Songwriter Roger Murrah Named Senior VP Of Bug Music

Bug Music Publishing, the largest independent contemporary music publisher in the world, has appointed renowned songwriter and independent publisher Roger Murrah to senior vice president,

Los Angeles, CA – February 19, 2009 – Bug Music Publishing, the largest independent contemporary music publisher in the world, has appointed renowned songwriter and independent publisher Roger Murrah to senior vice president, Nashville, it was announced today by Bug Music CEO John Rudolph at the company’s headquarters in Los Angeles. Effective immediately, Murrah will be overseeing the Bug Music office in Nashville and will report directly to CEO John Rudolph. With over three decades inside the music industry, Murrah’s key responsibilities will be directing the overall objectives of Bug Nashville, managing the Bug Music collection of copyrights and developing staff writers with John Allen, vice president and Sara Johnson, creative director, as well as continuing his own songwriting.

Under the terms of the deal, Bug Music has also acquired a portion of Murrah Music and its associated catalogs. Murrah Music staff writers Neal Coty, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Jon Henderson, Lisa McCallum, Robert Deitch and Matt Dame will move under the Bug Music umbrella.

“I’m delighted to find someone with Roger’s experience, credentials and contacts to enhance our Nashville office, my hometown,” said Rudolph. “This was an innovative deal that will allow us to pursue some really creative opportunities and redefine the way a publishing company operates. Roger has a rare combination of creative and business skills that complement each other very well.”

“I am very excited to be a part of John Rudolph’s vision for Bug Music here in Nashville. I look forward to working closely with John Allen, Kim Hylick, Sara Johnson, and the entire professional and creative staff, as well as the company’s partners and clients here in Nashville,” Murrah said. “Bug Music has a rich history of putting songs and songwriters first, which has always been my guiding philosophy in this business. Bug’s commitment to Nashville is clearly shown by this unprecedented, innovative opportunity John is giving me. I can’t think of another company I’d rather be with.”</p>

Roger Murrah, most recently Chairman of Murrah Music Corporation, is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Chairman of its Foundation. He is a BMI Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter of the Decade (‘90s). He formed Murrah Music Corporation in 1990. Within two years, the company was named Billboard Magazine’s Independent Publisher of the Year. Murrah’s prolific songwriting contributions include “We’re in This Love Together,” “Goodbye Time,” “Where Corn Don’t Grow,” “High Cotton,” “Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” “Stranger Things Have Happened,” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” The Murrah Music catalog includes the Academy of Country Music Songs of the Year “I’m Movin’ On,” recorded by Rascal Flatts, and “Keeper of the Stars,” recorded by Tracy Byrd, as well as 2008 ASCAP Song of the Year and Billy Currington’s #1 hit, “Good Directions,” and Luke Bryan’s top-5 hit, “All My Friends Say.”