UMG’s Frank Briegmann advocates for robust copyright protection on ‘AI and Content Creation’ panel at DavosExec spoke on the 'AI and Content Creation' panel at the World Economic Forum event
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With latest price increase, Netflix’s Standard subscription now costs $72 more per year than Spotify Premium in the USThere once was a time when a Netflix subscription actually cost less than Spotify
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Veteran Agent JON PLEETER Announces The Formation of JPAVeteran agent JON PLEETER has announced the formation of his own booking agency, the Los Angeles-based JPA, debuting with such legendary artists as Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey (the full roster is below). JPA also created and represents the Totally Tubular Festival, the successful ‘80s New Wave multi-act tour that last year rolled across North America and will return in 2025 (lineup and dates TBA).
"I could not be more excited at this stage of my career to be my own boss, and chart my own path,” says Pleeter. “My decades of experience at the highest levels of the business will benefit all my clients. My hands-on, fearless approach will give the artists a distinctive advantage, enabling them to stand out in the touring industry,” he adds. “JPA is here, and as my website says: “Do Now. Explain Later."
Pleeter started as an agent trainee at Triad Artists Talent Agency upon graduation from University of Colorado in 1990. A year later, he continued his agent training at William Morris Agency and was an assistant to agents responsible for legends such as Barry White, En Vogue, Sheryl Crow, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ziggy Marley, Pearl Jam, Lollapalooza Tour, and many more.
Next, Pleeter became an agent at ARTISTdirect and then The Agency Group, followed by CAA, where he spent eight years as a senior level agent booking tours for the agency in arenas and amphitheaters including clients Daft Punk, Paul Oakenfold, Sammy Hagar, and many more. Pleeter then spent 10 years at ICM as a Vice President, working with Alice In Chains, TLC, The Cult, Kings of Chaos, and more, expanding the agency’s footprint in the rock and pop genres. This was followed by a brief stint at Sound Talent Group.
The full artist roster of JPA is: Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, A Symphonic Evening Of Bob Marley, Back To The Block Party Festival, Richie Sambora, Eagle Eye Cherry, Wang Chung, Wheel, Men Without Hats, Thomas Dolby, Jeffrey Osborne, Saving Abel, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, Right Said Fred, The Motels, Animotion, Davy Knowles, The Escape Club, Musical Youth, Omar Hakim, and the Totally Tubular Festival.
Pleeter has also launched a film and television production company called Throne Ventures. His email is jon@jpaagency.com
www.jpaagency.com
Photo Credit: Chyna PhotographyThe post Veteran Agent JON PLEETER Announces The Formation of JPA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Moises maker Music AI adds $40M from CAA, Steve Aoki, moreThe makers of Moises, Music AI adds $40 million in a funding from Connect Ventures, a partnership of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and investment firm NEA, and Brazil's monashees. DJ and producer Steve Aoki and his Aoki Labs are also among the new investors.
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6 Tips For Selling Music Merch at Live ShowsSelling music merch at live shows can boost income and deepen fan connections. Learn how to pick the right products, set prices, and create an unforgettable experience to maximize merch sales.
