Music News (8/19/20)

32nd Annual MusicRow Awards Winners

The 2020 MusicRow Award trophies. Photo: MusicRow

MusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, virtually presented its 32nd annual MusicRow Awards on Aug. 18 via a series of videos on all online MusicRow platforms.

MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson and respected television host, entertainment journalist, writer and producer, Alecia Davis, served once again as “hosts” on each winner’s video.

“We are uniquely positioned to witness the hard work and dedication these artists, songwriters, and respective team members execute each and every day,” says Robertson. “It’s our privilege to use our platform to honor those deserving talents, and despite the unique challenges the pandemic has unleashed on all of us, these accolades are deserved now more than ever. Congratulations to all of our nominees and winners!”

Click here to see the winners.

Big Machine Records Signs Jackson Dean

Pictured (L-R): TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Jackson Dean, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Seth Hellman

Big Machine Records has added Jackson Dean to the label roster. The Odenton, Maryland native has opened shows for Kane Brown, Jake Owen, Brothers Osborne and more. Dean is repped by TKO Artist Management and is in the process of relocating to Nashville.

“From the moment Jackson started playing for Allison Jones and I in our conference room, we were transported into his musical world,” says BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “It may sound cliche to say that Jackson is very special…it isn’t…this is an important new artist and this is serious business.”

“You best believe the freight train is comin’,” Dean says. “I can’t wait to share my music with the world with the support of such a hardworking and innovative team.”
 

Writing/Production Duo The 720 Inks Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville

Back (L-R): Will Overton (WCM), Joey Whalen (WCM), Ryan Beuschel (WCM), BJ Hill (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Cam Caldwell (Attorney), Katie Jelen (WCM), Phil May (WCM). Front (L-R): Patricia Ragan-Mainello (WCM), Jessi Vaughn (WCM), Jarrod Ingram (The 720), Blake Hubbard (The 720), Karen Harrison-Hite (WCM), Hannah Hall (WCM), Christina Wiltshire (WCM)

Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing deal with Blake Hubbard and Jarrod Ingram, better known as The 720. The duo’s name pays homage to Ingram’s address in Nashville’s Charlotte Park neighborhood, where he and Hubbard spent time working on NF’s sophomore album, Therapy Session.

Hailing from Illinois, the up-and-coming writing/production duo has secured cuts with the likes of Jimmie Allen, NF, Matt Stell, Cassadee Pope, Lukr, Kate York, Erin McCarley, Lisa Ajax, and Andreas Moss. Notably, Hubbard and Ingram co-wrote “Looking Back” by Claire Guerreso, which landed a synch placement on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.

With their diverse musical abilities, The 720 has been writing with top country talent while also collaborating with great pop writers and artists that frequent Nashville.
 

BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records Signs Track45

Track45

BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records has signed Track45 to its roster. The Mississippi-born group includes siblings Jenna, Ben and KK Johnson. Track45 are managed by Missi Gallimore of T.R.U.T.H. Management and Borman Entertainment.

“Family is important to us, and we think the best families are all about helping each other become the very best versions of themselves. We’ve found that family with BBR,” said Track45 in a joint statement. “They dream and believe as big as we do, and we couldn’t ask for a better creative home!”

“Family acts have a rich history in the country music genre. There is something special about the creative process and art born out of those shared experiences and bonds. These COVID times have reminded us more than ever, the power and importance of family as we all get back to what really matters in life. Family has once again become the nucleus of life for so many,” said Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group “I cannot think of a better time to introduce the incredibly talented Track45. Their production and writing is at both turns so dynamic and original, yet so familiar and relatable. They explore themes and topics we all experience, yet do so in such a unique way…in perhaps a way only three siblings who grew up creating together could. We couldn’t be more excited to have them join the BBR/BMG worldwide family and like their music, announcing their signing in a progressive new way with a hologram from our friends at Jadu.”

After moving to Nashville, each of the Johnson siblings signed publishing deals and earned cuts from artists including Justin Timberlake, Charlie PuthLee Brice, HARDY, Lauren Alaina, and more. Byron Gallimore produced their upcoming EP.
 

TikTok Inks Distribution Deal With UnitedMasters

TikTok has struck a deal with music distribution platform UnitedMasters, that will enable TikTok users to distribute music directly from the app. Through the deal, UnitedMasters becomes the first music distribution company to be integrated within TikTok.

The partnership enables TikTok users to distribute their music directly to other music streaming platforms. TikTok will opt all music from its creators who join UnitedMasters into the platform’s Commercial Music Library, with the artist’s permission, giving businesses access to a large catalog of new sounds to use in their content. TikTok will also partner with UnitedMasters in promoting key artists on the platform.

“Creators are the beating heart of the TikTok community, often inspired by the artists who bring their music to the platform, and providing a haven for them to thrive is key to our mission,” says Kevin Mayer, CEO of TikTok. “The new partnership with United Masters makes it even easier for musicians and creators to reach new fans and earn a living doing what they love, directly from the platform.”

“If you are a musical artist, TikTok is the best place for your music to go viral and UnitedMasters is the best place to sustain it while retaining full ownership of your work,” says Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder of UnitedMasters. “By combining the two, we create the platform for tomorrow’s stars who will be famous, fiercely independent and wealthy.”

TikTok recently announced a $1 billion TikTok Creator Fund to help support ambitious artists looking to foster a livelihood through their innovative content. The company has become the go-to staging ground that has helped previously little known or undiscovered artists like Lil Nas X, Ambjaay, StaySolidRocky, Powfu, BENEE, Y2K, bbno$, and many others find mainstream fame and dominate the charts.

Since its launch UnitedMasters has seen its artist-first approach pick up steam launching the careers of chart toppers like platinum-selling rapper NLE Choppa, Billboard charting recording artist Lil Tecca, Tobe Nwigwe, Lil XXEL, and many more. In just 18 months, UM has amassed over 400k artists, 5 billion streams, and over half a million distributed tracks.