Mark Dinerstein. Photo: Heather Leven Photography

Mark Dinerstein Consulting and JPB Partners have acquired Nashville based full-service facility promoter and operating company Marathon Live from Founder Josh Billue. Dinerstein will lead the organization as CEO, and Billue will serve as Chief Development Officer.

The Marathon Live umbrella includes six live music and event venues, including Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Kansas City’s The Truman, Chattanooga’s The Signal, Little Rock’s The Hall, St. Louis’ The Hawthorn and Jacksonville’s FIVE. Dinerstein plans to expand the company’s portfolio through acquiring existing event spaces, as well as renovate existing facilities alongside the building of new venues.

In addition to its venue portfolio, the organization has also had launched its facility management division. The division will oversee venue services such as risk-based and non-risk talent buying, general consultation, operations, sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, production design, food and beverage operations, facility development, facility renovation and preservation and more.

“I am thrilled to join the Marathon Live team, work with a uniquely talented group and lead our network of owned and operated facilities into the next era of growth.” says Dinerstein. “We look forward to connecting with existing facilities looking to join our endeavor with both independent spirit and savvy business strategies to ensure their place in the entertainment and private events sector for generations to come.

“In addition to facility acquisition, we intend to grow through ground-up construction and offer full-facilities management services aimed at the 1,000 – 2,500 capacity sector offering true partnership through shared ideals,” he continues.

“The sale of Marathon Live to Mark and JPB helps protect our thriving organization while rapidly accelerating my original vision of growth,” adds Billue. “My new role as Chief Development Officer will allow me to continue to focus on building new facilities for Marathon Live, and we have some very exciting projects on the horizon.”

Other team members of Marathon Live will include Ryan Henry (Chief Operating Officer), Chris Hewitt (Chief Accounting Officer), Casey Osburn (SVP Facilities), Matt Phillips (Talent Buyer), Sarah Stockton (Jr. Talent Buyer), Liza Saturday (Operations Director), Jeremy Hicks (Communications Director), Christina Luppinanci (Marketing Manager), Jill Schuler (Private Events Director) and Kasey Ray (Production Director) with additional support from a variety of managers in various departments, General Managers and Assistant General Managers.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Quartz Hill Music Group’s Ash Bowers, April Rider and Jason Sellers. (L-R, bottom row): Quartz Hill Music Group’s Benny Brown and Matt Cooper.

Matt Cooper has signed with Quartz Hill Records, an imprint of the recently rebranded Quartz Hill Music Group.

“To go farther, to get where I wanna be, I knew that it was going to take a really solid and special team,” says Cooper. “I could see that Benny [Brown] and Ash [Bowers] truly believed in the songs, and the team around them really believed in me as well, and so that fired me up. I’m just excited to be a part of this family, and it does feel like a family here, which is awesome.”

The Florida native began writing songs as a college freshman inspired by the sounds of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Thomas Rhett. As an independent artist, Cooper has amassed 108 million lifetime streams to-date and nearly 1.5 million social media followers.

“Matt has his own sound that’s fresh and original, but it still has those country music traditions of storytelling and authenticity,” says QHMG Founder Brown. “The streaming world has already fallen in love with Matt’s music and I can’t wait for country radio to fall in love with it too.”

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Matt Cooper to the Quartz Hill family. He’s already proven himself with remarkable success as an independent artist, building a loyal fanbase through pure talent, hard work, and heart. On top of all that, Matt is an absolutely great guy — I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in this next chapter,” says QHMG Executive Vice President Bowers.

His current single, “Highs & Lows” will impact country radio on Sept. 29 and an acoustic version of the solo-written song will be released this Friday (July 18).

Lucas Hoge takes a look inward on his latest album, Book About Me, out now on all digital streaming platforms.

The new 10-song collection offers listeners an intimate, reflective look into the chapters that shaped Hoge’s life. Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead, Cameron Bedell and Chris Tanner, Book About Me is packed with feel-good anthems, love ballads, and stories filled with faith, family and small-town roots, and each track turns a page in the story of a man who’s never forgotten his roots.

