Industry Ink: Spirit Music Nashville, Justin Moore, Musicians On Call, More

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Spirit Music Nashville Welcomes Two Creative Coordinators

Pictured (L-R): Kennedy Murphy & Andy Hodges. Photos Courtesy of Spirit Music Group

Spirit Music Nashville announced that Kennedy Murphy and Andy Hodges have joined the team as Creative Coordinators. In their new roles, they will focus on support for the creative staff and assisting Spirit’s roster of songwriters.

A Wilmington, Delaware native, Murphy made her way to Nashville after earning a Music Business degree from Drexel University. While studying, her love for songs and artist development was solidified during her time interning at Big Deal Music in New York City. After graduation, Murphy landed her first publishing job working as A&R/Creative Coordinator at Back Blocks Music. She can be reached at KennedyM@spiritmusicnashville.com.

Hodges grew up in Manhattan, Kansas. During his undergraduate years at Belmont University, he interned at Full Stop Management, Azoff Company and Live Nation. After graduating in 2019, Hodges began his career on the Revenue Operations team at Global Music Rights in Los Angeles, and moved back to Nashville in 2022. Hodges can be reached at andyh@spiritmusicgroup.com.

Justin Moore Gets Wild In Nashville To Celebrate ‘Stray Dog’ Release

Justin Moore at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Photo Credit: Sam Kerrigan

Multi-Platinum country artist Justin Moore took the stage on Friday (May 5) at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Celebrating the release of Stray Dog, his seventh studio album, he performed new tracks as well as one of No.  1 hits.

Surprise guest Priscilla Block joined him to perform their climbing radio single, “You, Me, and Whiskey.” Moore’s label-mate Riley Green also accompanied him to perform “Everybody Get Along.” Both fan-favorite duets are featured on Moore’s new album.

Moore is currently headlining arenas across the U.S. He has scheduled performances at multiple festivals including iHeart Country Festival and Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam.

Musicians On Call Honors Caregivers With Exclusive Writers’ Round

Dierks Bentley, Jon Nite and Charles Esten perform during Concert for Caregivers at the Analog at Hutton Hotel. Photo Courtesy of Musicians On Call

Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit that brings music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments, showed appreciation to caregivers and hospital workers during Concert For Caregivers. The exclusive, intimate show celebrating National Hospital Week featured award-winning artists and hit songwriters Dierks Bentley, Charles Esten and Jon Nite. Held at the Analog at Hutton Hotel, the night honored the continuous sacrifices made for the health and safety of communities.

In a room filled with hospital staff from facilities throughout Middle Tennessee, Bentley, Esten and Nite entertained the crowd with performances and stories from some of their biggest hits and new releases, including “We Were Us,” “Living,” “I Hold On” and “A Little Right Now.”

“It’s part of our mission at Musicians On Call to bring joy and relief through live music to the hardworking hospital workers across the country during their long shifts. During National Hospital Week, it’s important we take a moment to express our deep gratitude for all that they do to care for their communities,” says Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President & CEO. “We are happy to have the American Hospital Association and Southwest Airlines helping us show love to these dedicated caregivers. And a special thanks to Dierks Bentley, Charles Esten and Jon Nite for generously giving their time to make it a night to remember.”

During National Hospital Week, the American Hospital Association is distributing the recorded concert to their network of 5,000 member hospitals and health systems.

PLA Media Adds Dreamlined Entertainment Group To Roster

PLA Media will now represent award-winning producer Keith Stegall and Scott Miller of Miller Investment Group’s joint venture, Dreamlined Entertainment Group.

Miller and Stegall are celebrating their enduring seven-year collaboration, which has resulted in a catalog of songs placed among acts like Alan Jackson, Ashley McBryde, Kid Rock and more. The Nashville-based company offers production, publishing and record label services specializing in songwriter and artist development.

Their talent roster includes William Michael Morgan, Bradley Gaskin, The Haygoods and Makayla Lynn as well as Jen Stegall, Michael White and Stegall.

The Dreamlined team consists of President Stegall, Miller, Executive VP of Creative Ginny Johnson and General Manager Jason Campbell.

“I have both admired and cursed Keith over the years as we fought neck and neck in a friendly competition when I was managing Garth and he was producing Alan,” says Pamela L. Lewis, President of PLA Media. “What a talent and an amazing body of work. We are so excited to be working with him and his team.”

Larry Gatlin Celebrates 75th Birthday At The Opry

Pictured (L-R): Christopher Malpass, Don Schlitz, Steve Gatlin, Taylor Malpass, Marty Raybon, Larry Gatlin, Janis Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, Kelly Sutton and Josh Gatlin. Photo: Courtesy of Absolute Publicity

On the Thursday (May 4) edition of the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Country Classics, Grammy-winning songwriter Larry Gatlin celebrated his 75th birthday.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and eldest of the Gatlin Brothers, turned 75 on Tuesday, May 2. It’s been more than 60 years since the brothers began singing together in  Abilene, Texas at ages six (Larry), four (Steve) and two (Rudy). The trio continues touring today, making them the longest-tenured, still active, family band in country music history.

Gathered with Gatlin’s friends and family, the Opry supplied a birthday cake to salute his milestone.

Gatlin, an Opry member since 1976, celebrated backstage with his brothers, who are also Opry members, as well as his wife and son Janis and Josh Gatlin, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, Don Schlitz, The Malpass Brothers, the Opry’s Kelly Sutton and more.

Caela Griffin
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