Industry Pics: SMACKSongs, ASCAP, Grand Ole Opry, BMG, BBR, T.J. Martell

SMACKSongs Celebrates First Writers’ Night

Pictured (front row, L-R): Midland’s Jess Carson, SMACKSongs’ Kylie Morgan, Shane McAnally, Midland’s Cameron Duddy, and SMACKSongs’ Renee Blair. (back row, L-R): Midland’s Mark Wystrach, SMACKSongs’ Josh Osborne, Matt McGinn, Ryan Beaver, and Aaron Eshuis.

SMACKSongs celebrated its first writers’ night at the Listening Room Café in Nashville last Wednesday (Oct. 11). The round was hosted by SMACKSongs partners, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, and featured surprise performances by Walker Hayes and Midland.

Other performers included SMACKSongs writers Ryan Beaver, Renee Blair, Aaron Eshuis, Kylie Morgan, and Matt McGinn. Presented by Kobalt, the evening was part of the company’s week-long Global Creative Retreat in Nashville.

ASCAP Presents at The Bluebird Cafe

Pictured (L-R): Shane Gamble, Jeb Gipson, Hailey Whitters, Josh Matheny, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad.

The October installment of ASCAP’s long-running showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe was held last Wednesday (Oct. 11) and featured Shane Gamble, Sea Gayle’s Jeb Gipson, Carnival Music’s Hailey Whitters and Curb Music Publishing’s Josh Matheny, who is a member of the band Steel Union.

Chris Janson, Keith Urban’s Grand Ole Opry Surprise

Pictured (L-R): Chris Janson and Keith Urban.

Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville’s Chris Janson joined Keith Urban for two surprise performances at the Grand Ole Opry last Tuesday night (Oct. 10).

Urban welcomed Janson to the legendary stage by declaring, “If there’s justice, in one year he’s going to be Entertainer of the Year,” before launching into their guitar-drenched and harmonica-infused take on the John Michael Montgomery hit “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).”

Check out a video of the performance here.

BMG and BBR Music Group Celebrate Country Music Week in UK

Randy Houser. Photo: Anthony D’Angio

Lindsay Ell. Photo: Shawn Ell

Walker McGuire. Photo: Luke Dyson

BMG and BBR Music Group celebrated a strong presence at this year’s Country Music Week (Oct. 2-8) in the UK, launching with a special live event at London’s Bush Hall. Broken Bow Records Presents showcased Randy Houser, Lindsay Ell, and Walker McGuire (comprised of Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire).

T.J. Martell Foundation’s 5th Annual Chic Awearness Event

Pictured (L-R): Melissa Thompson, Jayne Wochomurka, Linda Davis, Tammie Eldridge, Dawn Mangrum, Hope Loftis, Marci Houff, Memarie Gayle, Sally Rose, Leora Allen, and Janet Schock. Photo: Bev Moser.

The 5th Annual Chic Awearness event was held on Monday, Sept. 25 at Nashville restaurant Prima and raised over $100,000 to benefit the T. J. Martell Foundation’s ovarian cancer research program.

Hosted by NewsChannel 5’s Carrie Sharp, event highlights included a moving survivor speech, an exciting live auction and a spirited fall fashion show by Levy’s.