Jesse Flohr. Photo: Jeremy Harris

Visionary Media Group has announced that Jesse Flohr has joined the media and technology company as Director of Marketing.

In his new role, Flohr will oversee the company’s release schedule and corresponding campaigns. Coming from Interscope Records, he brings two decades of music industry and major record label experience and holds multiple industry certifications in music marketing and music business from the Berklee College of Music, as well as digital marketing from Columbia Business School.

Based in Nashville, Visionary Media Group aims to illuminate innovative American stories through the power of connected music, media, and technology. The company has upcoming projects featuring music industry icon Cowboy Jack Clement, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Leigh Nash, Americana mother-daughter duo O.N.E, country singer- songwriter Clayton Anderson, and The Voice breakout Cody Belew.

“I’m honored to join the incredibly talented team here at Visionary. They’ve signed an immensely talented roster of artists, and I’m excited to help bring their projects to life,” says Flohr. “I’m also looking forward to beginning this new chapter of my career here in Nashville.”

“Jesse is a wonderful addition to our expanding team at Visionary Media Group,” says Visionary Founding Partner Ron Zamber. “He brings domain expertise, exceptional business intelligence, and a terrific work ethic — which fits in perfectly with our ecosystem. Our team and our artists are very fortunate to have Jesse at Visionary.”

Flohr is based in the company’s offices on Music Row, and can be reached at (615) 762-0030 or jesseflohr@visionarymediagroup.com.

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is partnering with the Recording Academy on a series of upcoming webinars with the Academy’s 12 Chapters and its new Songwriters & Composers Wing. These webinars will aim at educating the creative membership of each chapter on The MLC’s work.

Each of the 12 webinars will be locally tailored and hosted by representatives of The MLC, who will brief participants on the history behind mechanical licensing, why The MLC was created, how the organization fulfills its mission, the benefits of MLC Membership and more, with ample time for questions and answers.

“We are thrilled to work with the Academy on this webinar series, which builds on our ongoing efforts to reach as many potential MLC Members as possible, provide them with the information they need to join our organization and help position themselves to receive the digital audio mechanical royalties they have earned and deserve,” notes Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC.

“Academy members were so active in the passage of the Music Modernization Act, they should now benefit from The MLC that the Act created. We’re pleased to partner with The MLC to reach our membership of creators far and wide and ultimately get royalties into their hands,” says Chief Advocacy Officer of the Recording Academy Daryl P. Friedman.

Academy Chapter members will receive an invitation with a registration link in advance of the date of their respective webinar. The Nashville Chapter meeting will take place on May 17 at 2 p.m. CST.

For other chapter meetings time, visit themlc.com.

Russell Dickerson. Photo: Spencer Combs

Russell Dickerson has been named as the latest CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador and will help stand up for equitable music education initiatives across the U.S.

In his new ambassador role, Dickerson will take the stage from the Grand Ole Opry on May 8 along with Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser, Chris Lane and Steve Wariner in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, which began May 3. The show will benefit the CMA Foundation, which supports music education across the U.S. and will be livestreamed on Circle TV’s Opry Live and various other platforms. Viewers will be invited to donate to the CMA Foundation by texting TEACHERS to 707070.

The CMA Foundation is programming various other activities featuring Dickerson in the upcoming months as well, including visiting with band students at his former high school, Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee. Growing up with both parents active in the arts—his mom is a music teacher and his dad is a choir director—Dickerson has experienced first-hand the meaningful effects music education has on a young person’s life.

“As a child, Russell was surrounded by family who strongly believed in music education,” says CMA Foundation Executive Director, Tiffany Kerns. “He can speak to how music instills confidence, teamwork and why it positively influences many other areas of life. We thank Russell for joining us to raise our voices in support of equity in music education and helping further drive our mission forward with making sure all students across the U.S. have access to participate in quality music programs.”

“I’ve never not been a student of music, and started out in children’s choir at church” says Dickerson. “My mom was my 4th grade music teacher, and I was in band from 6th grade to senior year. I look back on my school years and get choked up sometimes thinking about some of my incredible teachers. They’re making a huge impact on the lives of their students whether they see it or not. Music education is the foundation and backbone of everything I am today.”

Dickerson joins the CMA Foundation’s Artist Ambassador collective alongside Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae and Ashley McBryde, who are all advocating for music education in ways that are personal to them.

Alexander Ludwig. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Actor and artist Alexander Ludwig has signed a global recording deal with BBR Music Group/BMG, and his self-titled debut EP is due out May 21.

A lifelong country fan, Ludwig has already found success in Hollywood with leading roles in Vikings, Lone Survivor, The Hunger Games, and Bad Boys For Life. Raised outside of Vancouver, Ludwig wrote his first song at 12 and has been writing ever since. After years of fitting in as many trips as he could to Nashville to hone his songwriting chops, Ludwig crossed paths with Jason Aldean band members and songwriters Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy who produced the debut project.

On the 5-track EP, inspired by the classic and contemporary country sounds he grew up listening to, Ludwig puts his love for storytelling on display. Among the songwriters contributing to the EP are David Lee Murphy, Brad Tursi, Jonathan Singleton, and Justin Wilson. The new EP follows Ludwig’s 2020 song, “Let Me Be Your Whiskey,” which he co-wrote with Mike Dulaney ( Faith Hill).

“Alexander is one of those rare individuals who excels at everything he does. A big reason is his work ethic. He never assumes anything will be handed to him and his music career is no exception. He’s been a long-time student of the genre and put in the time over the last several years coming to Nashville, spending time writing, learning from industry vets and honing his craft,” says Jon Loba, President of BMG Nashville. “When he first came to my attention, I was hesitant because often times when an actor or athlete wants to cross into music, it’s just a diversion or vanity project. BBR VP of Promotion Lee Adams assured me that wasn’t the case and pushed for a meeting. I’m so glad she did! Alexander is not only a special artist, but a special human being and I can’t wait for all our partners to meet him and hear his music. I like to say I signed him IN SPITE of his acting career!”

“I’ve been drawn to country music since I was handed my first guitar at nine years old. Life is about the journey and I am so grateful to take these next steps in music with Loba, BBR Music Group/BMG and the community in Nashville and want to thank them for taking a chance and believing in me,” said Ludwig. “I can’t wait to share this music that represents a taste of what I love about country music.”

Alexander Ludwig Track List:
1. “Love Today”— Greylan James, David Lee Murphy, Matt Roy
2. “Sunset Town” — Marv Green, David Lee Murphy, Justin Wilson
3. “How It Rolls” — Eric Arjes, Brad Tursi
4. “Malibu Blue” — Jonathan Singleton, Brad Tursi, Andrew Rollins
5. “Summer Crazy”— Alexander Ludwig, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Justin Wilson