Episode 11: Tim Hunze
About this episode: To Tim Hunze, dedication to your songwriting craft and building your network are two very important factors in pursuing a career in the music industry. In 2011, Tim opened the doors of Parallel Music Nashville in partnership with JP Williams. Tim’s day to day includes managing a roster of songwriters and artists including Jon Mabe, Jesse Lee, Lance Carpenter, Zella Day, Alex Hall, Blake Chaffin, Ryan Beaver, Jenn Schott and more. In our conversation we touch on Tim’s early beginnings in artist management his favorite podcasts, media outlets and how he scouts those future radio hits. About Tim Hunze: Upon graduation from Middle Tennessee State University and armed with a degree in Recording Industry Management, Tim started his own record label, Rhythm and Grooves Records. The label had strong initial success with a hit video on BET and a charted single on Billboard charts. Ultimately, Hunze sold his interest in the company. In 1993 Tim then took at job as archive manger at Great Cumberland Music Group (later renamed to Hamstein Music). After a year as archive manager, Tim garnered his first cut with Giant Records artist, Clay Walker. This cut turn into Tim’s first single that peaked at # 14 on Billboard’s country music chart. Hunze was promoted to creative director in 1995 and procured cuts with artist such as Tim McGraw, George Strait, Diamond Rio, John Michael Montgomery, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney. In 2000, Hamstein sold to Mosaic Music group and then in 2005 sold to Stage Three Music Group. Tim was appointed the General Manger. Under Hunze’s tenure, Stage Three Music Group had over 15 #1’s including Jason Aldean’s “The Truth”, Sugarland’s’ “Want To”, “Already Gone”, and “It Happens”, Carrie Underwood’s, “Cowboy Casanova” and Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night”. Stage Three Writer, Bobby Pinson won 2009 BMI Song Writer of The Year award and writer Brett James won 2010 ASCAP writer of the year. In July of 2010, Stage Three Music was sold to BMG Rights Management. In July of 2011, Hunze started Parallel Music Publishing, a partnership with JP Williams. In their four short years they’ve have five number one records: “Better Dig Two”, “Mama’s Broken Heart”, “Til My Last Day”, “Love Me Like Me You Mean It”, and “Kiss You In The Morning”. Parallel’s current roster: Alex Hall, Blake Chaffin, Jennifer Schott, Jesse Lee, Lance Carpenter, Michael Lotten and Michael White. Hear Tim Hunze speak at this year’s NSAI Song Camp happening July 14-16 here in Nashville. Register now at www.nashvillesongwriters.com. About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!