John “Alexander” Arezzi

Former country music executive John Alexander is telling the story of his careers in music, baseball and professional wrestling in a new memoir called, Mat Memories: My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and With The Mets, out April 6.

Alexander, born John Arezzi, details his 20-year career in music working at GAC, Black River Entertainment, and Bandtwango. Alexander managed country singer Sarah Darling, was instrumental in jumpstarting the career of Patty Loveless, and discovered country music star Kelsea Ballerini.

“My life has been a roller coaster ride involving high profile jobs in the high profile industries of country music, professional wrestling, and baseball,” says Alexander. “There are twists and turns, financial peaks and valleys, and many amazing relationships which shaped who I am today. My story features a who’s who in the industries I have spent time in, and even interactions with billionaires, and a former U.S. President whom I ‘fire’ on national TV. It is a good read!”

Published through ECW Press and co-authored by Greg Oliver, Mat Memories is Alexander’s chance to tell the untold behind-the-scenes stories: from the ring, the stage, and the diamond.

“Having the opportunity to share my life story in a memoir is truly life changing,” says Alexander. “So many have told me for years that I needed to write a book on my life, and I am grateful to ECW Press, and my co-author, Greg Oliver for giving me that opportunity.”

The Long Island native was a lifelong New York Mets fan who always wanted to work in baseball. In 1981, he took a job with the Mets Single A minor league team in North Carolina. Besides baseball, Alexander had another love, professional wrestling. He ran a fan club for the villainous “Classy” Freddie Blassie as a teenager, then progressed to wrestling photographer, and finally even stepped into the ring himself as ‘John Anthony.’

In the 1990s, Alexander went on to host the pioneering radio talk show Pro Wrestling Spotlight. He also ran one of the first major conventions, assembling a wrestling meet and greet to meet with fans. He promoted shows, both at home and abroad, and was a key figure behind importing lucha libre into America.

Eventually he left wrestling to pursue a new life in an altogether different world: country music. After adopting a new name, John Alexander, he made his mark as a music marketing executive and artist manager.

Mat Memories: My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and With The Mets can be purchased on Amazon when released on April 6. It is available for pre-order now.

The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters) is continuing its partnership with H&R Block and once again providing free tax prep services to songwriters in the Nashville area this spring. The program is part of its effort to provide direct assistance to working music creators during the pandemic and beyond.

“We encourage songwriters to utilize free tax preparation this year as we know so many of them are suffering. The pandemic has put many burdens on creators and we are hopeful that the Foundation can alleviate this one. We thank H&R Block for their partnership and sharing our commitment to helping the Nashville songwriting community,” said NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation President David Israelite.

For more information and to make a free tax preparation appointment, visit SONGSfoundation.org and fill out the form under the Free Tax Preparation.

Launched in 2015, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation supports writers through funding educational programs, direct financial assistance and services, and through partnerships with institutions and organizations to enhance opportunities for music creators. The Foundation has provided over $250,000 in funding, grants and scholarships to universities including Belmont, LA College of Music, MTSU and Howard University, among others. The Board includes Israelite, Steven Tyler, Jewel, Kara DioGuardi, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Lee Thomas Miller, Danielle Aguirre and Charlotte Sellmyer.

Steve Popovich Jr. and Bob Frank

Cleveland International Records announced it has entered into a global distribution deal with BFD / Audium Nashville.

Cleveland International Records (CIR) was launched in 1977 by the late industry executive, Steve Popovich, Sr. Over its span, the label is known for having released music from various artists from different genres including Grammy-winning albums. CIR is most notable for the signing and launching the career of Meat Loaf and the album, Bat Out of Hell, which went on to become one of the top selling albums in music history. The label relaunched in 2019 with Steve Popovich Jr. at the helm, bringing both new and generational music back to the forefront.

CIR and BFD / Audium Nashville will work in tandem to distribute new music to fans across the globe with future projects, including recordings from country great John Anderson, outlaw country pioneer David Allan Coe, and more.

“The pandemic has definitely made us rethink how we conduct business on some levels but it has also forced us to shift our focus elsewhere for the better, too,” says CIR President, Popovich, Jr.

“We are thrilled to partner with Steve and look forward to working with him on the strong releases he has planned for 2021,” says BFD / Audium Nashville CEO, Bob Frank.

The announcement of the partnership also unveiled the announcement of several albums, including a 20th anniversary edition and vinyl release of Coe’s album Biketoberfest 01′: Live From the Iron Horse Saloon, originally executive produced by Popovich, Jr. The album is set to release on May 21.

Another anticipated 2021 release is a vinyl re-release of Frank Yankovic’s album, Frank Yankovic: Songs of the Polka King – The Ultimate Collection.

Popovich, Jr. also plans to honor his late father, CIR founder Steve Popovich Sr., and his legacy through a documentary.

Steve Popovich Jr. and Steve Popovich Sr.

“In addition to the label side of things we are also working on his documentary,” Popovich Jr. says.  “He was an extraordinary person. This is a guy who was responsible for signing some of the biggest names in the history of the music business. You can start with signing Michael Jackson and The Jacksons to CBS/Epic Records. Had that not been done, would there have been a ‘Thriller’? I don’t know, but can you imagine what void that what have left in music period? It’s incredible to think about.”

Additionally, there will be a reissue of Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers‘s album American Babylon, originally released in 1995 and produced by Bruce Springsteen. The deluxe reissue will include a live LP from the Houserockers’ October Assault Tour, recorded at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania show that same year.

The label will also be releasing several past live shows recorded in Cleveland, Ohio. The first installment of these iconic shows will be live recordings from Ellen Foley, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes featuring Ronnie Spector and Stevie Van Zandt, and CIR’s The Boyzz featuring special guests Meat Loaf, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson.

Copperline has entered into a global distribution deal with the Cash Is King record label.

The new company is home to flagship artist Callie Twisselman, and both Cash Is King and Twisselman are represented by artist manager Danny Nozell and Justis Mustaine of CTK Enterprises.

A Cailfornia native, Twisselman learned to play guitar by the age of 15, and began writing her own songs. She was soon playing local songwriters rounds and formed her first band, traveling to fairs and festivals throughout the West Coast. After graduating high school, she flew to Nashville to record her first EP. In 2017, Twisselman made the move to Nashville permanently. Kent Wells, Dolly Parton’s producer, first introduced Twisselman to Nozell. Under Nozell’s guidance, Twisselman spent the next two years honing her skills and recording and demoing her music.

Callie Twisselman

“There is something about Nashville that inspires you,” says Twisselman. “I wrote about as many songs the first month here as I did in one year of living in California. I never felt more certain of anything in my life, this is where I am supposed to be.”

Twisselman is signed to eOne for publishing via Vintern Songs. Her debut single, “Two Hands,” is set for release on April 9.