Pictured (Back row, L-R): Eddie Kloesel (Triple 8 Management), Bob Doyle (President Major Bob Music), Matt Stubbs (Triple 8 Management). (Front row L-R): Chandler Thurston (Major Bob), Sam Riggs, Tina Crawford (VP Major Bob Music)

Sam Riggs has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Major Bob Music.

The Central Florida native cut his teeth in Texas with his own brand of country, a rock-infused sound with a chip on its sonic shoulder from a guy who counts Garth Brooks, Foo Fighters, Eric Church and A Day To Remember among his influences.

Riggs is managed by Triple 8 Management and is currently selling out dates across the country on the “Love & Panic” tour.

Pictured (L-R): Guitarist Jeff Cease, Joanna Cotten, Eric Church at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, March 29, 2019. Photo: Justice Slone

Eric Church brought his Double Down Tour to Milwaukee at the new Fiserv Forum over the weekend thrilling fans both Friday (March 29) and Saturday (March 30) nights.

The Fiserv Forum opened in August of 2018 and Church is only the second country music artist to play in the new home for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Friday’s concert offered no opening act, which allowed Church to play for three and a half hours and sing well over 30 songs. A short intermission in the middle of the show allowed everyone, including Church, to take a breath before heading into the second half—which he closed with an acoustic encore.

From fans waving vinyl records during “Record Year” to holding up boots during “These Boots,” the concert had an interactive component that delighted those in attendance.

Eric Church and MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson backstage in the Double Down Tour’s “Shot Room.”

With so many songs offered to the crowd, it’s hard to come up with ones he didn’t play. The crowd roared throughout the show as Church gave everything he had leaving it all on the stage. That roar continued with songs including “Higher Wire,” “Drink In My Hand,” “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag,” and “Springsteen,” among many others.

“Creepin'” escalated fervor with each note which featured backing singer Joanna Cotten going face-to-face with Church seeing who could “out sing” the other. Cotten, who continues to amass more fans at every stop, also performed a solo version of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart” which brought the fans to a thunderous applause.

Like a well-timed thrill ride, the night seemed to escalate higher and higher as the show progressed until Church wrapped the show around midnight after offering an acoustic encore of mostly fan-favorite cover songs.

As the name implies, one visit to see this tour may not be enough. Church’s Double Down Tour is not only one that shouldn’t be missed, it’s one that many will want to revisit.

Church’s talented backup singer Joanna Cotten with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

Upcoming Double Down Tour Dates
April 12-13 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
April 19 & 20 – Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
April 26 & 27 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, S.C.
May 3 & 4 – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 10 & 11 – Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
May 17 & 18 – STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
May 25 – Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
June 28 & 29 – The Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash.
Sept. 13 & 14 – Resch Center, Green Bay, Wis.
Sept. 20 & 21 – Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Oct. 11 & 12 – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
Oct. 25 – Verizon Arena, Little Rock, Ark.
Nov. 1 – SNHU Arena, Manchester, N.H.
Nov. 2 – XL Center, Hartford, Conn.
Nov. 15 & 16 – The Anthem, Washington, D.C.
Nov. 22 & 23 – Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Calif.

Eric Church joins guests backstage in the Double Down Tour’s “Shot Room” before going on stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, March 29, 2019.

Jackie Jones

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has appointed Jackie Jones as Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations for the organization. Jones will be based in Nashville, Tennessee and will work with the Nashville music community to advance protections for artists, labels and the entire music industry. The appointment is effective Monday (April 1). Jones joins the industry relations team that includes longtime RIAA veteran Joel Flatow, based in Los Angeles.

“Jackie is a welcome addition to our strong industry relations team, with deep ties to Nashville and an established track record within the artist and label community that make her a perfect fit for this role. We are lucky to have her,” said RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier.

“We are excited to welcome Jackie to the RIAA family,” said Flatow, RIAA’s SVP, Artist & Industry Relations and Chief, West Coast Operations. “Jackie’s relationships within Nashville will no doubt allow her to hit the ground running and I look forward to working with her to help serve the world-renowned artist and label community in Music City USA.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the RIAA team at such an important time for the industry, and for music,” said Jones. “Music is the lifeblood of this town and I’m honored to represent RIAA and its important mission advocating for the rights of those who create it.”

