A nine-time ARIA Award winner, Higgins made her debut in 2004 with the release of 12x platinum-certified album, The Sound of White, and has since become of the best selling Australian artists in history.

Her other albums include the Aria Award-winning On A Clear Night (2007), The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle (2012), Oz (2014) and Solastalgia (2018). Her first full length release in six years, The Second Act, is due on September 6th.

“Australia has seen Missy Higgins’ music career go from strength to strength, including nine ARIA Awards, several number one albums, and multiple sell-out national tours. The ARIA Hall of Fame is all about celebrating legendary music talent who leave a unique mark, inspiring not only the industry but Australia and the world. Missy is the absolute epitome of this. We couldn’t be happier to be welcoming one of Australia’s most loved and admired artists, Missy Higgins, into the ARIA Hall of Fame,” stated ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd.

“I feel very honoured and grateful. So many artists I love and admire are in the ARIA Hall Of Fame so it feels a bit surreal to be joining them. This year has already been really special, now this is going to make it even more memorable,” Higgins added.

Higgens will be inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame as part of the 2024 ARIA Awards, which will take place at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on November 20th.

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Additionally, Hayes has signed with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for his music publishing, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy (FBMM) for business management, and Essential Broadcast Media for publicity.

Additional representation includes the noted entertainment law firm Safford Motley PLC where he will be represented by Scott Safford as well as ASCAP for his royalties.

“Music has always been a part of my life and now, it always will be,” shares Hayes. “Not many people get to live out their passion and purpose and I’m beyond blessed to do so thanks to this amazing team we’ve built. I’m excited to start this journey alongside all of them!”

“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Christian Hayes. He is such an incredible singer, songwriter and performer. We can’t wait to see the rest of the world discover such an amazing talent,” added WME’s Jon Folk.

Hayes first made a name for himself after posting a video of him singing his self-penned song “Leaving” to his Instagram in September 2023 and followed it up with the viral single “Lily” which generated more than 2 million streams and his most recent release, “Cheyenne.”

The post Christian Hayes Signs With a Team That Includes WME, UMPG, Wildrose Projects And EBM appeared first on CelebrityAccess.

One of the report’s most significant consequences has been superstar Billie Eilish’s departure from Wasserman’s client roster. Eilish and her brother Finneas have signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME), a rival talent agency. WME had already been handling the pair’s film and TV bookings since January 2023. In a statement to Billboard, WME said they are “thrilled to build upon our work together as they continue to grow and expand in their multifaceted careers in film, TV and touring.”

Eilish, known for hits like “Happier Than Ever,” “Ocean Eyes,” “Bad Guy,” “Birds of a Feather,” and more, reportedly decided to leave after being included in the Daily Mail report, which labeled Wasserman a “serial cheater” and mentioned his role in managing careers like hers and Coldplay’s.

Sources close to Eilish revealed that she had limited interaction with Wasserman himself. Her primary agents were Tom Windish and later Sara Bollwinkel, both of whom initially worked with her at Paradigm Talent Agency before it was acquired by Wasserman’s company in 2021. Her team also included UK agent Mike Malak. Bollwinkel and Malak also repped Finneas for his solo career.

Eilish and her team were reportedly “horrified” by their association with the scandal, prompting the swift move to WME. “While grateful to their former live booking agents at Wasserman, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell have opted to have film, TV, and music handled by the same agency, WME, moving forward,” a spokesperson for Eilish told Variety.

The fallout from the report has also raised concerns within the LA28 organization, a nonprofit responsible for organizing the Los Angeles Olympics. The report specifically mentioned Patricia Feau, a former assistant to NBCUniversal executive Ron Meyer, as one of the employees who allegedly had an affair with Wasserman. Feau, who now serves as Vice President of Host City Relations for LA28, denied the allegations to the Daily Mail. According to sources, Feau, who volunteered during LA’s Olympic bidding process, was later hired as a full-time staffer along with two other Wasserman employees after the city secured the Olympic bid. Their compensation was reportedly reviewed and approved by the LA28 Board of Directors. Per the Daily Mail, Feau earns $350,000 a year.

A spokesperson for LA28 confirmed that the organization would not be conducting an internal investigation into the allegations. Wasserman has not commented on the matter. Known for maintaining a low profile, Wasserman has recently been more visible, attending high-profile events like the Met Gala in May and hosting a lavish 50th birthday party at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar.

The post Billie Eilish And Finneas Leave Wasserman For WME In Wake Of CEO Scandal appeared first on CelebrityAccess.

