Michael Ray’s “Whiskey and Rain” Goes Gold
Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s Justin Luffman, Lou Ramirez, Cris Lacy, Stephanie Hagerty, Chad Schultz, Anna Cage, James Marsh, Shari Roth, Tom Martens, Michael Ray, Ben Kline, Kristen Williams, Ray Mariner, Diane Monk, Chris Fabiani, Kayla Burnett. Photo: Michael Tedesco
Warner Music Nashville’s Michael Ray joined the WEA radio team and other members of the label family to celebrate some extra excitement this CRS week.
Ray’s fourth chart-topping hit single, “Whiskey and Rain,” has officially been certified RIAA Gold. The single, written by Josh Thompson and Jesse Frasure, has surpassed 120 million on-demand streams in the U.S. alone.
The next single from his Higher Education EP, “Holy Water,” is due to impact radio on March 7.
Amanda Cooksey Rises To A&R Manager At Demolition Music
Amanda Cooksey
Demolition Music’s A&R Coordinator and Head of PR, Amanda Cooksey, has been promoted to A&R Manager.
Cooksey started working for the company in fall of 2018, managing the catalog while moving her way into creative over the past few years. She will be working closely with the writers, booking sessions, and pitching songs, as well as overseeing PR for the company. Cooksey graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2016 and a songwriting degree in 2018 from Belmont University, and recently received her Master’s in PR from the University of Florida.
“Amanda started with Demolition nearly four years ago as an intern and has impressed us from day one. With a great ear for songs and a natural talent for song plugging, I believe she’s going to knock it out of the park in her new role as our A&R Manager,” says President of Demolition, Jon D’Agostino.
“I feel so lucky to have watched Demolition grow over the past few years and look forward to what 2022 has in store for us. Not only is Demolition ambitious and driven in everything they do, but Jon has also worked hard to make the company feel like a family. I believe that this is going to be our best and biggest year yet,” Cooksey adds.
Demolition opened its doors in 2014 and boasts a roster of D’Agostino, Steve Dorff, Josh Ronen, Haven, Michael August, Evan Coffman, and Landon Wall.
AIMP Names Ashley Morey As Young Professional Committee Chair
Ashley Morey
The Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York Young Professional Committees of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) have selected Ashley Morey, Director, Client Services at HFA/Rumblefish, as Chair of their national Young Professional Committee (YPC).
Morey, who has extensive experience supporting publishers and songwriters from her 8+ years at HFA, will coordinate the YPC’s national meetings, handle communication on behalf of the committee, and mobilize its members. She began her career in the music industry as an assistant roadie before earning her BBA in Music Business from Belmont University and interning in the Licensing and Membership departments at ASCAP Nashville. She later joined HFA as an Inquiry Agent in 2013 and worked her way through the ranks, taking on the Director, Client Services role in September 2021.
“Our Young Professional Committees are a vital part of the AIMP providing education, collaboration, and idea-sharing opportunities to those shaping the future of our industry,” says John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “With Ashley’s strong background in music publishing and her expertise in the digital space, I have no doubt she will lead the YPC to accomplish great things this year.”
“As both a musician and a publishing professional, helping to educate publishers and songwriters and ensuring they are properly compensated is my mission and my greatest reward,” adds Morey. “Through leading the Young Professional Committee, I look forward to working alongside the AIMP and my peers to provide crucial programming and strengthen our industry for the generations to come.”
The national YPC was launched in the fall of 2021. The committees’ primary purpose is to educate, inform, and share insight on the inner workings of independent music publishing, while also encouraging and involving members in the young professional music community.
Vere Music Adds Paige Heinemann As Project Coordinator
Paige Heinemann
Vere Music, a Nashville-based global distribution company, has expanded its team with the addition of Paige Heinemann as Project Coordinator.
In this role, Heinemann will work alongside Vere’s CEO Rusty Harmon and A&R Executive Alyssa Logan, coordinating directly with Vere artists and labels, arranging release information, and coordinating projects under label services
Heinemann is a Nebraska native who moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2021. Heinemann has held a variety of internships at Big Loud, Jacht Agency and Bryan Health. Majoring in advertising, public relations and communication, she has also been involved with Nashville’s Young Entertainment Professionals chapter.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paige onto the Vere team,” says Logan. “Her background in media and marketing has quickly become a great asset for our clients.”
Created in 2020, Vere specializes in releasing music while allowing artists to retain 100% ownership of their masters. Since its opening, Vere has accumulated over 15 artists across many genres and has released 70+ projects, accounting for more than 700 million streams. Their roster includes artists such as David Nail, Trace, Andrew Duhon, Joey Lawrence, Dan Rodriguez, Cody Webb, Alissa Moreno, and others. Vere also partners with labels such as Clearwater Records, Gray Vonne Records, and TAOL Recordings.
