BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth SEPTEMBERAirplay 11, 2020 Page 1 of 15 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Executive of the Week: Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville),RECORDS debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s lion CEO audience impressions, Barry up 16%). Weiss Top Country• Brain Albums Drain, chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earned 46,000Bankruptcy equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cording to& NielsenMillions Music/MRC Data. andBY totalBILLBOARD Country Airplay STAFF No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends SouthsideUnemployed: marks Where Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chartDo and Concert fourth Workers top 10. It followsThis freshman week, 24kGoldn LP and iann dior’s record “Mood” Goldn is a sensationalYoung’s first writer of six with chart a hostentries, of hits“Sleep in With- MontevalloGo From, which Here? arrived at theclimbed summit intoin No the- top 10 of the Hot 100 in its fourth his pocket. Theout You,” RECORDS reached team No. 2 felt in December this song 2016.had He vember 2014 and reigned for nineweek weeks. on To the date, chart, reaching No. 8 with the distinction urgency andfollowed great commercial with the multiweek appeal No. based 1s “In on Case an You Montevallo• Taylor has Swift’searned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved million Surprisein album sales.Set of top airplay and streaming gainer honors. The track, earworm ofYou” a chorus (three, and January a guitar 2018), lick, “Mercy” which (two, is a August key Montevallo‘Folklore’ Hadhas spent 2020’s 267 weeksreleased on the list, by tying RECORDS/Columbia, has been boosted by underlying 2018)hook andin the “Here song Tonight” as well. (two, April 2019). Luke BiggestBryan’s CrashDebut My — Party as thean sixth-longest-unusual multi-genre appeal, which sees it spend- The song is“Catch” the top completes streaming his longest gainer journey this week to No. 1, Here’s How It’s Still running titles in the chart’s 56-yearing history.its second straight week at No. 1 on the Hot Rock and No. 3 onhaving the Streamingtaken 46 weeks Songs to reach chart. the Whatapex. It out- Onon the Top all-genre Five Weeks Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” & Alternative Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts, strategy have you used to support its success rives at No.Later 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking Montevallowhile. maintaining a slot at No. 5 on the Hot Rap Songs there? a new high. • Department of Hunt first released the EPX2C chart., which debuted It’s a streaming monster as evidenced by it being Justice Argues and peaked at No. 5 on Top CountryAnd Albums that’s helped in August RECORDS 2014. Following CEO COMBS ‘DOES’ theIT AGAIN No. 2 Luke Spotify Combs record’ “Does in theto Me” world (River behind House/Columbia’s TikTok Employee Barry Cardi B Montevallo, Between the Pines: Acoustic Mixtape started at its No. 7 high in Nashville), featuring Eric Church, ascends 11-8 on Country Airplay, up 10% to Can’t Stop Trump’s Weiss earn the title of Billboard’s Executive of the “Wap.” [Ed. Note: Cardi’s business partner, Brooklyn November 2015. 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening ByteDance Ban Week, for helping shepherd the song to huge gains Johnny, was previously Billboard’s Executive of Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly across the board. And while this is the first top 10 for the Week.] He’s a darling at digital service provid- Airplay:• “LeaveSony Music the Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “House Party” and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. 24kGoldn, Weiss isn’t expecting it to be his last. “He’s ers and on TikTok and YouTube, so we’ve built him You MissReaches Me.” “Break$12.7M Up in a Small Town” peaked at No. 2. Church adds his 15th Country Airplay top 10. HuntSettlement co-penned in all 12 songsbeen on Southside building, includingthrough old-fashioned“Body Like a Back artist develop- up from the success of prior singles to get him great Road,” Challengewhich was releasedto in 2017.ment The and smash a series hit ruled of prior Country hits Airplayleading for up to THATthis,” TOOKhe QUITEplacement ‘A FEW’ and MONTHS exposure Travis on Denning all of these shatters platforms the record and for three weeksDecades-Old and the airplay-, streaming-says. “He’s and not sales-based some flash Hot inCountry the pan, Songs one-hit the TikTokmost weeks services.it has taken He’s to penetrate been building the Country through Airplay old-fashioned top 10 as “After chart for a then-record 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - Contracts, Royalty artist that seems to occupy so much of the industry’s artist development and a series of prior hits leading up Florida GeorgiaMethods Line’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. “Downtown’s Dead,” which isattention also on the these new days.” set, reached Nos. 14 and 15 The song surpassesto this. two He’s tracks not that some took flash 50 weeks in the each pan, to enterone-hit the TikToktop 10: on Hot Country Songs and CountryWhat Airplay, were respectively, the key decisionsin June 2018. you “Kin have- Eastonmade that Corbin ’sartist “A Girl that Like seems You,” to which occupy reached so much No. 10 of in the January industry’s 2018 be - folks” led Country Airplay on Feb.led 29, to becomingthe success Hunt’s of “Mood”? seventh No. 1. It hit fore peaking at No.attention 6 that February, these days. and Aaron Watson’s “Outta Style,” which No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017. Barry Weiss: The key decision was choosing this “Mood” is also the top gainer on airplay. What’s Latest single “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker as the single among a bevy of other great candidates. (continued) eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY 970 x 250px 970 x 250px

