News Items: Ballard, Morley, Cole

Frankie Ballard Makes His Grand Ole Opry Debut • Capitol Records Celebrates Betsy Morley • Courtney Cole Signs with Black River Music Publishing

>>Warner Bros. Records newcomer Frankie Ballard will make his Grand Ole Opry debut today (1/7) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Ballard joins Rodney Atkins, Chris Young and Dailey & Vincent, in the line-up for Friday’s show. “I’m totally humbled by the invite to play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time,” said Ballard. “The opportunity to make my debut at the Ryman, on a stage where so many great country stars once played, is enough to make my knees knock a little!”
>>The staff of Capitol Records Nashville celebrated their fifth annual “Cinco de Betso” recently at a local Mexican restaurant. “Cinco de Betso,” the label’s own homegrown holiday, honors their longest standing employee Betsy Morley, Sr. Director A&R Administration, who celebrates her 21st anniversary with the label this year. “Cinco de Betso” falls the first week of each new year. President and CEO, Mike Dungan always honors Morley with a festive hat and glasses as well as a custom-made trophy. This year her trophy was a Potato Head doll dressed up like Elvis.

>>Singer/songwriter Courtney Cole has just inked a publishing deal with Black River Music Publishing. The Mandeville, LA native moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University where she studied commercial voice and music business. Upon graduating she began interning at Black River and ultimately signed a publishing deal. For more information visit www.blackrivermusicgroup.com