Social Media Phenom Jacob Whitesides Launches BMG Imprint
[UPDATED] YouTube, Vine and other social media outlets are providing a pathway devoid of the usual gatekeepers for musicians to build an audience. But despite their self-created success, many of these d.i.y. stars still seem eager to partner with major music companies.
Digital media content creator and singer/songwriter Jacob Whitesides has signed with BMG for the launch of his Double U label imprint.
Just 17 years old, Whiteside has made a name for himself amassing a huge following on social media, including 1.6 million Twitter followers, 900,000 Instagram fans, 750,000 subscribers on Vine and generating more than 12 million views on YouTube.
Whitesides will serve as CEO of Vital Music, while Billy Mann’s management firm, Manncom Creative, and BMG will handle label operations. Double U will release Whitesides’ own material, including upcoming EP and album releases, and will look to expand with other developing artists.
Whiteside's first EP, "A Piece Of Me", released in February through his own JW Records label, broke into the top 10 on the iTunes Top Album charts, and peaked at #1 on the Singer/Songwriter chart.
Whitesides just completed a sold-out European tour. He will follow this with a support slot on the R5 tour in the US beginning July 7, 2015 in Orange Park, FL. – via Celebrity Access
