Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE JULY 27, 2021 Page 1 of 22

INSIDE SiriusXM Adds Self-Pay Satellite

• China Regulator Radio, Pandora Subscribers Orders Tencent Music to End BY GEORG SZALAI Exclusive Licensing Deals With Labels Audio entertainment giant SiriusXM, the home with adjusted earnings before interest interest, of , said on Tuesday that it added taxes, depreciation and amortization up 14 percent • SBA Has Awarded Howard Stern Over 10,000 self-paying subscribers in its satellite radio and to $700 million. Quarterly net income of $433 mil- Shuttered Venue Pandora units during the second quarter and raised lion rose from $243 million. Grants Totaling $7.5B its financial forecast for the full year 2021. SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz said: “SiriusXM The company added 118,000 net self-pay sub- added an impressive 355,000 net new self-pay • Live Music Biz Generated $132.6B in scribers in its Pandora music streaming business, subscribers in the quarter, putting us on track to Economic Activity in ending the second quarter in June with 6.5 million add 1.1 million self-pay subscribers this year – our 2019, Study Finds total users, compared with nearly 6.4 million as of best since 2018 – and we are increasing all of our the end of March. financial guidance.” • ‘Girl Crush’ Writer Lori McKenna Sells The audio giant, controlled by John Malone’s This article was originally published by Catalog in Deal With Liberty Media, said that at its core SiriusXM The Hollywood Reporter. Concord, Pulse & business self-pay subscriber net additions came Creative Nation: to 355,000 in the latest quarter, compared with Exclusive 264,000 in the year-ago period. It lost 378,000 paid • Britney Spears Taps promotional subs. The firm’s total SiriusXM users CPA to Take Over As at the end of June stood at 34.5 million, including a Conservator of Her record 31.4 million self-pay customers. Estate Second-quarter advertising revenue at Pandora • Whiskey Jam rose 82 percent to $383 million, with the company Celebrates 10 Years citing “strong monetization” and the acquisition of as a ‘Rite of Passage’ Stitcher in the fourth quarter of 2020. for Nashville Artists SiriusXM’s total second-quarter revenue of $2.16 & Songwriters billion was up 15 percent from the year-ago period, (continued)

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ON SALE : 8/7 | AD CLOSE: 7/28 | MATER IAL S DUE: 7/29 CONTACT

Sp ue Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] LE Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] 21 Cynthia Mellow 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Ryan O’Donnell +447843437176 | [email protected]

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refraining from other measures that could NetEase Cloud Music, which in May ap- China Regulator help TME reassert its dominant market plied to go public on the Stock Exchange of status, the regulator said. Hong Kong, said it “firmly supports SAMR’s Orders Tencent Tencent Music, in a regulatory filing penalty” on Tencent, according to a state- on Monday with the U.S. Securities and ment posted on Saturday on the company’s Music to End Exchange Commission, said it is “committed Weibo account. NetEase added that it to complying with all requirements set forth “promises to actively fulfill its platform Exclusive in the [SAMR] decision fully and in a timely responsibilities” including not signing ex- manner.” The company said it will imple- clusive online music copyright agreements Licensing Deals ment a “rectification plan” that includes and to “resist driving up copyright prices.” terminating exclusive music copyright The action was the latest of the antitrust With Labels licensing arrangements within 30 days of watchdog’s wide-ranging penalties through- the decision, which was handed down on out the country’s tech sector in recent BY KYLE MULLIN AND ALEXEI Saturday (July 24). months, including the July 7 fining of Ten- BARRIONUEVO Shares of TME fell 3% on Monday to cent Holdings and other tech titans Alibaba, $10.46 a share. Amid China’s regulatory Didi, Suning and Meituan, for failing to EIJING — China’s antitrust crackdown, the stock has fallen 67% since report their prior merger arrangements for regulator has ordered Tencent hitting a high of $31.79 on March 23. (Since anti-monopoly assessment. Music Entertainment to end its Tencent Music went public on the New York As TME noted in its SEC filing, the regu- practice of making exclusive Stock Exchange in 2018, its market cap has lator’s decision stemmed from parent com- Blicensing deals with major record labels, a fallen from $21 billion to $18 billion.) pany Tencent Holdings Inc.’s acquisition decision that is likely to further chip away at The long-rumored action by the SAMR in 2016 of China Music Corporation, from the dominance of the Chinese music stream- makes official that the Chinese govern- which the newly-renamed Tencent Music ing player. ment will not allow Tencent Music to Entertainment added the popular Kugou China’s State Administration for Market grow unchecked and at the expense of its and Kuwo music streamers. Those plat- Regulation (SAMR) said Shenzhen-based competitors. And it opens the door for rivals forms, along with QQ Music, have allowed TME must forgo its music copyright fees, in- like NetEase Cloud Music to make further Tencent to control 77% of China’s monthly cluding high advance payments to copyright inroads in China’s streaming market. active users among the country’s top five owners, by the regulator’s 30-day deadline “An opportunity has indeed arisen for streaming apps, according to a December of late August. China’s online music market to beat the for- assessment by QuestMobile, a Chinese Going forward, the company must also mer market dominant TME,” You Yunting, research company. seek approval before requiring copyright an intellectual property rights attorney at Tencent grew faster through exclu- owners to offer it preferential licensing Debund Law Offices in Shanghai, tells Bill- sive deals with the majors for use of their terms over its competitors, while also board. international catalogs on TME’s streaming

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DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS 2021 ERIKA RECORDS INC. 40TH ANNIVERSARY

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Erika Records Inc. CONTACTS founded in 1981 by Erzsebet Liz Dunster, making the company the first ever woman owned vinyl record Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] pressing plant. Originally started as a heavy metal label Dunster scouted bands at legendary venues such as the Lee Ann Photoglo Troubadour and sold records out of the trunk of her Pinto. 615.376.7931 | [email protected] She had one goal in mind: save enough to open her own pressing plant for the sake of creative freedom. She Cynthia Mellow wanted to elevate vinyl records beyond the standard 615.352,0265 | [email protected] round record. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] The company’s DIY approach and commitment to the evolution of vinyl has been key to the success of Erika Ryan O’Donnell Records over the past four decades. The company is a +447843437176 | [email protected] leader in both standard and custom vinyl manufacturing having made puzzle piece records, flower petal records, etch-picture disc combination records, and more. Today Erika Records operates out of a 36,000 square foot facility with over 40 running presses in Buena Park, California and is the only 100% lead free pressing plant. Over the years they have produced vinyl for independent and mainstream artists alike such as The Locust, Nirvana, Snoh Aalegra, MF Doom, Tame Impala, SZA, and Lady Gaga.

ISSUE DATE 8/7 | AD CLOSE 7/28 | MATERIALS DUE 7/29 BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 5OF of 1922

ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country platformsAlbu — dealsms; for which Brett competitors Y oungthan it could ‘Catc have been.h The’-es SAMR Fifthmade Airplay say the company routinely overpaid. (Andy no mention of Tencent Music’s new release SBA Has Awarded Ng, a TME Leagroup vp,der; has told Billboard Travis that partnershipsDenning or exclusive Makes deals with artists History the prices were in line with projections of like Mandopop star Jay Chou — for whose Over 10,000 streaming users.) songs NetEase paid TME nearly $3 million SamAnd Hunt Tencent’s second has studio also capitalized full-length, andon first in overto sub-licensefive years, Southside in 2018, accordingsales (up 21%) to court in the trackingShuttered week. On Country Airplay, Venueit hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCAlisteners Nashville/Universal who do not use Music its services, Group Nashville), sub- debutsfilings at No. in 1 on China. Billboard’s lion audience impressions, up 16%). Toplicensing Country its Albums exclusive chart distribution dated April 18.deals In its to first weekAnd (ending for now, April at9), least, it Tencent has avoided earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITHGrants YOUNG Brett Young Totalingachieves his fifth consecutive cordingits competitors to Nielsen for Music/MRC two to three Data. times what dreaded forced divestituresand total of any Country of its Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends it pays,Southside NetEase marks CEO Hunt’sWilliam second Ding No. 1 claimed on the steaming platforms. Kugou and Kuwo boast $7.5B2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chartpublicly and lastfourth year. top 10. It follows freshman LP the first and third most monthly active users Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- Montevallo, which arrived at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He Ahead of the regulator’s decision, Tencent (MAUs) in China, with more than 245 mil- BY TAYLOR MIMS vemberMusic was2014 alreadyand reigned moving for nine away weeks. from To itsdate, lion and 169 million, respectively, accord- followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionpractice in ofalbum pushing sales. for exclusive deals, in ing to QuestMobile. TME’s own QQ Music You” (three,growing January number2018), “Mercy” of live (two, entertain August- partMontevallo because has of spentpressure 267 weeks from on the the majors. list, tying In platform ranks second at over 194 million 2018) and “Herement Tonight”businesses (two, have April received 2019). Lukethe past Bryan two’s Crash years, My Universal Party as the Music sixth-longest- Group, MAUs. NetEase Cloud Music is fourth with “Catch”good completes news his from longest the journey Small Busito No.- 1, runningSony Music titles andin the Warner chart’s 56-yearMusic history.Group have 151 million. having takenness 46 Administration weeks to reach the (SBA). apex. AsIt out of - decidedOn the toall-genre diversify Billboard their distribution 200, Southside and ar - China’s recorded-music business has todayApaces (July the 30-week 27), more climb than of “Here 10,000 Tonight.” indepen- rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG afterleverage the No. intensifying 3-peaking Montevallo competition. for better grown at an unparalleled pace over the denta new venues, high. promoters, talent representa- dealsHunt offered first released by NetEase the EPX2C Cloud, which Music debuted and past five years. It shot up 278% from $209.4 tives and more have been notified of their andothers. peaked at No. 5 on Top Country Albums in Augustmillion 2014. in Following2016 to $791.9 COMBS million ‘DOES’ in 2020, IT AGAIN ac- Lukesuccessful Combs ’applications “Does to Me” (Riverfor the House/Columbia Shuttered MontevalloA large percentage, Between the of Pines: music Acoustic has already Mixtape startedcording at its to No. IFPI, 7 high with in streamingNashville), accounting featuring Eric ChurchVenue, ascendsOperators 11-8 Grant on Country (SVOG). The Airplay, up compa 10% to- Novemberbeen available 2015. on all Chinese stream- for 90.5% of last year’s revenue.24.7 million in audience. Thenies, song which is Combs’ were eighth some straightof the hardest hit by career-opening 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 Airplay:ing services, “Leave with the Night the key On,” holdouts “Take Your being Time,” “House Party” and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. the pandemic, have collectively been Youhigh-profile Miss Me.” “BreakChinese Up artistsin a Small and Town” indepen peaked- at No. 2. Church adds his 15th Countryawarded Airplay more top than $7.510. billion of the $16 dentHunt labels, co-penned says Kyle all 12 Bagley songs on, CEO Southside of the, including “Body Like a Back billion the federal government set aside for Road,”Shanghai-based which was releasedmusic marketing in 2017. The company smash hit ruled Country Airplay for THAT TOOK QUITE ‘A FEW’the MONTHS program Travis back Denning in December. shatters the record for threeGroove weeks Dynasty. and the “As airplay-, the music streaming- available and sales-basedon Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken toThe penetrate program, the Country the first-of-its-kind Airplay top 10 as grant “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 - Floridaall services Georgia begins Line to’s “Meant level out, to Be” we’ll (50 hope weeks- atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. initiative for the SBA, has faced a number of fully“Downtown’s see the platforms Dead,” which working is also to on improve the new set, reached Nos. 14 and 15 The song surpasses two tracksissues that since took attempting 50 weeks each to open to enter applications the top 10: ontheir Hot product Country in Songs other and ways Country to attract Airplay, or respectively, in June 2018. “Kin- Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Likeon You,” April which 8, including reached failedNo. 10 inportal January launch 2018 be- - folks”retain led users,” Country he says.Airplay on Feb. 29, becoming Hunt’s seventh No. 1. It hit fore peaking at No. 6 that February,es, delays and and Aarontechnical Watson’s issues “Outta. Style,” which No.Despite 3 on Hot the Country order Songs. on exclusive catalog achieved its No. 10 high in December“That’s 2017. a major milestone for us to 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 deals, the regulator’s action was less severe mark the real turnaround of this pro- 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 ON SALE: AUG. 28, 2021 40 UNDER 40

On August 28th, Billboard will publish its annual 40 CONTACTS : Under 40 Issue, celebrating the next generation of leaders in the music industry. This issue will profile Joe Maimone | 201.301.5933 40 power players who are making their mark in music, [email protected] touring and live entertainment. Lee Ann Photoglo | 615.376.7931 These progressive young leaders’ innovation and [email protected] creativity will continue to create excitement in the music business. Cynthia Mellow | 615.352,0265 Advertise in this issue to reach the music industry’s [email protected] most influential and affluent - from the young disrupters to the seasoned veterans - who paved Marcia Olival | 786.586.4901 the way. [email protected] ON SALE : 8/28 | +447843437176 Issue Close: 8/18 Ryan O’Donnell Materials Due: 8/19 [email protected] Page 7 of 22

IN BRIEF

gram,” the SBA’s senior advisor for COVID tions submitted, another roughly 1,260 ap- programs Deidra Henry-Spires tells Bill- plications have been notified of the need Live Music board. “We’ve recovered our momentum for technical corrections and more than with this program. We can keep moving. We 2,500 applications have been declined. Just Biz Generated won’t rest until it’s all done.” under 600 applications are left to be The 10,000 milestone means nearly “decisioned” (meaning the SBA hasn’t yet $132.6B in 65% of applicants have been notified of an come to a decision on eligibility), which impending award and, according to SBA Henry-Spires believes will be reviewed by Economic Activity data, more than $6 billion in grants have hit next week. Beginning Aug. 2, Henry-Spires bank accounts. As of July 26, more than says the SBA will begin reconsidering grant in 2019, Study 15,400 applications had been submitted amounts for those who were not given the for the grant program, requesting a total of full amount they believe they are entitled Finds $12 billion. to. On Aug. 4, the SBA will begin accepting “When I began my tenure at the SBA, appeals from entities who believe they were BY DAVE BROOKS this first-of-its-kind SVOG program was not wrongly declined for an award. where I wanted it to be,” SBA administra- “These two programs (reconsideration oncerts are one of the top eco- tor Isabel Casillas Guzman said in a state- and appeals) weren’t imagined in the stat- nomic drivers in the U.S. and will ment. “I’m proud that, thanks to the hard ute,” says Henry-Spires, who adds that they be a critical financial engine for work and dedication of our talented team, were created due to urging from stakehold- igniting the economy once the we have turned the ship around. America’s ers. It’s a “second opportunity to plead your Cpandemic has ended, a new study finds. small businesses can rest assured that the case with strong financial documentation Titled “The Concerts and Live Entertain- SBA will continue to work around the clock that makes a good case for the American ment Industry: A Significant Economic to provide the relief that is needed to revi- taxpayer, because we take our duty to Engine” and produced by Oxford Econom- talize local economies and build back better protecting their funds incredibly, incredibly, ics, a 40-year-old private venture with from the pandemic and economic crisis.” seriously.” Oxford University’s business college, the re- In approximately seven weeks, the SBA For those entities appealing de- port was commissioned by Live Nation and has gone from awarding just over 100 grants clines, Henry-Spires says a different breaks down the domestic economic impact on June 10 to more than 10,000 to date. In review team will look over the applica- of concerts from 2019, the last year concerts mid-June, the SVOG program within the tion again and give an “opportunity under a took place unencumbered. The report found SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance brought new set of eyes to see if we made a mis- that the concert business, defined “all live on the team that previously spearheaded take, if something else should have been musical performances, such as festivals and a quick rollout of out the Restaurant done or you should have received an award.” concerts, and comedy shows held in amphi- Revitalization Fund, which opened in Following appeals and reconsiderations, theaters, clubs, theaters, arenas, stadiums, May. Henry-Spires tells Billboard that the SBA will open the process for access- and other venues,” was valued at $132.6 Casillas Guzman made it a priority to assist ing supplemental grants. Applicants who billion that year. The study also found that the smallest of businesses, with more than were approved for grants in the first two the live biz employs 900,000 people with two-thirds (about 6,400) of awards going to tiers — those who lost 70% or more of their associated labor income of approximately companies with 10 or fewer employees. revenue in 2020 — will not need to resubmit $42.2 billion. Not included in the report are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schum- an application to receive additional fund- theater, Broadway, sporting events, and fam- er (D – NY) – who has been a strong advo- ing. As of today, $12 billion of the more than ily shows. cate for the grant program – says he’s “so $16 billion grant funds had been requested “Beyond its important cultural contribu- happy that the live entertainment and other by initial applicants, which would leave at tions, the concert and live entertainment cultural arts venues in New York and across least $4 billion in supplemental grants for industry generates massive economic the country are receiving this desperately entertainment businesses. The SBA has in- upside, supporting the livelihoods of nearly needed financial aid,” adding, “these cultural formed stakeholders that it intends to reach a million people in the US and sustaining institutions are the true heart and soul of out to those approved for the grant in the public services with nearly $18 billion in New York, and I cannot wait to watch, listen first and second tiers — those who lost 90% taxes generated in 2019,” says Adam Sacks, and laugh as they bounce back bigger and or more or 70% or more of their revenue in president of Tourism Economics, an Oxford better than ever, and I’ll keep working with 2020, respectively — regarding supplemen- Economics company. “The US needs a the SBA to get all of the program’s assistance tal grants of half the amount of their initial flourishing concert and live entertainment out the door as soon as possible to help all grant. industry to achieve full economic recovery.” eligible venues recover.” The report found that concerts generate Of the more than 15,000 total applica- $55.2 billion in direct spending in the U.S. 2 0 2 1 PHOTO FINISH RECORDS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Photo Finish Records is an independent record label CONTACTS boasting a diverse roster including Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Electro Pop, and Hip Hop that has amassed billions of Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] streams and over 40 million tracks sold. Lee Ann Photoglo The New York City-based label was created and founded 615.376.7931 | [email protected] by Matt Galle and 2021 will celebrate its fifteenth year of success. As the label grew and developed, Matt brought in Cynthia Mellow his business partner Mike Marquis to co-run the label with 615.352,0265 | [email protected] him. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Photo Finish has forged a well-deserved reputation for developing and breaking an eclectic roster of artists Ryan O’Donnell including 3OH!3, SHAED, The Maine, Marian Hill, Mister- +447843437176 | [email protected] Wives, ROZES, The Mowgli's, and new signings Ross Copperman, CAL, Elliot Lee, Lakeview, guardin, and joan.

Photo Finish Records is distributed through Virgin Music Artist & Label Services. The team along with Matt and Mike includes Drew Kaklamanos, Gerardo Cueva, Michael Collin, Taylor Flynn, and Shane Friedman.

