With the signing of a distribution deal with ADA Canada, the independent distribution and label services arm of Warner Music Group, multiple Canadian Country Music Award winner Mike Denney looks forward to taking his MDM Recordings artists to new global heights.
Country stars Jess Moskaluke, Charlie Major and The Redhill Valleys, along with promising newcomers Savannah Jade (formerly of Five Roses, an MDM act as well) and Josh Stumpf all stand to benefit from ADA’s reach with offices in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Spain and Australia.
In a recent press release, Greg Morris, vice president of ADA Canada, says, “I’m proud that Mike has entrusted ADA Canada to support and grow his business, and excited to work with him and his team to grow his artists' success, and help them connect with their fans around the world.”
“This streamlines our efforts to get music out globally,” the 62-year-old tells The Local. “Previously we were at Universal Music for Canada, Symphonic Distribution for the U.S. and the rest of the world, and we had a license with ABC Music for Australia and New Zealand. Now, it’s one marketing plan, one marketing strategy, and one company looking after our interests across the world.”
ADA also distributes the music of the likes of Nickelback, Daft Punk, Macklemore and The Glorious Sons. Warner Music Group is one of the top three record labels in the world by current market share.
The former Niagara-on-the-Lake resident formed his MDM Recordings in 2008 and quickly found success in early signings Chad Brownlee and Bobby Wills. He then discovered Moskaluke, and his record label gained a reputation as a powerhouse in Canadian country music. Moskaluke went on to win the 2014, 2015 and 2016 CCMA Female Artist of the Year, 2016 Juno Country Album of the Year and the 2018 CCMA Album of the Year.
The label’s impressive track record includes over 450 million global streams, and more than 500,000 physical units sold. MDM Recordings has twice been awarded Record Label of the Year at the CCMAs. Denney has been named the Record Company Person of the Year three times and has overseen seven CCMA Award wins for their artists.
But the ADA signing caps a turbulent time for Denney and MDM. Following the 2023 CCMAs, Denney’s roster took a hit when Five Roses broke up, Indigenous artist Don Amero split with the label amicably, and Tyler Joe Miller, a multiple CCMA and Juno Award nominee, surprised Denney by jumping to another label.
“I was actually trying to position the company to be sold off when it all happened,” Denney recalls. “It was my exit strategy. We were in negotiations with BMG, the largest independent record company in the world. Originally they were going to purchase the company and hire me as a consultant in the country music division.”
But nine months of work on that fell apart once Miller left the label and Denney began a lawsuit against his former artist who reeled off eight number-one country songs in a row to start his career with MDM.
“There are always so many ups and downs in this business,” says Denney. “You have to deal with the ugly side of the business sometimes. Every time I think I’ve seen it all something crazy happens. I got poached by someone who used to work for me.”
But he admits signing the ADA deal, though it pushes back his exit strategy, is a big win.
“Kristen Burke is the new president of Warner Canada,” says Denney. “I’ve known her for at least 25 years, back when we both worked at Universal. MDM comes in as a big fish in this deal on the country music end.”
With the contract signed, Denney knows it’s time to rebuild the MDM roster of recording acts.
“So much in the music business and running a record label is built on having a consistent flow of new releases,” he explains. “We haven’t had that lately, and we don’t have a deep roster right now. I have to reposition this thing and get it back up and running. We’ve gone through this before, though.”
Hamilton, Ontario’s The Red Hill Valleys have been active, releasing their latest single Make it Out Alive just a few weeks ago. But signature artist Moskaluke is in writing mode. She will embark on a headlining tour this fall, but won’t roll out any new songs until January.
The focus, then, is on signing and promoting new artists. This Sunday Denney heads out on a coast-to-coast radio tour with Savannah Jade.
“Five Roses called it quits in mid-October and I signed Jade right away,” says Denney. “She has four songs and a video ready to go so I’m just heading out to reintroduce her to all the radio folk. The first single will drop August 23.”
He adds that Stumpf, from Saskatoon, is currently working with songwriters in Nashville on material for his debut MDM release.
“I’m still in a position where I eventually hope to do a sale of the company’s assets sometime in the future,” concludes Denney. “But I am excited to be working with Warner/ADA beginning this new chapter for us. We are thrilled to leverage ADA’s extensive global network to bring our artists’ music to an even broader audience."
