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Tag: ASCAP

  • Brett James, Grammy-winning ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ songwriter, dies in plane crash

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    Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was 57.A plane registered under James’ name reportedly crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from FlightAware and a statement from the FAA. Three people were on board the plane, according to the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.CNN has reached out to Macon County Sheriff’s Office for further information.James, who worked with megastars like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban, won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He also wrote on Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” and was regarded as one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators.His more than 500 songs have appeared on albums with combined sales of over 110 million copies, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association International.In 2020, James was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also owned the publishing company Cornman Music and served on the board of the Country Music Association and as a national trustee of The Recording Academy, according to the Nashville Symphony.“Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters,” the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said in an Instagram post announcing James’ death.“Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” country musician Dierks Bentley wrote on Instagram.

    FRANKLIN, N.C. —

    Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, known for penning hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a small-engine plane crash on Thursday, according to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was 57.

    A plane registered under James’ name reportedly crashed into a field in Franklin, North Carolina, about 270 miles southeast of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to data from FlightAware and a statement from the FAA.

    Three people were on board the plane, according to the FAA, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.

    CNN has reached out to Macon County Sheriff’s Office for further information.

    James, who worked with megastars like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Keith Urban, won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006 for co-writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” He also wrote on Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” and was regarded as one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators.

    His more than 500 songs have appeared on albums with combined sales of over 110 million copies, according to the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

    In 2020, James was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also owned the publishing company Cornman Music and served on the board of the Country Music Association and as a national trustee of The Recording Academy, according to the Nashville Symphony.

    “Brett was a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names, and a true advocate for his fellow songwriters,” the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said in an Instagram post announcing James’ death.

    “Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend,” country musician Dierks Bentley wrote on Instagram.

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  • Usher, Victoria Monét To Receive Prestigious Awards From ASCAP – KXL

    Usher, Victoria Monét To Receive Prestigious Awards From ASCAP – KXL

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    This combination of photos shows Victoria Monet at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 26, 2022, left, and Usher performs at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2016 at Barclays Center in New York on Oct. 27, 2016. (AP Photo)

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usher will add another prestigious award to his already loaded trophy case.

    The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said Thursday that Usher will receive its Voice of the Culture Award. He’ll be honored at ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Songwriters and Publishers event on June 27.

    The honor Usher is receiving is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture.

    “Artistic development is a lifelong journey of experimentation that requires risk for reward, embracing unknowns, trusting your intuition, and believing in your creative vision and God given talent,” Usher said in a statement.

    The R&B superstar is an eight-time Grammy winner who recently ended a two-year Las Vegas residency, “Usher: My Way” at the Park MGM. In February, he released his first solo album in eight years, and in August is scheduled to kick off a 24-city U.S. tour titled “Past Present Future.”

    Usher’s Super Bowl halftime performance drew acclaim and included guest appearances by such stars as Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris. His album “Confessions” has sold more than 10 million units in the U.S., ranking it among one of the best-selling music projects of all time. It launched No. 1 hits such as “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Part II.”

    “It means the world to me that my peers, this community of passionate and distinguished songwriters, composers, and authors are inspired by my execution of the craft,” Usher added.

    Singer Victoria Monét will be honored as well. She will receive the Vanguard Award, which recognizes members who are helping to shape the future of music.

    Monét won three Grammys earlier this year, including best new artist and R&B album for “Jaguar II.”

    “Victoria Monét has proven herself not only as an illuminating songwriter, but also as a flourishing artist and ASCAP member who continues to break barriers,” said Paul Williams, chairman of the board and president at ASCAP. “Her resilience, talent, and exemplary work ethic have helped her become a multi-award-winning singer and songwriter.“

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    Grant McHill

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  • Black Music Action Coalition Opens Applications for 2024 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant

    Black Music Action Coalition Opens Applications for 2024 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant

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    The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) has opened applications for its second annual Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant, presented by ASCAP.

    Last year’s grant recipient was up-and-coming songwriter and artist Mondaii, who is based in Atlanta. Mondaii said of the grant’s impact, “The music maker grant and the $5000 funding helped to kick start my career. With the money, I was able to fund the mixing for my latest single ‘Back N Forth.’”

    Emerging Black music producers and songwriters from the United States are eligible to apply for the second iteration of the grant. In addition to money, the winner receives studio time and mentorship from BMAC Board and Executive Leadership in addition to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who comprise the acclaimed songwriting and production duo known as Jam and Lewis.

    The deadline to apply is Nov. 30; the application and more information can be found here.

    The 2024 recipient will be revealed in December at an event presented by BMAC and Jam and Lewis; ASCAP will host. BMAC leadership will join Jam and Lewis in presenting the honor to the winner.

    Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, CEO and president of BMAC said, “Black Music Action Coalition is committed to ensuring the next generation of leaders in our industry are equipped with the knowledge, resources and access that our community deserves and does not always receive.”

    He continued, “We see the impact made when we truly invest in our future.  Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are two of the greatest producers, songwriters and human beings in this industry, so having them as mentors to a young person is invaluable. When you add the network that the BMAC Board & our Executive Leadership Council and ASCAP will provide, this is really an incredible opportunity.”

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    Jaden Thompson

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