Deals
Travis Meadows has signed a global creative deal with Sheltered Music. The singer-songwriter, known for penning hits like 'Riser' for Dierks Bentley and 'Better Boat' for Kenny Chesney, joins a roster that includes Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. Meadows has gained recognition for his songwriting from top artists in country music and rock. Darrell Franklin, Senior Vice President of Sheltered Music, says, "His heart and soul are felt in every lyric, and you believe every word". Meadows adds, "I'm excited about this next phase of whatever comes to us through the magic of lyric and melody".
King Henry has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with Big Machine Music. The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer's credits include tracks for Beyoncé, Maroon 5, The Weeknd and collaborations with Diplo. Mike Molinar, Big Machine Music President, says, "King Henry is a rare, truly versatile songwriter who can seamlessly create hit music across dance, pop, country and singer-songwriter genres". King Henry adds, "I'm excited to continue writing in Nashville and have this team guiding me through the next chapter of my creative journey".
Leo33 has signed Americana and heartland rock band Jason Scott & The High Heat, who have also signed with Triple 8 Management and Wasserman for bookings. The Oklahoma City-based group, led by frontman Jason Scott, announced the signings during their sold-out performance at AmericanaFest. Scott says, "Signing with Leo33, Triple 8 Management and Wasserman feels like finding a team that truly gets who we are as artists. We've built something special, and with their support, we're ready to take it to the next level". The band, whose debut album 'Castle Rock' garnered recognition from NPR, The Boot and BBC Radio, will release their new EP 'High Country Heat' on 25 Oct. Katie Dean, Head of Leo33, comments, "Jason Scott & The High Heat have a sound that feels both timeless and refreshing. They bring an authenticity and energy that perfectly aligns with our vision at Leo33. We couldn't be more THRILLED to support them on this next chapter".
Duolingo has partnered with instrument brand Loog to launch a portable piano, complementing the language-learning company's music course introduced last year. The Loog x Duolingo Piano, priced at $249, features 37 velocity-sensitive keys, built-in stereo speakers and a rechargeable battery lasting up to eight hours. Measuring 18.9 inches long and weighing 3.64 pounds, the green-coloured instrument includes a matching phone stand for following Duolingo's music lessons. The piano, which is available for preorder with November shipping, also offers MIDI connectivity via USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Appointments
Corey Sheridan has departed his role as Global Music Product Partnerships & Strategy Lead at TikTok and ByteDance to join Warner Music Group's independent label and artist services arm ADA as Global Head Of Commerce And Revenue. In his new Los Angeles-based position, Sheridan will oversee ADA's commercial relationships and strategy, reporting to ADA President Cat Kreidich. During his tenure at TikTok, Sheridan played a key role in creating the TikTok Charts feature and securing partnerships with streaming platforms for TikTok's 'Add To Music App' feature. "I'm THRILLED to be joining the all-star ADA leadership team," says Sheridan, adding, "They have a clear vision and unmatched drive to strengthen what a distribution company can offer". Kreidich adds, "Corey’s deep-seated passion for indie music, combined with his unique digital and social experience and influential relationships across labels, artists and platforms, make him an invaluable force on our team".
Warner Chappell Music has promoted Spencer Nohe to Vice President, A&R. Nohe, who will continue to report to Warner Chappell Music Nashville President & CEO Ben Vaughn, will focus on developing songwriters and expanding creative opportunities for the publisher's country roster. Throughout his career, Nohe has worked with artists including Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure and Parker Welling. Vaughn says, "Spencer is a true, thoughtful music professional that balances the creativity expected when working daily with songwriters with the business mind needed to ensure their career paths are served and protected".
The Core Records has appointed Jon Borris as General Manager, overseeing the label's day-to-day operations, artist strategy, A&R, marketing and distribution. Borris brings over 25 years of industry experience, joining The Core Records after a six-year tenure at Republic Records where he worked with artists such as Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Drake. Previously, Borris spent nearly two decades at Sony Music Entertainment, contributing to the careers of artists including Adele and Beyoncé. Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, Co-Founders and CEOs of The Core Entertainment, say, "We are beyond excited to have Jon join The Core Records. His unparalleled expertise in artist development, combined with his track record of success, makes him the perfect fit as we continue building the future of music."
