Runaway June Signs with Quartz Hill Records and Brown Sellers Brown MgmtRunaway June has signed with Quartz Hill Records for label and Brown Sellers Brown Management for management, effective immediately, giving the band a new home to share all of their new music on the way. On the heels of their exciting news, the trio is also announcing their upcoming single, "Make Me Wanna Smoke," a burn-it-down country rocker with blowtorch vocals and attitude to match, available everywhere on May 19.

"We cannot wait to start this new journey with Quartz Hill Records and the amazing team there," Runaway June shares. "We couldn't ask for more passionate, talented, hardworking, true believers fighting for us. Benny Brown signed this band from the beginning, and to be together again is a dream come true. We are counting down the days until we can share the new music we are creating together with the world!"

"It's so great to be working with Runaway June again," adds Benny Brown, Managing Partner, Brown Sellers Brown Management. "They're all so talented and I've always been a big believer in them and their music — I think this is some of the best music they've ever done and can't wait for everyone to hear it."

On Wednesday (5/10), Runaway June members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward appeared on the latest episode of The Bobby Bones Show, where "Make Me Wanna Smoke" exclusively premiered. During the episode, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward chatted with Bones and updated him on all things Runaway June before playing "Make Me Wanna Smoke."

"This is a totally different vibe than what we've done in the past and it's really exciting, very edgy, more rock elements," Runaway June exclusively told Bobby Bones of the song, adding, "It has a really cool way of incorporating all of our styles into it. We're really excited about it."

"Make Me Wanna Smoke" was written by Jason Sellers, Ella Langley, and Bobby Hamrick, the track captures a conflicted heart struggling with love it can’t quit – even when it feels like a bad habit. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones as a stomp-and-shout anthem with addictive three-part harmonies and a red-hot rhythm section, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward try their best to resist the temptation. But in the end, this is one romantic habit they just can’t escape.

In late 2022, Runaway June kicked off their latest musical era with the relatable heartbreak rocker "BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)," which was highlighted by Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, CMT and more. The grab-your-girlfriends music video premiered across CMT along with the Paramount Times Square Billboard in New York City, streaming the groove-worthy track's message across the Big Apple.

Runaway June is set to take their new music on the road this summer with planned stops in California, Colorado, Nashville and more. See the band's full list of tour dates here.

Photo by: Ford Fairchild

Former Spotify exec David Ecker joins Exceleration Music as Label Development ManagerRachel Cunningham also appointed to lead Fan Engagement and Commerce at Exceleration
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After China’s Government moves to regulate AI, TikTok sister app Douyin issues new rules for AI-generated contentThe use of AI to create copyright-infringing content is not allowed
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Soundcloud shares strong new Creator and Track stats but no MAU updateAlongside the launch of its “Fans” direct messaging tool this week, SoundCloud shared some impressive numbers. Missing, however, were new monthly active user stats. Last year, SoundCloud had about 120. Continue reading
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Drama and Controversy are cheap Marketing Strategies but do they work?It feels like we are seeing more “band drama” lately. Band members are calling each other out and making more “hot topic” comments. Drama and controversy are cheap tactics for. Continue reading
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Music, AI & the Metaverse ‘offer limitless possibilities’The potential for AI to disrupt music is the topic de jour, but add the Metaverse to the mix, and the possibilities become even more mind-boggling. Guest post by Eric. Continue reading
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From Billie Holiday to DakhaBrakha: The Uniting Power of the Protest SongThroughout history, music has been essential during times of struggle, transcending entertainment in order to become a force of change and progress. These protest songs are often situational, specific to a particular event, but sometimes they become an anthem of a movement.

2023 Americana Honors & Awards NomineesBelow are the nominations for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. And the nominees are ...

Album of the Year:"Big Time," Angel Olsen; Produced by Angel Olsen and Jonathan Wilson"Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?," Tyler Childers; Produced by Tyler Childers"El Bueno y el Malo," Hermanos Gutiérrez; Produced by Dan Auerbach"The Man from Waco," Charley Crockett; Produced by Bruce Robison"Strays," Margo Price; Produced by Margo Price and Jonathan Wilson

Artist of the Year:Charley CrockettSierra FerrellMargo PriceAllison RussellBilly Strings

Duo/Group of the Year:49 WinchesterCaampNickel CreekPlainsThe War and Treaty

Emerging Act of the Year:Adeem the ArtistS.G. GoodmanWilliam PrinceThee Sacred SoulsSunny War

Instrumentalist of the Year:Isa BurkeAllison de GrootJeff PickerSistaStrings (Chauntee and Monique Ross)Kyle Tuttle

Song of the Year:“Change of Heart,” Margo Price; Written by Jeremy Ivey, Margo Price“I’m Just a Clown,” Charley Crockett; Written by Charley Crockett“Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt; Written by Bonnie Raitt“Something in the Orange,” Zach Bryan; Written by Zach Bryan“You’re Not Alone,” Allison Russell featuring Brandi Carlile; Written by Allison Russell

Find out who will win at the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards on Sept. 20 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Tickets are now on sale to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants, and Americana Music Association members will receive access on June 22. Learn more about awards show tickets here.

