Stockholm-born music library giant Epidemic Sound appointed Danijela Horak as vice president of artificial intelligence, effective Sept. 1. Horak joins from the BBC, where she led AI research and advised the Responsible AI group, launching tools like BBC Transcribe and BBC Verify. With over 12 years clocked in media and enterprise AI — including leadership roles at AIG — the Londoner brings deep technical expertise at the company, where she’ll lead AI strategy and development of creative tools like AI voiceovers and smart audio recommendations, reporting to CTO Rikard Herlitz. “We’re really proud of the suite of AI-powered soundtracking tools we’ve developed for creators and believe we’re just scratching the surface in terms of improving their creative processes,” said Herlitz. Epidemic Sound’s AI strategy centers on enhancing human creativity, not replacing it, CEO Oscar Höglund told Billboard earlier this year. 

LOCASH’s Galaxy Label Group promoted Cheryl Broz to vice president of operations, and hired Mitch Mills as national director of promotion. Broz will lead digital initiatives and marketing strategy; prior to joining the Galaxy Label Group in 2024, Broz worked at Crave Records, Columbia Records, Arista Records, EMI, Island-Def Jam and Curb Records. Mills’s role will include all formats including Hot AC, pop, country and more. Mills most recently spent 15 years at Atlantic Records/Elektra and previously served as vice president of Adult Top 40 at Motown Records. –Jessica Nicholson

BOARD SHORTS: Dan Simpson, head of music operations at Meta, has been elected chair of the DDEX board, succeeding Kim Beauchamp of Universal Music Group. A longtime contributor to DDEX, Simpson has played key roles in working groups focused on digital sales reporting, release notifications, and streaming fraud detection… Neal Spielberg of Spielberg Entertainment has been elected president of the Leadership Music board for 2025–26. Leadership Music is a leadership program for the music industry that has graduated over 1,400 leaders nationwide (Spielberg is class of ’95). Joining him are Diane Pearson, Scott Gerow, Steve Eggart and Brad Bissell, along with six newly appointed board members.

A2IM made staffing updates, welcoming Grey Gordon as communications and digital marketing manager and promoting Chirag Patel to senior director of membership, and Emmaline McCourt to membership director. Gordon brings over a decade of experience in branding and digital strategy, having worked with Brooklyn Basement and indie artists like Oshima Brothers. Patel, known for expanding A2IM’s network of 800-plus companies, offers a global perspective from his work in India and the U.S. McCourt, who joined A2IM in 2023, now leads member onboarding and the mentorship program, which has supported over 700 pros. She also represents A2IM at conferences and serves on industry boards, including the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter.

iHeartMedia is transforming its Multi-Market Partnerships Group into the newly named Enterprise Business Development Group, led by longtime executive Julie Donahue. This move aims to better align sales and partnership efforts across divisions including Inside Sales, Unified Partnerships, and Political. Donahue, a 23-year iHeartMedia veteran, will serve as president of the newly formed EPDG. In this role, she’ll lead the integration of key sales and partnership divisions and collaborate closely with senior execs to drive strategic growth and unify biz operations across the company. CEO Bob Pittman and COO/CFO Rich Bressler called the change a “key step in strengthening iHeartMedia’s ability to maximize performance and drive long-term success.”

NASHVILLE NOTES: RED Creative Group named Kaileen Smith as director of A&R, where she’ll lead publishing operations and support the company’s writers and artists. Smith brings experience from Boom Music Group, UMG Nashville and Sony Music Nashville, having contributed to multiple No. 1 singles… GrassRoots Promotion welcomed promotion manager George Davis to the company. The move represents a flip from the broadcast side of the business; he most recently was KBXB Sikeston, Mo., midday host… While David Corlew recently sold his interests in Blue Hat Records, co-founded by the late Charlie Daniels, he remains president/executive director of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, a veteran-affiliated nonprofit… Nashville-based VNTG PR rebranded as Sotis Entertainment Group, whose roster includes Chris Janson, Terry McBride and McBride & The Ride.

Day After Day Productions (DADP) announced a major leadership restructuring to support its continued growth and client-focused services. Aidan Flynn has been promoted to co-head of the newly formed casinos, corporates, and colleges division, alongside CEO Seth Shomes, with Jordan Golenberg named director. Michelle Scarbrough will lead the new theater/PAC/symphony division, joined by Olivia Bentley as director. Marcus Greenstein becomes head of fairs, while Josh Jones is elevated to director of central services & senior booking coordinator. Veteran agent Jordan Burger joins as senior agent, focusing on festivals and destination events. Additionally, Kafarrah Chavarria has been appointed acting director of human resources. DADP, relaunched by Shomes in 2021 and partnered with Yucaipa Investments in 2022, is an indie booking agency.

Nex Team Inc. appointed Helena Ngo as head of music, a newly created role where she will lead music strategy, licensing, and artist partnerships, reporting to vp Alex Wu. Ngo brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Fender, where she led artist marketing, and Dolby, where she helped launch Dolby Atmos Music with major streaming platforms.

