Nashville-based Music Finance Startup, Music Benefactors, Hires Two
Kevin Smart, Ronnie Thomas
Nashville-based music finance startup Music Benefactors has hired two new staffers. Ronnie Thomas joins the company as Senior Director of Artist and Label Relations, and Kevin Smart has been named Director of Client Relations. Thomas is a 30-year music industry veteran who worked for Mercury Records and in numerous industry roles in promotion, engineering, producing, artist management and A&R. He comes to Music Benefactors from Sun and Sky Entertainment, where he was Managing Director of A&R. Smart joins Music Benefactors after spending seven years as the Musical Director and Marketing Specialist for Sony artist Jake Miller. In addition to being a touring musician, he assisted Warner Records with creating, managing and analyzing digital marketing campaigns.
Max Flinn Extends Publishing Deal With Three Hounds Music
Max Flinn
Max Flinn has extended his publishing agreement with Three Hounds Music. Flinn has opened for artists like Robert Earl Keen, and his new single will be released in January, followed by the release of his EP, Meant to Be. Houston native Flinn has teamed up with producer/songwriter/musician, Bobby Terry on the new album, which is set for release in early 2021.
“Max is a dynamic performer and a prolific songwriter. I am excited to continue to nurture that talent,” Three Hounds Music founder Tom Harrison said.
Holly Gleason Set To Pen New Book On John Prine’s Legendary Life And Career
John Prine. Photo: Danny Clinch
Nashville author and industry veteran Holly Gleason has signed on to write a new book on John Prine as part of the collection of the Chicago Review Press’ Artists In Their Own Words series. The series volumes are contextualized collections of the best interviews iconic artists have done across the span of their careers, and previous subjects have included Joni On Joni, Dylan On Dylan, Harrison On Harrison, and Waits On Waits. Prine On Prine: Interviews And Encounters will examine the legendary songwriter/Americana icon’s celebrated life, career, and songs in his own words.
Gleason is winner of the Belmont Book Award for the acclaimed Woman Walk The Line, which was released in 2017. “John has been a major part of my life since I was a college kid in Miami, and I’ve seen the evolution of both the press and the man in the most amazing ways,” said Gleason. “To be able to collect the best pieces that are out there that distill who he was along the way thrills me, and it means that beyond the man Ann Powers cites as the kindly uncle who’d give young songwriters who asked advice over vodka and ginger ale, the years that shape that man will be documented for the ages.”
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at
[email protected].
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