All Within My Hands, the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, is expanding its Metallica Scholars Initiative across the United States.
A total of 18 new schools join the roster of existing MSI community colleges, with each new school receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs. The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 states and the territory of Guam.
The band has simultaneously announced the return of its Helping Hands Concert and Auction, which benefits the band’s All Within My Hands foundation. The one-night event will take place on Dec. 13 at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Metallica will perform alongside an unannounced lineup of artists.
“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me,” said Metallica’s James Hetfield. “A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud – we all are – to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states! All thanks to your support.”
Click here to see a complete list of Metallica Scholar Colleges.
+ BMG Nashville has launched a joint venture with Triple Play Music, owned by Jason Aldean with bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy. Triple Play’s songwriter roster includes John Edwards, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville/Night Train Records’ John Morgan and new signee and songwriter Neil Thrasher.
“Jason, Kurt, and Tully are BBR Music Group/ BMG family. We are thrilled to partner with Triple Play and welcome Neil Thrasher. It is amazing to watch the creative energy between these long-time friends. The talent is unmatched, and we are proud to be on this journey with them,” said creative director of BMG, Amy Hendon Scott.
+ Tunespotter has acquired What-song.com, a search engine built to filter through a collection of movies, TV show soundtracks, and playlists on the internet.
What-song.com lets viewers search for and discover songs from movies and TV shows. Tunespotter captures global trends and highlights, which What-song.com will utilize to transfrom its playlists and descriptions.
Tom Andrew, founder of What-song.com, said in a statement: “I couldn’t be happier about Tunespotter acquiring What-song.com,” says Andrew. “It’s a perfect match at a pertinent time when the search and discovery market is becoming more prolific. The database we’ve established gives Tunespotter an immediate aggregator and audience. Their ability to empower the user journey with their incredible visual tool chest and social app capabilities extends our reach and consolidates our strengths, positively impacting consumers with more rewarding, long form engagement. The Tunespotter team and the resources the partnership brings will finally allow What-song.com to fulfill its potential.”
An experiential marketplace that is growing faster than ever.
+ A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc), the not-for-profit trade organization representing over 600 independent record labels, has today announced its 2024-2025 Board of Directors, as well as its new Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members.
Leading the Executive Committee is Mary Jurey, chief business officer at Blue Élan Records, as chair; Tony Alexander, co-Founder and president of Made in Memphis Entertainment, as treasurer; Nabil Ayers, president of Beggars Group, as secretary.
This upcoming year’s newly elected board members are Steven Hill, head of North American and global marketing at Warp Records, Terry McBride, CEO of Nettwerk Music Group, and Louis Posen, founder and president of Hopeless Records.
Along with being voted to the executive committee, Mary Jurey, Tony Alexander, and Nabil Ayers are returning board members, along with Dee Diaz, senior VP marketing and digital at Reach Records, Wilson Fuller of Merge Records, Tony Kiewel, president of Sub Pop Records, Hays Rudolph, general counsel and VP of business and legal affairs at Secretly Group, and Zena White, COO of Partisan Records.
Furthermore, A2IM welcomes a new slate of industry professionals to its Advisory Board, including Glen Barros, managing partner at Exceleration Music Partners, Kristin Epstein, operations director of Screenwave Media, Jana Herzen, president of Motéma Music, and Jason Peterson, chairman and CEO of GoDigital Music Group.
+ Reservoir Media has announced a new publishing deal with singer-songwriter Wrabel. The deal includes his future works.
Wrabel began his career co-writing songs by pop and rock artists such as Teddy Swims, Kesha, Pink, Ellie Goulding, Adam Lambert, and Phillip Phillips, as well as EDM artists Kygo and Marshmello, among others.
After years of releasing singles and writing for others, Wrabel dropped his own debut album, “these words are all for you,” in 2021. He has since released his sophomore album, “based on a true story,” with plans for an upcoming third album expected in 2025. In the meantime, Wrabel continues to write for a diverse set of artists with new cuts this year.
From Variety US