Music News (7/5/23)

Mike Molinar Promoted To President At Big Machine Music

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Vice President Grayson Stephens, President Mike Molinar and Senior Vice President of Publishing Alex Heddle. Photo: Alex Ferrari

Independent music publisher Big Machine Music (BMM) has announced a series of promotions, including the elevation of Mike Molinar to President. Effective immediately, Molinar will continue reporting to Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) CEO and Chairman Scott Borchetta.

BMM has also promoted Alex Heddle to Senior Vice President of Publishing and Grayson Stephens to Vice President overseeing royalties and finance. Both will continue to report to Molinar.

“I’m so proud to announce that Mike Molinar has been appointed President of Big Machine Music. His leadership, vision, artist relations and song sense are unmatched,” says Borchetta. “We are also acknowledging the outstanding work and accomplishments of BMM’s Alex Heddle and Grayson Stephens as they continue to power the Machine to new heights.”

Molinar has led BMM since inception in 2011. Under his direction, the company has grown a diverse roster and dynamic catalog, as well as added a West Coast division based in Los Angeles. Named a Billboard Country Power Player four years running, Molinar was selected for the Nashville Cohort of the Harvard Young American Leaders Program in 2021. The Leadership Music Class of 2015 graduate was a 2020 inductee into MSTU’s College of Media and Entertainment Wall of Fame after previously being named a member of the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2012-2013. Molinar currently serves as a board member on the National Music Publishers Association, Mechanical Licensing Collective designated by the U.S. Copyright Office, Music Health Alliance, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Hall of Fame Education Council.

“I’m honored by Scott Borchetta’s continued faith and partnership. Big Machine Music is my home; our incredible team and world-class songwriters are my family. I’m proud to continue our journey together,” shares Molinar. “In that spirit, I can’t understate how important Alex Heddle and Grayson Stephens have been through these past several years of transition and growth. I’m so happy to see their efforts recognized with such well-deserved promotions.”

Nominees Announced For 2023 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

13 songwriters have been announced as nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF). The new group will be among those honored at the 53rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Music City Center.

“We congratulate this year’s nominees in our contemporary categories. Their nominations are richly deserved,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We look forward in several weeks to announcing those who will be inducted this fall as members of our Class of 2023.”

The 2023 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriters category are Casey Beathard, Shawn Camp, Jim Collins, Don Henry, David Lee Murphy, Leslie Satcher, Darrell Scott and Victoria Shaw. The 2023 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category are Steven Curtis Chapman, Martie Maguire, Keith Urban and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, who are nominated as a team.

All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. A total of two songwriters and one artist-songwriter will be elected from the contemporary categories by members of the Hall of Fame along with other professional songwriters and artists from a variety of genres who are prominently associated with Nashville and who have written/co-written at least one original and significant Nashville song.

In addition, three more will be named to the Class of 2023. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter, a Veteran Songwriter/Artist and a Legacy Songwriter (deceased), all of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

UMPG Nashville Signs Seth Ennis

Pictured (L-R): Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville), Seth Ennis, Roxy King (UMPG Nashville). Photo: Universal Music Publishing Nashville

Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed songwriter Seth Ennis to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.

Ennis has co-written songs by Jordan Davis, Dylan Scott, Matt Stell, Lauren Alaina, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Band Camino, Little Big Town, Avery Anna, Dylan Marlowe, Devin Dawson, Tyler Farr, Chase Rice and more. In addition to being a songwriter, he is a talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.

“The sky is the limit for Seth. He has done an outstanding job honing his craft and building relationships over the years. We are thrilled to be a part of this upcoming chapter and help elevate his career to the next level,” shares Roxy King, Director A&R, UMPG Nashville.

Ennis adds, “Roxy is a rockstar. As my music publishing A&R, her focus, tenacity, and versatility are what I’m most excited to match going forward. I can’t wait to get going with the Universal Music Publishing family.”