Billy Estes joins Harmony from Nebraska’s historic Midwest Theater, where he spent 22 years, most recently serving as the venue’s Executive Director.

Billy resides on a farm in Western Nebraska. He grows specialty crops on his organic farm, accompanied by his two dogs, three cats, and chickens. He has two adult children.

Michael Tate has worked in the music and entertainment industry, both on the live side as a performer and bandleader, as well as the industry side as a producer and agent.

“I am thrilled to be working with Harmony Artists, a well respected and dedicated agency,” Tate said.

Estes will be covering mid-west territories and Tate will focus on the Northeast.

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A pioneer of the freestyle movement in 80s and early 90s Miami, Stevie B made his debut in 1988 with his album “Party Your Body,” which included the breakout title track “Spring Love” before going on to release thee RIAA Platinum albums.

In all, he’s released 13 top 40 singles, including the 1990 number-one Billboard Hot 100 hit “Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” which spent 4 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

At UAA, Stevie Be will be represented by Joel Brandes and Chase Edwards.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with Stevie B, the king of freestyle, who is also recognized for his contributions to dance, R&B, pop, and electronic music,” Brandes stated.

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“I’m absolutely pumped; it’s gonna be a hell of a year! Wasserman has always felt like so much more than an agency,” shared Angie K. “They understand that we build communities and create safe spaces for our fans to come together and have a great time. It’s more than booking shows. It’s being intentional with where we go, who we serve and putting the fans first while having a blast doing it. There is no where I’d rather be and no one we would rather start this next chapter with than Nate Ritches and the team at Wasserman. See y’all on the road!”

“Angie’s diverse talent with broad appeal and potential excite us to see where her career will lead. We are honored and excited to be along for the ride, and thankful JR asked us if we wanted a seat at the Angie K table,” shared Ritches.

JR Schumann represents Angie K for management, Huskins-Harris for business management and Essential Broadcast Media for public relations.

Ritches continues, “Just as important as Angie’s artistry, she’s got a great team surrounding her vision and direction that only strengthened our decision to be in business together.”

The queer country artist first made her mark on Music City with a nod to her Latin roots when her first single, the bilingual “Real Talk,” catapulted her onto the country scene as a “Highway Find” on SiriusXM’s The Highway. The powerhouse vocalist just released a new track, “Death of Me.” It follows her recent release, “Red Dirt on Mars.”

Produced by acclaimed writer/producer and BMI Songwriter of the Year, Stephony Smith and co-written by Angie K, she explained the influence Smith had on her when it came to releasing “Death of Me” in a recent Holler Nashville Session sharing, “It’s a very vulnerable song, and I almost didn’t put in on the record, but I’m glad I did – just because of the stories I’ve heard of people relating to it.”

The 2023 CMT Next Women of Country artist has been in the studio working on her new music with Smith, who penned the smash hit “It’s Your Love” for Tim McGraw/Faith Hill and has received cuts from some of music’s biggest stars including The Chicks, Shania Twain, Barbara Streisand, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Reba McEntire and more.

Angie K. was Born in El Salvador and raised in Georgia; her love for country music was nurtured from a young age. Her mother’s dedication, saving up to take her to the Grand Ole Opry, has come full circle as she prepares to make her Grand Ole Opry debut this Friday (August 16th), fulfilling a lifelong dream.

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This collaboration, led by Red Light’s managing partner and UK co-founder James Sandom and Starwood founder Robert Swerdlow, will see Starwood’s roster, including artists like Michael Kiwanuka, Wasia Project, and Stone, join the Red Light fold.

Robert Swerdlow shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Right time, the right culture, the right global resources, but most of all, the right people. Team Starwood and Red Light is an incredible partnership. Our combined values and experience make for a brand-new force for good! We are thrilled to move into the next chapter with James, Coran and the team. We share exactly the same ambitions, and there is a real belief in our combined synergies.”

James Sandom emphasized the importance of this partnership, calling it “an exciting era for Red Light, both in the UK and globally.” He pointed out that Starwood’s philosophy closely aligns with Red Light’s values, and this collaboration is expected to strengthen both companies` positions in the industry.

Red Light founder Coran Capshaw also expressed his excitement about the partnership, praising Starwood’s track record in artist discovery and their blend of taste and ambition.

Red Light’s current client roster includes prominent names like Chris Stapleton, Odesza, Lionel Richie, and The Strokes.

