Kristian Bush releases his debut solo album, Southern Gravity, today (April 7) via Streamsound Records. He’s on the road with his headlining Put Your Soul In It Tour and will celebrate the album release tonight with fans at his sold-out show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. Tomorrow (April 8) he will make his second appearance at Wrigley Field to sing during the seventh inning stretch for the Chicago Cubs, as well as throw out the first pitch.

The lead single from Southern Gravity, “Trailer Hitch,” is already a Top 20 hit. Bush produced the project alongside longtime friend and engineer Tom Tapley. Meanwhile, Byron Gallimore, who previously worked with the Bush/Jennifer Nettles duo Sugarland, served as executive producer of the solo effort.

“These songs are like post-it notes that you might put around your house as inspirational reminders,” says Bush of the 12-track collection. “I listen to them for that reason sometimes—to remind myself that no matter how hard it gets, you can make things out of the pieces that are smashed.”

Bush has been leaving his mark on music for more than two decades. The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist started his career with folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim in the early ‘90s. In 2004, he exploded onto the country music scene with Sugarland, surpassing sales of over 22 million albums worldwide, achieving five No. 1 singles and winning numerous awards, including GRAMMYs, AMAs, ACMs, CMT Music Awards and CMAs. To date, Bush has garnered six BMI Awards for his songwriting. In 2011 he founded the music publishing company and songwriting collective Songs of the Architect, collaborating with Matt Nathanson, Lucy Hale and more.

Edie Emery

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its new communications team.

Edie Emery, a native of Nashville, Tenn., has been named Senior Director of Communications. Emery most recently served as senior director of public relations for CNN before joining the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Based in Washington, she was responsible for the development and implementation of public relations plans for Washington-based program and special political programming which included Election night, political conventions, network presidential debates, and caucus and primary coverage.

Before joining CNN in 2003, Emery was senior account director for Goodman Media International, where she was responsible for overseeing national media relations initiatives for ABC Radio Networks. Emery also spearheaded and implemented strategic public relations campaigns for U.S. News & World Report and Maryland Public Television. Prior to joining Goodman Media in 2000, Emery spent five years at the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) as director of external relations. Emery earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee.

Joseph Conner

Joseph Conner has been named Communications Manager. Conner most recently served as public relations manager at TriStar Centennial Medical Center before joining the communications team at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Conner is a graduate of The University of Tennessee Martin with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After receiving his MBA from Belmont University, Conner worked for over five years in entertainment handling PR efforts for events such as Bonnaroo; artists including Suzy Bogguss, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Steep Canyon Rangers; and a number of restaurants including Nashville’s the Loveless Cafe.

In 2011 Conner transitioned to the nonprofit sector joining PearlPoint Cancer Support as communications and PR manager where he oversaw communications for the PRSA and PR News award-winning campaign, “Celebrate Minnie Pearl & Her Legacy,” as well as a name/brand change from The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation to PearlPoint in 2013.

Heidi Egloff

Heidi Egloff has also been named as Communications Manager. For nearly five years she worked at the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C., most recently serving as a Marketing Manager for National Geographic Books. She was responsible for spearheading the launch and growth of the division’s social and digital media footprint. Prior to this role, she served as an Editorial Assistant before transitioning to the marketing team as an Associate Marketing Manager. During her time at National Geographic, she worked with countless authors, from Buzz Aldrin to Andrew McCarthy.

Egloff has a bachelor’s degree in business from The University of Mississippi, where she studied marketing communications and public relations. Her passion for publicity and music was confirmed during an internship with Wenner Media, publisher of Rolling Stone.

Luke Jordan

Luke Jordan has been named Social Media Manager. Before moving to Nashville, Jordan worked as a marketing specialist at South 17 in Ohio, aiding in brand launches for fortune 500 companies and local businesses. Jordan has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Wright State University and launched his career in the financial marketing sector. He served as director of marketing for Russell & Company, one of the top independent planning firms in the United States.

He brings more than six years of marketing and communications experience to his role as social media manager for the museum, Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.

Drew Maynard

Drew Maynard joined the CMHoF communications team in June 2014 as communications coordinator.

Prior to joining, Maynard worked over five years in the public relations and communications department at Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).

A Nashville native, Maynard earned an English degree from Lipscomb University in 2008 and interned at the Country Music Association (CMA).

During his free time, Maynard stays busy with various film, photography, and design projects.

Michael Manning

Michael Manning has taken on the role of Sr. Manager of Digital Content. Manning began as a music and book buyer for the CMH0F’s retail store and later worked as a marketing coordinator, among many roles at the CMHoF. In his current role, Manning oversees websites for the museum, Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.

He has contributed content to many of the museum’s exhibits, public programs, and book and recording projects over the last decade including the Encyclopedia of Country Music and the album Country’s 20 Classic Songs of the Century.

Patrick Shaffner

Patrick Shaffner has been named as website coordinator. After moving to Nashville, Shaffner designed and pressed posters through an internship with Hatch Show Print. He previously served as communications and events manager for Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta. He also worked at the Wren’s Nest, managing the home’s e-newsletter. Shaffner also helped established the nonprofit 826CHI, a creative writing and tutoring lab; he also served as the director of outreach and communications, as well as manager for the organization’s fundraising storefront, the Boring Store.

As website coordinator, Shaffner will work on the museum, Studio B, and Hatch Show Print websites.

Jake Basden. Photo: BMLG

Jake Basden has been promoted to VP of Publicity and Corporate Communications at BMLG. Basden oversees communications for the group’s imprints Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., Republic Nashville, Dot Records, Nash Icon Records, and Big Machine Music Publishing. He reports to BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta.

“Jake’s ability to understand and develop the narrative is a sign of a great publicist and communicator. He’s also a great team leader and he continues to guide his ‘Killer B’s’ to new heights in breaking important stories, expanding the BMLG corporate brand, and knocking down doors for all of our artists and executives,” shared Borchetta. “It’s not a cliché when I say this promotion is so well deserved.”

“At Big Machine I am surrounded entirely by people who go to work every day of the week with the mindset of never settling for anything but the best,” said Basden. “I am grateful for Scott Borchetta who gave me this opportunity—this dream job—four years ago. His continued trust and confidence in my team is the catalyst for our success. I couldn’t be prouder.”

He has worked with the label’s artists, including propelling acts such as Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, and Maddie & Tae to star status. He also worked on Taylor Swift’s albums including RED and 1989. Basden led the publicity campaign for the documentary Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me and its soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and earned an Academy Award nomination in the original song category.

Basden joined the company in 2011. The Oklahoma native previously worked as Director of Media Relations in the sports and entertainment division of Edelman. In 2008, at age 24, he earned PRWeek’s Young PR Professional of the Year honor, and in 2011, he was recognized by his alma mater, University of Oklahoma, with the Young Alumni Distinction Award from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.