Industry Ink: Corey Kent, NMAAM, Words & Music, BSamz, More

Corey Kent Celebrates First No. 1 ‘Wild As Her’

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music’s Blake Duncan, Chris Farren, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, Corey Kent, Combustion Music’s Falcon, Keithan Melton and Kelly Lyons

Combustion Music/RCA Nashville artist Corey Kent celebrated his first No. 1 single, “Wild As Her,” with his team this week. The Platinum-certified smash, produced by Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, has garnered over 275 million streams worldwide. “Wild As Her” also marks the second No. 1 for Combustion writer Brett Tyler, who wrote the song alongside Kelly Archer and Morgan Wallen.

Additionally, Kent’s major label debut, Blacktop, is set to premiere on June 2, with an album release show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl that evening. He will also be hitting the road this summer, opening for Jason Aldean on his “Highway Desperado Tour.”

NMAAM To Honor Missy Elliot & Atlantic Records At Celebration Of Legends Event

Missy Elliot

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) will kick off Black Music Month by honoring Grammy-winning artist Missy Elliott and Atlantic Records during its annual Celebration of Legends on June 2.

Elliot and Atlantic Records will receive this year’s Rhapsody & Rhythm Award, which recognizes music industry professionals and pioneers for their impactful, multi-generational contributions to African American music and American culture. Past recipients include Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, George Clinton, Kirk Franklin and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

“We are excited to honor Missy Elliott and Atlantic Records at our Annual Legends Gala,” says H. Beecher Hicks III, NMAAM President & CEO. “Their contributions to the music industry have been tremendous, and we are proud to recognize them for their artistry, innovation and impact.”

NMAAM’s month-long celebration of Black music will also be filled with events ranging from an album release event to comedy shows as well as a Free Community Day, which takes place each year on Juneteenth. For more information, click here.

CMHOF Hosts 44th Annual Words & Music Celebration

Tenille Townes with Words & Music Night student and songwriter participants. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted its 44th annual celebration in honor of its flagship educational program, Words & Music, earlier this week. Students and their families gathered in the museum’s Ford Theater, along with the evening’s host, Sony Music Nashville recording artist Tenille Townes, to hear a selection of 13 songs written by participants in Nashville and surrounding areas.

Ranging from third graders to high school seniors, Words & Music allows students to share their stories by writing original song lyrics, while developing language-arts skills, as they interact with a professional songwriter, paired with their class, in an engaging performance workshop that transforms lyrics into finished songs.

Big Yellow Dog Music Signs BSamz

BSamz signs with Big Yellow Dog Music.

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed songwriter and producer BSamz, aka Brandon Sammons.

The Missouri native started in the industry as lead singer and guitar player for the band Sunset Black. After moving to Los Angeles, he transitioned into songwriting and producing, and moved to Nashville during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has collaborated with Lady Gaga, Kygo, Bryce Vine, Adam Lambert, Culture Club, Sam Feldt and more, and written multiple chart-topping hits such as Girls’ Generation’s “You Think” and Bad Wolves‘ “Hear Me Now.”

“Brandon’s boundless energy for writing great music, along with such a diversity, has me pumped about what we can accomplish in Nashville and abroad,” says Jacee Badeaux, Big Yellow Dog Music Senior Creative Director, A&R.

Taylor Austin Dye Inks With UTA

Pictured (L-R): UTA Nashville’s Lauren Holland, Mackenzie Coberley, Taylor Austin Dye, LEX Music Group/LMG Records’ Lex Lipsitz, Ben Williamson (Tour Manager), UTA Nashville’s Curt Motley and Brian Hill. Photo: Kyrie Bassette/UTA Nashville

Country singer-songwriter Taylor Austin Dye has signed with UTA for worldwide representation in all areas.

Originally from Kentucky, the Nashville-based artist has created a sound that comes straight from her rowdy country roots. Her fans described her music as confident and real.

The Malpass Brothers Sign With Battle Artist Agency

The Malpass Brothers. Photo: Kimberly Manning

The Malpass Brothers have signed with the Battle Artist Agency for exclusive booking representation.

Made up of Chris and Taylor Malpass, the country duo creates music spanning from Americana to vintage country. They served as Merle Haggard‘s opening act from 2007 to 2014, and have performed at many well-known festivals and venues, including MerleFest, Dollywood and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The Malpass Brothers made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2018, and took home Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Country Duo of the Year at the Independent Artists Josie Awards in 2022.

“We are really excited to team up with Rob Battle,” says Chris Malpass. “We have been blessed to work with some great buyers over the years, that have become friends, and making this move only allows us to further expand our music base and grow the audience.”

Additionally, the pair has released their new album Lonely Street, and will perform on the 2024 Country Music Cruise with Clint Black, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Shenandoah, Billy Dean and more.

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Liza Anderson

As Subscription Manager/Writer, Liza Anderson contributes to many functions of MusicRow. She produces content, carries out general office tasks, assists in the daily news operations, and provides support to all team members. Liza graduated from the University of Alabama in May of 2021 with a B.A. in English and a minor in communication studies. Prior to MusicRow, she worked as an administrative assistant at Anderson Benson where she assisted the firm’s departments, such as the Entertainment Specialty Practice, with various tasks.