BMLG has tapped Jess Montero as senior HR manager.
Bringing years of HR experience, Montero joins the team from Lynn HR Consulting where she served as vp of HR operations.
In her new role, Montero will report to Andrew Kautz and will work closely with the label group's leadership team and HYBE HR.
“Jess brings a great wealth of knowledge and strategy to Big Machine Label Group,” said BMLG CEO/Chairman Scott Borchetta. “We are only as good as our people and her focus to help build a stronger team and seek out the best talent is critical to our growth.”
“My love for music brought me to Nashville, so having a seat at the Big Machine Label Group table is really a full circle moment for me,” shared Miami native and Trevecca Nazarene University alum Montero.
Montero says everything we do is inappropriate so she’s definitely legit.
Over the weekend, Warner Music Nashville's Randall King brought KingFest to the Nashville Palace. The two-day branded mini festival featured support from the likes of Tyler Booth, Braxton Keith, Drake Milligan and Jon Stork. Seen before stage diving with platters of Nashville’s finest hot chicken in hand are (l-r) WMN VP Creative Director Mike Dupree, SVP of Commercial Partnerships Tim Foisset, King, WMN Co-Chair/Co-President Ben Kline, SVP of Legal & Business Affairs Patrick Sabatini, VP of Artist Development Anna Pittman and EVP of Artist Development Shane Tarleton.
BMLG’s Chris Janson hit the Ryman Auditorium for a good cause on 8/16, headlining Concert for Cumberland Heights, the annual fundraiser supporting Cumberland Heights’ John Hiatt Fund. The concert has raised more than $3.5m since launching in 1996. Seen before jumping on the mic for a group rendition of “Buy Me a Boat” are (l-r) BMLG Records’ Ryan Dokke, iHeartMedia’s Wayne D and Gator Harrison, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Janson, Cumulus Media’s Charlie Cook, BMLG Records’ Andrew Thoen and Sam Featherstone.
A bevy of artists and industry folks were in attendance for UTA’s Whiskey Jam Takeover on 8/14, which was one of the largest gatherings at the Nashville hotspot. Seen above, the UTA team jumped in for this illustrious photo-op with the night’s performers. Pictured just before compiling a list of their favorite late-night hot chicken spots are (l-r, front row) Jeffrey Hasson, Sydney Bryant, Alana Springsteen, Graham Barham, Megan Moroney, Kidd G, Tyler Hubbard, Matt Stell, Logan Crosby, Zach Hartley, Elisa Vazzana, Brandi Brammer and Kat Luna.
BMLG has upped Brooke Nixon to director, streaming. Nixon most recently served as the Southeast director of promotion & marketing for the label group’s The Valory Music Co. imprint.
Additionally, imprint has tapped Chris Waters to succeed Nixon.
“It’s an honor to work with Brooke Nixon and see her growth over the years and I’m excited for her next chapter as she steps into the streaming world,” said Valory Music Co.’s President, George Briner. “We’re also fortunate to have a veteran promo assassin like Chris Waters jump right in so we do not miss a step in delivering the hits to Country radio.”
Nixon joined BMLG in 2015 before moving to The Valory Music Co. imprint in 2016. During her seven-year tenure, Nixon has been key in 25 BMLG #1 hits, including 14 of Thomas Rhett’s 20 career chart-toppers.
“The opportunity to grow and learn in this new role has my excitement at an all-time high,” shared Nixon. “Thank you to Scott Borchetta, George Briner and The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine Label Group teams for your continued confidence and support.”
Waters joins the imprint from Pearl Records, where he worked as director of promotions. He also previously spent time at Show Dog Nashville, Warner Music Group, Sony Music and Cumulus Nashville WSM Radio.
“I’m beyond excited and grateful to be part of this team and amplify the The Valory Music Co. roster,” added Waters.
On Friday (8/11), Hailey Whitters was surprised on stage by Dan + Shay with her first-ever RIAA platinum plaque for her breakout single, “Everything She Ain't.”
Whitters was supporting the duo in Doswell, Va. when they came out mid-set to present her with plaque. The RIAA certification arrives on the heels of the ACM New Female Artist of the Year’s latest EP, I’m in Love, on 7/28, which she co-produced with Jake Gear.
Earlier this year, the Make Wake/Range-managed artist wrapped her headlining tour in support of her 2022 album Raised and supported Shania Twain on her Queen of Me Tour as well as performed tour dates with Dierks Bentley.
Currently in the midst of a festival-packed summer with performances to come at Country Thunder, Bourbon & Beyond andPilgrimage Music Festival, Whitters is also gearing up to hit the road in September with Eric Church, followed by a run of dates supporting Luke Bryan.
Seen just before drenching the crowd with 128 gallons of Gatorade are (l-r) are Shay Mooney, Whitters and Dan Smyers.
Photo credit: Aubrey Wise
Daughtry has inked a deal with Big Machine Records. The group’s next single and first for the label, ”Artificial,” will land on Friday (8/11). The announcement arrives just ahead of the group’s Bare Bones Tour, which kicks off Wednesday (8/9) with support from Ayron Jones.
“Chris Daughtry is one of the best voices in rock music, hands down," Big Machine Label Group Chairman/CEO Scott Borchetta said. “He is attacking this season of life full-on with a renewed fire and intensity to everything he touches.”
Chris Daughtry was as equally enthusiastic, adding he’s grateful to “have a team behind [him] that fully believes and supports [his] vision.”
Daughtry released their chart-topping debut album, Daughtry, in November 2006, which has been certified 6x-platinum. Five albums followed, including 2021’s Dearly Beloved, the follow-up to 2018's Cage To Rattle.
Pictured praying the HITS moochers won't come anywhere near the Big Machine offices are (l-r, back row) Hard 8 Working Group's Jon Linton, BMLG's Mike Rittberg and Hard 8 Working Group's Aimee Beren; (l-r, front row) BMLG's Heather Luke, Chris Daughtry and Borchetta.
On 8/1, Warner Music Nashville celebrated Charlie Worsham with an advance listen of his new music. Joined by WMN Co-Chair/Co-President Cris Lacy, producer Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three) and industry guests, Worsham shared five songs—each featuring a notable collaborator—from his project, which is due later this year. Seen hoping this photo wouldn’t land in our inbox are (l-r): WMN’s SVP of Commercial Partnerships Tim Foisset, EVP of Artist Development Shane Tarleton, Co-Chair/Co-President Lacy, Charlie Worsham, WMN’s VP of Artist Development Jamie Younger and Co-Chair/Co-President Ben Kline.
Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
