Industry Ink: OnRamp, Lauren Hungate, Colby T. Helms, The Gatlin Brothers

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OnRamp Program Members Celebrate Hip-Hop At Nashville Showcase

Pictured (L-R, back row): ACM Cohort’s Stephanie Davenport, Kendall “Ken-Say” Warner, Qualls, ACM’s Kortney Toney, Averianna the Personality and ACM’s Tommy Moore; (L-R, front row): Daisha McBride and Roz Malone. Photo: John Jo for ACM

The Academy of Country Music hosted a showcase celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at The Basement in Nashville on Wednesday (Sept. 6) featuring live performances by members of the inaugural class of the Academy and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)’s celebrated OnRamp professional development program: Roz Malone, Daisha McBride, Qualls and Kendall “Ken-Say” Warner. The show, which drew a packed house, was hosted by television and radio host, executive producer and entrepreneur Averianna the Personality.

OnRamp focuses on improving inclusivity and equity within Music City and aims to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers by granting access to professional development opportunities, mentorship, industry exposure and other resources. Each participant will receive a monthly stipend for one year. Half of this year’s inaugural class are artists; the other half come from across the industry and range from attorneys to audio engineers, publicists to business managers.

Concord Music Publishing Hosts ‘100% Hungate’ Event

Lauren Hungate with fellow songwriter Tofer Brown at “100% Hungate” event. Photo: Audrey Spillman

Last week, Concord Music Publishing hosted “100% Hungate,” an event that featured a special acoustic live set of singer-songwriter Lauren Hungate‘s music, at their Nashville studios.

Hungate primarily creates within the country space, but has garnered a few pop, Christian, R&B and folk cuts as well. The BMI Buzz Class of 2020 member co-wrote Ashland Craft’s “When a Cowboy’s Heart Breaks” as well as Lily Rose’s single “Overnight Sensation,” which amassed more than nine million views on TikTok.

She has also earned cuts with Elle King, Chrissy Metz, Kimberly Perry, Carter Faith, Spencer Crandall and Lauren Watkins, among others, and has collaborated with Little Big Town, Charles Kelley, Jake Owen, Sasha Sloan, Carly Pearce, Maddie & Tae, Raelynn, Cam, Corey Kent, MacKenzie Porter, Nate Smith and more.

Photo Finish Records Signs Colby T. Helms

Colby T. Helms. Photo: Guadalupe Bustos

Photo Finish Records has signed Virginia-based artist Colby T. Helms.

The 21-year-old began dreaming of making music at age 12, when a group of bluegrass players performed at his father’s funeral. Helms then taught himself guitar, banjo and mandolin by watching local performers and YouTube videos. By age 18, he was a veteran performer in the Blue Ridge/Appalachian Mountains region alongside his band, The Virginia Creepers. Helms plans to share his debut single “Higher Ground,” a song he wrote about his experiences as a touring musician, on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

“Photo Finish Records couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Colby,” shares Matt Galle, Founder & CEO, Photo Finish Records. “After months of trying to track him down, we flew down to his hometown in Franklin County, Virginia in mid-December 2022 to meet him at his underground home built by his late father. We got a small glimpse into his life from hearing stories about his dad, seeing his vast instrument collection, and learning about the local music community that raised him. Colby is an incredible, raw talent with a super unique voice—he doesn’t conform to any popular standards or trends. Colby writes and performs music that captivates the listener with his storytelling. Mike [Marquis], myself and the Photo Finish team are proud to be working alongside him and are extremely excited to help him tell his story.”

The Gatlin Brothers Sign With CDX Records, The Orchard & Sony For Distribution

Pictured (L-R): Steve Gatlin, Wayne Halper, Esq., Larry Gatlin, Joe Kelly and Rudy Gatlin

The Gatlin Brothers have signed with CDX Records, The Orchard and Sony for distribution.

The sibling trio, made up of brothers Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, have earned a Grammy for Best Country Song, three ACM Awards for Single of the Year and Album of the Year as well as five nominations for CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Single, Album and Male Vocalist of the Year, among other accolades, throughout their over 65-year career.

“We didn’t think there was much reason to make new music, but then we met Joe Kelly and the other great folks at CDX Records, and we feel about them the way we felt about Fred Foster and the good folks at Monument back in ’71…It’s a sweet feeling,” says The Gatlin Brothers.

“I am overly excited for CDX Records to be the musical home for new music from Larry, Steve and Rudy…The Gatlin Brothers,” says Kelly, President, CDX Records. “They are country music royalty and deserve their rightful place in the fabric of our industry for what they have accomplished in the past, what they are doing in the present (fabulous new music coming soon!) and what their mighty future holds.”

Liza Anderson
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