Jon Nite Inks With SESAC

Jon Nite has signed with SESAC for representation. Nite has penned hits for Gabby Barrett, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Brandi Carlile, Dustin Lynch, Jake Owen, Phillip Phillips, Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Darius Rucker, Brett Young, and more. Most recently, his work with Gabby Barrett and Zach Kale on the unprecedented hit “I Hope” has broken both streaming and airplay records for a debut country artist.

“With his multi-platinum certifications and 14 No. 1 hits, there is no doubt that Jon is one of the most remarkable songwriters in the industry—and continues to be a rising star,” said Kelli Turner, SESAC’s President and COO. “His indelible storytelling and inspiring lyrics not only capture the epitome of great songs but also his talent and passion for the craft. We are simply thrilled to have Jon join the SESAC family.”

 

Niko Moon Celebrates Golden ‘Good Time’ With Cody Alan On ‘After Midnite’

Niko Moon received a surprise this week with news that his single, “Good Time,” has achieved RIAA Gold certification during an interview with CMT’s Cody Alan on his radio show “After Midnite.”

“I am beyond excited that ‘Good Time’ is my first Gold record as an artist!” said Moon. “I cannot thank everyone enough for their support, from country radio and streaming, to my team, to the people who have embraced this song and listened to it over and over – I am so blessed. And of course, Cody Alan who helped break this news! It’s so humbling and I’m just happy to be able spread positivity through country music.” Moon is scheduled to make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday (Oct. 10).

 

Riley Green Garners Some Heavy Metal For “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”

Riley Green recently celebrated the Platinum certification from the RIAA of his sentimental ballad, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” The chart-topping Alabama native commemorated over one million in consumption alongside his Big Machine Label Group team with Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen presenting a special plaque. Sharing writing credits on “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” posthumously with his family patriarchs, Green honors their memory on the special tune and a connection that has grown beyond his lineage.

 

Jameson Rodgers Celebrates Gold Certification

River House Artists/Columbia Nashville singer/songwriter Jameson Rodgers is celebrating his first RIAA Gold-certified single as an artist, as his debut single “Some Girls” has reached sales exceeding 500,000 units.

“This song has changed my life,” said Rodgers. “It was the best surprise I’ve had in a long time last night at our softball game. My work family, who I haven’t seen in six months, surprised us with the certified-GOLD record plaques. I can’t imagine a better team to be on this journey with. I’m looking forward to seeing where else this road leads and much better days ahead.”

Several label, publishing and management execs surprised Rodgers with the news, along with songwriters HARDY, Jake Mitchell, and C.J. Solar.

Jill Tomalty has opened Springboard, a professional coaching and consulting company that provides support, accountability and coaching to entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and those working in creative fields. The company works with clients looking to level up their current situation or transition to a new one, and helps them navigate issues like time management, productivity, mindset, and more.

Tomalty’s previous experience includes working at Warner/Word/Curb, Provident, and Flying Island, where she served as marketing director, a regional radio rep and brand manager. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling and three Professional Coaching Certifications in Communications, Emotional Intelligence, and General Life Coaching.

“Having over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry as well as a background in counseling and coaching, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by creative professionals and entrepreneurs. I am excited to be able to offer assistance and perspective as someone who has been there,” Tomalty said.

Tomalty can be reached at [email protected] or by visiting springboardpcc.com.

ASCAP will honor the most-performed Christian music from the past year with a two-day virtual event which launches today (Oct. 7) on ASCAP’s social media platforms, including photos, videos, acceptance speeches and more from some of ASCAP’s top songwriters and artists.

Five-time Grammy nominee Matthew West is being honored as ASCAP’s Christian Songwriter of the year for a third time, for penning songs including “Nobody” (recorded by Casting Crowns) and “The God Who Stays.” West previously took home the Christian Songwriter of the Year honor in 2014 and 2017 and was named Christian Songwriter-Artist of the Year in 2013 and 2015-2016.

“It’s such a tremendous honor and it means a lot to me,” West said.

West also earned this year’s ASCAP Christian Song of the Year for “Nobody,” marking the fifth time he has won the honor. “Nobody” was published by Combustion Music, House of Story Music Publishing, Kobalt Songs Music Publishing, and One 77 Songs.

“[Casting Crowns lead singer/songwriter] Mark [Hall] and I were writing at a cabin in Leiper’s Fork and he comes in from Atlanta, Georgia,” West tells MusicRow. “He’s a busy man because he’s full-time at a church in Georgia. He’s a remarkable guy in that way so when he comes to town, it’s go time on writing. This song came out of the experience of us both talking about how we each in our own way have known what it’s like to be last one picked for the kickball team. He talks about some major hurdles in his life and I was talking about getting bullied in school as a kid. We started talking about that and how the world just seems to go out of its way to point out how people aren’t perfect. Life feels a lot about measuring up. The world does a good job of making people feel like they are not enough. We dove into that and it’s just a reminder that God uses people who are often overlooked to do amazing things.”

This year’s ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year honor goes to Capitol CMG for the 19th straight year, for publishing hits including Unspoken’s “Reason,” We The Kingdom’s “Holy Water,” MercyMe’s “Almost Home,” and more. Capitol CMG co-President Brad O’Donnell and his team will accept this year’s award.

Along with acceptance speeches from awards winners, this year’s virtual ASCAP Christian Music Awards will include performances from two additional most-performed hits from the past year. Unspoken’s Chad Mattson and Jonathan Lowry will perform “Reason,” while Luke and Joel Smallbone from duo for King & Country will perform “God Only Knows.”

“No matter how many you are fortunate enough to win, they never get old. We all write so many songs and work so many projects, it’s a real blessing to see how much of an impact these songs have had and to be celebrated for something you have written,” said producer and songwriter David Garcia, who is being honored for co-writing MercyMe’s hit “Best News Ever.”

For a full list of this year’s winners, visit ascap.com.

The White Stripes Greatest Hits, the first-ever official anthology of recordings from the iconic rock duo, Jack and Meg White, is set for release on Dec. 4 via Columbia and White’s Third Man Records. The new agreement covers the worldwide distribution for the majority of White’s recordings with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather and his solo work.

The collection highlights 26 previously released songs and is available for pre-order on CD, 2xLP 150-gram black vinyl, and digitally.

In true White Stripes fashion, the band has revealed only one of the twenty-six songs on the track list today, “Ball and Biscuit,” keeping the rest a mystery to be unveiled at a later date. Ensuring that this special celebration is started in full force, the band dug into the archives to share a never-before-seen live performance video of “Ball and Biscuit” from their October 22^nd, 2003 Shibuya-AX show in Tokyo, Japan. Shot on four camcorders, this was the band’s third trip to Japan. All of The White Stripes’ groundbreaking official music videos will be upgraded and released in High Definition as part of the Greatest Hits release in December, and fans subscribing to The White Stripes YouTube channel can access more from the archives and watch the HD music videos when they debut.

Third Man Records is also releasing an expanded collection with an added bonus third LP of largely overlooked, previously scattered b-sides for Vault Package #46. For the Vault version, the first two LPs containing the original track list will be pressed on red and white discs. The bonus third LP is pressed on an exquisite red/white/black “detonation” colored vinyl. Taking it to another level, the Vault version of Greatest Hits features iconic artwork from longtime White Stripes collaborator Rob Jones. The package also comes with three Rob Jones silk-screen prints and a White Stripes-themed set of magnetic poetry.