Quantcast

WHEELS & DEALS:
OF SUPERPRODUCERS AND SUPERSTARS

John Shanks Is As Large As He Wants to Be, While We Remain Invisible to the Naked Eye
By Rodel Delfin

HE AIN'T SMOKIN', HE'S ON FIRE: If you produced the #1 album in the country and the #1 single at radio in the same month, you would probably get some props in this pathetic excuse for a trade rag. But you haven't, so no ink for you. Unless, of course, you paid us. We sure miss those Fed Ex envelopes. However, one guy who didn't have to peel the greens for this mention is mega-producer and now TV star John Shanks. Wth Ashlee Simpson’s Autobiography having hit #1 on the Top 50 Albums chart for several weeks and her track “Pieces of Me” currently #1 on the CHR/Pop Top 50 chart, the Tim McDaniel-repped studio whiz maintains his juice as one of the top producers in the biz. But wait, there's more. Shanks has produced six singles by five different artist currently on the charts—Sheryl Crow's "Light In Your Eyes," Ashlee's "Pieces of Me," Alanis Morissette's "Everything," Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" and Hilary Duff's "Fly." Shanks' next project is a new record by Robbie Robertson... More talk on the Taking Back Sunday/Victory Records deal. Two majors are reportedly in the mix to sign the act, which includes a buyout for the band's third-album commitment to Victory. The deal is rumored to be hovering around $5 million. Will this deal close, or might the labels involved lose patience and decide to walk?... Lots of chatter in A&R circles regarding Fueled By Ramen act The Academy Is... The band is committed to record two albums for the indie. As you may recall, FBR recently made an arrangement with Warner Music Group for distribution. Naturally, any of the WMG labels would say they are best suited to upstream the band if the group’s record takes off. However, is a buyout of the band’s commitment to FBR a possibility if another label suitor wanted to make the play? Would FBR even be open to such an arrangement? The indie has made arrangements with majors in the past, as in the case of Fallout Boy with Island Def Jam. We'll keep you posted... The Scott Bradford-repped April Sixth is out of their Elektra deal and signs with Tim Devine and Jon Pikus at Columbia Records... Meanwhile, don’t think that publishing house Warner/Chappell has not been in the mix. The pubco has entered into new long-term agreements with writer/producers John Shanks and Brian Michael Cox, who has recently worked with Usher, Monica and Jagged Edge. In addition, deals have been concluded with Lava act Antigone Rising and urban artists Ciara and Fat Joe, who, along with Terror Squad, is blazing on the Urban charts. And keep your ears open for the WC-signed Latin Bangers, who have signed with WEA LatinoBUZZIN’: Emily Hudson, Sleepwell, Flaw, J. Wells and Minus... Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS:

LOONER

Fri., Aug. 27, 5:00 p.m., Greek Theatre (L.A.)

THE BRAVERY

Sat., Aug. 28, (time TBD), Mercury Lounge (N.Y.)

WILL DAILEY

Thurs., Sept. 2, 10 p.m., Arlene's Grocery (N.Y.)

NEAR TRUTHS: KINGDOMS
File under: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. (3/26a)
ONE SHINING HITS LIST
She shoots, she scores! (3/26a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/27a)
BEST IN THE WEST:
STEVE BERMAN
High time for another Eminem skit (3/26a)
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)