Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for global representation, one of several new artist, executive and publishing deals announced across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Trainor signs with UTA#
The agreement covers live touring, filmed entertainment, digital media, theatre, brand partnerships and other areas.
The signing follows Trainor’s on-screen acting debut in Ryan Murphy’s FX series “The Beauty,” and the April release of her seventh studio album “Toy With Me.” She canceled a North American arena tour slated for earlier this year amid low ticket sales, citing the challenges of balancing work, family and a new baby.
Trainor has appeared as a judge, coach, mentor and advisor on “The Voice,” “The Voice UK,” “The Four” and “Australian Idol.” She also published the motherhood memoir “Dear Future Mama: A TMI Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood from Your Bestie.”
She is managed by Nikola Barisic for Bond Artist Management and represented by Aaron Rosenberg for Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light LLP.
Guitar Center Music Foundation appoints CEO#
The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF) has named Valeisha Butterfield as CEO and Executive Director, effective immediately. She will work with the GCMF board to advance the foundation’s strategic plan, grow fundraising and donor engagement, develop partnerships with schools and community organizations, and strengthen the reach and visibility of its programs.
Butterfield was previously co-president of the Recording Academy and vice president of global partnerships at Google. She currently serves on the Grammys’ Television Committee and is the founder of Seed Media.
“Valeisha brings the rare combination of nonprofit leadership, music industry experience and operational expertise that GCMF needs for its next stage of growth,” said board president and chair Curtis Heath. “She has spent her career building organizations, developing partnerships and bringing people together around a shared purpose.”
BMG publishing and label signings#
Songwriter Phil Barton has announced a global publishing deal with BMG in partnership with Liz Rose Music. The agreement marks the next chapter in a career that has produced more than 900 songs.
Barton first broke through with Lee Brice’s No. 1 hit “A Woman Like You,” and his songs have been recorded by artists including Sara Evans, Gabby Barrett, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band, Priscilla Block, Matt Stell, Alison Krauss, Ashley McBryde and others.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Phil to BMG,” said BMG’s Amy Hendon Scott. “I’ve believed in Phil since the beginning, so getting the opportunity to work together again makes this partnership especially meaningful. Phil is the kind of songwriter every publisher hopes to work with. His songs are honest, memorable and beautifully crafted, but just as importantly, he’s someone artists love writing with. He brings curiosity, consistency and an incredible work ethic to every room, and we’re proud to partner with Liz Rose Music as we help champion the next chapter of his remarkable career.”
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville has signed award-winning Canadian country artist Jade Eagleson. His track record includes:
- Four Juno Award nominations
- 2025 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Male Artist of the Year
- 2024 CCMA Album of the Year
- 2023 CCMA Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year
Alongside the label deal, Eagleson has expanded his team, signing with Range Music for management, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for booking, and Spirit Music in a joint venture with Alliance Music Partners for publishing.
“I’m incredibly excited to begin my journey with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville,” Eagleson said. “I have always had a profound respect for their team and the way they love and elevate their artists. The whole team feels like family and I’m so very proud to call this label my home. Regarding Range, that team has already been such a strong support for me, and we’re only just getting started. In addition, I love my agents at CAA, and I am so grateful that they rolled the dice on me and my obsession with steel and fiddle. For the Spirit Music team, I remember coming to Nashville close to 10 years ago exploring publishing options, and most folks politely turned me away because what I was doing at the time was too country.”
Amuse expands leadership team#
Independent distribution and services company Amuse has named Mark Mitchell general manager and Tim Cronin senior VP and head of music. The company is also opening a new London office in Farringdon, from which Mitchell and Cronin will lead Amuse’s London, New York and Stockholm teams.
Mitchell joins from Parlophone Records, where he served as co-president for five years and worked with artists including Coldplay, Iron Maiden, Gorillaz, Pink Pantheress and David Guetta. He most recently spent a year at 0207 Def Jam/Universal Music Group and, before Parlophone, was general manager at Atlantic Records UK.
Cronin joins from FUGA, where he was senior director of business development, leading business development and sales across the UK and Ireland.
“We’re seeing growing demand from labels and managements looking for an active, modern partner. Amuse combines a human approach and data with the scale only a distributor can offer. Mark and Tim bring more than 40 years of combined industry experience between them, and will be able to bring Amuse’s unique offering to artists and labels alike,” said Giorgio D’Ambrosio, CEO of Amuse.