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PUBLISHING / MANAGEMENT

Hitmaker Mark Irwin has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs. For four decades, Irwin’s catalog boasts hits such as “Here in the Real World” by Alan Jackson and “Highway Don’t Care” by Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. His works have been recorded by George Jones, Blake Shelton, Patty Loveless, Thomas Rhett, and many more.

“Mark has always been one of the most talented, versatile, positive and hardworking songwriters in this town,” says Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Officer at SMACK. “We are all very happy to welcome him to our SMACK team!”

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UMPG Nashville has signed Warner Music Nashville Country music artist Trea Landon to an exclusive, global publishing deal. Landon moved to Music City in 2015 and signed with Warner Music Nashville two years later. His first EP was released in 2020 (Dirt Road Dancin’), and according to MusicRow, his latest single, “Nothing,” was released in July.

“I met Trea in passing at a studio back in 2015, where he was doing a vocal for a demo session,” says UMPG Nashville’s VP, A&R, Missy Roberts. “His vocal was like no one else I had heard, but with the familiarity of a classic country song. It stopped me in my tracks. His growth as a human and creator over the past few years has equally stopped me in my tracks. I’m grateful to be a part of Team Trea Landon and excited for what the future holds!”

Landon is managed by Quinton Digital and booked by Reliant Talent Agency.

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Country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen have signed with Powerhouse Management and will be managed by Kadeem Phillips. Fresh off their appearance at the Country Music Association (CMA) Fest, the duo are currently on tour with The War and Treaty. Phillips also manages TripStar, Raemi and Jai Musiq.

The emerging artists were named one of GLAAD’s New Voices in Country Music and were one of only five acts selected by WXPN’s Black Opry Residency.

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Singer/Songwriter Chris Ryan has secured a WW publishing deal with Liz Rose Music and has signed a management deal with Laguna Madre Management in partnership with Left Right Management. Hailing from Helotes, TX, Ryan moved to Nashville in 2018. His new single, “Edge of Town,” is set for release today (August 2).

He joins a roster that includes Braxton Keith, Emmy Russell, Phil Barton, Cameron Bedell and more.

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Polish composer, cellist, and artist Dobrawa Czocher signed a publishing agreement with Berlin-based Bosworth Music, a Wise Music Group (WMG) subsidiary.

A request collaborator with pianist Hania Rani, the duo’s first album, Biala Flaga, was released in 2015. The WW release of their first full album, Inner Symphonies, was released in 2021 via Deutsche Grammophon. It solidified Czocher and Rani as the youngest composer duo in the label’s history.

Czocher released her debut solo album, Dreamscapes, in 2023 via BMG/Modern Recordings. The album was nominated in six categories at the prestigious German Opus Klassik Awards. Czocher has performed her original music in concert halls across Europe, including venues in London, Berlin, Leipzig, Utrecht, and many more.

Czocher said, “Becoming a member of the Wise Music family is a huge honor for me and a great motivation to grow as an artist. I am proud to find my name amongst incredible musicians who have worked with this great publishing company for many years.

“I witnessed the company’s commitment during the Inner Symphonies tour and recording made with my duo partner Hania Rani. Hania had already been signed to Wise for some time by that point. It was so nice to see the care and belief in her that she is offered by the Wise crew. There was, therefore, no question for me when the opportunity for me to sign also came to me. This is opening a new chapter for my development, especially as a composer.”

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HYBE shared their plans in a letter to the company’s shareholders, detailing a new business plan that the company anticipates will be the key for the company’s “next-level global growth.”

As part of HYBE 2.0, the company will launch HYBE Music Group APAC, which will strengthen the company’s multi-label business model, bringing label operations in South Korea and Japan under one roof.

HYBE also touted the launch of a “Multi-home, Multi-genre” strategy in the U.S., Japan, and Latin America, seeking to develop local talent and establishing a strong presence in each market and attracting fans who might not be traditionally drawn to K-pop.

In the U.S. the strategy will seek to integrate HYBE’s K-pop system into the mainstream music market, including the debut of new artists and expanding K-pop know-how to existing U.S. artists.

As well, HYBE indicated that it plans to focus on developing labels in the U.S. and collaborating with home grown artists. HYBE cited the success of its existing labels such as the country label, BMGL which features artists such as Dolly Parton and Thomas Rhett, and QC, which includes hip-hop artists such as Lil Baby and Lil Yachty. According to HYBE, the two labels catalogs accounted for 50% of HYBE’s total streaming revenue in 2023.

