Joe Clemmons. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed Joe Clemmons to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. The songwriter has had cuts with Gabby Barrett, Hardy, Brian Kelley, Ryan Hurd, Kameron Marlowe, Catie Offerman, and Josh Abbott Band.

The east Texas native moved to Nashville in 2008, where he developed his passion for guitar and songwriting while attending Belmont University. He spent several years on the road as a touring musicians with artists Hurd, Hardy, Maren Morris, Steve Moakler, and more, before choosing to focus solely on songwriting in 2017. Clemmons co-wrote “Rose Needs A Jack” on Barrett’s highly acclaimed debut album as well as Hurd’s “Wish For The World,” which earned the writers a 2020 AIMP Nashville Awards Publisher’s Pick nomination.

“A true song crafter and exceptional player, Joe is one of the most exciting talents for his generation of songwriters. We are beyond excited to be representing him at UMPG,” says Senior Director A&R, UMPG Nashville Missy Roberts.

“I have always been such a fan of the UMPG Nashville team. They consistently succeed at developing songwriters and taking them to the next level,” shares Clemmons. “After meeting with Missy and Terry Wakefield, I felt like I found a place where I could really thrive as a songwriter. I have such respect for them and all they have accomplished, and it’s an honor to join the Universal Music Family.”

Recording Academy President/CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., has appointed Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay as Co-Presidents, effective Aug. 16, 2021.

They will join recently elevated Chief Operating Officer Branden Chapman and Chief Industry Officer Ruby Marchand as part of a modernized leadership team. This new structure is recognition that further progress and building of the organization requires leaders with different strengths and areas of focus to drive innovation and accountability. The team will work directly under Mason, whose title will shift to CEO.

“The successful evolution of the Recording Academy is dependent on strong and innovative leaders, and I’m thrilled to elevate Valeisha and welcome Panos as Co-Presidents to help drive the Recording Academy’s continued transformation,” says Mason. “Both Valeisha and Panos are incredible leaders who have a proven record of progress, and together with the rest of the team, will continue to push the envelope at the Recording Academy and shape the organization to better serve, protect and celebrate the music community.”

As Co-President, Butterfield Jones will continue to oversee the Recording Academy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts along with people and culture, membership, awards, advocacy, and related initiatives. She will also continue to infuse the highest standards of inclusion, belonging, and representation throughout the Academy.

Butterfield Jones currently serves as the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy. Prior to this role, she served as the global head of inclusion for Google, Inc., responsible for accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities internally and externally across the global brand. Key programs under Butterfield Jones’ leadership included TechExchange, Code Next, the State of Black Women at Google, Decoding Race and the Digital Coaches program.

In 2007, Butterfield Jones co-founded Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), a nonprofit, global coalition of people committed to the balanced, positive portrayal of women in the entertainment industry. Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes, Fortune, Glamour, and Ebony magazine’s Power 100, The Root 100, Billboard magazine’s 2021 Change Agents feature, and others.

Panay will serve as Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer, and will be tasked with driving business growth across the entire organization to further expand the service offerings for the Academy’s members and the industry. With a focus on identifying new partnerships and opportunities, he will be instrumental in creating strategic plans and fostering a culture of innovation.

Prior to joining the Recording Academy, Panay served as the Senior Vice President for Global Strategy and Innovation at Berklee College of Music and is a fellow at MIT Connection Science. At Berklee, Panay led the development and execution of the college’s overarching strategic plan; founded the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship; oversaw its campuses in New York City, Valencia, and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Music + Health and India Exchange Institutes; and steered new partnerships, program development and the incorporation of new technologies. Prior to Berklee, Panay was founder and CEO of Sonicbids, the leading platform for emerging artists to connect with music promoters. He started his career as a talent agent and Vice President at The Kurland Agency, booking international tours for Grammy-winning artists such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and Branford Marsalis.

Panay has been recognized in Fast Company‘s Fast 50; Inc Magazine‘s Inc 500, Mass Hi-Tech All Stars, and Boston Globe‘s Game Changers. His first book Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation, co-authored with Michael Hendrix of IDEO, was released earlier this year and was named as a business book of the month of April by the Financial Times.

AIMP Nashville will be hosting a State of the Music Business Post-Pandemic Webinar this Thursday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m. CST. John Esposito, Chairman & CEO at Warner Music Nashville, will be joining the virtual conversation with moderator and journalist Cindy Watts.

Together, the pair will discuss the current state of the music industry as we begin to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics of discussion will range from the touring resuming, COVID’s impact on radio tours, how the A&R Department is signing new artists, what “back to work” will look like for Warner Music Nashville, streaming vs. radio, and more.

The webinar is free for AIMP members and $5 for non-members. To register for the event, click here.

Jake Owen. Photo: Matt Paskert

Jake Owen is hosting Jake Owen & Friends: A Concert Made for You on Thursday, July 15 at the Ryman Auditorium. Proceeds from the special, one-night-only show will benefit the CMA Foundation and their efforts to improve and sustain high-quality music education programs across the U.S. as they work to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music.

Sharing the stage with Owen will be some of the songwriters behind his nine career No.1 songs, including the most recent smash hit “Made For You.” Penned by Benjy Davis, Joey Hyde, and Neil Medley, the song earned all three writers their first-ever No. 1. Quickly becoming an international sensation, the single charted in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and marked the first time Big Loud Records ever had a multi-week No. 1 single on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts.

“Being able to play the Ryman Auditorium is always going to be special, but to be able to share the stage with some of the people who helped shape my career with their songs is something that I will remember forever,” shares Owen. “This ‘Made For You’ concert is made for country music fans, and it’s going to be a special way to be a part of the shows that are welcoming live music back to Nashville.”

“With CMA Fest postponed for a second year, the Foundation lost a majority of its funding,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation executive director. “Having artists like Jake show continued commitment and support to our mission is what sets country music apart. As beneficiaries, we are honored to be included in this event. It is sure to be an exciting night full of country music!”

Tickets for the benefit go on sale this Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. CST and can be purchased here.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has launched its new Care It Forward initiative, ranging from in-store surprises for guests throughout the summer to a special musical content series featuring pairings of musical artists from diverse backgrounds, genres, and viewpoints.

Cracker Barrel has partnered with Grammy Award-winning musicians and songwriters Shane McAnally, Cece Winans, and Jennifer Nettles to share stories of how their careers benefitted from someone making an effort to #CareItForward, and to give these artists and songwriters the opportunity to do the same by mentoring up-and-coming musicians. Cracker Barrel has paired McAnally, Winans, and Nettles with artists Kylie Morgan, Tauren Wells, and a special guest, respectively, to help coach, mentor, and support them in the next steps of their careers after a year where nearly two-thirds of artists and creative workers reported being fully unemployed because of COVID-19.

“As we emerge from a season unlike any we’ve ever experienced as a country, it’s important to come together and demonstrate care – not only through conversations, but also through actions,” explains Cracker Barrel Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Tate. “At Cracker Barrel, we believe inspiring care can start by simply inviting a diverse range of people to participate, and you will see that in action with the launch of our Care It Forward initiative.”

These artists will come together for engaging conversations touching on their struggles and triumphs in the music business. The first episode, featuring Winans and up-and-comer Wells, honors Black Music Appreciation Month and will be available Thursday, June 24, on Facebook, Instagram TV, and YouTube with additional content to be released throughout the summer.

Cracker Barrel guests, employees, and community members are invited to share their stories and inspire others by using #CareItForward on social media. To learn more about how Cracker Barrel is showing care, click here.