Max Lousada

Max Lousada has been named CEO, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG), effective October 1. Lousada is currently Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK), home to a host of British superstars including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Muse, Gorillaz, Rita Ora, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush and more.

With the promotion, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global recorded music operations, including Atlantic, Warner Bros., Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Global Catalog/Rhino and Warner Classics, as well as WMG’s international recorded music affiliates and WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions, WEA and ADA. Reporting to WMG CEO Steve Cooper, Lousada will divide his time between London and New York and will continue to lead Warner Music UK alongside his new worldwide responsibilities.

Lousada began his career by founding his own distribution company, In A Silent Way. In 2000, he became the European Managing Director for New York-based hip-hop label Rawkus Records, where he worked with artists such as Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. In 2002, he joined Mushroom Records as Head of A&R, signing dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases from acts such as Muse, Ash, Garbage and DJ Paul Oakenfold. Following Warner Music UK’s acquisition of Mushroom Records in 2003, Lousada became Head of A&R at Atlantic UK, rising to President then Chairman in 2009. During his decade at Atlantic, he built a roster of artists including Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rudimental, Plan B, Marina and the Diamonds, Lykke Li, Damien Rice and Birdy.

Since 2013, Lousada has expanded Warner Music UK’s repertoire to serve a broader range of artists, playing an instrumental role in the integration of Parlophone into WMUK, as well as reviving the East West Records imprint and launching dance music imprints within each of the UK’s front line labels. In addition, he has strengthened the company’s creative capabilities with the launch of The Firepit, a video content division, innovation lab and state-of-the-art recording studio.

“With WMG breaking more superstars and leading the industry’s transition to streaming, this is the perfect time to appoint a proven leader to turbocharge the success of our Recorded Music division,” said Cooper. “Max’s wide-ranging achievements make him the natural choice. Since taking over the helm of Warner Music UK, he has continued to build his reputation for identifying and developing world-class artistic and executive talent. At the same time, he’s transformed our UK operation, with an inspired vision of a truly progressive music company in the 21st century. He’s the consummate music man, always exploring what we can do differently to benefit our artists, their fans, our people and our partners. I’m looking forward to working with Max as he leads our outstanding Recorded Music management team.”

“I came to Warner because it’s always been such a fantastic melting pot of independent spirits uniting to champion artists that change culture and make music that matters,” said Lousada. “Fourteen years later, that ethos is as strong as ever, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on those foundations with my extremely gifted partners around the world. Together, we’ll continue to create an environment where talent has the support and the freedom to flourish, where we empower our artists and our people to be true pioneers, and where we inspire audiences to be as excited about music as we are. I would like to thank Len and Steve for their tremendous support.”

ASCAP is celebrating a record-breaking year in revenues for 2016, taking in $1.059 billion for the year and distributing more than $918 million of that to its songwriter, composer, and publisher members. That number is up 5.6 percent over 2015, and revenues from the publishing rights organization’s licensing efforts in the U.S. alone increased nearly six percent in 2016 to $759 million, fueled primarily by a 41 percent increase in revenues from streaming along with higher revenues from satellite radio and general licensees like bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels.

The company’s foreign revenues of $300 million were up as well, and domestic distributions of $631 million from ASCAP-licensed and administered performances in the U.S. grew nearly ten percent, up $55.5 million over 2015.

The rights organization operates as a non-profit and delivers about 88 cents of every dollar collected back to members for performances of their music. ASCAP’s strategic investments to grow general licensing revenues has yielded a 7.2 percent annual growth rate over the past four years. ASCAP licensed over 18,000 new businesses in 2016 and also instituted a number of innovations in licensing, such as greater automation in reporting to create efficiencies that reduced the cost of new license acquisitions over the last three years by 50 percent.

“ASCAP’s record high revenues and distributions in 2016 are a testament to the amazing repertory of music we are privileged to represent, and to our investment in innovations that enable us to continue to grow revenues, leverage our scale and increase efficiencies in our operations,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “ASCAP is committed to transforming and innovating to secure a healthy future for music creators and publishers. In 2016 alone, we processed over one trillion performances, welcomed 40,000 new members, and secured a steady stream of future royalties for our members by closing multi-year deals across all major platforms, including satellite and terrestrial radio.”

“ASCAP’s strong financial results matter for each and every songwriter, composer and music publisher who makes a living from our creative work, from those just starting out to those whose music is beloved around the world,” added ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. I am also incredibly proud that ASCAP continues to lead the fight for much-needed changes to U.S. music licensing regulations that are grossly unfair to songwriters and copyright owners.” 

ASCAP songwriters wrote or co-wrote nine of the top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, and wrote 14 of Billboard’s year-end chart-topping songs. Among those artists renewing their agreements with ASCAP this year were Kelly Clarkson, Max Martin, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Skrillex, Timbaland, Hans Zimmer, the estate of Johnny Marks, (writer of Christmas classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”), Beach Boy Mike Love, Latin superstars Carlos Vives and Fonseca, Adnan “Menace” Khan (producer/co-writer of Desiigner’s #1 song “Panda”), Nashville star Clare Bowen, and Karey Kirkpatrick (co-creator of the Broadway smash Something Rotten!).

