Music News (10/28/20)

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Brad Cox Signs Global Deal With Sony/ATV

Australian native Brad Cox has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Cox will be collaborating with the company’s creative teams in both Nashville and Australia.

Hailing from Jindabyne, Australia, Cox has quickly made a name for himself in the country scene with his singles “Rusty Strings” and “Give Me Tonight,” which amassed over four million global streams. He rose to prominence in 2018 with his self-titled debut album, which featured singles “Red Light,” “Too Drunk to Drive,” and “Lake House,” and the crowd favorite “Water On The Ground.” He’s earned opening spots for Brett Eldredge, Jon Pardi, Randy Houser, and more on the road, and his debut album was nominated for two Golden Guitars for Contemporary Album of the Year and New Talent of the Year, as well as the 39th Toyota Star Maker award in 2018. In 2020, Cox secured two more Golden Guitar noms with his single “Rusty Strings” for APRA AMCOS Song Of The Year and Apple Music Single Of The Year.

“I first met Brad last year and immediately became fast friends with him,” said Sony/ATV Nashville Vice President, Creative Tom Luteran. “He’s not only a talented artist, but a really genuine, great guy. I am looking forward to watching him become a country music star in the US.”

Cox’s recent single “Drinking Season,” co-written by Cox and Dan Isbell, has already garnered over one million global streams. He also released a new song in Australia on Oct. 16, “Short Lived Love,” and released an official video for the track on Oct. 23.

Sony/ATV Australia Head of A&R/Creative Craig Hawker said, We are absolutely delighted to be working in conjunction with our Nashville office on such an exciting new Australian country voice in Brad Cox, who is a superstar in the making.”

“Songwriting is such a huge part of me and my career,” said Cox. “I’m super stoked to be working with Sony/ATV both in Australia and in Nashville. I love them all and this is going to be an awesome partnership.”
 

BMI Appoints Caroline Beasley To Board, Extends President/CEO Mike O’Neill’s Contract

Caroline Beasley

BMI has appointed Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Media Group, as Chairman of the BMI Board of Directors, effective immediately. Beasley joined the board in 2014 and most recently served as Vice Chairman of the BMI Board.

Beasley was named Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Media Group, LLC in January 2017. Previously, she held several senior-level positions within the company since 1994, including Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary. In addition, she has served as a Director of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. since she joined the company in 1983.

Additionally, the performing rights organization’s Board of Directors has extended its contract with President/CEO Mike O’Neill, through the end of 2026.

Under O’Neill’s leadership, BMI has reported its highest-ever revenue and distributions to its affiliate songwriters, composers and publishers. Notably, BMI became the first music rights organization in the world to deliver more than $1 billion in public performance royalties to its affiliates. Additionally, O’Neill spearheaded BMI’s historic victory over the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure the continued practice of fractional licensing. He has also overseen exponential growth year-over-year in both signing up tens of thousands of new songwriters and composers to the company and processing trillions of performances, adapting to the seismic digital shift in how music is consumed. Most recently, O’Neill has successfully steered the Company during the global COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the health and safety of BMI team members while ensuring seamless service to affiliates and licensees and driving historic revenue and royalty distributions.

The company also announced that the following six BMI Board members have been re-elected to three-year terms, expiring in 2023: Greg Ashlock, President, iHeartMedia Markets Group; Rebecca Campbell, Chairman, Direct to Consumer and International, The Walt Disney Company; Dave Lougee, President and CEO, TEGNA, Inc.; Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI; Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and CEO, The CW Network; and Perry Sook, Chairman, President and CEO, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

Continuing in their terms on the BMI Board of Directors are: Susan Davenport Austin, CFO, Grace Church School; Amador Bustos, President and CEO, Bustos Media Holdings, LLC; Bill Hoffman, President, Hoffman Communications, Inc. and Retired President, Cox Media Group; Catherine Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Urban One, Inc.; Phil Jones, Retired President, Meredith Corporation Broadcast Group; Jerry Kersting, Former President, Tribune Broadcasting and past EVP/CFO, Clear Channel Radio; Paul Karpowicz, Retired President, Meredith Local Media Group; Ginny Morris, Vice President, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. and Chair and CEO, Hubbard Radio, LLC; and Neil Smith, President, GNS Media, LLC.
 

Lauren Duski Signs With Warner Chappell Music

(L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Lauren Duski, Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Scott Safford (Safford & Motley)

Lauren Duski has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

The Michigan native’s first EP, Midwestern Girl, landed at No. 2 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 12 on the all-genre chart. Duski co-wrote all five songs on the EP, and has followed it up with her latest single, “The Broken Kind.” She has toured with acts like Lewis Capaldi and Bobby Bones, and most recently, as direct and sole support for Lukas Graham on his 2019 North American tour.

“We were first introduced to Lauren through ‘The Weather’ – a song which I suggest everyone takes the time to listen to. It showcases her talent and depth as both a songwriter and an artist. There are no doubt big things to come and we’re so glad to be a part of Lauren’s team,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
 

Banner Music Signs Deal With Logan Tucker

Pictured: Alex Dooley, Banner Music, Logan Tucker, Camilla Kleindienst, Banner Music CEO, Daniel Kleindient, Banner Music

Nashville-based publishing company, Banner Music has signed Logan Tucker to its Banner Believers roster with his single, “Back To My Boots.”

“As an artist in Nashville, all you want is a chance for your voice to be heard. Banner Music has given me that chance. I’m honored to be the next Banner Believers artist,” Tucker says.

“We have had our eye on Logan Tucker for over a year. We are loving the songs he is writing in our office and who he is as an artist and person. We seriously believe in Logan Tucker,” says Camilla Kleindienst, CEO of Banner Music.

“Back To My Boots” is scheduled to be released on Nov. 13, and was written and co-produced by Banner Music staff songwriters Daniel Kleindienst and Alex Dooley.