Artist and songwriter Josh Wilson has inked deals with both Black River Christian and Black River Publishing.

Black River Entertainment’s CEO Gordon Kerr says, “What a privilege to get to know Josh Wilson and his beautiful family. His heart for ministry matched with this incredible music is the perfect complement to the vision of Black River Christian.”

Wilson, who was named ASCAP’s Writer/Artist of the Year in 2012, independently released two albums before signing with Sparrow Records/Capitol CMG. Recording six albums with the label, he achieved multiple Top 10 radio singles, including two No. 1’s (“Jesus Is Alive” and “Before The Morning”). He’s also toured with artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day and Casting Crowns.

Black River Christian’s VP of National Promotion Brian Thiele says, “I had the privilege of working with Josh when he debuted as an artist, and I’m so excited to be reunited with him at Black River. He is one of the most talented musicians and songwriters in this industry. Not only is he using the gift of music to change lives, his love for people and his heart to serve are inspiring. I can’t wait for what’s next!”

“Josh Wilson’s amazing gift for songwriting and his genuine desire to use it for God’s glory are truly inspirational to the Black River Publishing creative team,” adds VP of Black River Publishing Dave Pacula. “Along with Black River Christian, we are thrilled to welcome him to the family!”

Wilson says, “I’m beyond excited to be a part of the Black River family. Since the first time I walked in the building, it felt like home. We’re all on the same page in terms of vision and direction, and I truly believe the years to come hold many great things.”

Wilson’s new label is also home to Hannah Kerr whose new single “Warrior” debuted as the most added single at Christian Radio (Aug. 18). Now as a writer for Black River Publishing, Wilson joins a GRAMMY-winning roster of talented songwriters, producers and artists.

As part of the CMA Songwriters Series, Kane Brown and Luke Combs will perform on a new episode of American Public Television’s “Front and Center.” The taping will take place Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee.

The artists will be joined on stage by a selection of country’s hottest writers for a night of music and stories about some of the genre’s best-known songs. Top tunesmiths taking the stage with Brown will be Tom Douglas (“Cold Spot” recorded by Brown; “The House That Built Me” recorded by Miranda Lambert; “God’s Will” recorded by Martina McBride) and Josh Hoge (“Undone” recorded by Backstreet Boys; “Used to Love You Sober” recorded by Brown; “I’m Comin’ Over” recorded by Chris Young). Combs will be accompanied by hit songwriters Thomas Archer, Ray Fulcher, and Rob Williford, all of whom had a hand in writing on Combs’ album This One’s For You.

Tickets for the Songwriter Series show, presented by U.S. Bank, are available for purchase on the Franklin Theater website. Through the CMA Songwriters Series and “Front and Center” collaboration, an array of special episodes have been produced featuring artists like Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jennifer Nettles, and dozens of top songwriters. Each episode features insider stories and explores the passion and motivation that have helped to create some of country’s biggest hits.

In 2014, when Steven Curtis Chapman signed on for the re-launch of Sam’s Place–Music For The Spirit at the Ryman, a performance series which originally ran from 1994-99 at the Ryman Auditorium, he saw a prime opportunity to become more involved in the Nashville music community he has called home since he moved to Music City to attend Belmont University.

Chapman released his debut album First Hand on Sparrow Records in 1987, spurred by the single “Weak Days,” which would launch a three-decade recording and touring career.

“I enjoy that kind of a role at this point in my career when I can bring others together and I’ve got years of history with lots of artists in Christian and country music, just being in Nashville for 30+ years now,” Chapman tells MusicRow.

Chapman had been a performer when the original series began in 1994, when Sam’s Place was hosted by Gary Chapman. When Chapman’s longtime booking agent John Huie mentioned that there was talk of re-launching Sam’s Place at the Ryman, Chapman jumped at the chance to take part as host.

“I told John, ‘You’ve got to promise me I’ll get a shot at hosting that, because it’s exactly what I would imagine doing.’”

