Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed a global deal with Clint Black to administer a majority of the songs from his catalog, including hits like “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Like the Rain,” "Summer's Comin'," “Nothin’ but the Taillights” and more.
Since his 1989 debut with Killin’ Time, the Grammy-winning Grand Ole Opry member has sold 20m+ records, garnered more than 22 #1 hits and over 30 Top 10 hits. He’s also earned multiple CMA, AMA and ACM Awards, including the 2023 ACM Honors Poet’s Award, as well as nearly two dozen U.S. and Canada gold and platinum awards.
“I have great respect for Rusty and the entire team at Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and I am excited to move forward on all things past, present and future,” said Black.
“Clint Black is without a doubt a country music icon, whose songs carved a unique path and propelled country into what it is today. We look forward to working with Clint and his team to extend his creative influence even further,” added SMPN CEO Rusty Gaston.
Earlier this year, Black embarked on his 2024 Killin’ Time – The 35th Anniversary World Tour, performing his triple-platinum album live from start to finish for the first time ever in concert.
Seen hoping this picture wouldn't land in our inbox are (l-r) Collective Artist Management’s Brinson Strickland; SMP’s Cam Caldwell, Tom Luteran and Aubrey Landon; Black; SMP’s Gaston and Dale Bobo; and UTA’s Cass Scripps.
Sony Music Nashville has promoted Lauren “LT” Thomas to SVP of promotion.
Previously VP of Columbia promo, Thomas will now oversee both RCA and Columbia imprints, reporting to EVP of promotion Steve Hodges.
“For the past nine years I have watched LT grow and develop into a strong team leader and industry power player,” said Hodges. “I’m very proud to see her rise with this well-deserved promotion to Senior Vice President as she continues to step up and help the overall Sony national representation while continuing to lead the Columbia team.”
Since joining SMN in 2009, Thomas has scored nearly 80 #1 records. Over the past two years, she led Columbia Nashville’s promo efforts with an all-female staff, achieving #1s with Old Dominion, Megan Moroney, Mitchell Tenpenny and multiple chart-toppers from Luke Combs. Most recently, Thomas and team landed Combs his 18th consecutive #1.
Thomas also contributed to SMN's success with Nate Smith, Corey Kent and Moroney hitting #1 on the country charts within five months. Prior to SMN, Thomas spent five years at KMLE-FM in Phoenix.
UTA has inked emerging country artist George Pippen for global representation in all areas.
This signing follows the release of his single, “Indiana Knows My Name,” which gained traction on TikTok with 395k views to date. It is the first track from his upcoming debut album, Growing Pains.
The album will feature Pippen’s country rock sound and gritty vocals, channeling his small-town roots and big-city dreams into anthemic lyrics and melodies that reflect his personal journey and experiences.
Pippen is managed by ALTAR MGMT’s Brent Shows and Emily Clark.
Seen blissfully unaware of our names are (l-r) UTA’s Scott Clayton, Shows, Pippen, Clark, UTA’s Elisa Vazzana and ALTAR MGMT’s Wells Williams.
On 6/12, two-time JUNO Award-winner and three-time CCMA Entertainer of the Year Dallas Smith made his Grand Ole Opry debut to a sold-out crowd. The rising country star performed songs from his 2023 self-titled album, which has garnered 520m+ global streams and more than 2m album equivalents.
Seen having a grand ole time are (l-r) front row: Big Loud Management’s Jessica Hood; Big Loud Records’ Lucy Bartozzi, Cayleigh Shepherd and Liam O'Brien; back row: Big Loud Management’s Lloyd Aur Norman; Travis Switzer (bass), Chad Murphy (guitar); Smith; Kristen Smith; UTA’s Nick Meinema; Big Loud Records’ Brianne Deslippe; tour manager Christopher Montgomery; and Big Loud Records’ Justin Clark.
Photo credit: Jessica Hood
Big Loud/Mercury/Republic’s Morgan Wallen has donated $100,000 through his Morgan Wallen Foundation to the community of Jefferson City to revitalize two local baseball fields.
With $80,000 going toward Roy Harmon Field via the City Parks Department and $20,000 toward New Market Field via Jefferson City Little League, the renovations include new infields, bases, dug outs, press boxes, backstop padding, fencing and more.
The donation reflects the impact Jefferson City left on Wallen, who grew up near the city he references in his 4x platinum, #1 hit “Thought You Should Know.”
"Local little league is a pillar of the community - it creates a foundation for families to come together and enjoy an American pastime while teaching our youth skills that go beyond baseball,” said Robbie Britt, Jefferson City Little League President. “We'd like to thank Morgan Wallen Foundation for all of their support.”