30300 x0 2 x5 02p5x0px

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been key to bring programmers onboard? California Events Coalition, all of which are The song is a huge word of mouth buzz Brain Drain, calling on Congress to increase aid to live record. That’s a good place to start. That event workers who have been furloughed said, Columbia has done a sensational job Bankruptcy and laid off during the pandemic. As a getting radio on board early as the song is succession of speakers — including, most exploding with the consumer. They did & Millions notably, Social Distortion frontman Mike a fantastic job on his last song, “City Of Ness — took the stage, unemployed workers Angels,” at alternative radio. “Mood” started Unemployed: circled the block, honking horns and waving immediately at that format, followed by Top signs in support. 40 and rhythm crossover. [Columbia execu- Where Do “It was an empty event stage to create tive vp/head of promotions] Peter Gray and what it looks like when large events have no Columbia took a top-down, major-market Concert Workers one attending,” says Nadia Prescher, owner approach from day one. of the Colorado-based booking and man- What is the biggest factor in helping a Go From Here? agement agency Madison House who now record break through today? serves as vp, executive board and founding There are lots of factors that help a record BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN member of NITO, a nonprofit formed by break through these days. This one checks independent management companies and every single box. Big at TikTok, radio, n the evening of Aug. 12, a agencies in the wake of the crisis. “What streaming services, and he was a XXL Fresh- stage was placed in front of the we’re really seeing is the catastrophic nature man cover artist, which was announced as 7,100-capacity Microsoft The- [of the pandemic]. We’re seeing other busi- the single was released. “Poetry in motion” ater at LA Live in Los Angeles, nesses figuring out how to limp along and is the best way to qualify this one. Owhere a crowd of no one was given the get by, with 50% open, 70% open. But this Did you have to adapt any strategies to red-carpet treatment. Forty eight banquet business is 100% shuttered.” help make “Mood” a hit? tables sat empty, each with a klieg light, Temporary Layoffs Turn Permanent The simple answer is that the record is a while a sign on a nearby podium spelled out The rally arrived at a critical time for the one-listen monster global smash. We’re still the symbolism behind the setup: each of the live events industry, which has suffered in the music business and the music is still arrangements were designed to represent mass layoffs since March when the pan- the thing that counts most. 250,000 live event workers, for a total of 12 demic resulted in a widespread shutdown of To nominate the next executive of the week, million — the estimated number of touring venues and festivals in the U.S. and abroad. email [email protected] industry professionals in the U.S. Many of those who lost their jobs were The event, billed as “One Voice: A Day for full-time workers: In California, New York Action in Los Angeles,” was sponsored by and Tennessee alone, more than 23,000 the National Independent Talent Organiza- employees at concert promotion companies, tion (NITO), the Live Events Coalition and venues, agencies and more have lost their

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jobs either permanently or temporarily, maintain the U.S. economy during corona- drops in revenue due to the pandemic, some according to government filings. Millions virus-induced layoffs. When added on top may choose not to participate. Legal chal- more independent contractors are uncount- of state benefits, FPUC payments provided lenges to the order are also possible, given ed. Roughly another 1,000 workers were let laid-off workers with the most generous that Congress, not the President, has control go last week in a new round of Live Nation unemployment program in U.S. history. of federal spending under the Constitution. layoffs, sources tell Billboard, impacting The CARES Act also extended, for the first According to Kevin Erickson, director of the venues across the country. time, unemployment aid to freelancers and Future of Music Coalition, Trump’s order As the pandemic drags on — and with the independent contractors, who would be also excludes people who receive less than return of large-scale live events in 2020, and paid out under a system of state unemploy- $100 per week in state unemployment as- even in 2021, looking less and less likely — ment known as Pandemic Unemployment sistance from qualifying for the $400 boost some of the temporary layoffs have turned Assistance (PUA), funded by the federal — effectively preventing many vulnerable into permanent cuts. At the end of May, government. individuals who have fallen into the mixed- StubHub announced that of the 450 workers The CARES Act kept millions of Ameri- income trap from receiving the extra aid. it furloughed at the beginning of the pan- cans financially afloat during the pandemic, “There’s gonna be a lot of people that demic — roughly two-thirds of its workforce but it had shortcomings. Many unemployed don’t know how to pay for food [or] basic — 200 would be permanently losing their freelance workers with mixed earnings expenses,” says Erickson on the human cost jobs. Lincoln Center in New York suffered a between W2 and 1099 IRS filings fell victim of the FPUC expiration. “And the over- similar blow in June when the organization to a flaw in the bill that resulted in reduced burdened safety net in charitable support was forced to permanently terminate 55 of benefits. If a worker surpassed a minimum systems are going to be even more overbur- the 200 employees it furloughed in March. W2 earnings requirement, they were auto- dened. It’s inexcusable.” Cirque du Soleil, which temporarily laid off matically disqualified from receiving PUA Given the improbability of the $600 ben- 4,679 employees in March — roughly 95% benefits — even if they derived the majority efit being extended, Daryl Friedman, chief of its global workforce — announced the of their income from freelance work — with advocacy officer at The Recording Academy, permanent termination of 3,500 of those that lesser W2 earnings used as a basis for is pushing for a resolution to the mixed- workers at the end of June after filing for their unemployment payments. As a result, income trap that has led to a dependency bankruptcy protection. many came to depend on those now-expired on the FPUC. To that end, the academy That trend is likely to continue as long as FPUC payments to get by. helped craft the Mixed Earner Pandemic Congress’ months-long deadlock on a new According to a Recording Academy snap Unemployment Assistance Act, unveiled in coronavirus relief package drags on — a poll conducted Aug. 6-9, 71.6% of academy the House on July 20, which seeks to fix the situation that has left live event companies, members who responded to the survey were issue that has kept so many from receiving venues and activists with little recourse receiving the $600 FPUC benefit at the the aid they need. but to make increasingly desperate pleas time it expired. With that money now gone, Legislative Priorities Stack Up for action. One priority for these groups is pleas from musician advocates have grown Unemployment assistance is only the getting the Senate-originated RESTART Act increasingly desperate. most pressing issue of many that music — which would set up a system of federally- So far, renewing the $600 weekly benefit industry advocates are lobbying for in the guaranteed low-rate loans for pandemic- appears to be a nonstarter for the Mitch next relief package. Among other bills affected small businesses, including music McConnell-led Senate Republicans, who being pushed by The Recording Academy venues — included in any new aid package. have squashed House Democrats’ HEROES and other allies are the aforementioned An extension of the weekly $600 Federal Act that would extend the $600 payments RESTART Act, which has picked up 134 co- Pandemic Unemployment Compensation through the end of January 2021. They sponsors in the House and 53 in the Senate; (FPUC) benefit for laid-off workers that have instead introduced their own aid bills, the HITS Act in the Senate, which would expired July 31 is also a primary concern. including, most recently, a $300 billion pro- allow independent artists to fully expense Without it, workers in the industry have posal that would offer a $300 weekly federal the cost of studio recordings on their taxes been forced to seek out work in other unemployment benefit through the end of in the first year; the Save Our Stages Act in industries to support themselves and their this year. But that bill died in the Senate on the Senate, which would offer Small Busi- families during the recession. Sept. 10, all but ending hopes for a new relief ness Administration grants to struggling Hopes Dwindle for Extension of $600 package before the November election. theaters and other performance spaces; and Federal Benefit On Aug. 8, Trump signed an executive or- the ENCORES Act in the House, which The FPUC program — part of the CARES der that provides $400 a week in enhanced would provide tax credits to music venues Act relief package President Donald unemployment benefits — $300 of which for refunded tickets. In addition to helping Trump signed into law on March 27 — was would be covered by the federal govern- the companies themselves stay in business, designed as a supplement to traditional ment, $100 by the states. But states must opt many of these bills would also allow them to state unemployment programs that would in and, after experiencing their own sharp keep vulnerable workers on their payrolls. LMW_HOUSE_AD_090920.pdf 1 9/10/20 9:45 AM Page 7 of 15

