Industry Ink: AWAL, FGL, Grayscale Marketing, Coby James

AWAL Inks Partnership With FGL’s Round Here Records

Pictured (L-R, back row): Adam Romaine (VM Creative Director / Tour Manager); Kyle Avenarius (Associate Director Of A&R, AWAL); Emily Peacock (TVM Creative Director); Sarah Demarco (Senior Director Of Marketing, AWAL); Leslie T. Dipiero (TVM General Manager); Ron Cerrito (President, AWAL North America); Wayne Milligan (Senior Director, Special Services, Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group); (L-R, front row) Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line / Tvm And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner); Canaan Smith; Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line / TVM And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner). Photo: Steve Lowry

AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, has announced a worldwide partnership with Round Here Records, a newly-formed label created by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.

Founded as a new branch of the creative vision which also includes Kelley and Hubbard’s emerging Tree Vibez Music (TVM) publishing house, Round Here Records and its new partnership with AWAL will hit the ground running to launch Platinum recording artist Canaan Smith. As part of the deal, AWAL will provide Smith with a full range of services, including global marketing, campaign coordination, synch licensing and worldwide distribution.

“We continue to grow our presence as well as our commitment to the Nashville music scene,” says AWAL North American President, Ron Cerrito. “Brian and Tyler are incredible musicians, renowned songwriters and extremely business savvy. They are a true creative force in the industry that is surrounded by an incredible team – their business model and artist-first approach are a perfect match with our global capabilities and core values. Canaan is an amazing artist with hundreds of millions of streams and a #1 radio hit, and we’re proud to welcome him to the AWAL family.”

Grayscale Marketing Signs Lynchburg Music Fest

Grayscale Marketing has announced its partnership with Lynchburg Music Fest, Tennessee’s newest country and bluegrass music festival. The two-day multistage event hosted in historic Lynchburg, brings top acts Easton Corbin, Jamey Johnson, Cassadee Pope, Sam Bush, Craig Campbell, David Lee Murphy, Joe Diffie, Keith Anderson, Montgomery Gentry and RaeLynn to the whiskey capital of Tennessee.

The agency has provided a full spectrum of services for Lynchburg Music Fest, including marketing, publicity, creative services, advertising and media buying. Grayscale’s partnership with the festival establishes the agency as an industry leader, equipped to build large scale events from the ground up.

“I’m excited that Grayscale has the opportunity to play a small part in Lynchburg’s rich history,” said Tim Gray, Founder and CEO of Grayscale Marketing. “Helping to build an experience of this caliber from the ground up has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing how the event develops in the years to come.”

The inaugural festival will take place on Aug. 23-24, 2019, adjacent to downtown Lynchburg. For tickets, visit lynchburgmusicfest.com.

Coby James Signs Management Deal With Deep South Entertainment & Announces 31-City U.S. Tour With Danny Gokey

Pictured (L-R): Dave Rose, Deep South President/CEO; Coby James; Sam Fisher, artist manager. Photo courtesy Deep South Entertainment

Nashville newcomer and North Carolina native, Coby James, has signed on with the veteran music management company Deep South Entertainment, who also represents a diverse roster including Stryper, Branan Murphy, Parmalee, and Marcy Playground. James recently released his debut single, “Paradise”, which has already seen impressive numbers on all streaming platforms, and will be releasing his debut EP on Sept. 27 entitled “Space for Theory.”

Sam Fisher will oversee James’ management, along with company founder and CEO Dave Rose.

“From the minute we first heard Coby in a small bar as an opening act, we knew there was something special – and apparently others are hearing it as well. He’s the kind of artist you want to spend the next 20 years of your life working with – an amazing talent with a sincere and convicted heart for his message,” says Rose.

Coby James kicks of his U.S. tour with direct support for Danny Gokey on Sept. 26 in Lafayette, Louisiana.