R&B/hip-hop titan Timbaland is taking his talents to UMG Nashville as part of a new deal for his independent label, Mosley Music. The companies are said to be "actively exploring rising talent and new discoveries."
A recent Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Timbaland has previously blended rap and country sensibilities in his work with such artists as Bubba Sparxxx, For King + Country and Brad Paisley. He says of UMG Nashville, "I love their mission of taking chances on special artists to meet culture."
Adds UMGN Chair/CEO Cindy Mabe, "Over the past year, we have been working with Timbaland on the shared goal of developing great artists together as well as bridging the gaps in sound and culture in country music. I am so happy to finally announce our collaboration with Mosley Music."
Timbaland, Busta Rhymes and Ciara are currently on the road opening for Missy Elliott's first proper headlining tour, which rolls into Newark, New Jersey tonight (Aug. 9).
We're undecided how much freak we will be getting on, but clearly feeling supa dupa fly above are (front row) Mabe, Timbaland and UMGN's Charlene Bryant, (middle row) Mosley Music Group's Gary Marella, Bluestone Publishing's Eric Spence, UMGN's Mike Harris and (back row) UMGN's Lori Christian, Rob Femia and Chelsea Blythe.
Spotify has crowed 2024 as the Year of the Cowgirl. To celebrate, the DSP took over L.A.’s Desert 5 Spot on 8/7, bringing the country craze to life with a DJ set from Brandi Cyrus and special performances from Carly Pearce and Carter Faith.
The event coincides with the launch of a dedicated destination featuring a selection of country content. The hub includes playlists such as Hot Country and Line Dancing Country, podcasts like God's Country and audiobook recommendations.
With over 222,000 user-generated “cowgirl” playlists and a more than 100% increase in streams for Spotify’s “coastal cowgirl” and “neon cowgirl” playlists, the cowgirl aesthetic is riding high this year. The trend has even made its mark on Spotify’s Daylist, with “country love songs coastal cowgirl” emerging as the most popular Daylist title among U.S. listeners.
Dive into the Year of the Cowgirl hub here.
Photo credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images
BMG has tapped Jenn Dobbins as SVP, rights & royalties.
Based in the company’s U.S. copyright & royalties hub in Nashville, Dobbins will be responsible for copyright and recorded music administration. She reports directly to Eric Scott, EVP, rights administration and royalty services.
Prior to joining BMG, the Canada native—who spent the past 18 years working in royalty departments in Toronto and Nashville—led asset operations for online music royalties trading platform JKBX (Jukebox) and was Director of Royalties at Exactuals.
Dobbins began her career in copyright & licensing before moving into royalties at Sony Music Entertainment. In 2015, she joined BMLG before departing in 2021 as director of royalty accounting and income analysis.
“Jenn’s extensive expertise, deep knowledge, and proven experience in managing complex rights and royalties will not only streamline our operations but also set a new standard of excellence in how we support and empower artists and stakeholders in an ever-evolving landscape,” said Scott.
Photo Credit: Kevin Grace
Teen singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Haven Madison has signed with UTA for global booking representation. The deal follows the release of her Turn Off All the Lights label debut (19/BMG) and run as a Top 8 finalist on Season 21 of ABC's American Idol. During her time on the show, Katy Perry crowned Madison "the next big pop star."
More recently, she performed in Nashville at 107.5 The River’s “River on the Rooftop” series opening for Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll. Her Twitter (X) bio reads: "I write songs, sing a lot, love sushi, living for Jesus, American Idol top 8 finalist, cool but cry a lot."
We get it. We cry a lot, too.
Sony Music Nashville and Columbia Records presented country chanteuse Megan Moroney with two plaques celebrating the RIAA platinum certification for “I’m Not Pretty” from her newly gold-certified album, Lucky. Both plaques were presented at her Nissan Stadium show in Nashville on Saturday night (8/3).
Lucky was released in May 2023 and anchored by four singles: "I'm Not Pretty," Tennessee Orange," "Girl in the Mirror" and the title track. The album reached the Top 40 and Moroney's star power has been on the rise ever since. Ours, meanwhile, faded a long time ago. Pictured thanking the universe HITS was nowhere in her stratosphere is Moroney with her new hardware.
The Academy of Country Music recently welcomed RECORDS Nashville newcomer George Birge to the Academy’s headquarters in Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood, where he mingled with ACM staff and performed songs from his Cowboy Songs EP.
The intimate performance included the project's title track as well as Birge's first country radio #1, “Mind On You,” from the Academy's Red Barrel Lounge Stage. The performance is available for fans to watch now on the official ACM YouTube channel.
Pictured with their minds definitely not on us are (l-r) ACM EVP/CBO Gil Beverly, Birge, ACM CEO Damon Whiteside and ACM Director, Industry Relations & Awards Haley Montgomery.
Sony Music Nashville (SMN) celebrated Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Brooks & Dunn’s illustrious career on Wednesday (7/31) with a plaque commemorating 16 new single RIAA sales certifications and four new album certifications. The duo carved out some time to post up at the SMN offices as they continue working on their follow-up to 2019's Reboot.
Pictured wishing we'd get the boot are (l-r): Maverick's Clarence Spaulding, SMN SVP, A&R Taylor Lindsey, SMN EVP/COO Ken Robold, SMN Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Maverick's Marne McLyman, SMN SVP, Marketing Jen Way and SMN EVP, Promotion Steve Hodges.
Burgeoning singer-songwriter Drew Green has been signed to RECORDS Nashville, the boutique outpost of industry veteran Barry Weiss’ label, RECORDS. The signing follows the release of Green's viral hit, “Lotta Bit Of You,” which already has more than 25m streams and over 25m views on TikTok.
The announcement coincides with the release of Green’s first RECORDS Nashville single, “Town Drunk,” currently available on all digital platforms. His next release, “Colorado," will feature HARDY and will lead into an album release in early fall.
“Green writes from the heart and his songs have truly resonated with fans and artists alike," Weiss said. "We are excited to work together to further expand his career and songwriting canon and to deliver wonderful new music for fans to enjoy.”
Green initially gained traction as a songwriter before catching the artist spotlight with his 2020 tracks, "Little More Be Alright' and "She Got That." Both cuts appeared on his debut EP, Dirt Boy Vol. 1. His 2021 follow-up, Dirt Boy Vol. 2, included the streaming hit "Hooch" which has since racked up more than 15m Spotify streams. Green followed up with the gold-certified "Good Ol' Man" as he's continued writing, recording and touring.
Pictured wishing anybody but HITS was making this announcement are (l-r) 5eightysix Management's Scott Mason Thomas, Weiss, Green, RECORDS EVP A&R Joe Fisher and Columbia Records SVP, A&R Ben Maddahi.
