#104 - Songwriting University

Michael Blanton has had a celebrated career in the national and Nashville music industry. But today finds him in all kinds of artistic and entertainment development, not limited to just artist management. With such a stellar musical history, it only seemed natural that he join forces with some of today's best and most talented songwriters, and create "Songwriting University". 10 years ago, there are were over 4,500 songwriters in Nashville with publishing deals. Today there are approximately 250. Songwriting University is designed to provide the up and coming songwriter the ability to co-write with the established artist, and help take their music writing to the next level and give them an equal opportunity that otherwise wouldn't be afforded to them. A native of Amarillo TX, Michael Blanton got his start in music as an A&R representative at Word Records in Waco, Texas, moving to Nashville in 1978 to open the company's office on Music Row. He and business partner Dan Harrell launched Blanton/Harrell Production and Management in 1980 with Amy Grant as their first client. In 1981 with friend Brown Bannister ('75), they created Reunion Records and Reunion Publishing and soon launched the careers of artists including Michael W. Smith and Rich Mullins and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Blanton served as executive producer for some of Grant's biggest hits, including the albums Unguarded (1985), Lead Me On (1988), and the multi-platinum Heart in Motion (1992), which sold more than ten million copies and received five Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. He also executive produced hits for Smith including his debut, Michael W. Smith Project (1983) featuring the song "Friends," The Big Picture (1986), i 2 (EYE) (1988) and Change Your World (1992). Blanton and Harrell worked with authors including Frank Peretti, helping him release his multi-million selling This Present Darkness in 1986 and Piercing the Darkness in 1989. Currently, Blanton has partnered in the development with Songwriting University, to help support the songwriters of Nashville, and help develop new artistic talent. Also, Blanton is a partner with Vertigo Media, and a new management launch called Halogen-BNA. Vertigo and Halogen will work together to build and develop new artists and songwriters through technology and community. The Business Side of Music ™ © 2020 Beyond the Music Produced & Hosted by Bob Bender  Creator & Technical Advisor: Tom Sabella Audio Engineer: Jim Tennaboe Continuity: Deborah Halle Recorded at: The Franklin Coffee House and Bunker in Franklin, TN Mixed & Mastered at: Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Show businesssideofmusic.com  Stream or Download (free) businesssideofmusic.com  To submit to be interviewed: [email protected] Sponsorship information businesssideofmusic.com/sponsor-affiliate/ Join our mailing list for show announcements, career advice, industry discounts, free gifts and more.  Like Free Special Thanks to Tom Sabella and Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast, and trusting us to carry on their legacy.