As wildfires proceed to roar all through Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have launched the Los Angeles Fireplace Aid Effort to help music professionals impacted by the disaster, and made a mixed pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts.
“The whole Grammy household is shocked and deeply saddened by the scenario that’s unfolding in Los Angeles,” stated Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “The music group is being so severely impacted however we are going to come collectively as an trade to help each other. Our organizations exist to serve music folks as a result of music is a robust pressure for good on this planet, and we hope the broader trade will now rally to this trigger.”
Laura Segura, govt director of MusiCares, additionally shared, “We anticipate the catastrophe reduction efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even simply on the premise of what number of music folks have misplaced their houses within the final day. MusiCares is at all times dedicated to making sure that music professionals are supported in instances of disaster, and we ask for the bigger group to donate for these in want at this dire time. MusiCares will help with brief time period emergent wants for these at present displaced, after which longer-term providers as we get a deal with on the total extent of how music persons are impacted.”
Selection has compiled an inventory of extra sources for musicians and trade staff impacted by the fires.
+ Smart Music Group has offered its music schooling division, together with MusicFirst, Rising Software program, Charanga, O-Generator and Concentrate on Sound, to the non-public fairness agency Obtain Companions.
Smart Music Group plans to reinvest the capital raised from the sale of its schooling division to fund acquisitions of music copyrights and different music publishing belongings. Latest purchases embrace Version Peters, a prestigious classical music writer and the unique writer of Richard Strauss, Jonathan Dove and John Cage; and the publishing rights to the Zombies’ catalog. Moreover, Smart Music has acquired publishing and recording pursuits within the works of jazz artist Thelonious Monk.
Robert Smart, chairman of Smart Music Group, commented, “This milestone represents the fruits of a number of years of strategic transformation for Smart Music Group. By entrusting our schooling companies to Obtain Companions, we’re assured that these manufacturers will proceed to thrive below their stewardship. On the identical time, we will now absolutely dedicate ourselves to our core mission of music publishing with readability and function, reinforcing our place because the main unbiased within the trade.”
+ Sphere Leisure Co. introduced Thursday that Robert Langer will be a part of the corporate as govt vp, chief monetary officer and treasurer, efficient Jan. 13.
Langer will work carefully with Sphere Leisure’s administration workforce to help the long-term course of the corporate. He’ll present strategic monetary perception on all sides of the enterprise, from overseeing monetary issues, together with all planning and evaluation, to technique and enterprise improvement.
“All through my profession I’ve targeted on driving monetary, strategic and operational excellence throughout numerous enterprise segments and world markets,” stated Langer. “I’m grateful for this chance to hitch Sphere Leisure and sit up for working with the Firm’s administration workforce, and all the Finance division, to realize our enterprise priorities.”
Langer was beforehand with The Walt Disney Firm the place he most not too long ago served as world chief of enterprise-wide monetary planning and company technique. On this position he led key finance processes, and oversaw forecasts, annual budgets, and long-range plans. He additionally directed the company technique group, orchestrating M&A actions, exploring strategic alternate options, and overseeing a technology-focused incubator program.
Langer might be primarily based in Sphere’s Burbank places of work, and report back to Sphere Leisure’s govt chairman and chief govt officer, James L. Dolan.
+ TuneCore has named Mike Ceglio as the corporate’s new vp, operations technique.
Ceglio is accountable for overseeing the corporate’s enterprise operations, content material assessment, belief and security and copyright groups. With over a decade of expertise in digital operations, strategic planning, and course of optimization, Ceglio additionally brings experience in digital rights administration and associate relations.
Previous to becoming a member of TuneCore, Ceglio served as VP of creator operations at SoundCloud, the place he performed a key position in driving operational efficiencies and managing large-scale creator providers initiatives. Ceglio joins the corporate with a wealth of music trade expertise, having additionally served as director of operations at UnitedMasters and head of associate relations and director of digital rights at Vydia.
Ceglio commented, “After 5 rewarding years at SoundCloud, I’m extraordinarily excited to hitch Andreea Gleeson and the remainder of the unbelievable TuneCore workforce of their mission of supporting artist independence. As a producer and musician myself, I’ve at all times had a ardour for offering artists with what they should run their careers on their phrases, whereas working with DSPs to satisfy the calls for of a dynamic market. TuneCore is uniquely positioned with its repeatedly evolving best-in-class services and products to realize this, and I couldn’t be happier to be becoming a member of throughout this thrilling time.”