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FireAid confirms official lineups for Intuit Dome and Kia ForumThe benefit concerts aim to raise funds for communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires
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EAJ Sings Worldwide Record Deal With Position MusicTyler Bacon, President and CEO of Position Music, has announced that eaJ has signed a global label deal with the company. The musician first burst on the scene as a prominent member of chart-topping Korean rock band DAY6 but later left the group to embark on his own very personal artistic and musical journey.Jae Park, known as eaJ, is a Argentinian-born, Korean-American musician who traveled to Korea after quitting college to see if he could break into the exploding music scene there. As fate would have it, he was quickly recruited by the newly formed DAY6. After an incredible seven-year run with the group, Jae made the difficult choice to leave and pursue his own musical ambitions. Three days after independently releasing his debut single “Car Crash,” the track hit over one million views and four million streams. eaJ has collaborated with notable artists such as MAX, Rich Brian, keshi, Seori, DPR Live, and more. He has also completed a sold-out world tour, performed at multiple festivals, and is already planning for a robust touring schedule in 2025.“I’m so grateful to my listeners who have shown me such incredible love. It is thanks to them that I’m able to now call Position my home. My utmost gratitude to Position for believing in the project and choosing to be my partner!” says eaJ.eaJ is managed by Coulter Reynolds and Jerren Devine of Reynolds Management."We are truly honored and excited to embark on this new chapter with Position. Their passion for artistry and dedication to innovation resonate deeply with eaJ's vision. We’re looking forward to building something meaningful together and can’t wait to share what’s ahead with the fans,” says Reynolds and Devine."When I first listened to Jae’s song ‘Pacman,’ I was blown away by his ability to create genre-bending music. He’s not just an incredible singer, but also a killer musician, performer, and writer. He has a keen eye for aesthetics and truly embodies the full package. Paired with consummate pros like Jerren Devine and Coulter Reynolds of Reynolds Management, there is no limit to what this team can accomplish,” says Joe Brooks, A&R at Position Music.eaJ joins a Position music publishing roster that includes Tinashe, Cannons, Audien, Jack LaFrantz, ¿Téo?, Austin Powerz, Brandyn Burnette, Layto, Dru “Falconry” DeCaro, Evalyn, John “Feldy” Feldman, Judah & the Lion, Alex “A-Bomb” Fernandez, KANNER, No Love For The Middle Child, Erik Ron, NoMBe, Yonatan Watts, RJ Pasin, and more.FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Back Row: Coulter Reynolds (Manager, Reynolds Management), eaJ, Jerren Devine (Manager, Reynolds Management)FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Front Row: Mark Chipello (Partner and Head of A&R, Position Music), Garrett Ream (VP of Artist Strategy and Promotion, Position Music), Joe Brooks (A&R, Position Music), J Scavo (GM of Recorded Music, Position Music)The post EAJ Sings Worldwide Record Deal With Position Music first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Drake’s deal is up for renegotiation in 2025, and other revelations from his lawsuit against Universal MusicDrake alleges UMG knowingly damaged his reputation and endangered his life through Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'
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Evolution of Spotify from music to multi-content platformThere has been an evolution of Spotify from a music platform to multi-content platform with podcasts, audiobooks, AI-created tracks, and more. Learn how the shift is reshaping how we discover and experience music and entertainment.
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How Legacy Recordings help Bands keep rockingLearn how legacy recordings help rock bands keep rocking. Legendary bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and now bands from the 1980's and 1990's have shared thousands of vault recordings over the last 50 years, and the fans still want more.
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Musical Instrument Industry joins to help LA Fire Victims20 gear and musical instrument manufacturers, Gibson and Guitar Center will support LA fire victims in the music community with a new joint initiative. Gibson and Guitar Center will support. Continue reading
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Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th AnniversaryPRS Guitars today announced the continuation of its 40th anniversary celebration with two new models and several specification updates across their Maryland, USA-made electric instruments. New models include the Standard 24 Satin and Swamp Ash Special, while the new specs in multiple lines include PRS DMO and McCarty III pickups, EQ mini-toggles, Phase III tuners and expanded color options.2025 marks the 40th Anniversary of PRS Guitars. After announcing SE Series updates in October and officially kicking off their 40th Anniversary celebration this past November with the introduction of the 40th Anniversary Private Stock Dragon and Custom 24 limited-edition instruments, this month's launches are the next in a schedule of many product announcements to be made throughout the year.