Penske Media Makes Equity Investment In Music Business Worldwide

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Penske Media Corporation has announced a strategic equity investment in London-based Music Business Worldwide, which first entered into a global content partnership with Rolling Stone and Rolling Stone owner PMC in November 2018. With the addition of MBW to PMC’s family of brands, PMC will enable MBW to collaborate more closely with PMC’s portfolio of 19 media brands, particularly Rolling Stone, PMC’s music analytics platform Alpha Data, and Variety.com. The deal expands PMC’s investment in the music business, with the combination of MBW’s editorial voice and Alpha Data’s analytics providing deeper insights and breadth of analysis.

“Five years into MBW’s story, we are confident that in PMC we have found the perfect partner with which to join forces,” said MBW Founder and Publisher Tim Ingham. “PMC’s brands, content and people are defined by quality, with the power to lead industry conversations across entertainment. MBW is excited to work closely with Alpha Data to generate must-read industry insights, and we look forward to building on our alliance with Rolling Stone, exploring further strategic opportunities that bring tangible value to the music business.”

Since its founding in 2015, MBW has become a source of dependable breaking news and influential analysis for execs across the music industry. This more comprehensive partnership paves the way to launch innovative content and revenue models driven by both MBW’s respected coverage and PMC’s ability to utilize innovative technology to scale quality content.

“We continue to be impressed with Tim and MBW’s strong relationships and expertise in covering the business of music,” said PMC Chairman and CEO Jay Penske. “In particular, Tim and his talented team have tapped into a top tier global audience with quality well above and beyond offerings by competitors. We see significant potential in what we will build together.”

PMC made a strategic investment in state-of-the-art music analytics service Alpha Data in 2018 and in 2019 launched the Rolling Stone Charts powered by Alpha Data, customized for specific content verticals that incorporate digital and physical sales as well as on-demand streaming activity. In December 2017 Rolling Stone joined PMC and the brand relaunched with a revamped print magazine and website, innovative live events schedule, and larger roster of editorial talent.

Alex And Drake White Unveil New Nashville Event Space Whitewood Hollow

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Photo: Courtesy Whitewood Hollow

Drake White and his wife, artisan chef and event planner Alex White, will open a new event space, Whitewood Hollow, this month. The 2,500 square-foot space is housed in an oak-covered barn on a 6.5-acre patch of rolling Tennessee countryside, located at 6249 Old Hickory Blvd. in Whites Creek, Tennessee.

The picturesque venue was six years in the making and is an ideal spot for weddings, vegan and farm-to-table dinners, photo shoots, and other special events, and was created by Alex with the encouragement and close collaboration of Drake. Alex began her journey as a chef and caterer as the owner of Milk and Honey Food Company, a catering company that was founded not only upon Alex’s love for food, but also upon her dedication to help those in need.

“I’ve always enjoyed preparing meals, entertaining, and cooking for friends and family,” said Alex. “I envisioned a place with my own kitchen space, cozy sitting areas, live music, string lights, fresh flowers, and large farm tables. A place where people could be gathered around those tables to share stories and fellowship, pray, laugh, cry, and maybe even enjoy a nice dinner, glass of wine, or cup of coffee together.”

Photo: Courtesy Whitewood Hollow

The Whites were intricately involved with every step of the building process, from helping choose the barn’s red oak exterior to making sure the porch was constructed with maximum sunset-watching potential in mind, and they turned the barn into an extension of their unique personalities, creating a place inspired by community, faith, love, and a whole lot of Appalachian soul.

“Whitewood Hollow came from a question I asked Alex nearly six years ago, while she was struggling with her job as an elementary school teacher,” Drake remembers. “I asked her, ‘What do want to do?! What would make you jump out of bed every day with power and purpose?!” Alex has a servant’s heart with a passion for food and loving people. Thus, the idea of serving great food and hosting magical events in a barn that would leave a lasting impact in people’s lives was born.”

Photo: Courtesy Whitewood Hollow

Photo: Courtesy Whitewood Hollow

Photo: Courtesy Whitewood Hollow

 

SiriusXM Makes $75 Million Investment In SoundCloud

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SiriusXM has invested $75 million in audio platform SoundCloud, which will use the additional investment to enhance its product development and services.

As a result of the investment, the U.S.-based SiriusXM will be a minority stakeholder in Berlin-based SoundCloud, while SoundCloud’s Board of Directors will expand to include two individuals designated by SiriusXM.

In 2019, SiriusXM acquired streaming music platform Pandora as part of a $3.5 billion all-stock transaction. The SoundCloud investment also follows a successful ad sales relationship between SoundCloud and Pandora, which started in 2019. This agreement enables advertisers and brands to purchase SoundCloud’s U.S. ad inventory directly through Pandora, leveraging the company’s direct sales capabilities, audio platform and vast data. The combined U.S. audience for SoundCloud and Pandora reaches more than 100 million unique listeners.

