Thanks to the executive oversight of James Ganiere, CEO of Rio Vista Universal, Ray and Amanda were able to design a system where songwriter/artists can employ their copyrights while keeping 100% of their synch fees.

“Working with Ray and his team is great because it allows us to get our original songs out there on his national television shows, and it makes Ray happy that more of the money he pays for music actually ends up in the hands of the writers and artists who created it instead of with the middle men,” says Williams.

Now, there’s even more to celebrate as innovator Jason Rittenberry, CEO of IRG Sports + Entertainment, the parent company for the IHRA, enters the picture.

“Music plays such an important role in setting the tone of a TV show, and we want our new Nitro Jam show to feature original music that will draw the fans into our sport,” says Rittenberry. “This partnership is mutually beneficial for us and the Nashville songwriting community, giving us original music for our show and allowing the songwriters to benefit directly from their music being showcased in our show.”

Tune in to MAVTV in October to see the IHRA Nitro Jam Series featuring the original music of the SMB Community, and catch Ray, Amanda and Jason in person June 18-21st at the 3rd Annual Nashville Songwriting and Music Business Conference.

About Rio Vista Universal
Rio Vista Universal, based in Los Angeles and headed by James Ganiere, boasts a hefty resume with "Gear Heads" and "Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series" leading its production slate. Others include "Back from the Dead," "Reel Hollywood" and "Ultimate Garages." In addition, Rio Vista Universal also manages and develops talented writers including Kenneth Kemp who won Scriptapalooza for the pilot "Attache." For more information, visit www.RiovVistaUniversal.com

About IRG Sports + Entertainment
IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG) is a leading purveyor of sports and live entertainment experiences and is the privately-held parent company of International Raceway Group™ (IRG) and the International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA). IRG owns and operates Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR), Palm Beach Driving Club® (PBDC), Memphis International Raceway™ (MIR), and Southwestern International Raceway™ (SWIR). Owned and operated since January 2013 by IRG, IHRA is the second-largest drag racing and fourth-largest motorsports sanctioning body in the US. The 43-year-old organization manages two national touring series, the Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series™ and the Sonic Rush Tour™. With headquarters in Norwalk, Ohio, IHRA sanctions more than 110 motorsports facilities in the U.S. and Canada and has more than 12,000 racers of all skill levels as members. IRG’s subsidiaries now promote more than 800 motorsports, live entertainment and corporate events annually at its venues and series. IRG is also affiliated with the Miami Auto Museum at the Dezer Collection in Miami, the Palm Beach Grand Prix, Super Chevy Show Series, Fun Ford Weekend, and Mega Mopar Action Series. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.IRGSE.com

About MAVTV
Owned and operated by Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV is a television network with its roots deep in the automotive world. With an unparalleled line-up of motorsports events and exclusive automotive reality shows, MAVTV is the answer for motor-heads from all walks of life. But MAVTV is much more than a motorsports destination, with original action/adventure programming, live MMA and an unbelievable library of blockbuster movies, MAVTV is a network the whole family can enjoy. A network by the people and for the people, made in America and American Real. For more information, visit the Company’s site at www.MAVTV.com

About SMB Community
The Songwriting and Music Business Community is the educational outreach program of Hillbilly Culture LLC, enhanced music publishing company. Fostering sustainable careers in the new music business through the cultivation of entrepreneurship and leadership qualities in songwriters and music business professionals since 2010, the SMB is curated by second generation, Grammy nominated song-writer, Music Business and Legal Foundations Instructor at SAE Institute Nashville, Amanda Williams. For more information, visit www.songwritingandmusicbusiness.com

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