ISSUE DATE 8/28 | AD CLOSE 8/18 | MATERIALS DUE 8/19 Page 9 of 22

IN BRIEF

each year, including both venue operational continue across the country.” enna’s endeavors. spending to cover all the costs of show pro- Click here to read the report and down- “Working with Lori McKenna the past duction and consumer spending by attend- load a copy. five years has been a dream come true. Her ees before and after a show takes place. That talent is undeniable and she continues to amounts to nearly $9.3 billion in federal tax evolve and write some of the most iconic revenues and $8.3 billion in state and local ‘Girl Crush’ Writer songs for our generation. We are so ex- tax revenues. cited to continue working with her and to The report also measured the local impact Lori McKenna add Pulse and Concord as our publishing of concerts and found that every $100 spent partners in this next chapter,” Beth Laird, by an out-of-town attendee on a concert Sells Catalog co-founder and CEO of Creative Nation, ticket, $334.92 is generated within the local said in a statement. economy. And the report found that 75.6 in Deal With “I’m thrilled and thankful to keep doing million people travel and stay over night at what I love most with my Creative Nation least one night a year, each year in the U.S., Concord, Pulse & family in Nashville. I’m so excited to add generating $27.7 billion in spending, while Pulse and Concord in this next chapter and non-overnight out of town attendees spend Creative Nation: I look forward to what’s to come,” said McK- about $4.9 billion. About $8 billion of that enna, who is also part of the Love Junkies, a spending went into lodging, $10 billion Exclusive wildly successful songwriting trio composed into transportation and $9.4 billion in food of McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. service and retail. BY MELINDA NEWMAN Concord Music Publishing inked a world- “While the national impact of the live wide co-publishing deal with Lindsey and event industry is significant, live’s impact ori McKenna, one of country mu- formed a creative development co-venture, starts locally. Concerts and live entertain- sic’s most revered songwriters, has Hang Your Hat Music, with the writer in ment events generate significant economic sold her catalog to Concord Music June 2020. impacts at the state and local level as its ven- Publishing, which will work in Scott Cutler, co-CEO of Pulse, added, ues spend money in local economies to sus- Lpartnership with Creative Nation and Pulse “Lori is one of the most authentic and tain daily operations, including spending on Music Group going forward on her music. widely respected writers on the planet—she payroll, marketing costs, legal services, and McKenna has won three Grammy has such a special talent. Pulse has had the professional services,” a release announcing Awards for best country song — for Little honor of being a part of her story through the survey results. Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” Tim McGraw’s our partnership with Beth and the Creative The report found that overall, the New “Humble and Kind” and The Highwom- Nation team. We are so excited to part- York tri-state area benefited most from en’s “Crowded Table” — and has written ner with Beth and Concord on this next concert spending, generating $7 billion a other hits for Carrie Underwood, Miranda chapter and to continue to be a part of Lori’s year in total spending and supporting 48,473 Lambert, Faith Hill and many other artists, future—this is a music publishing dream jobs. Second on the list was Los Angeles, as well as co-writing “Always Remember team!” which accounted for $4.4 billion in spending Us This Way,” which was featured in Lady Jim Selby, chief publishing executive at and 29,502 in jobs; third was Chicago, $3.6 Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born. Concord, said, “As both a songwriter and billion in economic activity creating 25,095 Concord’s deal also includes the publishing an artist, Lori McKenna has contributed to jobs; fourth and fifth were Dallas-Forth from McKenna’s 12 solo albums, including some of the most notable and groundbreak- Worth and Houston, each generating $1.7 2020’s The Balladeer. ing hits in country music and beyond. Con- billion in sales with Dallas supporting 13750 Concord Music Publishing acquired cord is honored to be chosen as the home jobs while Houston supported 13,159 jobs. Fujipacific Music’s stake in Pulse in January for her catalog—our creative teams world- “As local government officials are provid- 2020 and formed an exclusive joint venture. wide are looking forward to working closely ing approved health and safety guidelines, Pulse already had an existing joint venture with Lori, alongside Creative Nation and concerts, festivals, and live events are with McKenna’s publishing company, Luke Pulse, to champion the hits still to come.” beginning to return to communities around and Beth Laird’s Nashville-based Creative Concord declined to disclose the terms of the country. After a year of isolation, many Nation. the deal. crave getting back to enjoying memorable Concord will administer McKenna’s live experiences safely in 2021 and into the catalog and her future works, while Creative 2022 and 2023 seasons,” the report reads. Nation will continue to run day-to-day “This renewed enthusiasm for live positions coordination on McKenna’s writing sessions the industry for growth in the coming years and projects. Concord, Creative Nation and as long as safety measures and vaccinations Pulse will be creative partners on McK- WE’RE BACK, LIVE IN MIAMI

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FOR SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: MARCIA OLIVAL, [email protected] | MIKE VAN, [email protected] Page 11 of 22

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sional fiduciary in this circumstance,” states Britney Spears the petition, which is embedded below. Whiskey Jam “Moreover, Ms. Spears respectfully submits Taps CPA to that, given the Court’s recognition at the Celebrates 10 July 14, 2021, hearing that Ms. Spears has Take Over As sufficient capacity to choose her own legal Years as a ‘Rite counsel, she likewise has sufficient capacity Conservator of to make this nomination.” of Passage’ for While Rosengart made it clear the ulti- Her Estate mate goal is to end the conservatorship, he’s Nashville Artists & following up on his promise that he would BY ASHLEY CULLINS “be filing as quickly as possible to get Mr. Songwriters Spears removed.” Rosengart during the July ust over a month after Britney 14 hearing suggested Jamie should volun- BY JESSICA NICHOLSON Spears gave a bombshell state- tarily quit, but his lawyer Vivienne Thoreen ment expressing publicly for the first declined saying,“There is no basis for him n Monday night (July 26), Whis- time that she wants her longstanding stepping down.” key Jam will celebrate 10 years Jconservatorship come to an end she’s for- The court on Friday approved Bessemer as a can’t-miss event in Nash- mally asking the court to replace her father Trust’s request to resign as co-conservator ville’s music scene, with a sold- as conservator of her estate. of the estate, which leaves Jamie solo in that Oout show at the Ryman Auditorium. The feat During more than 20 minutes of emotion- role for at least a few more months. A hear- is impressive given that no talent lineup has al testimony on June 23, and additional com- ing on Rubin’s appointment is tentatively been announced in advance. ments in a July 14 hearing, Spears made it set for Dec. 13, and Spears in the petition “Even the artists performing don’t quite clear she isn’t happy with her father’s indicated she will attend. know who else is on the lineup. It will involvement — going as far as accusing him Meanwhile, also on Friday L.A. County be a wonderful surprise,” Whiskey Jam of conservatorship abuse. After more than a Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny signed founder Ward Guenther tells Billboard of decade of little change to the status quo, the an order temporarily extending Jodi Mont- the event that bills itself as “10 years of good pace of developments surrounding Spears’ gomery’s role as conservator of Spears’ music for good people.” “It was the artists conservatorship over the past several weeks person until Oct. 8. Montgomery, who has trusting the fact that we have a show at the seems breakneck, but even with a lawyer served in the position for about two years, Ryman, that it was going to be our best ever, of her choosing in finally her corner the indicated in a filing earlier this month that and it was me trusting I could tap into our pace from here on out is likely to be disap- despite escalating threats to her safety she pool of artists and past guests and say, ‘Can pointing to those demanding #FreeBritney. won’t be “abandoning” Spears. we come back together for one song, on one The judicial system can move slowly even Spears Petition for Ap- night, of our biggest celebration ever?’” when it isn’t faced with a pandemic-related point... by THROnline Over the past decade, Whiskey Jam’s free backlog. This story was originally published by The weekly concerts at local venue Winners Bar Spears’ new attorney, Mathew Rosengart, Hollywood Reporter. & Grill have become must-see evenings. on Friday filed a petition to appoint Jason Whiskey Jam has also become a proving Rubin as the successor to the conservator of ground for aspiring musicians, with more Spears’ estate and the paperwork indicates than 3,500 artists, bands and songwriters Spears has picked him. Rubin is a licensed having performed to date. Now-household professional fiduciary and certified public names including Luke Combs, Ashley accountant (CPA) who, according to his McBryde, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves website, has ten years of experience and has andChris Stapleton all played the Whiskey managed complex portfolios with financial Jam stage early in their careers. More than a assets valued over $35 million. His back- concert series, Whiskey Jam quickly became ground also includes financial elder abuse a networking hub, with top industry execs litigation and considerable forensic account- and musicians in attendance. ing experience. “Whiskey Jam is the biggest rite of pas- “Ms. Spears respectfully submits that the sage in modern-day Nashville,” says singer- Court should appoint her nominee; in that, songwriter HARDY. “Every single song- it is an objectively intelligent preference writer and artist in this town that is on the to nominate a highly qualified, profes- radio right now has gone through Whiskey O N S A L E SEPT. 18, 2021

2021 NEW & R ENOVATED VENUES

On September 18th Billboard will provide CONTACT readers with an exclusive backstage Cynthia Mellow | 615.352.0265 pass into the newest and latest renovated [email protected] venues around the world. This special Joe Maimone | 212.493.4427 feature will assess the architecture, [email protected] production capabilities, sound, capacity Lee Ann Photoglo | 615.376.7931 level, fan amenities, and more that entice [email protected] talent to these highly anticipated venues. Ryan O’Donnell | +447843437176 Take this opportunity to advertise your venue [email protected] and reach key touring industry decision- makers as they plan tour schedules and map Marcia Olival | 786.586.4901 out must-play venues. [email protected]