Before joining the RIAA, Jackie was Director of Music and Talent for CMT in Nashville, a division of Viacom, Inc., responsible for music integration across all CMT channels including on-air and digital platforms. Jackie served as talent producer and booker for top-rated shows including the annual CMT Music Awards, CMT Artists of the Year and CMT Crossroads. Jackie is a member of The Recording Academy, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, Leadership Music and Women in Cable Television. She lends her talents to various charitable organizations including St. Jude, Save the Children and Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. She holds a Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

Carianne Marshall, Guy Moot

Guy Moot has officially started at Warner/Chappell in his role as Co-Chair & Chief Executive Officer, alongside Carianne Marshall, who has been Co-Chair & Chief Operating Officer since January. The company’s official announcement comes one month after Warner/Chappell’s move to a new, state-of-the art headquarters at Warner Music Group’s downtown offices. Both Marshall and Moot report to Warner Music Group CEO, Steve Cooper.

Cooper said, “It’s a time of exciting change and fresh creativity at Warner/Chappell. Last month, our L.A. team moved into a new, cutting-edge HQ; a fitting home for a dynamic music company committed to innovation and collaboration. Today, we officially announce a unique leadership duo with the ambition and energy to propel Warner/Chappell, its songwriters, and its team into the future. We’re very fortunate to have two such inspiring execs with complementary talents – Guy’s A&R vision and global operational strength, combined with Carianne’s entrepreneurial expertise and world-class creative instincts. We’re all looking forward to what’s on the horizon and what’s coming next.”

Moot said, “At a time of unprecedented possibility for songwriters, our mission is to provide the environment in which genuine talent can achieve its full, global potential. That requires real creative expertise, along with an original, fearless, and principled approach to our business. Carianne will be an amazing partner with whom to develop extraordinary hit-makers, promote an incredible catalog, and mentor a winning team. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone at Warner/Chappell and I’m grateful to Steve and Len for inviting me on this fantastic journey.”

Marshall said, “I’ve been hugely impressed by the passion and integrity that runs through the Warner/Chappell culture. We have an amazing opportunity to empower the next generation of executives, services and technologies that will benefit our entire songwriting community and help drive their long-term careers. I’m delighted to unite with Guy, as we lead our team of ambitious, pioneering music-lovers. I also want to thank Steve and Len, who I know are just as excited as we are about the future.”

Over the course of three decades in music, Moot has signed songwriters and artists including Amy Winehouse, Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Arcade Fire, Sia and many more. Moot began his career in 1984 with A&R roles at ATV Music and Chrysalis Records. He joined SBK Music Publishing in 1987; the company merged with EMI two years later. Moot spent the following 16 years rising through the ranks at EMI Music Publishing, and was appointed Executive Vice President of A&R for UK and Europe in 2003. Two years later, he became Managing Director of EMI Music Publishing UK and President of European Creative. In 2012, Moot took on additional responsibilities, leading the Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing merger across Europe. In this new role, he was tasked with developing greater effectiveness in A&R across both companies. Then, in 2017, he was appointed President of Worldwide Creative. At the same time, he continued in his role as Managing Director in the UK, and led the company to a record-breaking, year-long hold on the UK No. 1 Singles spot in 2016-17.

Prior to joining Warner/Chappell this past June, Marshall was Principal Partner, Head of Creative Services, and Head of Creative Licensing at SONGS, the acclaimed independent music publisher. She joined SONGS in 2006, helping build a roster of over 300 songwriters, including Lorde, The Weeknd, Diplo, DJ Mustard, and many others. Marshall previously spent three years as Director of Motion Picture and Television Music for Universal Music Publishing Group, prior to which she worked in the Film/Television Music division of DreamWorks Music Publishing from 2000 to 2003. Marshall began her music industry career at Los Angeles-based VOX Productions, where she did live music production, while managing and booking local bands. In 1996, she joined Elektra Entertainment Group, working in Marketing & College Radio Promotion.