NEAR TRUTHS: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

PINK PONY CLUBHOUSE: Much chatter surrounds the question of who might be tapped as Chappell Roan’s new manager. The Island star, who was nominated in every Big 4 Grammy category and is the odds-on favorite for BNA, parted ways with longtime rep Nick Bobetsky earlier this year. A name that keeps popping up amid the Roan-related speculation is that of longtime mogul-macher Guy Oseary, whose starry roster includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna. Insiders say she’s likely to do the unexpected. In the meantime, Roan and her music team are finishing up “The Giver,” the brilliant queer country song she performed on SNL, which looks likely to be her next single.

MAX-IMIZING VALUE: There’s considerable interest among several major players in partnering with Max Lousada on a new venture. But the former WMG head of recorded music has been shopping his deal with a former colleague about whom there is scant enthusiasm among potential JV partners. The word “toxic” has surfaced in more than one conversation regarding this exec’s label tenure.

Lousada made a princely sum on Warner stock—north of $100m, according to SEC filings. He’s said to believe he needs a person in the U.S., given that he is apparently committed to remaining in the U.K. and living a European lifestyle (which includes a home in Ibiza). That’s understandable, given the political and social climate in Trump Land.

DISTAFF DECISIONS: Both Music City and the larger biz are said to be highly pleased with the anointing of Taylor Lindsey to succeed Randy Goodman as Sony Music Nashville boss at the top of next year. The well-regarded Lindsey, who’ll be assisted by SMN veteran Ken Robold as president/COO, came up in A&R and is considered something of an artist whisperer. It’s noteworthy, too, that in Nashville, historically the quintessential old boys’ club, her ascendance means that the country divisions of all three majors will be led by women. This is a particularly interesting development on the heels of the election—we expect music will continue to play a role in promoting various kinds of equality, however incrementally, in the face of the extreme political circus that’s about to bring its corrosive act to town.

As for Goodman, he goes out on top after success with the likes of Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Megan Moroney, Nate Smith and many other hit acts. Goodman’s 35-year career included a 16-year tenure at RCA, where he worked with everyone from Dolly Parton and Kenny Chesney to the Dave Matthews Band and Wu-Tang Clan.

BIG ASS TICKET SALES: Speaking of country, it’s clear that the genre is reaching a new peak in the live sector. Is it becoming the new rock? Morgan Wallen (newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year) and Luke Combs recently concluded huge, sold-out stadium tours, Zach Bryan (WME) has sold out three Met Life stadiums and Post Malone will be joined by Jelly Roll for the newly announced, Live Nation-promoted BIG ASS Tour stadium trek. With Wallen and Bryan in particular, furthermore, country music is seeing a newfound ex-U.S. exportability. Who will be the next genre star to level up?