Big Machine Music’s Executive Team Extends Tenure

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Pictured: Alex Heddle, Mike Molinar, Grayson Stephens

As Big Machine Music celebrates its eighth anniversary this month, Big Machine Music General Manager Mike Molinar and Vice President Alex Heddle have both extended their tenures with the company. Grayson Stephens also rises to Sr. Director of Royalties and Finance at the company.

Leading BMM since inception, Molinar is a graduate of Leadership Music Class of 2015 and was named a member of the 2012-2013 MTSU Class of Distinguished Alumni. Heddle joined the company in 2013 and was vital in signing Dillon and Hurd as well as providing day-to-day duties for Maddie & Tae. A graduate of Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, Stephens held positions at Sony/ATV prior to accepting a finance position at Big Machine Label Group in 2016 then Big Machine Music in 2017.

“What Big Machine Music has become in just eight short years is nothing short of amazing,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Rising from the spark of an idea and a desire to ‘do it ourselves,’ all the way to an industry-leading powerhouse, Mike Molinar has built a publishing company to be reckoned with every day of the week. A sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Mike, Alex, Grayson and the entire BMM team for a job extremely well done.”

BMM celebrates its 30th No. 1 with Luke Combs’ “Does To Me” featuring Eric Church, and 33 consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart thanks to crossover smashes  Maren Morris’ “The Bones” (Laura Veltz) plus Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber’s “10,000 Hours” (Jessie Jo Dillon).

“Proud doesn’t begin to express how I feel about our entire team and roster of writers,” said Molinar. “I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz and Malcolm Mimms for their long-standing faith and guidance as well as the support of Scooter Braun and SB Projects who continue to help open doors to new opportunities. I’m elated that Alex Heddle and Grayson Stephens can be recognized for their significant contributions to the growth of Big Machine Music and support of our songwriters.”

Previous BMM catalog No. 1s include “Sleep Without You,” “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Like I Loved You,” “Mercy,” “Here Tonight” and “Catch” ( Brett Young); “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “One Number Away,” “She Got The Best of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Even Though I’m Leaving” (Luke Combs); “Yours If You Want It” and “A Guy Walks Into A Bar” (Singleton); “I’ll Name The Dogs,” “Any Ol’ Barstool” and “Drowns The Whiskey” (Josh Thompson); “I Could Use A Love Song,” “What If I Never Get Over You” and “Speechless” (Laura Veltz); and “Break Up In The End” (Jessie Jo Dillon), among others. BMM was named to Billboard’s Year End Top Ten Hot 100 Publisher Corp and Hot Country Publisher Corp for three consecutive years, in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Craig Wiseman Spends Seventh Week At No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Craig Wiseman is spending his seventh week in the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credits on “Chasin’ You” (Morgan Wallen) and “Here And Now” (Kenny Chesney).

The top five remains the same this week, with Shane McAnally at No. 2, Luke Combs at No. 3, Jonathan Singleton at No. 4 and Josh Thompson at No. 5.

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.

Americana Music Association Launches Educational And Charitable Foundation

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The Americana Music Association has formed the Americana Music Association Foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization, which aims to preserve the cultural heritage of roots music.

The foundation’s inaugural Board of Directors includes Lori Badgett, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Brandi Carlile, Rhiannon Giddens, Garth Fundis, Dennis Lord (Chair), JD May (Vice Chair), Mark Moffatt, Jonathan Taplin and Kurt Vitolo.

In recent weeks, the foundation launched its efforts to raise funds, beginning with a partnership with Ed Helms and the Bluegrass Situation’s production of “Whiskey Sour Happy Hour” this spring. The online variety show garnered more than $75,000 in donations to the MusiCares® COVID 19 Relief Fund and Direct Relief, which provides PPE to medical professionals on the front line. The Association will continue to mine its own Americana archives to raise funds for various causes.

The foundation will produce the Thriving Roots Institute, an initiative to bring together artists and educators to address historical precedents, milestones and pathways for artists in the future.
The AMAF is committed to the Americana Archival project to preserve the history of this American art form by digitizing unique moments in time, like Johnny and June Carter Cash’s last public performance together at the first annual Americana Honors & Awards, just months before his passing.

The Foundation will work with the existing academic community of ethnomusicologists helping fund new fieldwork to preserve music cultures from the rural South to the Texas-Mexico border, and from the Native American songs of the Pacific Northwest to the folk-fiddling music of Maine.

