Industry Ink: Keith Urban, Runaway June, Marvin Sapp, More

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Visit Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital In Nashville

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman with patients from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Photo: Courtesy of PFA Media

Country superstar Keith Urban and his wife, award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, recently made a visit to the Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt University Children’s Hospital.

The pair spent the day performing songs, playing games, and spending time with the hospital’s young patients.

Urban will continue on his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” this weekend with stops in Detroit (Aug. 26), Indianapolis (Aug. 27) and Milwaukee (Aug. 28). For a full list of dates spanning through February of 2023, click here.

Runaway June To Perform At The Love of Dogs Benefit Concert

Runaway June. Photo: Gregg Rothe

Pedigree Foundation is set to host The Love of Dogs Benefit Concert featuring a performance from all-female country trio Runaway June on Oct. 5 at The Factory at Franklin.

The event, hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren and Larissa Wohl (Great American Media & WKRN News 2), will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, and a silent and live auction with a chance to win trips and autographed celebrity memorabilia.

Runaway June is comprised of Stevie Woodward (lead vocals/guitar/harmonica/ piano), Natalie Stovall (vocals/fiddle/guitar) and Jennifer Wayne (vocals/guitar), and has been named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

The event will raise funds for the Pedigree Foundation grant program that supports organizations across the country, with the goal to support shelters and rescue organizations that are focused on supporting fostering, matching, behavior and transport programs, as well as disaster relief. In 2021, Pedigree Foundation awarded more than $760,000 in grants, helping nearly 118,000 dogs find their forever homes.

“Shelters and rescues across the country are facing unprecedented capacity issues with over 350,000 pets currently waiting for their forever homes,” notes Kimberly Wise, President of Pedigree Foundation. “Fundraising events like The Love of Dogs Benefit Concert help us increase our grant funding to support these organizations, making a difference in the lives of dogs and making steps toward our ambition to end pet homelessness.”

Marvin Sapp Celebrates Release Of Documentary With Screening & Fireside Chat

Marvin Sapp accepting the Pandora Billionaire Plaque. Photo: Jordan Johnson

A screening and fireside chat was held at the National Museum of African American Music last week (Aug. 18) to celebrate Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story.

The movie tells the story of Sapp’s upbringing, his battles with alcohol abuse, his rise in the music industry, and more. An award-winning gospel singer, he recorded with the group Commissioned in the 90s before embarking on his solo career.

During the celebration, Sapp was also honored with a Pandora Billionaire plaque for earning over one billion streams on the platform.

Taylor Davis Inks With Porchlight Music, Doosey Co.

Pictured (L-R, front row): Tim Medlin (PLM), Taylor Davis, Anthony Smith (PLM); (L-R, back row): Lydia Cahill (SESAC), Freeman Wizer (PLM), Shannan Hatch (SESAC). Photo: Grayson Green

Porchlight Music and Paul Brown’s Doosey Co. LLC have signed songwriter Taylor Davis.

A native of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Davis had aspirations of playing college football before injuries changed his course. He made the move to Nashville to pursue his musical dreams at 18 years old. He was previously signed at Magic Mustang Music and BMG.

Davis has had cuts by Big & Rich, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Nate Barnes, and Tom O’Connor.

Radiate Music Adds Justin Warren To Roster

Pictured (L-R): Ian Eskelin, Justin Warren, and JJ Weeks.

Radiate Music has signed Raleigh-based singer-songwriter and worship leader Justin Warren. He will release his debut single on the label next month.

Warren has shared stages across the country with artists such as Mercy Me, Sanctus Real, Building 429, Natalie Grant and more. Beginning Sept. 9, he embarks on the “Bigger Story Tour” with Red Street Records artist Cade Thompson.

“Spend five minutes with Justin and you’ll know why we had to add him to the Radiate roster,” says Ian Eskelin, Radiate Music founder and Grammy-nominated, two-time Dove Award-winning Producer of the Year. “He has a magnetic personality and a true heart for spreading the gospel. I can’t wait for you to hear his new music!”

“I am so thankful to be a part of the Radiate family!” Warren adds. “The opportunity to work alongside Ian is an honor and I am excited to see what the future holds.”