Amuse announced Steeve Führ as its new chief financial officer, joining the Swedish digital music distribution company during its scale-up. Führ brings extensive financial leadership experience from roles at Benify, Edgeware and Apple Nordics, including successful IPOs and international expansion. In his new role, Führ will focus on global growth and financial discipline. “We are thrilled to have Steeve step into the CFO role at such a pivotal moment for Amuse,” said Giorgio D’Ambrosio, interim CEO. “His deep financial expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to scale the business globally with a focus on long-term profitability.”

Last Week’s Turntable: Alfonso Perez Soto Exits WMG After 20 Years

On Feb. 6, 2024, a gathering of 25 top Contemporary Christian, Gospel and country music artists took place just south of Nashville, at World Wide Stages in Spring Hill, Tenn.

Led by 45-time GMA Dove Awards winner Michael W. Smith and GMA Dove Award winner Darlene Zschech, the artists came together to create the upcoming album House of Worship, a collaborative work that reimagines classic worship songs as duets meant to bridge generations.

The album features Brenton Brown, Brian and Jenn Johnson, Brian Doerksen, CeCe Winans, Charity Gayle, Chris Brown of Elevation Worship, Christy Nockels, Chris McClarney, Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, Zschech, Ed Cash of We The Kingdom, Hillary Scott of Lady A, Israel Houghton, Josh Baldwin, Kari Jobe, Leeland Mooring, Martin Smith, Matt Redman, Smith, Mitch Wong, Naomi Raine, Pat Barrett, Paul Baloche and Tim Hughes.

House of Worship is set for release in January 2026 through The Fuel Music.

The first single from the project brings together Zschech and 17-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans for a new rendition of Zschech’s 1994 hit “Shout To The Lord,” which Zschech originally recorded with Hillsong Music.“Every song is a prayer rising, not from artists, but from sons and daughters crying out to God together.”

“Every song is a prayer rising, not from artists, but from sons and daughters crying out to God together,” Zschech told Billboard in a statement.

The new project was recorded and filmed in-the-round at World Wide Stages, with all 25 artists together in the same room. Executive produced by Smith and Zschech, and produced by Paul Mabury (Lauren Daigle, Cory Asbury) and John Hartley (Twila Paris, Leigh Nash), the album also features a top-shelf lineup of musicians, including Smith on piano, Mabury on drums, Dwan Hill on keyboard, and Stu Garrard on guitar.

“When we were in the process of planning the House Of Worship recording, our goal was to pull together a few of our friends in the worship community to join us in singing some of the best loved worship songs of all time,” Smith tells Billboard in a statement. “What took us all by surprise was the level of response from worship leaders from around the world who quickly let us know they were in! They also committed to staying through the recording and joined the circle of worship for each song. The presence of the Spirit, mixed with the unity of purpose and spontaneity, was so beautiful to be a part of.”

House of Worship is also in negotiations now for a national theatrical release to coincide with the release of the album.

Academy of Country Music Awards two-time songwriter of the year Jessie Jo Dillon and MCA have partnered to launch Gatsby Records. The imprint’s first release will be Carter Faith’s Cherry Valley, out Oct. 3.

The Nashville-based label takes its name from the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic The Great Gatsby, from whom Dillon drew inspiration.

“Like Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, I believe in the ‘green light’ – the unwavering hope of a dream coming true,” said Dillon, who serves as Gatsby’s founder/president. “This imprint is a home for artists who aren’t afraid to be themselves, sound different and transform. If it’s raw, if it’s beautiful and if it even scares you a little, then it belongs at Gatsby Records.”

Dillon had already worked with Faith — a North Carolina native who blends a traditional sound with a contemporary attitude — as a songwriter on her forthcoming project. And, more recently, Dillon helped get Billy Bob Thornton to star in the music video for album’s “Bar Star,” which came out Aug. 20. (Faith signed to MCA last June, when it was still UMG Nashville).

“Carter Faith isn’t just a rising voice in country music – she is a unique storyteller who blends vulnerability with edge,” Dillon continued in a statement. “We share a strong creative synergy and vision, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside her to bring the world of Cherry Valley to life. I’m so excited for this new venture and deeply grateful to [MCA chief creative officer] Dave Cobb, [MCA president/CEO] Mike Harris and MCA for collaborating with me to bring my lifelong aspiration of Gatsby Records to fruition.”

Following Faith, Gatsby’s focus will be on emerging talent with no specific number of releases planned.

 “At MCA, we pride ourselves on not just signing artists but truly building long-lasting, meaningful careers. The creation of Gatsby Records is an extension of that vision,” Harris said in a statement. “We’re honored to work with an incredible talent like Jessie Jo Dillon, who is not only one of the premiere songwriters in country music but also a visionary who will push the creative talents of the artists she works with. We’re equally thrilled to have Carter Faith as the first artist to join the imprint – she is truly an immensely talented artist who has an amazing future.”

 “I’m beyond excited for the launch and the future of Gatsby Records,” added Cobb. “Working with Jessie Jo has been an absolute dream, she has the incredible ability to get right down to the heart of a song and really dig deep to protect the artist and their vision.”

