Music Industry Moves: Recording Academy and MusiCares Pledge $1 Million in Fire Relief Efforts
As wildfires continue to roar throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music professionals impacted by the crisis, and made a combined pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts.
“The entire Grammy family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation that is unfolding in Los Angeles,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “The music community is being so severely impacted but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people because music is a powerful force for good in the world, and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause.”
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Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, also shared, “We expect the disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even just on the basis of how many music people have lost their homes in the last day. MusiCares is always committed to ensuring that music professionals are supported in times of crisis, and we ask for the larger community to donate for those in need at this dire time. MusiCares can help with short term emergent needs for those currently displaced, and then longer-term services as we get a handle on the full extent of how music people are impacted.”
Variety has compiled a list of additional resources for musicians and industry workers impacted by the fires.
+ Wise Music Group has sold its music education division, including MusicFirst, Rising Software, Charanga, O-Generator and Focus on Sound, to the private equity firm Achieve Partners.
Wise Music Group plans to reinvest the capital raised from the sale of its education division to fund acquisitions of music copyrights and other music publishing assets. Recent purchases include Edition Peters, a prestigious classical music publisher and the original publisher of Richard Strauss, Jonathan Dove and John Cage; and the publishing rights to the Zombies’ catalog. Additionally, Wise Music has acquired publishing and recording interests in the works of jazz artist Thelonious Monk.
Robert Wise, chairman of Wise Music Group, commented, “This milestone represents the culmination of several years of strategic transformation for Wise Music Group. By entrusting our education businesses to Achieve Partners, we are confident that these brands will continue to thrive under their stewardship. At the same time, we can now fully dedicate ourselves to our core mission of music publishing with clarity and purpose, reinforcing our position as the leading independent in the industry.”
+ Sphere Entertainment Co. announced Thursday that Robert Langer will join the company as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective Jan. 13.
Langer will work closely with Sphere Entertainment’s management team to support the long-term direction of the company. He will provide strategic financial insight on all facets of the business, from overseeing financial matters, including all planning and analysis, to strategy and business development.
“Throughout my career I have focused on driving financial, strategic and operational excellence across diverse business segments and global markets,” said Langer. “I am grateful for this opportunity to join Sphere Entertainment and look forward to working with the Company’s management team, and the entire Finance department, to achieve our business priorities.”
Langer was previously with The Walt Disney Company where he most recently served as global leader of enterprise-wide financial planning and corporate strategy. In this role he led key finance processes, and oversaw forecasts, annual budgets, and long-range plans. He also directed the corporate strategy group, orchestrating M&A activities, exploring strategic alternatives, and overseeing a technology-focused incubator program.
Langer will be based in Sphere’s Burbank offices, and report to Sphere Entertainment’s executive chairman and chief executive officer, James L. Dolan.
+ TuneCore has named Mike Ceglio as the company’s new vice president, operations strategy.
Ceglio is responsible for overseeing the company’s business operations, content review, trust and safety and copyright teams. With over a decade of experience in digital operations, strategic planning, and process optimization, Ceglio also brings expertise in digital rights management and partner relations.
Prior to joining TuneCore, Ceglio served as VP of creator operations at SoundCloud, where he played a key role in driving operational efficiencies and managing large-scale creator services initiatives. Ceglio joins the company with a wealth of music industry experience, having also served as director of operations at UnitedMasters and head of partner relations and director of digital rights at Vydia.
Ceglio commented, “After five rewarding years at SoundCloud, I’m extremely excited to join Andreea Gleeson and the rest of the incredible TuneCore team in their mission of supporting artist independence. As a producer and musician myself, I have always had a passion for providing artists with what they need to run their careers on their terms, while working with DSPs to meet the demands of a dynamic market. TuneCore is uniquely positioned with its continuously evolving best-in-class products and services to achieve this, and I could not be happier to be joining during this exciting time.”
+ ATG Entertainment, a live entertainment organization, announced that it has acquired SOM Produce, a theatre producer, operator and distributor in Spain. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SOM Produce is a global producer and distributor Spanish-language of musicals and plays. It manages five marquee theatres in the centre of Madrid – Nuevo Teatro Alcalá, Teatro Rialto, Teatro Nuevo Apolo, Teatro Calderón, and Teatro Amaya – and has produced over 20 shows including “Matilda,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Billy Elliot,” “The Book of Mormon,” “West Side Story,” “Grease,” “Chicago,” “Cabaret” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” The company also produces and tours a range of theatre titles throughout Spain.
Ted Stimpson CEO of ATG, said, “This is an exciting opportunity to further build ATG’s European operations and SOM Produce represents a great cultural fit; we are both very creative businesses, deeply passionate about showcasing great content in landmark venues. Madrid is becoming a global hub for theatre productions, and we have long admired what SOM Produce has achieved. We are delighted to be able to bring them into the ATG family and explore continued opportunities for ATG in a thriving new market.”
Wednesday, Jan. 8
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has launched The State of Live, a national economic research study of the independent live entertainment sector.
This initiative will assess the economic contributions and operational challenges of independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers, and festivals across the United States. All of these entities, regardless of their size, tax-status, or location, are urged to take part in a survey being launched Wednesday (and open from Jan. 7 to Feb. 18).
The collected data will inform a national report and 50 state-by-state reports. It is scheduled for release on June 23.
“Independent stages are the heartbeats of our communities. They’re where culture is born, connections are made, and memories are created,” said Executive Director of NIVA Stephen Parker. “The State of Live study will quantify the economic and cultural value of these spaces, ensuring they get the recognition and support they need and deserve.”
+ AEG Presents has named Weston Hebert its new VP of global touring. Hebert joins the company from Live Nation, where he most recently served as a talent buyer.
