State Champ Radio BBR Music Group
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville hosted its second annual brunch at the 2024 ACM Awards at the Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, Texas, on May 16. Held the morning of the awards, the brunch included more than 150 attendees from the label, radio, streaming services and other industry executives.Jon Loba, president of frontline recordings for BMG North America, opened the brunch, which was moved inside due to stormy weather. Lainey Wilson, who went on to win entertainer of the year at the ACM Awards a few hours later, introduced her new single, “Hang Tight Honey,” from her for forthcoming album, Whirlwind, before the label and Melinda Newman, Billboard’s executive editor, West Coast and Nashville, presented Wilson with a plaque for having the shortest stint of any woman artist between No. 1 songs on the Country Airplay chart. Later, Billboard’s exec vp of charts and data partnership Silvio Pietroluongo presented Jelly Roll, a plaque for landing three No. 1s on the Country Airplay chart in 2023, while the artist played a recording of his new single, “Liar,” which he later played on the ACM Awards.
The brunch also included superstar Jason Aldean and his writing collaborator-turned-duet partner John Morgan performing “Friends Like That,” their current single, as well as “Trouble with a Heartbreak,” a 2022 No. 1 hit for Aldean, co-written by Morgan. The Frontmen, a supergroup comprised of the Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Larry Stewart (formerly of Restless Heart) and Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas), also performed two of their songs, including new single, “Beatles and Eagles,” as well as a mini-medley of their previous groups’ hits.
Additionally, Frank Ray played his new Latin-tinged tune, “Uh Huh (Ajá)” and Blanco Brown sang along as his new Diane Warren-penned song, “Snapshot,” played.
See photos from the event, sponsored by Heineken Silver, Zilzie Wines and Billboard, below.
BBR Music Group Team
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
BBR Music Group’s team attending the ACM Awards at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Frank Ray & Oscar Chavira
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Frank Ray and Oscar Chavira at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Blanco Brown & Jason Aldean
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Blanco Brown and Jason Aldean at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Lainey Wilson & JoJamie Hahr
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Lainey Wilson and JoJamie Hahr at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Jon Loba
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Jon Loba at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Melinda Newman & Jelly Roll
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Melinda Newman and Jelly Roll at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Lainey Wilson
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Lainey Wilson at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
HunterGirl & Jon Loba
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
HunterGirl and Jon Loba at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
John Morgan, Jason Aldean, JoJamie Hahr, Jelly Roll, Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow, Richie McDonald & Jon Loba
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
John Morgan, Jason Aldean, JoJamie Hahr, Jelly Roll, Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow, Richie McDonald and Jon Loba at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Lee Adams, John Morgan & Shelley Hargis
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Lee Adams, John Morgan and Shelley Hargis at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Chris Oglesby, Peter Strickland, JoJamie Hahr, Lainey Wilson, John Morgan & Jon Loba
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Chris Oglesby, Peter Strickland, JoJamie Hahr, Lainey Wilson, John Morgan and Jon Loba at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Jon Loba, Jelly Roll & Adrian Michaels
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Jon Loba, Jelly Roll and Adrian Michaels at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Blanco Brown
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Blanco Brown at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Ken Tucker, Blanco Brown, Chris Loss & Peter Strickland
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Ken Tucker, Blanco Brown, Chris Loss and Peter Strickland at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
John Morgan, Jason Aldean, HunterGirl, Frank Ray & Jelly Roll
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
John Morgan, Jason Aldean, HunterGirl, Frank Ray and Jelly Roll at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Frank Ray
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Frank Ray at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Carson James, Lee Adams, Jon Loba, Shelley Hargis, Charlie Cook, JoJamie Hahr, Ken Tucker & Adrian Michaels
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Carson James, Lee Adams, Jon Loba, Shelley Hargis, Charlie Cook, JoJamie Hahr, Ken Tucker and Adrian Michaels at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Jelly Roll
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Jelly Roll at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Jelly Roll, Silvio Pietrolungo, Adrian Michaels & Peter Strickland
Image Credit: Andy Pollitt
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Jelly Roll, Silvio Pietrolungo, Adrian Michaels and Peter Strickland at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Frank Ray
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Frank Ray at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Jason Aldean
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Jason Aldean at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
John Morgan & Jason Aldean
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
John Morgan and Jason Aldean at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Melinda Newman, Lainey Wilson, Peter Strickland & Lee Adams
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Shelley Hargis, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba, Melinda Newman, Lainey Wilson, Peter Strickland and Lee Adams at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
The Frontmen
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow and Richie McDonald of The Frontmen at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
The Frontmen
Image Credit: Rich Polk for Billboard
Larry Stewart, Tim Rushlow and Richie McDonald of The Frontmen at the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s Annual Brunch held at Stonebriar Country Club on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Country music duo LOCASH has launched Galaxy Label Group in partnership with Studio2Bee Entertainment, founded by veteran Nashville music executives Skip Bishop and Butch Waugh.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville will distribute the label, Billboard can reveal.
LOCASH’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas celebrated the newly-announced venture on Wednesday evening (Feb. 28) during an event in downtown Nashville, just as radio programmers descended on Music City for the annual Country Radio Seminar.