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While a piecemeal approach to relief work in this industry, because we simply touring shutdown. “People are so super into legislation has been proposed by some in cannot maintain payrolls at full compensa- it that they’re gonna hang on longer than is the event Congress fails to reach a deal on a tion levels right now.” good for them,” she says. broader package, advocates Billboard spoke Still, it is difficult to know when, exactly, Bryant, who went on to work in a variety to for this story are largely skeptical of the large-scale live events will return to the U.S. of marketing roles at Clear Channel, which feasibility of that approach. “I just don’t see Estimates have ranged from summer 2021 became Live Nation, and Feld Entertain- the likelihood of that happening,” says Er- to sometime in 2022, putting unemployed ment, left her most recent job working for ickson of the Mixed Earner bill specifically. music workers in a holding pattern with no the Harlem Globetrotters in February 2019 “I think the path to it getting there would be clear end date. to get her executive MBA from Tulane Uni- through the inclusion in a package.” With the federal unemployment safety versity. The plan, she says, was to use the Unfortunately, the path to getting a broad- net now gone and its reinstatement unlikely, degree to “level up” as a live events market- er package through the partisan gridlock on laid-off live event professionals have no ing executive. Then the coronavirus hit. By Capitol Hill is far from clear. choice but to seek out alternative types of the time she graduated last month, she says “There’s a contingent [in Congress] that work. That could make it difficult to return the industry had been “decimated.” She has doesn’t want this,” says Friedman, who to their old careers when concerts finally now decided to work in brand marketing. spearheaded the Recording Academy’s most return. “I think if a lot of people decide that “I can’t go back into live events.... There’s recent District Advocacy Day on Aug. 12. they’re gonna have to take another job, it’s nowhere to go now,” Bryant says. “But even “There are people in the Senate who don’t gonna be a lot harder for them to want to if I wanted to wait it out, the industry is think they should have another deal.” come back to the industry when it actu- going to have shrunk. Even when they start An Industry “Brain Drain” Depends on ally is paying salaries and stuff,” says Bobby hiring again, which will happen ... there’s When Concerts Return Garza, an Austin event designer who was gonna be a lot of people fighting for very few Because the live events business isn’t furloughed from his job at event producer jobs for a long time.” expected to rebound until at least 2021 Forefront Networks in April. He is cur- The realities of a COVID-19 vaccine are — and because it is more dependent than rently working a part-time contract gig at still unclear and there’s no certainty how most industries on a vaccine or treatment The Long Center for the Performing Arts in concerts will return on a wide-scale when for COVID-19 to resume business — there Austin while supporting two young sons. they start to do so. If it’s with capacity re- is a risk of workers who have spent years Garza, who began working for the Long strictions or other safety measures, as some building their careers in music now being Center in mid-July, considers himself lucky part of the country has begun doing already, forced to abandon them for jobs in other to have been hired right before the $600 profits will be lower and costs will be higher. industries. Traditional state unemploy- federal benefit expired. If not for that, he That means salaries could take a hit too and ment benefits vary by state, but the weekly doesn’t know how he would have gotten employers will need to evaluate what value amount is generally low. In New York and by on state unemployment aid alone. In returning or prospective staff members California — two of the most expensive Texas, the maximum unemployment benefit bring to the job. In the interim, Bryant pre- states in the nation — weekly UI payments amount is 27% of your salary, he says, “Who dicts many long-term live events profession- top out at $504 and $450, just at and below in the world can actually afford to live on als will have left the industry altogether for the national poverty line for a family of four, that?” better-paying, albeit possibly less-fulfilling, respectively. Right now, Garza is committed to remain- jobs, while newcomers may be driven away Stormy Shepherd has experienced this ing in live events for the foreseeable future, as well. “You’re gonna have people who phenomenon personally. A veteran indepen- though he admits he has doubts about his are working in a job they’re not ultimately dent concert promoter and owner of Leave long-term career trajectory in the industry passionate about,” she says, “[and] also the Home Booking in Utah, after the pandemic “about once an hour.” industry is going to lose all this knowledge.” hit, Shepherd was forced to furlough a key Nineteen-year live events veteran Aryn Serona Elton, an associate professor, 15-year employee who went on to secure Bryant has already made the decision to director of the music business & entertain- work elsewhere once the FPUC ran out. She pivot to another field. Bryant tells Bill- ment industries program and associate dean now has a job at a law firm. board she caught the “live event bug” after of administration at the University of Miami “On a personal level, it’s gut-wrenching securing a job at Clear Channel Entertain- Frost School of Music, isn’t so sure. At this to lose someone who’s been your right hand ment in 2001. Due to notoriously long hours point, she sees little risk of a wide-scale, for so long,” says Shepherd. “On a business and often low pay, she says the industry long-term migration away from the industry. level, it would take me at least a year to train tends to weed out those who aren’t passion- “For the people that work on the live someone to do the job that she’s been doing, ate about the work pretty quickly. Bryant side, it has to be the case that they, at this at a minimum. It’s devastating that so many believes it’s that passion that may now stage, are starting to look for other sources of us are losing really good, talented indi- be leading many unemployed live event of income. And surely they will look outside viduals that work for our companies, that workers to be blinded to the realities of the of the music industry to see what else there Page 8 of 15

