Industry Ink: Combustion Masters, Craig Morgan, MTSU
Combustion Masters Celebrates Back-To-Back Chart Toppers
Pictured (L-R): Blake Duncan (Sr. Creative Director, Combustion Music), Kelly Lyons (Director of Operations, Combustion Music), Chris Farren (Founder / President, Combustion Music), Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom (VP, Combustion Music) and Keithan Melton (GM, Combustion Music). Photo: Courtesy of Combustion Music
Combustion Masters, the artist development and label arm of Combustion Music, recently celebrated two billion catalog streams with a surprise plaque presentation at their office on Music Row before the July 4th holiday weekend. Combustion Masters artist Corey Kent topped both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts last week with “This Heart,” also marking a win for Combustion Music.
The chart-topping single was produced by Combustion Founder / President Chris Farren and written by Combustion songwriters Blake Bollinger and Thomas Archer alongside Jacob Hackworth and Michael Tyler. The company also recently celebrated yet another No. 1 on the Mediabase country chart with Kane Brown‘s “Backseat Driver,” bringing Combustion’s overall total to 109 No. 1s in the company’s storied 24-year history.
Craig Morgan Performs On Live With Kelly & Mark
Kelly Ripa, Craig Morgan and Mark Consuelos
Country hitmaker and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan joined Live with Kelly & Mark on July 4th to perform “American Soundtrack,” the title track to his new EP on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
In 2023 Morgan re-enlisted in the Army Reserve continuing his military career as a Warrant Officer, and remains an avid supporter of America’s military, making more than 16 overseas trips to perform for our troops. He is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame and recipient of the USO Merit Award, and in 2018 was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian in recognition of his significant dedication to our military men and women around the world.
‘Blue Bloods In The Round’ Returns July 31
The “Blue Bloods in the Round” event is returning this year and will be held July 31 at Third and Lindsley in Nashville. The event will feature performances from Tom Douglas and Lori McKenna in a family-friendly show with their children Claire Douglas and Chris McKenna. MTSU, Coach Derek Mason and ALC are bringing the show to the public, fans, donors and athletes of MTSU to raise funds for the NIL.
The event will be hosted by film and TV star (Last Man Standing) turned country artist Jet Jurgensmeyer. who recently released the single “Red” which has already garnered 250,000 streams. Also performing in the first round will be rising artist/writers Regan Rousseau, signed to Empire Music, and Matt McClure, who has over 3.8 million streams of his independent hit, “The Shore.” Tickets are available here.
