Entercom’s Radio.com Announces Record Digital Audience

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Entercom has revealed a new record of 40 million monthly active users for radio.com, the company’s digital audio and content platform that is the digital home for all Entercom content across its 235 stations, along with hundreds of affiliate stations and numerous podcasts.

Radio.com has earned 63% year-over-year growth across all devices including mobile, smart speakers and desktop, with its web platform’s visitor base growing 107% year-over-year. Other year-over-year highlights for radio.com include a 22% increase in total listening hours, the eighth straight month of double-digit growth, as well as a 90% year-over-year spike in listenership on smart speakers, with 27% month-over-month growth. There has also been a 122% growth in video consumption across the platform, with radio.com live producing over 4,000 hours of live music and sports video content in March, an 18% year-to-date increase.

Tony Morreale Launches Morreale Entertainment

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Tony Morreale

Tony Morreale has launched Morreale Entertainment, a Nashville-based indie promotion, marketing, brand development and management company. The company will represent Aaron Watson‘s BIG Label Records and Jeremy McComb.

“I’m blessed to be able to continue to work with Aaron Watson and his manager, Gino Genaro, as we set up the release of Aaron’s new music while expanding my role into management with Jeremy McComb,” Morreale said. “This is a trying time for everyone, the music business included. I believe that in redefining success and our approach to it, we can develop and strengthen careers, engage fans and build the business.”

Over the past three decades, Morreale has spent time working at Evelyn Shriver Public Relations, Columbia Records, RCA Label Group, Average Joes Entertainment and more.

Morreale can be contacted at [email protected].

ASCAP, BMI, SESAC Create Songwriters Fund In Support Of MusiCares COVID-19 Aid Endeavor

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Performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC have announced contributions to create a fund as part of the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. While the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund helps all music industry workers in need, the funds collected from these performing rights organizations will go toward helping their respective songwriters, composers and lyricists. Members and affiliates of each contributing performing rights organization are encouraged to apply for a grant through the fund at musicares.org.

Since the fund’s establishment in March, with initial seed donations of $1 million each by MusiCares and the Recording Academy, millions more have been raised with the support of numerous partners. However, more is needed to meet the growing demand.

Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy said, “It’s inspiring to see every sector of the music industry band together during a time of need. With the help of these latest contributions and the generous donations over the past few weeks, we’ve been able to garner more than $10 million to provide aid for music people across all genres, crafts and disciplines affected by the coronavirus pandemic. That said, the need is still so great and these times remain critical for music people.”

Steve Boom, Chair of MusiCares, said, “We’re thrilled to see the continued support from organizations to help all the people who were depending on their next gig to make ends meet. There is still much more work to be done, and we hope that those who have supported us will continue to inspire others to do what’s needed for the music industry during this unprecedented time.”

Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP, said,”Songwriters, composers and lyricists are the backbone of the music industry — not only is their craft vital to our creative culture and so many other businesses, they also help to lift up humanity in moments like these. We thank our fellow PROs for joining together with ASCAP to create and support this specially created fund through MusiCares and the Recording Academy that will provide our music writers with the emergency relief grants they need at this difficult time.”

Mike O’Neill, President & CEO of BMI, said, “The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund is an important resource for songwriters and composers, who, like so many, have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. BMI is grateful to be able to contribute to this initiative and help in some small way to ease the financial hardship of music creators during this trying time. We are happy to join ASCAP and SESAC in supporting this vital effort and we thank them, the Recording Academy, and MusiCares for helping all of our writers. The creative community is resilient and will continue to inspire the industry as we get through this together.”

John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, said, “We recognize the profound impact which the COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated shutdowns are having on songwriters as well as the global music community. We’re pleased to be joining with ASCAP and BMI to support MusiCares’ expanded funding in support of songwriter and composer applicants. It’s essential that we do all we can to make sure that our creators have the resources they need to navigate this crisis and continue practicing their craft.”

Tyler Rich Celebrates RIAA Gold Certification

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Tyler Rich was recently surprised with an RIAA plaque commemorating the Gold certification of his single “The Difference.”

A virtual hangout with members of his Collective Artist Management and Big Machine Label Group teams brought some good news for Rich, when he was surprised with the certification for the track, which reached the Top 30 on country radio, and No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway. Rhett Akins, Devin Dawson, Benjamin Burgess and Jacob Durrett penned the song.

“A virtual hang with my label and team, turned into a surprise presentation for ‘The Difference’ going GOLD! I couldn’t think of a better way to thank everyone that has bought, streamed, or shared this song than to cheers you all and have Devin [Dawson] join for a livestream jam,” said Rich. “I’ve spent this quarantine working on and recording new material non-stop, I can’t wait for you to hear what’s next!”

Evan Coffman Inks Joint Venture Pub Deal With Angry Mob Music, Demolition Music

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Pictured (L-R): Shane Barrett, Steve Bloch, Jon D’Agostino, Evan Coffman, Lauren Spahn, Michael August, Jamie Dryburgh

Evan Coffman has signed an exclusive worldwide joint venture with independent Nashville-based publishing company Angry Mob Music and Demolition Music.