“We’re all blessed to be part of this music business and we have a chance to do what our passion is, and to have Skip and Butch back on the team with us, it’s great,” Lucas tells Billboard during a Zoom call with LOCASH and Bishop.
Trending on Billboard
In launching the label, LOCASH, who formed in 2008, draw on nearly two decades of experience as artists and writers. In 2016, they earned a top 5 Country Airplay hit with “I Love This Life,” and followed with the chart-topper “I Know Somebody,” top 20 song “Ring on Every Finger,” and in 2019, earned another top 5 Country Airplay hit with “One Big Country Song.”
“We’ve talked about doing a label for years,” Lucas says. “Some of the best success we’ve had was when were have been more hands-on with it.”
Bishop and Waugh had previously worked on the campaign for “I Love This Life,” and the full-fledged staff that Studio2Bee has with marketing and radio reps, “seemed like a perfect match,” Bishop explains.
A nod to the label’s name, Brust says the ideal artist roster will include genres beyond country, though they haven’t signed additional artists just yet. The hard lessons LOCASH has learned along the way as artists and songwriters influence the business model for the new label.
L-R: PETER STRICKLAND, GENERAL MANAGER, BMG; KATIE KERKHOVER, VICE PRESIDENT, A&R, BMG; SKIP BISHOP, STUDIO2BEE ENTERTAINMENT; PRESTON BRUST, LOCASH;
CHRIS LUCAS, LOCASH; JON LOBA, PRESIDENT, FRONTLINE RECORDINGS, NORTH AMERICA, BMG; QUINN BAUDUCCO, SENIOR MANAGER, BUSINESS & LEGAL AFFAIRS, BMG; JOJAMIE HAHR, EVP, RECORDED MUSIC, BMG NASHVILLE
Courtesy Photo
“The main thing that we’ve seen on some bigger labels is that sometimes some artists would be to the side because another artist was hot at that moment,” Brust says. “We’ve always talked about that and how it’s not fair, because there is so much talent in this city.”
Galaxy Label Group will also serve as home to LOCASH’s new music; BMG Nashville’s Wheelhouse imprint had previously released their albums. The duo has been in the studio working on their upcoming album, with their first single, “Hometown Home,” expected to release in the spring.
“This song just stepped into the roots of what Locash is about,” Lucas says. “It’s about hometown love and being the guy who says, ‘We could go anywhere in the world and start a new life together, but if you want to stay here in our hometown, that’s good with me too, because I just want to be with you.’ It’s one of those messages that is relatable and hits you in the heart.”
Beyond signing artists, Galaxy Label Group aims to aid songwriters. The duo says Galaxy Label Group will give songwriters a percentage of the master royalties (out of the label’s share) on every recording for the label, including Locash’s upcoming album. The commitment could mean a boost for songwriters, whose incomes have seen significant, negative impact in the steaming era. When physical albums sold regularly, songwriters would be paid on each album sold, earning a solid income regardless of whether their song was picked as a radio single. But with streams comprising the bulk of music consumption, songwriters are increasingly dependent on radio hits, losing out on the valuable income avenue physical records once provided.
The commitment follows in the footsteps of some smaller indie labels such as Facet Records and Good Boy Records, as well as individual artists such as Kip Moore, who in 2017 pledged an annual bonus for songwriters.
“We want to be fair,” Lucas says. “It’s one of those things where if we sit down and before the album comes out, we say, ‘This [percentage] seems fair.’ We could get down the road and if the single just goes into another realm, who knows? We could change a percentage at that point.”
Ultimately, Brust says, they hope to “create new revenue streams in this the industry.” He adds, “Nashville is built on the song. The best songwriters in the world—I would put us up against anyone. Nashville has it, period. There’s no one better than that. We want songwriters to have a fair chance. If someone’s getting 700 million streams and the songwriter’s barely seeing a dime, that’s not fair. We want to get a part of this ahead of the game and get a fair percentage for them. That’s what we’re most excited about right now—giving back to the community that has been there for us.”
BBR Music Group senior vp of promotion Carson James and senior director of A&R Chris Poole have exited the company as part of a global restructuring at BMG, which eliminated their positions, Billboard has confirmed. Country Aircheck first reported the news of their exits.
Earlier on Thursday (Nov. 30), BMG revealed a new structure for its global staff, which BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld stated is part of “a strategy for future growth” and “local where necessary, global where possible.” The restructure moves BMG’s catalog, sales and marketing teams in its recorded division into global roles, joining the already global purview of its investments, technology, rights and royalties functions. In local markets, artist relations and marketing campaign managers will have access to these global teams for analytics, content creation and media planning/buying, the company’s announcement noted.
James joined BBR in 2009, having previously spent nine years with Curb Records in a similar role. Prior to his work at Curb, James programmed country station WLWI in Montgomery, Ala.
Poole joined BBR in 2018 and previously worked at CTM/Writer’s Ink, where he served in artist development. Poole initially launched his career working in artist management at Paravel Management, which he co-founded in 2013.
James noted to Billboard in a statement, “I’m honored to have had such an amazing run.”
