Playback Magazine

Songwriter, producer and musician Con Fullam has created a children’s chorus in Portland, Maine that helps young refugees and immigrants from war-torn countries to experience the joys of community, music and sharing one’s voice.

It was announced today that SXSW will show a sneak preview of the forthcoming documentary, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me, a feature-length documentary about legendary Memphis band Big Star, led by ASCAP member Alex Chilton.

ASCAP hosted the ASCAP Composer-Filmmaker Cocktail Party, an exclusive event at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café in Park City, Utah. The event was a celebration of ASCAP composers and filmmakers of 2012 Sundance Film Festival films.

ASCAP’s country music songwriters earned multiple nominations in nearly every category of the 47th annual ACM Awards. Brad Paisley leads ASCAP nominees with nods for Entertainer of the Year and top Male Vocalist. ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ben Hayslip was nominated for the ACM's top writer award along with David Lee Murphy.

As the 2012 Sundance Film Festival headed into its second weekend, filmmakers, festival goers and all-around music fans continued to pack the house at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café on Main Street in Park City.

Rodriguez, the subject of the hot new Sundance documentary Searching for Sugar Man, was a special guest performer at the Sundance ASCAP Music Café on January 23rd. The film has already been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics.

ASCAP celebrated with co-writers Richard Marx and Keith Urban at a party in honor of their chart-topping single in Nashville on January 25th. Marx and Urban performed the song together and the event was streamed live on ASCAP's website.

John Forté, Jenny O., Josh Kelley, We Are Augustines, David Nail and more packed the house at the 14th Sundance ASCAP Music Café. Rodriguez, the focus of the documentary sensation, Searching for Sugar Man, was a special guest performer.

Last year, "On the Come Up" presented its first annual Freshman Class edition, recognizing three hot songwriters/producers to watch in 2011. And this year, school is back in session! Now presenting the 2012 line-up: Jahlil Beats, Mike Will, and J Mike. Industry, take notes!

Hailing from a musically-inclined family, it is no surprise that JR Hutson has taken the music world by storm over the past two decades. Through his work with great artists – such as Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, and Musiq Soulchild – it is clear that he has spawned his own melodic imprint. Hutson recently spoke with Playback about his Chicago upbringing, his greatest lesson learned, and a potential solo album.