Industry Ink: Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Mattie Jackson, More

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Kenny Chesney Kicks Off Sphere 2025 News With Big Apple Splash

Kenny Chesney celebrates Sphere residency announcement in Times Square. Photo: Katie Kauss

Kenny Chesney kicked off news of his upcoming Sphere residency with a round of media in New York that included visits to TODAY, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Times Square. The official ad mat for the Sphere shows wrapped one of the buildings in Times Square, while live concert videos and the actual wrap on the outside of Sphere were airing as well to promote the new shows.

“If you’re going to make history, show up and honor the moment,” says Chesney. “You’re only going to announce something this groundbreaking once. This has been a hard secret to keep. We’ve shot footage for these shows since the tour started last year. I kept thinking the news would break. But, I wanted to share it somewhere special and give it the moment it deserved. Following Rock & Roll Hall of Famers U2, the Eagles and Dead + Co, plus Phish into Sphere is a massive honor.”

 

Chris Stapleton & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team For Daytona 500 Entry

Chris Stapleton and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. have joined forces to field the inaugural entry for JRM in the NASCAR Cup Series in the 2025 running of the Daytona 500. In partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery, JRM will field a No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, inspired by the Blend No. 40 utilized in every bottle of Traveller, for their maiden voyage at Daytona with the reigning and defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Justin Allgaier behind the wheel.

“Traveller Whiskey joining JR Motorsports for their inaugural entry into the Cup Series at the DAYTONA 500 feels like a very natural partnership,” says Stapleton. “I’m honored to be a part of this historic moment with Dale and Kelley, and excited to see Justin race the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet in Daytona.”

 

Mattie Jackson Joins Dad Alan’s Silverbelly Whiskey Staff

Alan and Mattie Jackson

Mattie Jackson is joining her dad Alan Jackson‘s whiskey brand Silverbelly as its new “Master Blender.” The eldest of his three children, Jackson is a certified bourbon professional and longtime certified sommelier (Level 2) and brings years of experience in the field to what’s fast becoming a “family business” for the music superstar. Jackson will oversee all existing product quality control along with new product blending, finishing, research and development in her role. Silverbelly, distilled exclusively for and hand-selected by Alan, debuted in 2022, and each batch is named for one of the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s 35 chart-topping songs.

“Over my years in the industry, I’ve often joked that wine stole my mind and whiskey stole my heart,” says Mattie. “It couldn’t feel more special and full-circle to be part of Silverbelly now,” she shares. “While I’m fascinated by the whole world of wine, through it all whiskey stayed my go-to pour of choice. It’s just always been the one that feels like home.”

 

Listening Room Hosts Vince Gill, Swon Brothers, Emily Ann Roberts Round

Pictured (L-R): Colton Swon, Zach Swon, Emily Ann Roberts and Vince Gill. Photo: Aaron Crisler

It was a night of laughs, Okie fun and fellowship when The Swon Brothers, Vince Gill and Emily Ann Roberts played an intimate sold-out round at the Listening Room in Nashville Jan. 13. The four traded stories, laughs and some soulful songs during the packed show.

 

WieRok Records Signs Sean Rodriguez & Daniel Macal

Pictured (L-R): WieRok Entertainment Group CEO Lance Wieland, CFO Tammie Wieland and Director of Marketing and Operations Kevin Sparkman

WieRok Entertainment Group has launched WieRok Records, a Christian label group and signed singer-songwriter Sean Rodriguez as its flagship artist. Rodriguez was catapulted into the spotlight as a featured Pre-Jam artist on 2023’s nationwide Winter Jam tour—one of Christian music’s biggest annual outings. Serving as a children’s pastor and youth leader before turning his focus to music, Rodriguez has released a string of singles to date, including his 2023 pop anthem, “Center Stage,” which has amassed more than 2.5 million streams.

His WieRok Records debut EP is slated for release later this month. WieRok Entertainment Group has also signed writer and producer Daniel Macal, who also serves as lead guitarist for the Dove Award-winning band Sidewalk Prophets, to an exclusive publishing agreement.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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