The intense dispute between Curb Records and Tim McGraw has reignited in a big way. Curb officials have filed a copyright lawsuit in District Court wherein they contend that the singer's latest album, released under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, was recorded while he was still under contract with them. The move comes seven months after a previous case that originated in Chancery Court concluded with the Tennessee Court of Appeals giving McGraw the right to record for a label other than Curb.

“Curb Records, the recording industry and other industries that rely on personal service contracts ... will suffer broad harm if McGraw and others can ignore the provisions of such agreements, selecting which provisions they may choose to follow and refusing to acknowledge others,” the suit, filed by Curb attorney Jay Bowen, states.

Fans of Nashville only have to wait another three weeks to get a hold of another batch of songs from the show's cast. The first soundtrack peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

BMG has named Kos Weaver, a veteran of the music publishing industry, as its executive vice president to oversee Nashville operations, effective March 15. 

Sarah Skates and MusicRow.com have the full story here.

Bigger Picture Group has renewed its distribution deal with Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corp. The five-year-old independent label is home to Chris Cagle, Craig Campbell and others. Jessica Nicholson and MusicRow.com have the story here.

Cassadee Pope, who last month was crowned winner of the TV show The Voice, has signed with the Republic Nashville label that's part of the Big Machine Label Group. Pope, who is migrating to a more country sound from her rock background, told The Hollywood Reporter she has a number of songs ready to record but isn't sure there's a single among them.

"Cassadee was a standout from day one and once she delivered her incredible version of Miranda Lambert’s “Over You,” I started working over my NY label partner Monte Lipman (CEO of Republic Records) to try to convince him that Cassadee belonged in Nashville,” said Big Machine Label Group President Scott Borchetta. “Each week Cassadee continued to knock down big Country songs by Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Faith Hill, and after she won we were THRILLED to find out that Cassadee was on the same page with us and wanted to come to Nashville."

Curb Records has said goodbye to Adrian Michaels, an employee of almost 10 years and its senior vice president of promotion. Michaels, who joined Curb from Asylum Records, will later this month start his new job as president of Topnotch Entertainment, which runs the career of singer/songwriter Whitney Wolanin.

UMG Nashville has promoted Dawn Gates to vice president, digital marketing. Before joining UMG, Gates (pictured) worked at Capitol Records Nashville as senior director, new media. Sarah Skates and MusicRow.com have the story here.