The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has announced four appointments to the organization’s advisory committees, including one appointment to the Dispute Resolution Committee and three to the Operations Advisory Committee.
Jennifer Falco, Senior Vice President, Licensing at Hipgnosis Songs Group, has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee. In her role, she leads all media licensing operations. With a focus on blanket license negotiations across major platforms such as streaming, audiovisual, and fitness, Falco plays a critical role in shaping licensing strategies. Formerly with Big Deal Music Group and Words & Music, Falco brings extensive experience in licensing operations and managing clearances for advertisements, trailers, and films.
Additionally, Sean McGraw, Senior Vice President, Catalog Management at Downtown Music Publishing, has been reappointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee.
The Dispute Resolution Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.
Iwona Wyrzykowska, Senior Vice President, Global Film & TV Administration and Digital Administration Partnerships at Universal Music Publishing Group, has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over 18 years of experience in publishing, Wyrzykowska has played a pivotal role in global film and TV administration, digital operations, and copyright management. In her roles at Universal Music Publishing Group, she has driven advancements in music metadata and content management systems.
Jessica Richling O’Malley, Vice President, Mechanical Licensing, Copyright and Archives at Warner Chappell Music, has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over 18 years of music industry experience, she is a proven leader in music licensing, managing complex operations and driving innovative strategies. Prior to her leadership role at Warner Chappell, O’Malley spent nine years managing music licensing for Viacom’s flagship MTV programming and played a key role in building Beachbody’s global music licensing department.
Kristina Johnson, Vice President, Copyright at Kobalt Music, has also been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over a decade of experience, Johnson has held key roles at Universal Music Publishing Group, including Senior Director of North American Copyright, advancing copyright innovation and operational efficiency in the music industry. Johnson specializes in the intersection of publishing administration operations and systems development and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
Additionally, Ana Ruiz, Founder and Client Acquisition at Drive Music Publishing, has been reappointed to the Operations Advisory Committee.
The MLC’s Operations Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures related to the operations of the Collective, including the efficient investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources. It is comprised of six representatives of music publishers and six representatives of digital music providers.
The MLC also has an Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, which recommends policies and procedures to The MLC’s Board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties and is comprised of five songwriters and five publishing representatives. Patrick Curley, President of Third Side Music Inc., and Frank Liwall, CEO of The Royalty Network Inc., have both been reappointed to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee.
“On behalf of The MLC Board and its nominating committee, we extend our gratitude to those who previously served and to those who submitted applications to serve on our committees,” says Alisa Coleman, Chair of The MLC’s Board of Directors. “This process highlights the dedication of so many to advancing our mission. After careful review and thoughtful consideration, we have selected individuals who bring diverse perspectives and expertise, ensuring our committees continue to reflect and serve the needs of the music community.”
Industry Ink: The MAX, Country Music Cruise, Big Trip, Y’ALL 106.7
/by Lorie HollabaughThe MAX Inducts Five New Members In Mississippi
Mac McAnally
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) inducted five new members into its Hall of Fame on Jan. 23, at a ceremony in downtown Meridian. Folklorist William “Bill” Ferris, historian and novelist Shelby Foote, poet Natasha Trethewey and singer-songwriters Bobbie Gentry and Mac McAnally were inducted in front of 700-plus attendees who filled the historic theater at the Mississippi State University Riley Center.
Ferris, McAnally and Trethewey were all on hand to accept their awards, while Huger Foote accepted on behalf of his late father. Video tributes honoring each of the five new Hall of Fame members played throughout the night. The MAX president and CEO Penny Kemp delivered a memorial tribute for the late Marty Gamblin, longtime music industry professional and founding director of The MAX. McAnally capped off the ceremony with a performance of “Back Where I Come From,” including a reprise of the chorus that had the 700+ in attendance singing along just before the ceremony closed.