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is,” says Elton, who has worked in executive under quarantine. equivalent album units in their debut weeks roles at EMI and Warner Music Group and “Surprise records seem to bring in a — and indeed, if Folklore had carried its previously produced the Miami Music Fes- wider amount of people than traditional performance to Lover’s release schedule, tival. “But that doesn’t mean that they have rollouts,” a source at Apple Music tells Bill- it would’ve also managed just one week at left the industry so much as they’re taking board. “They event-ize releases and people No. 1. sort of a forced hiatus from it.” tend to want to be part of those events.” However, it’s not just good timing that’s She continues, “For something that seems But perhaps as the shock of the new and kept Folklore at No. 1: In its last three weeks quite temporary in the landscape of your unexpected wore off, it would recede from atop the chart, the album is also solidly entire career, I don’t think there’s going to blockbuster status, as listeners would turn outperforming how Lover was doing at this be a brain drain that doesn’t come back,” she back to albums that were more traditionally point in their respective release sched- says. “If you told me, ‘Now it’s five years,’ streaming-friendly than a greyscale singer- ules. Folklore has moved 101,000, 98,000 and I’d say OK. Now people start saying, ‘I don’t songwriter set. 90,000 equivalent album units in its fourth, know about this.’” Instead, six weeks into its release, Folk- fifth and sixth weeks of release, where by lore continues to hold uninterrupted comparison, Lover notched 79,000, 65,000 atop the Billboard 200 albums chart. The and 57,000 units in its fourth through sixth Taylor Swift’s reign is not only the longest for a Swift frames. (Swift’s 2017 set Reputation boasted album since 2014’s 1989 held the top stronger numbers than both in its fourth Surprise Set spot for 11 non-consecutive weeks, it’s through sixth weeks, helped in large part by the longest stretch for any album since that period running into the holiday sales ‘Folklore’ Had Drake’s Views spent 13 weeks at No. 1 in season.) 2016. That’s a stunning run for any album, Also, while Folklore hasn’t seen the same 2020’s Biggest let alone one that lists indie-folk paragons level of new-release competition that Lov- Aaron Dessner of The National and Justin er has, it’s hardly been the only album re- Debut — Here’s Vernon of Bon Iver as some of its primary leased by a major artist over the past month- collaborators. plus, as new projects have been dropped by How It’s Still on So how has Folklore managed to hold onto Katy Perry, Nas, The Killers and Luke Bryan that number one spot longer than any other over that period — all artists who have Top Five Weeks album since we had a different president? scored No. 1 albums in the last decade. “Art- Well, timing certainly helps, as does a lack ists continue to release music and their fans Later of major competition from subsequent new are still clamoring for it,” Marian Dicus, vp, releases. In the five weeks following Folk- global co-head of music at Spotify says. “To BY ANDREW UNTERBERGER lore’s gigantic debut, not a single new set has state that Folklore’s success is due to a lack been released that has moved 100,000 such of other releases is underselling Taylor’s ow would the music-listening units in a week — a mark that Folklore itself ability to write songs for the moment, and to public immediately respond to cleared in each of its first four frames. The connect with her fanbase.” one of the steadiest pop stars closest competition Swift has received for Part of the set’s endurance can also be of the 21st century throwing the No. 1 spot since its debut has come from attributed to savvy promotion from Swift Hout her old playbook and releasing a muted posthumous albums dropped weeks before and her team. While Swift skipped the collection of gauzy pop ballads and folky her latest: Pop Smoke’s Shoot For the Stars extended rollout prior to the album’s release acoustic narratives with less than 24 hours’ Aim For the Moon and Juice WRLD’s Leg- with Folklore, she’s taken a page from notice? Quite well, it turns out: Taylor ends Never Die, which between them have many of the most successful artists in 2020 Swift’s Folklore debuted with a massive collectively held the Nos. 2 and 3 spots on and shifted her focus to keeping the set’s 846,000 in first-week album equivalent the Billboard 200 in some order for the past momentum going after its release. That’s units, according to Nielsen Music/MRC five weeks. included waiting until the set’s third week of Data, easily the biggest single week for any Compare that level of competition to that release to sell its physical version in stores, album in 2020. challengers faced by Taylor Swift’s previ- unveiling a deluxe edition on streaming ser- Still, that was just the first week. For an ous set, 2019’s Lover, which reigned for just vices with a new bonus track (“The Lakes”) artist as well-known as Swift making such one week atop the Billboard 200. In the two in its fourth week, and organizing new the- a dramatic left turn, you could probably weeks following that set’s debut week, Lov- matic “chapters” from the set’s songs to then guess that a large chunk of that opening er came up against highly anticipated new be further advertised on streaming services number came from sheer listener curiosity, albums from Tool (Fear Innoculum) and in its fifth week. as news of the album’s impending release Post Malone (Hollywood’s Bleeding). Both All of these tactics have helped keep spread rapidly through a nation still mostly of those LPs moved over a quarter-million interest and consumption of the album up, Page 9 of 15

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and prevented her totals from falling as “[E]ntry of an order that substitutes the dramatically as they might have otherwise. Department views of a single TikTok employee for that “Taylor always has a strong creative vision of the Executive Branch would improperly and connects deeply with her fans,” Dicus of Justice frustrate and displace the President’s exer- says. “As she has with her previous releases, cise of discretion, and would not serve the she continues to lean into utilizing all of Argues TikTok public interest,” states the opposition, which our available tools to bring her fans into her is posted in full below. creative world.” Employee Can’t Trump’s lawyers argue Ryan can’t claim Of course, it would also be myopic to deny his due process rights have been violated one of the simplest explanations when ac- Stop Trump’s “because, even though he is an employee counting for Folklore’s continued excellent of TikTok, the Executive Order does not performance: People really, really like the al- ByteDance Ban directly affect him.” Even if it did, the DOJ bum. It’s Swift’s most acclaimed set to date, argues, Ryan is an employee of a private notching not only her highest critical score BY ASHLEY CULLINS company and doesn’t have “a property inter- (88) on review-aggregating site Metacrit- est in future wages and unearned salary.” ic, but also by far her highest user score (9.2) he Department of Justice argues “And assuming Plaintiff can pursue a sub- as well. (The combination of critical and a TikTok employee’s fear that the stantive due process claim, judicial review is fan enthusiasm for the set has even taken executive order banning transac- ‘a very narrow one,’ meaning the Court must some dark turns, with the few critics who’ve tions with Beijing-based parent ‘merely look to see whether the government been tempered in their praise risking TByteDance will keep him from getting paid could have had a legitimate reason for act- extreme online harassment.) Billboard’s isn’t enough to warrant a temporary re- ing as it did,’” argues the DOJ. “He suggests Paul Grein wrote this week about the straining order that would keep the Depart- that the President has not demonstrated to strong chances of Folklore to score Swift her ment of Commerce from enforcing it. Plaintiff’s satisfaction the significance of the third album prize of the year at this year’s President Donald Trump on Aug. 6 issued threat posed by TikTok, implying that the Grammys. Response to Folklore as a full an order that would bar “any transaction reasons provided in the Order are pretex- album that’s more than the sum of its tracks by any person” with ByteDance or any of tual. As an initial matter, Plaintiff has failed has been resounding enough that the set its subsidiaries. TikTok on Aug. 24 sued, to rebut the presumption of regularity that has been able to buck some of the extreme arguing its due process and first amend- attaches to the President’s decisions.” trends that normally befall surprise albums ment rights were being violated. The same The DOJ also argues Ryan has no busi- on streaming services. day, a technical program manager named ness questioning whether the executive “There is usually a drop off for albums Patrick Ryan sued Trump and U.S. Secretary order was issued in response to a bona fide in general as fans gravitate around their of Commerce Wilbur Ross Jr. arguing that national emergency — and neither does the favorite songs. Surprise records tend to the vaguely worded ban on transactions court. The Trump administration is arguing drop further because they had more initial between U.S. persons and ByteDance could it would be unprecedented for a court to listeners and more touristic ones,” the Apple mean that he can’t get paid. Earlier this tell a president what constitutes a national Music source tells Billboard, before confirm- month, he filed a request for a preliminary emergency because it’s a “nonjusticiable ing that “Folklore in particular has been very injunction that would prevent enforcement political question” and that Congress hasn’t durable. Quality wins out in the end, and of the order. The court suggested that if created a right of action for a private citizen this is really good record that sounds great Ryan was seeking expedited relief he should to challenge a president’s invocation of the as a whole — and listeners are still engaging file a motion for a TRO instead, which he International Emergency Economic Powers with it that way.” did. Act and the National Emergencies Act. In a response filed Thursday, DOJ lawyers “Plaintiff argues he is irreparably harmed argue that Ryan can’t prove he’d be ir- because he allegedly will lose his income reparably harmed by the order because his and will be subject to emotional and repu- concern over lost income is speculative until tational harm,” writes the DOJ in the filing, Ross issues further guidance on Sept. 20 and arguing that not only is that injury specula- loss of money isn’t enough harm to justify a tive but also “it is well-established in this temporary restraining order. The DOJ also Circuit that ‘[m]ere injuries . . . in terms of claims Ryan — who, along with TikTok, has money . . . are not enough.’” alleged the ban is merely part of Trump’s If U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria de- anti-China reelection rhetoric — isn’t tak- cides to grant the TRO, the DOJ argues that ing the national security threat seriously it should only apply to Ryan because he has enough. no standing to assert the interests of other Page 10 of 15

