Industry Ink: Chris Janson, BMI, CMHOF, More
Chris Janson Headlines ‘Concert For Cumberland Heights’ At The Ryman

Pictured (L-R): Ryan Dokke, Wayne D, Gator Harrison, Jimmy Harnen, Chris Janson, Charlie Cook, Andrew Thoen and Sam Featherstone
Chris Janson headlined ‘Concert For Cumberland Heights,’ the annual fundraiser that supports Cumberland Heights’ John Hiatt Fund at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Guests in attendance included BMLG Records’ Ryan Dokke, iHeartMedia’s Wayne D, iHeartMedia’s Gator Harrison, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Cumulus Media’s Charlie Cook, BMLG Records’ Andrew Thoen and Sam Featherstone.
BMI Hosts ‘Rooftop On The Row’ For 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Leslie Roberts, Willie Jones, Reyna Roberts, RVSHVD and BMI’s Shannon Sanders. Photo: Nathan Zucker for BMI
BMI hosted its signature “Rooftop On The Row” series in Nashville on Tuesday (Aug. 15) presented by George Dickel Bourbon. Industry professionals and fans gathered to witness three prominent emerging artsts: Reyna Roberts, Willie Jones and RVSHVD.
The night commemorated 50 years of hip-hop as the genre’s influence on country music was on full display. The free entertainment, music and drinks were provided by the event’s sponsors.
As DJ Smoke set the tone for this year’s third installment of the BMI series, BMI’s Shannon Sanders welcomed the audience of more than 400 people. The evening treated fans to non-stop music for three hours. BMI’s final “Rooftop On The Row” event will be held on Sept. 19 as the official kick-off party to AmericanaFest. The acts will be revealed in the coming weeks.
CMHOF Hires New Writer-Editor & Promotes Creative Team Staff Member

RJ Smith & Sam Farahmand
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently welcomed RJ Smith as Museum Writer-Editor and promoted Sam Farahmand to Director of Creative Content.
In his new role, Smith will contribute to exhibitions, museum publications, public programs, online offerings and other educational initiatives. His work will help illuminate the country music genre and explore the broad narratives of its history and contributions to American culture.
Smith is the author of Chuck Berry: An American Life, and has also written books about James Brown, photographer Robert Frank and Black Los Angeles in the 1940s. Prior to joining the museum, he was an editor at Los Angeles Magazine and The Village Voice, and has written for GQ, Rolling Stone, The New York Times and LA Weekly. Smith holds a general studies degree from the University of Michigan.
As Director of Creative Content, Farahmand will oversee a team that is responsible for producing photography, video and copy for the museum and its initiatives. Since joining the museum in 2018, he has contributed to projects that have been recognized with multiple Telly Awards, American Advertising Awards and an American Alliance of Museum MUSE Award.
Prior to his promotion, Farahmand held the position of Associate Director of Creative Content. He holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in creative writing from The New School and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley.
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Celebrate First Americana No. 1

Pictured (L-R): Will Sayles, Buckley Miller, Cason Cooley, Nathan Dugger, Elly and Nora Roller, Jeff Colvin, Ian Miller, Jesse Willoughby, All Moss, Falcon Sayles, K.S. Rhoads, Drew Holcomb, Paul Steele, Samantha Steele, Chris Fairbank, Morgan Combs, Alena Moran and Karrie Tatum
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors celebrated their No. 1 Americana Song, “Find Your People,” at Nashville’s Never Never with the folks that helped them achieve their success.
The track spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Americana charts. The song was co-written the band’s frontman Holcomb and K.S. Rhoads, and was produced by Cason Cooley.
“Kevin and I wrote this song and knew it was pretty special,” says Holcomb. “I think a lot of us in music can feel without-a-home on the radio, and it’s been really sweet to find a home on Americana radio, after all these years working hard to make music that we love. This is one of those songs the band and I will play on-stage every night for the rest of our lives.”
“Life is hard. It’s a helluva lot harder when you go it alone. ‘Find Your People’ is a folk anthem about how we need each other,” continues Holcomb. “Part of the river of this record is about how to navigate the chaos of economic uncertainty, family drama, political division and the general untethering that so many of us feel. It’s about finding who you trust, who know you, who are there for you in times of trouble, who can call your bluff and tell you the truth, who will stand with you no matter what. I have been lucky enough to have a lot of those people in my life and I know I couldn’t live without them.”
Scotty Inman Signs Recording Agreement With Daywind Records

Scott Inman signs with Daywind Records
Daywind Records has signed four-time BMI award-winning singer-songwriter Scotty Inman to a recording agreement.
After more than two decades as part of the the quartet Triumphant, Inman recently announced his intentions to move into a solo career.
Inman released his debut solo project, Anywhere Jesus Is, last year, and received an enthusiastic reception from long-time fans and new listeners alike. The album, produced by Josh Swift, blends southern gospel roots with a country flair, and features strong themes of faith, family and life. The latest radio release, “Anywhere Jesus Is,” has climbed the southern gospel radio charts and currently sits in the top 10.
The new partnership with Daywind Records has Inman excited about producing new music very soon.
“With any huge life change such as this, it gives you a moment to step back and evaluate how you want to continue forward, and who is best suited to partner with you along the way,” shares Inman. “When I looked at my options for a record label partner, Daywind was a front-runner from the beginning. After meeting with their team and sharing my heart on where I feel the Lord is leading me as I step into this new venture full-time, they were immediately supportive of my vision. I’m excited about what we can achieve together!
“I’m currently writing new music for a follow up project, and I’m eager to begin working alongside the knowledgeable and experienced team at Daywind to make this project the best yet!”
“We are so excited to be walking alongside Scotty Inman on this part of the journey of his illustrious career and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome him into our Daywind Family of artists,” shares Daywind Records A&R Director Dusty Wells. “Scotty is no stranger to Daywind, so when our team sat down and listened to his heart and music, we all walked away and said to one another, ‘we want to walk alongside of him and get his music out there.'”
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