded like "Can't Be Really Gone" by Tim McGraw, "I Try To Think About Elvis" by Patty Loveless and "Rebecca Lynn" by Bryan White. It was during this time that Gary Burr went on to become ASCAP's writer of the year.
In 1997, Starstruck Writers Group offered Mike the opportunity to return and run the publishing division. Upon his return, he signed producer/writer David Malloy, writer Byron Hill as well as re-signing Liz Hengber, Sunny Russ and Rick Bowles. It was during his tenure as Vice President, that Starstruck had ASCAP song of the year "No News" by Lonestar and written by Mark D. Sanders.
Upon the sale of Starstruck Writers Group in October of 2000, Mike started the new publishing company Blacktop Music Group, co-owned by artist Clint Black and legendary business manager, Charles Sussman. Begun in February of 2001, Blacktop Music Group is now home to 11 writers and has had recordings by numerous artists inlcuding Diamond Rio, Rascal Flatts, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington as well as # 1 singles "Some Beach" & "Must Be Doin'Somethin' Right" Blacktop Music Group, Inc., currently, Mike is consulting with Ole Music Publishing on music row.
Steve Bloch After a decade of success with his LA based talent agency, Entertainment Associates, Bloch segued into publishing and founded Southern Cow Music in 1991, moved his headquarters to Nashville in '93, and hasn't looked back since. His boutique publishing company garnered cuts with Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Lee Greenwood. In addition he secured cuts with Kenny Chesney, John Berry, and Lila McCann for select independent clients.
In the late 90's, he was tabbed by Doug Johnson, label head at Giant records, to do independent A&R for the label where he secured cuts with Clay Walker, Keith Harling and Blake Shelton.
In 2003, Bloch, along with two others, founded Writer Zone Music, LLC., a uniquely innovative publishing company. Equity in the company is shared by writers who have come on board with a high level of past measurable success. Partners include Thom Schuyler (“16th Ave.”/Lacy J. Dalton), Rand Bishop (“My List”/Toby Keith) and Jon Robbin (“I Breathe In I Breathe Out”/Chris Cagle).
Currently, Steve is once again listening for songs for Doug Johnson, now the Creative head of Curb Records, whose artists include Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Leann Rimes, Rodney Atkins, Jo Dee Messina, Heidi Newfield, and Steve Holy, among others.
Steve is a frequent guest of the West Coast Songwriters Association, the Durango Songwriters Expo, the Arizona Songwriters Association, TAXI, and various NSAI and SGA events.
As Steve says, "You never know when you’ll find the magic".
Lynn Gann
The 21-year music row publishing veteran, began his career at Tom Collins Music, and later churned out hits at MCA Music Publishing and Zomba Enterprises. Since July, 2003, Gann has served as Vice President/Partner of Full Circle Music Publishing, LLC. Best known Full Circle hits include “When I Get Where I’m Going” (Brad Paisley), “Homewrecker” Gretchen Wilson & “Stealing Cinderella” (Chuck Wicks). Upcoming Full Circle releases include Brad Paisley, Craig Morgan and Kenny Chesney. The current writer roster at Full Circle includes Dave Turnbull, Walt Aldridge and Bob Regan.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Tom Collins Music (1988-1993)
"Walk On" - Reba McEntire (#1 single, Gold LP)
"Holdin' Heaven" - Tracy Byrd (#1 single, Gold LP)
"Only Love" - Wynonna (#1 single, 3x Platinum LP)
Secured various recordings by Marie Osmond, Ronna Reeves, Conway Twitty, Alabama, Randy Travis, Rick Trevino, Crystal Gayle, Oak Ridge Boys, Linda Davis, Billy Dean & others.
MCA Music Publishing (1993-1996)
"A Thousand Times A Day" - Patty Loveless (Top 10 single, Gold LP)
“I Try To Think About Elvis" - Patty Loveless (Top 5 single, Gold LP)
"Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous" - Tracy Byrd (Top 5 sgl, 3x Platinum LP)
TIM HUNZE
Tim attended the University of Tennessee in 1986 where he studied both music and marketing. After two years, he became more interested in the music industry, so he transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and enrolled in the Recording Industry Management program.
After graduating in 1990, Tim went to Knoxville, TN and started his own independent R&B record label, Rhythm & Grooves Records.
In 1992, Tim sold his interest in the company to move back to Nashville. He joined Hamstein, which became Stage Three Music Publishing, as A&R/Production Assistant in February 1993. Tim was quickly promoted to Director of Creative Services and then General Manager of the Nashville office.
When BMG acquired Stage Three, they brought Tim along and his current position is Senior VP. Some of the latest hits from this publishing giant are “The Climb”—Miley Cyrus, “The Man I Want To Be”—Chris Young, “The Truth”—Jason Aldean, “ and Cowboy Casanova”—Carrie Underwood..
NATALIE HARKER Creative Manager for Cal IV Publishing
GREG GALLO Greg Gallo is a Raleigh NC native who's always had a passion for music. Growing up listening to everything from James Brown to Rancid, Gallo moved to Nashville at the ripe old age of 18 to try his chops in the music business. An internship with Raleigh NC based Deep South Entertainment led to the creation of a Nashville DSE hub in his Belmont University dorm room.
After graduating from the Music Business program, Greg partnered with Bruce Burch as an independent songplugger for Burch-Gallo Music.Their clientele included EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, Kris Kristofferson, Dennis Linde, Richard Leigh, Ash Street music, and a handful of other choice writers/publishers.
Greg's work plugging her catalog attracted the attention of Ash Street owner June McHugh, who hired him as her full time songplugger. In his two years at Ash Street, Greg quickly established himself as a rising star in the publishing world. This lead to his being hired by Craig Wiseman for his company, Big Loud Shirt, where Gallo plugged for two years.
In March 2009, Greg left Big Loud Shirt to form a creative services company and is working with some of the music industry's best and brightest tunesmiths.
CLAY MYERS General Manager, Orbison/ Still Working Music
*As soon as we get your order, we will contact you and give you instructions on where to send the mp3 files of your songs!
Your Card will be charged in the amount of $100.00 USD.
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