Industry Pics: BMI, Creative Nation, Kelleigh Bannen, Sam Williams

BMI Celebrates Next Big Wave

Pictured (L-R): Big Loud’s Michael Giangreco, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and Josh Tomlinson, Pinnacle Bank’s Micah Howard and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen gather for a photo.

On Monday (Oct. 7), BMI and Pinnacle Bank hosted Music Row’s youngest professionals for an evening of networking in BMI’s Nashville office. The second of three sessions in the Next Big Wave series, attendees of this installation were rising industry tastemakers. The evening provided an opportunity for the budding creatives to connect with other professionals at similar points in their careers. Attendees included River House’s Zebb Luster, Curb/Word’s Nina Jenkins, Warner Chappell’s Jessi Vaughn, Big Loud’s Michael Giangreco, and many others.

Each event in the series is specifically tailored to a different group of new arrivals. With evenings dedicated respectively to songwriters without publishing deals, new music industry hires and songwriters who have recently secured their first publishing deal, attendees have the opportunity to mix and mingle with their peers. BMI’s Creative team is on-hand for each unique opportunity to network and educate attendees about BMI’s role in their individual careers.

Creative Nation’s 8th Annual Preston Taylor Ministries Benefit

Pictured (L-R, back row): Beth Laird (Co-Founder and CEO), Travis Wood, Casey Brown, Tyler Johnson, Brandon Gill (VP, Management), Jeff Skaggs (VP, Creative), Kassi Ashton, Christina Wighton (Office Director/Executive Assistant), Greg Kimmel, Jon Pardi, Luke Laird (Co-Founder), Josh Osborne, Jonathan Hutcherson; (L-R, second row): Lori McKenna, Bethany Jones (PTM), Kamilah Sanders (PTM), Rachel Burleson (Sr. Management Coordinator), Marisa Bates, Shaina Botwin (Creative Coordinator), Chan Sheppard (PTM); (L-R, front row): Alec Bailey, Kelsey Granda (Sr. Dir., Creative Administration). Photo: Katie Kauss

On Monday (Oct. 7), Creative Nation raised more than $16,000 for Preston Taylor Ministries via a show held at Nashville’s City Winery. They welcomed special guests and songwriters Josh Osborne  (of Brothers Osborne) and Jon Pardi. The lineup also included music from the Creative Nation roster: Alec Bailey, Casey Brown, Kassi Ashton, Jonathan Hutcherson, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Travis Wood, and Tyler Johnson. A special highlight of the night was PTM students Camaya and Isaiah, accompanied by singer/songwriter, Neal Carpenter, singing a special performance of their original song, “See.”

Kelleigh Bannen Celebrates New Project Favorite Colors

Kelleigh Bannen celebrates highly-anticipated album Favorite Colors with album release party at Nashville’s newly opened Dream Hotel. Photo: Catherine Powell

Kelleigh Bannen held an album release party on Wednesday (Oct. 9) at Dream Hotel in Nashville. CMT’s Cody Alan moderated a Q&A session with Bannen, who also performed track from her album Favorite Colors, which released today.

Among the tracks she performed were “The Joneses,” “John Who,” and “Happy Birthday.”

Sam Williams Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Photo Credit: Andrew Thorpe

Rising artist Sam Williams made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday (Oct. 9). His set included is original track “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood,” as well as a cover of his father Hank Williams Jr.’s 1981 hit “Weatherman,” before offering his rendition of his late grandfather Hank Williams Sr.’s “Ramblin’ Man,” while wearing the white hat his grandfather famously wore on the Opry stage. He also let the audience in on a dream of his.

“I wanted to say thank you so much to the Opry for inviting me here,” said an emotional Williams to the Opry audience, “Y’all have been so welcoming to me. I hope to come back because this has been a dream for me. Another dream of mine, I don’t know what you all think, it would be beautiful to see Hank Williams reinstated in the Grand Ole Opry one day.”

Pictured (L-R): Hillary Williams, Holly Williams, Sam Williams, Hank Williams Jr. and Mary Jane Williams

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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