Music News (2/1/17)

BMG Acquires Nashville-Based BBR Music Group

Pictured (L-R): Joe Gillen, CFO & EVP, BMG North America; Kos Weaver, EVP, ­BMG Nashville; Benny Brown, Founder, BBR Music Group; Zach Katz, President, Repertoire & Marketing, BMG North America; Jon Loba, EVP, BBR Music Group.

BMG has acquired Nashville-based BBR Music Group, including its associated labels Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Wheelhouse Records, Red Bow Records and its music publishing company Magic Mustang Music.

The agreement includes the rights to a number of major country artists including Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, Thompson Square and others.

This is BMG’s biggest acquisition in the recordings business since its launch in 2008 and gives BMG a significant position in the Nashville music business.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Shane McAnally, Jason Owen Team For Monument Records

Jason Owen, Shane McAnally

Producer/songwriter Shane McAnally has teamed with artist manager Jason Owen to form the label, Monument Records, in collaboration with Sony Music, reports Hits Daily Double.

The venture’s first signings include Caitlyn Smith and Walker Hayes.

McAnally and Owen have brought former UMG Nashville Director of Marketing Katie McCartney to join as Sr. VP of Marketing and Label Operations for Monument. Additionally, Kelli Porter has been tapped as Manager, Marketing & Label Operations, reporting to McCartney. Formerly with UMG, Porter first served in distribution, then in the UMG Nashville marketing department over the course of four years.

Read more at MusicRow.com.

Warner Music Nashville Signs Cale Dodds

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Megan Joyce, VP, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, WMN; Kelli Haywood, Starstruck Entertainment; Scott Safford, Safford Motley; Travis Carter, Warner Chappell; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment. (Front row, L-R): John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Cale Dodds; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN.

Warner Music Nashville has signed rising artist and songwriter Cale Dodds. Dodds, who signed to Warner/Chappell Music in August 2015, has already established his talent as a songwriter.

A Thousand Horses featured his co-written track “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” as their second single. Dodds’ own, independently-released songs have also racked up success with streams on Spotify succeeding over 8 million streams.

Managed by Starstruck Entertainment and represented by CAA, the Columbus, Georgia, native is set to release new music later this year.

Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Mountain Signs Jamie Moore

Pictured (L-R): Big Loud Mountain Partner and Artist Manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Big Loud Shirt’s Jordan Kolodka, Big Loud Mountain Partner and Artist Manager Seth England, Big Loud Mountain Partner and Record Producer Joey Moi, Jamie Moore, Big Loud Mountain Partner and Songwriter Craig Wiseman, Big Loud Shirt’s Hannah Wilson and Matt Turner

Big Loud Mountain/Big Loud Shirt has signed songwriter/producer Jamie Moore to a publishing deal.

Originally from the Florence/Muscle Shoals area of Alabama, Moore’s breakout success came in 2016 as a co-writer on Florida Georgia Line’s hit, “May We All.” He has also had cuts on Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller album, Chris Lane’s Girl Problems CD, the Swon Brothers’ self-titled album, and several projects by TobyMac, among others. Moore is also a four-time Grammy nominee.

ASCAP’s “I Create Music” Expo To Celebrate Nashville Songwriters

Seventeen top hit songwriters and producers from all music genres will be among those who take the stage at this year’s ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO. Now in its 12th year, the expo will take place April 13–15 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

Desmond Child, Ashley Gorley, Darrell Brown, and Matt Jenkins are among those Nashville connections slated to take part.

For more, visit ascap.com/expo.

Warner Music Nashville Launches “Sound In The Round” Series

Pictured (L-R): Megan Joyce, Lisa Ray, Peter Strickland, Stephanie Davenport, Jordan Lawson, Cassandra Lawson, Jonathan Lawson, John Esposito, Matt Signore, Kristen Williams, Chad Schultz, Chris Palmer

Warner Music Nashville’s popular summer series “Pickin’ On The Patio” now has a winter companion. The label launched the “Warner Sound In The Round” concert series last week, with Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville trio The Railers.

The monthly series is aimed at bringing together industry members and artists to take a first look at Warner Nashville’s newest signings and upcoming singles.