At AEG, Herbert will spearhead touring strategies and initiatives across the global market. He will report to President of Global Touring, Rich Schaefer.
“When Rich and I first spoke about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to join the AEG Presents family,” said Hebert. “Rich and the Global Touring team have cultivated an exceptional sense of collaboration and community with the artists, managers and agents they work with. I’m excited to contribute to the ecosystem they’re fostering, which drives artist development and growth in all facets of the business.”
Added Schaefer, “We’re very excited to welcome Weston to Global Touring, boosting our presence in Nashville. We’ve been watching Weston’s development as a touring promoter from afar and have been impressed by his relationships with the artist community, managers and agents and his impeccable taste in music. We’re looking forward to Weston being a significant contributor to our team.”
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Project Healthy Minds, a millennial/Gen Z-driven mental health tech non-profit, has tapped Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), to join the organization’s board of directors.
Gerson will help accelerate Project Healthy Minds’ efforts to build deep partnerships across the music, entertainment, and media landscapes to scale the organization’s impact and mission to expand access to mental health services for all.
Gerson said in a statement, “As a music executive, I’ve made it my life’s work to represent and protect artists and songwriters. Not only to help ensure that their creativity is respected and valued, but that their mental health and wellbeing are never overlooked on my watch. Anxiety and other mental health issues often walk hand-in-hand with artistry, and it’s my responsibility to let the creative people I work with know that they don’t have to deal with these issues on their own. In turn, artists can help to publicly dispel the notion that surviving in an often lonely and isolating world is just a matter of toughening up. Life is not easy, and seeking care for good mental health needs to be both destigmatized and encouraged. I’m honored to join the board of Project Healthy Minds and help fulfill Phil Schermer’s vision to bring the availability of mental health care to anyone who wants and needs it.”
Gerson joins existing board members including Carson Daly, Chris Zarou (Founder and CEO, Visionary Music Group), Jeff Yabuki (CEO, InvestCloud and Chairman, Motive Partners) and many more.
+ Steve Leeds has relaunched his music and entertainment consultancy firm, Neo entertainment Inc.
Leeds most recently served as vice president of Talent and Industry Affair where he managed and built the talent relations team. He was also one of the lead executives at SiriusXM where he launched numerous artist branded channels, collaborating with the Who, Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Beatles, ACDC, Springsteen, Monty Python and Bowie, among numerous others.
Leeds also served as senior vice president of promotion at Virgin, Polygram, Universal, Island and Def Jam, and was a director of on air talent at MTV where he discovered and hired Adam Sandler, Daisy Fuentes, Rosie O’ Donell and Adam Curry. He also served as promotion executive for Leber Krebs Management and Champion Entertainment.
+ Waterloo Records and Video has officially shifted ownership and announced a forthcoming move from its longtime 600 North Lamar location after 42 years. After over four decades at the helm of Waterloo Records, owner John Kunz passes the torch to Caren Kelleher, founder and CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, and Austin entrepreneur Trey Watson.
Waterloo will be moving to 1105 North Lamar this Spring, a new location that offers “more space for events, improved parking, and convenient proximity to downtown and nearby music venues,” according to a press release.
“My decades-long hope, dream and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Records and Video to live on forever, continuing to promote Austin’s vibrant music culture and community,” said Kunz. “Now with this transition, all of my boxes are checked: a new larger home, just five blocks away; Caren and Trey buy in as my new, talented, local music industry partners; all of my team are retained and they will gain the opportunity for store ownership; all of the Waterloo Records hallmarks and traditions continue on, including innovation; and now as a minority partner and not sole proprietor, I get to work less, and play more. So thank you Austin!”
+ Warner Music Italy and Warner Chappell Music Italy have acquired the catalog of DWA Records, one of the leading independent Italo Disco labels, which was co-founded in 1989 by singer-songwriter and producers Roberto Zanetti and Francesco Bontempi. The deal will also cover the catalog of Extravaganza, DWA’s music publishing business.
Italo Disco originated in Italy in the late 1970s and climbed in popularity during the 1980s. Drawing on elements of hi-NRG and Euro disco, it was marked by the use of electronic drums and synthesizers, with lyrics often being sung in English.
These collections include 250 masters, including such tracks as “The Rhythm of the Night”, performed by Corona and written by Bontempi; “Happy” and “Uh La La” performed by Alexia; and “Baila”, performed by Zucchero and written by Zanetti.
Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall, co-Chairs of Warner Chappell Music, said: “We’ve made a significant investment for an amazing catalogue. Our global team is now committed to leveraging opportunities to take this incredible songbook to new heights and helping ensure a new generation of fans worldwide get to connect to this life-affirming music.”
+ Chad Stelly, a renowned turntable and audio specialist, has re-joined Acoustic Sounds.
Chad Stelly, affectionately known as “Stelly,” first joined Acoustic Sounds in the spring of 2005, where he spearheaded HiFi equipment sales and cultivated a reputation as a trusted advisor. By the fall of 2018, Stelly had honed his skills as a turntable specialist, solidifying his standing as the go-to expert for turntable setup and analog audio solutions.
In 2019, Stelly joined U.S. phono distributor Musical Surroundings, eventually moving up to product development. Following his time at Musical Surroundings, Stelly continued to refine his craft at Bluebird Music, focusing on support and repair for SME, a high-end audio manufacturer. Over three years, he contributed to SME’s new product development, provided factory-level training for distributors, and shared his expertise to address complex repair issues.
+ Splice has launched its new Country music genre, and is enabling country producers to use its Create AI tool to use artificial intelligence to source samples. Splice Country features performances from some of Nashville’s top musicians, including Devin Malone (Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood), Trevor Nealon (Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack), and Kate L. Malone (Sam Hunt, Emma White), to name a few.
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