Music News (6/7/23)

Robert Carlton Named President Of SMACK

Robert Carlton

Robert Carlton has been promoted to President and Equity Partner of SMACK. The company’s Michael McAnally Baum has stepped down from his operational role, but will stay on the ownership team alongside CCO Robin Palmer and Founder Shane McAnally.

Carlton will continue to manage McAnally while also overseeing SMACK’s publishing, digital and management branches. He joined the company in 2014 and rose to Sr. VP of Development in 2016.

“From intern to the presidency, Robert Carlton’s steady hand, work ethic and innate instincts have earned him the top office at SMACK,” says McAnally Baum. “As a visionary who grew up with the company, he has shown how his passion and dedication will lead the team at SMACK into their next chapter of success.”

Carlton adds, “This is an incredible company with the most incredible people, that all started with Shane, Michael and Robin’s leadership. When I started here almost 10 years ago, I knew it was a great opportunity, but I never could’ve dreamed it would be all that it is today.”

SMACKSongs, the publishing leg, includes songwriters like the multi-Grammy-Award winning McAnally and CMA Song of the Year winner Josh Jenkins, as well as more than 20 staff writers who contributed seven No. 1 songs to the genre in 2022 alone.

SMACKManagement includes superstar artist Walker Hayes, whose smash hit “Fancy Like” topped every country sales and streaming chart upon release. SMACKTok, the digital leg, offers influencer marketing services and focuses on connecting artists directly with their fans through social media platforms.

Lindsay Ell Signs With Concord Music Publishing

Pictured (L-R, top row): Garrett Stephenson (Concord), Matt Turner (Concord), Claire Buchanan (Concord), Courtney Allen (Concord), Jen Hubbard (Concord); (L-R, bottom row): Melissa Spillman (Concord), Lindsay Ell, Brad Kennard (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman

Lindsay Ell has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Concord Music Publishing.

Born in Calgary and influenced by the blues and her love of playing the guitar, Ell started writing songs at age 10. She met guitarist Randy Bachman at age 13, who quickly became her mentor and produced her first album, Consider This, which was released in 2006 when Ell was just 17.

During the next decade, Ell released numerous Top 20 country singles as well as the EP Worth the Wait and the albums Alone (2009) and The Project (2017), which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s country charts. She has a Platinum No. 1 single “What Happens In A Small Town” featuring Brantley Gilbert, as well as two Canadian No. 1s under her belt, “Criminal” and “Want Me Back.”  In August 2020, Ell released her solo album Heart Theory, a concept LP about the seven stages of grief, which reached No. 5 in Canada.

Ell has 18 CCMA Awards, and in 2022, stepped into the role of host of Canada’s Got Talent, where she’s recently been nominated for a 2023 Canadian Screen Award for Best Host or Presenter. Ell is currently touring in select U.S. and Canadian markets with Shania Twain on the “Queen of Me” tour, running through June. She returns as host later this year for season two of Canada’s Got Talent, and will also release new music.

“Lindsay a dream partner for us at Concord!” says Brad Kennard, SVP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “She has the obvious superstar voice, but also world-class songwriting, musicianship, and production skills! We simply can’t wait to work with her across various creative outlets within Concord.”

“It feels amazing to be part of a team that is so engaged in creating a nurturing environment for all their writers,” shares Ell. “Concord is so team-focused and from the moment I walked into that building, I felt like everyone had my back. I’m truly so excited to start this new chapter with this team!”

Jeff Skaggs Appointed As Head Of Milk & Honey Nashville [Exclusive]

Jeff Skaggs

Milk & Honey Music + Sports (M&H) has appointed Nashville-based industry veteran Jeff Skaggs as its new Head of Milk & Honey South.

Skaggs is charged with signing talent and working closely with Milk & Honey’s songwriter and producer roster as well as the company’s other offices like Los Angeles and London. He reports to the company’s CEO & Founder, Lucas Keller, GM and M&H Partner Nic Warner and M&H’s Partner and multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning songwriter and producer David Hodges. Skaggs will also be focused on running Top 5 Music publishing, a joint-venture between M&H and Hodges.

Since M&H’s inception, its clients have had hits with Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerina, Lady A, Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen, Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill and more. Today nearly 100 songwriter, producer and artist clients call Milk & Honey home.

“Jeff Skaggs is a longtime friend of ours, and friend of Nashville—we look forward to having him at the helm of Milk & Honey South as we manage and publish great writers and producers, and continue building a great office in pop and country music,” says Keller.

Skaggs comes to M&H after working as VP of Creative at Creative Nation, where he oversaw the company’s creative team, managing and developing the songwriting careers of proven hitmakers, producers and artists such as Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Tyler Johnson and more.

Prior to Creative Nation, Skaggs was instrumental in starting and building the Kobalt Nashville office alongside Whitney Daane, who he had worked with at her independent publishing company, Mighty Isis Music. His other career stops include time at DreamWorks Records and UMG. Skaggs is also a graduation of Middle Tennessee State University’s Music Business program.

Jonas Group Entertainment Opens Office On Music Row

Pictured (L-R): Kevin Jonas, Sr., Founder JGE; Denise Jonas; Leslie Dipiero, President, JGP; Phil Guerini, CEO, JGE; George Kreis, President Jonas Group Holdings; Emily Peacock, JGP, Rachel Inglesino, JGE

Those of us on Music Row have a new neighbor. Jonas Group Entertainment officially opened its doors at 1600 17th Avenue South this week, and welcomed industry friends and partners to take a peak inside at an open house.

The historic bungalow home will be a space for creativity and community, with its writer rooms, sitting rooms, kitchen and studio.

The opening is another step towards Jonas Group Entertainment’s further integration into the Nashville community. The company’s founder, Kevin Jonas, Sr., established the firm while managing his sons, the multi-Platinum selling Jonas Brothers.

Now, JGE is led by Chief Executive Officer, Phil Guerini, who has amassed more than 25 years of experience across three divisions and five businesses at The Walt Disney Company, multiple major market radio stations and record labels. In April JGE announced the hiring of Music Row veteran Leslie DiPiero, who now serves as President of Jonas Group Publishing.

Housing entertainment management, artist brand development, film and television and music publishing, JGE works with artists such as Darby, Franklin Jonas, Harper Grace, Hayley Orrantia, Hello Sister, Levi Hummon, LIVVIA, MaRynn Taylor, Mallary Hope, Mandy Harvey and The Band Light.