MusiCares Plots Second Annual ‘The Day That Music Cares’ Volunteer Day

Music’s leading charity MusiCares has announced its second annual volunteer day, “The Day That Music Cares,” will take place on April 26. The initiative encourages music professionals and fans worldwide to a day of volunteering, “demonstrating the power and heart of the music community,” per a press release.

Songwriters and sound engineers, touring crews and record label employees will join forces with music fans to support causes close to their hearts. Participants can engage in various acts of service such as volunteering at local food banks, organizing community blood drives, and beach clean-ups.

“The Day That Music Cares unites the music community’s culture of connection and the transformative power of giving back. Volunteering strengthens bonds within communities and reinforces mental health. Together in this shared mission, we’re harnessing the power of music to make a difference,” said Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares.

The 2023 effort saw over 1,400 members of the music community take action with MusiCares, according to the organization. Among this year’s partners are Starbucks, whose financial contributions amplify “The Day That Music Cares’” message, and iHeartMedia, leveraging in-kind promotion to spread awareness across their platforms.

“Following the success of The Day That Music Cares’ inaugural year, I am thrilled to see this initiative go to our wider music community to create positive change in the world,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “There is always work to be done and it’s great to see how we can come together and even make new connections all while making an impact in our communities.”

+ Verve Label Group (VLG) has promoted Joseph Oerke to executive vice president of Decca Records U.S., effective immediately.

Oerke, who’s been with the company for nearly 16 years, will lead the marketing and artist strategy for the classical label in the United States. Decca Records US is also the American partner for European sister labels Decca Records, Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, Hyperion, Mercury KX, and distributed label, ECM, with artists that include Lang Lang, Hilary Hahn, Yuja Wang, Andrea Bocelli, Yannick Nézet- Séguin, Keith Jarrett, Renée Fleming, and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Verve Label Group and Global Classics and Jazz, said: “Joseph is propelling Decca US into a new era as the leading classical record company in America. With his boundless experience and formidable team-building skills Joseph is perfectly positioned to serve the finest classical artists of the world, and their passionate US audiences.”

+ Entertainment marketing agency The Syndicate is expanding its PR division with Allie Gruensfelder joining as director of publicity. Gruensfelder will report to The Syndicate’s senior VP of business development, Jeff Kilgour.

On Allie joining the team Kilgour shares, “Allie is an exceptional talent and her experience, creativity, and passion will be invaluable to the company. She always brings innovative ideas to her campaigns and we’re thrilled to have her fresh perspective strengthen the team.”

Gruensfelder adds, “I’m thrilled to join the innovative, smart, and creative team at The Syndicate. With a growing roster of talent across a diverse range of entertainment verticals, this role provides an incredible opportunity for meaningful storytelling and elevated awareness for both the clients and The Syndicate’s capabilities.”

Gruensfelder was formerly VP of trendsetter media and marketing. During her fifteen-year tenure, Gruensfelder led publicity campaigns for Hoobastank, Mae, the Maine, lovelytheband and Concrete Castles, among others.

+ Beyond Music, an Asia-based investment and management company focusing on music rights aggregation, has acquired the music catalog of Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Yandel (Llandel Veguilla Malavé) including his publishing interests and royalties, his share of performance royalties and neighboring rights royalties. This is Beyond Music’s first acquisition in the Latin market.

Beyond Music CEO Jangwon Lee commented, “We are deeply humbled by Yandel’s extraordinary artistry and unparalleled career and honored to partner with him as he progresses to the next height of his career. As a leading custodian of some of the most iconic non-Anglo musical works, we seek to support a truly burgeoning creativity across Latin and Asian musical ecosystems. We see similar traits of magnificent growth in both Latin Pop and Asian Pop (K-Pop included), and hope to share and connect the best from both worlds.”

