The Blues Foundation Salutes The 2025 Keeping The Blues Alive Recipients During International Blues Challenge WeekThe Blues Foundation launches its 40th year by saluting the 2025 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) honorees during International Blues Challenge week, Tuesday, January 7 through Saturday, January 11. This year's KBA recipients are The Rhythm Room; Blues Blast Magazine; Charlie Hussey; Big Ed's Blues Jam; Little Steven's Blues School; Cincy Blues Society; Jefferson Street Sound Museum; and Ryszard Gloger.Keeping The Blues Alive Awards are chosen annually by a select panel of blues professionals, honoring those who have played crucial roles in advancing the art and commerce of blues. This year’s esteemed honorees will be recognized for their achievements at the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards brunch, taking place Friday, January 10 at 10:30AM, at the Hyatt Centric Hotel on Beale Street. Tickets are $80. and available on the blues.org website.The KBA ceremony is part of the Blues Foundation’s 40th Annual International Blues Challenge. This year's IBC Week kicks off Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with International Showcase performances on historic Beale Street, concluding with the Finals at Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre Saturday, January 11. Over a thousand musicians will converge in Memphis from across the globe, competing with their blues peers for the honor of winning — along with prizes and bookings — the International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest and most renowned blues music competition. Showcases, jams, panels, workshops, and master classes take place throughout Beale Street; spontaneous live music jams continue into the early-morning hours after the IBC performances conclude each evening, including unannounced appearances by well-known artists.This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Rhythm Room, a cornerstone of the blues community in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the past three decades, the Rhythm Room has hosted thousands of performances by blues artists and has become a vital hub for the genre. In a city as large as Phoenix—the fifth largest in the U.S.—it remains the only venue offering weekly blues performances, making its role indispensable to the local music scene.Owned and operated by blues musician and advocate Bob Corritore, the Rhythm Room has faced numerous challenges in its mission to keep blues music alive in the Southwest. At a time when many blues venues are shutting their doors, Bob’s dedication and personal sacrifices have ensured that the Rhythm Room remains a sanctuary for blues fans and musicians alike.The Rhythm Room’s importance extends beyond its role as a live music venue. It attracts blues enthusiasts from across the country, providing local audiences with opportunities to see national and international blues acts, not just local talent. Moreover, the venue offers a unique benefit to musicians: many performers who play at the Rhythm Room are invited to stay an extra day to record in Bob Corritore’s world-class recording studio. These sessions often result in music that is distributed at no cost to the artists, providing additional income and exposure. This model of support is unparalleled among music venues globally.In addition to its contributions to blues music, the Rhythm Room is a steadfast supporter of the broader blues community. It has hosted the Phoenix Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge competition and has been a longtime advocate for the Blues Foundation’s HART Fund, organizing an annual benefit where all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the fund’s mission of helping blues musicians in need.While the Rhythm Room welcomes artists across various genres, its unwavering commitment to blues music is what sets it apart. Few venues can claim such a strong and enduring dedication to preserving and promoting the blues. Through its exceptional efforts, the Rhythm Room has solidified its place as an essential institution for the blues community and beyond.The post The Blues Foundation Salutes The 2025 Keeping The Blues Alive Recipients During International Blues Challenge Week first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Stingray’s karaoke app is becoming a common feature in electric cars. Now the company has secured an expanded $352m credit facilityMontreal-headquartered music, media, and tech company is involved in numerous businesses, from advertising to streaming and conventional broadcast TV and radio
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100+ indie distributors in 20 countries have now signed up for The MLC’s data portal for unmatched royaltiesThe MLC says "millions of dollars" in royalties have been paid out thanks to its portal for indie distributors
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Layoffs at CD Baby as DIY & Indie Music Distributors struggleThere are layoffs at CD Baby, one of the largest DIY and independent music distribution services.
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Singer-Songwriter Cape May Conference returnsAfter a five-year hiatus, the Singer-Songwriter Cape May conference returns on March 28-29, 2025. Singer-Songwriter Cape May Conference returns Helmed by music industry veteran John Harris, the Singer-Songwriter Cape May conference will. Continue reading
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Christmas Music Dominates Streaming: The Ever-Expanding Holiday SeasonLearn how Christmas music dominates streaming in the ever-expanding holiday season as its influence on pop culture grows.