O N S A L E 9 / 1 8 | I SSU E C L O S E 9 / 7 | M A T E R I A L S D U E 9 / 8

Editorial content subject to change Page 13 of 22

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Jam. Ward has built such an incredible pro- “We wanted to create an event where As the company has been approached gram and I hope that Whiskey Jam contin- friends could get together,” Guenther says, by partners in artist development, publish- ues to be a place where new artists get their adding, “There’s no pretense, no shush- ing and label services, O’Nan says they are start and people go to network.” ing. There were no lineups, not even really using another venture, King Song, as part Dozens of subsequent Country Airplay a headliner. It was just purely a group of of “building out an arm of our business that No. 1 hits have either been written or friends getting together to do the thing helps create more opportunities for the performed by Whiskey Jam guests, such as we moved to Nashville for: play music. In standout artists that come through Whiskey Tyler Farr’s “A Guy Walks Into a Bar.” Farr the earliest days, we were text messaging Jam on a weekly basis.” recorded the song after hearing songwriter hundreds of our friends about Whiskey Over the past decade, Guenther has Jonathan Singleton perform it at Whiskey Jam, and you had people show up, all artists resisted suggestions to move Whiskey Jam Jam. The song became Farr’s first Country and musicians, who could speak the same to a different venue or charge a cover. “The Airplay chart-topper in 2015. language.” spark here has been everything for us — it’s Guenther recalls Stapleton performing for What began as a weekly Monday night what made artists like Lady A come back, the first time at Whiskey Jam in 2012, three jam session for artists with a night off, ex- in our ninth year, and play a free show to years prior to Stapleton’s star-making turn panded to include Thursdays and a Tuesday a couple of hundred people. We want a at the 2015 CMA Awards, when he earned night “New In Town” show, for performers comfortable, low-pressure environment for three trophies and collaborated with Justin who have been in Nashville for a year or artists. If you try to blow it up bigger than Timberlake. “It was the first time in Whis- less. it should be, you’d lose that support, that key Jam history that I remember the room The loose, organic vibe of Whiskey Jam magic.” being completely silent. It’s such a rowdy drew more than newcomers: A diverse A crucial aspect of Whiskey Jam’s suc- atmosphere, but when Chris started singing, range of artists, including Melissa Etheridge, cess has been the team’s ability to focus on the room went quiet. To this day, I’m not The Fray, Lady A, OneRepublic, Brad Pais- the needs of the Nashville community. On sure that’s happened again.” ley, Chris Young, and more have attended. March 15, 2020, Guenther recalls Whiskey Combs’ first performance came in 2014. “They had been touring all weekend Jam “shut down pretty much overnight” “He developed this incredible follow- and they wanted a place to hang out with due to the pandemic. O’Nan suggested a ing. Fans knew all the words to songs that friends. You have artists like Sam Hunt and livestreamed event via Instagram, which weren’t even out. I stumbled on some old Miranda Lambert coming in and sitting became Risky Jam. As with in-person pictures the other day from the first few down at a table. I’ve had Randy Travis come events, the Whiskey Jam team welcomed times they played... it’s the same band mem- in and sit with my parents,” Guenther says. established performers such as Cole Swin- bers he has now on tour, selling out arenas. “The environment is comfortable enough dell, Travis Denning and Craig Campbell, In his case, it was just waiting for the world where they can come in and people are very alongside newcomers — and the audience to discover him.” respectful. It became this feeling of, ‘This is kept growing. Still, Guenther maintains, “It’s not about Nashville’s best-kept secret that everybody “We knew something was big when Face- seeing somebody famous, it’s about knowing knows about.’” book couldn’t handle the amount of traffic you’re going to be guaranteed great music.” Eventually, Hoge left to focus on his own that was going on in their servers. You think Guenther, who moved to Nashville in music career, and Guenther teamed with about the old days where people gathered 2003, launched Whiskey Jam after experi- ROAR executive Ryan O’Nan to spearhead around their radios and felt like they’re part encing his own frustrations as a musician. “I Whiskey Jam’s growth, adding business ven- of the Grand Ole Opry — it felt almost like a had been doing it for a long time, whether it tures in merchandise, booking and artist/ new radio [outlet],” Guenther says. was cover gigs, on the road, writers’ nights, writer services. Given how Nashville’s music community and the scene stayed the same for so long,” “Merchandise became a huge focus when has helped establish Whiskey Jam, Guen- Guenther says. “I would find myself at writ- we realized we were selling hundreds of ther says all proceeds from tonight’s Ryman ers’ nights, bored of my own songs. I was dollars of merchandise at a local writers’ Auditorium concert will go toward estab- playing cover gigs and I wasn’t having fun.” night, multiple times a week,” Guenther lishing the Jam Fam Foundation, which will One night in January 2011, Guenther says. ”I’ve sold on the road before — those fund music-oriented charities and organiza- joined fellow musician Frankie Ballard for are big numbers for an artist.” tions. Tickets are $27, $37 and $47. an unpromoted “bar tab gig,” just to play The company’s Roadshow Entertainment Guenther hints the show’s lineup will music for fun. The next day, Guenther helps Whiskey Jam artists book regular, pay- align with Whiskey Jam’s ethos, featuring a shared an off-the-cuff post about the eve- ing shows in and beyond Nashville. Road- mix of newcomers and established artists. ning on Twitter, calling it “Whiskey Jam.” show has also booked Whiskey Jam events “The lineup ranges from people who were Fellow musician Josh Hoge loved the name in Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Memphis, there on the very first night, to some that and became Guenther’s early partner in the and at Key West Songwriters Festival, with have never played before. That’s important venture. plans to expand to additional markets. to me, that this not just be a ‘greatest hits’ Page 14 of 22

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show. It’s more about, ‘Here’s the start of the the Closet,” a multi-part tale of sexual be- next 10 years.’” trayal and intrigue.He also faces sex-related Meet The charges in Illinois and Minnesota and has pleaded not guilty. Latin Artists R. Kelly Lawyers on YouTube’s Vow to Fight Bid Spotify Will Make Foundry Class of to Add Claims to It Easier to Find 2021: Bad Milk, Sex Trafficking ‘What’s New’ Tokischa & More Trial by Introducing BY JESSICA ROIZ BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Personalized New- ouTube Music has unveiled its . Kelly’s lawyers said Mon- Release Feed Foundry New Class of 2021, with day (July 26) they would fight 27 independent artists repre- prosecutors’ bid to tell jurors BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN senting 14 countries across a about allegations beyond the varietyY of genres, Billboard has learned. This Ractual charges at his upcoming federal sex ith over 50,000 hours of is YouTube’s largest class to date since the trafficking trial. “This is nothing more than content uploaded to Spo- program’s inception in 2015. a veiled effort to pile on to further shape tify every day, the stream- The global artist development program, the public’s perception in this case, ignor- ing service is making it which “helps independent artists use music ing that Mr. Kelly is presumed innocent easierW for users to stay up to date with new and storytelling to engage fans across bor- until proven otherwise,” Kelly lawyer Nicole releases from their favorite creators. ders,” per a press release, provides artists Blank Becker said by email, adding that his Announced Monday (July 26), What’s with marketing, promotion, and develop- attorneys would “vigorously oppose” the New is a new personalized feed that will be ment support, and tools to help set them up government’s request. added to the platform globally in the coming for long-term success. This year, seven Latin “As the trial nears we are looking forward weeks. It can be found by clicking on a new artists have been included on the list — to the truth prevailing,” she wrote. Jury bell-shaped icon that will be added to the including three who were recently featured selection is due to start Aug. 9 in a New York top of the Home tab, which will be updated on Billboard’s Emerging Latin Artists to federal court for the Grammy Award-win- in real time with new releases from the Discover in 2021 list — now join other Latin ning R&B star. He’s charged with leading artists and podcasts users follow on Spotify. alumni such as Natanael Cano, Eladio Car- what prosecutors call a criminal enterprise When a new track or episode is released, a rion, Cuco and Omar Apollo. of managers, bodyguards and other employ- blue dot will appear on the bell-shaped icon Meet this year’s highlighted Latin acts ees. to alert them the next time they sign on. The below, with quotes and more info from Prosecutors say the staffers helped Kelly feed will additionally allow users to conduct YouTube here: to recruit women and girls for sex and more targeted searches by including filters Ambar Lucid pornography and to exercise a lot of control that let them sort for new music releases or Country: U.S.A. over them. The charges involve six differ- new podcast and show episodes. Genre: Alternative/Indie ent women and girls. Prosecutors now also To add content to their What’s New feeds, Ambar Lucid is a New Jersey-born singer- want jurors to hear about more than a dozen Spotify users can simply tap “Follow” on any songwriter of Dominican and Mexican other people who allege Kelly sexually or artist or podcast page to have their releases descent. She began to pen her own songs in physically abused, threatened or otherwise included in their feed going forward. her mid-teens, and ultimately put her hazy, mistreated them. The claims include an More information on What’s New can be bilingual indie-pop tracks onto SoundCloud. allegation that he had sexual contact with found at Spotify’s “For the Record” blog. “To me, being independent means having an underage boy. Kelly denies ever abusing creative control and power over myself and anyone. my art,” she says to YouTube. “Success The multiplatinum-selling singer, means being able to do things my way while born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is known for having a loyal group of supporters with me work including the 1996 hit “I Believe I throughout my journey.” Earlier this year, Can Fly” and the cult classic “Trapped in Lucid signed with independent label 300 Page 15 of 22

