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Pop/R&B Singer Conor Matthews Signs With Altadena/Warner Records

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Nashville-based pop/R&B singer-songwriter Conor Matthews has inked a deal with Warner Records, in conjunction with Altadena, the music company founded by hit producer-songwriter busbee.

Matthews is the first pop artist to sign with Altadena through the partnership with Warner and has released his first major label single, “Too Late.”

Conor explains, “I wrote “Too Late” on a midnight flight back to my city – hadn’t seen this girl in forever and was hoping she was still around. When you haven’t spoken to an ex in a long time you start wondering how they feel and if they feel the same way about you, and if it’s too late to come through.”

Matthews was born in Illinois and moved to Nashville after graduating high school. A chance encounter led to a publishing deal with Keith Urban and Warner Chappell Music. At first, Matthews seemed intent on a career as a country songwriter, until a friend introduced him to the world of pop and R&B by way of Justin Timberlake’s music. Matthews forged a tight-knit, Los Angeles-based songwriting and production crew and began work on his project.

busbee adds, “As much as I admire Conor’s natural abilities as a vocalist, a songwriter, and an entertainer, I can’t help but admire his work ethic, his intense desire to win, and the way he treats those around him even more. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Aaron Bay-Schuck [CEO/Co-Chairman], Tom Corson [COO/Co-Chairman], and the entire Warner Records family as we bring Conor’s music to the world.”

Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney Signs Publishing Deal With Reservoir (Exclusive)

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Pictured (L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP – VP Nashville Membership), Greg Gallo (Reservoir – VP Creative), Joe Don Rooney, Beth Brinker (ASCAP – Associate Creative Director), John Ozier (Reservoir – EVP Creative), Chandler Cunningham (Reservoir – Creative Coordinator)

Reservoir has signed Joe Don Rooney, lead guitarist for hit country music group Rascal Flatts, to a worldwide publishing deal. The deal includes future works for the accomplished songwriter including upcoming Rascal Flatts co-writes, plus titles written for other artists.

Outside of his catalog with Rascal Flatts, Rooney is an accomplished songwriter, having collaborated with Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Lee Brice, The Vamps, and more. He is currently developing several emerging artists including Dylan Brady, signed to Barry Weiss’ RECORDS, plus Chase Martin and Josh Dorr, among others.

“I’m constantly writing and creating, whether it’s for Rascal Flatts or other artists,” shared Rooney. “And getting to work with John and the whole Reservoir team, felt like the perfect creative fit. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”

“While Joe Don’s past success speaks for itself, we’re really excited about what lies ahead,” adds Reservoir EVP of Creative John Ozier. “His ability to work across genres and knack for developing talent, coupled with the fact that he is one of the best guys in the business made him a great match with Reservoir and we’re honored to welcome him to the family.”

Rascal Flatts have sold over 23 million albums, 35 million digital downloads, and amassed more than 2 billion streams worldwide. They have 17 No. 1 hits under their belt, and two dozen RIAA-certified Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum releases. As the most awarded country music group of the past decade, the trio have over 40 awards to their name, including a Grammy for Best Country Song and a number of top accolades from the ACMs, CMAs, AMAs, CMTs, and more. In 2012, Rascal Flatts received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The group is currently on a six-month U.S. and Canadian tour. To date, the band has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide.

New York City-based Reservoir has offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, and London. Founded in 2007, the company has grown to represent more than 110,000 copyrights and 20,000 master recordings, including hundreds of No.1 releases. Among those are songs written and performed by John Denver, Billy Strayhorn, and Hoagy Carmichael, as well as catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram, and current hits performed by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s collection of film music includes rights to scores from composer-producer Hans Zimmer, as heard in The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Dark Knight Trilogy and more. Reservoir also represents recorded music through Chrysalis Records and Philly Groove Records, and manages artists via its venture with Big Life Management.

Industry Pics: ASCAP Hosts 4th Annual Shady Grove Stage at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

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Pictured (L-R): Stephen Kellogg, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Play At Pilgrimage contest winner Bre Kennedy, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode

For the fourth consecutive year, ASCAP hosted and curated the Shady Grove stage at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, held on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee.

