Rumblefish, a division of The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and the nation’s leading provider of rights administration services, has expanded its relationship with 7digital, the global leader in B2B end‐to‐end digital music solutions, to collectively power and provide rights clearance and royalty administration services for innovative music distribution models including audiovisual uses, gaming, AR/VR, mobile apps and more. These services expand upon both companies’ long standing history of servicing clients with on‐demand, audio‐only streaming models.
With this collaboration, Rumblefish will leverage its complete rights management solution, that spans from publisher license issuance to data management to royalty services, to expedite service launches and streamline administration for emerging music distribution models – both for major global brands and innovative startups – that are powered by 7digital’s content and technology. This combination of companies provides a one‐stop‐shop to launch or expand a music service offering.
7digital is the global leader in B2B end‐to‐end digital music solutions. The company has worked with clients and partners around the world since 2004 to transform the listening experience, providing technical infrastructure and global music rights to create music streaming and radio services. 7digital has launched over 200 music services globally, for customers including consumer brands, mobile carriers, broadcasters, automotive systems, record labels and retailers.
“We’re delighted to be deepening our relationship with Rumblefish and the team at HFA to negotiate the complex world of music rights on our customers’ behalf,” said Stacey Mitsopulos, Director of Legal and Business Affairs, and Music Partnerships at 7digital. “This partnership will not only help music streaming services to launch and expand quicker, it will also enable innovative models in other sectors to use licensed music in their offerings and deliver value to the music industry.”
“7digital has been a Rumblefish client and HFA licensee since 2012, and we’re thrilled they have chosen to extend and expand our relationship,” said Michael Simon, President and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency. “Our collaboration will enable more companies to thrive in the music distribution space.”
In addition to digital service providers, Rumblefish supports all type of music distributors including video streaming, labels, gamers, AV/VR, mobile apps, background music, lyrics, tablature, karaoke, and more.
Fairground Saints Release New Track “California” From Forthcoming EP
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Nashville-based trio Fairground Saints (Elijah Edwards, Meg McAllister, and Mason Van Valin) released a new song, “California” on Friday (Jan. 25). The track, which is available now on all digital retailers and streaming services, will be featured on their upcoming new EP, due out this Spring on Sony Music Nashville.
“We’ve always written our own songs, but this time our producer and good friend Marshall Altman gave us this song and from first listen we were hooked,” said the band. “It felt tailor made for us…Almost as if it was born out of our own personal experience. It’s quintessential California imagery and it’s heartfelt melody felt like home to us and we’re so happy to be able to bring the song to life.”
“California” comes on the heels of the release of “Somewhere Down the Line,” which was the first music released under the group’s global development deal with Sony Music Nashville and Sony-owned distribution and digital marketing arm The Orchard. The trio first formed in 2015 in Santa Barbara, and have already amassed millions of streams from tracks from their self-titled debut.
Sony Music Nashville Adds Robert Counts To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonSeated (L-R): Jimmy Ritchey; Robert Counts; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman; SMN EVP and COO Ken Robold. Standing (L-R): SMN EVP, A&R Jim Catino; SMN SVP, Legal and Business Affairs Angie Magill; SMN VP, Sales Caryl Atwood; SMN Director, A&R Margaret Tomlin; SMN Director, Marketing Liz Cost; SMN EVP Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges.
Sony Music Nashville has signed Robert Counts to its roster.
Counts grew up in Franklin, Tennessee and picked up guitar as a teenager. While attending college at Lee University, he developed his performance and songwriting skills. He also won a multi-week songwriting contest, which spurred him to pursue music as a career.
“I just can’t believe that my music has caught the attention of a major industry powerhouse like Sony Music Nashville,” said Counts. “This label has been home to many of my own artistic influences and musical heroes over the years and I am honored and humbled today to be adding my name to this roster. I’m looking forward to big things with this team and this partnership!”
Counts’ first two releases “Backseat Driver” and “Someone in My Someday” are available now at all streaming platforms and digital retailers. He has writing credits on both tracks, co-penning “Backseat Driver” with Nicolette Hayford and Matt Willis, while Daniel Ross and Laura Veltz were co-writers on the latter. Dann Huff and Jimmy Ritchey served as co-producers.
Counts is signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, affiliated with ASCAP, and is booked via WME.
Weekly Chart Report (1/25/19)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Spirit Music Group Announces Recapitalization
/by Lorie HollabaughJon Singer
Spirit Music Group has announced a recapitalization and is now wholly-owned by the newly-formed Lyric Capital Group. COO Jon Singer will become Chairman of Spirit Music Group and Managing Partner of Lyric, while Ross Cameron will continue in an executive role at Spirit and become a Partner at Lyric. Key Nashville execs including Daniel Hill all remain in place.
