Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired?

Chip Herter

SVP, Music Supervision & LicensingThe Syndicate

The Syndicate has announced the appointment of Chip Herter as the SVP, Music Supervision & Licensing. In this newly created role, Herter will build a division focused on creative music supervision, licensing, and end-to-end music support for The Syndicate's clients and partners. “The Syndicate has an incredible 28-year legacy in artist development, marketing, and culture-making,” said Herter. “I’m thrilled to join the team and launch a music supervision and licensing practice that prioritizes creative integrity, meaningful partnerships, and real impact for brands and artists alike." For more, contact chip@thesyn.com.

John Powenski

Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources OfficerBMI

BMI announced that John Powenski has joined the company as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer. Powenski will lead Human Resources across the organization, focused on supporting BMI’s continued growth and organizational performance, including the company’s HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Total Rewards, People Operations, and more. He will be based in BMI’s Nashville office. For more, contact lfischer@bmi.com.

Joe Rinaldi

PresidentThe National Independent Venue Association of California

The National Independent Venue Association of California has announced that Joe Rinaldi has assumed the role of President. "Independent venues are the heartbeat of California’s culture and economy," said Rinaldi. "After years of advocating for our community in Southern California, I am honored to lead the statewide effort to ensure our industry not only survives but thrives. Our mission is clear: we must unite our 630-plus qualifying venues, promoters, and festivals to become a self-sufficient force for change." For more, contact nivacalifornia@gmail.com.

Mikelle Schwartz

Co-Head, Label MarketingPosition Music

Position Music announced that Mikelle Schwartz has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Schwartz will take on the role of Head of Label Marketing, where she will oversee Product Management, Digital Marketing, and DSP and distribution partnerships. "I’m excited to join Position Music and help shape the next chapter of its label business —building alongside Tyler, Mark and Garrett, who are all forward-thinking leaders redefining what growth and artist partnership look like today,” said Schwartz. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.

Lindsay Hayes

Vice President of DevelopmentMusic Health Alliance

Music Health Alliance (MHA), the nonprofit dedicated to providing advocacy and access to healthcare and mental health for the music industry, has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development and announced several staff promotions across its advocacy and healthcare navigation team. In this role, Hayes will lead the growth of MHA’s fundraising and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial sustainability. “I’m thrilled to now make things official and join MHA at a time when their work has never been more vital,” said Hayes. For more, contact caitlin@musichealthalliance.com.

Bailey Aldrich

Senior Marketing and Event SpecialistKHS America

KHS America has announced the promotion of Bailey Aldrich to Senior Marketing and Event Specialist. In her new position, Aldrich will lead content and advertising deployment for all KHS America brands, implement digital marketing strategies alongside the Educational Brand Management team, and direct the administrative operations of major trade shows and industry events. "Since she started with KHS America, Bailey has consistently stood out for her exceptional initiative, organization, and team support," said Ryan Rehnborg, Creative & Marketing Communications Manager.  For more, contact kate@richlynngroup.com.

Björn Sandberg

Head of Commercial MarketingAudioSalad

AudioSalad, a music technology company, announced the appointment of Björn Sandberg to the newly created position of Head of Commercial Marketing. Based in London, Sandberg will lead the evolution of AudioSalad’s artist and label marketing and will report to CEO Iain Catling. "Björn’s experience and deep understanding of commercial marketing in today’s complex marketplace make him a tremendous addition to our team," said Catling. "His expertise further strengthens our distribution capabilities as we continue building best-in-class services for artists, creators, and labels." For more, contact jsmith@sesac.com.

Garrett Ream

Co-Head, Label CreativePosition Music

Position Music announced that Garrett Ream has been named Co-Head of the company’s Label division. Ream will take on the role of Head of Label Creative, where he will oversee Content & Digital Strategy and Radio Promotion, while continuing to play a key role in the label’s A&R and signing strategy. “Our focus has been building a digital-first infrastructure and in-house agency that allows us to move at the speed of the audience. I’m incredibly grateful to Mark and Tyler for their trust and support in building this vision and their commitment to being active partners to our artists,” said Ream. For more, contact deborah@drpr.us.The post Assignments April 2026: Who Got Hired? first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Pershing Square’s $64 billion bid for UMG to Wireless Festival’s Kanye West cancellation… it’s MBW’s weekly round-upThe biggest headlines from the past seven days...
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TuneCore partners with RoyFi to offer royalty advances to indie artistsArtists can secure direct cash advances without giving up equity or transferring ownership of copyrights.
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Signing Stories: Matthew StevensDate Signed: January 2025Label: Candid RecordsType of Music: JazzLegal: George HowardPublicity: Ashley Natareno - Big Feat PRA&R: Terri Lyne CarringtonWeb: mattstevensmusic.com

John Burk co-founded Concord Records in 1995, where he’s had major success with artists including Carlos Santana, Ray Charles, and Esperanza Spalding. He eventually created Exceleration Music in partnership with Glen Barros, Charles Caldas, Amy Dietz, and Dave Hansen. In 2020, that organization acquired jazz label Candid Records, the venerable home to many of the genre’s greats, such as Charlie Mingus, Max Roach, and Lee Ritenour.