“For the past four years, ASCAP has curated an intimate corner of the festival featuring up-and-coming artists as well as longtime favorites,” said ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. “Our thoughtful partnership with the Pilgrimage team has been successful in supporting and cultivating talent, with several acts being featured on main stages following their ASCAP Shady Grove debut, including Devon Gillfillian, Jillian Jacqueline, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Colter Wall.”

On Saturday, Donovan Woods headlined the day-long lineup, which featured sets from Anna Shoemaker, Anna Rose, Stephen Kellogg, Kacy & Clayton, and Play At Pilgrimage contest winner Bre Kennedy.

Sunday’s ASCAP Shady Grove stage wrapped with a blistering set from Shooter Jennings, and also featured appearances by Chloe Gendrow, Shawn James, Mando Saenz, Jill Andrews and Vincent Neil Emerson.

Pictured (L-R): Clayton Linthicum (Kacy & Clayton), ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Kacy Anderson (Kacy & Clayton), and Donovan Woods. Photo: Ed Rode

Shooter Jennings. Photo: Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Jill Andrews, and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. Photo: Ed Rode

Anna Rose. Photo: Ed Rode

Vincent Neil Emerson. Photo: Ed Rode

BREAKING: Shannan Hatch Named President For New Publishing Venture Fourward Music

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Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch has been tapped to serve as President for Fourward’s new publishing venture, Fourward Music. Hatch will serve as President with offices in both Nashville and Los Angeles.

Just over three months since CEO Will Ward announced the launch of Fourward’s Nashville office, the global management, production and business development company announces the formation of new music publishing company, Fourward Music, LLC.

“I am excited to expand and grow the Fourward brand in the publishing space,” says Fourward CEO Will Ward. “Our focus is to sign the most talented songwriters across all genres while bringing competitive advantages, particularly in the sync space, for the benefit of our writers at Fourward Music.

“With over two decades of music industry experience, Shannan Hatch has an incredible reputation for discovering talent in music,” adds Ward. “Her relationships are unparalleled; coupled with her remarkable work ethic, arresting wit and infectious laugh, she was my first choice to head this venture. I’m honored to have her join the Fourward family.”

“I have long held great admiration for Will, as he has built some of the biggest movie stars and touring acts in the business,” shares Hatch. “Will’s experience combined with his passion and vision inspires and empowers those around him. I look forward to combining my own experience and relationships with his global access to create a truly diverse and world-class publishing company. I will forever be thankful for my 17 years at SESAC as being a member of that team has been an incredible experience. I am proud to announce this next chapter that affords me an exciting opportunity to continue to service the music community only now from the publishing side.”

A member of the SESAC team since 2002, Hatch most recently served as Vice President of Creative Services for SESAC PRO, where she led the Nashville-based Creative Services team in supporting SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers. She serves on T.J. Martell’s Southern Region’s Board of Governors and as a Director at Large for the Academy of Country Music.

Congratulate Shannan Hatch at [email protected].

Animal Activist And Humanitarian Phran Galante Dies At 64

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Phran Galante. Photo: Courtesy Galante Family

Phran Rachel Galante, 64, of Nashville, TN, passed away today (Sept. 23) after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer over the last several years.

Born June 5, 1955 in New York City, Phran’s early years were filled with her love of animals—especially horses—theater, swimming, dance and tennis. The child of an Army physician, she moved around the country and even to Japan with her parents and siblings.

A dream of working on Broadway took Phran back to New York in 1981, where she landed a temp job at Chrysalis Records. In 1983, at the suggestion of her boss, she pursued and interviewed for a job at RCA Nashville, where she met her husband, Joe Galante. The two would marry in 1990.

In 1989, she left RCA to become part of the original team that built and launched Arista Records. With a talent for marketing, she designed, orchestrated and executed music marketing plans for a variety of artists and projects throughout her record label career. She also produced music videos for such artists as Alabama, K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Milsap and Alan Jackson.

Returning to Nashville in the early 1990s with her husband, Phran turned her time and efforts toward the community she loved and called home. She volunteered to rescue animals, was on the board of directors for TPAC, and worked at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. She was a founding member of United Partnerships in Animal Welfare, a community-based group sanctioned by the city of Nashville, working to reduce the very high rate of euthanasia in Music City’s animal shelters.

