Mojo Music & Media, the global independent publishing and marketing company, has acquired a 50% interest in the publishing catalog of Rick Nielsen, co-founder and principal songwriter for Cheap Trick.
The deal totals more than 400 songs spanning five decades, and features 20 Billboard hits including rock standards like “Surrender,” “I Want You To Want Me,” “Dream Police,” “Voices,” “If You Want My Love” and “Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love.”
As the son of opera singer parents, Nielsen’s passion for music began at an early age. He formed Cheap Trick in the mid-1970s in his Rockford, Illinois, hometown along with vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E Carlos. The band’s 1977 self-titled debut and follow-up, In Color, won over both fans and critics, establishing them as a leading American rock band. The 1979 Cheap Trick At Budokan album became one of the best-selling live albums in history, launching the band into global stardom and setting the stage for a series of chart singles and gold and platinum LPs including Dream Police, All Shook Up, One On One and Lap Of Luxury. Over the course of their career, Cheap Trick has sold more than 20 million albums and performed more than 5,500 live shows. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
In addition to writing or co-writing nearly every song Cheap Trick has recorded, Nielsen has also contributed songs to projects by Rick Derringer, Dave Grohl and House Of Lords. He has guested live or in the studio with The Yardbirds, The Who, John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue and Foo Fighters. The Mojo marketing team have authored an extensive multi-year plan to revitalize his song catalog via covers, samples, syncs and collaborations and promote his story and brand via film, television, theatrical and custom retail projects.
“For the last four decades-plus, Rick Nielsen has been teaching a master class in how to write jangly, melodic pop-punk anthems,” said Mojo Co-Founder and CEO Mark Fried. “He and his Cheap Trick bandmates, over the course of 20 studio albums and thousands of shows, have been pied pipers to the most devoted fans in history while in some way influencing nearly every alt-rock, arena pop and heavy metal band that followed in their footsteps. As fans since day one, we couldn’t be more psyched to work with Rick in promoting his music and shining a light on his unique rock and roll adventure.”
“I’d almost given up on the chance of finding a publisher who actually knew all my songs and had a vision for how to keep them alive for another 1,000 years or so,” said Nielsen. “Turns out, Mark & The Mojo’s are it! I’m looking forward to all the noise we’re gonna make together.”
Nick Norman Signs With Fourward Music/Cock Crows Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonNick Norman. Photo: Justin Key
Songwriter Nick Norman has inked a publishing deal with Fourward Music and Lee Brice‘s new publishing company Cock Crows Publishing.
Norman previously became the first artist signed to the newly-launched label and artist development collective Pump House Records, co-founded by Lee Brice, Rob Hatch, Elisha Hoffman and business execs Derek and Kristi Hutchins.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. With a support group that’s second to none, I am confident this is just the beginning,” Norman shares. “These songs are my story and my message — to deliver them alongside a few of my best friends and mentors is an added bonus.”
“Will [Ward] and I have had our eyes on Nick and we’re thrilled to be his publishing partner,” says Shannan Hatch, Fourward Music president. “He’s a prolific writer whose songs connect because he writes from a place of honesty and transparency. His songs grab your heart and make you move, because they come from a genuine place. We’re looking forward to a great future together.”
Brice adds, “I’ve known Nick since we were kids and I’ve always believed in him so starting a publishing imprint to support his dream was a no-brainer and an honor. Now, Nick, let’s watch you fly.”
A South Carolina native, Nick relocated to Key West, Florida in 2005 and built a fan following. His upcoming album was co-produced by Lee Brice, Rob Hatch and Elisha Hoffman and includes songs co-written by Steve Moakler, Cary Barlowe, Will Weatherly and Kyle Jacobs, as well as guest vocalists Jamey Johnson, Josh Abbott and Rebecca Lynn Howard.
For Lee, watching his childhood friend bloom has been a blessing. “He’s always had a passion for singing,” says Lee of Nick, “but after moving to Key West and singing multiple hours a day, six days a week, for more than a decade, he’s at a whole new level. His stuff is so soulful and so groovy.”