After taking over Candid, Burk hired drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington to serve in an A&R capacity. GRAMMY-winning guitarist and producer Matthew Stevens knew both Burk and Carrington. He was part of Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah’s band in the early 2000s, which Burk signed to Concord Records as part of a multi-album deal. They did a bunch of recordings together at Fantasy Studios, which Concord then owned. And Carrington is someone who’s been a musical collaborator and mentor to Stevens for years.

“I started doing a bunch of sessions for Concord, like a Harvey Mason record,” recalls the Berklee College of Music professor. “And ultimately a Concord all-stars thing called NEXT Collective. John was involved in all of that, so he was the person I was around at the beginning of my career.”

Carrington first offered the deal with Candid in February of 2024. The contract was signed by the end of that year, and recording began the following May. The Toronto native previously released albums with U.K.-based Whirlwind Recordings. Contrary to what one might assume, Stevens was less cautious this time around. “Because I know John and Terri Lyne so well, I was happy to jump right in,” he proclaims. “It was a wholehearted gut feeling.”

The jazzman further chose Candid in part because he’s a huge fan of the label’s catalog, from Abbey Lincoln and Cecil Taylor to Memphis Slim. “They have a lot of historic significance,” Stevens remarks. “And I’m excited by the fact that they’re also signing new artists and pushing forward.”

Matthew Stevens (out May 8 via Candid Records) – pre-order hereThe post Signing Stories: Matthew Stevens first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Secretly Distribution acquires music data and analytics firms Entertainment Intelligence and Babel OpsBabel Ops was founded in 2020 by Erik Gilbert and Greg Delaney, who previously co-founded Entertainment Intelligence in 2014.
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Bill Ackman confident he’ll win over UMG shareholders to $64 billion bid, says Bolloré response was ‘music to my ears’The transaction requires the support of UMG's board and a two-thirds vote of shareholders who attend a meeting called for the purpose
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KRK Kreate 5 Monitors Elevate Miami’s 555 Studios Creative SpaceSome studios are built for recording. Others are built for content. 555 Studios, tucked inside Miami’s ever-electric Wynwood Arts District, is chasing something bigger—an ecosystem where creativity doesn’t just happen, it collides.

Inside the 10,000-square-foot labyrinth, it’s not unusual to find a podcast being tracked upstairs while a fashion shoot unfolds down the hall and a live performance pulses below. It’s organized chaos in the best way—exactly how Studio Manager Cristian “Cris” Castro envisioned it.

“I always wanted a place where independent artists could record their music, shoot their videos, take photos, and perform—all under one roof,” Castro says. What started as an idea now feels more like a living, breathing organism—one that “blends the energy of a live venue with the precision of professional production suites.”

That balance—between vibe and technical polish—is where KRK’s Kreate 5 monitors quietly earn their keep.

Originally brought in as playback speakers for the podcast studio, the Kreate 5s didn’t stay put for long. In a space that refuses to sit still, neither could they. “The Kreates were initially chosen to be playback monitors in our podcast room,” Castro explains, “but now they move all around the building.” And that mobility isn’t a compromise—it’s the point.

Compact enough to travel from room to room but still packing the punch of a larger system, the monitors have become a kind of sonic glue across wildly different creative setups. Whether it’s dialing in dialogue for a podcast, setting the mood during a shoot, or filling the lobby with clean, balanced playback, they’ve become a constant in a space defined by change.

“From recording to playback, consistency is everything—and that’s why KRK is part of the workflow at 555 Studios,” says Castro—and it’s a sentiment that’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever chased a mix across multiple environments. “555 blends the energy of a live venue with the precision of professional production suites. The KRK Kreate K5s give us a trusted clarity in a more flexible form factor. Whether we’re fine-tuning a podcast or setting the tone during a photo shoot, the monitors deliver a balanced, reliable sound that translates across real-world listening environments. Plus, the portability and Bluetooth make it easy to bring that quality into any room instantly, which is key in a space as dynamic as ours.”