AI music startup AudioShake raises $2.7M in seed round with backing from Crush Music, peermusic… and MetallicaThe company’s latest seed round was led by Indicator Ventures, with participation from Precursor Ventures and Side Door Ventures
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UK’s competition watchdog opens review of AI models like ChatGPTThe CMA’s review will focus on competition and consumer protection considerations in the development and use of AI foundational models, the authority said in a notice on Thursday (May 4).
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With ‘Fans,’ SoundCloud creators can now DM, monetize their fansSoundCloud has launched a vital marketing tool missing from Spotify and Apple Music – the ability to identify and directly message true fans. While Bandsintown offers free unfiltered direct messaging. Continue reading
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Snoop Dogg says streaming ‘not working for artists’ and demands action [WATCH]Snoop Dogg had strong words for Spotify, Apple Music, and other music streaming services during an interview with former Apple Music Creative Director Larry Jackson at the Milken Institute Global Conference.. Continue reading
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Mental Health Toolkit for Musicians and their loved onesThe unpredictability of a musician’s life can be taxing on everyone involved, so here are some mental health resources to keep everyone in their best mind. by SHANNON SILVER of. Continue reading
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The Legal Beat: Nickelback Prevails In Copyright Case Over “Rockstar”In the never ending torrent of copyright cases involving the music industry, a judge recently dismissed a claim filed against Canadian rock band Nickelback and their music publisher, Warner Chappell Music Inc. The lawsuit asserted that Nickelback copied its 2005 hit “Rockstar” from an earlier 2001 tune similarly entitled “Rock Star” by a Texas group called Snowblind Revival. The lead singer of Snowblind Revival, Kirk Johnson, wrote the song. He claimed the Nickelback song had misappropriated substantial portions of his song, including the “tempo, song form, melodic structure, harmonic structures and lyrical themes.” 

Federal magistrate judges handle certain matters for district court judges. In this case Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower recommended that the lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice. Judge Robert Pitman of the US District Court agreed and dismissed the case.

Judge Pitman held the songs just do not sound similar, ruling that “Simply stated, they do not sound alike…Where both songs evoke similar themes, they are rendered dissimilar through the vivid detail of the original expression in Nickelback’s lyrics.”

Lead singer Kirk Johnson of Snowblind Revival claimed the songs had many similar lyrics about making lots of money, lifestyles of rock stars and having well known friends.  However, Judge Pitman held that after reviewing the subject lyrics, that contention at times “borders on the absurd.” The judge noted:

“This includes, for example, any suggestion that the two baseball analogies in Nickelback’s work are evidence that the band copied Johnston’s lyrics ‘might buy the Cowboys’ professional football team simply because both are ‘references to sports’”.

Judge Pitman ruled that the only real similarities were basic clichés “outlandish stereotypes and images associated with being a huge, famous rock star” that do not belong to any songwriter. The judge referred to 17 other songs that had similar themes about rock stars, such as the 1966 hit by the Byrds  “So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll star” or Poison’s 2001 song “Rockstar.”

Judge Pitman agreed with the magistrate judge who  held that Johnston’s contention that Nickelback had access to the song via third parties was “purely speculative.” 

Judge Pitman ruled that the plaintiff had failed to prove that Nickelback had “access” to his song which is a requirement in a typical copyright infringement case. The judge held that the plaintiff failed to provide evidence that Nickelback had ever heard his song. If a plaintiff cannot prove access then he or she would have to prove that the two songs were “strikingly similar”, a much higher standard than if one can prove access.

The judge concluded “The court has conducted a side-by-side examination of the works, carefully listening to and considering all versions of the songs or record… As an ‘ordinary listener’, the court concludes that a layman would not consider the songs or even their ‘hooks’ to be strikingly similar.”

Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, SoundCloud’s Chief Content and Marketing Officer, exits companyWirtzer-Seawood joined SoundCloud in June 2021, hired by then-CEO, Michael Weismann
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