Industry Ink: Keith Urban, Zach Top, Grand Ole Opry, Shannon Saunders, More

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Keith Urban Headlines St. Jude Benefit Show

Terry Duffy, Keith Urban, and St. Jude patients, Maelin-Kate and Brinley.

Keith Urban recently headlined a benefit concert at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida, helping to raise a record $2M for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Tuesday marked Urban’s third consecutive appearance at the event, and was held on the Tiburon golf course of the Ritz Carlton. Over 2,000 people attended with 100% of the proceeds going towards the cause.

 

Zach Top Celebrates CMA Win

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee, Joseph Manzo, Chris Fabiani, Meg Goggins, Natalie
Osborne, Zach Top, Katie Dean, Tracy Gibson, Dusty Cantrell and Ana Shabeer.

Zach Top celebrated his CMA Award for New Artist of the Year with the Leo33 team at the WME after party.

 

Grand Ole Opry Hosts International Partners

Opry gathers with International Media & Partners Before Opry Show.

The Grand Ole Opry hosted international partners in town for the 59th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday at WSM Studios on the Opry Plaza. The event preceded the partners visit to the Opry next door and was held to celebrate international support of the Opry100 celebration this year.

Justin Thomson, a 2025 CMA international broadcast winner, was the Opry100 special guest announcer on Wednesday. Baylon Leonard, 2019 and 2021 CMA international broadcast winner, guest announced during Tuesday’s show.

 

Shannon Saunders Receives Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award

Pictured (L-R): Jay Williams (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office), Shannon Saunders (WME Agent), Becky Gardenhire (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office) and Jordan Davis at the CMA Awards. Photo: Jamie Schramm.

WME’s Shannon Saunders received the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award this week during the CMA Awards. Jordan Davis presented the award during an early ceremony on Wednesday.

 

Jon Reddick Earns His First Two RIAA Gold Certifications

Pictured (L-R): Joey Elwood, TobyMac, Tyrus Morgan, Jon Reddick, Dan Pitts, Andrea Hirth, Jess Loper.

Jon Reddick earned his first two RIAA Gold certifications for “God, Turn It Around” and “I Believe It (The Life of Jesus).” He was surprised by the certifications at his No. 1 Radio celebration for “No Fear” at his label Gotee Records.

“Every song is an important one, but the ones that connect and create engagement are always memorable and fun to be a part of,” says Joey Elwood, co-founder of Gotee Records and CEO of Bell Partners Christian Music. “When we first started Gotee, I’m not sure we truly knew how hard it was to achieve ‘Gold’ status on songs or albums, but I do not take these moments for granted these days. Having two go ‘Gold’ simultaneously is something I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated, and it speaks to how deeply the songs Jon writes and performs are connecting with listeners and congregations everywhere. Love that people are hearing Jon’s ‘voice’ and they’re saying yes.”

 

Noise New Media Adds Four

Pictured (L-R): Bruna Balduino, Heather Giddens, Quentin Beverly, Gina Rivera. Photo: Noah Clark.

Noise New Media has added four people to its Nashville based team. Heather Giddens joins as Director of Marketing & Client Services, Quentin Beverly is Digital Marketing Coordinator – Comedy, Gina Rivera enters as Digital Marketing and Advertising Manager, and Bruna Balduino takes on Paid Media Manager.

Lauryn Sink
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