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Entertainment. Genre: Pop Bad Milk What Brazilian newcomer Marina Sena Cincinnati Country: Colombia loves about being an independent artist is Genre: Urban/Pop creating a sound that incorporates tradition- Doubles Down Bad Milk (born Manuelita Garcia) has al genres such as Bossanova and funk with developed a following with her soulful vo- a soulful, seductive twist. “To be an inde- With Two New cals and urban-infused pop tracks. Her first pendent artist is to have determination, free single of 2021, “Ego,” was helmed by Latin will, freedom,” she notes. “After starting my Game-Changing hitmaker Ovy on the Drums, who also gave solo career on the right foot and being about her his stamp of approval on his track “An- to release my first full album, there’s nothing Riverfront Venues gelito,” featuring Bad Milk and fellow better than support to bet on my sound and Colombian newcomer Beéle. make it reach people all over the world.” BY GIL KAUFMAN “I love to experiment with different Tokischa sounds and portray different emotions. I Country: Dominican Republic incinnati has long been a great don’t enjoy putting my creativity in a box,” Genre: Urban town for music fans who love she says. “I see music as a mission. It’s defi- With her bold attitude and unapolo- going to big amphitheater or nitely what I came here to do.” getic lyrics, Tokischa is changing the dem- arena shows, indie rock clubs or Blessd bow game one single (and collaboration) Ccozy theater gigs. But for years the city has Country: Colombia at a time. With songs such as “Tukuntazo,” missed out on an untold number of mid- Genre: Urban/Hip-Hop “El Rey de la Popola” and “No Me Importa” level touring acts or larger bands looking Also hailing from Colombia is Blessd (real making the rounds, the Dominican tra- for buzzy underplays because it lacked a name: Stiven Mesa Londoño), whose witty pera has already garnered the attention of state-of-the-art 6,000-8,000-capacity room freestyle and sweet, crisp vocals are landing artists such as J Balvin, Anuel and Karol that would help the Queen City slide onto him major collaborations. The 21-year- G. “My music has no labels,” she says. “It’s a routing between stops in Cleveland/Colum- old rapper, who kicked off his career in free, new wave. I’m excited to stand out in bus and Louisville, Kentucky. 2019, has already dropped tracks alongside countries that are far from my culture.” That should all change starting this week Maluma, The Black Eyed Peas, Ovy on the Tuyo when the first of two new modern venues, Drums, The Rude Boyz and Piso 21. Country: Brazil the Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Cen- Forming part of YouTube’s Foundry Genre: Alternative/Indie ter in Cincinnati opens up, followed on Aug. class is a great opportunity for Blessd, who Brazilian trio Tuyo — made up of Mach- 21 by the PromoWest Pavilion at Ova- mentioned that “being an artist is a dream I ado, Lio and Lay Soares — is making waves tion just across the river in Newport, Ken- always had and also something I needed to with an organic sound that experiments tucky. With touring just starting to pick up do for my family. As an independent artist, I with folk music, lo-fi hip-hop and synth- after more than 16 months of idled calendars feel free.” pop. The São Paulo-based act says that their due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the groups Junior Mesa music is “more about a feeling” than a genre. behind both buildings took advantage of the Country: U.S.A. “We mix very delicate vocals with strong downtime to complete construction on the Genre: Alternative/Indie rhythms. It’s music for floating, for flying. venues that promise to put the city on the California-based newcomer Junior Mesa We are whole, happy, and successful when map in a whole new. is bringing a fresh sound to indie music we can communicate with people through “Out intention when we signed on and while staying inspired by the greats. With music.” started building was to fit a niche of the songs such as “Far Out,” “Losing my Grip” kind that didn’t exist in this market with a and “Pushing Away,” the singer-songwriter multi-functional space that can do bands and multi-instrumentalist is immersed in a from 1,000 up to 4,400 in all-seats or GA trippy psych-pop sound that’s influenced by floor, which is attractive for a lot of artists artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix that don’t necessarily want an all-seated or and Sly & The Family Stone. all-GA venue,” says Rosemarie Moehring, “Being independent is a mentality,” he as- director of marketing for MEMI, Music and sures. “Claiming independence is saying: We Event Management Inc. are not the same! I will not conform to your The Icon is the latest building in the standards. I will express myself in a way that collection of the 20-year-old MEMI, the satisfies my will, not yours!” wholly owned subsidiary of the Cincinnati Marina Sena Symphony Orchestra that is a leading local Country: Brazil promoter and producer of events in the area. Page 16 of 22

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MEMI already has a suite of venues in town, and got into the market we felt like it really especially since so many artists are beyond including the 20,500-capacity Riverbend needed a new kind of venue because all eager to get back out there after more than a Music Center amphitheater and adjoining the existing venues have been around for a year off the road. 4,100 outdoor PNC Pavilion, as well as the while,” says Stienecker, who modeled the As hopes that the pandemic would fade 2,500-capacity historic Taft Theatre (which Ovation on Express Live, the first venue of by fall have been upended by the rapidly also has a smaller 500-capacity basement its kind to have an indoor/outdoor format. spreading, more deadly Delta variant of the venue). “The feedback we got from Bunbarians was, novel coronavirus, both venues have made Moehring says for artists such as St. Vin- ‘we need an Express Live down here,’ and so plans just in case. Stienecker says there cent — who played a sold-out show at the that got us started thinking about how to do will be plenty of hand sanitizer stations Taft on her previous tour in January 2018 that in this market.” backstage and in the venue and a super- — the Icon is the “cool hip kid in town” that What they’ll get is a $27 million all-pur- charged HVAC system that has first-class was built with the ultimate fan and artist pose venue with a 7,400 GA capacity (1,040 filtering that is “as good as can be” to handle experience in mind. seated) for its outdoor mini-amphitheater scrubbing the air inside. For now you won’t That focus includes a large main indoor with stunning views of the Cincinnati have to be vaccinated, wear masks or social room with comfortable cushioned seats with skyline in the distance and a 1,500-,2,790 distance for shows, but he says the Ovation high-end sound and a design that focuses on GA indoor space that can scale down to 428 will continue to follow Kentucky mandates clear sight-lines, with no seat more than 125 seated for more intimate gigs. The build- if and when they change. feet from the stage. “Artists are looking for ing, which pays homage to the area’s music The Icon is similarly situated to handle that connection with fans and when they’re history with a King Records room backstage the ever-changing protocols, with a robust playing arenas and stadiums they just don’t and murals of local and national music icons HVAC system with biploar ionization get that,” Moehring says. splashed on the walls throughout, is part of — which Moehring says is proven to kill The Icon will be first out of the gate with a larger $1 billion structure being build by viruses, including COVID-19, within 30 min- a huge underplay gig by the Foo Fighters Corporex going up just outside the doors. utes — as well as hand sanitizing stations on Wednesday (July 28) on the building’s That adjacent project will include hotels, throughout, touchless points-of-sale at all outdoor stage, with 8,000 lucky fans scoop- bars, restaurants and condos/apartments registers and 100% capacity indoor and out ing up tickets within minutes last month for that is expected to draw nearly 400,000 with no social distancing or masks required. the venues’ inaugural gig. The outside space music fans a year. So far, Stienecker says feedback from offers attendees a spectacular view of the They’ll have to wait a bit longer to feast booking agents has been “ecstatic,” and if Cincinnati downtown skyline, with artist’s their eyes on the Ovation, though, which Cincinnati wasn’t necessarily on everyone’s looking out on the Ohio River and the iconic will officially open its doors on Aug. 29 with radar as a must-play before, he’s certain Roebling Bridge. MEMI’s shot at building a show by Kesha and Betty Who. And while it will be now; because of the proximity the Icon came after a bidding process in the bidding process to fill in one of the last of Newport, Kentucky to Cincinnati, that which the city chose the local vendor they remaining holes in Cincinnati’s decades- riverfront city is often considered part of the knew over another major regional musical long, multi-billion dollar riverfront Banks Queen City touring market. “With two new power player who decided to look just over project and its immediate aftermath were a state-of-the-art facilities I think it will spur yonder to build their own version of a multi- bit contentious, both Stienecker and Moeh- the whole market to another level,” he says. functional set-up for bands looking to play ring say they are looking forward to serving Check out photos of both venues below. in a shiny new space. up the best and brightest at their respective The Ovation “Cincinnati has not been a top priority venues, with both planning to book well Ovation for a long time and now with the ICON and over 120 shows a year. Icon Ovation it will spur the whole market to “With both venues music fans can benefit another level,” Scott Stienecker, founder the most because I don’t know too many and CEO of Columbus-based PromoWest midwestern cities that can claim they have Productions tells Billboard. The wholly- as many music venues as we do in Cincin- owned subsidiary of AEG Presents — Pro- nati — and over the river in Kentucky,” says moWest also owns and operates Express Moehring. “Now there is no excuse for any Live, Newport Music Hall, The Basement artist to bypass us.” and A&R Music Bar in Columbus and Stage As for whether the Icon might cannibal- AE in Pittsburgh — had been looking to ize some of MEMI’s other similarly sized move into the Cincinnati market ever since venues such as the Taft and PNC, she says it acquired the city’s independent Bunbury both have “great” schedules for this year and Music Festival in 2014. next — with four or five shows on the same “Once we purchased the Bunbury Festival night in MEMI’s portfolio on some dates — Page 17 of 22

