THIS TOP-SECRET WEEKEND GALLERY WAS ACCIDENTALLY SHARED ON A SIGNAL CHAT
You know how it is: You're vibing with your bros, texting anti-woke jokes 'n' shit, and suddenly you find you've shared top-secret war plans with a civilian. Dude! Major party foul. Anyhoo, it's all good, right? Let's just chillax with some brews and maybe some Jell-O shots and dig on some, like, wicked biz pics, yah?
The brilliant songwriter-producer Dan Nigro, who just struck a deal with UMG for his Amusement Records imprint, is seen here in 2022 with his triumphant collaborator Olivia Rodrigo, with whom he shared the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy. Later, the two enjoyed a refreshing dip in a wading pool filled with cash. (David Becker/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
This photo finds team Big Loud hailing its deal with artist-songwriter duo Thelma & James, aka Jake Etheridge and Mackenzie Porter, who already had excellent names (as well as faces). Seen pondering a nom de plume are (l-r) Big Loud partner/CEO Seth England, Etheridge, Porter, manager Trisha McClanahan and Big Loud partner/President of A&R and producer Joey Moi. (Brayln Kelly Smith)
SXSW is a time for watching live rock & roll, snarfing BBQ and wondering if it's still legal to dance in Texas. Seen engaging in some of the aforementioned activities at Stubb's in Austin are (l-r) BMI’s Mitch Ballard and Nina Carter, the legendary John Fogerty and BMI’s Mason Hunter and Samantha Cox. (Erika Goldring for BMI)
You already knew Spotify's Madeleine Bennett was incredibly smart and capable, but did you know she could take a selfie so perfectly composed that it makes even Lenny Beer look good? Us neither. In a related story, Lenny is still looking at this picture.
Red Light Management’s Mandelyn Monchick and Jon Decious, Lainey Wilson and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen pose with “4X4XU” jerseys gifted by co-writer Aaron Raitiere to celebrate the #1 hit. You may have noted that when the ACM noms were published, Wilson and this tune were among the most decorated. Later, she scored a three-pointer that first bounced off Todd Hensley's noggin. (Larry McCormack for BMI)
"It's getting hot in herre," the inimitable Nelly pointed out during this photo op with Team WME, "but I expect you all to remain fully clothed." The tableau was captured backstage at a Sydney concert, one of several sold-out Nelly shows in Australia. Seen pining for a Vegemite smoothie are (l-r) Sam Wald, Nelly, Jordan Stone, Rob Markus, David Levy and Brett Murrihy.
Primary Wave’s sync team recently hosted its third annual Out-of-Towners Brunch, which, per tradition, followed the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. The gathering in L.A.’s Beachwood Canyon, which raised funds for various fire-relief organizations, was a joyous blur of song, story and syrup (the latter for the blueberry pancakes, we think). Seen just before Larry Mestel appeared dressed as a breakfast burrito are (top, l-r) David Nkrumah, Patrick Lawrence Zappia, Jonathan Finegold, Vitaly Shenderovsky, Peymon Maskan, Jonny Altepeter, Erik Engle, Derek Pierce, Tony Von Pervieux, Maureen Crowe, Daniel Higbee, Jennifer Smith, Peter Kurczaba, Sami Posner, Ben Chan, Nicole Churchill, Joel C. High and (bottom, l-r) Karrington Baisden, Nick Maker, Alec Stern, Marty Silverstone, Madonna Wade-Reed and Garret Koehler.
Brandon Silverstein, who became CEO of Avex Music Group this week as part of a deal that saw the Japanese parent company acquire 100% of his S10 Music Publishing and increase its stake in his S10 Management, is seen here with Avex CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa, the incomparable Jay Z and Avex Chairman/founder Max Matsuura. Later, Brandon attempted to explain to his Japanese colleagues what HITS was for. When words failed, he found that a series of rude hand gestures sufficed.