Industry Ink: Brad Paisley, Clay Walker, Robbie Fulks, The Red Clay Strays

Brad Paisley Becomes Ambassador For UNITED24 In Support Of Ukraine

Country music superstar Brad Paisley has joined UNITED24 as an ambassador to support the Rebuild Ukraine program.

The initiative was launched by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to collect charitable donations in support of rebuilding and restoring homes damaged by the current war. Paisley was introduced in an online call with President Zelenskyy where he thanked Paisley for his support of Ukrainians.

“I am happy that you decided to join, especially the Rebuild Ukraine program. Many peoples’ lives have been destroyed. Now we need to work with as many famous people as possible, who will draw attention to the restoration of homes for Ukrainians who’ve suffered from the war,” Zelenskyy explained.

“I am not alone in wanting to help Ukraine,” Paisley shared. “But like a lot of people in America, until now I haven’t been sure exactly how to lend a hand from over here in the U.S. I count myself very lucky to have been given a platform that will allow me to do that very thing. As an American, I see how very similar we are, how we share so many common values with these brave people in Ukraine, and I’m focusing my efforts on helping Ukrainian families rebuild and return to their homes.”

In 2022, Paisley supported Ukraine by participating in the Ukraine: Answering the Call charity telethon broadcast in prime-time in the USA.

Clay Walker Takes Country To The High Seas

Show Dog Nashville recording artist Clay Walker brought his traditional sound to the sold-out Country Music Cruise 2023 this week. During the excursion, he performed for country music fans onboard Holland America’s Nieuw Amersterdam ship.

Walker has celebrated four Platinum albums, more than 30 charted singles and 11 No. 1s throughout his career. In August of 2021, he released his debut record with independent label Show Dog Nashville, Texas To Tennessee. Last March, Walker also teamed up with friend and fellow artist Tracy Lawrence for a co-headlining journey that ran through May.

Compass Records Group Adds Robbie Fulks To Artist Roster

Compass Records Group has added alt-country artist Robbie Fulks to its roster. Fulks’ 30-year career has included 15 solo albums and two Grammy nominations.

He became a defining artist of the alt-country scene in the 1990s with releases on independent label Bloodshot Records, Yep Roc and Geffen Records. For the last ten years, he has focused on his writing and performing with homespun tales and acoustic instruments.

Compass Records co-founder Alison Brown shares: “I’ve been a fan of Robbie since I had the chance to play on his 2005 release ‘Georgia Hard.’ He’s one of the most slyly creative, irreverent and damn fun artists out there. No one can write songs like Robbie Fulks does. It’s almost unfair that he can sing and play so well too. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Robbie to the Compass Records family.”

“I’m positively giddy to be with Compass Records. They’ve been such an unflagging champion of the ever-endangered species of bluegrass, Irish and Americana songwriter music. What’s more, the company is run by two badass musicians,” Fulks adds. “Will my semiannual statements be scrawled in Nashville number system on a cocktail napkin? Will Alison and Garry [West] be too busy filling their plates with free food at wedding buffets to promote me vigorously? Will my mean-spirited banjo jokes make me a pariah? I can’t wait to see what happens in these next few years.”

The Red Clay Strays Ink With WME

The Red Clay Strays have signed with WME for global representation in all areas. The agent team representing the group includes Co-Head of WME’s Nashville office Jay Williams, Aaron Tannenbaum, Alex Collignon and Kanan Vitolo.

The Red Clay Strays is made up of Brandon Coleman (lead vocals/guitar), Drew Nix (vocals/electric guitar/harmonica), Zach Rishel (electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass) and John Hall (drums). Following with their debut album, Moment of Truth, their single, “Good Godly Woman,” has reached a million streams and they have been tapped as support for 28 spring dates on Elle King‘s “A-Freakin-Men Tour” and four dates on Eric Church’s “The Outsiders Revival Tour.” The band is also on the bill for a variety of festivals this year, including Mile 0 Fest, Moon Crush, Tortuga Music Festival, Hwy 30 Music Fest, Under The Big Sky and Peacemaker Festival.

“We’re thrilled to welcome The Red Clay Strays to the WME family,” shares Williams. “The talent of these guys was undeniable from the first time we were introduced to them, and we can’t wait for the rest of the world to witness it too.”

“We are extremely grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to partner with WME as we take these next steps in our career,” the group shares. “We love the team that’s working with us and can’t wait to get ‘er going. #HBYCO”