“Our mission hasn’t changed since day one in my first Garrett workshop - we want to build the best tools for musicians to do their jobs,” said Paul Reed Smith, founder & managing general partner of PRS Guitars. “But, as the saying goes, ‘windshields are larger than rearview mirrors for a reason.’ We do not want to spend our anniversary only looking back. We want to keep advancing our craft and adding value to our instruments by focusing on details we believe matter to musicians.”NEW MODELS: STANDARD 24 SATIN AND SWAMP ASH SPECIALWhen a young Paul Reed Smith was raising money to start his business, he traveled the East Coast with two guitars: a PRS and a PRS Custom. The PRS was an all-mahogany guitar that would later come to be called the PRS Standard. For 2025, the company is introducing a version of that pre-factory instrument in its Core line. Featuring a “sinky” satin nitro finish and the new PRS DMO pickups, the PRS Standard 24 Satin is a powerful, roadworthy workhorse. Its full, warm, organic tone is maximized not only by the finish, but thanks to the Phase III locking tuners with brass shafts, proprietary bone nut, and design of the PRS patented tremolo.The Swamp Ash Special bolt-on model is also making a comeback for 2025 but with an updated electronics layout. Its swamp ash body is equipped with a versatile hum/“single”/hum pickup configuration. Two 58/15 LT pickups flank a PRS Narrowfield in the middle position, which adds a single-coil bite – without the hum. Paired with a volume, tone, 5-way blade switch, and dual mini-toggle coil-tap switches (for the first time on this model), the Swamp Ash Special has a total of twelve sound combinations. Overall, the PRS Swamp Ash Special features tight low-end, bright but mellow high-end, and a welcome twangy tone that can reach “hot country,” blues and jazz territory.NEW PICKUPSMost notably, PRS is introducing two new pickup models in its Core lineup: PRS DMO and McCarty III treble and bass pickups. Through hands-on research into beloved vintage pickup models to advancements in signal analyzation and “tuning” technology, these pickups incorporate every detail of pickup knowledge PRS has gained in recent years of R&D.PRS DMO (Dynamic, Musical, Open) pickups are more modern-sounding and have a “wide open” sound with vocal character, meaning they deliver clear, pleasant-sounding tones across a wide range of frequencies (bass to treble) in each pickup. While McCarty III pickups are vintage-inspired humbuckers that bring a vocal clarity to their full, warm tone. PRS DMO’s will be found on the Custom 24, while McCarty III’s will be found on McCarty, Hollowbody, Special and Studio models.EQ SWITCH FEATUREOn select models, PRS has also updated the spec on their dual mini-toggle switches from coil-taps to EQ switches. EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged (in the up position), removing shelved low-end and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs. This spec will be found on the Custom 24-08, Modern Eagle V and S2 Custom 24-08.“These EQ switches were developed with and first featured on the Private Stock John McLaughlin model in 2023. Both John and I felt that they offered a different, but just as versatile, sound that played a significant role in the musicality of that guitar. I am happy that we are now extending this feature into more models,” said Paul Reed Smith.PHASE III TUNER EXPANDED OFFERINGThe entire S2 Series and select Bolt-On models are also being updated with Phase III tuners. Designed from scratch in 2012 to be wholly different from Phase II’s, Phase III tuners were originally introduced on PRS’s Core line. Notable features of these tried-and-true tuning machines include a handsome open-back design, highly usable gear ratio, unplated brass shafts, overall lightweight construction, and PRS’s proprietary wing button.PRS has also introduced new colors across their lineup, including Aurora Borealis and Black Gold on select Core models, Egyptian Gold and Platinum Metallic on the Myles Kennedy signature Bolt-On, five new colors on the NF 53, including Matcha Green and Jasper Smokeburst, and three new satin colors on the Fiore, including Lilac Satin, Hibiscus Satin and Amaryllis Satin.All of these specification details are aimed to make better guitars for musicians. Beyond these foundational updates, PRS Guitars is planning a year full of new product and limited-edition introductions. Stay tuned for those updates over the coming months. All things gear can be found on www.prsguitars.com and by following @prsguitars on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.The post Two New Models & Spec Updates as PRS Guitars Continues 40th Anniversary first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

LA Fire Relief For Musicians, Concerts & More: UPDATED 1.20.25Our continuously updated a list of LA fire relief for musicians and music industry professionals along with cancellations, concerts, donations and other resources. UPDATED AS OF 1.20.25.
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Your Morning Coffee Podcast: 50% of tracks played under 10X • 2025 trends • Album variants • AI music ID • MoreEpisode 232 of Jay Gilbert and Mike Etchart’s podcast Your Morning Coffee: Weekly News for the New Music Business is available now. LISTEN HERE. Episode 232 Listen on your favorite. Continue reading
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FireAid benefit concert expands lineup with Oliva Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak and moreThe benefit concert aims to raise funds for communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires
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