The joint venture covers current and future works, and within it, Demolition will set Coffman up in Nashville with co-writing opportunities and seek cuts for his expansive catalogue while Angry Mob will handle pop and synch co-writes in Los Angeles. They also will oversee synch pitching and all publishing administration.

An Arkansas native, Coffman began his career shortly after he left Arkansas to attend music school in Orlando. He created his own music studio and began work with local and national bands including A Rocket To The Moon, Twenty One Pilots, and VersaEmerge, securing Gold records with both A Rocket To The Moon and Twenty One Pilots. Following a 2015 move to Nashville, Coffman worked with Waterloo Revival and landed a song that was featured during the college football season on ESPN, and the same year produced and co-wrote “Right Now” for Caroline Kole, which landed in the Billboard Top 40.

Angry Mob Music’s CEO and co-founder Marc Caruso said, “We couldn’t be more excited. This joint venture to sign Evan Coffman reflects the shared spirit and principles of Angry Mob and Demolition. Evan is a multi-dimensional talent and we can’t wait to leverage the individual strengths of both companies to achieve even greater success and accomplishments for Evan’s career.”

Jon D’Agostino, President of Demolition Music said, “Evan is a special kind of producer and songwriter who will allow our company to create music at the highest level in multiple formats and genres.  Being able to share his talent with a company like Angry Mob Music means we are looking at unlimited potential to do some amazing things together.”

“I am excited to be joining the Demolition and Angry Mob music family,” said Coffman. “I am extremely thankful to have a team that believes in my abilities and talents, which fuels my drive to be even more successful. I have no doubt that we are going to reach new heights together! I appreciate everyone involved in making this new partnership come to life!”

Staff Layoffs Hit Valence Media Properties Including Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Vibe

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Valence Media, parent company for outlets including Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Vibe, Dick Clark Productions and Media Capital Rights, laid off more than 100 staffers Tuesday (April 14), reports CNN, slashing more than a third of its media jobs.

Among the media staff that exited yesterday are Vibe Deputy Editor William Ketchum III, and staffers for Vibe and Billboard including Lauren Craddock, Will Gottsegen, Bianca Gracie, Hilary Hughes, Chris Payne, Annie Reuter, Desire Thompson and more. The layoffs came shortly after Hollywood Reporter editorial director Matthew Belloni stepped down from his role after clashes with Valence Media’s management.

Additionally, Variety reports that all members of Billboard‘s IT staffers were let go, according to a scornful article that was published late Tuesday evening (April 14) to Billboard‘s website. The article’s byline was titled “devops,” and featured a photo of the character Flounder from the movie National Lampoon’s Animal House, as well as a quote from the movie.

The now-deleted article on Billboard‘s site read, “In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, Valence Media has decided to lay off their entire web IT staff. Effective today. The online Billboard Charts are essentially perfect, so IT staff are no longer needed. Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life… #SavingABuckAtYourExpense.”

Deadline obtained a copy of an internal memo from Valence Media co-CEOs Asif Satchu and Modi Wiczyk that attributes the layoffs to advertising impacts from coronavirus, but also to a restructuring that was planned prior to the pandemic.

“Each of our divisions was affected differently, dependent on the specifics of the business. The greatest impact was on our Media division, which underwent layoffs and a restructuring, part of which was a response to advertising market conditions and part of which was an acceleration of actions that were planned for 2020-2021,” the memo reads.

The memo also states that hiring freezes and salary reductions have taken place, with salary reductions only affecting staffers making more than $100,000 per year. The memo states that staffers whose salaries are impacted are eligible for a program that will enable them to recoup the contributions based on the future success of the company. Satchu and Wiczyk noted they are not taking a salary and will not participate in the recoupment program.

Madeline Merlo Hits Top Spot On iTunes With ‘Songland’ Composition

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Madeline Merlo is kicking off her career in a big way by winning Monday night’s (April 13) episode of NBC’s songwriting show Songland. The show chronicled Merlo’s co-write of “Champagne Night” with hit songwriter Shane McAnally and Lady Antebellum, and the upbeat, party anthem was deemed the winning song by Lady A, who recorded and released the tune digitally as well as a music video immediately following the episode. “Champagne Night” ranked No. 1 on the iTunes Country and All Genres Chart yesterday following the airing of the show.

“Songland was one of the most incredible and inspiring experiences,” said Merlo. “The knowledge I obtained throughout is invaluable, and the opportunity to work with such seasoned and decorated songwriters is something I won’t ever forget. As a young songwriter in this business, I felt so validated and honored by this experience. Lady Antebellum was so kind and gracious to me, and it was incredibly cool to be able to pitch a song to a band that I admire so much. I made lifelong friends, grew as a writer all while getting to share my vocals and songwriting abilities on network television.”

After a series of successful single releases in Canada, including debut “Sinking Like A Stone,” “War Paint,” “Whatcha Wanna Do About It,” “Neon Love,” and her most recent Canadian country radio Top 10 “Dear Me,” Vancouver native Merlo will release a trio of songs including “If You Never Broke My Heart,” “It Didn’t,” and Canadian radio single “Kiss, Kiss” on April 24.