BMG’s restructuring announcement also outlined a new, Los Angeles-based global catalog team, as well as a “recalibration” of its presence in continental Europe as part of its local-global emphasis, which will focus on “functional centers of excellence within Europe.” This is in addition to the aggregation of budgets and expertise, the further acceleration of its investments in tech and the myBMG system for artists and the clarification of roles/structures, which the company says will make it “more accountable to its artist and songwriter clients.”
“Fifteen years after the emergence of streaming, music is going through another tectonic change,” Coesfeld said in a statement. “It is vital we now reengineer our business to make the most of that opportunity. BMG has challenged the conventions of the music industry ever since we began, bringing music publishing and recordings under one roof with a distinctive service-orientated and transparent approach. Now new ways of creating and consuming music and looming changes in streaming economics are challenging us to do even better for our clients.”
BBR Music Group’s artist clients include reigning CMA Awards entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson and new artist of the year winner Jelly Roll, as well as “Try That in a Small Town” hitmaker Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Elvie Shane, Parmalee, Blanco Brown and Brooke Eden.
Jimmie Allen has been dropped by his record label BBR Music Group, the company confirmed to Billboard, just hours after a second woman sued the singer for sexual assault.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“BBR Music Group has dissolved its relationship with Jimmie Allen, he is no longer an active artist on its roster,” said the label in a brief statement sent to Billboard. Variety first broke the news of BBR’s move and the second lawsuit Friday (June 9).
BBR Music Group had earlier placed Allen on suspension after he was previously accused of repeated rape and sexual harassment by a “Jane Doe” who had worked as a day-to-day manager at the singer’s former management company, Wide Open Music. In the wake of that May 11 allegation, Allen was also placed on suspension by his booking agency, UTA, and his then-management company, The Familie; while his public relations company, Full Coverage Communications, stopped working with him altogether. He was additionally dropped from the performer lineup at CMA Fest.
Allen has strongly denied the allegations from the first lawsuit, calling them “false” and vowing to “mount a vigorous defense” and “take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation.”
In the suit filed Friday, an unnamed woman accused Allen of battery, assault and invasion of privacy. She claimed that after meeting Allen on a flight, she agreed to meet him in Las Vegas in July 2022. Among other claims, she alleged that while having sex with Allen in his Las Vegas hotel room, he ejaculated inside her without her consent and secretly filmed the encounter.
The woman further claims that, after being unable to fully delete the video from the sleeping Allen’s phone, she left with it and booked a new flight back to her home in Sacramento, where she reported the incident and turned the phone over to the local police department. The Sacramento police subsequently reported it to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, though Billboard‘s request for any public records linked to the report, submitted to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police through an online portal, was not immediately fulfilled.
The attorney who filed both cases, Elizabeth A. Fegan, said in a statement to Billboard that the new claims represented a “distinct pattern of behavior” by Allen and said she had “heard from others who share similar experiences.”
Allen’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment on the second lawsuit. UTA and The Familie did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether their status with Allen had changed following the new charges.
Allen’s career had been on an upward trajectory since his first single for BBR, “Best Shot,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in 2018. He scored two subsequent No. 1s with “Make Me Want To” and “Freedom Was A Highway” (with Brad Paisley), while “Down Home” reached No. 2. BBR was working Allen’s newest single, “Be Alright,” to country radio last month when the first lawsuit was filed, but stopped working it after the label suspended Allen. It reached No. 57 before quickly falling off the chart.
BBR Music Group hosted a brunch at the 2023 ACM Awards under sunny skies at the Briarstone Country Club in Frisco, Texas. Held the morning of the ACM Awards on May 11 for more than 200 people and sponsored by Heineken and Billboard, the event was presided over by BMG Nashville president Jon Loba, who […]
BMG/BBR Music Group has named Peter Strickland as its new general manager, reporting to BMG Nashville president Jon Loba. He previously worked with the label for nearly two years as a consultant.
Strickland will oversee the financial and daily operations of BMG/BBR Music Group, streamlining distribution channels and physical-product sales as well as spearheading the label’s comedy initiatives. He succeeds Rick Shedd, who retired in April.
During his career, Strickland has held several executive-level titles at Warner Music Nashville (WMN), including as vp of sales; vp of sales & marketing; senior vp of brand management & sales; executive vp/GM; and chief marketing officer. In addition to those roles, he also created two comedy imprints and executive produced Jimmy Fallon’s 2013 Grammy Award-winning comedy album, Blow Your Pants Off, before opening his management company, Marathon Talent, in 2018.
“Peter and I worked together early in our career, where I had the chance to see his creativity, passion and energy up close,” Loba said in a statement. “Working with him again over the last year as a consultant, it is evident those same qualities burn hotter than ever. Beyond that, he is the consummate team player and was the obvious choice to step into the GM role upon Rick Shedd’s retirement. We couldn’t be more excited to officially bring him into the BMG family!”
“It’s an honor to be asked to join this incredible team,” Strickland added. “Jon Loba has built a great culture at BMG, and in reuniting with Jon, I look forward to contributing to the next chapter.”
-
Pages
