Industry Ink: Kelsea Ballerini, Swon Brothers, Natalie Hemby, Matthew J. Grosland, Bear Creek Brothers

Pictured (L-R): Zach Swon, Grand Ole Opry Vice President/GM, Sally Williams, and Colton Swon

The Swon Brothers performed songs from their brand new EP, Pretty Cool Scars, at The Grand Ole Opry last Friday night (March 17) and then signed autographs in the Opry store for fans who waited to meet them following their performance. The duo also sat down for a Facebook LIVE visit and Q&A with the Opry’s Facebook page before hitting the stage.

On Saturday (March 18) they delivered an energetic acoustic set of songs from the new EP, as well as some crowd favorites to a standing-room-only crowd at Nashville’s ACME Feed & Seed, which included friend and fellow artist, Easton Corbin. The performance was streamed LIVE on ACME’s Facebook page as well as on ACME Radio.

Natalie Hemby Makes Her Opry Debut

WSM’s Bill Cody and Natalie Hemby. Photo: Grand Ole Opry

Natalie Hemby had a big week last week, making her debut on the Grand Ole Opry last weekend, where she performed “Ferris Wheel” and “Worn” with her husband (and producer of her album Puxico), Mike Wrucke, on guitar. The show was a full-circle moment for Nashville native Hemby, whose high school graduation was held on the Opry stage. Last week she also joined some writers for the opening of the American Currents exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. On display in the museum is Hemby’s notebook of handwritten song ideas for Miranda Lambert and a wooden number one carved by her grandfather to celebrate her song “White Liar” hitting number one on the charts.

Matthew J. Grosland Joins DeSalvo Law Firm

Pictured (L-R): Matthew J. Grosland, Ramona P. DeSalvo

Matthew J. Grosland has joined Nashville entertainment law firm DeSalvo Law Firm PLLC as an associate. He graduated at the top of his class at the Nashville School of Law with the highest GPA in the then-101-year history of the school. Upon admission to the Tennessee bar, Grosland worked as an Assistant Public Defender with the 18th Judicial District in Gallatin, Tennessee. Grosland’s diverse background includes extensive experience in both music and Information Technology.

In other DeSalvo news, the firm’s founding member, Ramona P. DeSalvo, recently was selected as a 2017 Fellow for the Nashville Bar Foundation. Fellows are selected by their colleagues, and each Fellows class is limited to approximately 2% of the bar in Nashville. The 2017 Fellows class was honored at a black tie event on March 11, 2017 at Loew’s Vanderbilt.

Bear Creek Brothers Members Ink With Kim McClean Music

Pictured (L-R): Rentfrow, Vermillion, publisher Kim McLean, Dylan Wright, and Creative Director Will McLean Johnston

Seth Rentfrow, Kevin Vermillion, and Dylan Wright recently celebrated their signing to Kim McLean Music, LLC during a visit to the ASCAP Nashville offices. All three writers are Michigan natives who’ve been honing their craft in Nashville for the last few years, and their band, the Bear Creek Brothers, is finishing up their first studio album.

McLean said, “I’m so proud of these guys and excited about the bright future they have ahead of them. They’re awesome people. Good times ahead!”