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cannot think of a more appropriate way to contagious strain of COVID-19, continue to The Killers, Bruce celebrate this than an unforgettable concert spread in the U.S. Cases are rising in Califor- in the most special venue in the world: the nia, prompting Los Angeles County officials Springsteen & Great Lawn at Central Park. My team, along to reinstate face mask requirements earlier with our partners at Live Nation, has been this month. LL Cool J Set for hard at work for weeks curating what I sub- Meanwhile, iconic New York City arts and mit to you will be a once-in a lifetime event entertainment venues like Radio City Music NYC Central Park [...] It will celebrate a spectacular range of Hall and Beacon Theatre began reopening musical genres, styles and eras while includ- in early April, and in mid-June, when 70% of Mega-Concert ing some of the most iconic artists in the New York residents over age 18 had received history of modern music.” at least one vaccine dose, New York Gover- BY TATIANA CIRISANO Davis, who was raised in Brooklyn, nor Andrew Cuomo lifted the vast majority is co-producing alongside Live Nation. of the state’s pandemic-era restrictions. In mid concern over the Delta coro- Restauranteur Danny Meyer, the recently- New York, which was the early epicenter of navirus variant, a mega-concert appointed chairman of the New York City the pandemic in the U.S., 68% of the popula- in Central Park to celebrate New Economic Development Corporation board tion aged 18 and over is now fully vaccinat- York City’s reopening will go for- of directors, is also involved, as is Universal ed, compared with 56.6% of the total state wardA as planned next month, with perform- Hip-Hop Museum executive director Rocky population. ers including The Killers, Journey, LL Cool Bucano. The mayor’s office has been rolling out J, Jennifer Hudson, Paul Simon and Bruce “We’re so honored to be part of this media campaigns to encourage vaccina- Springsteen. event,” added Live Nation regional presi- tion among residents who are reluctant to New York City Mayor Bill de Bla- dent Geoff Gordon. “I too have goosebumps get the shot, and de Blasio continued to sio joined music industry legend Clive after hearing that, even though we’ve been urge New Yorkers to get vaccinated at the Davis, who is co-producing the concert, for involved in lining this up. Live music has the press conference, calling the vaccine “the a press conference this morning (July 27) unique ability to bring us all together, which number-one savior.” unveiling details of what de Blasio promised is really what we’re doing. There’s nothing “If you want to go to this concert,” he said, will be a “historic,” “blockbuster” event. Of- like a live music experience.” “get vaccinated.” ficially titled “We Love NYC: The Home- Tickets for the concert go on sale Monday, coming Concert,” the event is set for Aug. 21 Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. EST on the new NYC at 5 p.m., it will be broadcast live globally on Homecoming Week website, and the Great DaBaby Defends CNN and 80% of tickets will be free. While Lawn has a capacity of 60,000. The 20% of de Blasio initially proposed having vaccinat- tickets not designated as free are VIP tickets Rolling Loud ed and unvaccinated sections, he said that available for purchase. De Blasio said that attendees will be required to present proof event workers will be checking for proof Miami Comments of vaccination. of vaccination as attendees enter, with “New York City is back,” de Blasio said. more details to come. Asked by a reporter & Tells Fans Who “You can see it, you can feel it, and it’s time whether the vaccination requirement means to celebrate on the Great Lawn.” the concert is for attendees aged 12 and over Weren’t There to The lineup, which includes many New only, de Blasio said, “right now, that’s a fair York natives, so far spans Jon Batiste, An- assumption.” ‘Shut the F—- Up’ drea Bocelli, Kane Brown, LL Cool J, The event will cap off a reopening cel- Elvis Costello, Earth, Wind & Fire joined ebration dubbed NYC Homecoming Week, BY DARLENE ADEROJU by Lucky Daye and Kenneth “Babyface” during which the City of New York will host Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, concerts in each of the five boroughs start- aBaby is responding to social Jennifer Hudson, Wyclef Jean, Journey, The ing August 14, leading up to the Great Lawn media criticism over homopho- Killers, Gayle King, Don Lemon, Barry Ma- spectacle on the 21st. The lead-up concerts bic comments he made during nilow, The New York Philharmonic, Polo G, will be held Aug. 16 at Orchard Beach in The day three of Rolling Loud Miami Carlos Santana joined by Rob Thomas, Paul Bronx; Aug. 17 at Richmond County Bank Don Sunday, telling anyone who wasn’t at the Simon and Patti Smith duetting with Bruce Park in Staten Island; Aug. 19 at Brooklyn festival to “shut the f—- up.” Springsteen. Army Terminal in Brooklyn; and Aug. 20 at In a viral video shared on social media, “As a born, bred and true New Yorker, I Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. DaBaby is heard onstage during his perfor- well know how resilient we are and how Today’s press conference comes as cases mance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami New York always comes back,” Davis said. “I of the Delta variant, a newer and highly Gardens, Florida, saying, “If you didn’t Page 18 of 22

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show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of live show, killa, gay or straight.” them deadly sexually transmitted diseases Re-emphasizing his comments about Metal Church that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, individuals living with STDs, DaBaby said then put your cellphone lighter up! Ladies, “all the lights went on” after he told fans to Singer Mike Howe if your p—-y smell like water, put your cell- put up their cellphone lights because even phone lighter up! Fellas, if you ain’t sucking his “gay fans don’t got f—-ing AIDS, stupid Dies at 55 d—- in the parking lot, put your cellphone a— n—-as. They don’t got AIDS. My gay fans, lighter up!” they take care of themselves. They ain’t no BY GIL KAUFMAN Beyond those who heard the comments nasty gay n—-as. See what I’m saying? They on site, Rolling Loud Miami was also ain’t no junkies in the street. The hell you ard rock vocalist Mike Howe, livestreamed on YouTube, so social media talking about, n—-as? Then I said if you ain’t who served two stints in Seattle had a lot to say about DaBaby’s remarks. sucking di— in the parking lot, put your thrashers Metal Church in On his own Instagram story Monday cellphone lighter up. You know what my gay the late 1980s and again in the (July 26), DaBaby did not apologize for his fans did? Put that motherf—-ing light up, H2000s, has died at age 55. The long-running statements and instead said that individuals n—-a, ‘cause my gay fans ain’t going for that. band announced the news in a Facebook who did not pay to attend the event should They got class. They ain’t sucking no di— in tribute, writing, “It is with our deepest not respond. He went on to repeat the same no parking lot. N—-a, you gotta get a room. regrets that we must announce the passing comments he made at Rolling Loud Miami A good one, five-star hotel. Even my gay fans of our brother, our friend and true legend and claimed he is the “best live performer” got standards.” of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed and was simply making a “call to action” on DaBaby continued doubling down on away this morning at his home in Eureka, Sunday. his comments, saying, “Y’all n——s trippin’. California. We are devastated and at a loss DaBaby began his 19-segment IG story by Y’all n——s bringing negative attention and for words. Please respect our privacy and saying, “I’mma address this weekend’s inter- energy upon y’all selves and the ones that’s the Howe family’s privacy during this most net sh— one time and then I’mma get back doing it is people who didn’t even attend the difficult time.” to giving my love to my fans, see what I’m show, so this sh— don’t concern y’all at all.” The singer with a classic, powerful metal saying? Because what me and my fans do at He went on to say that people “who like wail of a voice did two memorable tours of the live show, it don’t concern all you n—-as to butt in” on other people’s business should duty in the long-running band formed by on the internet or you bitter bi—-es on the “shut the f—- up. Don’t be disturbing my guitarist/songwriter and only consistent internet. It’s not y’all’s business. What I do motherf—-ing gay fans and making them member Kurdt Vanderhoof in San Francisco at a live show is for the live show. It’ll never feel uncomfortable in their skin ‘cause you in 1980 under the name Shrapnel. After translate correctly to somebody looking at done seen some sh— that you wasn’t sup- moving to Aberdeen, Washington, the band a little five-, six-second clip from their crib posed to see anyway.” became one of the leading lights of the on their phone. It just don’t work like that, DaBaby concluded by saying: “None of burgeoning thrash metal scene thanks to right? Regardless of what y’all motherf—- that sh— matters to me. What matters to me original vocalist David Wayne and guitarist -ers are talking about and how the internet when I’m on the stage is putting on a show Craig Wells. twisted up my motherf—-ing words, me and for any and everybody that’s out there and Before joining Metal Church, Howe spent all my fans at the show, the gay ones and that’s what the f—- I did.” time in the Detroit metal act Hellion and the straight ones, we turned the f—- up. I’m One person who did support DaBaby’s on- later Heretic, with the latter releasing just talking about my boy that was at the front of stage comments was T.I. In his own Insta- one album, Breaking Point (1988), before stage left where I jumped, ask him. He got gram video, the rapper said, “If you gonna Howe moved on. clips all on his sh—. The whole night was have the Lil Nas X video and him living his After two albums with the initial Metal recorded. We were turning up the whole truth, you gonna damn sure have people like Church lineup, Vanderhoof reshuffled night. My boy had the crop top on front row. DaBaby who gonna speak their truth. Ain’t the deck, with Howe coming in as lead He out there in that jungle, in that water. He nothing wrong with none of it, it ain’t got to vocalist in 1986 and making his debut on out there cutting up. He knows the words to be no hate — it’s all honesty. Everybody liv- the band’s third album, 1989’s Blessing in the song. I’m rapping them bi—-es with ‘em. ing in their truth.” Disguise, which featured one of their most “Y’all talking, y’all n—-as shut the f—- up,” Billboard has reached out to DaBaby’s beloved songs, the urgent rocker “Bad- he continued. “You n—-as that ain’t at the team and to GLAAD for statements regard- lands.” They followed up with two more show, the show was for the n——as who paid ing the rapper’s Rolling Loud Miami onstage albums, The Human Factor (1991) and Hang- the money and took the time out their life to comments. ing in the Balance (1993), before splitting come enjoy the show. Not you motherf—-ers in 1996. Howe was not involved in a 1998 watching it on the internet, at the crib. No reunion — which resulted in the album Mas- n—-a, get your tickets. Come f—- with the terpeace — and he did not appear on the trio Page 19 of 22