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TikTok employees. A hearing is currently doing, writing in the new agreement that ment and motion for approval below. set for Tuesday. it “believes that this Action lacks merit.” This article originally appeared in THR. However, it entered the settlement “for com. the purpose of avoiding prolonged and Hipgnosis expensive litigation,” and the terms of the agreement have the added effect of help- Acquires Catalog Sony Music ing dozens of artists bring in revenue closer to what they might earn if their recording of The Pretenders’ Reaches $12.7M contracts accounted for the digital age. Sony agrees to pay $12.7 million to affected Sony Chrissie Hynde, Settlement in artists who opt-in to the class action on a pro-rata basis, and also commits to increase Including ‘Back on Challenge to royalties on international streams for those artists’ eligible recordings by 36% from July the Chain Gang’ & Decades-Old 1, 2019 onwards. In a motion for preliminary approval of More Hits Contracts, Royalty the settlement, also filed on Sept. 4, the plaintiff writes that the 36% commitment BY TATIANA CIRISANO Methods will be worth “many millions of dollars and in excess of the common fund, since stream- usic IP investment company BY TATIANA CIRISANO ing is now the most dominant form of music Hipgnosis Songs Fund contin- distribution available. Thus, the settlement ues its recent spending spree ony Music has agreed to pay $12.7 provides substantial and significant relief to with the acquisition of The million to settle a class action law- class members, while eliminating the risk, MPretenders lead vocalist and primary song- suit brought against it by the estate expense, and uncertainty associated with writer Chrissie Hynde’s catalog. of 1950s and ‘60s pop star Rick protracted, contested litigation through trial The deal announced Friday (Sept. 11) SNelson over deductions on foreign stream- and appeals.” gives Hipgnosis 100% of Hynde’s entire ing royalties, according to a new settlement It remains to be seen whether the court music publishing catalog, consisting of 164 agreement filed on Sept. 4. will approve the settlement. songs, including the publishing and writer’s The case is notable because it chal- Nelson — a teen idol who charted numer- share from The Pretenders and her other lenges the historically common practice of ous Hot 100 top 10 hits including “Poor Lit- projects. “intercompany charges,” whereby a global tle Fool,” “Lonesome Town” and “Travelin’ Formed in London in 1978, The Pretend- music company imposes an extra charge on Man” — signed to CBS Records in 1976, four ers achieved widespread commercial suc- revenue collected by subsidiaries overseas, years after his last big hit, “Garden Party.” cess with their self-titled debut album the in part to justify the extra work (and risk) of He died in a plane crash in De Kalb, Texas, following year, widely regarded as one of the releasing physical products in new territo- in 1985; CBS was acquired by Sony in 1987. best debut albums of all-time. The pioneer- ries. However, those charges are harder to Sony Music declined to comment, ing rock band’s biggest hits include “Brass defend in the streaming age, in which case and Billboard has reached out to the attor- in Pocket,” “Talk of the Town,” “Message of the cost of distribution is drastically reduced neys for the Rick Nelson Estate for com- Love,” “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Middle — and decades-old contracts like Nelson’s, ment. of the Road,” “2,000 Miles,” “Don’t Get Me of course, don’t take that shift to digital into In a strikingly similar case in 2018, 1970s Wrong,” “My Baby” and “I’ll Stand By You.” account. funk singer Leonard Williams attempted Eleven albums later, Hynde continues to In the original suit filed in 2018, the Rick to bring a class-action lawsuit on behalf of release music and perform with the band Nelson Estate took issue with Sony add- thousands of artists against Warner Music — while their May 2020 planned tour was ing such a charge to all streaming revenue Group, arguing that the label breached its postponed due to the pandemic, certain collected overseas, through region-specific contracts with those artists by diverting por- dates have been rescheduled to September subsidiaries like Sony Music UK and Sony tions of their payments on foreign streams 2021. Music Australia. Because Sony has total con- to international subsidiaries. However, a “This is very personal for me. Chrissie is trol over its regional affiliates (rather than California federal judge in February 2020 one of my favorite songwriters of all time collecting those royalties through a third rejected the suit, holding that Williams’ and The Pretenders are one of my favorite party), the estate argued, Sony shouldn’t be claims were not typical of all proposed class bands of all time,” Hipgnosis Songs found- taking a deduction off the top. members. er Merck Mercuriadis said in a statement. Sony still vehemently denies any wrong- Read the Nelson v. Sony settlement agree- “Her importance cannot be over estimated Page 11 of 15

