Former Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan filed a charge of discrimination complaint yesterday (Jan. 21) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission detailing sexual harassment; as well as “egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members and voting irregularities with respect to nominations to the Grammy Awards, all made possible by the ‘boy’s club’ mentality and approach to governance at the Academy.”
MusicRow has obtained a copy of the EEOC complaint from the Wigdor, LLP. Click here to view it in its entirety.
The complaint states that Dugan sent an email to Shonda Grant, Managing Director, People and Culture (Human Resources) on Dec. 22, 2019, describing “sexual harassment to which she was subjected by Joel Katz, Esq.,” an entertainment attorney and tenured executive at the Academy.
The complaint also states that Dugan’s predecessor—former CEO Neil Portnow, who stepped down in July of 2019—“allegedly raped a female recording artist.” The alleged artist is not named in the complaint, but described as “foreign.” The complaint claims that the board was aware of the incident, and that is why Portnow’s contract was not renewed.
It claims that she was asked to offer Portnow a $750,000 consulting contract, that “Katz and his law firm are paid an exorbitant amount of money by the Academy,” and that Dugan’s assistant, Claudine Little, was sharing information from Dugan’s emails with Academy board members and executives.
Dugan’s complaint alleges that some board members on “secret committees” that select the Grammy nominees represent or have relationships with nominated artists, that the “Board uses these committees as an opportunity to push forward artists with whom they have relationships,” that “the Board manipulates the nominations process to ensure that certain songs or albums are nominated when the producer of the Grammys (Ken Ehrlich) wants a particular song performed during the show,” and that “the Board is permitted to simply add in artists for nominations who did not even make the initial 20-artist list.”
Dugan goes on to allege that this year, “30 artists that were not selected by the membership were added to the possible nominations list.”
“That the Board has selected artists who are under consideration for a nomination to sit on the committee that is voting for the category for which that have been nominated. As a result, one artist who initially ranked 18 out of 20 in the 2019 “Song of the Year” category ended up with a nomination — over Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande,” she states in the complaint.
Dugan’s attorneys Douglas Wigdor and Michael Willemin at Wigdor Law, said in a statement: “The complaint that we filed today against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammys) highlights tactics reminiscent of those deployed by individuals defending Harvey Weinstein. As we allege, the attempt by the Recording Academy to impugn the character of Deborah Dugan is a transparent effort to shift the focus away from its own unlawful activity. This blatant form of retaliation in corporate America is all too common, even post #MeToo, and we will utilize all lawful means necessary to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
In response to the statement that the Academy’s interim CEO and President, Harvey Mason Jr. published on Tuesday (Jan. 21), Wigdor and Willemin released the following statement:
“As the charge filed today clearly alleges, the assertion that Ms. Dugan did not raise concerns prior to the accusations manufactured against her is completely false. Ms. Dugan repeatedly raised concerns throughout her entire tenure at the Academy, and even gave large presentations focused on diversity and inclusion at Board meetings. In addition, it is not just Ms. Dugan who has raised concerns. As alleged in the charge, artists, other board members and employees have all raised virtually all of the concerns raised by Ms. Dugan. As alleged, the Academy has lost its way and abandoned the recording industry, instead focusing on self-dealing and turning blind eye to the “boys’ club” environment, obvious improprieties and conflicts of interest.
It was never Ms. Dugan’s intention to turn this into a public fight precisely because of her love for music and the members of the recording industry. Unfortunately, staying silent was made impossible by the Board’s repeated leaks and disclosures of false and misleading information to the press.
Finally, as alleged in the charge, on the morning of the day she was put on leave, the Academy offered Ms. Dugan millions of dollars to drop all of this and leave the Academy. The Board Chair demanded an answer within the hour. When Ms. Dugan refused to accept and walk away, she was put on leave. The Academy claimed that Ms. Dugan was put on leave based on accusations made against her over a month prior that the Board knows very well are meritless. That is not a credible story.”
In response to Dugan’s complaint, Howard Weitzman, an attorney for Katz, said: “Ms. Dugan’s allegations of harassment and her description of a dinner at the steakhouse in the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel are false and Mr. Katz categorically and emphatically denies her version of that evening. This dinner meeting was 2½ months before Ms. Dugan started her job. Mr. Katz believed they had a productive and professional meeting in a restaurant where a number of members of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, and others, were dining. Ms. Dugan’s claims are made, for the first time, 7 months after this dinner took place. Mr. Katz will cooperate in any and all investigations or lawsuits by telling the absolute and whole truth. Hopefully Ms. Dugan will do the same.”
