Independent record label, publisher and distributor Empire has appointed Heather Vassar to Senior Vice President of Operations and Sarah Beth Gerlecz as Director of Business and Legal Affairs.

Additionally, the company has hired Hannah Galluzzi as Director of A&R. She arrives at Empire after a six-year stint in the A&R department at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she worked with Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block and Jordan Davis.

Vassar will continue to spearhead Empire Nashville releases and expand its roster. Gerlecz remains the key dealmaker for Empire Nashville’s Label and Publishing divisions. Galluzzi will play a key role in the relationships and development of artists and release strategy.

“I’m really excited to continue spearheading & growing the team with EMPIRE,” Vassar shares. “We have been investing in Nashville for several years in creating a more synergistic ecosystem that is artist led and globally focused. To see the benefits of this approach on such a monumental level with Beyoncé choosing to work with our artists on four tracks and continuing the rise with Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ entering Billboard‘s Hot 100 at No. 3 is so rewarding to the patience, persistence and teamwork across the globe from our team.

“We are at the forefront of breaking down barriers and making history in country music, it’s in our DNA,” she adds. “Adding Hannah to our team has only solidified our position with her expertise and experience with high caliber talent.”

Over the past year, Vassar has led Empire Nashville to exponential growth, adding 10 artists to the label roster. Most recently, the company celebrated two rising acts, Shaboozey and Reyna Roberts, being featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. Shaboozey also shared his latest single “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which cracked 3 million streams in just 24 hours and now boasts 65 million streams globally. The company recently partnered with Magnolia Music Group for the promotion of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” to country radio.

Empire Nashville has also signed Texas native and rising recording artist Don Louis to its label and publishing division and will release the first project from Willie Jones—another rising country artist featured on Cowboy Carter.

Renowned songwriter Jenn Schott has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

Schott’s track record includes hits such as Tim McGraw‘s “7500 OBO” and “Two Lanes Of Freedom,” Mickey Guyton‘s “Better Than You Left Me” and Rascal Flatts‘ “Feel It In The Morning.” Previous stops include Dreamworks, UMPG, Big Loud and Red Creative.

“Jenn has always been a talented, hardworking and positive force in this songwriting community,” shares Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Officer at SMACK. “We’re really excited to finally get to welcome her to our family!”

In addition to her songwriting talents, Schott sits on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) alongside fellow SMACK writer and President of NSAI, Lee Thomas Miller.

Of the deal, Schott shares, “I’m so honored to be joining the SMACK family. I’ve known and admired Robin and Lee [Krabel] for many years, and to get to work with them alongside Jeremy [Groves], Sam [Sarno], Carly [Sater], Emily [Carignan], and the rest of the SMACK team feels like I hit the songwriter jackpot. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can accomplish together!”

Ashley McBryde, Maddie & Tae, Michael Warren and Lucinda Williams are set to perform at the Bob Woodruff Foundation VetFest at Nashville’s Skydeck on Broadway on June 22.

The third annual celebration will also feature raffles, games and activities as well as Nashville-style food. VetFest will also connect attendees with local organizations that are part of the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Got Your 6 Network—giving them the opportunity to learn more about the resources and programs dedicated to supporting veterans, service members and their families in the Nashville area.

Participating organizations include CreatiVets, Memories of Honor, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, Operation Song, Operation Stand Down Tennessee and Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone. Partners featured at the event offer services that are accessible to over 500,000 veterans and uniformed service members in the state of Tennessee.

“I can’t believe we’re already on the third year of VetFest in Nashville,” says Woodruff, Co-Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “Live music has been an important part of the foundation since we started this work 18 years ago, so it’s fitting that we’re celebrating and supporting veterans and military families in Music City. And don’t forget–the support doesn’t stop after the show. We’re working year-round to ensure the military community has everything they need to thrive.”

Entry is free for all veterans, service members and military families. Tickets are available now and must be reserved in advance. For more information, click here.

T. Graham Brown was officially inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend by Opry member Vince Gill.

Also on hand to celebrate Brown’s big moment were Opry members John Conlee, The Isaacs, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely and Mark Wills, who all wanted to be a part of the induction and welcome Brown to the family.

“As great as this night is for you, you have to know it is equally as great to us,” says Gill. “I brought all the other members out to the stage be a part of this for you tonight because you are now a part of our family. And the family that goes on here, is way deeper than any hit song you’ll ever have. Congratulations and welcome.”

“Hallelujah! I’m going to try not to cry,” Brown said before thanking God, the fans, the Opry staff, his wife Sheila and his son Acme, who played drums in the band for him during his performance.

Brown sang several of his biggest hits during the milestone show, including “I Tell It Like It Used To Be” and “Darlene,” and he brought the crowd to their feet as Jimmy Fortune joined him on “Wine Into Water.”

He was surprised with the invitation to become an Opry member by Gill in front of a live SiriusXM studio audience during a taping of his SiriusXM show Live Wire in February. The CMA award-winner has toured extensively since the early ’80s, and has performed on the Opry more than 300 times. Brown’s signature hits include the bluesy “I Tell It Like It Used To Be,” “Hell And High Water,” “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again,” “Don’t Go To Strangers,” “Darlene” and “Wine Into Water,” which has been recorded by over 100 artists including the legendary Loretta Lynn on her project, Full Circle.