Industry Ink: Erin Duvall, Halle Kearns, The MLC, Will Carter

Erin Duvall Exits Black River, Joins Belmont University As Assistant Professor

Erin Duvall, Director of Digital Media at Black River Entertainment, has announced that she will be exiting the company. She has taken a new position at Belmont University to serve as an Assistant Professor of Music Business. She will also be consulting on video strategy for an array of artists, including Randall King, Lauren Duski and more.

Duvall took on her position at Black River in January of 2022 where she lead all digital strategy and activations for Black River’s roster. She was responsible for each artist’s audience and content development, social media marketing, online promotion, influencer marketing, and advertising.

Duvall has over 16 years of experience in the industry, including as the video strategist for Warner Music Nashville where she focused on YouTube growth for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, and more. She previously served as the U.S. country music programmer for YouTube Music and Google Play, and has handled digital marketing for an array of artists and brands. She began her career as a writer, serving as Associate Editor of Country Aircheck and Deputy Editor for AOL’s The Boot.

Contact Duvall at erin@byerinduvall.com.

 

Halle Kearns Signs With UTA For Representation

Rising country artist Halle Kearns has signed with UTA for agency representation.

Kearns made her country music debut in 2020 with her first three singles, culminating in the release of her debut EP Finally at the end of the year. The EP garnered over 4 million streams in its first year, found placements on Spotify’s top country editorial playlists, reached No. 7 on the U.S iTunes charts, and was featured on Sirius XM’s The Highway.

With over 12 million streams collectively and more than 10 million views on TikTok, Kearns will release her sophomore EP on June 3. She will also be heading out on the road this summer on her “Tin Roof Tour,” with stops in Myrtle Beach, Memphis, Cincinnati, Orlando, Kansas City, Detroit, and more.

 

 

The MLC, NSAI, Bluebird Cafe Hosts Songwriters Brunch At Key West Songwriters Festival

Earlier this month, The MLC hosted a Songwriters Brunch at the Key West Songwriters Festival along with NSAI and The Bluebird Café.

The 2022 Songwriters Brunch featured performances by songwriters Craig Wiseman, Danny Myrick, Steve Bogard and more.

 

PLA Media Signs Texas Singer-Songwriter Will Carter

PLA Media has added Will Carter to its artist roster. The Katy, Texas native brings the Texas red dirt country style to the Nashville agency as they team up for a forthcoming project. His first release in 2022, “Wrong Side Of Town,” will be dropping in June.

Carter has already amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify, over a dozen singles on the Texas music charts, and has earned four nominations each in the Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories at the Texas Country Music Awards.

“Will has been entertaining audiences ever since he was old enough to walk. You can hear that experience reflected in his music,” states Pam Lewis, Founder and CEO of PLA Media. “This Lone Star State performer has a remarkable work ethic and his determination sets him apart from the emerging talent on the scene.”

“It’s an honor to team up with an experienced team like PLA. Their professionalism and expertise makes me excited to take my career to new heights in 2022,” adds Carter.