Live Nation’s Revenues Dropped 98% In Second Quarter Of 2020
/by Jessica NicholsonLive Nation Entertainment has released its second quarter 2020 results. The concert promoter reported a 98% drop in revenue, from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020, including a 95% drop in concert revenue ($2.6 billion in Q2 2019, vs. $141.8 million in Q2 2020) and an 88% drop in sponsorship and advertising revenue.
While undoubtedly a significant drop in revenues, it’s not unexpected with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic bringing touring schedules and live concerts to a halt.
Live Nation also posted a negative $86 million revenue for ticketing, primarily because of refunds to music fans, while a year ago, Live nation posted positive ticketing revenues of $371 million.
In its 2020 second quarter, Live Nation had 24 concerts in North America, bringing in 8,000 fans, as compared to 7,213 concerts in its second quarter of 2019, which brought in 15.84 million fans.
Live Nation President/CEO Michael Rapino also noted that Live Nation has already sold 19 million tickets to more than 4,000 concerts and festivals slated for 2021.
“Over the past three months, our top priority has been strengthening our financial position to ensure that we have the liquidity and flexibility to get through an extended period with no live events. Our expectation is that live events will return at scale in the summer of 2021, with ticket sales ramping up in the quarters leading up to these shows. Importantly, we remain confident that fans will return to live events when it is safe to do so. Our strongest indicator of demand is that fans are holding on to their tickets, even when given the option of a refund. Through the end of the second quarter, 86% of concert fans are keeping their tickets for rescheduled shows, demonstrating their continued desire to attend concerts in the future despite the current uncertainty,” said Rapino.
Click here for a full review of Live Nation Entertainments’s quarterly results.
Matthew West Launches Podcast
/by Lorie HollabaughMatthew West is launching “The Matthew West Podcast” today (Aug. 5) on author, speaker and podcaster Annie F. Downs‘ That Sounds Fun Network.
West debuts three episodes, featuring Casting Crowns’ frontman Mark Hall, mother and daughter team Korie Robertson and Sadie Robertson Huff, and a special Q&A episode with West that will be a monthly feature. Each week, West will welcome artists, authors, professional athletes and more to chat about their stories as well as share the stories from those that have inspired his music and conclude with some encouraging words from his dad, Pastor Joe West. He will release a new episode each week.
“Every episode will also have a musical component called ‘Songs From The Story House’ where I get to share the stories of people’s lives who have inspired the songs,” said West. “From the inspiring story of a fourteen year old walking miracle named William, to the incredible story of Renee, who lost her daughter in a drunk driving accident but discovered the life changing gift of forgiveness, I believe these stories are going to challenge listeners to see the power in their own stories. So here we go! This is gonna be fun.”
“The Matthew West Podcast” joins six other podcasts on the That Sounds Fun Network, which launched in May and already touts millions of downloads.
Creative Nation Hires One, Promotes Three
/by Jessica NicholsonFrom Left to Right: Christina Wighton, Abby Holcomb, Kelsey Granda, Shaina Botwin
(Photo Credit: Spencer Combs)
Nashville-based music company Creative Nation has added Abby Holcomb to their team as Office and Administration Coordinator. Holcomb graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2019 where she studied Music Business, Public Relations, and Marketing. A month after graduation, she moved to Nashville from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and shortly after, she accepted a receptionist position at Universal Music Group Nashville handling all front office communications and building relationships. As CN’s Office and Admin Coordinator, Holcomb will report to Kelsey Granda and be responsible for managing the Creative Nation offices and publishing catalog as well as assisting the publishing team.
“When I met Abby, I knew her personality would fit well with the Creative Nation culture. Her attention to detail and her friendliness don’t just make her a great fit for the job, but they make her a great fit for the team,” Granda says.
Creative Nation has promoted Granda to VP, Operations and Administration and Shaina Botwinto Creative Manager, Publishing. In her role, Granda will coordinate with the company’s financial and legal teams regarding deals and budgets and oversee day-to-day company operations. In her role, Botwin will continue managing songwriters’ calendars, pitching songs, and signing and developing writers and artists on the publishing roster.
Christina Wighton has shifted roles from Executive Assistant to Beth Laird/Office Director to Executive Assistant to Beth and Luke Laird/Digital Manager. In her new role, Wighton will oversee all content across Creative Nation’s digital platforms. Wighton will continue to assist Beth Laird and will now help oversee Luke Laird’s schedule as well.