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Matt Gorman Signs with Wide Open Music And Jaron BoyerSongwriter and artist Matt Gorman has signed a joint venture with Wide Open Music and Jaron Boyer’s Open Door Apostolic Publishing, BMI. A native of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gorman moved to Nashville in 2019 to finish his education and play baseball at Lipscomb University. When not in class or at practice, he filled his days co-writing songs and playing shows throughout Nashville.“It has been such a gift to watch Matt grow as a songwriter and artist,” said 2024 SESAC Songwriter of the Year Jaron Boyer. “I know God has big plans for him and I’m so excited to see it all come to fruition. I’m so lucky to be a part of this venture with Matt Gorman and Wide Open.”In a short period of time, Gorman has generated millions of streams with his own songs like “Little Things,” “I Pray,” “Lakehouse,” and more. Baseball had been his life before moving to Nashville to attend Lipsomb, his dream school for his love of sport but also the proximity to music and songwriting. He spent days in class and on the field and nights writing, playing rounds and hitting Lower Broad. He pours all of his life experiences and observations into his music, which is now his sole focus.“I’m thankful to be in a place with some of the best people I know,” said Gorman. “From Jaron Boyer, Ash Bowers, Paul Compton and every writer on this roster I am so proud to call this place home. Being surrounded by people that are so talented is extremely inspiring, but also being surrounded by people that put God first makes this place what it is. I’m excited for what’s to come for this company and there is absolutely no other place I’d want to be.”Learn more:https://www.wideopenmusic.comThe post Matt Gorman Signs with Wide Open Music And Jaron Boyer first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Sony Music pulls catalog from Africa-focused music streaming service BoomplaySources tell MBW that concerns have been growing at other rightsholders over late royalty payments from the platform
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AEG Presents strikes strategic partnership with, takes stake in, Germany’s MCT AgenturAEG Presents acquires "partnership stake" in Germany-based concert promoter MCT Agentur
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Spotify CEO is worth $7.2B, more than 4 Richest Musicians CombinedDaniel EK, the Spotify CEO is worth $7.2 billion - more than the four richest musicians combined.
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NITO elects new officers for Indie Agent and Manager trade groupThe National Independent Talent Organization - NITO elects new officers.
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Can Publishers Flip the Split on $42B AI Music Licensing Opportunity?AI is changing music licensing, giving publishers a chance to claim a bigger share of revenue. Learn how attribution technology can help songwriters and publishers take control and get paid.
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Last Week in DIY & Independent Musician NewsLast week in DIY and Independent Musician News including maximizing your Spotify Wrapped account as an artist even after its release, marketing music in during the holidays, a new credit card designed for musicians and more...
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Last week’s top Music Business NewsIt was another busy week in music business news with a Federal Court upholding the TikTok ban law, a scary music AI study, a key industry white paper from Keith. Continue reading
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Chris McHugh Added to SONOR Drums’ Artist LineupChris McHugh, known for his exceptional talent and versatile career, is the latest drummer to join SONOR Drums’ roster of artists. With a career spanning over four decades, McHugh has established himself as a highly sought-after drummer in the music industry.Starting with Christian rock band White Heart from 1986 to 1989, McHugh transitioned into a prolific career as a session and touring drummer. Over the years, he has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Aaron Neville, Peter Frampton, Jewel, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, and numerous others. McHugh is on the Nashville "A" list of session drummers with over 3200 credits, 93 platinum and 15 gold certifications, and contributions to projects with over 24 billion streams. His live performances have taken him on tours with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Garth Brooks, as well as onto some of the world’s most prominent stages, including appearances on the Grammy Awards, SNL, the Super Bowl pregame, the Country Music Awards, and many more. McHugh has also toured as Music Director and drummer for Keith Urban and has been the session drummer for seven of Urban's studio albums.For more information about SONOR Drums and its artists, visit www.sonor.comFor more information about Chris McHugh, visit www.chrismchugh.com and www.sonor.com/drums/artists/artists-detail/chris-mchughThe post Chris McHugh Added to SONOR Drums’ Artist Lineup first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.