Deal includes Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Wheelhouse Records, Red Bow Records, music publisher Magic Mustang Music and a roster of major country artists
NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 30, 2017 – The new BMG has announced that it has acquired Nashville-based independent powerhouse BBR Music Group (BBRMG), including its associated labels Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Wheelhouse Records, Red Bow Records and its music publishing company Magic Mustang Music.
The agreement includes the rights to a number of major country artists including Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, Thompson Square and many others.
BBR Music Group is BMG’s biggest single acquisition in the recordings business since its launch in 2008 as the first new international music company of the streaming age.
The deal gives BMG a significant position in the Nashville music business and promises a number of benefits to BBRMG and BMG-signed artists and songwriters. BBRMG clients will have a greatly enhanced international scope as they are plugged into BMG’s global platform and BMG recording artists will gain a significant new marketing resource.
Since its formation by entrepreneur Benny Brown in 1997, BBR Music Group (BBRMG) has become one of the most successful independent music companies in Nashville and the broader US music industry. BBRMG has scored seven multi-platinum or platinum albums, 19 multi-platinum or platinum singles and 32 number one airplay singles across eight different artists.
Jason Aldean alone has sold over 14 million albums including 18 Number One Country Singles and seven platinum or multi-platinum albums, including 2016’s They Don’t Know which hit Number One on the Billboard 200, US Top Independent Albums and Country Albums charts. Aldean remains the RIAA’s #1 digital selling male Country artist of all time.
BBRMG will continue to operate from its Nashville headquarters and its 48 staff will transfer to BMG. It will sit alongside BMG’s recording operations in Los Angeles, which has released US Number One albums by Janet Jackson (2015) and Blink-182’s Grammy-nominated California (2016), New York – home to a roster including pop sensation Andy Grammar and Number One Christian artist Danny Gokey and Portland, Oregon, where rock label Rise Records’s roster includes PVRIS and At The Drive-In.
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said, “BBR Music Group is a phenomenally successful operation whose philosophy and commitment to its artists fit perfectly with the new BMG. I have a huge respect for what Benny and his team have achieved. The combination of BBR Music Group and BMG gives artists and songwriters in Nashville and beyond a new route to the worldwide market. We will be the alternative so many artists are looking for.”
BBRMG founder Benny Brown and CFO Paul Brown will remain as consultants to the business following the deal, while all existing staff remain in their positions reporting directly
to Executive Vice President Jon Loba. Loba will report to BMG US President Repertoire & Marketing Zach Katz.
Benny Brown said: “Since 2001 I’ve been approached many times by various major labels wanting to purchase us. The most important thing to me has always been my artists, my employees and my songwriters. They have always been my family and after meeting with Hartwig and Zach, I knew that I’d found the right partners to ensure my family stayed together and to also continue the BBR Music Group legacy. We were one of the very first indie labels to ever break through in Country music. Because of that we created a different culture within our walls that’s pretty simple – happy people are productive people. That’s always been important to me and that’s also the way Hartwig and Zach run BMG. I knew they shared my vision and my passion and that’s what made this the right fit.”
Jon Loba said: “Benny has been approached countless times about selling, but it took a very special company comprised of very special people for Benny to make this move. We couldn’t be more excited about joining BMG. Its culture aligns so closely with the core values the BBR Music Group was built on. BMG respects our heritage, but this is also about the future. Being part of BMG family will afford our artists, songwriters and staff incredible new opportunities. Beginning today, for the first time we are plugged into a proven global platform committed to delivering for artists and songwriters. We can’t wait to get started.”
Zach Katz said: “I want to pay tribute to what Benny and his team have created. It is truly exemplary. Nashville and its culture are such an integral part of the music industry that it was always only a matter of time before we expanded our presence. Never did we imagine that we would be able to do so with such an extraordinary roster of artists and team members. I am confident that together BMG and BBR Music Group will offer an unbeatable combination for artists and songwriters.”
The acquisition of BBR Music Group marks the return to the Nashville record business of BMG after an eight year absence. The first incarnation of BMG acquired RCA Records, including its Nashville operation in 1986, enjoying success with artists including Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and numerous others. RCA became part of the Sony-BMG joint venture in 2004, before parent company Bertelsmann sold its stake in the joint venture in 2008 to launch the new BMG with an innovative artist-friendly business model which brings music publishing and recordings together under one roof.
The new BMG launched its successful Nashville-based music publishing operation in 2009. In his role overseeing Nashville operations, EVP Kos Weaver has developed a diverse roster that includes Alabama, Brett Beavers, busbee, Danny Gokey, Hillary Lindsey, Buddy Miller, and John Paul White.
Said Weaver, “The BBR Music Group folks are not only close neighbors of BMG here in Nashville, they share a similar approach in their philosophy and relationships with their artists. This is an amazing match, our potential together is enormous.”
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About BMG
BMG is the new model music company founded by Bertelsmann in 2008 as a direct response to the challenges of music’s digital revolution. Key to its innovative approach is the fact it represents the traditionally separate music publishing and recording rights off the same state-of-the-art platform internationally. BMG is already the world’s fourth biggest music publisher and the first new global player in the recordings business in decades. BMG’s pitch is unique – a relentless focus on fairness and transparency and service to its artist and songwriter clients. BMG’s 14 offices across 12 core music markets now represent over 2,5m songs and recordings, including the catalogues of Chrysalis, Bug, Virgin, Mute, Sanctuary, Primary Wave and Talpa Music, as well as literally thousands of artists and songwriters attracted by its fresh approach. BMG is owned by international media company Bertelsmann,
which also includes the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group, and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. With its multi-platform perspective, integrated technology platform and commitment to help artists maximize their income, BMG aims to be the best company in music to do business with. www.bmg.com
About BBR Music Group
Founded by President/ CEO Benny Brown in 1997, the BBR Music Group grew from a fledgling independent label into one of the largest independent Country label groups in the United States. As an independent entity BBR Music Group earned 32 #1 Country Radio singles; five Multi-Platinum singles; 14 Platinum singles and 17 Gold singles as well as three Multi-Platinum albums; four Platinum albums and five Gold albums. Additionally, BBR Music Group artists have received 129 award show nominations and 32 wins to-date. Headquartered in Nashville, TN, the BBR Music Group umbrella includes Broken Bow Records (Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Jordan Rager, Jackie Lee); Stoney Creek Records (Thompson Square, Randy Houser, Parmalee, Lindsay Ell, Adam Craig); Red Bow Records (Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Chase Bryant, Brooke Eden); Wheelhouse Records (Trace Adkins, Granger Smith, Kristian Bush, Runaway June, Walker McGuire). BBR Music Group’s publishing company Magic Mustang Music has achieved 23 Country Airplay Awards, six #1 singles and was named SESAC’s “Publisher of the Year” for three consecutive years – becoming the only independent music publisher to ever achieve this feat. www.bbrmusicgroup.com