Black River Entertainment Signs MaRynn Taylor

Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr, MaRynn Taylor, and Bill Cody

Black River Entertainment’s President & CEO Gordon Kerr recently announced the signing of MaRynn Taylor to Black River’s publishing and artist roster.

On Wednesday (Nov. 13) Black River signed the Rockford, Michigan native as their newest and youngest recording artist and songwriter during a live broadcast interview and performance on the legendary 650 AM WSM radio’s Coffee, Country and Cody.

“I’m always honored to be in the presence of the legendary Hall of Fame radio host, Bill Cody,” said Kerr. “650 AM WSM continues to play an integral part in the history of country music. I couldn’t think of a better way to begin MaRynn’s journey than to share this experience with Bill, Charlie, and the Coffee, Country and Cody audience.”

“There I was in my first radio interview, feeling nervous yet humbled to know that Bill Cody would have me on the show,” MaRynn recalls. “The next thing I knew, I’m in the middle of a great conversation with him, live on the air, and he said something like, ‘What if I told you, you were going to get your record deal right now?’ Of course, I started to cry when Gordon handed me the contract.”

Bill Cody and Charlie Mattos met Taylor for the first time the morning of the interview in the 650 AM WSM studios at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

“MaRynn’s sweet, endearing shyness and soft-spoken nature belies the God-given gift that becomes immediately apparent when she opens her mouth to sing!” said Cody. “18 years old and only in Nashville for a few months, she effortlessly and naturally sings with the comfort and ease of a seasoned studio and stage performer. I was truly honored to be asked to share in her very emotional surprise BRE record deal signing. She’s destined for much greater things! I look forward with anticipation and excitement to see her stardom realized in the years ahead.”

Earlier this summer during CMA Fest, Black River held its first-ever 60-Second Spotlight, a performance opportunity for aspiring musicians, songwriters and music lovers to perform for 60 seconds in front of Black River’s executive staff. At the end of the first day, MaRynn Taylor and her mom made their way to the booth just as it had closed. Only a few days shy of 18, MaRynn visited with the staff of Black River for a few minutes and ultimately played a song for them on the guitar, while sitting on the stage. That initial conversation led to her label signing only five months later.

“I left my life in Michigan to chase my dream in Nashville and never would have thought that I’d find my Nashville family so perfectly in Black River,” shared Taylor.

• Author
• Recent Posts

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.

Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)

• CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
• Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
• Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020