The music industry has always been a hub of creativity and innovation, with artists, labels, and management companies pushing the boundaries of sound and style. The latest news from Nashville is a testament to this spirit of innovation, with the launch of Ascend Music Imprint and a plethora of exciting industry developments that are set to shape the music landscape.
A New Imprint on the Block: Ascend Music
Ascend Music Imprint is the brainchild of a new partnership between Big Machine Label Group and industry veteran Joel Klaiman. The label is dedicated to amplifying cross-genre artists, reuniting Klaiman with BMLG Chairman Scott Borchetta, a duo whose history includes Taylor Swift’s rise to fame with albums like Fearless and Red. With this new label, BMLG and Klaiman aim to discover and support talented artists who defy genre boundaries, creating a fresh and innovative sound that blends different styles and influences. By investing in a diverse range of artists, Ascend Music Imprint hopes to bring new and exciting music to the forefront, while also providing a platform for emerging artists to shine. On the publishing front, Derrick Southerland has secured a global deal with Kobalt, bringing a prolific catalog of hits for artists such as Ingrid Andress, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Kane Brown. This deal is a significant milestone for Southerland, who has had a long and successful career in the music industry. With Kobalt on board, he is now able to leverage his impressive catalog of hits and share them with a new generation of artists, providing them with a rich source of inspiration and material to draw from. Kenny Whitmire has now secured a publishing deal with River House Artists and Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Ana Cristina Cash joins BMG under a worldwide agreement encompassing her bilingual catalog. Seth Alley enters a joint co-publishing partnership with Endurance Music Group and Tyler Hubbard’s HAYLO Music. These signings are a testament to the growing demand for publishing deals and the importance of having access to quality material in the music industry. By partnering with top publishers and labels, these artists are able to tap into a wealth of creative resources and build their own success. Rising songwriter and performer Trey Pendley has inked a global booking deal with WME and a publishing deal with Blue Harbor Music. This move marks a significant step forward for Pendley, who is well on his way to becoming one of the most exciting new artists in the industry. With this deal in place, Pendley is now better equipped to reach a wider audience and share his music with the world. As a talented songwriter and performer, he is poised to make a real impact in the industry, and his exciting journey is something to watch. The Academy of Country Music has revealed winners of its Industry and Studio Recording Awards, which will be celebrated during the 18th annual ACM Honors on August 20. The Academy of Country Music These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of artists, songwriters, and producers in the country music industry. By recognizing their achievements, the Academy of Country Music is helping to promote a new generation of artists and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Neon Coast, the artist management company helmed by Martha Earls, has expanded its team with the addition of Tyler Corrado and Dawson Simmons. This expansion is a significant move for Neon Coast, which is known for its expertise in artist management and its ability to connect with artists and industry professionals alike. By hiring talented new members of its team, Neon Coast is now even better equipped to help its artists achieve success and make a lasting impact in the industry. FlyteVu, a top Nashville agency, has been acquired by Driftwood Music Group, marking a significant growth move that includes a 30% staff expansion. Driftwood Music Group This acquisition is a major milestone for Driftwood Music Group, which is committed to providing top-notch representation and expertise to its clients. By acquiring FlyteVu, Driftwood Music Group is now able to expand its reach and connect with even more artists and industry professionals. Brown Sellers Brown—home to Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records—has rebranded as Quartz Hill Music Group, with Ash Bowers elevated to EVP. This rebranding is a significant move for Brown Sellers Brown, which is known for its expertise in artist management and its ability to connect with artists and industry professionals alike. By elevating Ash Bowers to EVP, Brown Sellers Brown is now even better equipped to help its artists achieve success and make a lasting impact in the industry. Dave Kelly and Bekah Digby have teamed up to launch a new digital and streaming consulting co-venture. This partnership is a significant move for the music industry, which is heavily reliant on digital and streaming services to reach new audiences and grow its market share. By launching this new co-venture, Kelly and Digby are now able to provide top-notch expertise and guidance to artists and labels, helping them to navigate the complex digital landscape and achieve success. Luke Bryan claims the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Country Song Came On.” MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart This victory is a testament to Luke Bryan’s enduring popularity and his ability to connect with audiences through his music. By reaching the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, Luke Bryan is now able to showcase his talents to a wider audience and make a lasting impact on the industry. The CMA Awards nomination process has officially begun. CMA leadership, including CEO Sarah Trahern and SVP Tiffany Kerns, emphasized transparency and participation while rolling out voting updates—most notably, changes to the Song of the Year category, now limited to professionals most involved in song creation during early rounds. CMA Awards These changes aim to promote greater transparency and participation in the CMA Awards process, ensuring that the winners of the top honors in the country music industry are truly deserving of their awards. By emphasizing transparency and participation, CMA leadership is helping to build trust and credibility among its members and the wider music industry. news is a contributor at GigBand. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
Overview
Label
Description
Ascend Music
A new imprint dedicated to cross-genre artists.
Partner
Big Machine Label Group and Joel Klaiman.
Mission Statement
Amplify cross-genre artists.
A Publishing Deal Worth Singing About
More Music Magic Happening
A Rising Star on the Horizon
Awards Season
More Exciting Developments
Nashville Agency Acquires FlyteVu
Other Notable Developments
Executive Partnerships
Chart News
CMA Awards Nominations Begin
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