In 2018, she was honored with the Pet Community Center’s Jourdan Parenteau Excellence in Service Award for her 20+ years of leadership in animal welfare. Accepting the award, she said, “Animals can’t speak for themselves, so we must do it for them.”

Phran was also passionate about the work being done by the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, using her record industry contacts to bring music into the facility to brighten children’s days. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through her work on the annual Music City Tennis Invitational, helping the event become a cornerstone of the hospital’s funding efforts. In 2017, while serving as honorary co-chair, she was recognized by the event with the MCTI Outstanding Service Award and the MCTI Sportsmanship Award (receiving the latter for a second time) for her many years of service as co-chair, silent auction chair and tournament player.

Almost immediately upon receiving her own diagnosis, Phran began helping friends and even strangers who were beginning their own journey with cancer, lending an ear, offering support and spending time with them. She went on-camera, sharing her voice and personal experience with the public on behalf of the T.J. Martell Foundation and its work to fund cancer research. “As each day goes by, we get closer and closer to a cure,” she said with conviction, giving hope to others through her own determination and fight to keep the disease at bay.

Phran is survived by her husband Joe, sister Debbie Linn, brothers Pete and Myke Schwartz, parents Marvin and Claire Schwartz, and her beloved pets Lexie and Fergie. Phran’s family thanks doctors Bal, Karlekar, Lovly and Meluch along with the nurses at Tennessee Oncology, Sarah Cannon, and the staff at Alive Hospice for the care they provided to Phran.

A celebration of Phran’s life will be held on October 23 at Congregation Micah in Brentwood, Tenn.; further details will be forthcoming. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor her memory consider a donation to the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Phran Galante Memorial Fund for Lung Cancer Research or the Pet Community Center in memory of Phran.

Weekly Radio Report (9/20/19)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

UTA Nashville To Move Headquarters

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UTA Nashville’s new office will be located at 225 Polk Avenue. Photo: Eric Laignel for Hastings Architecture

United Talent Agency (UTA) has inked a long-term lease for a new Nashville headquarters, to be located in a historic, three-story building at 225 Polk Ave. The Nashville team intends to move to the new location in the first quarter of 2020, following construction.

The new UTA space, located at the original site of the Carnegie Library, will feature a cafe lounge, a wellness room, outdoor terraces and views of Nashville’s state capitol, as well as a state-of-the-art performance space. Plans for the new space will incorporate some library memorabilia into the design, including an old book drop on the parking level of the property. Hastings Architecture are the architects on the project.

UTA’s Nashville office opened in 2012, and has grown to nearly 20 times its original size, and has promoted 10 employees in the past two years. The group represents touring headliners including Toby Keith, Clint Black, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan and Clay Walker and has developed the careers of a diverse roster of clients including Blanco Brown, High Valley, Jimmie Allen, Matt Stell, King Calaway and Logan Mize.

“Nashville is a powerful creative hub, built on storytelling and compelling live entertainment,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We are excited for our new space to serve as a great resource for the creative community and are committed to building our presence in Music City.”

UTA Interior Lobby rendering

Over the past year, UTA has invested in sports agency Klutch Sports Group, acquired influencer firm Digital Brand Architects, launched Civic Center Media to provide artists with more creative control and greater financial ownership of content, and secured investments in private equity firms PSP Investments and Investcorp.

UTA’s global music group represents a diverse roster of acclaimed artists which include Post Malone, The Jonas Brothers, Guns N’ Roses, YG, Young Thug, Pitbull, Common, The Spice Girls, Bring Me The Horizon, Muse, G-Eazy, Bush, DJ Khaled, Paramore, 21 Savage, Kaskade, Ms. Lauryn Hill, X Ambassadors Craig David, UB40, and Christine and the Queens, among others. The team has also played an integral role in developing up-and-coming artists such as Tierra Whack, DaniLeigh, Dominic Fike, SCARYPOOLPARTY, Tyla Yaweh, Jade Novah, Social House, Polo & Pan, SAINt JHN, The Aces, DesRocs and Marc Rebillet.

UTA was represented in the deal by Mitchell Konsker, Ben Bass and Tom Hooper of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

UTA Nashville lobby rendering.