The Valory Music Co has appointed Andi Brooks as Director Of Streaming. Brooks moves from her role as Director Of Southwest Promotion & Marketing at fellow Big Machine Label Group imprint Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. In her new position, Brooks reports to President George Briner and Senior Vice President, Digital & Promotion Ashley Sidoti, collaborating with streaming partners to strategise and promote new releases and existing catalogue. Briner says, "We're excited to have Andi join The Valory Music Co team. Her enthusiasm and passion for music, along with her desire and drive to be the best in the streaming world makes her a great addition."
Legal
The Leadmill in Sheffield will have its future decided at a hearing scheduled for 16 to 20 Dec at the Leeds Business And Property Court. The venue's current operators have been in a legal dispute with their landlord, Electric Group, since receiving an eviction notice in March 2022. Electric Group wants to manage the venue itself. Wayne Clark, representing the landlord, says that, "given the complexity of the issues", he expects the judge to actually make a decision in the new year.
OpenAI has agreed to provide access to its training data for inspection in copyright cases brought by authors including Sarah Silverman, Paul Tremblay and Ta-Nehisi Coates. The company and plaintiffs have established protocols for reviewing whether copyrighted works were used to develop OpenAI's models, according to a Tuesday filing in the US District Court. Under the agreement, the datasets will be made available on a secured computer at OpenAI's San Francisco office, with strict limitations on technology use and note-taking. The inspection could be crucial in determining whether OpenAI infringed copyrights in training its AI models. OpenAI has previously stated that it trains its models on "large, publicly available datasets that include copyrighted works".
Streaming, Digital, Broadcast & Retail
Drew Hill has been elected as chairman of the UK’s Official Charts Company, effective 29 Sep. Hill, who is CEO of Proper Group's distribution division, succeeds Sony Music's Charlotte de Burgh-Holder in the non-executive role. As chairman, Hill will work with Official Charts chief executive Martin Talbot to develop strategy and chair the board. Hill says, "The organisation has long been the gold standard globally when it comes to market data and I'm truly honoured to play a role in further enhancing these capabilities within its next phase".
Apple has updated its Apple Music Classical app, adding digital album booklets for thousands of albums and a new 'Recently Added' section. The version 2.0 update, following the release of iOS 18, allows users to view digital copies of booklets originally shipped with CD and vinyl packaging, containing photos, composition details, artist notes and lyrics. A new icon indicates when a booklet is available, and a 'Dive Into Album Booklets' section has been added to the app's Home tab.
Hook, an AI-driven social music expression app, has launched for iOS devices, enabling users to select 30-second clips from its library of licensed songs and apply AI-powered effects such as genre transformations, tempo changes, and video customisation. The app allows users to create and share short-form remixes and mash-ups of licensed music tracks. Users can share their creations within the Hook app and on social media platforms. Gaurav Sharma, Founder and CEO of Hook, says, "Hook redefines how fans connect with the music they love, turning music listening into an active canvas for creativity. For artists, this opens up entirely new horizons for expanding their influence and unlocking untapped revenue streams. We're THRILLED to lead the evolution of music expression and creativity, and we can't wait for the world to experience music through Hook".
