Music News (9/16/20)

Kevin Jonas, Sr. Launches Nashville-based Publishing House Jonas Group Publishing

Jonas Group Entertainment, led by founder/CEO Kevin Jonas, Sr., has opened the Nashville-based publishing division, Jonas Group Publishing, with flagship writer Terri Jo Box.

The company will begin building out its publishing staff and signing more writers to the roster over the next year.

Jonas, Sr., 55, helped guide the early careers of his three sons, Kevin, Joe and Nick, collectively known as the superstar group the Jonas Brothers. The sibling trio rose to popularity via a series of Disney Channel shows, before releasing their 2007 self-titled album, which was certified Platinum. Last year, they returned to the spotlight with their first single in six years “Sucker,” which earned a Grammy nomination earlier this year for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance.

In 2005, Jonas, Sr. launched the talent management company Jonas Group Entertainment, which counts rock group PUBLIC, Melanie Pfirrman, LIVVIA, Mandy Harvey, Lucy Cloud, and author Shaina Kohli Russo on the roster.

Along the way, he co-wrote songs including Jonas Brothers’ “When You Look Me In The Eyes” and Michael W. Smith’s “I Still Have The Dream.”

When Jonas was in high school, he began singing clubs and talent contests around Charlotte, North Carolina, performing country classics from Alabama and Kenny Rogers.

One of his fellow contestants in one of those North Carolina talent competitions was a young singer named Randy Traywick—who went on to find country music stardom by the name Randy Travis.

Jonas, Sr. went on to enter Bible College, and he and his wife moved to Arizona. Still his sights were on music, and he would fly to Nashville and tried unsuccessfully at the time to break into the Nashville music scene. He and his wife soon started a family, and took on an early management role in his sons’ careers as they showed an early talent for music.

Having spent years managing artists to success in the Top 40 space, his love of country music comes full-circle with the new publishing venture. “I’ve always loved the craft of songwriting and I have so much respect for songwriters,” he says.

Flagship writer Box is known for co-writing songs such as Ashley McBryde’s “Bible and a .44” and Miranda Lambert’s “Dear Old Sun,” from her ACM-winning The Weight of These Wings double album.

Beginning in 2010, Box also owned and hosted the songwriters showcase Music Row Freakshow at Nashville venue The Local. Jonas, Sr. had traveled to Nashville numerous times during his career, and met Box through the writers’ round.

Box began touring around Texas before moving to Nashville, and has been writing full-time for the past decade.

Initially, Jonas Group Publishing will focus on country music but intends to add to the roster songwriters in various genres, including Contemporary Christian and rock/pop.
 

Jacob Davis Inks Publishing Deal With UMPG Nashville

Jacob Davis has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. Davis earned his first No. 1 as a songwriter in 2019, as a co-writer on his brother Jordan Davis’ hit “Take It From Me,” which has earned more than 250 million streams. He also co-wrote Jordan Davis’ song “Detours.”

Terry Wakefield, Senior Vice President A&R, UMPG Nashville, said: “I have been friends with Jacob over the last four years, and I’m grateful we now have the opportunity to work together. Jacob is a dynamic songwriter and storyteller. We are thrilled to have him as part of the Universal family.”

Davis commented, “I’m over to moon be a part of the team that Troy [Tomlinson], Terry and rest of the staff is building at Universal. The excitement of that team overwhelmed me the first time I walked into the building…and it feels good to call it home.”
 

Jenn Schott Inks With RED Creative Group, Anthem Music Publishing

Jenn Schott has signed a global publishing deal with RED Creative Group and Anthem Entertainment.

The Pittsburg, Kansas native has had songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Eli Young Band, Pam Tillis, Francesca Battistelli, Mickey Guyton and many others. Schott co-wrote Mickey Guyton’s debut single, “Better Than You Left Me,” which was named one of Billboard’s 10 Best Country Songs of 2015, and also penned the title track of Tim McGraw’s Grammy-nominated album, Two Lanes of Freedom, which was the namesake of McGraw’s 2013 summer tour. She has already celebrated success in 2020 with the release of Tim McGraw’s “7500 OBO,” Rascal Flatts “Feel It In The Morning,” & LJ’s “Preachin.”

“Jenn’s songwriting has a depth and humility to it that will stand the test of time. Her talent, character and work ethic will continue to bring her success and we couldn’t be more thrilled to represent her,” said Jeremy Stover, President/Owner, RED Creative Group.

“Jenn is a powerhouse and we are excited to welcome her into the Anthem Entertainment and Red Creative family,” said Helen Murphy, CEO, Anthem Entertainment. “We look forward to more amazing songwriting from Jenn and to reaching new heights together with the Red Creative team.”

