BMG and Concord have tapped Björn Bauer as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company, effective upon closing of the transaction.

Based in Nashville and reporting to designated CEO Bob Valentine, he will bring more than two decades of strategic leadership experience to the role and will oversee the business’s finance functions and assume responsibility for the M&A team.

Until the closing of the transaction, BMG’s current CFO, Mathis Wolter, will continue to oversee the finance function and support the integration efforts, before subsequently assuming new responsibilities within Bertelsmann. Concord’s current CFO, Kent Hoskins, will continue to serve in his role until the closing of the transaction, at which time it is anticipated that he will take on another senior leadership position for the combined company.

Bauer will join from entertainment company RTL Group, where he currently serves as Executive Director and member of the Executive Committee, and has been Chief Financial Officer since 2019.

“Björn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering strong results through operational excellence and disciplined financial management,” shares Thomas Coesfeld, designated Chairman of the combined company. “We are delighted that he is expected to join the combined company following completion of the transaction and look forward to the impact he will have as we continue to strengthen and grow the business. At the same time, I would like to thank Mathis for playing an instrumental role in shaping BMG’s strategic transformation, and for being a trusted partner to me and the executive team over the past three years.”

“We are pleased that Björn is expected to join the combined company as CFO,” adds Valentine. “His deep financial expertise will be invaluable as the company continues to focus on sustainable growth and long-term value creation after the transaction closes.”

“As the global music industry evolves, the combination of BMG and Concord will be uniquely positioned to capture new opportunities through its talent focus, entrepreneurial spirit and global scale, supported by continued investments in catalogs and talent,” adds Bauer. “I am excited to join the combined company upon closing of the transaction, a pivotal moment in its growth journey. I look forward to partnering with the teams to drive the combined company’s next phase of growth and support its long-term strategic ambitions.”

Independent singer-songwriter Denitia has partnered with Thirty Tigers to distribute her next album, and mtheory for management services.

She is slated to release new music later this year.

“I’m so excited to welcome Denitia into the Thirty Tigers family,” shares David Macias, Co-Founder and President of Thirty Tigers. “I loved the music that I had heard since she came to Nashville, but when we met, I became aware of her rich and broad history in music. She has shown up meaningfully in some amazing places musically speaking. She is exactly the kind of artist we get excited about working with.”

“I’m truly honored to join the Thirty Tigers family and grateful to partner with a team that believes in my vision and the stories I want to tell,” adds Denitia. “To me, songs have the power to give shape to the things we feel but don’t always know how to say. I’m so excited to share this next chapter of music, particularly with Thirty Tigers and my friends at mtheory by my side.”

In 2024, Denitia was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country and made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Last year, she was a featured vocalist in Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, and toured more than 40 dates in support of her latest album, Sunset Drive. She is a member of Black Opry, Rissi Palmer’s “Color Me Country” and mtheory’s Equal Access.

In addition to upcoming summer tour dates, she’s slated to perform at tonight’s Recording Academy Block Party in Nashville.

Kaylin Roberson has renewed her global publishing deal with Peermusic Nashville.

“I’m beyond excited and grateful to continue this next chapter of my career with Peermusic,” shares Roberson. “They’ve believed in my songs since day one and I can’t wait to share some big wins in the coming years.”

“I’m very excited that Kaylin is re-upping with Peermusic,” adds Michael Knox, President, Peermusic Nashville. “She is a true singer/songwriter and one of my favorite female artists in town.”

Roberson penned Bailey Zimmerman’s “Comin’ In Cold,” Hannah McFarland’s “Hey Highway” and Michael Ray’s “Hate This Town.” She has also earned cuts with Emily Ann Roberts, David J, Walker Montgomery and others. Her songs have landed sync placements on the Netflix series Hunting Wives and Hallmark Channel’s A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.

The Raleigh native moved to Nashville at 19. In 2020, she released her first single “Out of My Town,” which earned a top 10 spot in the NSAI Songwriter’s Contest. She has since accumulated millions of streams and is slated to release new music later this year.

The Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum has added Lacey Criss as the Pre-Opening Project Manager and Manager of Guest Experience.

In her new role, Criss will lead guest services and operational readiness.

Most recently, she worked with All In Events supporting access and inclusion initiatives for major live events. She previously served as a project manager at Animax Designs and spent seven years at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center.

The museum plans to open to the public later this year and is currently expanding its team.

“Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine,” a show commemorating Prine’s life and legacy, is set for Oct. 8 at The Chicago Theatre.

The Prine Family and the Hello in There Foundation are inviting fans to celebrate alongside a community of artists performing their favorite Prine songs, paying tribute to the immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted and connected generations. The initial lineup of performers backed by Prine’s longtime band includes host/performer John C. Reilly, Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff, Amos Lee, Andrew Sa, Briscoe, Jon Langford, Josh Ritter, Joy Oladokun, Kathleen Edwards, Margo Price, Noeline Hofmann, Ratboys, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Earle, The Cactus Blossoms, The Sullivan Sisters, and a host of others yet to be announced.

All proceeds benefit The Hello in There Foundation and grant-making in Prine’s memory, and ticket pre-sale begins tomorrow (May 13.) Additional events over October 8-11 will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.

On May 29 Fiona Prine and the Prine Family will host a virtual premiere of You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine, the star-studded tribute concert film captured in October 2022 at the Ryman. Following its debut in select theaters across the country, the virtual screening will feature a live chat with Fiona Prine and other members of the family, and will be available on-demand through May 31. Tickets and more information can be found here.