WHEELS & DEALS: I AM McLOVIN

Welcome back to those of you who are still around. Rather than start the new year with yet another resolution, we’ve come up with a new rule for use on the golf links in the ’08. And since Superbad was our favorite movie last year, we decided to reference something from it that would stand out. So for all of the weekly hackers out there, we need your help to spread the word and follow suit. So here it is—rather than yell “FORE!” to warn a group of golfers about the stray ball you or your buddy just hit (and we know you hit a lot of them), our new rule is to yell “McLOVIN!” Learn it. Say it. Live it!... Speaking of McLovin, we hear hotshot A&R player Kevin Law has just signed a deal for his new label venture Cause for Alarm with label prexy Tom Whalley at Warner Bros. Records. Law was previously at Universal as SVP A&R, where he signed hip-hop star Nelly. Law also works in an executive position for the entertainment arm at hedge fund company Tudor Investment Corp.… Meanwhile, after selling 25 million-plus Nickelback albums worldwide, expect Roadrunner senior A&R player Ron “Yes, I’m the guy who signed Nickelback” Burman to re-up with the label. Word on the street is that several other labels wanted Ronnie B. to play on their team, but he decided to stay put… SIGN OF THE TIMES: One of the hotly pursued acts at the tail-end of last year was Gaslight Anthem. The Noo Joizey-based group had numerous majors after them, but word on the street was that the band felt they had a better chance of longevity in their career than any of the major labels or their employed executives who were chasing them. Consequently, the band decided to sign with indie SideOneDummy. Kudos to Bill and Joe for maintaining artist development and for running a label brand that obviously has the respect of fans and new artists alike… A&R PLAY FOR EMI: As we went to press, EMI announced its restructuring plans for the music group worldwide. Based on the recent news reports as well as info we received from inside sources at the label, the Guy Hands-led music group is not making too many changes in A&R. In addition, the company will focus more on developing new talent and beefing up its talent acquisition resources. Additionally, the L.A. Times reports that the label will eliminate the large advances that are customarily paid to proven artists and will instead pay retroactive compensation based on how well a record sells. We’ll keep you posted on any immediate A&R changes at EMI as it unfolds… BUZZIN’: Jazz Summers, Hawthorne Heights, David Wolter and Tim Clark… Hit me up: [email protected].