In a statement obtained by various media publications including Billboard, Portnow denies all allegations stating the EEOC filing “is filled with inaccurate, false and outrageous and terribly hurtful claims against me.”
His complete statement is below.
“This document is filled with inaccurate, false and outrageous and terribly hurtful claims against me. Here is what is true:
The allegations of rape are ludicrous, and untrue. The suggestion that there was is disseminating a lie. The baseless complaint about my conduct referenced in the EEOC filing was immediately brought to the attention of the Board of Director’s Executive Committee. An in-depth independent investigation by experienced and highly regarded lawyers was conducted and I was completely exonerated. There was no basis for the allegations and once again I deny them unequivocally.
I fulfilled the terms and responsibilities of my contract during my 17 years as President and ultimately Chief Executive Officer. Consistent with my pledge to ensure that there would be the appropriate amount of time for the Academy to organize and execute an efficient and transparent transition, I determined far in advance of the Grammy telecast in 2018 that I would not seek a further extension of my contract scheduled to end July 31, 2019. I informed the then Board Chair and Executive Committee of my decision. At no time did I ever demand a $750,000 consulting fee.
After making the ‘step up’ comment during the 2018 telecast, for which I have apologized and deeply regret the offense caused, and understanding the power of listening and lessons learned, I took action. I proposed, and the Academy created an independent Task Force to review the state of diversity & inclusion across the organization. After presenting the Task Force plan and proposed study of the organization to the board, the group was created to implement change. Task Force Chair Tina Tchen made a presentation to the full Board during a May 2019 meeting.
The repetition of these falsehoods against me, and others referenced within the EEOC filing are a diversionary tactic and will not convert them to truth. I will vigorously defend all false claims made against me in this document.
I would like to wish all the 2020 nominees and those in our creative community well and sincerely hope that they will celebrate their art and accomplishments this weekend at the Grammy Awards telecast and during the many Grammy Week events ahead.”
Deborah Dugan Files Complaint Against Recording Academy; Portnow Responds
/by LB CantrellFormer Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan filed a charge of discrimination complaint yesterday (Jan. 21) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission detailing sexual harassment; as well as “egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members and voting irregularities with respect to nominations to the Grammy Awards, all made possible by the ‘boy’s club’ mentality and approach to governance at the Academy.”
MusicRow has obtained a copy of the EEOC complaint from the Wigdor, LLP. Click here to view it in its entirety.
The complaint states that Dugan sent an email to Shonda Grant, Managing Director, People and Culture (Human Resources) on Dec. 22, 2019, describing “sexual harassment to which she was subjected by Joel Katz, Esq.,” an entertainment attorney and tenured executive at the Academy.
The complaint also states that Dugan’s predecessor—former CEO Neil Portnow, who stepped down in July of 2019—“allegedly raped a female recording artist.” The alleged artist is not named in the complaint, but described as “foreign.” The complaint claims that the board was aware of the incident, and that is why Portnow’s contract was not renewed.
It claims that she was asked to offer Portnow a $750,000 consulting contract, that “Katz and his law firm are paid an exorbitant amount of money by the Academy,” and that Dugan’s assistant, Claudine Little, was sharing information from Dugan’s emails with Academy board members and executives.
Dugan’s complaint alleges that some board members on “secret committees” that select the Grammy nominees represent or have relationships with nominated artists, that the “Board uses these committees as an opportunity to push forward artists with whom they have relationships,” that “the Board manipulates the nominations process to ensure that certain songs or albums are nominated when the producer of the Grammys (Ken Ehrlich) wants a particular song performed during the show,” and that “the Board is permitted to simply add in artists for nominations who did not even make the initial 20-artist list.”
Dugan goes on to allege that this year, “30 artists that were not selected by the membership were added to the possible nominations list.”
“That the Board has selected artists who are under consideration for a nomination to sit on the committee that is voting for the category for which that have been nominated. As a result, one artist who initially ranked 18 out of 20 in the 2019 “Song of the Year” category ended up with a nomination — over Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande,” she states in the complaint.
