Industry Ink: Cole Swindell, CMHOF, WMN, More

Cole Swindell Joins Pandora’s Country Billionaires Station

Pictured (L-R, back row): Tim Foisset, SVP, Commercial Partnerships, WMN; Beville Dunkerley, Sr Director of Talent Relations, SiriusXM/Pandora; Cole Swindell; Alina Thompson, Sr Manager of Talent Relations, SiriusXM/Pandora; KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards; Anna Cage, VP, Radio, WMN; Chris Fabiani, National Director, Radio, WMN; (L-R, front row): Ben Kline, WMN Co-President; Justin Luffman, VP Artist Development, WMN. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images Pandora Media, LLC

Multi-Platinum entertainer Cole Swindell reached another career milestone recently as he earned a spot on Pandora’s Country Billionaires station for surpassing 3 billion lifetime spins. The Georgia native was surprised backstage on Tuesday night (June 28) at his “Home On Tour” show, presented by Ashley and Pandora in Nashville.

Swindell’s current single, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” is racing up the charts hitting the top 30 in just one week. Written by Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Mark D. Sanders and Tim Nichols, the track follows on the heels of his two back-to-back multi-week No. 1 singles “Never Say Never” with BBR Music Group’s Lainey Wilson and “Single Saturday Night.”

The 11-time chart-topper launches his headlining “Back Down To The Bar Tour,” featuring Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe, on Sept. 23.

CMHOF Celebrates Honor Society Members With Special Evening

Pictured (L-R): Jeff Hanna, hosts Ken Levitan and Gloria Dumas, Matraca Berg, Jaime Hanna, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum thanked its Honor Society members on Tuesday night (June 28) with a special event at the home of museum board member Ken Levitan and Gloria Dumas. The evening featured a special performance by Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and singers and songwriters Matraca Berg and Jaime Hanna.

Jeff Hanna and Berg recently performed at an announcement for the museum’s next major exhibition, “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock,” presented by City National Bank. The exhibit will be housed in the museum’s newly transformed 5,000-square-foot gallery and open Sept. 30 for a nearly three-year run.

Honor Society members provide support of the museum’s award-winning exhibitions, education programs and preservation of the museum’s collection. Benefits of Honor Society membership include an invitation to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Medallion Ceremony, the annual induction of new Hall of Fame members. This year’s ceremony will induct members-elect Joe Galante, Jerry Lee Lewis and Keith Whitley.

Warner Music Nashville, WMG Center Of Excellence Celebrate Pride Month

The Warner Music Nashville and WMG Center of Excellence for Shared Services teams celebrate Pride.

Warner Music Nashville and Warner Music Group’s Center of Excellence for Shared Services gathered to walk in the Nashville Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25.

Employees, friends and family all joined together for the celebratory occasion. WMN served as an official sponsor for the 2022 Nashville Pride Festival.

The Kinkead Entertainment Agency Signs Canaan Smith

Canaan Smith. Photo: Kurt Ozan

Country singer-songwriter Canaan Smith has inked a deal with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency.

Smith saw his first bit of major success in 2015 with the release of the Platinum, No. 1 hit “Love You Like That,” the lead single off his Bronco record. The album also spawned the top 20 hit “Hole In A Bottle.” With more than 500 million career streams, Smith has also embarked on five nationwide headlining tours, as well as a headlining UK tour.

Smith recently signed a record deal with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line‘s Round Here Records, and has spent time also touring with the Diamond-selling duo on their “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour.” He has also earned opening spots for major headlining acts, including on Dierks Bentley‘s 2015 “Sounds of Summer Tour” and Brantley Gilbert‘s 2018 “Blackout Tour.”

While still releasing his own music, Smith has also had a multitude of cuts as a songwriter, including with Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley, Jake Owen, Tyler Hubbard, and two tracks off of Hardy‘s Hixtape Vol. II.

SOURCE Nashville Hosts Panel On Artist Development In 2022

Pictured (L-R): River House Artists’ Zebb Luster, UMG’s Hannah Showmaker Wilson, SOURCE’s Ciara Shortridge, and CAA’s Meredith Jones

SOURCE Nashville hosted a special panel titled Artist Development in 2022 on Thursday, June 23 at H.O.M.E.

The all-female group of music industry professionals enjoyed a discussion featuring CAA Music Agent Meredith Jones, River House Artists VP/GM Zebb Luster, and UMG Nashville Dir. of A&R Hannah Showmaker Wilson. They discussed differing roles on a developing artist’s team and how individual strategies combine to elevate an artist’s career.