MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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It was a momentous week in Music City as the country music community gathered to celebrate milestones, new appointments, and rising talent across the industry. Click here to see the full edition.

On Sunday night (Oct. 19), the Country Music Hall of Fame hosted another star-studded Medallion Ceremony as Tony Brown, June Carter Cash, and Kenny Chesney were formally inducted as the Hall’s 156th, 157th, and 158th members. Following opening remarks from the Hall’s CEO Kyle Young, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, and the Hall’s Circle Guard’s Jody Williams, each honoree was celebrated with heartfelt tributes and inspired performances that paid homage to their remarkable contributions to country music.

The Country Music Association also announced a series of key promotions and one new hire across multiple departments. Michael Farris has been elevated to Vice President, Business Strategy and Insights, while Kate Watson steps into the role of Senior Director, Industry Relations. Jeff Leet has been promoted to Director, Brand Integrity, and additional internal advancements include Lindsey Morrison to Senior Manager, Community Engagement for the CMA Foundation; Richard Xiong to Insights Senior Analyst; and Kennedy Strickler to Communications Project Manager. Rounding out the updates, CMA welcomes Mary Spaulding as Content Production Manager.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has kicked off its multi-part Board election, beginning with the elevation of Parker Welling to Industry Liaison on the executive committee, and the addition of Ben Williams to fill Welling’s former seat. Artist-writer Drew Baldridge joins the Board as a new Artist-Writer Representative, while Rhett Akins and Roger Brown have both been reappointed, Akins continuing as an Artist-Writer Representative and Brown as Legislative Chair.

Peachtree Entertainment has expanded its leadership team, naming Chris Johnson as Vice President of Production and Chris Thomas as Senior Vice President of Development. Michael Bryan has exited his role as Global Head of Country Music at Apple Music after five years with the company.

Carter Faith has been named Amazon Music’s latest Breakthrough Artist, while Flatland Cavalry has signed with the newly relaunched Lost Highway Records. Slater Nalley has inked a record deal with Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records in partnership with 19 Entertainment.

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has promoted Eric Reid to Jr. Manager, A&R. Songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Huff has signed a publishing and management deal with Ten Ten Music Group, and Luke Preston has joined the roster at Big Loud Publishing. Play It Again Music welcomed Amy O’Connor as Director of Digital and Streaming and Molly Reinold as Creative Director.

Penelope Road has signed a management deal with Make Wake Artists. Artist, songwriter, and producer Josef Kuhn, known professionally as Nickname Jos, has inked a global co-publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. KP Entertainment has appointed Colt Murski as Senior Director of Publishing. Konrad Snyder, acclaimed songwriter, producer, and engineer, has joined Electric Feel Publishing’s Nashville roster.

This week’s edition also features a conversation with Combustion Music’s Chris Farren.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Zach Top takes the No. 1 spot with “Good Times & Tan Lines.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Madison Hahnen
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