Dugan’s attorneys Douglas Wigdor and Michael Willemin at Wigdor Law, said in a statement: “The complaint that we filed today against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammys) highlights tactics reminiscent of those deployed by individuals defending Harvey Weinstein. As we allege, the attempt by the Recording Academy to impugn the character of Deborah Dugan is a transparent effort to shift the focus away from its own unlawful activity. This blatant form of retaliation in corporate America is all too common, even post #MeToo, and we will utilize all lawful means necessary to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
In response to the statement that the Academy’s interim CEO and President, Harvey Mason Jr. published on Tuesday (Jan. 21), Wigdor and Willemin released the following statement:
In response to Dugan’s complaint, Howard Weitzman, an attorney for Katz, said: “Ms. Dugan’s allegations of harassment and her description of a dinner at the steakhouse in the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel are false and Mr. Katz categorically and emphatically denies her version of that evening. This dinner meeting was 2½ months before Ms. Dugan started her job. Mr. Katz believed they had a productive and professional meeting in a restaurant where a number of members of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, and others, were dining. Ms. Dugan’s claims are made, for the first time, 7 months after this dinner took place. Mr. Katz will cooperate in any and all investigations or lawsuits by telling the absolute and whole truth. Hopefully Ms. Dugan will do the same.”
In a statement obtained by various media publications including Billboard, Portnow denies all allegations stating the EEOC filing “is filled with inaccurate, false and outrageous and terribly hurtful claims against me.”
His complete statement is below.
Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon To Be Celebrated During “Hometown to Hometown” Event In Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonCMT’s Leslie Fram will host the event, which will celebrate Copperman and Galyon as the 2020 Champions of the Year. Together, Copperman and Galyon were both named recipients of BMI’s Songwriter of the Year honor in 2019. Funds raised during the “Hometown to Hometown” event will benefit high schools in Nashville, as well as the honorees’ respective hometowns in Virginia and Kansas.
“Ross and Nicolle are genuine champions for music education who have been giving back to their hometown music programs for years,” shared Henry Donahue, Executive Director, Save The Music. “Starting with our first meeting with Ross and Songfarm.org in Nashville, it was a no-brainer to join forces to bring the power of the songwriting and music production labs to more students and schools. We’ve had such a strong positive response from the community here in Nashville, that we think this event could be the first of many!”
For more on tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
ASCAP Celebrates A Decade At 30A With Packed Showcases
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and Alison Toczylowski Webber, Gordie Sampson, Austin Jenckes, Mark Irwin, Jillian Jacqueline, Hailey Whitters, Frank Rogers, Jaren Johnston, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe and Endurance Music Group’s Michael Martin. Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP returned as a major sponsor and stage host of the 30A Songwriters Festival’s 10th year, and ASCAP writers turned out in force for the annual event.
Songwriters Mark Irwin, Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, Josh Mirenda, Jimmy Robbins, Frank Rogers and Gordie Sampson, as well as rising songwriter-artists Hannah Dasher, Jillian Jacqueline, Austin Jenckes, Canaan Smith and Hailey Whitters were all in attendance at ASCAP’s 30A showcases this year on Jan. 17-19 at The Lakehouse in WaterColor, Florida. The shows were curated by ASCAP Creative Director Evyn Mustoe, and ASCAP Vice President of Membership Mike Sistad and Sr. Director of Marketing Alison Toczylowski Webber were also on hand to host the songwriters.
(L-R): Jimmy Robbins, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Jillian Jacqueline, Canaan Smith, Hannah Dasher, Austin Jenckes, Jaren Johnston, Gordie Sampson, Jon Nite and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe. Photo: Ed Rode
(L-R): Bryan Brown, Jillian Jacqueline, Josh Mirenda, Mark Irwin and Gordie Sampson. Photo: Ed Rode
(L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Austin Jenckes, Mark Irwin, Frank Rogers, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, songwriter-artist David Ryan Harris, Jaren Johnston, Jillian Jacqueline, Endurance Music Group’s Michael Martin, ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski Webber and Bryan Brown. Photo: Ed Rode
Jaron Boyer Renews Deal With peermusic
/by Jessica NicholsonJaron Boyer. Photo: Michael Gomez
Jaron Boyer has renewed his exclusive songwriter agreement with peermusic, it was announced Wednesday (Jan. 22) by peermusic President and COO Kathy Spanberger, as well as peermusic Nashville Sr. VP Michael Knox.
peermusic’s exclusive deal with Boyer includes all future works, and the company will now be collaborating with Hipgnosis Song Fund and Merck Mercuriadis, who purchased Jaron’s back catalog. Boyer was represented in the deal by Jason L. Turner, Esquire, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem.