SoundCloud rounded out 2019 with $200 million in forward revenue run-rate in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“SoundCloud’s three consecutive years of strong financial performance directly reflect the success of our creator-led growth strategy,” said Kerry Trainor, Chief Executive Officer, SoundCloud. “We have an exciting roadmap focused on deepening the connections between creators and listeners that fuel creator discovery, career growth and the evolution of music culture on SoundCloud. We’ve built a great relationship with SiriusXM through our highly successful Pandora ad sales agreement, and their investment gives us added capital flexibility to accelerate our vision and take advantage of strategic opportunities as they arise.”

“SoundCloud’s unique platform serves a vital role in today’s music ecosystem where new artists are discovered and build their fan base, and established artists experiment and connect directly with their fans in highly effective ways,” said Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM. “We admire SoundCloud’s loyal and growing audience, its offering for creators, and its reputation and popularity in global music communities. We believe this is another opportunity to continue creating value for SiriusXM stockholders by investing in expanding digital audio platforms.”

The Raine Group served as financial advisor to SoundCloud, and Morrison & Foerster as its legal counsel. Allen & Company LLC served as financial advisor to SiriusXM, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as its legal counsel.

Weekly Register: Luke Combs Continues Country Albums Reign

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get remains atop this week’s country albums chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The Columbia Nashville/River House Artists project moves 25K in total consumption this week. His debut album This One’s For You is at No. 2, with 17K. Warner Music Nashville’s Blake Shelton is at No. 3 with Fully Loaded: God’s Country moving 15.8K. Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me (Big Loud) is at No. 4 with 13.1K. Shelton’s Warner Music Nashville labelmates Dan + Shay round out the Top 5 with the self-titled effort moving 11.5K.

Justin Bieber and Dan+Shay continue to own the on-demand country streaming song chart, with 11 million streams of “10,000 Hours” this week. Maren Morris‘ current country radio leader “The Bones” is at No. 2 with 7.5 million streams this week. Diplo‘s “Heartless,” ft. Morgan Wallen and Julia Michaels is at No. 3 with 7.4 million streams. Old Dominion‘s “One Man Band” is at No. 4 with 6.7 million streams, followed by Warner Music Nashville newcomer Gabby Barrett with “I Hope” earning 6 million on-demand streams.

Maddie & Tae Celebrate Gold Status For “Die From A Broken Heart”

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Pictured (L-R): Mercury Nashville VP of Promotion Damon Moberly, Red Light Management’s Haley McLemore, UMG Nashville SVP of A&R Stephanie Wright, Maddie Marlow, Tae Dye, UMG Nashville EVP of A&R Brian Wright, UMG Nashville EVP of Promotion Royce Risser. Photo: Chris Hollo

Maddie & Tae recently celebrated the Gold RIAA certification for their single “Die From A Broken Heart,” just prior to their performance on the Grand Ole Opry on Feb. 7. The song has earned more than 130 million streams and has nearly broken into the Top 30 at country radio.

The track is featured on the duo’s upcoming album The Way It Feels, set for April 10 via Mercury Nashville.

Luke Combs Rises To The Top Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs travels to the top of of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, rising three slots. The songs that propel Combs are his “Better Together,” “Does To Me” (featuring Eric Church), “Even Though I’m Leaving,” as well as the Lee Brice and Carly Pearce duet “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”

Laura Veltz moves into the No. 2 slot this week, while Ross Copperman remains at No. 3. Jimmy Robbins shifts up to the No. 4 slot with credits on “homecoming queen?” (Kelsea Ballerini) and “The Bones” (Maren Morris).

Josh Osborne rounds out the top five on the Top Songwriter Chart with credits on Midland’s “Cheatin’ Songs,” Sam Hunt’s “Kinfolks,” Old Dominion’s “One Man Band,” and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s duet “Nobody But You.”

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Chris Young Expands “Town Ain’t Big Enough World Tour 2020”

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Chris Young has added several stops to his “Town Ain’t Big Enough World Tour 2020,” which now launches April 30 in Columbus, Ohio. He will be joined by Scotty McCreery and Payton Smith.

Newly-added dates include Columbus, Ohio’s The Schottenstein Center (April 30), Cape Girardeau, Missouri’s Show Me Center (May 1), Des Moines, Iowa’s Wells Fargo Arena (May 2), Spokane, Washington’s Spokane Arena (May 7), and Boise, Idaho’s CenturyLink Arena (May 9).

In addition to openers McCreery and Smith, Young and his team at The AMG Management will personally select several Next From Nashville artists to spotlight every week of the tour.

Live Nation is the official tour promoter and fans can now purchase tickets for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at megaticket.com.

In addition to the upcoming tour, Young recently launched a new weekly podcast, The Quad with Chris Young.