SoundCloud has introduced Mood & Genre Filters, allowing users to sort their liked songs instantly. The new feature, available to Go and Go+ subscribers on iOS and Android mobile devices, offers 64 mood and genre options for users to filter their music library. Users can now easily navigate their collection of liked tracks, sorting them based on specific moods like "Exciting" or "Powerful", or genres such as "hip hop" or "afrobeats". SoundCloud says the feature was developed in response to user requests for better music library organisation. The company adds that it plans to expand the feature's availability to different devices and increase the range of moods and genres available for sorting.
un:hurd music has announced new partnerships and membership tiers to support independent artists. The audience development platform has expanded its partnerships to include CD Baby, SoundCloud, Audiomack, Amazon Merch On Demand, EmPawa, feature.fm, beatBread, Laylo and others, with many offering discounts to Pro members. Two new membership tiers have been introduced: Pro, aimed at aspiring career artists with self-serve tools and discounted promotions, and Select, providing bespoke marketing services for a curated roster of artists. Alex Brees, Founder and CEO of un:hurd music, says, "Our vision at un:hurd has always been to create a world where all artists can achieve success on their own terms. We do this by creating an audience development platform which acts as a central nucleus for artists when it comes to their music marketing and promotional decisions".
The BBC has expanded its sound effect library to over 33,000 samples, which are now available for free download. The archive, open to the public since 2018, has doubled in size and includes recordings dating back to the 1920s. The sounds, ranging from footsteps and transport to nature and machines, are released under a non-commercial use RemArc License as part of the BBC's RemArc programme, which aims to stimulate memories in people with dementia.
US performing rights organisation AllTrack has launched a suite of performing rights API tools for creator-centric platforms, with TIDAL becoming the first streaming service to integrate them. The APIs offer features including direct PRO registration for unaffiliated creators, authentication of songwriter profiles and access to detailed song-level metadata. AllTrack founder and CEO Hayden Bower says, "These tools were built to enable platforms to enrich their feature sets and deepen their relationships with their creators". Agustina Sacerdote, Global Head Of Product at TIDAL, adds, "In AllTrack, we found a partner with the right technology to enable songwriters to quickly and easily manage the registration of their works".
Alliance Entertainment has reported a 3.2% year-on-year increase in compact disc sales for the first half of 2024, bucking the global trend of declining CD sales. The Florida-headquartered distributor attributes this growth to increased demand for K-pop and sales from major artists, including Taylor Swift. Jeff Walker, CEO of Alliance Entertainment, says, "Demand for physical music, particularly vinyl and CD sales, remains strong, and we are excited about major upcoming releases and opportunities in this space". The company's CD sales totalled $130 million in fiscal year 2024, up from $128 million the previous year, with Swift's new album 'The Tortured Poets Department' selling 1.1 million CDs in its first week.
Awin has released a survey revealing that content creators and influencers are experiencing high levels of burnout across social media platforms. The research shows that 88% of respondents cite Instagram as the leading platform driving burnout, followed by TikTok at 81% and Facebook at 67%. Constant platform changes remain the top reason for creator anxiety at 70%, while 64% of respondents said comparing themselves to other creators impacts their burnout levels. To cope, 50% of creators rely on alternative income streams and 49% create dedicated posting times or days. Ellie Davies, Influencer Partnerships Lead at Awin, says, "Content creators face constant platform changes and new AI advancements. Our research shows they're feeling the pressure and often miss out on resources to combat burnout while engaging authentically with their audiences."
Meta has confirmed that more than 600,000 people, including celebrities such as James McAvoy, Ashley Tisdale and Tom Brady, have shared a viral hoax message on Instagram claiming to deny the company permission to use their images for AI training. A Meta spokesperson says, "Sharing this story does not count as a valid form of objection". The company clarifies that users who wish to opt out of AI training can do so through their account settings, not by posting messages. This incident follows Meta's June announcement that it will use public posts to train its AI model, a decision that has sparked concern among users about data privacy.
Live
Macklemore has been removed from the line-up of the inaugural Neon City Festival in Las Vegas following controversial comments. The rapper was initially announced as a headliner on 19 Sep, but on 24 Sep, the festival stated, "Macklemore will no longer be performing due to unforeseen circumstances". The decision came after Macklemore reportedly said "Fuck America" during a performance at a benefit festival in Seattle on 21 Sep. In response, the Seattle Kraken and Seattle Sounders FC issued a joint statement saying, "We are aware of Macklemore's increasingly divisive comments, and they do not reflect the values of our respective ownership groups, leagues or organisations".