Kenny Chesney To Receive CRB Humanitarian Award

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Kenny Chesney with St. John School for the Arts students. Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell

Kenny Chesney has been named the recipient of the 2020 Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian Award. He’ll receive the award on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as part of the 2nd Annual Warner Music Nashville Kickoff Luncheon, which serves as the official launch of Country Radio Seminar 2020. The Blue Chair/Warner Music Nashville recording artist will also headline this year’s Kickoff Luncheon, where he’ll be joined by several artists from the Warner Music Nashville family.

Chesney’s charitable work is widespread. His Love for Love City Foundation helped spearhead the rebuilding of St. John following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. In addition to humanitarian aid and working with local teams to facilitate physical clean-up and rebuilding, he and his core staff worked to rescue and relocate over 2,000 displaced animals of St. Thomas and St. John to several no-kill shelters and loving families in the U.S.

Chesney donated all proceeds from his Songs for the Saints album, which featured Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Buffett and Mindy Smith, to the Love for Love City Foundation. Raising over $1.1 million to date, the project continues to generate funds for St. John’s ongoing reconstruction work. Chesney also filled the St. John School for the Arts with a bounty of musical instruments, to inspire the children to go to school and be creative as they recovered from the disaster. Songs for the Saints generated the multiple week No. 1 “Get Along,” an anthem Chesney felt spoke to the spirit of people coming together post-devastation. Having already been involved with two successful PassItOn.Org campaigns with “Spread the Love” and “The Good Stuff,” the life-affirming organization requested an unprecedented third collaboration, and “Get Along” has already surpassed 2.5 billion views.

Following the bombing at the Boston Marathon, Chesney worked with the Boston Medical Center, creating the Spread the Love Fund to benefit amputee survivors. He aided survivors by selling special edition t-shirts as well as creating a place for donations, including turning a “Good Morning America” Summer Concert appearance into a fundraising opportunity. To date, Spread the Love has accrued over two million dollars, and the beneficiaries, as well as first responders, can often be seen at Chesney’s Gillette Stadium shows.

Chesney’s ongoing commitment to ocean habitat conservation extends from his years spent on the water. No Shoes Reefs has helped rebuild coral reefs in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as supported other local ocean ecology efforts around Florida and the Gulf Coast. He has also worked regularly – and often anonymously – with a myriad of other organizations, including MusiCares, the Red Cross, Farm Aid, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ACM Lifting Lives, the CMA Foundation, Kids Wish Network and many local charities.

“It’s as if this CRS award was created for Kenny Chesney,” said CRS/CRB Board President, Kurt Johnson. “Artists with his career span are rare. Among them, artists who do as much good as he does, for as long as he has, without calling attention to it, are particularly singular. Here’s to you, Kenny.”

“I was raised to lend a hand where I could, but also to reach out quietly and keep the focus on the people who need the help,” said Chesney. “I’ve always tried to do the right thing where I could, but this award really belongs to all the people I’ve met over the years who are rebuilding their lives, their homes, their world. Watching them come together – the courage, the hours and strength they give to these things – my award is getting to be inspired by what these people have accomplished.”

Spirit Music Group Signs David Garcia

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Pictured (L-R): Derek Crownover, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); David Garcia; Megan Keelan, Legal Intern (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Michelle Davey, Director of Administration/Office Manager (Spirit Music Nashville); Cam Caldwell, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Derek Wells, Sr. Director of A&R/Production (Spirit Music Nashville); Brian Bradford, VP of Administration and Operations (Spirit Music Nashville); David Crow, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Matthew Beckett, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Frank Rogers, CEO (Spirit Music Nashville); Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative (Spirit Music Nashville)

Spirit Music Group has signed a multi-faceted deal with songwriter and producer David Garcia, which includes the purchase of his catalog as well as a publishing deal for future works.

“Spirit Music Group is honored to partner with David Garcia in both his catalog and new works,” said Jon Singer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group. “David has a proven track record of hits, and the impressive ability to write in multiple genres—the entire global team at Spirit is excited to give David our full support.”

“David Garcia is a force of nature,” said Frank Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “His songs, his production, his energy and his personality are addictive. We could not be more excited to partner with David and welcome him to the Spirit Music family!”

“I am so excited to be partnering with Frank Rogers and the whole Spirit Music team for this next chapter of my songwriting career,” said Garcia. “The energy and excitement that is coming out of the Nashville office is amazing, and I am thrilled to have them on-board as my publishing partner.”

