Music News (4/6/22)

The MLC Appoints Two To Its Advisory Committees

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) announced that music industry veteran Melanie Santa Rosa and renowned drummer and composer Nate Smith have been appointed to two of its advisory committees.

Santa Rosa, who serves as Senior Vice President, Global Administration at Spirit Music Group, has been appointed to The MLC’s Operations Advisory Committee. She has more than twenty years of experience in performing rights, copyright, business affairs, cue sheets, licensing, royalty collections, catalog onboarding and global societies, and has helped build Spirit into a leading independent music publisher. She is also a board member of the NY chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers.

Smith has been appointed to The MLC’s Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee. Over the course of nearly two decades, he has emerged as an influential and extremely popular drummer. His debut album, Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere, garnered two Grammy nominations. He also earned a pair of Grammy nominations for his composition “Home Free (for Peter Joe).”

The MLC’s Operations Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the board concerning the operations of the collective, including the investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources. Meanwhile, the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee recommends policies and procedures to The MLC’s board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties.

Round Hill Records Adds Sonya McKinley As Director, Production & Metadata

Sonya McKinley

Round Hill Records has added Sonya McKinley as Director, Production & Metadata for the label. She will be based in the company’s Nashville headquarters and will report to Michael Volk, Head of Operations & Business Development for the label.

In this position, McKinley will oversee all aspects of product operations and metadata management within Round Hill’s portfolio of labels across both the catalog and frontline releases. She will also oversee productions for some upcoming releases from The Offspring, The Cult, Bush, Judah & the Lion, and Rebelution.

Volk comments: “Sonya is a driven professional with a wealth of industry experience and knowledge. As Round Hill enters this next phase of growth her insights will help shape the best in class service we offer our artists.”

“I am excited to join the Round Hill Records team as their passion for artist development and sound music practices continues to set them apart on a daily basis,” McKinley adds. “I am also thrilled to be working alongside their team of talented music business professionals and artists and look forward to serving the growing number of established and emerging artists along with the company at large.”

McKinley joins Round Hill with previous stops at WEA/Warner Music Group as Manager of Recorded Production and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, working in purchasing and strategic planning. She resides in Nashville and holds a BA in Music Business from Anderson University in Indiana.

Alexandria Corn (ACORN) Inks With Growhouse Publishing

Pictured (L-R, front row): Stephanie Greene (President, Deluge), Alexandria Corn (ACORN), Sam Grow (President, GrowHouse Publishing); (L-R, back row): David Robkin (Managing Partner, Deluge), Brad Austin (Forward Music Management) Photo: Courtesy of GrowHouse Publishing

Former American Idol contestant and singer-songwriter Alexandria Corn, who goes by ACORN, has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Growhouse Publishing.

ACORN’s career launched after her stint on Idol, which prompted a move to LA. Since then, she’s released several successful singles and performed at some of country’s most prestigious events and festivals, including Stagecoach, Coastal Country Jam, and Country Fest. She has also opened for Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Dan + Shay and more.

ACORN moved to Nashville in 2021 and released her latest single, and collaboration with Sam Grow, “Same Tattoo” which has already racked up over 100,000 streams on Spotify alone.

“I couldn’t be more excited to sign with Deluge/Growhouse Publishing,” adds ACORN. “I feel like I’ve not only found the best team, but a team that I can call family. I’m so thankful to Sam, Brad [Austin], Stephanie [Greene], and David [Robkin] for believing in me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds–go team!”

Growhouse Publishing was launched as a joint venture by Average Joes Entertainment artist Sam Grow and Deluge Music Managing Member David Robkin last month. It is currently home to ACORN and writer Danny Orton (“19 You and Me” for Dan + Shay; ”Stand” for Rascal Flatts).
 

Big Machine Music Signs Mike Eli To Co-Publishing Agreement

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s General Manager Mike Molinar, Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli, Manager, Publishing Lizzy Rector. Photo: Courtesy of Big Machine Music

Mike Eli, frontman of the multi-Platinum Eli Young Band, has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with Big Machine Music, a subsidiary of HYBE America.

Eli co-penned seven of the nine songs featured on the band’s upcoming album Love Talking, due out June 3 via The Valory Music Co. His catalog also features fan-favorites throughout the band’s 20-year run, which has produced four chart-topping singles.

“Much like his unmistakable vocals, Mike’s songwriting cuts through with a warmth that is unique and captivating,” says BMM General Manager Mike Molinar. “He’s also one of the coolest and genuinely nicest guys on the planet. We are so honored to be his publisher partner!”

Eli joins Laura Veltz, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ryan Hurd, Brett Young, Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Maddie & Tae, Sara Davis, Matt Dragstem and more at Big Machine Music, the reigning AIMP Nashville Publisher of the Year.