Maren Morris Tops Country Radio With “The Bones”

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Maren Morris is celebrating her fourth No. 1 single at country radio, as “The Bones” ascends to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Morris co-wrote “The Bones” with Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins.

Morris’ previous chart-toppers include “I Could Use A Love Song,” “GIRL,” and “Craving You,” with Thomas Rhett.

“The Bones” marks the first No. 1 song by a solo female country artist on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since Morris’ own previous chart-topper, “GIRL,” hit the pinnacle of the chart in July 2019. At that time, “GIRL” was the first No. 1 by a solo female artist on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in more than a year— since Kelsea Ballerini’s “Legends” hit the top of the chart in February 2018.

“The Bones” marks Morris’ second No. 1 track from her album GIRL, which released in March 2019. Last year, in support of the album, Morris launched GIRL: The World Tour, featuring an all-female lineup, which included Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Kassi Ashton, Hailey Whitters and Tenille Townes.

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Stages ‘Reunions’ For May 15

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Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit will release their new album Reunions on May 15 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers. The 10-track album was produced by Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A.

The first single from the project, “Be Afraid,” releases today. The album marks Isbell’s seventh full-length studio album and the fourth released with his band, which includes Derry deBorja (piano, keyboard, organ, omnichord), Chad Gamble (drums, tambourine), Jimbo Hart (bass), Amanda Shires (fiddle) and Sadler Vaden (acoustic guitar, electric guitar). The new album also includes background vocals from guests David Crosby (Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Byrds) and Jay Buchanan (Rival Sons).

Isbell says, “There are a lot of ghosts on this album. Sometimes the songs are about the ghosts of people who aren’t around anymore, but they’re also about who I used to be, the ghost of myself. I found myself writing songs that I wanted to write fifteen years ago, but in those days, I hadn’t written enough songs to know how to do it yet. Just now have I been able to pull it off to my own satisfaction. In that sense it’s a reunion with the me I was back then.”

In support of the project, the band has slated an extensive tour for 2020, including concerts at Philadelphia’s Met Opera House, Atlanta’s The Coca-Cola Roxy, Los Angeles’ The Greek Theatre, Austin’s ACL Live at the Moody Theater and Morrison’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

REUNIONS TRACK LIST
1. What’ve I Done To Help
2. Dreamsicle
3. Only Children
4. Overseas
5. Running With Our Eyes Closed
6. River
7. Be Afraid
8. St. Peter’s Autograph
9. It Gets Easier
10. Letting You Go

Premier Productions Announces Promotions, Expansions

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Premier Productions has announced several company promotions. CEO Michael Pugh has been elevated to partner, Dan Rauter has been promoted from Strategic Partners Director to Vice President of Strategy and Partnership, Jonathan Roberts has been promoted from Touring Director to Sr Talent Buyer; Rann Russell has been promoted from Touring Coordinator to Talent Buyer; and Mallory Willingham has been promoted from Touring Coordinator to Talent Buyer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Pugh as a partner,” said Shane Quick, co-owner of Premier Productions, the fourth largest promoter in the U.S. “Michael, Jonathan Roberts and Dan Rauter embody the leadership action and influence of a dream team. We sold 1.7 million tickets in 2019 and they are keys to that success and our future.”

“I am grateful to become a Partner with Roy, Gary and Shane in Premier and am equally excited for the changes we have made in our talent buying department,” said Partner and CEO Pugh. “Industry veteran Dan Rauter’s expertise combined with Jonathan Robert’s pace-setting passion plus Mallory Willingham’s and Rann Russell’s strengths in event development provide an even stronger foundation for our faith and family platform.”

“Premier has created a work environment that encourages partnership, personal growth, and professionalism (while still having a whole lot of fun),” said Dan Rauter. “We’re encouraged to think outside the box, try new things, and dream big. I’m so fortunate to be at Premier and be a part of this exciting time of growth and opportunity.”

“Thank you to Shane, Gary, Roy, and Michael for the foundation they’ve built at Premier and this amazing opportunity,” said Jonathan Roberts. “I love fostering innovation and new business. Our team collaboration gives way to success stories like Dude Perfect, growth for Hillsong United, and cross-genre tours like Hillsong Worship, Casting Crowns, and Elevation Worship.”

Premier has also announced the acquisition of two entities that provide the company with a full suite of end-to-end services to better serve its artists and event partners. Premier has acquired Loop, a company that operates VIP fan experiences and connects volunteers with both non-profits and artists in need of a team to help run their events. Helmed by Allyson Nelson, Loop launched in 2015 and has since recruited more than 90,000 volunteers who have staffed over 2500 events for leading artists and non-profits.

Premier has also developed Platform, a ticketing and conference registration service. The primary target market for Platform is churches, an underserved market with a defined need for a robust ticketing solution.