Industry Ink: ASCAP, American Blonde, Fusion Touring
ASCAP Nashville Hosts Country Songwriters Workshop

Pictured (top row, L-R): Krissy Feniak, Hannah Sears, Theris Coats, Eitan Snyder, Deidre O’Grady; (2nd row, L-R)) Lauren Jaimes, Lauren Phillips, Matt McCartney, Devon Nicholas, Felipe Oliveira; (3rd row, L-R) Annie Defatta, Tom Martin, Meghan VK, Arielle Silver, Emma Jedow; (4th row, L-R) Angela Parrish, Sumiko Sprinkle, Lisa McEwan, Emma Murdoch, Johnny Vallone; (5th row, L-R) Hayley Giovanazzo, Scott Forman, Tawna Goforth, Aniyah Buchanan, Arielle Eden; (bottom row, L-R) Bonnie Baker, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker.
The ASCAP Nashville membership team hosted the annual ASCAP Foundation Country Songwriters Workshop in honor of Garth Brooks on Nov. 14, 2020, as part of an ongoing series designed to enhance the development and education of promising new songwriters.
The one-day virtual event was hosted by longtime ASCAP member, MTSU professor and veteran songwriter Bonnie Baker. Twenty-five songwriters were selected to participate in the event, which focused on the art and craft of songwriting, expanding sources of inspiration, building a network of co-writers, creating a healthy creative life, and a music publishing presentation by LP Creative Therapy founder, LeAnn Phelan.
“The virtual format combined with Bonnie’s thoughtful curriculum created the opportunity for twenty-five songwriters across the globe to meet, collaborate and expand their creative community. In a time when connecting feels more difficult than ever, we were able to bridge that gap and reimagine the entire workshop concept and it was a great success,” said Beth Brinker, ASCAP Associate Director of Membership.
Southern Halo Becomes American Blonde
Trio-turned-duo Southern Halo has now been renamed American Blonde. The sister duo, including Nata and Tinka Morris, recently released the video for their track “Somethin’ In The Water.”
Fusion Touring Signs Kolt Barber

Pictured (L-R): Mike Meade, Co-VP, Fusion Touring; Kolt Barber; Chuck Rhodes, Executive VP/GM, Fusion Touring; Amy Alyward, Co-VP, Fusion Touring – In Absentia
Fusion Touring, a division under the Fusion Entertainment Company (FUSENTCO) umbrella, has signed Kolt Barber (Barbed Wire Entertainment/Maverick Management) to its roster. The Fusion Touring team will represent Kolt Barber and all mutual endeavors, including The Kolt Barber American Cowboy Showdown™ and “Saddle To The Stage”™ television show, in the live entertainment, booking, and sponsorship sectors.
- 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