Country Music Cruise Raises $90K For Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Pictured (L-R): Mike Jason, StarVista LIVE President/Country Music Cruise Executive Producer; Ben Hall, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum VP of Development; winners Eric Blankenship of All Access Coach and Danny Hamilton; and Craig Campbell, Campbell Entertainment. Photo: Tom Konisiewicz/StarVista LIVE
The Country Music Cruise and parent company StarVista LIVE announced a charitable relationship with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last year, and the patrons on last week’s sold-out cruise raised $90,000 for the Museum. Two Gibson guitars were autographed by artists performing on this year’s cruise and sold via live auction prior to Neal McCoy taking the stage. One guitar was purchased for $40,000, and the other raised $50,000. Each winner was also presented a complimentary Honor Society membership to the Museum, which includes an invitation to its exclusive Medallion Ceremony, the annual induction of new Country Music Hall of Fame members.
Y’ALl 106.7 To Debut Talkin’ With Taylor
Taylor Stanford
Y’ALL 106.7 will launch a new weekly radio show, Talkin’ With Taylor, airing every Sunday at Noon beginning Feb. 16. Each week, on-air personality Taylor Stanford will be joined by a celebrity guest co-host to continue the country music conversations on-air taking listeners behind the scenes of the music industry with an inside look at the artist’s lifestyle while playing fan favorite songs from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s.
“It’s amazing to see how generous artists have been with their time, just dropping by the Y’ALL studio to share their music and stories,” says Brand Manager Ron Allen. “We have our podcast, website and social media where we can post this content but I feel it’s time to share these cool conversations directly to our on-air audience and with Taylor’s truly conversational interview style Talkin’ with Taylor is going to be just fun to listen to.”
Hard Rock International, BMG & Gray Media Team To Offer TV Series ‘The Song’ Globally
/by Lorie HollabaughHard Rock International, BMG & Gray Media have joined forces to offer global distribution of the TV Series The Song.
Season VI of the show premiered Jan. 11-12 and the 13 new episodes hosted by Krista Marie featured The Fray, Akon, Hinder, Five For Fighting, The Frontmen, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Neon Trees, Mitchell Tenpenny and more.
New this season, Hard Rock will be debuting The Song at over 300 of the company’s Hard Rock properties in over 80 countries including the U.S. Fans will see full performances in Hard Rock Cafes, in casino areas and in hotel rooms.
“Hard Rock is proud to partner with The Song to give artists a platform to tell their stories and to connect with new and longtime fans,” says Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “We’re excited to see this production come to life in millions of households around the world, and look forward to giving our guests more ways to engage with this incredible content.”
The Song has also formed a global partnership with BMG making the performances available on demand to the general public. Eventually, the entire catalog will be available through the BMG portal.
“Featuring iconic artists like Peter Frampton, Jason Mraz and Richard Marx, The Song masterfully captures historic musical moments for incredible songs which have become the soundtrack of our lives,” says Tom Scherer, BMG President Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing North America. “It is even more meaningful when these artists share the stories behind these amazing works – bringing us all even closer to the song, the story and the artist.”
“Who would have known when we started filming this series six years ago we would become the preeminent live music series on network television 52 weeks a year in almost every home in America,” says Marc Oswald, creator and Executive Producer of the show. “With over 60 music artists and 250 performances featured to date, we are now in a position to make this special content available through our partnerships with Hard Rock International and BMG.”
River House Artists & Sony Music Publishing Nashville Sign Hudson Westbrook
/by LB CantrellHudson Westbrook. Photo: Peyton Dollar
River House Artists, in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, has signed rising country singer-songwriter Hudson Westbrook to a global publishing agreement.
Westbrook, a Texas native, has made a name for himself in just eight months of releasing original music, earning over 140 million global streams and averaging over 10 million streams a week. He has impressed fans and industry members alike with his viral debut “Take It Slow” and Texas radio No. 1 “Two Way Drive.”
In November, Westbook released his acclaimed self-titled EP featuring standouts “5 to 9,” “House Again” and “Take Your Time.”
“This team’s continued support has allowed me to produce great songs with great people really early in my career. I am excited to work with a team that feels like family,” he shares of the deal.