And in a studio where one day’s workflow might look nothing like the next, that kind of dependability matters. A lot.

There’s also something refreshingly unpretentious about how the gear is used here. No sacred control room. No precious “don’t touch” setups. Just tools that move as fast as the ideas do—Bluetooth-enabled, easily repositioned, and always ready to adapt.

If 555 Studios proves anything, it’s that today’s creative spaces don’t live in neat categories anymore—and neither should the gear.The post KRK Kreate 5 Monitors Elevate Miami’s 555 Studios Creative Space first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Pearl Jam's Mike McCready on His New Graphic Novel, Classic Grunge, and His Heavy Metal RootsGuitarist, songwriter, and now author Mike McCready talked to AllMusic about his new graphic novel "Farewell to Seasons" which imagines an alternate history to the Seattle music scene.

FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: PROPS AND OPPS FOR APRIL '26PROPS

The LA Philharmonic will open its 104th season at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, with performances at the Hollywood Hills amphitheater running from June through September 2026. The season will kick off on June 20 with Opening Night, benefiting the LA Phil's Learning and Community Programs. The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins, will salute the stars and legacy of Broadway with a program spanning beloved ballads and show-stopping dance numbers in celebration of American musicals. The night is set to culminate in a fireworks display. For tickets and a rundown on all the programming in store at Hollywood Bowl this season, visit hollywoodbowl.com.

The Game Music Festival will return to London in June 2026 with five live concerts across two major venues—Royal Festival Hall and Fairfield Halls. The festival will open on June 6 with The Infernal Symphony, a sweeping orchestral tribute to three decades of Diablo soundtracks, followed by concerts celebrating 40 years of Hitoshi Sakimoto’s work on soundtracks, as well as the music of Hades, Hades II, Persona and more. Special guests will include original composers and performers. Alongside the concerts, an educational program of masterclasses, panel discussions, and other industry sessions will offer something for any aspiring game music composer. For more information, visit gamemusic.net/events.

Dance Against Cancer will bring the global arts community together once again for its annual, one-night-only benefit performance set for May 18. Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission to end cancer, building on the organization's record of raising more than $4.5 million to date. The stage will feature celebrated stars from the worlds of ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop, and Broadway in continuation of a tradition of collaboration among top dance talent. Past performers have included Misty Copeland, Tiler Peck, Ayodele Casel, Alex Wong, and many more. Find all the details and purchase tickets at nycitycenter.org/pdps/2025-2026/dance-against-cancer.

OPPS

Calling all young filmmakers: The All American High School Film Festival—the largest student film festival in the world—is accepting submissions for the October 16-18 event. Though the free deadlines have passed, submit by April 27 for $20, with entry fees increasing up until the final, July 3 deadline. There are a dozen categories, including for music videos, with more custom categories to be announced. Learn more at hsfilmfest.com/submit.

If you want to be a part of Showstopper, America’s first and most prestigious dance competition, register by May 4 for the May 22-25 event in Anaheim, California. Information on registration, the competitions, and more are at goshowstopper.com/competitions_cpt/anaheim-ca-3.

There’s still time to submit your film score to Cleveland’s 2026 Horror Hotel Film Festival, with the late registration deadline falling on April 17. The 15th annual event—slated for June 18-21 this year—is inviting composers to score a trailer that the festival provides. Learn more about the festival and how to submit your work at instagram.com/horrorhotelfilmfest.The post FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: PROPS AND OPPS FOR APRIL '26 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Pepsi and Diageo withdraw sponsorship of UK’s Wireless Festival as Kanye West booking sparks backlash"We have informed the organizers of our concerns, and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival," said a company spokesperson.
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A folk musician had her voice cloned by AI – and her recordings claimed by a copyright troll. Welcome to 2026.Gamma-owned Vydia caught in controversy over musician whose videos were claimed against
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Yale Law School scholars back UMG in Drake’s ‘Not Like Us’ defamation fight, arguing rapper ‘consented’ to Kendrick Lamar’s lyricsTwo amicus briefs filed on Friday (April 3) in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have backed UMG Recordings in its defense against Drake’s defamation appeal over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. Both briefs support the dismissal of Drake’s lawsuit and urge the appeals court to affirm the October 2025 ruling … Continued
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Ear Candy: Get Up and Go!Happiest of Fridays, my frequency friends!

If the snooze button has been winning recently, this week's Ear Candy is here to rescue you. It's Get Up and Go! Think of it as your personal soundtrack to shake off the grogginess, stretch out the yawns, and actually step out the door with a little spring in your step.

