Ali Matkosky

Big Loud Records has named Ali Matkosky as National Director of Promotion. Starting July 16, Matkosky will report to Vice President of Promotion Stacy Blythe and label President Clay Hunnicutt as she works to expand Big Loud Records’ footprint at country radio.

Matkosky, who comes to Big Loud after serving as Director of National Promotion and Strategy at Black River Christian, previously spent four years in regional and national promotion at Word Entertainment, home to artists like Francesca Battistelli, for King & Country, NeedToBreathe, Skillet and Big Daddy Weave.

A native of Western New York, Matkosky is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and began her career in promotions at Sony Music’s Provident Label Group, where she coordinated high-profile campaigns for Third Day, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman and more.

“We’re excited to have Ali join the Big Loud family,” says Hunnicutt of the new hire. “She is widely respected, does the job the right way, brings an incredible skill set to our team, and will really help the staff and artists of Big Loud grow for years to come. We can’t wait for her to start and jump on this moving train.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be given this opportunity by Craig, Seth, Chief, Joey, Clay and Stacy,” Matkosky adds. “I’ll continue to hold dear the friendships I’ve made in my years working with Christian radio, and I look forward to making many new ones as I come alongside the team to deliver top-notch music to country radio. I can’t wait to learn from Stacy and I am beyond grateful for the team’s vote of confidence.”

Big Loud Records was founded as a partnership between four industry veterans – Craig Wiseman, Seth England, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Joey Moi – with a vision to bring artist development, management, production, and promotion under one roof. Led by Hunnicutt, the label scored its first win with Chris Lane, whose debut single, “Fix,” became a Gold-certified No. 1 hit in 2015.

Since then the label has gone on to expand its talented roster with the addition of Jake Owen, while scoring more Gold-certified hits with Lane (“For Her,” “Take Back Home Girl” featuring Tori Kelly) and another No. 1 at country radio with Morgan Wallen. The Big Loud lineup also includes Jillian Jacqueline and  Mason Ramsey.

Matkosky can be reached via email at ali@bigloud.com.

BBR Music Group (BBRMG) and BMG have restructured, resulting in the folding of imprint Red Bow Records into BBRMG’s core three imprints, Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records and Wheelhouse Records. All current promotional activities for Red Bow Records artists will be handled by Wheelhouse Records staff in the interim. Additional information on Red Bow Records personnel is forthcoming.

Red Bow Records’ artist roster includes Kid Rock, Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Chase Bryant and Brooke Eden. Their promotion staff includes VP/Promotion Shelley Hargis Gaines, Dir./National Promotion Neda Tobin, Dir./Southeast Promotion Caitlyn Gordon, Dir./Northeast Promotion Jeff Davis, Dir./West Coast Promotion Kendra Whitehead, and Coord./Promotion Matt Holmberg.

BMG’s long-term growth plan for its Nashville operations will involve strengthening its Nashville team by 20 percent throughout 2018, with a focus on the three core labels.

“We have come a long way, but this is really only the beginning,” said BMG Nashville’s Kos Weaver. “BMG’s distinctive approach and commitment to service seams to have a particular resonance with Nashville writers.”

Added BBRMG EVP Jon Loba, “2018 is proving to be a very strong year for the company. The restructuring of our team allows us to focus and allocate the resources in order to achieve the results we are targeting and continue developing the opportunities and growth of our artists’ careers both in the U.S. and internationally.”

So far in 2018, BBR Music Group earned a No. 1 album with Jason Aldean’s Rearview Town; the album has stayed atop the country albums chart for eight of the past 12 weeks since its release.

As previously announced, construction is currently underway on the new BMG office building designed to bring all Nashville-based employees – comprising its Nashville music publishing business, its Nashville operations hub and BBR Music Group – under one roof at One Music Circle South in early 2019.

Zach Katz, President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG US, said, “Nashville is at the core of our plan to grow BMG in North America. In two short years, we have gone from just under 20 people dedicated to publishing to nearly 100 staffers evenly split across publishing and recordings. We are investing heavily in the market and are committed to championing our songwriters and artists inside and outside of Nashville.”

Bradley Collins

Bradley Collins, Exec. Director, Creative at BMI’s Nashville office, will exit his role this week.

Collins began at BMI 16 years ago, where he rose through the ranks of the performing rights organization and signed artists such as Brett Eldredge, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Chris Young, Anderson East, Aubrie Sellers, songwriter Tommy Cecil, Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Kane Brown and others. His responsibilities also include organizing BMI’s popular No. 1 parties and overseeing showcases and events including Buzz at the Basement. He has also been involved with planning BMI’s participation in CMA Fest, SXSW, Tin Pan South and more.

“Bradley Collins’ contribution to BMI over the past 16 years has been pivotal to our success in Nashville,” says Jody Williams, VP, Creative, Nashville. “It’s been a pleasure to work alongside him. He has a tremendous ear for recognizing new talent and we wish him much success in the next phase of his career.”

“When I began my career at BMI nearly 16 years ago, I had no idea that I would meet so many incredible people and be given so many amazing opportunities,” Collins says. “Over the last decade and a half I have had the pleasure of playing a small part of the careers of some of the most amazing and talented songwriters, and I’ve also been tremendously blessed to come to know some of the greatest people in the industry. My next career endeavor will allow me to not only identify new talent but also spend time developing it.”

Collins’ last day at BMI is Thursday (July 12). Collins can then be reached at bradley@frontmanconsult.com.