Led by Singer, the indie publishing company secured over $350 million in the move which will help to recapitalize its catalog and future acquisitions.
“There is a powerful shift occurring within the music industry and this new dynamism means that Spirit, with our amazing songwriters, dedicated team and 75,000 songs, is especially well-positioned for growth,” said Singer. “We are privileged to have major institutional investors on board, providing us with additional capital to grow. I am very excited to serve the incredible songwriters that make up the Spirit family during this exciting time.”
Spirit’s portfolio includes over 200 No. 1 Billboard hits and over 450 Top 10 songs from artists like Chicago, Eminem, Sam Hunt, Jay Z, Madonna, Tim McGraw, Elvis Presley, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, The Who and Whitney Houston.
Among its most notable songwriters and writer/artists are James Bay, John Barrett, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Big Data, Marc Bolan, T Bone Burnett, Zach Crowell, Henry Mancini, Johnny McDaid, The Marshall Tucker Band, Graham Nash, John Newman, Doc Pomus, Frank Rogers, Boz Scaggs, Billy Squier, Pete Townshend, and newer artists including Dagny and Tim Montana.
Producer Tay Keith Signs Nashville High School Student To Production Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonTay Keith and James Spencer IV
Recent Middle Tennessee State University graduate Tay Keith has already notched top production credits, and a Grammy nomination, for his work with artists including Drake (“Nonstop”), Eminem (“Not Alike”) and Travis Scott (“Sicko Mode”). While making his own mark on the music scene, he’s also making it a point to help others who aspire to be part of the music industry.
James Spencer IV, an 11th grade student at Nashville Big Picture High School, inked a production agreement with Keith’s production company, Dramatized, on Jan. 23. Spencer, who also plans to attend Keith’s alma mater MTSU after graduation, hopes to become a record producer and own his own record label.
“I’m excited, just really excited,” said the 16-year-old, who recently completed an internship at Notes for Notes, an after-school recording studio housed in the local Boys and Girls Club.
“I’ve had my eye on a couple of producers in Nashville and he just rose to the top,” said Keith. “He listened well, paid attention to what we told him and was just a very humble person to work with.”
James Spencer IV
Industry Pics: APA, Warner Music Nashville, Southern Rock Cruise
/by Jessica NicholsonAPA Celebrates David Lee Murphy
PIctured (L-R): APA’s Steve Lassiter, David Lee Murphy, his manager Doug Casmus and Reviver Founder/CEO David Ross.
APA threw a party for Reviver’s David Lee Murphy to celebrate his recent successes, which include a No. 1 single (“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”), opening stadium tour dates for Kenny Chesney, and his first CMA Award.
The Wild Feathers, Warner Music Celebrate In NYC
Pictured (L-R): Anna Cage (Regional Manager, WAR Radio & Streaming), John Foxx (PD, WNSH), Mike Krinik (EMI), and [in front] Jimmy Rector (EMI)
Anna Cage (WMN), John Foxx (WNSH), Mike Krinik (EMI), and Jimmy Rector (EMI) enjoyed a night out in the Big Apple recently to see The Wild Feathers open for Brothers Osborne.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Takes Southern Rock Cruise To Cozumel
Pictured (L-R): Rickey Medlocke (guitar), Michael Cartellone (drums) and Gary Rossington (guitar) of Lynyrd Skynyrd; Southern Rock Cruise Executive Producer/StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President Mike Jason; Southern Rock Cruise Executive Producer Mike Robertson; Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant (lead vocals), Peter Keys (keyboard), Keith Christopher (bass guitar) and Mark ‘Sparky’ Martejka (guitar). Photo: StarVista LIVE
Lynyrd Skynyrd recently headlined the 2019 Southern Rock Cruise for 2,000 fans aboard the Norwegian Pearl in Cozumel, Mexico.
Rumblefish, 7digital Offer Turn‐key Solution For Music Distributors
/by Jessica NicholsonWith this collaboration, Rumblefish will leverage its complete rights management solution, that spans from publisher license issuance to data management to royalty services, to expedite service launches and streamline administration for emerging music distribution models – both for major global brands and innovative startups – that are powered by 7digital’s content and technology. This combination of companies provides a one‐stop‐shop to launch or expand a music service offering.
7digital is the global leader in B2B end‐to‐end digital music solutions. The company has worked with clients and partners around the world since 2004 to transform the listening experience, providing technical infrastructure and global music rights to create music streaming and radio services. 7digital has launched over 200 music services globally, for customers including consumer brands, mobile carriers, broadcasters, automotive systems, record labels and retailers.
