Nashville’s Hollywood takeover @ ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO
Nashville was well represented in Los Angeles at the 14th Annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO, featuring inspiring performances and informative conversations with some of country music’s most in-demand music creators. Find a recap and photos of Lee Ann Womack, 40-time chart-topper Ashley Gorley, multi-genre standouts Priscilla Renea and Steven Battey + more here: https://drive.google.com/open?
• Lee Ann Womack, the Grammy/CMA/ACM winner and writer of Billboard Country #1 “Hope You Dance,” was on hand representing the genre at the Billboard-sponsored “We Create Music” panel, for a discussion with Oscar-winning “Shallow” co-writer Anthony Rossomando, Drake producer Nineteen85 and Captain Marvel composer Pinar Toprak, led by Billboard’s West Coast editor Melinda Newman.
• Lee Ann also performed selections from her new record The Lonely, the Lonesome & the Gone at the EXPO’s nighttime “Center Stage” event alongside Wyclef Jean, Songwriters Hall of Famer Jack Tempchin and legendary songwriter Stephen Bishop.
• Ashley Gorley, the six-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year and a writer of 40 #1 hits on the Billboard Country charts, led a Master Session with ASCAP Membership Director Beth Brinker. The hit songwriter shared the secrets that have made him a go-to collaborator for Nashville’s biggest stars (Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean). “I’ve always loved to mentor and coach songwriters, to offer advice that may help them cut the time it takes to succeed,” said Gorley.
• Gorley also joined fellow songwriters Steven Battey (Luke Combs Justin Bieber, Madonna), Dave Kuncio (Dierks Bentley, Selena Gomez, Ty Dolla $ign), Tommee Profitt (NF, Migos) and Chris Farren (Rascal Flatts, Greg Alman, Michael McDonald), on a “Nashville Goes Global” panel. The group discussed Music City’s growing embrace of music from outside genres – pop, hip-hop, dance music – and the effect on contemporary country’s sound.
• Steven Battey stuck around for a “Limitless Songwriting” multi-genre panel, joined by fellow country/pop crossover songwriters Priscilla Renea (Miranda Lambert, Ke$ha, Rihanna) and Leland (Kelsea Ballerini, Troye Sivan, Lauv), with ASCAP VP of Membership John Titta, to discuss what it takes to pen hits in a range of sounds and styles.
• Tonight, ASCAP EXPO will close on a high note with songs and stories from Steven Battey and CMA/ACM award-winning songwriter Jon Nite (Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban) at the 14th Annual Writers’ Jam. They’ll be joined by fellow world-class songwriters Joelle James (Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up”) and Matthew Koma (Zedd’s “Clarity) for the traditional wrap to another magnificent year at EXPO.