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and she has been a powerful role model for Bones, Shovels & Rope, Legacy of Mo- with up to 250 people, but organizers feel women and men all over the globe for 40 town, SUSTO, The Aretha Franklin Tribute the outdoor space alongside the Ashley years.” and Ranky Tanky. River is the most comfortable choice for He added that Hynde’s influence even led “There happens to be a pretty robust fans and artists at the moment. NS2 took him to go vegetarian and then vegan. “That’s music scene in Charleston that features a lot over operations for the Charleston Music the power of great songs and music when of artists that have a national profile such Hall earlier this year, and the Nashville- combined with genuine integrity,” he said. as Shovels & Ropes and SUSTO,” says FPC based arm of FPC Live hopes to welcome “She has this powerful effect on her audi- president Matt Gerding. “We were able to fans back to the venue later this year or in ence which is why they remain so devoted piece together a lineup based on talent that early 2021. and committed after 40 years and why new was right in our backyard, which is both a In the meantime, the series at The Bend generations of fans are constantly attracted great thing in terms of supporting the local is scheduled through November, with Gerd- to her. I’m delighted to welcome her and her music community in Charleston but also ing suggesting it could return in spring or wonderful songs to the Hipgnosis family.” that we can book artists that don’t have to be summer of 2021. Tickets for the series go on Chrissie Hynde was represented by man- part of a routed tour.” sale Friday at 10 a.m. EST. Check out the full ager Ian Grenfell at Quietus Management, The series allows safe social distancing schedule below. lawyer Andrew Myers at Clintons and ac- by providing 250 squares at 10-by-10 feet countant Pat Savage at YMU. each, limiting the squares to a maximum of Hipgnosis Songs Fund has racked up four people per square from the same party. Strictly Discs an impressive string of acquisitions since A six-foot aisle between squares provides its founding in 2018, having spent more ample room for social distancing while in Wisconsin, than $650 million on catalog acquisi- navigating the concert site, and masks are tions as of December 2019. Recent deals required if patrons leave their square to visit in a Pandemic: include the acquisition of independent the facilities. publisher Big Deal Music earlier this Charleston Music Hall venue direc- ‘There Seem to week, as well as (outright or a stake in) the tor Charles Carmody teamed up with FPC catalogs of Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, Wu- Live, which has already held socially distant be Improvements’ Tang Clan’s RZA, Blondie, Barry Ma- shows at an outdoor space at Rose Park nilow, Dion “No I.D.” Wilson and more. Music Hall in Columbia, Missouri. Missouri in USPS Delivery was one of the first states to allow live music events following state-by-state bans on large Times St. Paul & The gatherings enacted in March. Attendees in Charleston will have a two BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Broken Bones, hour window to enter the event space prior to the show and will be let out by row at the n October 1988, Angie Roloff and her Shovels & Rope end of the evening. Hand sanitizer will be husband Ron opened Strictly Discs in readily available and concessions will not be Madison, Wisconsin, after Ron left a Playing South offered to help mitigate the risk of spreading career in the biomedical research field COVID-19. Fans can bring their own food Ito pursue his love of music full time. Nearly Carolina Socially- and beverage to be enjoyed in their pods and 31 years later, the couple made the difficult are allowed to bring or rent chairs and other decision to shutter in-store operations Distanced Shows furniture. An option to rent furniture will be due to COVID-19, roughly a week before emailed to ticket buyers, made possible by Governor Tony Evers forced a mandatory BY TAYLOR MIMS OOH Events. shutdown of all non-essential businesses. “We certainly learned a lot by operating Now that the Wisconsin Supreme Court romoters NS2 and FPC Live have our outdoor space in Columbia, Missouri, has overturned Evers’ stay-at-home order teamed up with Charleston Music and kind of fine tuning our operational plans — ruling it “unlawful” and “unenforceable” Hall to produce a socially-dis- and being able to see how patrons have re- — the Roloffs and their employees have tanced concert series in Charles- sponded to those guidelines that we’ve cre- reopened the store. Pton, South Carolina. The “Around the Bend” ated,” Gerding tells Billboard. “It’s allowed As part of Billboard’s efforts to best cover series will be held from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14 at us to have Columbia function a little bit like the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts outdoor venue The Bend. a test market for us for other opportunities.” on the music industry, we will be speak- The multi-week series will feature per- Based on South Carolina guidelines, ing with Roloff regularly to chronicle her formances from St. Paul & The Broken Charleston Music Hall is allowed to operate experience throughout the crisis. (Read the Page 12 of 15