Ministry Of Sound has announced plans to reintroduce 1991 pricing for its 33rd anniversary celebrations. The London club will release 20,000 tickets priced at £5 over the next twelve months, with 100 such tickets available for each event. This weekend (27 and 28 Sep), artists including Mella Dee, Carista, Cici and Groove Armada will perform as part of the birthday events. Additionally, the club will offer early 1990s drinks prices from 10pm until midnight each night this weekend. "Let's talk about the elephant (& castle) in the club - the UK's shrinking late-night scene. We see the stats, and we're not standing idly by", says Ministry Of Sound in a press statement.
Other Industry News & Events
Paul Hamlyn Foundation has increased its Awards For Artists from £60,000 to £75,000 per recipient to mark the programme's 30th anniversary. The awards, given annually to five visual artists and five composers, allow recipients to use the funds without restrictions for their creative development. Since 1994, the scheme has benefited over 347 artists with awards totalling £10.54 million. Moira Sinclair, Chief Executive of Paul Hamlyn Foundation, says, "This increase reflects our belief in the value of the arts and the vital contribution artists make to our society. We hope this increased award offers this year's recipients the opportunity to do the same".
Pet Shop Boys and their manager Angela Becker have been announced as recipients of the Artist Manager Partnership Award at the 2024 Artist & Manager Awards. The award, sponsored by PPL, recognises their shared impact on music and culture. The ceremony, organised by the Featured Artists Coalition and Music Managers Forum, will take place on 21 Nov at London's Bloomsbury Big Top. Yungblud and Special Projects Music will receive the Fan Champion Award at the event. On the Pet Shops Boys award, Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive of MMF says, "The award is testament to their extraordinary impact on music and culture, and how they have deftly navigated such a radically changing business - embracing innovation, pushing boundaries, and always with charisma and panache."
The Nashville Songwriters Association International has honoured top songwriters at its annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at the Ryman Auditorium. Ashley Gorley was named songwriter of the year, while Jelly Roll received the songwriter-artist of the year award. The song of the year accolade went to 'The Painter', recorded by Cody Johnson and written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins. Alan Jackson was presented with the Kris Kristofferson lifetime achievement award, recognising his significant contributions to the American songbook. The event also featured performances of the ‘10 Songs I Wish I'd Written’ as voted by NSAI's professional songwriter members.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably, or CALM, has released a new film featuring New Order's track 'Your Silent Face'. The suicide prevention charity's film, created by Witness Studios' Simon+Ben, demonstrates CALM's services and ways people can support the organisation. New Order say, "We're honoured that it's been used to spread this vital message and show that we all have a role to play in ending suicide". CALM CEO Simon Gunning adds, "It can be incredibly difficult to convey the work we do because suicide is such a complex issue and people using our life-saving services do so in total confidence".
Kenny Chesney donated over $1 million to various Massachusetts charities ahead of his three-night performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough in August. The country music star's charitable foundation says that it distributed $100,000 each to local police and fire departments, as well as supporting the Animal Rescue League Of Boston, the Worcester Animal Rescue League, the Boston Medical Center and Music & Youth, a nonprofit organisation creating accessible music programmes. "We're committed to giving back to the communities that support us," says Chesney.
Infinite Auctions has entered into a partnership with Gotta Have Rock And Roll, a music and entertainment memorabilia auction house, to expand its presence in the collectibles market. The zero-cost partnership aims to increase sales leads, enhance financial flexibility for high-value deals and broaden the customer base for both companies. Marshall Perkins, CEO of Infinite Auctions, says, "This is a major step forward in our company's evolution. Gotta Have Rock and Roll's CEO Dylan Kosinski is well connected and extremely motivated." The collaboration aligns with the company's long-term strategy of growth and diversification in what it describes as a half-trillion dollar memorabilia industry.