Four-time Grammy recipient Garcia co-wrote and co-produced the smash hit “Meant To Be,” recorded by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line. The song spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In 2017, he earned a No. 1 hit for co-writing and co-producing “More Girls Like You,” recorded by Kip Moore.

Garcia has penned more than 20 No. 1 Contemporary Christian songs. He was named ASCAP’s 2019 Christian Songwriter of the Year earlier this week (he previously earned the honor in 2015), and has earned nine Dove Awards.

He worked with Carrie Underwood on her sixth studio project, including the lead single “Cry Pretty,” and “Southbound.” His latest single, “Hell Right,” recorded by Blake Shelton (ft. Trace Adkins) is currently at radio.

Since announcing the appointment of Frank Rogers to Chief Executive Officer of Spirit Music Nashville in May of this year, the company has made quick impact with the formation of a JV with Grammy-nominated Platinum producer Derek Wells (also appointing Wells as Senior Director A&R Production); the signing MusicRow‘s Song of the Year co-writer Jeremy Bussey; as well as the signings of Bobby Hamrick and Brinley Addington. Other recent successes by Spirit Music Nashville and Fluid Music Revolution include ASCAP’s Song of the Year (“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell and Josh Osborne); SESAC’s Song of the Year (“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” by Billy Currington); CMA Song of the Year (“Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban) and CMA Album of the Year From a Room: Volume 1 by Chris Stapleton); and a publishing interest in ACM nominations for Song of the Year (“Whiskey & You” by Chris Stapleton); Single of the Year (“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton and “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland) and Songwriter of the Year (Josh Osborne).

Spirit Music Group and Spirit Music Nashville have had a string of signings and acquisitions over the past year. In January, Spirit Music Group executives Singer and Ross Cameron formed Lyric Capital Group to take ownership of Spirit Music Group and secure a recapitalization of over $350 million. Spirit Music Group is now wholly-owned by the newly formed Lyric Capital Group.

BREAKING: Tim Wipperman Named President At Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville [Exclusive]

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Tim Wipperman

Tim Wipperman has been appointed President of Anthem Music Publishing, Nashville and will report to CEO Helen Murphy. The move brings Wipperman’s Rezonant Music Publishing, which was founded in 2016, under the Anthem umbrella.

Wipperman will lead the Nashville team in developing and executing Anthem’s new growth strategy for publishing worldwide, and work with key songwriters and catalogs.

“I am excited to announce that Tim Wipperman has joined the Anthem Entertainment leadership team. Tim brings a wealth of music industry experience, excellent creative relationships and a great sense of humor,” commented Anthem Entertainment CEO Murphy.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Helen Murphy and contribute to the Anthem team. It’s wonderful to be part of a real publisher’s vision, and bring Rezonant under the Anthem umbrella,” said Wipperman. “Our desire is to create a first class, encouraging environment for creative people to excel at what they do. To give people the tools and support to thrive.”

Ree Guyer, President and Owner of Wrensong Entertainment, added, “Tim Wipperman and I have been friends and business associates for many years. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue that creative and forward-thinking relationship.” Anthem recently acquired 50% of the Wrensong catalog.

Wipperman began his career in Nashville where he was hired by Chet Atkins to run Vector Music Publishing. He worked for Cedarwood Publishing as a song plugger, and at Combine Music pitching songs for writers such as Kris Kristofferson. He was tapped to lead Warner Brothers’ Nashville office shortly after it opened, and then he became the head of Warner Chappell Music for 29 years, where he was the youngest publisher to receive the ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year honor. He has earned ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Publisher of the Year honors more than 10 times.

Wipperman was responsible for signings including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean with Michael Knox, Trace Atkins, Restless Heart, David Alan Coe, and multiple Hall of Fame songwriters and producers. Wipperman then became CCO of Equity Records, and subsequently founded Rezonant Music. Rezonant had 21 of the top 100 country singles in 2018.

Anthem Entertainment is comprised of a music publishing division, recorded music label, production music division, and a leading film and television audio-visual secondary rights (AVSR) management company. Anthem Entertainment operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, and Toronto, with a team of approximately 200 industry professionals.