Music News (1/18/22)

Warner Chappell Music Inks New Deal With Truth Or Dare Publishing

Pictured (L-R, back row): Spencer Nohe (WCM), Christian Barker (Lawyer) and Ben Vaughn (WCM); (L-R, front row): Missi Gallimore (Truth), Sam Williams and Sophia Gallimore (Truth)

Warner Chappell Music and Truth or Dare Publishing have joined forces in a new deal to work together on select artists from the Truth or Dare Management Projects roster. Led by Missi Gallimore, Truth or Dare Publishing’s roster includes KK Johnson of Track 45, Ben Roberts of Carolina Story, Mary Gauthier, Abbey Cone and Sam Williams. 

“Extremely excited to be joining my longtime friend, Ben Vaughn, and the Warner Chappell team to promote progressive talents that are driving the new front of this industry,” Gallimore shares. “I have worked with Ben in many capacities of country music and know the combining of forces will serve our music community with eagerness to grow. We are the New Nashville.”

“Missi has helped shape the country music songbook though her legendary A&R work, and now she’s shepherding a whole new generation of talent with her management and publishing businesses,” adds Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music, Nashville. “With the roster she’s building, Missi is charting a new path forward and we couldn’t be more excited to be in business with her and the whole team at Truth.”

Grandson of country pioneer Hank Williams and the son of outlaw legend Hank Jr., Sam Williams released his debut, Glasshouse Children, in late 2022, and also unveiled a deluxe edition of the record shortly after. Williams is currently gearing up for more music this year.

MCA Elevates David Friedman & Miranda McDonald Within Promotion Team

David Friedman and Miranda McDonald

MCA Nashville has named David Friedman as the new Vice President of Promotion, and Miranda McDonald has been promoted to Vice President of National Promotion.

The promotions come as Katie Dean, who has led the label’s promotion team since 2015, is leaving to pursue new opportunities after a two-decade career with UMG Nashville.

Friedman brings 25 years of experience in radio promotion to his new role, including his starting major label experience at Capitol Records Nashville and time spent at Arista Nashville and Columbia Nashville. For the past seven years, he has served as VP of National Promotion at UMG Nashville where he worked radio promotion across the full UMG Nashville artist roster. Friedman now leads the MCA Nashville promotion staff and spearheads strategies for its artist roster, which includes Kassi Ashton, Jordan Davis, Vince Gill, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Catie Offerman, George Strait, Josh Turner and Ya’Boyz.

McDonald joined MCA Nashville in 2012 as its Southwest Regional Director following time as a radio regional with Valory Music, and as a radio host and reporter for CMT Radio. She has contributed to the success of a multitude of MCA artists and hit songs. In her new role, McDonald will work alongside Risser on radio initiatives across the label group’s four imprints, including Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville.

AIMP Elects Michael Lau As National Chair

Michael Lau.

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)’s Executive Committee has unanimously elected Michael Lau as National Chair for 2023-2024. Lau, the owner of independent music publishing companies Imachew Music and Middle Foot Music, was also re-elected to a second two-year term as President of the AIMP New York Chapter.

As National Chair, Lau will work with the Executive Committee to lead the coordination of efforts between all four Chapters—Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York—to help ensure the organization stays true to its mission. He will provide guidance on the planning and execution of educational events and coordinate outreach to bolster the independent music publishing community.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as AIMP National Chair, and I would like to thank the Executive Committee for putting their trust in me,” shares Lau. “As the music industry continues to evolve, it is our duty to educate the independent music publishing community on how new trends, legislation and technology will affect them, as well as advocate for their interests. I look forward to carrying that mission forward in the massive footsteps of previous National Chairs John Ozier and Teri Nelson Carpenter.”

In addition to his work with the AIMP, Lau is a member of the Operations Committee of The MLC. He serves on the Advisory Boards of Jammber and MyPart Inc., is an Advisor and Mentor for the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program’s Entrepreneurship course, and is an Alumni Mentor at Berklee College of Music.

Tucker Wetmore Signs With Back Blocks Music

Pictured (L-R): Leslie Roberts (BMI), Tucker Wetmore, Rakiyah Marshall (Back Blocks Music). Photo: Alanna McArdle

Tucker Wetmore has signed an exclusive publishing and artist development deal with Back Blocks Music.

Hailing from Kalama, Washington, Wetmore began writing songs after a career-ending injury while playing college football. After relocating to Nashville in 2020, the self-taught musician quickly immersed himself in the singer-songwriter scene while building a fanbase on TikTok.

“Tucker is a talented songwriter with a distinct voice that brings a unique talent to the table that I have not had the chance to work with yet,” shares Back Blocks Founder and CEO, Rakiyah Marshall. “I am thrilled to add another artist to the Back Blocks family and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

“I’m blessed to be given the opportunity to do what I love, and couldn’t ask for better people to do it with,” adds Wetmore. “With the support from Rakiyah, the Back Blocks team and the grace from the good Lord above, I think we’re gonna do something really cool.”