Blacktop Music - About us

Starting with a dream and an empty office, Blacktop Music Group, Inc., formed by multi-platinum recording artist Clint Black, legendary business manager Charles Sussman and veteran music publisher Mike Sebastian, opened its doors February 1st, 2001.

Since its conception, Blacktop Music Group, Inc. has become home to some of Nashville's finest hit writers including veterans, Michael Lunn, Rick Bowles, Larry Boone, Gary Loyd, Danny Green, Roger Brown, Rory Lee Feek, Rhean Boyer, Chuck Allen Floyd, Marty Dodson, Lonnie Wilson, Roxie Dean, Liz Hengber, and Thom McHugh. Heading the publishing company is Mike Sebastian formerly of MCA/Universal Music and most recently Vice President/General Manager of Reba McEntire's Starstruck Writers Group.

Mike Sebastian comments, "The amount of experience the whole team brings to the table is remarkable! With Clint's experience as a hit writer, artist and publisher, and Charles' business expertise, combined with some of the most talented writers in Nashville, this company is destined for success."

Since the first writer signings in April 2001, Blacktop Music Group, Inc. has had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Billy Gilman, Susan Ashton, Andy Griggs, Terri Clark, Patty Loveless, Diamond Rio, Buddy Jewel, Collin Raye, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Word Records artist Randy Travis and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as John Michael Montgomery, Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Blaine Larsen, the Van Zants and others. Blacktop Songs have been featured on Television shows such as "Touched By An Angel" and "Nashville Star." Blacktop Music Group's first hit single was Tracy Byrd's "The Truth About Men" followed by Billy Ray Cyrus' single "Always Sixteen." More recently released though, was the company's four-week number one smash recorded by Blake Shelton, "Some Beach." Since then, Blacktop has had success with Blaine Larsen's # 15 R&R debut single, "How Do You Get That Lonely," and currently at # 1 on the Billboard Country charts is Billy Currington's hit, "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right."

Committed to the quality of the songs and the talent of the writers, Blacktop Music Group, Inc. is now home to eight very diverse writers and writer artists. Mike Sebastian comments, "With the staff of writers we have, we can offer any type of song from the most contemporary to the most traditional but first and foremost, it's a great song." With the direction the company is headed, there's no doubt Blacktop Music Group, Inc. is well on the road to success.

Leaving his hometown of Jackson, Missouri in 1985, Mike came to Nashville to complete a Music Business degree at Belmont University. Upon graduation, he became the Professional Manager at New Clarion Music Group, a small independent publishing company.

Though a new company, Mike soon made his mark as a song plugger when he pitched "Country Club" to Travis Tritt. Not long after, Alan Jackson had "Midnight In Montgomery". From that point on Mike was responsible for recordings on Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels and others.

In 1992, Reba McEntire's Starstruck Writers Group offered Mike a position at their newly formed company as Creative Director. Responsible for pitching songs as well signing new talent, he signed Troy Martin and pitched the new song "She Can't Say I Didn't Cry" to Sony Records artist Rick Trevino. Continuing to develop new writers, he placed such songs as "It's Your Call" and "And Still" for Reba McEntire.

When MCA Music Publishing, offered Mike a position as Creative Director in 1994, he decided to take the opportunity to work at one of Nashville's most successful music publishing corporations. "The opportunity to see world wide publishing at it's best and to work with some of Nashville's greatest writers, was too appealing" comments Mike. "I saw it as a great place to learn more about publishing". Working with such writers as Gary Burr, Russell Smith and Byron Hill, Mike was soon getting songs recorded like "Can't Be Really Gone" by Tim McGraw, "I Try To Think About Elvis" by Patty Loveless and "Rebecca Lynn" by Bryan White. It was during this time that Gary Burr went on to become ASCAP's writer of the year.

In 1997, Starstruck Writers Group offered Mike the opportunity to return and run the publishing division. Upon his return, he signed producer/writer David Malloy, writer Byron Hill as well as re-signing Liz Hengber, Sunny Russ and Rick Bowles. It was during his tenure as Vice President, that Starstruck had ASCAP song of the year "No News" by Lonestar and written by Mark D. Sanders.

Upon the sale of Starstruck Writers Group in October of 2000, Mike started the new publishing company Blacktop Music Group, co-owned by artist Clint Black and legendary business manager, Charles Sussman. Begun in February of 2001, Blacktop Music Group is now home to 11 writers and has had recordings by numerous artists inlcuding Diamond Rio, Rascal Flatts, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington as well as # 1 singles "Some Beach" & "Must Be Doin'Somethin' Right" Blacktop Music Group, Inc., though a new company, is well on the road to success.

Kim Wiggins

Raised in Rocky Mount North Carolina, Kim became interested in country music at an early age while listening to artists such as Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette & George Jones coming from her parents radio.

Moving to Nashville in 1995, Kim became interested in the country music industry and took a job working with Tim Dubois, then President of Arista Records. In 1997 Kim became a part of the Arista Promotion Department where she worked with such artists as Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley & Phil Vassar.

Upon the merger of Arista with BMG in 1999, Kim was hired as Creative Manager at Acuff Rose Music where she worked with such writers as Dean Dillon, Skip Ewing, Whitey Shaffer, Casey Beathard, Kenny Chesney, Michael Heeney & many others. While serving as Creative Manager Kim was responsible for such hit recordings as "Brokenheartsville", "Red Ragtop" & "I Believe".

"I am very excited about Kim joining the Blacktop team as our new Creative Director" says Vice President & General Manager Mike Sebastian. "Kim is widely respected in the music industry as a great song person and along with her work experience she will be a huge asset to Blacktop Music Group."

Recently serving as Creative Director for Masville Music when not working, Kim enjoys reading, yard work and spending time with her two sons, Connor and Carson.

Kim can be reached at Blacktop Music Group, Inc: (615)-403-5305

Lindsay Gum

Born and raised in Bridgeport, West Virginia, Lindsay became a fan of music at an early age. She likes to tell the story that she was introduced to country music by default because her parents did not think MTV was appropriate for a kindergartener. CMT was the only other option, and she's been hooked ever since.

In December of 2004, Lindsay graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Business. After an internship at Cal IV Entertainment, where she worked with such writers as Dave Berg and Trent Tomlinson, Lindsay landed her current job at Blacktop Music Group in April 2005.

At Blacktop, Lindsay pitches songs, manages the song catalog, compiles and distributes quarterly sub-publisher packets, figures demo budget breakdowns, and performs song data entry, among many other responsibilities.

"I feel so blessed to have such great mentors in Mike Sebastian and Kim Wiggins," states Lindsay, "and to work daily with some of Nashville's greatest writers and greatest songs here at Blacktop."

"Lindsay Gum is a vital part of our team," says Mike Sebastian, Vice President and General Manger of Blacktop Music Group, Inc. "When she's not keeping us all organized, she's pitching songs. Lindsay's a consummate professional and a pleasure to work with."

When not working, Lindsay enjoys watching college and pro sports, especially the West Virginia Mountaineers, snowboarding, playing games, and spending time with family and friends.

Lindsay can be reached at Blacktop Music Group, Inc.:
lgum@blacktopmusicgroup.com or (615) 695-2587.