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previous installment here and see the full Absolutely. Espeically after the summer series here.) that they’ve had, they’ve probably felt con- “Tattoo” Grants How did Record Story Day go? fined and are ready to blow out the cobwebs It went really well. We were nervous. and have some fun, which we can all relate Rauw Alejandro There’s always a little bit of anxiety that to. But it might have some really dire con- goes with Record Store Day, because it’s clusions. & Camilo Second such a big day and so many people come in There’s been the big Jacob Blake sto- and out of the store and you want them to be ry going on in Kenosha, which is I think a No. 1 on Latin happy and satisfied. And then of course this couple hours from you guys? year we just didn’t know what to expect, Yeah, about an hour and a half. Airplay Chart so there was anxiety with that. But it was Have those protests spread to Madi- really, really smooth, and people were happy son? BY PAMELA BUSTIOS and smiling behind their masks. We really There have been protests downtown, and felt like it was a victory. there was one night of some conflict with auw Alejandro and Camilo earn And it was pretty brisk, business wise? police. Otherwise it’s been peaceful. But I their second No. 1 on the Latin It was, yeah. It was busy all day. Us doing think it just, unfortunately, reminds us that Airplay chart as “Tattoo” hikes the register outside instead of inside got us we have a lot of open wounds everywhere. 4-1 on the Sept. 12 survey. through the line really quickly, so that was Is there anything else you wanted to R“Tattoo” tops the chart with 13 million in an extra bonus. Because that was a concern, mention? audience impressions, up 23%, earned in the having people waiting outside for a long pe- Last time we talked a lot about the post week ending Sept. 6, according to Nielsen riod of time. We actually were able to open office. There seem to be improvements, as Music/MRC Data. the store for essentially normal business at far as speed of at least domestic deliveries, The original version of “Tattoo,” released 10, which is when we normally open on a since we talked two weeks ago, so that’s Feb. 13 via Sony Music Latin, was produced Saturday. We figured it would have taken great. I still think, by and large, people feel by Los Honeyboos (Rafa Rodríguez, Daniel us about four hours to get through the line optimistic. We really felt that on Record Rondon) and Mr. Nais Gai. It is one of 17 of people that were waiting outside, but Store Day, when people chose to come out tracks of Rauw Alejandro’s live album Con- instead we were able to get through that even with everything that’s going on. And I cierto Virtual en Tiempos de COVID-19 Desde and open the doors to the shop and proceed think people are anxious to persevere and el Coliseo de Puerto Rico which peaks at almost like a normal Saturday. keep some status quo things to the best of No. 8 on the current Latin Rhythm Albums How’s everything else going? their ability. chart and at No. 10 on the overall Top Latin Everything else is going okay. Classes on I feel like we just can’t go back to the Albums chart. [the University of Wisconsin - Madison] level of shutdown that we had in the “Tattoo” was assisted by its pop-tinged campus start on Tuesday, so we’re kind beginning of the pandemic. Does it feel remix with Colombian Camilo, released of just waiting to see how that goes. Even that way to you too, or do you still have July 11. It was also produced and composed today, the news on campus isn’t so good as this fear like ‘Oh my god, they might try by Los Honeyboos and Mr. Nais Gai and far as the spread of COVID, and so we’ll see to shut me down again’? composed by Alejandro, Camilo, Elena Rose, what the next week to two holds. I completely agree with what you said. I José M. Collazo, Eric Pérez Rovira, Eliel Are you referring to the sororities and think it would be very hard to go back, and I Lind Osorio, Aneudy Maysonet and Evaluna fraternities where they had outbreaks? think it would have to take something really Montaner. Yes. dire for people to get on board with some- “Tattoo” concurrently peaks at No. 7 on Did you expect something like this was thing that was so drastic as far as the change the current Hot Latin Songs chart, which going to happen? in lifestyle. What we’ve seen is masks and blends airplay, digital sales and streaming I’ve been reading this week about some distancing seem to work very well. I think as data, a career high for the Puerto Rican. other universities, both the successes and long as we keep going that route, hopefully “Tattoo” also sees improvement else- the failures they’ve had, and it just didn’t we can all enjoy some freedom. where on the Latin charts: It equally climbs seem like here we were going to be set up 4-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay and moves necessarily to knock it out of the park, so 13-12 on Latin Streaming Songs despite a to speak. So I think we were all just kind 2% decline in streams. of waiting to see when some of this news The song is part of a TikTok challenge would trickle out. with over 2.6 million videos posted by users. I mean, you get a bunch of college stu- Its hashtag #TattooChallenge has garnered dents together and they’re gonna do not more than 633 million views. smart things sometimes, right? Kyen?Es? Arrives: Over on the Tropi- Page 13 of 15

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cal Airplay chart, Saban Music Group’s walked out of the Ryman with COVID-19, tarian Ken Burns; writer and director Kyen?Es? score their first No. 1 on a Latin we would not be able to forgive ourselves. Judd Apatow and the Avett Brothers; and airplay chart as the collaborative “El Car- We are making new plans to celebrate the Tucker, Lee Ann Womack and Brandy naval de Celia: A Tribute (La Vida Es Un nominees and to proclaim the winners later Clark. Carnaval/ La Negra Tiene…)” jumps 2-1 with this fall, and we hope to have details on that 8 million in audience (up 43%) earned in the shortly.” week ending Sept. 6. If the Americana Awards had gone ahead Bernie Williams The reimagination draws inspiration from with their Sept. 16 show, it would have Celia Cruz’s classic hits: “La Vida es Un conflicted with the 55th Annual Academy Launches Carnaval” (No. 27 peak on Tropical Airplay, of Country Music Awards, which are being 2003), “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” (No. 4 held in Nashville for the first time. ‘Breathless’ peak, 2002) and “Rie y Llora” (11-week No. This year’s nominations for the Ameri- 1, 2003). cana Honors & Awards were announced Songwriting “El Carnaval…” also sees progress else- on June 15. Even then, there was a note of where on the Latin charts: it surges Latin uncertainty about whether the show at the Challenge in Dad’s Airplay with a 17-5 hike, and debuts at No. Ryman would actually happen. A message 27 on Hot Latin Songs. from the Americana Music Association that Memory day said “We are consistently monitoring the evolving situation regarding COVID-19 BY LEILA COBO Americana Music and will keep you posted as we approach the ceremony date.” hen Bernabé Williams died Association The late John Prine, who won artist of of idiopathic pulmonary the year a record three times, is vying for a fibrosis (IPF), his son – Pulls the Plug on record-extending fourth award in that cat- fabled New York Yankees egory. Prine died on April 7 at age 73. all-timeW great Bernie Williams—could do Americana Honors Brandi Carlile, who won artist of the little but watch. year last year, is also nominated in the cat- That was back in 2001, but IPF remains a & Awards at egory. She is vying to become just the third rare and serious lung diseases with no cure repeat winner in the category, following in sight. Ryman Auditorium Prine and Buddy Miller. Now, Williams – a five-time All Star who The other three nominees are Brittany played 16 years with the Yankees – is turn- BY PAUL GREIN Howard, leader of Alabama Shakes, who ing to music to honor his father and at the released her solo debut album Jamie; Tanya same time raise awareness surrounding IPF. he 19th annual Americana Honors Tucker, who won a Grammy for best coun- Williams, a classically trained acoustic and & Awards are the latest awards try album for While I’m Livin’, and Yola, a jazz guitarist who has released two albums show to fall victim to COVID-19. Grammy nominee for best new artist. and is known for his soulful melodies, has The Americana Music Associa- Hilly noted that COVID-19 has thwarted launched the “Breathless Ballad Challenge.” Ttion, which sponsors the event, announced the American Music Association’s fundrais- It begins with a Williams-penned in- on Friday (Sept. 11) that this year’s show, ing efforts. “Currently, the team in Nashville strumental song, “Para Don Berna,” that planned for Sept. 16 at the Ryman Audito- is focused on our Thriving Roots: A Virtual Williams wrote for his father. The chal- rium in Nashville, has been canceled. Community Music Conference (Sept. 16-18) lenge asks others to help finish the song by In a letter in which his disappointment in hopes of bringing our tribe together on- submitting lyrics to his musical tribute. The was palpable, Jed Hilly, executive director line, and to help to offset the huge losses Breathless Ballad Challenge is part of the of the Americana Music Association, wrote: we have suffered due to the pandemic and “Breathless” national campaign launched “Despite all our hope, logistical wrangling the cancellation of AMERICANAFEST by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, and passion, we have concluded that it 2020. We have also initiated a fundraising Inc., which seeks to educate people who would not be safe to conduct the Americana campaign to support our newly created may have IPF and urge them to seek early Honors & Awards at the wonderful and his- Foundation. You can read more about how diagnosis and treatment. Lyric submissions toric Ryman Auditorium next Wednesday, to support our mission here.” to the challenge will be accepted through September 16. The Thriving Roots conference features September 15, strictly via the submission “We’ve carefully evaluated safety mea- 15 conversation sessions including Carlile form found in www.BreathlessBallad.com. sures both with an audience and without. and Yola; Jackson Browne and Mavis There, writers can also listen to “Para It is our conclusion that if just one person Staples; Emmylou Harris and documen- Don Berna.” A panel of blue ribbon judges Page 14 of 15

