Industry Ink: Bailey Zimmerman, Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele & Friends, More

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Bailey Zimmerman Celebrates Eight New Certifications During Boston Arena Show

Pictured (L-R): Warner Records Nashville’s Cris Lacy, Anna Cage, Mike Dupree, Kristen Williams, Bailey Zimmerman, Anna Pittman, Victoria Mason, Rohan Kohli, Claire Russo, Jackson Ammons, Justin Newell. Photo: Masonn1k

Multi-Platinum star Bailey Zimmerman has added eight new RIAA certifications to his growing collection and celebrated the milestone backstage recently at his sold-out arena show of the “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” in Boston at the TD Garden. In addition to the new certifications, Zimmerman’s debut album Religiously. The Album is double Platinum. His newly certified titles include “Rock and a Hard Place” (8× Platinum); “Fall in Love” (6× Platinum); “Where It Ends” (3× Platinum); “Backup Plan” (Platinum); “Holy Smokes” (Platinum); “House On Fire” (Gold); “New To Country” (Gold) and “You Don’t Want That Smoke” (Gold).

 

Stephen Wilson Jr. & Big Loud Celebrate ‘Gary The Torch Tour’ Kickoff In Columbus

Pictured (L-R): Nate Yetton (Big Loud), Amy Beard (Big Loud), Alicia Jones (ALJ Management), Steve Schnur (EA Sports), Jeff Tanner (Big Loud), Stephen Wilson Jr., Seth England (Big Loud), Jordan Pettit (Big Loud) and Brett Saliba (UTA). Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud Records

Big Loud Records and the rest of his team was on hand to celebrate Stephen Wilson Jr.‘s “Gary The Torch Tour” kickoff on Friday night (March 6) at Kemba Live! in Columbus, Ohio.  The tour includes stops in Toronto, Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago and many more through April.

 

Jeffrey Steele & Friends Raise $170,000 At 19th Annual Benefit For At-Risk Youth

LeVasseur Family. Photo: Michael Jenkins

The 19th annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends fundraiser concert took place March 2 at The Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, continuing the mission to support overlooked and at-risk youth in Middle Tennessee and beyond in memory of Steele’s son Alex LeVasseur, who passed away in 2007. The evening featured a surprise lineup including Billy Ray Cyrus, Locash, David Lee Murphy, Uncle Kracker, Lit and Phil Vassar, and raised nearly $170,000, bringing the total raised through the event over the past 19 years to more than $2.3 million. The show opened with a performance from the Music Monday Band, comprised of youth who participate in music programs at the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab, and also featured a moving tribute to legendary guitarist Steve Cropper by Steele and Vassar.

The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has supported numerous youth-focused organizations, including the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and its Teen Center, Skatepark, and Y-CAP programs. The fund has also partnered with The Beat of Life to support youth-centered music programming, and with The Skatepark Project which helps build skateparks in underserved communities. To date, the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has supported the construction of 14 skateparks nationwide along with skate gear giveaways. The LeVasseur family opened the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab inside the Brentwood YMCA Teen Center and the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark at the Brentwood Family YMCA, providing a safe and welcoming space for skaters of all ages and skill levels.

 

Jerry Douglas Spotlighted In Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s ‘Nashville Cats’ Interview Series

Jerry Douglas and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor Jon Freeman at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas last weekend in its in-depth “Nashville Cats” interview series, which spotlights renowned musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours. The interview was moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and illustrated with rare photos, film and recordings. Douglas also performed during the program. Douglas is one of the three 2026 Nashville Cats honorees chosen by the museum to be featured in the programs, which will also highlight the careers of Wendy Moten on May 16 and John Jorgenson on Aug. 15.

 

FEMco, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville & By Design Celebrate International Women’s Month With Special Anzie Blue Show

Pictured (L-R, front row): BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville EVP Recorded Music JoJamie Hahr, Alison Nichols, HunterGirl, Madeline Merlo, Lanie Gardner and Mary Kutter; (L-R, back row): By Design co-founder Josh Bailey, Alex Jude, Alison Turner, Zoe Levert, Jillian Edwards, By VP Publishing and A&R Josh Pauley, FEMco Co-Founder Leslie Fram and Chader Consulting’s Lisa Chader. Photo: Kevin Grace

FEMco, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and By Design celebrated International Women’s Month with an evening of performances at Anzie Blue on March 4. Female artists and writers performing during the special evening included Jillian Edwards, Lanie Gardner, HunterGirl, Alex Jude, Mary Kutter, Zoe Levert, Madeline Merlo, Alison Nichols and Alison Turner.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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