Music News (2/1/23)

Nominees Announced For 2023 AIMP Nashville Country Awards

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final nominees for the 2023 AIMP Nashville Country Awards, celebrating the biggest hits of the past year penned and championed exclusively by Nashville’s independent publishing companies and their songwriters.

The event, sponsored by Spotify and open to all AIMP Nashville members, will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on March 21 at 6 p.m. Bob DiPiero and Craig Wiseman will serve as hosts.

“We are thrilled to bring the AIMP awards back to the Ryman to celebrate the Nashville community of independent artists, writers and publishers,” says Ree Guyer, President, AIMP Nashville Chapter. “The show promises to be an intimate and special experience, highlighting the best songwriting talent Nashville has to offer.”

See the full list of nominees here.

Nick Sainato Inks With Combustion Music

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music’s Falcon Van Belkom, Combustion Music’s Keithan Melton, Neon Coast’s Nikki Boon, Nick Sainato, Combustion Music’s Blake Duncan, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Neon Coast’s Martha Earls

Nick Sainato has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Combustion Music.

Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Sainato is a Nashville-based songwriter, producer, and musician with previous stints in Boston and L.A. He is one third of the alternative pop band, Nightly, who are currently working on their second album. Sainato has cuts with Savanna Leigh, NOTD and more, and his catalog has accumulated over 50 million streams thus far.

“So stoked for Nick joining the Combustion Family,” shares Combustion’s Blake Duncan. “We are huge fans of Nick as an individual and as a key member of the band Nightly! Being an artist, songwriter, and producer, we are excited to get to work and compliment him in chasing his goals!”

“We are so proud of Nick and excited that he will be working with Chris, Falcon, Keithan, Blake and the whole team at Combustion,” adds Neon Coast’s Nikki Boon. “Nick is an incredible songwriter and producer and, at a time when his band Nightly is poised for a career-defining 2023, the team at Combustion couldn’t be a more perfect fit.”

“I’m so excited to be part of the Combustion team,” shares Sainato. “They have been amazing supporters of what we’ve been doing before we even worked together, so this is really a dream come true! The whole team has been incredible so far, it really feels like a family.”

Robyn Dell’Unto Signs With Warner Chappell Music & King Pen Music

Pictured (L-R): Harrison Sokoloff (King Pen), Christina Wilshire (WC), Kelly King (King Pen), Robyn Dell’Unto, Rachel Guttmann (Taylor Gutmann, PLLC), Ben Vaughn (WC)

Singer, songwriter, and producer Robyn Dell’Unto has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and King Pen Music.

Hailing from Toronto, Dell’Unto has a diverse collection of songs and production credits that include Phillip Phillips (Love Like That), Donovan Woods (Being Together), and many others. Dell’Unto has also had songs featured in a variety of TV and movie campaigns, including Almost Family (Fox), Good Trouble (Freeform), and Harriet The Spy (Disney), in campaigns for Zara and the PanAm Games, and in the feature films Time Freak and Intruders.

Dell’Unto’s recent credits include the indie-pop hit, “e-z,” for new artist Gayle, which also features Upsahl and Blu DeTiger, and Gayle’s 2020 hit “z,” which she co-wrote. Additionally, she contributed to Wild Rivers for their Canadian Gold record, “Thinking ‘Bout Love,” as well as the reimagined “Thinking ‘Bout Love” feat. Wrabel, which combined have amassed over 70 million streams on Spotify.

“Robyn’s versatility caught my ear from the first listen,” shares Kelly King, President, King Pen Music. “She brings a fresh intentionality to any and all writing opportunities. We are so excited about where she is and headed to in her career.”

Jacee Badeaux, Halle Bartlett Promoted At Big Yellow Dog Music

Jacee Badeaux & Halle Bartlett

Big Yellow Dog Music has promoted Jacee Badeaux to Senior Creative Director, A&R and Halle Bartlett to Coordinator, A&R.

In his elevated role, Badeaux will continue to curate activity for Big Yellow Dog Music writers, artists and producers. Among his recent achievements are signing Brandon Davis and orchestrating the co-write with producer/writer Dave Pittenger and the artist Gayle, who created the Grammy-nominated smash, “abcdefu.” Badeaux has been with Big Yellow Dog Music since 2017 and previously held the position of Creative Director.

Originally from Flushing, Michigan, Bartlett officially joined the Big Yellow Dog Music team as Creative Assistant in January 2022. Before joining the team full-time, she was an intern at the company while studying Music Business at Belmont University. As Coordinator, A&R, Bartlett will be responsible for calendar management, writer coordination, song pitching and social media efforts for Big Yellow Dog Music’s songwriters.

“With artists popping off virally these days, it takes more effort to discover if they are truly talented,” says BYDM co-owner and CEO Carla Wallace. “Jacee has that down and with a passion for finding talent!”

“Halle brings an infectious energy, go-getter attitude, and a song sense that is unmatched,” adds Badeaux. “She’s the tic to my tac.”