Chase Rice Sets New Album Release For May

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Chase Rice. Photo: Jason Myers

Chase Rice announced during yesterday’s (April 14) appearance on Good Morning America that his new album The Album Part II will be released May 15. Rice FaceTimed into the show to perform current Top 25-and-climbing single “Lonely If You Are” live from his farm in Nashville in a special appearance.

The digital project, titled in keeping with January’s chart-topping surprise release of the seven-song The Album Part I, will combine with that earlier collection and additional new songs for an eventual all-encompassing physical project, The Album.

“We’ve been eager to get more new music out to the fans, especially during this crazy time,” said Rice. “I’m really proud of these songs and hope they can bring a little joy to people while they’re stuck at home…and I can’t wait to play them live for you when we’re back on the road together soon!”

The Album Part II Track Listing:
1.  You (Chase Rice, Jon Nite, Zach Kale)
2.  Break. Up. Drunk. (Chase Rice, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt)
3.  Down Home Runs Deep (Daniel Ross, Michael Hardy, Mike Walker, James McNair)
4.  Belong (Chase Rice, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite)

‘One World: Together At Home’ Global Special To Air On JOOX Music

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JOOX Music streaming platform today announced that One World: Together At Home—a globally televised and streamed special in support of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, will air on JOOX Music in Hong Kong and Macau SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and South Africa on April 19.

One World: Together At Home is a historic, first-of-its kind global broadcast event to celebrate the heroic efforts of community health workers, and to support the World Health Organization in the global fight to end COVID-19. The broadcast will feature stories from frontline healthcare workers on the COVID response, commitments from philanthropists, governments and corporations to support and equip frontline healthcare workers around the world with masks, gowns and other vital equipment, and to local charities that provide food, shelter, and healthcare to those that need it most.

Curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, One World: Together At Home will include performances and appearances by artists and celebrities including Alicia Keys, Andra Day, Andrea Bocelli, Awkwafina, Billie Eilish, Billy Ray Cyrus, Camila Cabello, Céline Dion, Charlie Puth, Chris Martin, Common, David & Victoria Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Jack Black, Jack Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kesha, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, LL Cool J, Maren Morris, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Bublé, Niall Horan, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Pharrell Williams, P.K. Subban, Sam Smith, Samuel L Jackson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Shawn Mendes, Sheryl Crow, Stephen Colbert, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Usher, and many more.

“As a leading music streaming platform, JOOX Music is proud to be a part of this global initiative that unites performers, music fans and all citizens around the world in a collaborative effort to beat coronavirus, supporting frontline healthcare workers and the WHO,” said Poshu Yeung, Vice President, International Business Group, Tencent. “We stand together, gathering our hearts while staying at home, with all music lovers in Hong Kong and Macau SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and South Africa in using music as a universal tool in our fight against the further spread of COVID-19.”

Concord Promotes Hazel Malit To CFO, Recorded Music

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Hazel Malit

Concord has promoted Hazel Malit to CFO of the company’s recorded music business. Malit, based in Concord’s Nashville office, will report to Concord CFO Bob Valentine, while working with Concord Chief Label Executive Tom Whalley and Chief Catalog Executive Sig Sigworth to manage day-to-day financial decisions for the labels.

Malit started her career at Concord in 2011 as a Royalty Accounting Manager. As the company grew, she began to focus solely on the Recorded Music side of its business and in recent years, Malit led the accounting integration process when Concord acquired labels including Wind Up, Razor & Tie and Victory Records.

In her new role, Malit will interface with Concord frontline and catalog label groups, joint-venture partners, KIDZ Bop recorded music and related touring business and shared service operational departments within Recorded Music to provide needed reporting, budgeting, forecasting and other insights. She will also assist with financial due diligence for potential strategic initiatives and, most importantly, ensure that all activities within the Recorded Music financial department are aligned with Concord’s overall goals, adhere to the company’s general accounting and operational policies and are consistent with its core values.

“I am thrilled to promote Hazel to this new role,” commented Valentine. “Ever since she joined Concord nine years ago, Hazel has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to provide the essential accounting and financial assistance that our creative and operational teams require to succeed. She is able to focus on the big picture, engenders trust with her coworkers and has built a world-class accounting team within the Recorded Music division. Her accomplishments throughout her time at Concord speak for themselves, and we are all happy to see her continue to advance her career here in this new vitally important position.”

“I would like to thank Bob Valentine for this opportunity,” said Malit. “I’m fortunate to work for a company who believes in their employees and encourages internal promotion. Also, I would like to thank my team for their continued support and dedication. As I take on this new role, I’m looking forward to working with Tom Whalley, Sig Sigworth, our label presidents and label services team in supporting Recorded Music Operations.”

“Hazel has become an integral part of the Recorded Music operations team over the last nine years,” said Whalley. “There is no better person to help lead the frontline and catalog labels in a continued pattern of growth,” continued Sigworth.