To support their expanded focus on international labels, HYBE also announced plans to launch a new label services division that will be centralized under HYBE America. This new service will combine traditional management in the U.S. with HYBE’s 360 business model, providing services for labels and artists from distribution, marketing, to promotion. The label services team will also faciliate the entry of HYBE’s artists from Korea, Japan, and Latin America, making the process more efficient.

HYBE also highlighted their partnership with Geffen Records under Universal Music Group to debut Katseye, a new U.S. based girl group built on the K-pop model that dropped their first single in June, which will be accompanied by their first mini-album in August. The group is also supported by a Netflix documentary.

In Japan, HYBE will follow a similar course, developing local artists such as their first project, the boy band &Team, who debuted in 2022 and built a regional fan-base through small town concerts before expanding to an arena tour in 2023.

The strategy appears to be paying off for the group after their debut album Samidare, released in May, generated sales of more than 440,000 in the first week.

HYBE’s international focus also includes South America, where the company seeks to capitalize on the strength of the Latin music market. According to HYBE, the company is building out its infrastructure in the region, including a dedicated studio in Mexico City, and is actively recruiting and developing producers and artists, as well as partnerships with local music industry players.

Along with their expansion plans in the physical world, HYBE touted its focus on Weverse, the mobile app fan platform that helps artists to stay connected with their fanbase, while providing an avenue for merch sales.

As part of HYBE 2.0, Weverse will launch a a subscription-based membership system later this year that will serve as a separate service from existing artist fanclub membership, offering expanded contact for dedicated fans.

The service will include features such as a digital membership card, bonus jelly (digital currency) credits, ad-free video viewing, and VOD offline storage. Additionally, optional features may include access to membership-exclusive content and priority participation in events.

In a joint statement, HYBE’s new CEO Jason Jaesang Lee and Representative Director Jiwon Park said:

HYBE has decided that it is time for a new leadership to lead the era of HYBE 2.0, which aims for further advancement of our business and next-level global growth. Under the new leadership, HYBE will leverage creativity and technology to drive the HYBE 2.0 strategy and play a leading role in the global entertainment market. Built on the core elements of music, platform, and tech-driven future growth initiatives, HYBE 2.0 aims to continuously develop our domestic and global music businesses, solidify our position in the evolving superfan market through our platform business, and secure long-term growth drivers through tech-driven future growth initiatives. Additionally, we will remain committed to our fundamental role as an entertainment content company that brings joy to fans and the public, ensuring that we always think from the perspective of the fans rather than as a provider.

To further solidify HYBE’s identity as a leading IP-based content company, we are focusing on enhancing our content production capabilities and uncovering new fan desires to proactively enter emerging markets. This approach is not a departure from our core direction but rather a return to basics—strengthening our fundamental capabilities and designing the future IP and fan engagement business models that consider the evolving market environment. We ask for your continued support as we navigate these efforts under HYBE 2.0.

HYBE deeply appreciates the trust and support of all our shareholders. We are committed to achieving continuous growth and success, working with you to build a brighter future. Your valuable feedback and engagement will always be a great source of strength as we work toward realizing HYBE’s new vision.

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Thompson, who is also a Vancouver native, brings substantial experience to the partnership with a resume that includes publicity, artist management, publishing and writer representation for film and TV.

She got her start in the Pacific Northwest, handling publicity for some of the biggest grunge bands of the 90s. Thompson went on to work in the label world, working with labels such as A&M Records, Maverick Records, 604 Records, Roadrunner, and Universal Music Group before making the jump to music management, representing artists such as Matthew Good Band, Lillix, global touring artist Xavier Rudd, Wake Owl, and author Shane Koyczan.

“I’ve been in the business my entire adult life, and just when you think you might have it dialed, and you’ve gained your more than 1,000,000 hours, an opportunity like this comes along with legends like Arny Granat and Tony Conway, and it gets remarkable again. The Heels are a grippingly talented songwriting trio; their vocals make you forget where you are, and you find yourself in their story. On first listen, they had my full attention. It’s an absolute pleasure to be welcomed into this collective of talent and a management team that has unparalleled success,” Thompson said of her new partnership.

“Christi is the missing ingredient for The Heels. Her outstanding reputation and accomplishments will greatly assist the team. We are excited about her being a part of The Heels’ present and future,” added Arny Granat.

“Christi will be an invaluable asset to both Arny Granat and myself with The Heels. With her stellar reputation in management and marketing, she will take a hands-on approach with the trio and oversee the day-to-day operations,” noted Tony Conway.

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