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with determine the winner, who will get to record “Para Don Berna” with Williams. Andrew Selena Gomez Winners will be announced in October. McMahon to Be Honored at Travis Scott Extends Drive-In Hispanic Heritage Unleashes Second Concert Series Awards

Cactus Jack With Chicago BY PAUL GREIN for McDonald’s Performances elena Gomez will receive the Arts Award during the 33rd Hispanic Merch Drop BY TAYLOR MIMS Heritage Awards, which will air Oct. 6 on PBS stations and BY RANIA ANIFTOS ndrew McMahon will continue Sstreamed on PBS.org. his sold-out drive-in tour with At the same ceremony, Bad Bunny will a-da-ba-ba-bah, Travis Scott is three more shows in Chicago. receive the Vision Award, as previously loving it. From Oct. 2-4, McMahon will announced, and actress Jessica Alba will Just days after the rapper performA for crowds live from the lot at Scha- receive the Business Award for her entre- unveiled wave one of his capsule umburg Boomers Stadium. preneurial and philanthropic activities. Bmerch collection with McDonald’s, through The shows will continue the 15th anni- Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there his existing partnership with the iconic versary of his former group Jack’s Man- will not be a live ceremony. The PBS special burger chain, the second drop arrived on nequin album Everything in Transit, which will feature filmed performances from Thursday (Sept. 10). he will play from start to finish plus other across the U.S. and Latin America. The new collection features short and popular songs from Andrew McMahon in The awards were created by the White long sleeved tees, as well as hoodies, sweats, the Wilderness and Something Corporate. House in 1987 and commemorate the estab- slippers, key-chains and hats all featuring Seattle-based singer and songwriter Mel- lishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in the designs nodding to a little bit of Trav and a ody Federer will open all of the Chicago U.S. little bit of Mickey D’s. A number of items dates. Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO in the capsule also feature the “Live From The anniversary celebration kicked of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, said in Utopia” slogan, in reference to Scott’s much- off earlier this summer where McMahon a statement that he is “thrilled to recognize teased upcoming album. played three sold-out drive-in concerts Selena Gomez with the Arts Award for her As previously reported, the popular (July 10-12) in Anaheim, Calif. and another impact on American and global culture fast-food brand teamed up with the As- two sold-out shows in Oceanport, N.J. Fans through her music [and] movies but also troworld star for a nationwide promotion can still watch the performance on-demand for her courage as an advocate for mental around his “signature” meal: a quarter- with a portion of the proceeds of all streams health.” pounder with cheese, bacon and lettuce going to the foundation. The concerts have In April of this year, Gomez revealed that with a medium order of fries and BBQ sauce already raised over $80,000 on behalf of she has bipolar disorder. She has discussed to dip. The $6 order is complete with a McMahon’s Dear Jack Foundation, which her condition in several interviews. Sprite. Scott and McDonald’s are supporting helps the fight against adolescent and young In his statement, Tijerino praised charitable organizations during the month- adult cancer. Gomez’s courage in opening up about her long program. In July McMahon released his new song mental health challenges. “There’s power in Scoop up the new merch drop here. “Get On My Wave.” The song, produced by vulnerability and Selena has made it okay to King Tuff, was performed live for the first talk about difficult issues we all deal with, time at McMahon’s sold-out drive-in shows especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. in Orange County, Calif. Check out the video Selena is a role model for so many for so for his new single below. many reasons.” Tickets for the Chicago dates go on sale Gomez, 28, has been a pop star for more Sept. 16. Each vehicle is allowed a maximum than a decade, first as the leader of Selena of six people. Gomez & the Scene, and since 2013 as a solo artist. All three of her solo studio albums, Stars Dance, Revival and Rare, Page 15 of 15

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have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In November 2019, “Lose You to Love Me” be- Harry Styles Is came her first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. Returning to the Remarkably, Gomez has yet to be nomi- nated for a Grammy. That could change Silver Screen With when the nominations for the 63rd annual Grammy Awards are announced later this This Star-Studded year. Movie

‘BTS Universe BY MIA GALUPPO

Story’ Interactive hree years since making his fea- ture acting debut in Christopher Game to Release Nolan’s Dunkirk, Harry Styles has chosen his next onscreen role. This Month TStyles will star in Olivia Wilde’s directo- rial effort Don’t Worry Darling at New Line, BY RANIA ANIFTOS joining an already-announced cast that includes Florence Pugh, Chris Pine and etmarble announced on Thurs- Dakota Johnson. day (Sept. 10) that its new inter- Styles will replace Shia LaBeouf, who had active social game, “BTS Uni- previously been attached to the project. verse Story,” will be arriving on Details on the film are being kept secret NSept. 24. but the setting is an isolated, utopian com- The game allows players to participate in munity in the 1950s California desert and the development of stories within the game centers on a housewife who uncovers a by selecting choices that lead to various out- disturbing truth about her seemingly perfect comes. “BTS Universe Story” also provides a life. “Story Creation” mode, where users can cre- This article originally appeared on The ate their own story using in-game produc- Hollywood Reporter. tion tools, plus “Story Playthrough” mode that lets players select choices in pre-exist- ing stories. “Collection” mode gives players the ability collect clothes and accessories to style the characters in the BTS Universe, plus the option to capture AR photos with their customized characters. The “BTS Daily Photo Card Event” is now available here, giving players an advance look at BTS Universe Story until September 17. The event features photo cards with a character from the BTS Universe that is updated daily. Once a photo card is secured, players can keep the card or share it with other players. For more information on BTS Universe Story, please visit the official site or follow BTS Universe Story on Twitter and You- Tube.