Chapman often reaches out with personal invites to his friends and fellow artists in the music community, and Sam’s Place has again become a unique space for artists to collaborate on duets and cover each other’s songs, creating new artistic memories in a historical music venue.

“It’s kind of an open invitation from me to perform with some of these artists if they have a song of mine or if it’s an artist who has influenced me. Where else would I get a chance to sing ‘What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life’ with Ronnie Milsap, or ‘Everything is Beautiful’ with Ray Stevens, which was one of the first records I remember listening to with my dad”?

Chapman has bobbed and weaved into the country genre throughout his career. He recalls his childhood in Paducah, Kentucky, where, when the weather was right, his father could tune into WSM radio to listen to the Grand Ole Opry. While working at Opryland in his 20s, Chapman performed on the Grand Ole Opry, where Roy Acuff introduced him to the Opry audience. In 2013, in conjunction with Cracker Barrel, Chapman released Deep Roots, a country and bluegrass-tinged collection of classic hymns.

Sam’s Place at the Ryman pays homage to Sam Jones, a businessman and evangelist who headlined a Nashville revival in 1885, where he converted Thomas Ryman. Together, Jones and Ryman built the Union Gospel Tabernacle, which opened in 1892 and was later named the Ryman Auditorium after Ryman’s death in 1904.

After signing on to host the series, Chapman delved into the history of Sam Jones and Thomas Ryman. He made a startling discovery that deepened his connection to his role at Sam’s Place at the Ryman.

“One thing I discovered is that when Sam Jones wasn’t preaching, he was raising funds for an orphanage. How perfect is that?” says Chapman, who in 2003 launched the organization Show Hope to care for orphans and to provide financial assistance to those in the adoption process. Chapman and wife Mary Beth adopted three of their six children.

Sam’s Place at the Ryman is only one outpouring of Chapman’s desire to give back to and connect with his Nashville community on a deeper level.

Earlier this year, Chapman announced he had teamed with former Creative Trust General Manager Mark Mattingly to launch The Stable Collective, which focuses on growing Chapman’s music via brand development, touring, and new partnerships. Prior to The Stable Collective, Creative Trust had handled Chapman’s management for 30+ years, until Creative Trust founder Dan Raines focused the business more on media and internet content branding. Creative Trust still handles business management duties for Chapman.

“I looked at other management companies and other opportunities, but the more Mark and I talked, I thought it would be great to try something completely new and try something from the ground up. It’s about thinking strategically about where I am now in my career.”

This year, Chapman released the memoir Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story, and recently embarked on his SCC Solo Tour, which allows him to display a wider range of his musical influences.

“I would love to do a country album. Maybe an album of songs that influenced me,” says Chapman, who incorporates songs such as George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” into his set. “The question is always, ‘Would anybody be interested in that?’ I definitely hope to do that at some point. Songwriting is my passion.”

That time may come sooner rather than later, given that he has writing dates on the books with songwriters including Luke Laird and Lori McKenna.

Thirty years of recording and touring, 58 GMA Dove Awards, 5 Grammys, 48 No. 1 singles and 10 RIAA Gold or Platinum albums later, Chapman is also certainly in a position to offer words of advice and wisdom to rising artists, something he hopes to do more formally in the coming months.

“I would have the opportunity to begin to pour some of that into other artists. I’ve done that naturally anyway. Even at Sam’s Place or on tours, other artists will say, ‘Your music influenced me to do what I do.’ I’ve heard that for a long time and am encouraged by it. I’ve tried to give advice and counsel when it was asked for but never in a formal way. Just being able to speak into some younger artist’s careers in a formal and more official way will be a really exciting for me to consider doing in the months ahead.”

The next Sam’s Place At The Ryman—featuring performances from Chapman, Jonny Diaz, Amy Grant, Scotty McCreery, and The SteelDrivers—takes place Sunday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.