+ Monument Records has promoted Casey Thomas to VP of marketing and commercial partnerships and Ansley Neeley to manager, marketing and creative. In their roles, Thomas will continue to oversee marketing, publicity, creative, digital and streaming, while Neeley will step into project management.

Thomas joined Monument from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where she worked first as a PR manager in 2018, and then as director of marketing, publicity and creative. Neeley joined Monument Records in 2021 as the label’s promotion coordinator, later adding in marketing coordinator responsibilities ranging from facilitating the delivery and strategic setup of all the label’s releases to planning various artist events and executing traditional and digital marketing campaigns.

Monument’s artist roster includes Alex Hall, Brandon Ratcliff, Shelby Lynne, Tigirlily Gold and Walker Hayes, to name a few.

+ Afro-dancehall artist Stonebwoy has inked a global distribution and label services deal with ADA Worldwide, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Group.

The partnership with ADA, in partnership with Stonebwoy’s own Burniton Music Group, also covers Stonebwoy’s upcoming sixth studio album, slated for release later this year.

“This deal marks another stride forward in bringing my music to the global stage via ADA’s network,” Stonebwoy said. “My aim has always been to unite people through the fusion of African music (Afrobeats), Reggae, Dancehall, RnB, and Hip Hop. They say creativity flourishes in freedom, so owning my creativity is essential for me to make a meaningful contribution to the global music landscape.”

“Stonebwoy is in a league of his own. His genre-blending style has resonated with millions of fans around the globe and he’s helped shine a light on the rich and vibrant sounds coming out of Africa,” said Cat Kreidich, president of ADA Worldwide. “He’s spreading positivity, love and unity with music that makes you move and makes you feel. We can’t wait to support his unique creative vision even further across the international stage.”

+ UTA has signed model and musician Shaun Ross for worldwide touring. The deal is said to help expand Ross’ global footprint.

Ross’s foray into house music delves into the late ‘80s and early ‘90s-inspired sounds. Recently, Ross collaborated on the single “Learn Something New” with Mark Francis. Ross is also a fashion industry veteran, having worked over 15 years as a top model collaborating with Alexander McQueen, Fendi and more.

“It’s rare to find someone as talented as Shaun who is truly a multidisciplinary artist,” says Ross’s point agent Eli Hanavan. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the growth of what has been a very versatile career.”

Ross will continue to be represented by manager Kyle Kernohan.

+ Latin music veteran Gustavo Lopez has launched a full-service, independent, multi-media, music entertainment company called Globalatino Music Partners. The new brand encompasses label services, artist management, publishing, branding, distribution, acquisitions, touring, content creation and strategic marketing.

In announcing its launch, Lopez has also shared the company’s acquisition of a majority stake in Cigol Music, the label home to Colombian breakout superstar Blessd. Carlos Nunez, formerly of Talento Uno, will serve as Partner and executive VP of Cigol.

Warner Music Latina will handle Globalatino’s distribution and marketing services for selected artists. The deal, which launches with Blessd and hit-making duo DeMasters, will include more in the pipeline to be announced shortly.

ReLo-Co Music, a new record label, has also been purchased by Globalatino in association with Alejandro Reglero. Reglero, formerly of Sony Music Latin and Saban Music Latin, will serve as Partner and CEO of ReLo-Co.

GUAU Talent Connect, a division of Globalatino, specializes in brand partnerships and is dedicated to connecting rising artists to top brands. Augusto Mendoza, formerly with Sony Music Latin will lead this division. Plus, Strat-Viz, also a division of Globalatino, will oversee all strategic marketing and content creation. The latter will be led by Rodolfo Rodriguez, formerly of Saban Music Latin. TuStreams, Latin music’s preeminent independent content and distribution company, will also handle distribution and monetization.

+ Resident Advisor magazine has appointed Gabriel Szatan as editor and Rachel Grace Almeida as deputy editor.

Szatan will lead the global editorial team working in RA’s New York and London offices, with Rachel Grace Almeida joining in London to assume the deputy position.