+ ATG Leisure, a dwell leisure group, introduced that it has acquired SOM Produce, a theatre producer, operator and distributor in Spain. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed.
SOM Produce is a world producer and distributor Spanish-language of musicals and performs. It manages 5 marquee theatres within the centre of Madrid – Nuevo Teatro Alcalá, Teatro Rialto, Teatro Nuevo Apolo, Teatro Calderón, and Teatro Amaya – and has produced over 20 reveals together with “Matilda,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Billy Elliot,” “The E book of Mormon,” “West Facet Story,” “Grease,” “Chicago,” “Cabaret” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” The corporate additionally produces and excursions a variety of theatre titles all through Spain.
Ted Stimpson CEO of ATG, stated, “That is an thrilling alternative to additional construct ATG’s European operations and SOM Produce represents a fantastic cultural match; we’re each very artistic companies, deeply captivated with showcasing nice content material in landmark venues. Madrid is changing into a world hub for theatre productions, and now we have lengthy admired what SOM Produce has achieved. We’re delighted to have the ability to deliver them into the ATG household and discover continued alternatives for ATG in a thriving new market.”
Wednesday, Jan. 8
The Nationwide Unbiased Venue Affiliation (NIVA) has launched The State of Dwell, a nationwide financial analysis examine of the unbiased dwell leisure sector.
This initiative will assess the financial contributions and operational challenges of unbiased venues, promoters, performing arts facilities, and festivals throughout the USA. All of those entities, no matter their measurement, tax-status, or location, are urged to participate in a survey being launched Wednesday (and open from Jan. 7 to Feb. 18).
The collected information will inform a nationwide report and 50 state-by-state experiences. It’s scheduled for launch on June 23.
“Unbiased levels are the heartbeats of our communities. They’re the place tradition is born, connections are made, and reminiscences are created,” stated Government Director of NIVA Stephen Parker. “The State of Dwell examine will quantify the financial and cultural worth of those areas, guaranteeing they get the popularity and help they want and deserve.”
+ AEG Presents has named Weston Hebert its new VP of worldwide touring. Hebert joins the corporate from Dwell Nation, the place he most not too long ago served as a expertise purchaser.
At AEG, Herbert will spearhead touring methods and initiatives throughout the worldwide market. He’ll report back to President of International Touring, Wealthy Schaefer.
“When Wealthy and I first spoke about this chance, I jumped on the likelihood to hitch the AEG Presents household,” stated Hebert. “Wealthy and the International Touring workforce have cultivated an distinctive sense of collaboration and group with the artists, managers and brokers they work with. I’m excited to contribute to the ecosystem they’re fostering, which drives artist improvement and progress in all sides of the enterprise.”
Added Schaefer, “We’re very excited to welcome Weston to International Touring, boosting our presence in Nashville. We’ve been watching Weston’s improvement as a touring promoter from afar and have been impressed by his relationships with the artist group, managers and brokers and his impeccable style in music. We’re trying ahead to Weston being a major contributor to our workforce.”
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Challenge Wholesome Minds, a millennial/Gen Z-driven psychological well being tech non-profit, has tapped Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of Common Music Publishing Group (UMPG), to hitch the group’s board of administrators.
Gerson will assist speed up Challenge Wholesome Minds’ efforts to construct deep partnerships throughout the music, leisure, and media landscapes to scale the group’s affect and mission to broaden entry to psychological well being providers for all.
Gerson stated in an announcement, “As a music govt, I’ve made it my life’s work to symbolize and shield artists and songwriters. Not solely to assist be sure that their creativity is revered and valued, however that their psychological well being and wellbeing are by no means ignored on my watch. Anxiousness and different psychological well being points usually stroll hand-in-hand with artistry, and it’s my accountability to let the artistic folks I work with know that they don’t should cope with these points on their very own. In flip, artists will help to publicly dispel the notion that surviving in an usually lonely and isolating world is only a matter of toughening up. Life will not be simple, and searching for look after good psychological well being must be each destigmatized and inspired. I’m honored to hitch the board of Challenge Wholesome Minds and assist fulfill Phil Schermer’s imaginative and prescient to deliver the provision of psychological well being care to anybody who desires and wishes it.”
