Mike Curb, former Lieutenant Governor and acting Governor of California, as well as a music industry veteran, has funded the construction of a new student recording facility at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, which will begin in 2025. This contribution continues the long-standing philanthropic partnership between the Mike Curb Foundation and the School of Music, which has spanned over ten years. The facility will be housed in the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center.

“I am very pleased to extend my commitment to create a creative lab space that will serve as a training ground for young music professionals to hone their skills and master their craft at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music,” shares Curb. “We are proud to be joining our support with philanthropists and music industry pioneers Herb Alpert, Mo Ostin and Berry Gordy.”

The Mike Curb Foundation made its inaugural donation to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in 2012, supporting the establishment of a computer music lab in the Ostin Music Center. This latest gift will fund a full renovation of that space, transforming it into the Mike Curb Student Recording Facility, which will include two new mixing/editing rooms and faculty studios.

“Mike Curb has a passion for educational philanthropy,” says Eileen Stempel, Dean of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. “We are thrilled that he has provided our students with professional-level facilities to foster their development. This will be a significant enhancement for our music industry program.”

Since becoming an independent school in 2016, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has been recognized as one of the top music business schools by Billboard. In 2023, the school launched its own independent music industry program, taught by a faculty of academic researchers and industry professionals. The program leverages the school’s extensive resources, including two large theaters, one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of musical instruments, and the UCLA Music Library, the largest in southern California. In conjunction with the newly established Berry Gordy Music Industry Center, the program supports course development and provides students with internships and professional opportunities in the industry.

“Music industry students require professional level facilities to apprentice in, while also having their own creative space to experiment and explore their musical ideas,” adds Robert Fink, Special Academic Senior Associate Sean and Chair of the music industry program. “We are excited to be opening the Mike Curb Student Recording Facility, so we can provide our students even more opportunities to develop these industry critical skills.”

The Mike Curb Foundation’s donation aligns with its long-standing mission of supporting education and culture. Since its founding more than 20 years ago, the foundation has contributed over $200 million in grants to advance education, the arts, cultural preservation, homelessness relief and various community initiatives. Its charitable efforts reflects Curb’s commitment to giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same.

Morgan Wallen stays at the top of the country albums and streaming songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His 2023 One Thing At A Time album amassed 41K in total consumption (774 album only and 52 million song streams). Wallen’s newest track “Smile,” remains atop the songs chart with 13 million streams adding to 80 million total.

Also on the albums chart, Kane Brown debuts at No. 2 with The High Road earning 40k in total consumption, Wallen at No. 3 with Dangerous: The Double Album with 31K in total consumption, Post Malone‘s F-1 Trillion with 25K and Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken with 19K.

On the songs chart, Shaboozey maintains the No. 2 position with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earning 12.5 million streams adding to one billion, Wallen’s “Love Somebody” climbs to No. 3 with 11 million, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” drops to No. 4 with 11 million streams, and Sam Barber and Avery Anna‘s “Indigo” claims 8.6 million.

Save The Music, formerly VH1 Save the Music, the nationwide nonprofit supporting music education in over 285 school districts, has launched a new chapter after separating from Paramount Global and becoming a fully independent entity.

Save The Music will continue to focus on its mission of ensuring every student in every school has the opportunity to make music, by supplying schools with instruments and technology, offering teacher training and support, and funding and bringing together community-based music organizations.

As part of the transition, Save The Music has introduced a $10 million endowment fund, with nearly $4 million already raised. This endowment will secure the organization’s long-term sustainability and continued support for music education, helping future generations of students access the transformative power of making music. Although the formal partnership with Paramount is concluding, the relationship will persist, as the company has committed an initial six-figure donation to the fund.

This milestone signifies the completion of a process that started in 2019 when the organization rebranded, dropping the VH1 name as part of a strategy to lessen reliance on a single funding source and adopt a more diversified approach to financial support. Over the past five years, Save The Music has attracted a diverse group of funders, with 95% of the budget in 2024 coming from community-based foundations, individual donations, and contributions from the music industry.

Notable funders include major labels, talent agencies, Live Nation, AEG Presents, Amazon, TikTok and Meta. In 2021, Save The Music was awarded a $2 million grant, the largest in the organization’s history, from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

“Going independent is a huge step forward for us – and the culmination of a five-year effort from our team, partners, and boards,” says Executive Director Henry Donahue. “In every school I visit – from the Bronx to Miami, Philadelphia to Los Angeles, Detroit to Columbus, Memphis to New Orleans – I find that the music room is a special place. The students are excited to be there, and they are creative, thoughtful, and optimistic in a way that should give us all hope for the future.”

Save The Music has also bolstered its artist partnerships, guided by internal leadership and the Save The Music Advisory Board. Mmembers of the board include Eric Wong (President of East West Records & Head of Global A&R at Warner Recorded Music), Caroline Abs (Head of Marketing for Sony Latin-Iberia Region), Jonathan Azu (Founder & CEO of Culture Collective), and Gurj Bassi (Head of Music Marketing & Partnerships at SiriusXM), among others.

Recent Artist Ambassador campaigns have been spearheaded by Ed Sheeran, Becky G and Jelly Roll. Save The Music has also partnered with Breland, Brittney Spencer, Young The Giant, Tank (of Tank and The Bangas), Durand Bernarr, Lawrence (the band), Chelsea Cutler, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Infinity Song.

To celebrate the new chapter, Save The Music has brought together a lineup of artists for an exclusive giveaway campaign on the Propeller platform. Now through the end of February, fans can bid on over a dozen one-of-a-kind auction prizes from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, The War and Treaty, Denzel Curry, GHOST, Common x Pete Rock, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton and more. Proceeds from the auction will go directly toward funding the creation of new music programs nationwide, as Save The Music enters its next era as an independent organization. The auction items can be viewed here.

Since its founding, Save The Music has invested over $75 million in more than 2,800 school music programs. In just the last five years it has doubled the number of schools it reaches, funding more than 600 new programs in cities like New York, Newark, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Nashville and Columbus; along with major regional initiatives in West Virginia and the Mississippi Delta.

Jason Scott has signed a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog Music.

Scott, a native of Oklahoma City, is the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for Leo33 band Jason Scott & The High Heat. Their 2022 debut album Castle Rock received acclaim from NPR, BBC Radio and others. Scott’s music connects deeply with listeners through his storytelling and his mix of heartland rock and southern soul. The band’s live shows at festivals such as Stagecoach and Born & Raised Festival have further cemented their reputation.

“We’re so excited to work with Jason Scott,” shares Carla Wallace, Co-Owner and CEO of Big Yellow Dog Music. “His music is a perfect fit for our brand, and we love his musical authenticity.”

“From the moment I met the Big Yellow Dog team, I knew they were passionate about the music I was making,” recalls Scott. “I’m so proud to partner with such an elite team to help further the creative vision of my music and songs.”

The band dropped their High Country Heat EP late last year, with the single “If We Make It To The Mornin’” now rising on the Americana charts. They’re currently on tour with Blackberry Smoke and will also be performing at festivals like Extra Innings, Jackalope Jamboree and more throughout the year.

Jason Scott & The High Heat are represented by Mark Noel at Triple 8 Management, with booking handled by Jonathan Levine, Lenore Kinder and Tommy Alexander at Wasserman Music.