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of albums the group recorded before break- tract with SM Entertainment, and winners and his first on his own, following “Baila ing up again in 2009. from each country will get AirPods Pros as Conmigo,” with Gomez, in February, and During his two-decade time out of the a prize. “Cambia El Paso,” with Jennifer Lopez, just limelight, Howe said he supported his fam- Head to Audition.SMtown.com and SM last week. ily by doing carpentry. He was also not back Entertainment’s social accounts to find all “Todo de Ti” also marks Alejandro’s top in the mix when the band re-re-united in the details for SM Talent Show Vol.2 online Hot 100 showing, having hit No. 32 earlier in 2012 with vocalist Ronny Munroe, but he auditions. Winners will be selected through July. The San Juan-born artist also sent the slipped back behind the mic in early 2015, September. song to No. 3 on both the Billboard Global recording two albums with his mates before SM Entertainment was established back 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts in his death, 2016’s XI and 2018’s Damned If in 1995 and has produced dozens of groups June. You Do. At press time no cause of death was and solo artists, including many that are given for Howe. Original vocalist Wayne still active today and part of a current died in 2005 at age 47. global surge in K-pop. The company’s roster BTS’ ‘Butter’ Tops Watch a video about Howe’s late-period includes SuperM, which is a K-pop super- return to the band and see their tribute group that features seven members all from Songs of the below. SM acts, including SHINee, Exo, NCT 127 and WayV. Summer Chart, So are you the next K-pop superstar? SuperM & NCT Submit your application to become an SM Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bad Label Announces trainee and maybe, someday, a K-pop idol. Habits’ Debuts

‘SM Talent Show’ Rauw Alejandro BY GARY TRUST

Auditions for Scores Sixth Latin s BTS’ “Butter” returns to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot English-Speaking Airplay No. 1 With 100, the smash holds atop Bill- board’s Songs of the Sum- K-Pop Hopefuls: ‘Todo de Ti’ merA chart (dated July 31). The 20-position Songs of the Summer Exclusive BY XANDER ZELLNER heat index tracks the most popular titles based on cumulative performance on the BY KATIE ATKINSON n just over a year, Rauw Alejan- weekly streaming-, airplay- and sales-based dro has racked up six No. 1 hits Hot 100 from Memorial Day through Labor orea’s SM Entertainment — the on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart. Day (this year encompassing charts dated label behind SuperM, NCT, Su- His newest chart topper, “Todo de June 12 through Sept. 11). At the end of the per Junior, Exo and more ITi,” reaches the summit on the latest rank- season, the top song of the summer will be global superstars — is on the ing (dated July 31) with 11.6 million radio revealed. Khunt for English-speaking aspiring K-pop airplay audience impressions, up 19%, ac- “Butter” keeps atop the Songs of the stars, with online auditions for 2021 SM cording to MRC Data. Summer running tally over a stationary top Talent Show Vol.2 opening this week, Bill- Alejandro first topped the list dated July five. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U”; Dua Lipa’s board can announce. 4, 2020, with “TBT,” alongside Sebastian “Levitating,” featuring DaBaby; Doja Cat’s Online auditions will start Thursday (July Yatra and Manuel Turizo. He followed “Kiss Me More,” featuring SZA; and Justin 29) at 11 a.m. ET for male English speakers with “Tattoo,” with Camilo, in September; Bieber’s “Peaches,” featuring Daniel Caesar anywhere in the world born between 1997 “La Nota,” with Turizo and Myke Towers, and Giveon, repeat at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and 2009, so ages 11 to 24. Applications — in January; “Baila Conmigo,” with Selena respectively. which should include an introduction video Gomez, in March; and “Vacio,” with Luis One title enters the Songs of the Summer and prove the candidate’s singing, dancing, Fonsi, in May. chart: Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” at No. 19. acting and/or speech skills — will be ac- “Todo de Ti” holds at its No. 3 high on the The track began at its No. 5 high on the Hot cepted for just over two weeks, until Aug. 15, multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, also up 100 dated July 10 and has spent each of its followed by one-on-one video auditions for 4% to 9.9 million U.S. streams and 18% to subsequent three weeks on the chart at No. those who move forward to the next round. 1,200 downloads sold. It becomes Alejan- 6. Applicants will have a chance to sign a con- dro’s third No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales, Sheeran’s’ “Shape of You” wrapped as the Page 20 of 22

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No. 5 season-ending hit on the 2017 Songs of “Single” marks Swindell’s second con- Underwood blast onto Country Airplay at the Summer chart and “I Don’t Care,” with secutive Country Airplay leader, following No. 20 with “If I Didn’t Love You.” The lead Bieber, placed at No. 4 for 2019. “Love You Too Late,” which led the chart track from Aldean’s forthcoming 10th studio Check out the top 10 summer songs ev- dated Nov. 2, 2019. album was released July 23 and received ery year throughout the Hot 100’s history Swindell, who hails from Bronwood, Ga., hourly plays on participating iHeartMedia (from the chart’s start in 1958) and the first ruled Country Airplay in his second radio stations that day. It arrives with 8.5 latest Songs of the Summer survey in its visit, as “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” million in audience in its first three days. entirety. led for a week in October 2014. He hit No. 1 Aldean adds his 41st Country Airplay en- Plus, after launching July 16, SiriusXM’s again with “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey” (one try and earns his third-highest career start, limited engagement channel Billboard Top week, April 2015); “You Should Be Here” behind the No. 19 bows of “Take a Little 500 Summer Hits is running through July (three weeks, April 2016); and “Middle of a Ride” in August 2012 and “Burnin’ It Down” 30 on channel 104 and the SiriusXM app, Memory” (one week, November 2016). in August 2014. Both songs went on to reign, counting down the top 500 songs based on In 2014, Swindell scored his first of 10 contributing to his total of 23 No. 1s. Hot 100 data from 1958 through 2020. The Country Airplay top 10s with his No. 2-peak- Underwood earns her 46th Country Air- countdown will also be available on-demand ing launch single, “Chillin’ It.” play appearance and second-best beginning, in the SiriusXM app from July 30 to Aug. On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs sur- after “Something in the Water” made a No. 13, with the full chart to post on Billboard. vey, which combines airplay, sales and 17 splash in its first week in October 2014. com Aug. 16. streaming data, “Single” holds at its No. She has scored 15 No. 1s. 4 high. It gained by 2% to 7.2 million U.S. streams, and sold 2,100 downloads, in the Cole Swindell week ending July 22. BTS Tops Artist A LOT TO ‘KNOW’ Lainey Wilson Scores Sixth achieves her first Hot Country Songs top 10 100 Chart, John with her debut entry, “Things a Man Oughta Country Airplay Know,” which hops 14-9 in its 19th frame on Mayer & Pop the list. No. 1: ‘It’s Because The song, which Wilson co-wrote with Smoke Return to Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton, drew 6.5 of the Fans’ million U.S. streams (up 27%) and sold 2,000 Top Five downloads (up 20%) in the tracking week. BY JIM ASKER On Country Airplay, it holds at its No. 11 BY XANDER ZELLNER high, up 3% to 18.2 million impressions. ole Swindell earns his sixth No. Wilson, born in Baskin, La. (and the sub- TS extends its record for the 1 on Billboard’s Country Air- ject of Billboard’s Chartbreaker spotlight in most weeks spent at No. 1 on the play chart (dated July 31), as May), sends the first rookie single properly Billboard Artist 100 chart among “Single Saturday Night” rises 2-1 promoted to radio to the Hot Country Songs duos/groups, as the South Korean Cin its 56th week on the tally. In the week top 10 since Tenille Arts’ “Somebody Like Bsuperstars tally an 18th week as the top ending July 25, the song increased by 6% to That,” which reached No. 7 in May. (Arts musical act in the U.S. (on the chart dated 33.8 million audience impressions, accord- previously charted with “I Hate This,” July 31). ing to MRC Data. The track, which Swindell which, not worked as a radio single, reached BTS holds at No. 1 thanks largely to its wrote with Ashley Gorley, Hardy and Mark No. 41 in February 2019.) singles “Butter” and “Permission to Dance,” Holman, is the lead single from Swindell’s HAYES HOLDS AT No. 1 Hot Country as the former returns to the top of the Bill- upcoming fourth full-length. Songs is led for a second week by Walker board Hot 100 for an eighth week at No. 1, “I am blown away and so proud that Hayes’ viral hit “Fancy Like.” His first leader while the latter falls to No. 7 after debuting ‘Single Saturday Night’ is my sixth No. 1,” on the list, sparked by continued TikTok atop the ranking a week earlier. Notably, Swindell tells Billboard. “It’s because of the traction as Hayes has posted multiple clips “Butter” ties Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers Li- fans. They have played such a huge part in dancing to it with his children, maintains its cense” as the longest leading No. 1 this year. the success of this song. I released it just for command with 14.2 million streams (up 11%) Elsewhere on the Artist 100, John Mayer the fans, and they responded in such a big and 19,500 sold. re-enters at No. 3, matching his peak, as way that it pushed us to release it to radio. On Country Airplay, “Fancy” ascends 38- his new album Sob Rock opens at No. 1 on I can’t thank my radio friends and my team 36 in its third week, up 59% to 3.1 million in Top Rock & Alternative Albums and No. 2 enough for their continued belief in me and audience. on the Billboard 200 with 84,000 equiva- my music. I am humbled.” NEW ‘LOVE’ Jason Aldean and Carrie lent album units, according to MRC Data. Page 21 of 22