With critical acclaim across a variety of media outlets, Westbrook was recently named as Sirius XM The Highway’s latest “Highway Find.” He is headlining nationwide on his nearly sold-out “Take Your Time Tour” throughout the spring, and will open shows for Parker McCollum, Midland, Eli Young Band, Cole Swindell and Ian Munsick later this year.
EVP of River House Artists, Zebb Luster, says, “Hudson’s artistry is connecting authentically on a national scale already, and his songwriting is a huge part of that. Having a strong team of advocates from the beginning for Hudson has always been our priority, so we’re proud to partner with Sony Music Publishing in championing his incredible songwriting for years to come.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston, adds, “Hudson’s authenticity as a storyteller is going to take him a long way. We’re excited to welcome him to the SMP family, and we are absolutely honored to be a part of his journey.”
Maoli Inks With ONErpm & Huff Co.
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): ONErpm’s Ryan Cunningham & Kylie Dembek; Maoli; Huff Co.’s David Huff & Dann Huff.
Country artist Maoli has signed a record deal with ONErpm and Huff Co., who established a partnership in 2023.
“I am so grateful to be part of the ONErpm/Huff Co. family,” says Maoli. “They get my vision and who I am and I’m excited about what’s to come.”
Maoli was raised by cowboys in the Hawaiian countryside, and his upbringing has deeply influenced his music, which blends island vibes with country sounds. With a growing fan base across the Pacific Rim, Caribbean and West Coast, Maoli is now ready to bring his style of country music to the rest of the mainland.
His “Last Sip of Summer Tour” will kick off this weekend in New Zealand and Australia, followed by a run through over 25 states and Canada, including stops in Austin, Kansas City, Anchorage, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Salt Lake City and more, plus a show at Nashville’s Cannery Hall. His new album, also titled Last Sip of Summer, will be released on June 27. The project was produced by Dann and David Huff of Huff Co.
“The blending of an island sound with country music has built a tremendous fan base,” shares Ryan Cunningham, A&R Country Music, ONErpm Nashville. “We’re truly captivated and thrilled to be a part of sharing new music with a global audience.”
“When I initially heard Maoli, my first words were ‘where and when can I meet him?’” recalls David Huff. “I was immediately drawn in by his vocals, along with the native sound combined with old-school country. I learned how authentic Maoli’s love, and knowledge of country legends was. I can’t wait for the world to experience this amazing artist!”
“It’s rare when you encounter an artist who brings a new take to country music,” adds Dann Huff. “Maoli is definitely that artist with his distinct vocals, the crisp harmonies, and always the presence of reggae and a Pacific Rim musicality. All of that together provides an interesting and fresh look at country music.”
Justin Tranter To Host Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony
/by Madison HahnenThe opening number will feature a performance by Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo and Taj Mahal. Additional artists set to perform include Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara and Kevin Puts. Presenting awards for the first Grammys of the day will be Brady, Hoying, Bob Clearmountain, Rhiannon Giddens, Queen Sheba and Anoushka Shankar, along with five-time Grammy winner and former Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board Chair Tammy Hurt will also deliver opening remarks.
“The Premiere Ceremony will not only kick off our Grammy Sunday, it will provide an opportunity to show that in times of adversity, music has the power to be used for good, to help our community unite, and to show our community’s resilience,” shares Mason Jr. “I look forward to honoring the year in music and being together with our amazing community.”
The ceremony is produced by Branden Chapman, Ruby Marchand, Lindsay Saunders Carl and Rex Supa for the Recording Academy. Greg V. Fera serves as Executive Producer, while Cheche Alara is the Music Producer and Director.
Additionally, SiriusXM will be backstage at the ceremony, conducting interviews with nominees and winners for their Grammy Sunday broadcast on The Grammy Channel (channel 17) and on the SiriusXM app.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Announces Latest ‘American Currents’ Installment
/by LB CantrellThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has revealed details for its latest installment of “American Currents: State of the Music,” an ongoing exhibit showcasing the present landscape of country music.
Presented annually, “American Currents” takes a broad view of the genre over the past year to explore musical developments, artist achievements and notable events, as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff.
This year’s exhibits looks at the artists, musicians and songwriters who were prominent in 2024, including Hardy, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Amythyst Kiah, Carin León, Shelby Lynne, Megan Moroney, Orville Peck, Post Malone, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Taylor Swift, Turnpike Troubadours, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.
A section of the exhibit titled “Unbroken Circle” highlights musical connections between new artists and their influences. Featured artifact pairings include Wyatt Ellis and Sierra Hull, Jamey Johnson and Ella Langley, Zach Top and Keith Whitley and Kaitlin Butts and Miranda Lambert.
The “American Currents” exhibit will also explore Beyoncé’s release of Cowboy Carter, as well as the year’s chart-topping country albums and singles and highest-grossing tours. In addition to the artists mentioned above, Zach Bryan, Dasha, Sierra Ferrell, Rosie Flores, Wyatt Flores, Sturgill Simpson and Country Music Hall of Fame members Joe Bonsall, Toby Keith and Kris Kristofferson will have a place in the installment.
“The museum’s annual ‘American Currents’ exhibition examines a wide variety of music and events that took place the prior year,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Last year, we witnessed innovative collaborations, well-deserved honors and the continued expansion of country and roots-inspired music’s reach to broader audiences. ‘American Currents’ allows us to highlight these significant moments within the context of music history.”
The annual exhibit, which is included with museum admission, opens Wednesday, March 5 and runs through January 2026 in the museum’s ACM Gallery.
The MLC Makes Four Advisory Committee Appointments
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has announced four appointments to the organization’s advisory committees, including one appointment to the Dispute Resolution Committee and three to the Operations Advisory Committee.
Jennifer Falco, Senior Vice President, Licensing at Hipgnosis Songs Group, has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee. In her role, she leads all media licensing operations. With a focus on blanket license negotiations across major platforms such as streaming, audiovisual, and fitness, Falco plays a critical role in shaping licensing strategies. Formerly with Big Deal Music Group and Words & Music, Falco brings extensive experience in licensing operations and managing clearances for advertisements, trailers, and films.
Additionally, Sean McGraw, Senior Vice President, Catalog Management at Downtown Music Publishing, has been reappointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee.
The Dispute Resolution Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.
Iwona Wyrzykowska, Senior Vice President, Global Film & TV Administration and Digital Administration Partnerships at Universal Music Publishing Group, has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over 18 years of experience in publishing, Wyrzykowska has played a pivotal role in global film and TV administration, digital operations, and copyright management. In her roles at Universal Music Publishing Group, she has driven advancements in music metadata and content management systems.
Jessica Richling O’Malley, Vice President, Mechanical Licensing, Copyright and Archives at Warner Chappell Music, has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over 18 years of music industry experience, she is a proven leader in music licensing, managing complex operations and driving innovative strategies. Prior to her leadership role at Warner Chappell, O’Malley spent nine years managing music licensing for Viacom’s flagship MTV programming and played a key role in building Beachbody’s global music licensing department.
Kristina Johnson, Vice President, Copyright at Kobalt Music, has also been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. With over a decade of experience, Johnson has held key roles at Universal Music Publishing Group, including Senior Director of North American Copyright, advancing copyright innovation and operational efficiency in the music industry. Johnson specializes in the intersection of publishing administration operations and systems development and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
Additionally, Ana Ruiz, Founder and Client Acquisition at Drive Music Publishing, has been reappointed to the Operations Advisory Committee.
The MLC’s Operations Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Board on policies and procedures related to the operations of the Collective, including the efficient investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources. It is comprised of six representatives of music publishers and six representatives of digital music providers.
The MLC also has an Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, which recommends policies and procedures to The MLC’s Board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties and is comprised of five songwriters and five publishing representatives. Patrick Curley, President of Third Side Music Inc., and Frank Liwall, CEO of The Royalty Network Inc., have both been reappointed to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee.
“On behalf of The MLC Board and its nominating committee, we extend our gratitude to those who previously served and to those who submitted applications to serve on our committees,” says Alisa Coleman, Chair of The MLC’s Board of Directors. “This process highlights the dedication of so many to advancing our mission. After careful review and thoughtful consideration, we have selected individuals who bring diverse perspectives and expertise, ensuring our committees continue to reflect and serve the needs of the music community.”
UMPG Nashville Signs Dalton Davis
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Roxy King (UMPG Nashville), Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville), Dalton Davis and Alex Lunt (Type A Management). Photo: Alex Green
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed Dalton Davis to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
A native of Gastonia, North Carolina, Davis’ music reflects his personal growth and struggles from a life marked with adversity and perseverance. He has turned heads with “Made For Tennessee” and “Sit Crooked,” which is approaching half a million streams in just over a month since its release.
“Dalton’s authenticity, life experience, and charisma come together and create an undeniable star presence that is felt from the moment he steps into a room. He is a rare artist that knows exactly who he is and what he wants to say, and he has the talent to bring that to life through his songwriting,” says Roxy King, Senior Director, A&R, UMPG Nashville.
Troy Tomlinson, Chairman & CEO, UMPG Nashville, adds, “Every now and then, a singer-songwriter walks into my office and within five minutes it is so objectively clear that they have the ‘it factor;’ with Dalton, it took all of three minutes to know that we had to work with him.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but as 2025 kicks off, I’m a signed songwriter with UMPG,” Davis shares. “Growing up admiring legends like Dean Dillon, Nashville always felt like the place I had to be. Now, with Roxy and Troy on my side, it feels like I’ve finally found my home in this city.”
Davis will release his debut album this year, and his third single from the project, “Blue Ridge Sky,” will come out on Friday (Jan. 31). He is represented by WME for booking and managed by Alex Lunt (Type A Management).
NuVoodoo To Present Country Music & Radio Research At CRS 2025
/by John Nix ArledgeNuVoodoo, in partnership with CRS, will present its latest research study on country music and country radio at CRS 2025 on Feb. 20. The study, “The Country Fan – Reviewing, Retaining, and Recruiting Your Listeners” was sourced from a nationwide survey of 1,500 country music fans and analyzed their perceptions, behaviors and preferences with respect to the genre.
The research will explore topics such as how country music fans feel about the genre in its current form, where and how they are listening to country music, the sources they rely on to stay informed about the music they love, and how they view country radio in 2025.
In addition to the survey, NuVoodoo has conducted one-on-one interviews with fans to personalize the data. The presentation will also include new music testing results on over 400 country tracks from a sample of over 700 country music fans. This sampling will offer insights into which songs resonate with listeners most and which they deem the most authentically country.
Carolyn Gilbert, CEO of NuVoodoo, shares, “What do they think? How do they feel? About Country radio? About Country music? We asked a lot of questions, and we have answers. We look forward to seeing you at CRS.”
On-site registration for CRS 2025 will begin Feb. 19, for the walkup rate of $799. Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more details.
Lainey Wilson Named New Whataburger Brand Ambassador For 75th Anniversary
/by Lorie HollabaughLainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson has signed on as an official brand ambassador for Whataburger during its 75th anniversary celebration.
A new advertising campaign, unique exclusive content, special offers and surprise appearances are on tap for the new partnership, which kicked off yesterday morning with a one-day-only deal up for grabs exclusively in-store and drive-thru orders only, no purchase necessary on their honey butter chicken biscuit, a favorite of Wilson’s.
“I’ve been rolling through Whataburger drive-thrus since I was just a small-town girl in Louisiana with big dreams,” says Wilson. “From grabbing Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits with my daddy between horse sales and rodeos to late-night stops on the road playing honky-tonks — Whataburger’s been part of my story every step of the way.”
“Lainey Wilson embodies all that we love about our brand. She is genuine, daring and dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences to fans,” says Debbie Stroud, President and CEO at Whataburger. “Our partnership with Lainey Wilson unites two brands committed to serving up Goodness 24/7 with a side of Texas hospitality, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve got cooking throughout the year. Hang tight, there’s more to come!”