Weekly Register: Jimmy Buffett, Gabby Barrett Top Country Albums, Streaming Songs Charts

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Jimmy Buffett tops this week’s country albums chart with his latest project Life on the Flip Side, which earned 75K in total consumption in its debut week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get is at No. 2 with 26K, followed by Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me at No. 3 with 21K. Combs debut album This One’s For You is at No. 4 with 20K, and Kip Moore‘s Wild World debuts at No. 5 with 17K. Diplo‘s country project, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil, also debuted this week, entering at No. 7 on the country albums chart with 14.4K in total activity.

Over on the on-demand country song streaming chart, Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” maintains a stronghold on the No. 1 position this week, with 10 million streams. Diplo and Julia Michaels (ft. Morgan Wallen)’s “Heartless” is at No. 2 with 9.5 million streams, while Wallen’s solo outing “Chasin’ You” is at No. 3 with 8.3 million streams. Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” is at No. 4 with 7.3 million streams, while Luke Combs (ft. Eric Church)’s “Does To Me” is at No. 5 with 6.7 million streams.

Eric Church, Brandi Carlile, Vince Gill, Sturgill Simpson Set For John Prine Tribute Concert

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Nearly 40 artists will take part in an upcoming virtual concert honoring legendary artist and songwriter John Prine. Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine, set for Thursday, June 11, will be led by artists including Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Eric Church, Brandi Carlile, Vince Gill, Sturgill Simpson, and more.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT across multiple platforms including Prine’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitch channels.

Other confirmed performers include: Courtney Marie Andrews, Dan Auerbach, Kevin Bacon, Brené Brown, Dave Cobb, Stephen Colbert, Peter Cooper, Iris DeMent, John Dickerson, Mitchell Drosin, David Ferguson, Jeremy Ivey, Jim James, Pat McLaughlin, Bill Murray, Margo Price, Fiona Whelan Prine, Jack Prine, Tommy Prine, Bonnie Raitt, The Secret Sisters, Kyra Sedgwick, Amanda Shires, Todd Snider, Billy Bob Thornton, Kurt Vile, Kelsey Waldon, Sara Watkins, Jody Whelan, John Paul White, Rita Wilson and Prine’s longtime band members including Kenneth Blevins, David Jacques, Fats Kaplin, and Jason Wilber.

The tribute will include memories and songs as well as rare, never-before-seen footage of John himself, while raising money for NAMI, Alive and Make the Road New York.

SNG Music Promotes Three

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Kathleen Mullet, Aubrey Schwartz, Sierra Crider

Publishing company SNG Music has promoted three staffers, Kathleen Mullet, Aubrey Schwartz and Sierra Crider.

Mullet, who joined SNG in 2016, has been promoted to Sr. Director of Licensing and Administration. Schwartz has been with the company since 2017 and has advanced to Sr. Director of Creative. Crider joined SNG in 2019 and will now serve as Manager of Creative and Marketing.

“All of us at SNG Music are proud of the thoughtfulness, drive and determination that these three ladies bring to the office every day,” said SNG Music Managing Partner, Gary Reamey. “They go the extra mile to support our songwriters and are at the core of what makes us a unique independent music publishing company in Nashville.”

Founded in 2014, SNG is a Nashville-based music publishing and theatrical production company with a writer roster that includes Mark Nesler, Marty Dodson, Wyatt McCubbin, Carson Chamberlain, Zarni de Vette, Lee Starr, Oran Thornton, Reamey and David Spangler.

UMG’s Lori Christian Promoted To SVP, Marketing

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Lori Christian.

Universal Music Group Nashville has promoted Lori Christian to Senior Vice President of Marketing. In her new role, Christian will oversee Media Marketing, Brands & Sponsorship, International Marketing and Creative Services departments for the label group’s 36 artists, in addition to managing the media site Sounds Like Nashville.

UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe says, “I am so excited to expand the role of Lori Christian to SVP Marketing. Her ability to see the big picture and weave our artists narratives into the public’s consciousness has been second to none and expanding her duties to link her skills across the broader base of marketing will be such an incredible asset. I am so excited to see Lori shine in her new role.”

She has overseen the launches of projects from Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan, among others, as well as, development to now multi-platinum-selling status for artists including Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis and Sam Hunt. Christian was instrumental in the launch of last year’s movie soundtrack for Breakthrough featuring the Academy Award nominated “I’m Standing With You” performed by UMG Nashville’s recent artist addition Chrissy Metz.

Christian has led UMG Nashville’s publicity department since the 2012 merger of EMI and Universal Music Group, and rose to the role of SVP, Media Marketing. Christian previously oversaw the publicity department at Capitol Records Nashville and also handled publicity for Sony Music’s RCA Records label. Prior to moving to Nashville in 2005, she worked at NBC, Rogers & Cowan, Goodman Media and Paul Freundlich & Associates in New York.