“Kelsey, Shaina, and Christina individually bring so much value to the Creative Nation team and their diverse talents make our team stronger, smarter and more fun. I am so proud of their growth, happy to be able to recognize them and continue our work for our songwriters and artists,” says Beth Laird.
Creative Nation is celebrating back-to-back No. 1 country and pop songs this week, with Sam Hunt’s “Hard To Forget” (co-written and co-produced by Luke Laird) and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” (co-written and co-produced by Tyler Johnson).
Americana’s Thriving Roots Conference Announces Panels With Bonnie Raitt, Alice Randall, Chris Shiflett, And More
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Americana Music Association’s Thriving Roots Conference, set for Sept. 16-18, has announced some additional panel discussions and sessions as part of this year’s virtual conference.
Among the new events are Rosanne Cash‘s “Love and Vigilance” with Ry Cooder, Angela Davis, Bonnie Raitt and Alice Randall, RIAA’s “Record Setting” with Mitch Glazier and Michele Ballantyne, “How to Stay Creative When You’re Off the Road” with Paul Thorn + Elvin Bishop, “Striking a Chord,” with Grammy Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman talking to this year’s Americana Instrumentalist of the Year nominees Ellen Angelico, Annie Clements, Brittany Haas, Zachariah Hickman and Rich Hinman, and “The Future of Americana” featuring Chris Shiflett along with Leslie Fram (CMT), David Macias (Thirty Tigers), Linda Ryan (Gimme Radio) and Bruce Warren (WXPN / NPR Music’s World Café) as they forecast the future of the genre.
During virtual breaks in the conference, Dualtone Music Group will have a music segment showcasing their artist roster, and Radio Woodstock’s Empire State of Americana will shine a light on five rising music stars.
With over 50 panel discussions and more than 40 special events filled with music, Thriving Rootswill bring the Americana music community together for three full days of insights from its top industry professionals and leading artists. The virtual conference agenda will be announced in late August.
MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson Featured On ‘The Zak Kuhn Show’
/by LB CantrellPictured: MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson
MusicRow Magazine Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson recently shared stories and insights from his career on The Zak Kuhn Show podcast.
Zak Kuhn is an artist manager and founder of The Nashville Briefing, an email newsletter that covers country music and Nashville news, as well as The Zak Kuhn Show podcast. The podcast has featured industry leaders including former BMI CEO, Del Bryant; CMA Awards Executive Producer, Robert Deaton; Executive Director of Country Radio Seminar, RJ Curtis, former RCA Records leader, Joe Galante, and more.
Robertson acquired MusicRow in 2010. During the ’90s, Robertson served as Director of Finance for Arista Records, working under Tim DuBois and Mike Dungan. He launched his career in the music industry in 1991 as VP, Finance and CFO at Reunion Records, Inc. and its publishing company, Reunion Music Group, Inc., then led by Terry Hemmings.
The discussion includes Robertson’s entry into the music business, growing the MusicRow brand, including the Rising Women on the Row event which has continued to reach new heights each year. Listen here.
Kuhn’s first episode featured an interview with MusicRow Founder, David M. Ross. Between Ross’ narration of the beginning of MusicRow, and Robertson’s telling of its most recent decade, highlights of the nearly 40-year history of MusicRow Magazine is covered on The Zak Kuhn Showpodcast.
Chattanooga’s Songbirds Guitar Museum To Close Aug. 15
/by Lorie HollabaughSongbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic, with the museum closing for good on Aug. 15, as well as at its sister live music venues Songbirds North and South, reports the Times Free Press.
The three-year-old facility at the Chattanooga Choo Choo houses the world’s largest collection of rare and vintage guitars. When the larger Revelry Room venue closed in 2018, Songbirds acquired that space as well, adding Songbirds North and Songbirds South to their footprint.
President and Songbirds Foundation Chairman of the Board Johnny Smith revealed that the Songbirds Foundation will continue. The foundation is dedicated to teaching guitar to area youth, especially in low-income areas, and will soon have an increased presence in area middle schools and in the music therapy department at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“Songbirds LLC is getting out of the museum and venue business,” Smith told the Times Free Press. “We will keep the name because it is just too good of a brand and we will focus on the work of the foundation. They’ve figured out how to make this work in this current world. They are actually thriving thanks to videos and teaching in a virtual world.”