“I have so much respect for what Jeremy and Brooke have built at RED, and I’m so honored to be joining their team in partnership with Anthem. I’m grateful to both companies for their belief in me and can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together,” said Schott.
 

Concord’s Wisely Joins Board of Directors, Selby Rises To Chief Publishing Executive

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, Jake Wisely, partner and Chief Publishing Executive at Concord, will soon join the Board of Directors of Concord, the music and entertainment company he co-founded.

Wisely will pass the title of Chief Publishing Executive on to current Concord COO, Jim Selby, who will report to Concord CEO, Scott Pascucci. Wisely will remain a partner and shareholder in Concord and will maintain an advisory role in the day to day operations of Concord Music Publishing, while also maintaining the company’s Executive Member seat on the NMPA Board of Directors.

Selby rose to the position of COO at Concord after four years as GM overseeing Label Shared Services for imprints such as Concord Records, Craft, Fantasy, Fearless, KIDZ BOP, Loma Vista and Rounder, and then as Chief Revenue Officer. Born and raised in Canada, Selby spent 16 years at Naxos of America, where he was CEO from 2007 to 2014. He then joined Ole Media Management as the publisher’s SVP of Digital. Selby is a past member of the A2IM Board of Directors, where he was Chairman for two years, and has enjoyed direct involvement in more than 35 Grammy Award-winning projects.

Concord Music Publishing will continue to grow and diversify its catalog and roster under Jim Selby through acquisition, investment and new signings. He will be supported by the global Concord Music Publishing executive team, including John Minch (President, International Publishing and executive in charge of Boosey & Hawkes), Kim Frankiewicz (EVP, Worldwide A&R), Duff Berschback (EVP, Business & Legal Affairs), Kent Hoskins (Chief Financial Officer), Brooke Primont (SVP, Sync) and Dana Siegel (SVP, Brand Management and Music Marketing), as well as a team of more than 200 creative and administrative music publishing and shared services employees.

Wisely first discussed building a music publishing business in 2004 with current Concord Chairman, Steve Smith, leading to the 2005 acquisition of The Bicycle Music Company. Operating as Bicycle over the following decade, Smith, Wisely and current Concord Chief Business Development Officer, Steven Salm, acquired numerous businesses and catalogs across both publishing and recorded music with the backing and support of Wood Creek Capital Management. Bicycle merged with Concord Music Group in 2015, which began a period of seismic growth under current Concord CEO, Scott Pascucci, then operating as Concord Bicycle Music. The company acquired Razor & Tie in 2015 and Mexican label/publisher Musart/Edimusa in 2016. Imagem Music Group was acquired in 2017, including Boosey & Hawkes and Rodgers & Hammerstein. In 2018, Concord Bicycle, Imagem and Razor & Tie were merged and simply branded Concord, with three core business units: Concord Music Publishing, Concord Recorded Music and Concord Theatricals. In 2019, Concord acquired famed Latin Tropical label and publisher Fania and German classical music publisher Sikorski. In 2020, Concord acquired an interest in PULSE Music Group, forming an exclusive joint venture with an emphasis on new pop hits, purchased the song catalog of superstar band Imagine Dragons, and signed a trifecta of deals with Nashville hitmaker Hillary Lindsey, including a catalog purchase, co-publishing agreement and joint venture.
 

Spirit Music Nashville Appoints Mike Fiorentino As Director, A&R/Production

Mike Fiorentino has been appointed as Director of A&R/Production for Spirit Music Nashville. He originally signed an exclusive publishing deal with Spirit and Fluid Music Revolution in 2016, and will continue to write for Spirit/Fluid in addition to his expanded role with Spirit Music Nashville.

With over 20 years of experience in many different facets of the music industry, Fiorentino has produced artists including Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Kyle Cook (Matchbox 20), and Tim Montana (Knox Music/BMG) and as a songwriter has landed cuts with Gibbons, Granger Smith, Thompson Square, Colt Ford and more. As a live sound technician, he spent time on the road touring with Al Di Meola and Gumbi Ortiz. In the early 2000’s he taught for several years in Orlando at Full Sail University, serving as an Associate Course Director in the Media Arts department. He then went on for three years working with Hasbro, Inc. writing and producing songs used in new and legacy brands such as Transformers, GI Joe, My Little Pony, and NERF. After relocating to Nashville in 2007, he has continued songwriting, producing, and developing new artists.

Spirit Music Nashville has earned recent No. 1 hits on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart including Maddie and Tae’s “Die From A Broken Heart,” Scotty McCreery’s “In Between,” Kenny Chesney’s “Here and Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Sam Hunt’s “Kinfolks,” Carrie Underwood’s “Southbound,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes” and Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads.”