Mushroom Music Publishing

Casa del Discos Recordings and ABC Music Publishing partnership - featuring Merenia, Jeremy Joshua, rephrase and Omegaman.

Four of the key creative artists released on the independent and highly acclaimed Casa de Discos label, have now signed their music publishing to ABC Music Publishing.

'There is always an appetite for real, edgy new music particularly in the film, television and advertising areas where the good producers are looking for ultra-contemporary, fresh music.' said Head of ABC Music Publishing, Eloise Nolan.

Working with Casa del Disco's label manager and well-known DJ Graham Mandroules, the aim is to maximize the work of all four artists while assisting in developing their music further.

'This new relationship means that we can more effectively consider requests to feature our music in a way that makes it easier for the producer and music supervisor', commented Mandroules. 'We've got a lot going on both here and overseas with lots of our tracks appearing on compiles in the UK and Europe so this gives us the opportunity to concentrate on keeping up with the demand without compromising what it is that our people do.

'Funky soul singer and songwriter, Merenia, with cuts on the upcoming Love Tattoo CD by DJ Stephen Allkins, has her own album on the slate for later this year.

Jeremy Joshua's 'Mojo' album is out now with cuts featured on several compilations.

Rephrase - aka Jaime Olsen - has drawn a great response to his debut album, Beatcoaster with cuts appearing on a number of compilation albums both here and overseas.

Omegaman/TAG (Marc Scully) has been collaborating with Merenia and will soon release a CD that will feature, along with his own material, the prime cuts from those creative sessions.

Albums featuring work from all of the artists are available on Casa del Discos label via Creative Vibes.

Billboard Magazine August 27, 2005

Nashville Scene: Murrah Music: Small, But Strong
Veteran Publisher's Success Runs The Gamut From Al Jarreau To Alan Jackson

BY PHYLLIS STARK

In a tough industry buffeted by change, Roger Murrah has managed to successfully run an independent publishing company for 15 years.

Murrah first rose to prominence in Music City as a songwriter, a job he has continued for four decades. Among his best-known compositions are Al Jarreau's pops hit "We're in This Love Together,"Alan Jackson's "Don't Rock the Jukebox,"Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn"and the Oak Ridge Boys' "Ozark Mountain Jubilee."

This eclectic collection of songs has given Murrah a distinct profile on Music Row. "I have this interesting persona in the industry,"he says. "Some people think I'm corn country. Some people think I'm R&B, and the rest think I'm in between. But I just love good music."

After stints as a writer with four other publishing companies, Murrah opened Murrah Music in 1990. Just two years later, the company became Billboard's independent country publisher of the year.

Murrah says the challenges of operating a small publisher are mostly monetary. "Since we basically finance it ourselves, with the help of our bank, we have to run a little leaner kind of operation,"he says. "The large corporations have bottomless pits to draw from, so it forces us to do better business."But Murrah does not let a tighter belt affect his staff and writers. "They don't feel the pressure of the finances,"he says. "I try to keep that in my office."

As a result of running a smaller outfit, Murrah and his staff cannot afford to make mistakes in their signings. "When we select writers we have to be on the money, or we could end up sinking a lot of money into the wrong person,"he says. "We have to do things carefully, but remain optimistic."

In looking for writers, Murrah says he is seeking "somebody who knows how to evoke emotion in the listener with lyrics and melody."He also wants "somebody with the eye of the tiger, somebody who has a great work ethic. So much of the time [success] depends on the person and how persistent and determined they are."Murrah also looks for "decent people, so we're not doing an extraordinary amount of babysitting bad character."

Murrah's writer roster includes Kelly Shiver, Shannon Brown, Rachel Proctor, Luke Bryan and Rachel Thibodeau. The company's catalog includes hits by Rascal Flatts, Tracy Byrd, Alabama, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna, Kenny Chesney, Clay Walker, Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.

Murrah says his own expertise as a songwriter, and the experience of his staff, are the most valuable assets his company offers writers. "I can work with them as an editor and help them bring their skills along,"he says. "That close contact with the writer is where we excel in helping the song be the best it can be."

There are clear benefits to being an independent, according to Murrah. "We make decisions right here in this office,"he says, and Murrah and his team do not "go around with a cloud over our heads, the cloud coming down from New York or L.A. It's always sunny skies over here."

In addition, Murrah says his company works well with independent labels in supplying songs to their artists "when a lot of the majors try to dodge that"in favor of major-label acts.

Murrah, a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, says his favorite moments on the job come from what he calls the "firsts."They include seeing one of his writers get their first cut or their first hit.

He believes in giving back to the industry that has been so good to him. Murrah has served on numerous boards, including two terms as president of Nashville Songwriters Assn. International and one as chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation. He also enjoys working on the music industry's behalf, particularly on issues of new media.

"The laws of the land have always run slowly behind technology,"he says, "but the things we feared the most will end up being good allies for us in terms of income streams."----