Big Loud Adds Paul Logan In VP Role

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Paul Logan

Big Loud has added Paul Logan in the newly-created role of VP, Sync & Visual Strategy for its recording and publishing divisions.

In this role, he will seek out opportunities in film, television and video games for Big Loud artists and songwriters, in addition to developing programming strategies and overseeing rollout for the label’s video content.

Logan comes to Big Loud from Spotify, where he most recently served as Lead, Playlist Video Operations, overseeing content programming strategy across flagship playlists, as well as enhanced albums for artists including The Beatles, Luke Combs, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.

Prior to his role at Spotify, Logan spent 12 years at Viacom, including CMT, MTV and VH1. He served as CMT’s Director of Creative Music & Licensing Strategy in Nashville. In Los Angeles, he supervised music for 28 seasons for various VH1 series as Manager of Creative Music Integration. He also coordinated consumer promotions and partnerships in their New York offices, and organized artist bookings as part of MTV’s Music & Talent team for the VMAs and Movie Awards, among others.

“We are thrilled Paul has decided to join Big Loud. Over the last few years, we have gotten the chance to work closely with him on a few special projects and realized how talented he is,” said Seth England, Partner/CEO of Big Loud. “Adding Paul’s position is a big part of Big Loud’s year and we’re confident he’ll propel our progress tremendously.”

“While at Spotify, I had firsthand insight into the thriving force of Big Loud – their innovative approach in the industry, their artists’ powerful connection to fans, and the creativity of their songwriters,” Logan said. “They are absolutely changing the game, and I have long admired them for this. It is an incredible opportunity for me to join the Big Loud family in their success story.”

Sony Music Group Launches $100 Million Fund To Support Social Justice And Anti-racist Initiatives

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Sony Music Group announced on Friday, June 5, the launch of a $100 million fund to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives around the world.

The company, inclusive of all of its recorded music and content divisions and music publishing company, will immediately begin to donate to organizations that foster equal rights.

In making the announcement, Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group, said, “Racial injustice is a global issue that affects our artists, songwriters, our people and of course society at large. We stand against discrimination everywhere and we will take action accordingly with our community fully involved in effectively using these funds.”

Last week, Warner Music Group—in partnership with the Blavatnik Family—announced the launch of its own $100 million fund to support charitable causes related to the music industry, social justice and campaigns against violence and racism.

On June 4, Universal Music Group announced it will invest in a $25 million “Change Fund” to support the black community, as well as a Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC) to help fight for equality, justice and inclusion.

Jody Williams Launches New Publishing Venture With Warner Chappell Music

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Jody Williams. Photo: John Paul-Bruno

Jody Williams has returned to music publishing after a 14-year run as VP, Creative for performing rights organization BMI (his third run at the company).

Williams has launched Jody Williams Songs in partnership with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, to develop writers and artist-writers, secure covers, source legacy catalogs and represent select Warner Chappell Music catalogs for pitching. Jody Williams Songs will represent Ashley McBryde, Nathan Chapman, Jeremy Spillman and Greg Bates, and will also represent Pat McLaughlin in a writer management/publishing role.

Former Curb|Word Music Publishing Creative Director Nina Jenkins will serve as Creative Director for Williams’ new publishing company.

“My time at BMI taught me volumes about the business. I’ve seen how music, consumption, and income streams have changed over the last decade and a half,” said Williams. “Those great publishing catalogs that became the cornerstone of Nashville’s music industry, and those songwriters, provide continual inspiration for me. They are the catalyst for the song-forward nature of Jody Williams Songs. And having Ben Vaughn and the Warner Chappell team as the top publisher supporting us is a game-changer. Our Creative Director, Nina Jenkins, brings energy and an unmatched passion for songwriters. Between our team and theirs, I have very high hopes for the future.”

“It’s a huge honor that Jody chose to make his return to the scene with Warner Chappell Music,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “In his long and storied career, Jody has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Nashville’s leading industry figures. His commitment to quality is matched only by his unwavering support for the songwriting community. We value Jody’s wisdom and experience and our team looks forward to working alongside he and Nina as an extended part of the WCM family.”

Nashville native Williams has spent more than four decades in Nashville’s music community, including serving as President for MCA Music Publishing Nashville, as well as roles at Tree Publishing, Chappell Music and Screen Gems Music. In 1999, he formed Jody Williams Music, where he worked with Liz Rose, Josh Turner, and McLaughlin. JWM’s catalog was later sold to ole Media Management (now called Anthem) and contained songs recorded by Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, and many others.

Williams is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of CMA and remains a current board member, and is currently a trustee of the Country Music Hall of Fame.