ROCK'S STYLISH MACHINERY

A recent article in The Tennessean explores how Scott Borchetta and John Varvatos have jointly dedicated their efforts to the resurgence of rock on their Big Machine/John Varvatos JV label, and how that work has paid off—notably with "Ghost," the #1 rock hit by the band Badflower.

The pair go into their enthusiasm for the genre and their parameters for new signings, as well as the history of their partnership. Cumulus Programming VP Troy Hanson also chimes in. Check out the whole thing here.

Seen indulging in sheer rock excess after an incendiary Badflower show at L.A.'s storied Troubadour are (l-r) Varvatos, BMLG's Mike Rittberg, the band's Alex Espiritu, Josh Katz and Anthony Sonetti, Apple Music's Brian Pesaturo, the band's Joseph Paul Morrow and label promo goddess Heather Luke.

While Nashville may seem an unlikely place for rock's resurgence, Borchetta has been an avid patron of the genre for years, and Big Machine's roster includes the venerable band Cheap Trick. It was at a performance by the Rockford, Illinois hitmakers that Borchetta and Varvatos—for whom rock has been a lifelong influence—first became acquainted.

In a related story, band manager Jesse Beer is headed to Music City at presstime for more hot chicken.