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The set marks his eighth No. 1 on Top Rock audiences; Our Time Machine (POV, PBS); U.K. chart, by outperforming the rest of the & Alternative Albums, surpassing Bruce and The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Top 5 combined. Springsteen for the most leaders since the Tonight Show (Peacock), a look at a week We’re All Alone In This Together is the chart began in 2006. Sob Rock is Mayer’s in February 1968 in which Harry Bela- market leader on physical sales, downloads 10th top 10 on the Billboard 200. fonte sat in for Johnny Carson as host of and streaming equivalent albums of the Plus, the late Pop Smoke jumps from No. NBC’s The Tonight Show. During that week, week so far, the OCC reports, and he bags 31 to No. 4 on the Artist 100, as his second Belafonte invited such notable guests as Dr. three of the Top 5 songs on the midweek posthumous album, Faith, launches at No. Martin Luther King and Sen. Robert F. Ken- singles chart. 1 on the Billboard 200 (88,000 units). Pop nedy (both of whom would be assassinated In the first three days of its release, ac- Smoke spent a week atop the Artist 100 in that spring) as well as such stars as Bill cording to the charts compiler, Dave’s soph- July 2020 when his LP Shoot for the Stars Cosby, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll, The omore LP has already eclipsed the week one Aim for the Moon opened atop the Billboard Smothers Brothers and Paul Newman. sales tally of his 2019 debut Psychodrama, 200. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My and it’s on track to post one of 2021’s biggest The Artist 100 measures artist activity Voice brought Ronstadt her 11th competi- opening weeks. Psychodrama went on to win across key metrics of music consumption, tive Grammy (she also received a lifetime the Mercury Prize and the Brit Award for blending album and track sales, radio air- achievement award in 2016). It marked album of the year. play, streaming and social media fan interac- the first Grammy for directors Epstein and Also starting high on the latest Official tion to provide a weekly multi-dimensional Friedman and producers James Keach and Chart Update is Anne-Marie’s Therapy (At- ranking of artist popularity. Michele Farinola. lantic), new at No. 2. It’s set to give the Voice For all chart news, you can follow @bill- The nominations for the 42nd annual U. K. coach a career high, besting the No. 3 board and @billboardcharts on both Twitter News and Documentary Emmy Awards peak for her debut Speak Your Mind. and Instagram. were announced by the National Academy Beatles great Paul McCartney his head- of Television Arts & Sciences. The nomi- ing for his 23rd Top 10 album with McCart- nations honor programming content that ney III Imagined (EMI), a remix of alterna- ‘Linda Ronstadt: premiered in calendar-year 2020. The tive cuts and all-star collaborations. It’s entries were judged by more than 800 peer new at No. 4, while the current No. 1 on the The Sound of My professionals. Official U.K. Albums Chart, KSI’s All Over The awards will be presented in two cer- The Place (BMG), dips 1-5. Voice’ Nominated emonies in late September. Awards in news Sydney singer and rapper The Kid Laroi categories will be presented on Monday, is chasing a Top 10 for the third and final For 2021 Emmy Sept. 28. Awards in documentary categories chapter of his F*ck Love (RCA) mixtape will be presented the following night. Both as Over You starts at No. 6 on the chart BY PAUL GREIN ceremonies will begin at 8 p.m. ET; both will blast. The teenager has made one previous be streamed live on the Academy’s dedi- appearance on the weekly chart, with F*ck inda Ronstadt: The Sound of My cated viewing platform powered by Vimeo, Love peaking at No. 10 last August. Voice, which won a Grammy available on the web at Watch.TheEmmys. Close behind is Amy Winehouse’s clas- in March for best music film, TV. sic Back To Black (Island), which rises to was nominated for an Emmy on The complete list of nominees is available No. 7 following the 10th anniversary of her LTuesday (July 27) for outstanding arts and on the Academy’s website. death. culture documentary. Over on the Official Singles Chart Up- The CNN film, directed by Rob Epstein date, Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” (Asylum) and Jeffrey Friedman, looks at Linda Ron- Dave Powering to remains on track for a fifth week at No. 1, stadt’s career peaks in the ‘70s and ‘80s, ahead of Dave’s “Clash,” “Verdansk” and “In and the grace that she has shown in dealing No. 1 in U.K. The Fire,” respectively. with the degenerative condition (progres- The Official U.K. Singles and Albums sive supranuclear palsy) that has stilled her BY LARS BRANDLE Charts are published late Friday local time. remarkable singing voice. The other nominees in the category ave has a straight-forward name, are Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (PBS), the and he’s got a straight-forward life story of jazz legend Miles Davis; Mucho path to the U.K. chart crown. Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mer- The London rapper’s new al- cado (Netflix), a look at the gender-non-con- Dbum We’re All Alone In This Together (Dave forming astrologer who is beloved by Latin Neighbourhood) dominates the midweek Page 22 of 22

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artist with a career spanning over 40 years for the docuseries include Rothbaum, Wort- Snow Man Says will be releasing his first-ever solo EP in man, Lebedev, Vaisman and Nelson’s wife September, a six-track set including this To- Annie Nelson. ‘Hello Hello’ to kyo 2020 Summer Games-related number. “Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines dream of ours, and we feel privileged to re- No. 1 on Japan physical and digital sales, audio streams, alize this dream with Thom, Oren and Sight radio airplay, Twitter mentions, YouTube Unseen,” Rothbaum and Wortman said in a Hot 100 and GYAO! video views, Gracenote look-ups statement. and karaoke data. “Words like ‘honored,’ ‘excited’ and BY BILLBOARD JAPAN See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, ‘humbled’ don’t come close to describing dated July 12 to 18, here. the way we feel about being entrusted with now Man’s fourth single “Hello telling Willie’s story. And what a story it is! Hello” rockets to No. 1 on this We are celebrating the music, the career, the week’s Billboard Japan Hot 100, Willie Nelson long road, the family, friends and history,” dated July 12 to 18, selling 820,349 added Zimny and Moverman. “But, more SCDs in its first week. Docuseries In than anything, we are piecing together a The nine-member Johnny’s boy band’s narrative – one never before seen in its en- new single ruled physical sales, look-ups Development tirety – about an extraordinary man with a and Twitter mentions, while also coming in unique ability to bring people together; folks at No. 6 for video views and No. 11 for radio From Blackbird of all races, orientations, genders, political airplay to soar 74-1 on this week’s chart. The ideologies and musical leanings. These days, group’s previous single “Grandeur” — which Presents and Sight we sure could use the healing powers of launched with 800,398 first-week copies Willie Nelson.” — sailed past a million total copies on last Unseen Even with tours halted over the past week’s tally, indicating that the new group is year Nelson has kept his momentum go- successfully expanding its fanbase. BY JESSICA NICHOLSON ing. He put out two albums, First Rose of BTS’ “Permission to Dance,” which Spring and That’s Life, his second collection debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, he life and career of legend- of Frank Sinatra covers. He also released holds at No. 2 on the Japan Hot 100, ruling ary Willie Nelson will be the the books Willie Nelson’s Letters to America, streaming (19,965,634 weekly streams) and focus of the multi-part docuse- and Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the video (7,718,062 weekly views) to come out ries Willie Nelson and Family from Family Band, a memoir with his sister and on top over the group’s previous hit song TBlackbird Presents and Sight Unseen. musician Bobbie Nelson. He was feted by “Butter,” which falls to No. 3. But the latter Nelson, 88, will participate in the docuse- his fellow performers in the A&E music is still going strong, continuing its climb in ries, as will many of his family and friends. special Willie Nelson: American Outlaw, terms of weekly streams (14,469,653 this With the aim of making the “definitive and led online concert fundraisers for both week from 14,064,270 last week), and looks docuseries” of the entertainer’s career, the the Austin Community Foundation, and for like it won’t be leaving the top ranks any- project’s filmmakers will also benefit from Farm Aid (which Nelson first helped launch time soon. access to Nelson’s archives from his seven in 1985). The remainder of 2021 will see Meanwhile, two tracks debut in the top 10 decades in music. Nelson returning to the road for the Outlaw this week: millennium parade × Belle (Kaho Filmmakers Thom Zimny (Springsteen Music Festival tour and leading this year’s Nakamura)’s “U” and Keisuke Kuwata’s on Broadway, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, The Farm Aid festival on Sept. 25 in Hartford, “Smile - Harewataru sora no youni.” The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash) and Oren Conn. former is the theme for Mamoru Hosoda’s Moverman (The Messenger) will co-direct No word on when the docuseries will air new animated feature film Belle, which the docuseries, with production already or on which outlet. opened in Japanese theaters July 16. The underway in Austin, Los Angeles, Maui, track dropped before the movie hit theaters Nashville, and New York. Sight Unseen, and blasted in at No. 1 for downloads (27,996 Moverman’s production company with units) and No. 3 for radio to launch at No. 9 Julie Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman, serves as on the Japan Hot 100. producing and financing partner. Veteran pop star Kuwata’s “Smile,” debut- The project was developed by Nelson’s ing at No. 10, comes in at No. 3 for down- longtime manager Mark Rothbaum and loads (23,340 units) and No. 1 for radio. Blackbird Presents founder/chief creative The Southern All Stars frontman and solo officer Keith Wortman. Executive producers