“Investing in people is one of the greatest priorities of City government, and this partnership with the Morgan Wallen Foundation has provided Jefferson City with a very bright future. On behalf of the citizens of Jefferson City, we thank the Morgan Wallen Foundation for partnering with us. Their investment in our community and in our kids is making a positive difference,” added Mitch Cain, Mayor of Jefferson City.
Wallen is currently on his One Night at a Time World Tour. Having sold more than 2.4m tickets, the country star also donates a portion of every ticket sold to MWF.
Photo Courtesy of Jefferson City Little League
Big Machine Music, a subsidiary of HYBE America, has inked Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Jon Hume to an exclusive co-publishing agreement.
Hailing from Australia, the now Nashville-based Hume has co-written and produced Dean Lewis’ “Be Alright,” “Half a Man” and the 2024 ASCAP Pop award-winning song single “How Do I Say Goodbye,” as well as penned for Sofi Tukker, Bebe Rexha, JP Cooper, NEEDTOBREATHE, Calum Scott and forthcoming songs with David Kushner and Bishop Briggs.
Hume’s also snagged syncs such as the theme song “Don’t Forget” for Welcome to Wrexham and The Croods, plus placements with Apple, BMW and Smartwater. Most recently, he served as a producer for ABC’s American Idol, including the latest Season 22 winner, Abi Carter.
“With over 8 billion streams worldwide as a songwriter, Jon is a global presence who can seamlessly cross genres and deliver syncs for some of the biggest programs and brands,” said BMM’s President, Mike Molinar. “We are honored and privileged to welcome him to the Big Machine Music family!”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Big Machine Music,” added Hume. “Mike Molinar, Alex Heddle, Hannah Babitt and the team have unbridled energy and creativity and the roster they have assembled speaks for itself.”
Seen above wondering how many machines it would take to make us obsolete are (l-r) Molinar, BABZ Founder/CEO & BMM consultant Babitt, Hume, New Tribe Management’s Kit Hume and BMM’s SVP of publishing Heddle.
The CMA Fest kicked off Thursday (6/6) in Nashville, where WMN braved the scorching Tennessee temps for its Heatwave House event at Barstool Nashville.
Attendees were treated to performances by William Beckahm, Matt Schuster, The Castellows, Braxton Keith, Chase Matthew, Dasha, Cole Swindell, Tyler Braden and Drew Parker.
No party would be complete without the team who made it happen. WMN Co-President/Co-Chair Cris Lacy and Warner Records VP, A&R Kelly Bolton were among the many on deck to celebrate day one of the annual music extravaganza. While we, of course, were barred from the premises, we did get our grimy little hands on a photo or two.
Pictured above, standing, are (l-r) Dasha Management’s Alex Lund, WMN SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics Victoria Mason, WMN VP Artist Development Jamie Younger, WMN VP Radio Anna Cage, Bolton, WMN SVP Radio & Commercial Partnerships Kristen Williams, WMN Director of Radio Accounts James Marsh, WMN VP Radio Accounts Tom Martens, Warner SVP Streaming Strategy Axel Hyge and Warner’s Director Media & Strategic Development Connor Hunt.
Kneeling: Lacy, Warner’s VP Adult Formats & Analytic Jeremy Rubin, Dasha, Warner’s VP Streaming & Revenue Ben Farber and Dasha Management’s Katy Cooper.
Whew, now we need a cold drink.
The UMG Nashville Takeover at Skydeck on Broadway has added Carter Faith and Tucker Wetmore to its star-studded lineup.
The newly signed UMGN acts will join previously announced artists like Anne Wilson, Caylee Hammack, Dalton Dover, Josh Ross, Josh Turner, Kassi Ashton, Kylie Morgan, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty, Tyler Hubbard, Vincent Mason and more from 6/6-9 for the label’s second annual takeover during CMA Fest week.
Additionally, two exclusive listening events have also been added to the week’s program, allowing fans to enjoy a preview of the full forthcoming album from George Strait, Cowboys and Dreamers, as well as an advance listening of six songs from Johnny Cash’s new album, Songwriter.
Rising acts Dillon James, Timothy Wayne, Belle Frantz, Owen Riegling and Colt Graves are also set to perform as part of a new artist showcase, presented by Whiskey Jam.
The UMG Nashville Takeover is free to the public, open to all ages and is ADA accessible. Fans can RSVP and peep the full schedule here. And for those who can’t join the festivities, a livestream will be available Thursday through Saturday via Twitch.