Smith said anybody who bought tickets or memberships to the museum will have their money refunded.
WAKG Music Director Alan Rowe Dies At 66
/by Jessica NicholsonWAKG music director and MusicRow radio reporter Alan Rowe died Thursday, July 23, at age 66, following a brief battle with cancer.
Rowe spent part of his career at WDVA and WYPR before joining Danville, Virginia’s WAKG in 1992. He started as the station’s Music Director and nighttime air time personality, then moved into middays where he entertained the “at work” crowd for over 25 years.
Over the past two years, he also became a presence at WAKG sister station WBTM. An avid supporter of music, Rowe was also a bass player himself and performed in local bands including The Flaming Blue Iguanas, KICKS, and ZMAX.
A Memorial Service is planned for Thursday, Aug. 13 at Norris Funeral Home, Mt. Hermon Chapel, in Danville, Virginia.
WAKG Music Director Alan Rowe. Photo: WAKG
Camo Brian Joins Average Joes Roster
/by Lorie HollabaughCamo Brian
Camo Brian has signed with Average Joes Entertainment. Brian’s self-penned debut single, “Already Famous,” out today (Aug. 5) was written by Brian and Andrew Hardman, and fuses country and hip-hop in a positive message about loving someone just the way they are.
Hailing from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Brian has been honing his performance skills over the past several years playing clubs and festivals up and down the East Coast. In addition, he has been active in his community helping underprivileged youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge, where he teaches a songwriting class.
“The first time we heard Camo Brian, we knew right away that he would be a great addition to our roster,” remarked Forrest Latta, Average Joes’ VP, A&R. “His authenticity and fresh approach to country music is new and exciting. We’re anxious to roll out his first single.”
Mojo Music & Media Acquires 50% Stake In Rick Nielsen Catalog
/by Lorie HollabaughMojo Music & Media, the global independent publishing and marketing company, has acquired a 50% interest in the publishing catalog of Rick Nielsen, co-founder and principal songwriter for Cheap Trick.
The deal totals more than 400 songs spanning five decades, and features 20 Billboard hits including rock standards like “Surrender,” “I Want You To Want Me,” “Dream Police,” “Voices,” “If You Want My Love” and “Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love.”
As the son of opera singer parents, Nielsen’s passion for music began at an early age. He formed Cheap Trick in the mid-1970s in his Rockford, Illinois, hometown along with vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E Carlos. The band’s 1977 self-titled debut and follow-up, In Color, won over both fans and critics, establishing them as a leading American rock band. The 1979 Cheap Trick At Budokan album became one of the best-selling live albums in history, launching the band into global stardom and setting the stage for a series of chart singles and gold and platinum LPs including Dream Police, All Shook Up, One On One and Lap Of Luxury. Over the course of their career, Cheap Trick has sold more than 20 million albums and performed more than 5,500 live shows. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
In addition to writing or co-writing nearly every song Cheap Trick has recorded, Nielsen has also contributed songs to projects by Rick Derringer, Dave Grohl and House Of Lords. He has guested live or in the studio with The Yardbirds, The Who, John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue and Foo Fighters. The Mojo marketing team have authored an extensive multi-year plan to revitalize his song catalog via covers, samples, syncs and collaborations and promote his story and brand via film, television, theatrical and custom retail projects.
“For the last four decades-plus, Rick Nielsen has been teaching a master class in how to write jangly, melodic pop-punk anthems,” said Mojo Co-Founder and CEO Mark Fried. “He and his Cheap Trick bandmates, over the course of 20 studio albums and thousands of shows, have been pied pipers to the most devoted fans in history while in some way influencing nearly every alt-rock, arena pop and heavy metal band that followed in their footsteps. As fans since day one, we couldn’t be more psyched to work with Rick in promoting his music and shining a light on his unique rock and roll adventure.”
“I’d almost given up on the chance of finding a publisher who actually knew all my songs and had a vision for how to keep them alive for another 1,000 years or so,” said Nielsen. “Turns out, Mark & The Mojo’s are it! I’m looking forward to all the noise we’re gonna make together.”