This year’s ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO, slated for April 13-15 at Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, has added several Nashville songwriters to its lineup.

Opening day’s “We Create Music Panel” will bring together industry members including Ashley Gorley, film/TV composer Jeff Cardoni (Silicon Valley/CSI: Miami), Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), Sam Hollander (Fitz and the Tantrums “HandClap”), and James Fauntleroy (Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars).

On April 14 an EXPO Writers Jam will boast stories behind the songs and acoustic performances from J.T. Harding (Kenny Chesney’s “Bar at the End of the World” and “Somewhere With You”), as well as Dave Bassett (Elle King’s “Ex’s & Oh’s”) and Lindy Robbins (Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me”).

That same day, songwriter/producer Forest Glen Whitehead (Kelsea Ballerini, Brantley Gilbert) will also join as a roundtable session mentor.

As previously announced, on Thursday, April 13 the panel “You Should Be Here: A Peek Into The Country Music Market” will be led by songwriter Ashley Gorley, who recently earned his 30th No. 1 country hit. Also on the panel will be Matt Jenkins (Kenny Chesney/Pink, Old Dominion) and Zach Crowell (Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton). Also announced was Desmond Child, appearing in a feedback session and conversation with R&B star Aloe Blacc.

Chris Janson Celebrates 31st Birthday At ACM Awards

Pictured (L-R): Megan Joyce (VP, Head of Business & Legal Affairs), Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R), Lisa Ray (VP, Head of Brand Management), Chris Janson, Peter Strickland (CMO), Cris Lacy (VP A&R)

Chris Janson celebrated his 31^st birthday on Sunday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards with his Warner Music Nashville family. Janson performed at the official ACM After Party for a Cause at Park Theatre following the ceremony.

YEP Joins Music Biz 2017 Networking Panel

The Young Entertainment Professionals Nashville has joined forces with the Music Business Association to bring “Generation Next: Networking in the 21st Century” to Music Biz 2017 on May 16 at 12 p.m. CT at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville.

Moderated by Rachel Knight, YEP board member and President of The Knight Agency, Inc., the panel will include Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group Owner/CEO Lou Taylor, YEP Co-chair and Gyrosity Projects/Crosshair CEO Garrison Snell, and Insperity Business Performance Advisor Colin Kassekert discussing the best practices of networking in the digital age.

Matt Rogers Named Durango Boots Brand Ambassador

Matt Rogers has signed on with Durango Boots as one of their 2017 brand ambassadors. With Durango, Matt will be able to offer special deals just for his fans on Durango merchandise. 

“I am thrilled to have signed a deal with Durango Boots, they are an instrumental part of the release of my new EP.” says Rogers. “I have always loved Durango Boots and am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of their brand.”

Pictured (L-R): Sally Williams, CMA Board Chairman; Carrie Underwood, CMA International Artist Award winner; Brandi Simms, CMA Senior Director of Awards and Industry Relations; and Ann Edelblute, CMA Board member and Underwood’s manager. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Country Music Association (CMA) has announced more International Awards recipients for 2017. Australian promoter Rob Potts was recently honored backstage at CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Australia with the Jo Walker-Meador International Award, while Carrie Underwood was honored backstage at the Grand Ole Opry while celebrating her 100th performance with the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award.

Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside the United States.

Underwood has made touring internationally a priority since performing her first U.K. concert with a quick sell-out at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in 2012, followed by sold-out tours throughout Australia and Canada. After first headlining C2C in 2013, she became the first artist to headline twice, performing in London, Glasgow, and Dublin in 2016, as well as adding dates in Sweden and Norway. Underwood made three additional trips to the U.K. in support of her recent Storyteller album for the Apple Music Festival and major TV performances including X Factor and The Jonathan Ross Show. Last winter, she reteamed with former tour mate Keith Urban for an arena/stadium tour of Australia and New Zealand, bringing her to nearly 25 international markets over the course of the year.

Named for Country Music Hall of Fame member and longtime Executive Director of CMA, the Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting Country Music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States.

Potts, one of Australia’s leading promotors, heads Rob Potts Entertainment Edge where he has been at the forefront of country music’s surge Down Under. He is one of the founders of the CMC Rocks festival franchise, including CMC Rocks QLD, Australia’s first sold-out country music festival. Potts also serves as Chairman of the CMA Australian Advisory Group. Five-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town presented Potts his trophy backstage at the CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.

“CMA International Awards are a way to recognize our genre’s best ambassadors to fans globally. The recipients of these Awards are the ones on the front lines, continuously driving CMA’s mission to advance Country Music around the world,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement follows several weeks packed with festivals and other country music events in three different countries – first with the C2C Festival in London, Dublin, and Glasgow; and more recently with the CMC Music Awards and sold-out CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Australia.

Rob Potts (center) receives the Jo Walker-Meador International Award from Little Big Town backstage at CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Australia. Photo: Lachlan Douglas