“Book About Me is a poignant and vibrant musical journey that weaves together the tapestry of my life experiences from the fields of the farm to the sun-soaked shores of the beach, and everything in between,” says Hoge. “Each song serves as a chapter, revealing stories of growth, heartache, joy, and resilience, all told through rich melodies and evocative lyrics. This album is not just a collection of songs; it’s an intimate memoir set to music, showcasing my unique perspective and the moments that have shaped identity.

“With heartfelt storytelling and diverse musical styles, Book About Me invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys and to find solace and connection in shared experiences,” he continues. “Whether it’s a nostalgic ballad about childhood adventures or an upbeat anthem celebrating life’s simple pleasures, this album encapsulates the essence of living fully and authentically.”

Book About Me Track List:
1. “When A Cowboy Prays (feat. Forrie J Smith)” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
2. “Gone Fishin” (Lucas Hoge, Corey Lee Barker, Steve O’Brien)
3. “American Made” (Lucas Hoge, Andrew Peebles)
4. “Farmhand” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
5. “Fruity Drink” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
6. “Livin I Like” (Lucas Hoge, Forest Glen Whitehead)
7. “Same Ole” (Lucas Hoge, Nate Kenyon)
8. “Book About Me” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
9. “Life Well Lived” (Lucas Hoge, Camron Bedell)
10. “When A Cowboy Prays” (Lucas Hoge / Justin Lantz)

Pictured (L-R): Carly Sater, Lee Krabel, Josh Dorr, Sam Sarno, Jeremy Groves and Robin Palmer. Photo: Makayla Symmonds

Josh Dorr has extended his global publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

“I’m excited and grateful to be continuing my career at SMACKSongs,” shares Dorr. “I’m lucky to have such a great publishing team and creative community around me. Looking forward to this next chapter with my SMACKSongs family.”

Originally signing with SMACKSongs in 2020, Dorr recently notched his first No. 1 single with Blake Shelton’s “Texas.” He has landed cuts with artists including Jordan Davis, Jon Pardi, Ella Langley, Maddox Batson, Walker Hayes and more. Dorr also co-wrote Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s “Tough,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Spotify U.S. Global Chart and landed in the Top 40 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Global 200 charts.

Samantha Sarno, Creative Director at SMACK, says, “Josh is an incredible songwriter, and it’s been amazing to see his hard work pay off. We’re so proud to be part of his journey and are grateful to keep building together toward even more success.”

Pictured (L-R, front row): Mike Giangreco (VP of A&R, Big Loud Publishing), Mark Holman and Ernest (Founder / CEO, Ern’s Cadillac Music / DeVille Records); (L-R, back row): Seth England (Partner / CEO, Big Loud), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records), Jeff Tanner (SVP of Business Affairs, Big Loud), Katie Flynn (Big Loud Publishing, Creative Director), Dane Schmidt (Senior Director of A&R, Ern’s Cadillac Music / DeVille Records) and Jordan Marcus (Executive Assistant, Ern’s Cadillac Music / DeVille Records). Photo: Jessie Addleman

Hit songwriter and producer Mark Holman has signed a new publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing and Ern’s Cadillac Music.

With hits by Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Blake Shelton and many more, Holman has spent over a decade investing in Music City’s creative community. The Illinois native recently celebrated a No. 1 hit with Jordan Davis’ “I Ain’ Sayin’,” adding to hits such as Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night,” Wallen’s “Don’t Think Jesus,” Ernest’s “Flower Shops,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Simple” and more.

“Big Loud has believed in me from the jump and I’m thankful to keep growing with them,” shares Holman. “Adding Cadillac to the mix just takes it to another level. I have a ton of respect for Ern — as a writer, as an artist and as a visionary — and I’m looking forward to what we can create.”

“I have enjoyed working with Mark throughout the years. We always have a great time in the room, and he is such a joy to work with,” ERN’s Cadillac Music Founder/CEO Ernest adds. “He has been a weapon in town for a few years, and we have obviously already made a little magic together with ‘Flower Shops.’ I look forward to continuing to grow together as songwriters and producers. I’m thankful he wanted to be a part of the Cadillac crew as much as I wanted him to be.”