Industry Ink: Ashley Cooke, Cindy Morgan, Katy Nichole, More

Big Loud artist Ashley Cooke made her morning television debut on the fourth hour of NBC’s Today last week, following the drop of her debut album, Shot in the Dark. Cooke delivered a performance of “Tastes Like,” the first track on her new record during the appearance, and to make the milestone moment even more unforgettable, hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager surprised Cooke with a plaque celebrating her first-ever RIAA Gold certification for the love song “Never Til Now (feat. Brett Young).”

Cindy Morgan’s Roho Records Teams Up With Syntax Creative

Cindy Morgan and Roho Records signing with Syntax Creative

Syntax Creative has partnered with Dove Award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan and her recently launched Roho Records.

The Nashville-based songwriter’s upcoming project, The Sounds of Jubilee, and the next single, “Tame,” will be released Aug. 11. Tracks from the album compliment the stories and characters of her recently released novel, The Year of Jubilee. The novel is a lyrical coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the turbulent South in the early 1960s.

“Cindy is a wellspring of creativity,” says Timothy Trudeau, Syntax Creative CEO. “Her songs are like fine art. So it’s no surprise that she wrote an entire book and then wrote a soundtrack to accompany it. I look forward to watching her develop Roho for years to come.”

Katy Nichole’s ‘In Jesus Name (God Of Possible)’ Shines Gold

Centricity Music’s Caren Seidle & Katy Nichole

Centricity Music singer-songwriter Katy Nichole‘s K-Love Fan Award-winning debut single “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” became the biggest hit this decade on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, crowning the list for a record-breaking 20 weeks, and is now RIAA Gold-certified.

“In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” launched a breakout year that found Nichole nominated for an American Music Award, and realizing her second-straight No. 1 with “God Is In This Story.” Co-written and produced by Jeff Pardo, the songs spent 44 percent of 2022 at No. 1 at radio and topped six 2022 Billboard year-end radio and sales categories.

Peter Otto Joins Nashville Symphony As New Concertmaster

Peter Otto. Photo: Courtesy of the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Nashville Symphony has appointed Peter Otto as the orchestra’s new Walter Buchanan Sharp Concertmaster, beginning January 2024. Otto comes to the Nashville Symphony from the Cleveland Orchestra where he was appointed First Associate Concertmaster in September 2007 and served as Acting Concertmaster from 2018 until 2022.

He was one of three finalists selected to audition for the role. In addition to performing as Concertmaster for two subscription weeks, the candidates also performed a solo recital in front of a search committee of peers from the orchestra and Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.

“I am thrilled that Peter Otto will be joining the Nashville Symphony as Concertmaster. He is someone with vast and wonderful experience who I had the pleasure to work with during my time with the Cleveland Orchestra,” says Guerrero. “When Peter joined us in Nashville for some concerts this spring, there was an immense and immediate chemistry with the orchestra. Attracting someone like Peter speaks to the level of the orchestra and our beautiful hall and shows that the Nashville Symphony can attract the highest caliber of artist.”

Dave Adkins Signs With Billy Blue Records & Publishing

Dave Adkins signing with Billy Blue Records and Billy Blue Publishing

Dave Adkins has signed to Billy Blue Records and Billy Blue Publishing.

The news comes during a season filled with hope and purpose for Adkins after his recent successful bout with cancer. Billy Blue Records will release Adkins’ debut single to bluegrass radio on Aug. 11, with an album release to follow in early 2024.

“I have been friends with Dave Adkins for many years now,” says Jerry Salley, Director of A&R, Billy Blue Records. “I know his powerful voice and have worked with him in the recording studio. I’ve experienced his live performances and witnessed the crowd reaction to his shows. He’s the real deal, and I’ve been hoping that when the time was right, we could work together on a full album project together for Billy Blue. Dave’s talent and personality fit our family of artists perfectly, and our entire team is excited about working with him and representing his dynamic brand of bluegrass music.”