“We’re delighted to be deepening our relationship with Rumblefish and the team at HFA to negotiate the complex world of music rights on our customers’ behalf,” said Stacey Mitsopulos, Director of Legal and Business Affairs, and Music Partnerships at 7digital. “This partnership will not only help music streaming services to launch and expand quicker, it will also enable innovative models in other sectors to use licensed music in their offerings and deliver value to the music industry.”
“7digital has been a Rumblefish client and HFA licensee since 2012, and we’re thrilled they have chosen to extend and expand our relationship,” said Michael Simon, President and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency. “Our collaboration will enable more companies to thrive in the music distribution space.”
In addition to digital service providers, Rumblefish supports all type of music distributors including video streaming, labels, gamers, AV/VR, mobile apps, background music, lyrics, tablature, karaoke, and more.
Joy Williams Shares Title Track To Upcoming Album, ‘Front Porch’
/by Jessica NicholsonJoy Williams
Joy Williams has unveiled the title track to her upcoming album, Front Porch, which is set to release May 3 via Sensibility/Thirty Tigers.
The new album was produced by Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids, and engineered by Matt Ross-Spang. Williams has previously released two tracks from the upcoming project, including “Canary” and “The Trouble With Wanting.”
The four-time Grammy winner and former member of The Civil Wars is set to headline several tour stops beginning in February, including shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, as well as two shows at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley in May.
Bluebird Cafe Documentary To World Premiere At SXSW Film Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville’s Bluebird Cafe is the subject of a new in-depth documentary that has been selected for a world premiere at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival. The festival runs March 8-17, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
Directed by Brian Loschiavo and produced by Loschiavo and Bluebird Cafe GM Erika Wollam Nichols, the 90-minute film features unforgettable performances by Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Maren Morris, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell and many more. Cinematographer Jeff Molyneaux captured the original stories of music royalty and followed emerging singer-songwriters as they chased their dreams for the film.
“The Bluebird Cafe is home to thousands of musical storytellers, both established writers and new rising stars, and yet its own story has never been told in film,” said Nichols. “We’re excited to have captured the Bluebird’s history, through stories and songs from many folks whose lives have intersected with and were changed by their performance at this tiny, accidental landmark.”
Industry Ink: Charley Pride Documentary, PLA Media, Growth Group
/by Jessica NicholsonNational Museum Of African American Music To Screen Charley Pride Doc
Charley Pride
The National Museum of African American Music will present the first public screening of “Charley Pride: I’m Just Me” a feature-length documentary episode of the PBS series “American Masters” at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the screening will benefit the National Museum of African American Music.
“Charley Pride: I’m Just Me” traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Miss., to his career as a Negro League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a trailblazing country music superstar. A panel featuring filmmaker Barb Hall and Dr. Dina Bennett, senior curator at NMAAM, will immediately follow the film’s conclusion.
“Helping shine a light Charley Pride’s story, struggles and incredible musical talent through this documentary represents the kinds of stories our museum wants to tell,” said H. Beecher Hicks III, CEO and president of NMAAM. “He’s truly a one-of-a-kind, trailblazing artist whose place in our nation’s and our culture’s musical history is undeniable.”
“At a time when African American singers were more notable for R&B hits, Charley Pride followed his passion for country music, overcoming obstacles through determination and raw talent to make a lasting impact on the genre and create a legacy that continues today,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of “American Masters.”
PLA Names Cindy Dupree AS Sr. Consultant PR, Marketing
Cindy Dupree
PLA has added Cindy Dupree to the staff as senior consultant PR/Marketing. Dupree spent more than 10 years as communications director/PIO for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development during the Bredesen and Haslam administrations. She has also served as communications director for BMI in New York City and as a music manager, literary agent, and artist development consultant while in the Big Apple.
Business Management Company Growth Group Celebrates Certified Tax Coach Designation
Pictured (L-R): Growth Group’s Alexis Louis and American Institute for Certified Tax Planners Director Dominique Molina
Business management company Growth Group relocated from Atlanta to Nashville in October 2018, and is celebrating the success of the company’s CEO Alexis Louis, who is one of just over 700 tax professionals who has completed the American Institute for Certified Tax Planners training academy, leading to the Certified Tax Coach designation.
“Traditional tax professionals focus on putting the right numbers in the right boxes on the right forms,” says Dominique Molina, a San Diego-based CPA and Director of the American Institute for Certified Tax Planners. “Our program is different,” she continues. “We don’t just help our client’s record history. We help them write it, with a complete menu of advanced tax-planning concepts and strategies.”
The AICTP™ program focuses on court-tested, IRS-approved strategies for minimizing Alternative Minimum Tax, maximizing deductions from real estate and passive activities, maximizing retirement savings, and similarly powerful strategies. As taxes rise to cover increased government spending, this sort of proactive planning will become even more important in the future.