Dillon and MCA already have an affiliation: in April, when UMG Nashville relaunched as MCA following Harris and Cobb’s arrival in February, the label named Dillon as a Song Buddy, a lighthearted title, but one that plays into her ability to support and develop Nashville songwriting talent.

The six-time Grammy-nominated Dillon is one of Nashville’s most respected and prolific songwriters, co-penning such tunes as “Lies, Lies, Lies” (Morgan Wallen), “Am I Okay” (Megan Moroney), “10,000 Hours” (Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber), “Halfway to Hell” (Jelly Roll) and “Break Up in the End” (Cole Swindell).

Punk godmother Patti Smith‘s landmark 1975 debut album, Horses, is getting the golden jubilee treatment. The John Cale-produced classic that introduced the world to Smith’s signature poetry-meets-punk style will be re-released on Oct. 10 by Legacy Recordings in an expanded 50th anniversary edition in a 2-LP and 2-CD format.

In addition to the original eight-track LP remastered from the original 1/4″ master tapes, the refresh will also feature a number of previously unreleased outtakes and rarities, including Smith’s 1975 RCA audition tape. In addition to such favorites as “Gloria,” “Redondo Beach,” “Birdland” and the multi-part “Land,” the re-release will feature the previously unreleased songs, including the skittering, frenetic jazz rocker “Snowball,” “Birdland (alternate take),” “Distant Fingers,” “The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game” and “We Three.”

Smith is in peak form on “Snowball,” featuring spiky guitar work from her longtime musical consigliere guitarist and co-writer Lenny Kaye and the urgent lyrics, “When it hits me I’m so amazed/ When it hits me I’m feeling crazed/ When it hits me I start to recall/ Memories flooding like a snowball running down a hill.”

The anniversary edition will also feature RCA demos of the thrilling “Gloria” and “Redondo Beach,” as well as alternate takes on “Kimberly” and “Break It Up.”

In addition, on Nov. 4, Smith will publish her long-awaited memoir Bread of Angels, which is described by publisher Random House Publishing as the singer’s, “most intimate and visionary work.” In it, Smith delves into her post-WWII childhood in working class Philadelphia and South Jersey, as well her teenage years, “when the first glimmers of art and romance take hold, her rise as punk rock icon to her retreat from public life when she meets her one true love and starts a family on the shores of Lake Saint Clair, Michigan.”

The book, which also covers Smith’s marriage to late MC5 guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith — its release date is timed to fall on the anniversary of Smith’s 1994 passing — is a look at the pivotal early years when, “Arthur Rimbaud and Bob Dylan emerge as creative role models as she begins to write poetry then lyrics, ultimately merging both into the songs of iconic recordings such as Horses, Wave, and Easter.”

The 288-page book is the follow-up to Smith’s National Book Award-winning 2010 memoir Just Kids documenting her relationship with artist/photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, as well as her acclaimed 2015 follow-up, M Train.

Smith will embark on a world tour celebrating the Horses anniversary this fall, kicking off a European run on Oct. 6 in Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena before moving to North American shores starting on Nov. 10 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. The tour is currently slated to run through a Nov. 29 show at the Met in Philadelphia. She will be joined on the tour by Kaye and another longtime band member, drummer Jay Dee Daugherty, who both played on Horses.

Listen to “Snowball” below.

In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem to be exceptional and distinct from the rest. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today.

Netón Vega knows the power of stepping into the electronic music scene and he doesn’t take it for granted. “It’s a global genre,” the 23-year-old Mexican hitmaker tells Billboard. “For us in regional Mexican, it’s been more complicated to be global but that’s why it’s key to form alliances.”

Vega and Peso Pluma‘s “Morena” has been remixed by renowned DJ and producer Tiësto, who after performing the head-bobbing and euphoric EDM version of the corrido at multiple global music festivals, reached out to Vega’s team two months ago to officially record the remix, which drops today (Aug. 22).

“When we heard what he had done with the song, Peso and I loved it and we liked the idea of making it an official release,” says Vega, who is known for his musical versatility, thriving in both regional Mexican and reggaetón. The three plan to record a music video for the remix later this month.

“Morena” is the fourth track on Vega’s debut album Mi Vida Mi Muerte, which was released in February and debuted at Nos. 1 and 2 on the Regional Mexican Albums and Top Latin Albums charts (dated March 8), respectively.

“This means a lot for my music,” adds Vega, who is a self-declared fan of electronic music. “We all benefit. Tiësto will gain a new audience with us, and we’ll get an audience that we don’t have yet, which is Europe.”

Netón Vega is set to speak at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Week, slated to run Oct. 20–24 at the Fillmore Miami Beach. The week will feature panels, live performances, workshops, and networking events, wrapping up with a special celebration concert on Oct. 24. The event aligns with the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, airing live from Miami on Thursday, Oct. 23 on Telemundo and Peacock. Tickets for Latin Music Week 2025 are now available at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Listen to the remix below: