Industry Ink: Justin Moore & Randy Houser, Severance Records, Carin León, More
Justin Moore & Randy Houser Surprise Downtown Nashville
Multi-Platinum artist Justin Moore and country star Randy Houser made a surprise appearance at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville last night (Feb. 27). The pair paid tribute to the late Toby Keith with a performance of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”
Trevor Provost Joins Severance Records As Marketing Manager
Independent, modern rock label Severance Records, a division of Big Loud Rock, has added Trevor Provost as Marketing Manager.
In this role, he will lead and execute the label’s marketing strategy. Provost will report directly to Co-President Mike Easterlin. He joins the team after serving as Day-to-Day Manager at SMACKSongs and spending time at marketing agency Reach. In 2023, Provost launched Blinders Entertainment, a management and consulting firm.
“I’m really excited to be joining Stevo [Robertson] and Mike at Severance Records in everything they’re building. The opportunity to learn and work so closely with two hyper-skilled executives—and businessmen who do it in the right way—is a dream,” says Provost. “Our perspective on the value and attention that a label must bring to an artist in 2024 was so aligned that it felt like the perfect fit. With the highest caliber partner in Big Loud, I’m looking forward to developing culturally significant acts and deep relationships with the fans.”
Carin León & UMPG Celebrate Grand Ole Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Jorge Juárez (management), Yadira Moreno (UMPG MD, Mexico & Central America), Carin León, Roxy King (UMPG Director, A&R), Alexandra Lioutikoff (UMPG President, Latin America & U.S. Latin) and Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville Chairman & CEO)
Singer-songwriter Carin León and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) celebrated León’s Grand Ole Opry debut this past weekend. León signed with UMPG in 2023.
ACM Hosts OnRamp Program Songwriters Round

Pictured (L-R): Kortney Toney (Academy of Country Music, Manager, Programming & Community Engagement), Tae Lewis, Julie Williams, Kendall “Ken-Say” Warner, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Tylar Bryant and Larysa Jaye
The Academy of Country Music hosted a songwriters round in Nashville last Thursday (Feb. 22) featuring members of their OnRamp professional development program. Performers included The Kentucky Gentlemen, Larysa Jaye, Tae Lewis, Nick Tabron, Kendall “Ken-Say” Warner and Julie Williams.
The OnRamp program is in collaboration with the Black Music Action Coalition, and focuses on improving inclusivity and equity within Music City while aiming to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers. Half of the inaugural class are artists, the other half come from across the industry and range from attorneys to audio engineers and publicists to business managers.
Bob Minner Inks With Billy Blue Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Ed Leonard (President, Billy Blue Records), Bob Minner, Joe Dan Cornett (Creative Director, Billy Blue Publishing) and Jerry Salley (A&R/Creative Director, Billy Blue Records)
Bob Minner has signed a co-publishing deal with Billy Blue Publishing alongside his publishing company Bluestring Songs International.
Minner has been playing guitar for country superstar Tim McGraw for 31 years, and has had cuts with Authentic Unlimited, Volume Five, Daily & Vincent and more. His most recent cut by Authentic Unlimited, “Fall In Tennessee,” was nominated for SPBGMA 2024 Song of the Year.
“I am extremely honored to be a part of Billy Blue Publishing. I was raised in a deep bluegrass upbringing in Missouri, and bluegrass has always been my creative passion. A huge thanks to Ed Leonard, Jerry Salley and Joe Dan Cornett for this opportunity,” says Minner.
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