Concord has promoted Jill Weindorf to Executive Vice President of Marketing and Joe Dent to Executive Vice President of Operations. The move, orchestrated by newly appointed Chief Executive of Concord Label Group Tom Becci, aims to modernize Concord’s structure to support and develop a growing roster of talent. Weindorf is based in Los Angeles and Dent in Concord’s Nashville headquarters.

Weindorf began her career at Elektra Records, leading marketing campaigns for stars such as Paul McCartney, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ghost and more. Over her 17 year tenure, she has demonstrated a passion for artists’ careers and a deep understanding of the marketing landscape. In her new role, she will lead marketing efforts across Concord’s eight active labels including radio promotion, sync marketing, digital marketing, brand management and creative/design.

“Music is about connection and Jill’s ability to devise a marketing strategy in concert with an artist, while considering their priorities, who they are, the place they want to be, and then work tirelessly in support of that plan is unparalleled. Having Jill in this role will certainly allow Concord to remain competitive in an increasingly complicated and global market,” says Becci.

“My focus has always been the artists and music,” explains Weindorf. “Concord has offered me the opportunity to build long-term trust with so many career artists, and I love being part of the journey with them. I’m also excited by our legacy recordings and the depth and historical relevance of our catalog. Many executives don’t get the chance to work across such a wide breadth of repertoire; I have been here for 17 years, and I am still excited by that opportunity every day.”

New Jersey native Dent brings a diverse background to his new role with 10 years at Fat Beats Distribution, eventually rising to General Manager. Since joining Concord, he has proven his ability to tackle challenges such as stabilizing Concord’s vinyl pipeline during the COVID-19 pandemic and enhancing the company’s spatial audio capacity. Dent’s responsibilities will now include overseeing all operations across Concord Label Group, focusing on areas such as physical sales, production, direct-to-consumer operations, A&R operations and digital operations.

“Joe has an incredible understanding of how to look at a classically messy system, identify areas for improvement and make real and lasting corrections,” says Becci. “I have no doubt that Joe will continue guiding Concord towards further operational efficiencies in support of our artists.”

“What I genuinely appreciate about Concord is that, despite our size, we are still incredibly nimble. If we believe there is a superior way that we can do things, there is a reasonable chance that we will do it that way. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust that so many amazing artists put in us, and I’m excited to continue finding ways we can better support them. This really is a dream come true for a punk from New Jersey,” says Dent.

Courtesy of Regions Bank

Regions Bank is expanding its Music Row presence with the addition of modernized office space in the Roundabout Plaza building. In collaboration with Eakin Partners, Regions Bank will add over 27,000 square-feet of office space atop the Roundabout Plaza.

The bank has been operating its Music Row branch and Sports and Entertainment Division on the ground floor of Roundabout Plaza for several years. With this expansion, Commercial and Corporate Banking services along with Wealth Management solutions and more will now join their colleagues in the roundabout.

Courtesy of Regions Bank

Regions Bank market executive Lee Blank says the expansion is part of the bank’s plan to further build on its legacy as Nashville’s longest-serving bank.

“For over 140 years, our company has met the financial needs of people and businesses across Middle Tennessee, and as our city has grown, we’ve grown, too, offering customized services that set us apart in one of the nation’s most vibrant markets,” Blank shares. “Yet, despite our growth, we haven’t lost sight of what makes Nashville truly special, and we remain focused on delivering the services of a truly local bank, powered by the resources of one of America’s largest financial institutions. Our modernized office space will bring bankers from several departments together in a way that helps us build on our collaboration and, most importantly, build on our comprehensive services for local clients.”

John Eakin, Managing Member of Eakin Partners, emphasizes the positioning of Roundabout Plaza’s location, adjacent to both West End and downtown Nashville, with easy access to Interstates 40 and 65. “This opportunity provides a chance to bring more Regions colleagues together in ways that enhance teamwork, while welcoming more clients and associates to the thriving and convenient Music Row area,” he says.

The bank expects to begin renovating both the first and ninth floors at Roundabout Plaza in the second quarter of this year with plans to move in by early 2025.

“When renovations are complete in the next two months, the full suite of Roundabout Plaza amenities will include a newly renovated fitness facility, a new first floor cafe and a shared conference room and common meeting areas on the seventh floor,” adds Eakin.

Regions’ agreement with Eakin Partners includes crown signage rights, with the Regions logo set to reflect the bank’s pride in building on its investments in Nashville. “From consulting with local businesses on how to grow their companies, to helping individual consumers through in-person and digital services, we are Nashville’s bank,” Blank says. “And we’re excited to take this step forward in writing our next chapter of service to Middle Tennessee.”