Gerson joins current board members together with Carson Daly, Chris Zarou (Founder and CEO, Visionary Music Group), Jeff Yabuki (CEO, InvestCloud and Chairman, Motive Companions) and plenty of extra.
+ Steve Leeds has relaunched his music and leisure consultancy agency, Neo leisure Inc.
Leeds most not too long ago served as vp of Expertise and Trade Affair the place he managed and constructed the expertise relations workforce. He was additionally one of many lead executives at SiriusXM the place he launched quite a few artist branded channels, collaborating with the Who, Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Beatles, ACDC, Springsteen, Monty Python and Bowie, amongst quite a few others.
Leeds additionally served as senior vp of promotion at Virgin, Polygram, Common, Island and Def Jam, and was a director of on air expertise at MTV the place he found and employed Adam Sandler, Daisy Fuentes, Rosie O’ Donell and Adam Curry. He additionally served as promotion govt for Leber Krebs Administration and Champion Leisure.
+ Waterloo Data and Video has formally shifted possession and introduced a forthcoming transfer from its longtime 600 North Lamar location after 42 years. After over 4 many years on the helm of Waterloo Data, proprietor John Kunz passes the torch to Caren Kelleher, founder and CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, and Austin entrepreneur Trey Watson.
Waterloo might be shifting to 1105 North Lamar this Spring, a brand new location that gives “extra space for occasions, improved parking, and handy proximity to downtown and close by music venues,” based on a press launch.
“My decades-long hope, dream and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Data and Video to dwell on eternally, persevering with to advertise Austin’s vibrant music tradition and group,” stated Kunz. “Now with this transition, all of my containers are checked: a brand new bigger house, simply 5 blocks away; Caren and Trey purchase in as my new, proficient, native music trade companions; all of my workforce are retained and they’re going to achieve the chance for retailer possession; all the Waterloo Data hallmarks and traditions proceed on, together with innovation; and now as a minority associate and never sole proprietor, I get to work much less, and play extra. So thanks Austin!”
+ Warner Music Italy and Warner Chappell Music Italy have acquired the catalog of DWA Data, one of many main unbiased Italo Disco labels, which was co-founded in 1989 by singer-songwriter and producers Roberto Zanetti and Francesco Bontempi. The deal can even cowl the catalog of Extravaganza, DWA’s music publishing enterprise.
Italo Disco originated in Italy within the late Seventies and climbed in reputation through the Eighties. Drawing on components of hi-NRG and Euro disco, it was marked by way of digital drums and synthesizers, with lyrics usually being sung in English.
These collections embrace 250 masters, together with such tracks as “The Rhythm of the Night time”, carried out by Corona and written by Bontempi; “Comfortable” and “Uh La La” carried out by Alexia; and “Baila”, carried out by Zucchero and written by Zanetti.
Man Moot and Carianne Marshall, co-Chairs of Warner Chappell Music, stated: “We’ve made a major funding for an incredible catalogue. Our world workforce is now dedicated to leveraging alternatives to take this unbelievable songbook to new heights and serving to guarantee a brand new technology of followers worldwide get to hook up with this life-affirming music.”
+ Chad Stelly, a famend turntable and audio specialist, has re-joined Acoustic Sounds.
Chad Stelly, affectionately often known as “Stelly,” first joined Acoustic Sounds within the spring of 2005, the place he spearheaded HiFi gear gross sales and cultivated a repute as a trusted advisor. By the autumn of 2018, Stelly had honed his abilities as a turntable specialist, solidifying his standing because the go-to skilled for turntable setup and analog audio options.
In 2019, Stelly joined U.S. phono distributor Musical Environment, ultimately shifting as much as product improvement. Following his time at Musical Environment, Stelly continued to refine his craft at Bluebird Music, specializing in help and restore for SME, a high-end audio producer. Over three years, he contributed to SME’s new product improvement, offered factory-level coaching for distributors, and shared his experience to handle complicated restore points.
+ Splice has launched its new Nation music style, and is enabling nation producers to make use of its Create AI device to make use of synthetic intelligence to supply samples. Splice Nation options performances from a few of Nashville’s prime musicians, together with Devin Malone (Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood), Trevor Nealon (Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack), and Kate L. Malone (Sam Hunt, Emma White), to call a couple of.