NOISEMAKERS:
THE 2023 KICKOFF
In our first Noisemakers roundup of 2023, we present eight more rising professionals from different parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.
That said, a shout-out from this rag and $21.99 still only gets them a CBD-infused latte at Erewhon.
Amanda Zimmerman
Manager, Publicity, RCA
When it comes to career highlights, Zimmerman is proud to have seen RCA’s Latto earn two Grammy noms this year, including for BNA, as well as Lucky Daye’s 2021 Best Progressive R&B Album win for Table for Two. She’s presently excited about projects like Wizkid’s fifth studio album, More Love, Less Ego, and new music and tours by RCA acts Flo Milli, Tems, Chris Brown, Nardo Wick, Young Nudy, NAO, TOBi and Isabel LaRosa. Having taken dance classes for eight years, Zimmerman says she still can’t dance. Wait until she sees our moves.
Chris Martignago
Senior A&R, Prescription Songs
Martignago went from covering A Day to Remember songs to helping A&R the band’s latest album, which includes “Rescue Me” w/Marshmello and “Everything We Need,” its first Rock #1. He also supports writer-producer JT Daly (Demi Lovato, Tai Verdes) and recently inked, in partnership with writer-producer Tyler Johnson (Harry Styles, Sam Smith), writer-producer Nick Lobel to his roster, which also includes Raziel Dominique Sanders and Puru Dogra. During the lockdown Martignago launched a Twitch channel, proceeds from which go to charity. We slept.
Jen Danielson
Senior Director, Streaming, Warner Music Nashville
For Danielson, nothing tops presenting Alan Jackson with a plaque commemorating 5 billion streams on Pandora―during a show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, no less. Among other endeavors, she’s now helping guide Bailey Zimmerman’s rocket ship of a career. His EP Leave the Light On became the most-streamed country debut project ever and yielded two platinum singles, “A Rock and a Hard Place” and “Fall in Love,” the fastest-rising debut track at Country radio in five years. In other news, Danielson’s a proud Appalachian State alum. We have no pride.
Steven Lundy
EVP, Business Development, Terrapin Station Entertainment
Lundy once celebrated a game-winning field goal at a Cowboys/Chargers game in the owner’s suite with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Magic Johnson, MMA fighter Conor McGregor, Post Malone and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. More recently he’s put together events like Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks’ 4/8 show at the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. He’s also involved in bringing the Bob Marley One Love Experience to L.A. for its 1/27 U.S. debut. In high school, Lundy’s band once rehearsed in front of Chris Martin. We were band geeks.
Sasha Burns
VP of Operations, 740 Project/Blac Noize!
Chicago native Burns worked in radio, marketing and more before taking up operations at 740 Project. She particularly enjoyed running digital marketing for Andra Day during the artist’s award-season run, which saw Day nab a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Burns is also proud to have four RIAA plaques, including for Blxst’s “Overrated” and “Chosen.” Today she’s focused on advancing Hitkidd & GloRilla’s Grammy-nominated “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and Hitkidd’s viral Tik Tok song “Shabooya.” Burns is a self-described dancer extraordinaire. Our moves are limited to the sprinkler.
Weston McGowen
Director of Commerce, Lowly
Not everyone can say they’ve been crawfishing with Roger Daltrey, but McGowen can. He currently leads global commercial strategy and DSP relations for a roster that includes Greyson Chance, NGHTMRE and Arrested Youth, in addition to developing commercial partnerships for The Nations music-broadcast network of 60m+ subscribers. He kicked off 2023 with a Lowly “label takeover” of BBC Radio 1 and is now working on curator partnerships to strengthen the company’s global footprint. McGowen’s a big fish-and-chips fan. We just like fishing for compliments.
Scout Easley
Director of A&R, Sony Music Publishing
Over the years, Easley has enjoyed signing and working with promising up-and-comers like PinkPantheress—inked with SMP U.K. Head of A&R Sarah Lockhart—Remi Wolf and Keshi, all of whom are currently in album mode, as well as Chappell Roan, whose 2023 debut Naked in North America Tour is nearly sold out. She’s also dialed into emerging writers and producers like Elie Rizk,Marinelli, Salem Ilese, Sophie Cates and Julian Cruz. Easley says she sneezes when she sees the sun. Most people gag at the sight of us.
Alex McGinnis
Project Manager, ONErpm
Having spent nearly a decade in booking and artist management, McGinnis joined ONErpm in 2021 and has since helped pave the way for releases like Yelawolf & Shooter Jennings’ Sometimes Y and Chelsea Grin’s double LP Suffer in Hell/Suffer in Heaven and material by Struggle Jennings, including his #1 hip-hop hit “God We Need You Now.” Next up: Struggle’s album Monte Carlo. A self-described “metalhead,” McGinnis is also a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan. Another forthcoming project will see “Fly, Eagles Fly” turned into a country song. Go Birds!
