Rhonda and Jason Halbert

Nashville-based creative duo Jason and Rhonda Halbert, known together as R.J. Halbert, have released the immersive audiobook version of their best-selling supernatural novel Caretaker. Featuring an all-star cast including Kelly Clarkson, Amy Grant, Charles Esten, Erick Avari and more, the project blends the Halberts’ decades of industry experience with their passion for storytelling and spiritual reflection.

The novel follows the Keane family as they seek a fresh start in a mysterious New Hampshire home, only to find themselves entangled in something far more sinister than they imagined. The audiobook, narrated by Lost’s Henry Ian Cusick and scored by Joseph Trapanese (Tron: Legacy, The Greatest Showman), brings a cinematic quality to the story, rooted in themes of generational healing, the unseen spiritual world and redemption.

Jason Halbert, a Grammy and Emmy-winning producer, has spent more than two decades as Music Director for Clarkson. His fingerprints can be found across some of Clarkson’s biggest musical moments, including television specials, sold-out tours and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Rhonda Halbert, a music and television manager, has overseen artist careers and creative projects while also working as a published photographer and music supervisor. Together, the two have built a life immersed in both the music industry and the spiritual practices that now shape their fiction.

“We never intended on writing a book,” they share. “We created this story thinking we were writing for a TV series, but a friend recommended that we write it as a book first… We found that writing became therapeutic and healing for us in an extended time of trauma. This project has reignited our creativity in an invigorating way.”

The Caretaker story is personal on many levels. The Halberts were raising their children while touring, navigating life transitions, and eventually rebuilding after their home flooded and had to be torn down. “On a personal level, we had just experienced the flooding of our home… We started to ask some deep questions. Could the spiritual affect our physical lives in a tangible way? And could the physical actions of our decisions affect the spiritual realm?”

That thread of duality—physical and spiritual, seen and unseen—runs throughout Caretaker, which the Halberts say was shaped even further by the audiobook process. “We thought we knew our story and the intensity of the story well. However, once these incredibly talented characters began to bring our tale to life, they brought an entirely new dimension to the experience… Some of the actors’ performances have influenced some of the choices in books 2 and 3.”

With standout narration and a richly layered score, Caretaker offers listeners a suspenseful and emotional experience grounded in imagination and rooted in real-life questions of healing and purpose.

The audiobook is available now at rjhalbert.com, with a wider release on major platforms this summer.

Music Will, the largest non-profit music education program for schools in the U.S., has unveiled their brand new National Advisory Board.

United by a commitment to increasing access and participation in K–12 public school music programs, Board members deepen Music Will’s connections across the music industry to advance their mission of changing lives through music education. The new national advisory board consists of artists Darryl McDaniels (Run-D.M.C.), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wyclef Jean, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Caroline Jones (Zac Brown Band), and more.

Industry Board executives include Brad Turcotte (Artist Management, Vector Management), Brittney King Brock (Music Industry Executive & Founder of Moms In Music), Craig Kallman (Chief Music Officer, Atlantic Music Group), Ellen Mangan (Founder of EJM Artists), Erica Krusen (Sr Dir Cultural Influence, Gibson, Inc | Global Executive Dir, Gibson Gives, Foundation), Hannah Gold (Senior Talent Buyer & Producer – Newport Festival Foundation & Dreamcatcher Events), Justin McIntosh (Artist Management, JTMC Entertainment), Kelly Ridgway (VP Global Marketing – CTK Enterprises), Kelly Voigt (SVP, Global Communications, Concord), Lee Dannay (VP A&R, Thirty Tigers), Madeline Nelson (Founder and CEO, Purple Cow Innovation), Paul Peck (President and Co-Founder, Fandiem) and Dave Wish (Founder & Chief Vision Officer, Music Will).

“I was lucky to have music woven into my education from an early age, as it shaped who I am as an artist and as a person,” says Jones. “That’s why I’m so passionate about the work Music Will is doing to make music education accessible, inclusive, and empowering for every student. I’m honored to join the National Advisory Board and help ensure more young people have the chance to find their voice through music.”

Cole Swindell is helping Mountain Dew launch its new “Thirst Guards” campaign this weekend which aims to bring cold drinks directly to fans at key lake destinations nationwide.

The campaign kicks off 0ver the July 4th weekend and features on-demand delivery services and pop-up stations at popular outdoor destinations. Mountain Dew will deploy Sea-Doos to bring drinks directly to boaters and lake-goers at Lake of the Ozarks, MO. On July 5-6, visitors can text (803)-MTN-DEWS with their location and request a cooler refill, while supplies last.

Swindell is scheduled to make appearances on July 6 near MarineMax Osage Beach, helping the Thirst Guard hand out drinks and merch. In addition to Missouri, the Thirst Guards campaign will set up shop at Lake Travis, Texas, Miller Beach, Indiana and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with on-land activations aimed at reaching beachgoers.

Additionally, Mountain Dew is launching a limited-edition sunglasses collaboration with Pit Viper. The custom-designed colorway shades will be available starting July 16 exclusively on TikTok Shop.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Mountain Dew, so I’m hyped to lead the Mountain Dew Thirst Guards and help keep the party going July 4th weekend,” says Swindell. “Catch me at Lake of the Ozarks filling up coolers, passing out Pit Vipers and blasting my new music — an ideal summer day!”

“Nothing kills the vibe faster than an empty cooler – that’s why the Mountain Dew Thirst Guards are here to save the summer, keeping you stocked up and the good times rolling,” adds Michael Smith, VP Flavored CSD Marketing, PepsiCo Beverages U.S. “We’ve tapped one of our biggest fans, country music superstar, Cole Swindell to lead the Thirst Guards and surprise fans at Lake of the Ozarks July 4th weekend with ice cold DEW, Pit Vipers and more.”

West Coast-based live event production services and systems integration provider 3G Productions LLC has acquired Main Light’s 70,000-square-foot location in Nashville.

“The Nashville market has been a key focus as we execute our strategy of growing into a national full-service production company,” says 3G Productions CEO Keith Conrad. “With the acquisition of Main Light’s Tennessee branch, we get a world-class production warehouse, an experienced team of experts in the local market and a wealth of best-in-class lighting equipment. This move enables us to better support our budding client base in the region while adding new clients looking for high-quality, one-stop-shop production services.”

3G Productions has taken over Main Light’s Antioch neighborhood building, its full inventory and all seven employees. Main Light still maintains ownership and operations of its three locations in Wilmington, Delaware, Teterboro, New Jersey, and headquarters in Las Vegas, all of which will continue to operate with a sole focus on dry-hire lighting rentals. 3G will continue to support Nashville’s local dry-hire clients, with the added benefit of also being able to furnish them with video, audio and rigging gear.