Symphonic Distribution, the independent music distributor and technology platform, has promoted Nashville-based Randall Foster to Chief Creative Officer.

Foster opened Symphonic’s Nashville offices in April of 2019. Since then, he has grown the footprint and headcount of Symphonic’s presence in Music City by bringing on board their Head of Client Marketing and Head of Youtube and User Generated Content, as well as other key marketing and client management positions. Additionally, Randall oversees Symphonic’s sync licensing arm, Bodega Sync, as well as the company’s YouTube and User Generated Content Monetization efforts.

In his new role, Foster’s primary goals are continued acquisitions and distribution deals, strategic partnerships and oversight of rights management at both Symphonic and Symphonic’s music publishing wing.

“My time at Symphonic has been the most rewarding and gratifying time I’ve spent in this great industry of ours. To see our Nashville operation flourish and have the opportunity to continue to build-this time with a focus on content creation, publishing, acquisitions, etc.—is the culmination of a dream Jorge Brea and I started discussing 4 years ago,” Foster explains. “To say I’m thrilled is a vast understatement.”

Additionally, Nick Gordon has been promoted to Chief Partnership Officer in the New York office. Gordon joined Symphonic as Chief Client Officer and GM, New York in 2018. In his new role, Gordon will continue his focus on client growth through organic development, as well as strategic partnerships and acquisitions, and give oversight into Symphonic’s Web3 and NFT strategy.

Carrie Underwood sweeps the charts this week receiving the most adds and spins across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio charts as “Ghost Story” impacts the airwaves. The single received a total of 174 adds; +3,059 cumulative spins and debuted at No. 25 on Billboard, No. 31 on Mediabase, and No. 35 on MusicRow.

Written by Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and David Garcia and co-produced by Garcia and Underwood, the superstar describes “Ghost Story” as “a different take on a revenge song,” where instead of smashing headlights, the scorned lover will continue to haunt their ex.

“‘Ghost Story’ is a thrilling, dramatic song that David, Hillary and Josh wrote for me,” says Underwood. “They are such talented, amazing songwriters who know me so well, and from the first time I heard it I knew I had to record it. I have always loved performing songs that tell a story and inspire some kind of cinematic imagery when you hear them, and that is definitely true of ‘Ghost Story.’ It creates a mood and a vibe that is different than anything else I’ve recorded before.”

Underwood’s new single comes on the heels of winning ACM Single of the Year for “If I Didn’t Love You” with Jason Aldean marking her 16th ACM Award. The multi-week No. 1 has spent a record-setting 26 weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard Country Airplay so far, and three weeks atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Exile Signs With Clearwater Records

American country rock band and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame members, Exile, have signed with Clearwater Records, a newly developed record label company. The band is expected to release new music later this year.

Robert Gomes, Clearwater Records CEO, says: “I am very excited to sign Exile and have the honor to work with this legendary group of great musicians, songwriters and artists.”

“We are so thrilled to have teamed up with Clearwater Records and we are excited to be writing and recording original music for a new project!” shares Exile. “This is some of the best music we have ever written and we cannot wait for it to be heard.”

Based in Clearwater, Florida, the entity was founded by CEO Robert Gomes. The label is a partnership with distribution and marketing powerhouse Vere/ADA.

Exile’s extended team also includes Kinkead Entertainment (booking agency), B! Noticed Public Relations (PR) and Ontourage Management, LLC (management).

 

Rodney Crowell Featured In Recent Installment Of Poets & Prophets

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured Rodney Crowell and his songwriting contributions in its ongoing interview series Poets and Prophets. The program included an interview with and performance by Crowell, and was illustrated with photos, film and recordings from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive.

The performance and conversation was filmed and will premiere on May 10 as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series—available to stream on the museum’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and website.

Crowell started his career in Houston, Texas, playing drums in his father’s honky-tonk band at age 11. He has written more than a dozen No. 1 hit songs, including “’Til I Gain Control Again” (Emmylou Harris, Crystal Gayle), “I Ain’t Living Long Like This” (Waylon Jennings), “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” (Oak Ridge Boys), “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” (Rosanne Cash), “Shame on the Moon” (Bob Seger), “Ashes by Now” (Lee Ann Womack), “Please Remember Me” (Tim McGraw), “Song for the Life” (Alan Jackson) and “Making Memories of Us” (Keith Urban). As a recording artist, Crowell hit his stride when his 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt yielded five No. 1 country singles, including “After All This Time,” which won a Grammy for Best Country Song.

The series features songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. The program is presented in support of the museum’s exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s.

 

Reel Muzik Werks Adds Anthony Fedorov To Its Client Roster

Reel Muzik Werks, an independent music publisher specializing in film/TV music and international rights management, has added singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and music educator Anthony Fedorov to its roster.

Fedorov immigrated to the U.S. at 9 years old from Yalta, Crimea, and went on to become the fourth place finalist on the season four of American Idol, alongside Carrie Underwood. He is currently writing and developing two original musicals.

As a songwriter, Fedorov’s notable song placements include Hulu’s Future Man; The Ellen Degeneres Wildlife Fund; “Tet’Emcombo” (King of Kings), co-written with producing partner and Grammy winner Jeeve Ducornet in the award-winning short film The German King; “I Begin Again,” co-written with Grammy-winning songwriter Bill Grainer and recorded by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall.

“Reel Muzik Werks is excited to have Anthony rejoin the RMW family!” says Reel Muzik Werks’ CEO Teri Nelson Carpenter. “He was originally an admin client, but we just signed him as a creative writer and artist as well. We are thrilled with this development and cannot wait to see what the future holds!”

“My heart is full of gratitude. I’m extremely excited to be joining the Reel Muzik Werks family,” adds Fedorov. “Thank you so much, Teri. Let’s make some musical memories.”

 

Flat River Band Adds Triple Crown Management To Its Team

Country trio Flat River Band has signed a management agreement with Doc Gonzales‘ Triple Crown Management.

The trio of brothers, Chad, Andy and Dennijo Sitze, have played and toured with their family’s band since they were very young. They are currently releasing songs from their 5-song EP, Sights and Sounds. Their single, “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” is charting at No. 45 on the Country Music Billboard Indicator Chart.

“I am very lucky and honored to be a part of the careers of these very talented brothers and together we can move forward to the next level with Flat River Band and a new spring single on the way,” states Gonzales.

“We are looking forward to working with Triple Crown Management and sharing our talents to a larger audience and new opportunities,” the band shares. “Doc’s past record reflects his dedication to his clients and his ability to take them beyond expectations.”

Flat River Band’s extended team also includes Cover Paige Booking (booking agency), B! Noticed Public Relations (PR) and Triple Crown Promotions, LLC (radio promotion).