Industry Ink: Randy Travis, Larry Gatlin, Annie Brooks, More

PickleJar To Celebrate Randy Travis Tonight At Tribute Tuesday

PickleJar will host its newest installment of Tribute Tuesday tonight (Jan. 17) at Live Oak Nashville to celebrate Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis. Featuring a lineup of Thompson Square, Shawna Thompson, Timmy Brown, Dave’s Highway and Landon Wall, artists will perform one original song in addition to a cover of their favorite Travis track.

Fans can tune in live to watch the show on the PickleJar app. All donations on the PickleJar app will go directly to the Randy Travis Foundation, which raises awareness for viral cardiomyopathy and provides arts and music enrichment for children.

Larry Gatlin To Teach Master Class At University Of Texas Permian Basin

Larry Gatlin and UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley (left of Gatlin) gather with University faculty, staff and students.

The University of Texas Permian Basin will debut its latest faculty member, Grammy-winning recording artist Larry Gatlin, on Jan. 23 as he begins his own eight-week songwriting master class.

Gatlin was born in Seminole in 1948 and graduated from Odessa High School. He attended the University of Houston on a football scholarship where he majored in English, which later served him well in his songwriting. Along with brothers Steve and Rudy, collectively known as the Gatlin Brothers, Gatlin racked up hits and banked prestigious awards in the industry. He penned every Gatlin Brothers hit and has written songs that were later recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Rich, Johnny Mathis, Dottie West and more. In 2019, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“Grammy Award-winning musician Larry Gatlin will be sharing his art of creative writing and storytelling with students this spring—all the skills that made him a Hall of Fame singer-songwriter,” explains UT Permian Basin President, Dr. Sandra Woodley. “As UTPB’s new Professor of Practice, he will lead an exciting new master class to share his experiences and encourage people from all walks of life to explore their own creativity and passion. We are thrilled about this partnership.”

“I believe there are only two kinds of people in the world … rocks and sponges,” quips Gatlin. “I am a sponge, and I am going to squeeze myself out on those kids at UTPB in the hopes that some of them are sponges too.”

Annie Brooks Joins Dreamcatcher Artists As Promotion Manager

Annie Brooks

Dreamcatcher Artists has added Annie Brooks as Promotion Manager. She can be reached at annie@dreamcatcherartists.com.

Dreamcatcher Artists is the full-service record company division of Dreamcatcher Entertainment Group, which also encompasses Dreamcatcher Management. Tenille Arts is the debut artist signed to the record company arm.

The Crew Raises Over $22K For Musicians On Call At Annual CMA Awards Viewing Party

Pictured (L-R): Brendan Lewis, Morgan Brasfield, Jeremy Groves, Camille Kenney, Courtney Allen, Jason McColl, Synnovea Halsel, Tarah Duarte, Jaede Brereton, Mandy Mullins, Kendall Warren, Kara Jackson, Kelly Lyons and Lexie Rigler. Photo: Audrey Spillman

The Crew hosted their 12th annual CMA Awards Viewing Party in November, which raised over $22,000 for Musicians On Call. The benefit event hosted more than 600 guests to watch the award show alongside fellow industry executives, artists and songwriters at Tin Roof Nashville Downtown.

The Crew is a group of music executives from all aspects of the industry. Current crew members include Jason McColl (Sony Music), Lexie Rigler (Safford Motley PLC), Kelly Lyons (Combustion Music), Camille Kenny (Big Loud Records), Kendall Warren (Plaid Flag Music), Courtney Allen (Concord Music Publishing), Kara Jackson (Spirit Music), Synnovea Cleveland (Sony Music Publishing), Jeremy Groves (SMACKSongs) and Morgan Brasfield (Kobalt Music).

Larry Fleet’s Debut Single Goes Gold

Larry Fleet and his team at Big Loud Records + Good Company Entertainment.

Big Loud Records’ Larry Fleet recently gathered with his label and management teams to celebrate his debut single, “Where I Find God,” earning RIAA Gold certification. The track has amassed over 28 million official music video views.

Fleet just wrapped his first-ever headlining “One For The Road Tour,” following stints on the road opening for Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen and more. He will headline the stage again this year on his 11-date spring run, “Larry Fleet Live,” and will open tours for Pardi and Parker McCollum nationwide.