“I am extremely excited to re-sign with peermusic. In the past few years under Michael Knox’s leadership, along with the support of the peermusic staff, I have grown exponentially as a songwriter,” Boyer said. “We have accomplished so much together and I look forward to what the future holds for all of us.”
“I knew early on that Jaron was capable of great things, and it’s been awesome to see him accomplish so much not only as his publisher, but also as a collaborator in the studio and as a friend. The songs he’s written for Jason’s new album are some of his finest work yet, and I’m proud that peermusic will publish them,” Knox said.
Boyer’s recent work includes five songs on Jason Aldean’s recent chart-topping album 9 from BBR Music Group/BMG. Boyer’s credits also include four No. 1 hits including “Hell Of A Night” (Dustin Lynch), “Somewhere On A Beach” (Dierks Bentley), “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell ft. Dierks Bentley), and “Girl Like You” (Aldean). Boyer also earned SESAC’s 2016 Country Song of the Year honor as a writer on “Somewhere On A Beach.”
peermusic’s Spanberger and Knox recently discussed peermusic Nashville’s move into a new office in Nashville’s Music Row area, as well as the recent Ken Burns documentary Country Music, which highlights the work of peermusic founder Ralph S. Peer.
Creative Artists Agency Announces New Leadership Board
/by Lorie HollabaughCAA has formed a new board which will underscore the company’s continued growth and next-generation strategy. The board will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency and is comprised of Risa Gertner, Michael Levine, Emma Banks, Joe Cohen, Maha Dakhil, Paul Danforth, Michelle Kydd Lee, Joel Lubin, Sonya Rosenfeld, Rick Roskin, and Tiffany Ward. Each board member will also continue to serve in their existing leadership roles within the agency, in the areas of Motion Pictures, Television, Music, Sports, and Diversity and Inclusion.
“This is an exciting and important moment for our company,” said CAA President Richard Lovett. “The members of the new agency Board have distinguished themselves in our highest priorities – embracing our culture and working in support of colleagues, while also succeeding in our company’s mission to be the best in the world in creating opportunities for and serving our clients. This new group will build upon our tremendous momentum and accelerate the agency’s growth, through laser-focused ways in which we can support our clients’ goals and aspirations.”
The market leader across film, television, music, sports, and other areas of representation, CAA was the first talent agency to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, and establish a business in China, among other industry innovations. CAA’s investment bank, Evolution Media Capital, provides a broad range of traditional investment banking and strategic advisory services to organizations across the sports and media industries.
Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett To Lead Faster Horses Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonMichigan country music festival Faster Horses Festival will welcome Jason Aldean, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett to headline its 2020 event.
The eighth annual festival will return to Brooklyn, Michigan on July 17-19. Also on the bill are Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Russell Dickerson, Gone West (ft. Colbie Caillat), Riley Green, HARDY, Chris Lane, Tracy Lawrence, David Lee Murphy, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Mitchell Tenpenny and DeeJay Silver.
Faster Horses Festival is the reigning ACM Festival of the Year, and is part of Live Nation’s collection of country music festivals, which also includes Washington’s Watershed, Florida’s Tortuga Music Festival, Colorado’s Seven Peaks Music Festival, and New York’s TrailBlazer Festival.
“As Faster Horses has continued to grow, we continue to look for more ways to provide an enhanced experience, this year is no exception,” shared President of Country Touring at Live Nation, Brian O’Connell. “Obviously, with the announcement of these stellar artists that will join us for the Party of the Summer, we are also introducing several new camping options, and a completely reimagined VIP experience for those that are looking for a more upscale getaway this summer. We continually put our resources back in to the festival, from talent to amenities, to meet the growing needs of Faster Horses veterans, and new fans as well.”
This year, the festival has added three new RV campground options. The Tack Room VIP area expands with a two-story deck with lounge, reserved stadium seating and an option to reserve a “Mustang Suite” offering new views of the stage, a private bar and food buffet, and more.
Passes for the three-day event will go on sale Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. ET.
Alan Jackson Honored With CMA Joe Talbot Award
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern,Chief Executive Officer, CMA; Alan Jackson and Cindy Mabe, President, UMG Nashville. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Alan Jackson was recently honored with the Country Music Association’s Joe Talbot Award on Friday (Jan. 17) following his performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The Joe Talbot Award honors outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and traditions.
