ASHLEY HERTZOG EMBRY

Like the soulful singers she adores, Ashley has a smooth touch she uses to keep a deal flowing from solicitation to closing. Our EVP of Creative and Acquisitions began her publishing career at Combustion Music and My Good Girl Music, before joining Hearts Bluff in 2013. She has a mind for details, a heart for ’90s country, and an old soul that swoons over everything Dean Martin to Motown. When she’s not “running Nashville” (as her husband likes to say), you’ll find Ashley writing, reading, doing yoga, or spending time with her family.

FAVORITE LYRIC FROM THE CATALOG:

Go On Without Me (Natalie Hemby / Ross Copperman / Brett Eldredge)

I hope that it’s my love that makes you feel
That you can get back on your feet, yeah, I swear you will
Oh, you got so much of this life left to live
…
I don’t want you to cry over my memory
So go on without me

I met my husband a month after my Papa passed away, and we fell in love to the soundtrack of Brett Eldredge’s Bring You Back album throughout the summer of 2013. When we got married the following year, the last track on the album carved out an even deeper place in my heart. For what would have been the father/daughter dance at my wedding, my brother and I danced to “Go On Without Me” instead, while a slideshow of photos with my dad played on the screen.

KAREN HICKS LAWRENCE

Her dad was a rocket scientist! No kidding. Karen is really, really smart. You gotta be extra smart and organized to make sense of piles of publishing statements across multiple catalogs. Her company, Beech Street Music, helps us assimilate, and keep track of all the massive amount of data involved in our catalog transactions.

FAVORITE LYRIC FROM THE CATALOG:

If You’re Going Through Hell (Sam & Annie Tate, Dave Berg)

If you’re going through Hell, keep on going
Don’t slow down, if you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there

This song was part of the soundtrack for a time in my life when I was struggling. Turns out that it was one of the most important times of growth I have known so far, so I remember the song very fondly.

NoAH PARKER

A recurring intern from Nashville, Noah graduated from TCU (Texas Christian University) with a degree in journalism before eventually becoming Director of Royalty Analysis at Heart’s Bluff, handling front-end valuation analysis. A self-described “music fanatic”, Noah is a drummer, singer, guitarist, and a rabid fan of the Grateful Dead. You’re most likely to find him roaming the lot at a jam-band concert, or watching Titans football on a fall weekend.

FAVORITE SONG FROM THE CATALOG:

Green Earrings – Steely Dan (Walter Becker & Donald Fagen)

If you’re going through Hell, keep on going
Don’t slow down, if you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there

I’ve always loved Steely Dan, but getting to do a deep dive during this deal gave me a new appreciation for some of the funkier deep cuts. The bridge guitar solo from “Green Earrings” makes my soul shake with overwhelming joy.

RICHARD ROSE

You don’t find many attorneys who can balance expertise, competence, and wisdom. His law firm, Copyright Cafe, has a long history of providing counsel to companies like ours. He advises us in complex due diligence, contracts, trademark and IP.

His 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry includes working as a studio recording engineer, consulting with the Library of Congress, and of course, founding his own practice in 2002.

MACHAELA NESLER

A Nashville native, Machaela grew up in and around music publishing, falling in love with the world of songs alongside her father, Mark Nesler, an accomplished songwriter. As the Executive Assistant, she brings creativity and organization to the company’s endeavors, pulling from her experience in other facets of the industry such as artist, touring and catalog management. Outside of the office, Machaela is writing and playing her own music, walking a nature trail, or jammin’ out on a drive around town.

FAVORITE LYRIC FROM THE CATALOG:
Rainbow (Natalie Hemby / Shane McAnally / Kacey Musgraves)

If you could see what I see
You’d be blinded by the colors
Yellow, red, and orange, and green
And at least a million others
So tie up the boat, take off your coat
And take a look around
‘Cause the sky has finally opened
The rain and wind stopped blowin’
…
Darlin’, I’m just tryin’ to tell ya
That there’s always been a rainbow
Hangin’ over your head

What a word.