Whether you’re heading out for work, squeezing in a quick morning run, or just trying to get yourself moving after a night that didn’t go quite as planned, this playlist is the soundtrack that refuses to let inertia win. It’s energy you can’t help but catch, a spark that spreads from your headphones to your toes, and before you know it—you’re up, you’re moving, and you’re ready for whatever the day throws at you.

So go ahead and take your sonic shot of espresso.

Click HERE to access this week's Ear Candy.

While you're there, please "Like" the playlist and "Follow" Music Connection's profile so you'll never miss the chance to listen along with MC!The post Ear Candy: Get Up and Go! first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

UMG and Believe settle lawsuit that alleged ‘industrial-scale’ copyright infringement of Universal’s musicUniversal Music Group and Believe have settled the copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the Paris-headquartered music company and its distribution platform TuneCore in late 2024. A Joint Stipulation of Dismissal With Prejudice was filed today (April 3) in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, confirming that all claims in the … Continued
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FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: DROPS for April '26

Wuthering Heights (Original Motion Picture Score) is out now via Milan Records featuring original music by composer Anthony Willis. This is the accompaniment to director Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the classic novel. The album marked Willis and Fennell’s third feature-film collaboration. Willis crafted a score built around a restrained, plaintive theme reflecting the longing between the story’s two leads, played by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Willis’ approach moved away from traditional musical interpretations of the story, instead blending rustic textures with delicate instrumentation that complemented original songs by Charli xcx. The Warner Bros. Pictures film hit theaters in February. For more information, contact Sarah Roche at sarah@whitebearpr.com.

WaterTower Music released the soundtrack for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1, featuring an original score by composer Dan Romer for the HBO series set in the world of Game of Thrones. The show follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg, across Westeros nearly a century before the events of the original series. Romer’s score departed from the sweeping grandeur associated with the franchise, instead embracing a more intimate, grounded sound. Using small ensembles of guitars, fiddles, and whistling, he crafted a folky score reflecting the story’s focus outside castle walls and on dusty roads, among common people. Contact Christian Endicio christian@whitebearpr.com for additional details. 

GRAMMY award-winning artist Raphael Saadiq performed a one-night-only set at Los Angeles’ famous Blue Note Cafe in March, following the sold-out summer run of his critically acclaimed one-man show. The evening featured two showings and spotlighted his celebrated career, including a performance of the Oscar-nominated song “I Lied to You” from the highly praised film Sinners. The track previously won Outstanding Original Song honors at both the Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards and the Black Reel Awards. Saadiq also performed classics from his days with the musical group Tony! Toni! Toné! as well as his solo career. He also received the Guild of Music Supervisors 2026 ICON Award. Learn more by contacting Grace Jones at grace@theoriel.co.

Clika, the debut film from celebrated music producer Jimmy Humilde’s production company Rancho Humilde is now available on digital platforms and was released on DVD. Directed by Michael Greene and inspired by musician JayDee, the story follows Chito, an aspiring small-town musician played by JayDee himself, whose viral performance clip launches him into the new wave of Mexican-American music and brings him into a world of unexpected danger. The cast also includes DoKnow, Laura Lopez, Concrete, Nana Ponceleon, Percy “Master P” Miller, Peter Greene, and Eric Roberts. Contact Jordan Kaiser at jordan_kaiser@spe.sony.com for more information. 

Subtext, a U.S. independent film company launched in January 2026, has acquired the North American rights to Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul, which will be the company’s inaugural release. The full-length documentary, directed by GRAMMY and Golden Globe Award-winning filmmaker James Keach and produced by Michael Lehman, explore the life and work of Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman. The film features never-before-seen interviews, rare performances from the archives, and concert footage capturing the band at their creative peak. Made in association with Rolling Stone Films, the documentary takes a look at Allman’s personal tragedies, battles with addiction, and lasting cultural impact. A theatrical release is planned for summer 2026. For details, contact Ken Weinstein at weinstein@bighassle.com. 

Oscar-winning sound editor and re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay recently appeared on the podcast “The Making Of,” where he discussed his early career, his longtime collaboration with filmmakers the Coen Brothers, and his creative approach to crafting sound in post-production. Lievsay’s extensive filmography includes renowned works like Blood Simple, Fargo, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, The Silence of the Lambs, Gravity, Birdman, Roma, and, most recently, Marty Supreme, among many others. He was also honored this year with the Cinema Audio Society Career Achievement Award in Los Angeles. Learn more by visiting themakingof.substack.com/podcast. The post FILM - TV - THEATER - GAMES: DROPS for April '26 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.