“Alan Jackson has always stayed true to his roots,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “That’s why fans love him and it’s how he’s made such a considerable impact on our genre.”
Jackson is the fourth artist to be recognized with this award. Previous recipients include Merle Haggard, George Jones and Marty Stuart. This award has been presented to seven individuals since 2001, including Nashville business leader Kitty Moon Emery, Louise Scruggs, Janette Carter, and the award’s namesake, steel guitar player and music industry exec Joe Talbot. Jackson is a 16-time CMA Awards winner and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
Josh Osborne Joins Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellJosh Osborne moves up four slots to No. 4 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with credits on Sam Hunt’s “Kinfolks” and “Sinning With You,” Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s “Nobody But You,” and Old Dominion’s “One Man Band.”
Ashley Gorley tops the chart for another week. Laura Veltz and Jesse Frasure maintain their positions at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Big Machine Label Group Revamps Music Streaming Team
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (clockwise, L-R): Dave Kelly, Courtney Daly, Jasmine Byrne, Nathan Thomas, Bekah Digby, Marie Wapelhorst
Big Machine Label Group has revamped its music streaming team led by Vice President, Digital Consumption Dave Kelly. Courtney Daly and Jasmine Byrne have been promoted to Manager, Streaming roles, while Marie Wapelhorst and Bekah Digby have also been hired to Manager, Streaming roles. Nathan Thomas also joins Kelly’s team as Streaming Coordinator.
“The focus of our evolving department is to maximize exposure for our incredible roster of new music while increasing consumption of our extensive catalog,” said Kelly. “Working with our amazing streaming partners, we will focus on growing our existing artists’ profiles across all platforms while introducing our new talent to the diverse consumer bases.”
With over 28 years in radio programming on local and corporate levels, Kelly began his tenure in 2012 as the Director of Strategic Research. Vanderbilt University alum Daly began at BMLG as an intern in 2016 and Byrne in 2018 following a stint in marketing and commercial revenue at Warner Records in Los Angeles.
Digby’s prior stops include Universal Music Group Nashville and Capitol Christian Music Group, while Wapelhorst held positions at Sony/ATV and Cold River Records. Recent Belmont graduate Thomas previously served as BMLG’s Operations intern.
Contact BMLG’s Streaming team here:
Dave Kelly: dave.kelly@bmlg.net | 615-324-9324
Jasmine Byrne: jasmine.byrne@bmlg.net | 615-846-7684
Courtney Daly: courtney.daly@bmlg.net | 615-324-7787
Bekah Digby: bekah.digby@bmlg.net | 615-324-7773
Marie Wapelhorst: marie.wapelhorst@bmlg.net | 615-324-7786
Nathan Thomas: nathan.thomas@bmlg.net | 615-651-8725
Scotty McCreery Celebrates Double Platinum RIAA Status
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Scott Stem (McCreery’s Manager, Triple 8 Management), Norbert Nix (GM and Partner, Triple Tigers Records), Scotty McCreery and George Couri (McCreery’s Manager; Partner, Triple 8 Management; and Partner, Triple Tigers Records). Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Scotty McCreery is celebrating his latest RIAA certification, as his song “Five More Minutes” has been certified double Platinum for more than two million units in sales.
The song, which McCreery co-wrote alongside Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell, was the lead single from McCreery’s album Seasons Change, and topped both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart and the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
“I have believed in this song since the day I wrote it with Frank and Monty, and I am thrilled that the fans have believed in it as well,” said McCreery. “This song was inspired by the passing of my grandfather, and I feel him with me every time I sing it. As I’ve said many times, it is my favorite song I’ve ever written. Thanks to Triple 8 Management, Triple Tigers Records and all my team for working so hard with me.”
Back in 2017, “Five More Minutes” became the first country song ever to reach the Top 50 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Country Singles chart without being released by a record label. McCreery soon inked a deal with Triple Tigers Records, and the song became a No. 1 hit in February 2018. “Five More Minutes” earned McCreery a BMI Award and was named one of the “Top Ten Songs We Wish We’d Written” by the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s professional membership.
McCreery has earned a string of RIAA gold and platinum honors, including a platinum album (Clear As Day) and a gold album (Christmas With Scotty McCreery).