“A Game of No Halves” and “Songwriter Soup” Now Available
NASHVILLE, TN (February 7, 2024) – Big Machine Label Group and W!ZARD Radio Media today announce an innovative agreement to develop and launch a slate of new podcasts. As part of the partnership, the two entities will handle the production, distribution, marketing, promotion and ad sales functions of their podcast slate; providing creators (which include four-time GRAMMY-nominated and Big Machine Music songwriter Laura Veltz and British broadcasting legend “Whispering” Bob Harris) with access to an unparalleled suite of services and expertise.
Launching the partnership is “ A Game of No Halves,” a new sports-comedy podcast hosted by Bob, who for 35 years served as manager of North London FC (a fantasy football club) along with his son, Miles Myerscough-Harris. The podcast follows the history of North London FC, its history as well as their own family stories. An instant success, the first episode was released on January 3, 2024 and shot into the Top 30 of Apple Podcast’s UK Sports charts. New episodes are released every Wednesday.
With the announcement comes the re-launch of “ Songwriter Soup,” the podcast hosted by celebrated songwriter Laura Veltz, financial advisor Tracy Hackney and producer Kevin Sokolnicki. In the podcast, they will speak with a selection of the most prominent songwriters and artists in the music industry (Ashley Gorley, Lori McKenna, Luke Dick, Jordan Schmidt, Luke Laird, Emily Weisband and more) for frank discussions about finding success in the industry. Season 2 of “Songwriter Soup” released its first episode on January 8, 2024 and shot into the charts internationally, including the Top 100 of Apple Podcast’s Music charts in the US, UK and Australia. New episodes are released every Monday.
“We are excited to be partnering with Big Machine Label Group to push podcasting forward with incredible storytellers, including Bob Harris, Miles Myerscough-Harris, Laura Veltz, Tracy Hackney and Kevin Sokolnicki,” said James Gilmore, Founder & Managing Director of W!ZARD Radio Media. “To work with a group of people who are looking towards innovation and disruption as much as we do is a delight; working together has been a seamless and perfect fit and we cannot wait to launch even more projects as a team”.
“I’ve always been inspired by W!ZARD’s commitment to creating high level meaningful content and their industry leading approach to business. James’ determination and passion for business inspires our entire team to push the boundaries of innovation every day,” said BMLG’s Head of UK, Alexandra Hannaby. “I’m looking forward to us collaborating on further projects and excited to see where this partnership takes us.”
ABOUT BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP:
Led by CEO and Chairman Scott Borchetta, HYBE America’s Big Machine Label Group encompasses Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., BMLG Records, Big Machine/John Varvatos Records, The Hard Working Record Co. and publishing company Big Machine Music as well as its own digital radio station, Big Machine Radio. BMLG artists include superstars Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert and Lady A; chart-topping acts Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Brian Kelley, Eli Young Band, Brett Young, Midland, Carly Pearce, Riley Green, Jackson Dean, Daughtry, Aaron Lewis, Badflower and Ayron Jones; renowned industry icon Ray Wylie Hubbard, plus rising artists Danielle Bradbery, Conner Smith, Greylan James, Chase McDaniel, LECADE, Mackenzie Carpenter, Mae Estes, Shane Profitt, Savana Santos, Starcrawler, The Struts, Dylan Matthew, Lillian Hepler and Kidd G (in partnership with Rebel Music / Geffen Records). BMLG also works in partnership with icons including Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, and Dolly Parton and has released the multi-genre film soundtrack for Netflix’s The Ice Road, featuring songs from Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert, The Cadillac Three, L.A. Rats, John Carter Cash, Gary LeVox and more. BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Teen Choice, MTV, Billboard, People’s Choice and Brit Awards. Big Machine is the first-ever American label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights for its artists and is an industry leader in fighting for artist, songwriter, publisher and record company rights. Big Machine Label Group created the Music Has Value Fund to provide assistance to nonprofit organizations that make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music. Visit BigMachineLabelGroup.com for more information.
ABOUT W!ZARD RADIO MEDIA:
W!ZARD Radio Media is a leading global media brand and a market leader in engaging innovative, Generation Z-focused content, anchored by W!ZARD Studios. W!ZARD Studios is a global leader in audio entertainment. As one of the world’s leading podcast networks, W!ZARD Studios is home to a suite of powerful podcast properties including the chart-topping “Common Chaos,” “American Hysteria,” “Pepp Talk Podcast,” “Busy Being Black” and more. W!ZARD Radio Media also operates W!ZARD Radio Station (a leading online radio station) and W!ZARD Live (a live events division). Visit wizardradio.com for more.