Kat Higgins. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

ACM Song of the Year-nominated songwriter Kat Higgins has renewed her publishing deal with BMG.

Higgins’ recent No. 1 single, “The Painter” by Cody Johnson, is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. She also penned the 2021 No. 1 “Knowing You” by Kenny Chesney.

Born and raised in Canada, Higgins grew up playing and touring full time with her family’s Irish folk band, which introduced her to the world of songwriting and eventually led to her settling in Nashville. Since landing in Music City, she has penned songs cut by Carrie Underwood, Runaway June, The Lone Bellow and more, and has also begun releasing her own music.

Koe Wetzel. Photo: Jody Domingue

Genre-disruptor Koe Wetzel will release his next album 9 Lives on July 19 via Columbia Records.

Photo: John Park / Design by Dalton Latham, Courtesy of Columbia Records

The 13-track project is set to take fans beyond the party animal stories Wetzel has become known for in his near-decade of combining his country roots in Texas with his rock, hip-hop and grunge sensibilities. 9 Lives was produced predominantly by Gabe Simon (Noah Kahan’s Stick Season) alongside a lineup of trusted collaborators like Josh Serrato, Carrie K and Sam Harris (X Ambassadors).

In addition to the already-released lead single “Damn Near Normal,” the album includes emotional ballads such as “Sweet Dreams” and “Hatchet,” rowdy singalongs like “Casamigos” and “Bar Song” and Wetzel’s signature wit with tunes like “Leigh.” Also featured is a cover of the late Keith Gattis‘ “Reconsider.”

“I want fans to know that there’s a different side of me, not just the sex, drugs, and rock & roll Koe that they may have heard about online,” Wetzel says. “I’ve grown up a little bit. I’m no longer the 20-year-old kid that’s partying down and getting thrown in jail all the time. 9 Lives reveals a vulnerable side that people may not be used to hearing.”

To introduce the new album, Wetzel released a funny album trailer of his nine personas. Fans can also take a quiz to discover which Wetzel character is most like them.

Wetzel will take all nine of his lives on the road this year on the recently announced “Damn Near Normal World Tour,” as well as prominent sets at Rock the Country, Hangout, Country Jam, Country Thunder Wisconsin, WE Fest, Watershed and more. He will also join Morgan Wallen on his “One Night At A Time World Tour” in Arlington, Texas this July.

9 Lives Track List:
1. “Continued” Skit
2. “9 Lives (Black Cat)” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon)
3. “Casamigos” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Sam Harris, Ben Burgess, Gabe Simon)
4. “Damn Near Normal” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon, Carrie Karpinen, Sam Harris)
5. “Leigh” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon)
6. “Twister” (Ropyr Wetzel, Steve Rusch, Ben Burgess, Josh Serrato)
7. “High Road” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon, Carrie Karpinen)
8. “Reconsider” (Charles John Brocco, Keith Quenton Gattis)
9. “Hatchet” (Gabe Simon, Mike Coogan)
10. “Sweet Dreams” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Josh Serrato, Gabe Simon, Sam Harris)
11. “Runnin’ Low” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Sam Harris, Gabe Simon, Ben Burgess)
12. “Bar Song” (Blake “Shy” Carter, Breyan Isaac, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Dave Gibson)
13. “Last Outlaw Alive” (Josh Serrato, Ben Burgess, Sam Harris)

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Raitiere, Natalie Hemby, Ashley McBryde and Vince Gill. Photo: Angela Talley

Ashley McBryde, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby and Aaron Raitiere showed their support for Music Health Alliance (MHA) by headlining its third annual “Coulda Shoulda Woulda” fundraiser last week at Nashville’s Cannery Hall.

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Raitiere, Ashley McBryde, MHA’s Tatum Allsep, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby and Lytle Management & MHA Board’s John Lytle. Photo: Angela Talley

Hosted by Ashley Eicher, the sold-out evening of songs and stories raised more than $100,000 for the Nashville nonprofit’s free healthcare programs and advocacy services that benefit the music industry nationwide.

“What a fun and emotional night of music as Ashley, Vince, Natalie and Aaron shared never-before heard songs alongside some of their biggest hits,” said Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder & CEO. “We could not be more grateful to these amazing artists for donating their talents as well as everyone who attended to support Music Health Alliance and our decade long commitment to ‘Heal The Music.'”

MHA’s team of 14 advocates work to help music industry professionals with all of their healthcare needs. The nonprofit’s services range from assistance with medical bills to physical and mental health guidance, including finding doctors or prescriptions, searching for financial grants to aid in recovery from serious health issues, affordable health insurance and answers to Medicare questions.

Since its inception in 2013, MHA has provided free advocacy and support to almost 25,000 music industry professionals, saving clients and their families over $127 million in healthcare costs.