DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Shows Off The ‘Warmth In His Singing Voice’

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Matt Paskert

We have fresh faces and fresh sounds in DISClaimer today.

Vying for the DISCovery Award were first-timers Kashus Culpepper, Karley Scott Collins and Lizzie No. Right alongside them are new tunes from such marvelous “baby acts” as Tigirlily Gold, Zach Top, Sierra Ferrell, and Jordyn Shellhart. Give ‘em all a hand, and hand the prize to Lizzie No.

There’s not much competition for the Disc of the Day award. Not when you have a titan like Morgan Wallen in the mix. He wins, hands down.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Marlboro Reds”
Writers: Karley Scott Collins/Alex Kline/Scott Stepakoff; Producers: Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Cool, minor-key and moody sounding. The bluesy outing is a recollection of hanging out with grandma when she steps outside for her smoke breaks. Very ear-catching and kinda haunting.

MORGAN WALLEN / “Spin You Around”
Writers: Morgan Wallen/Paul Trust/Sergio Sanchez; Producers: Joey Moi/Morgan Wallen/Bryan Sutton/Paul Trust; Label: Big Loud
– I just love the warmth in his singing voice. While Bryan Sutton’s acoustic guitar strums beautiful filigrees, Wallen pleads for favors from the one who stole his heart away. Supremely excellent work.

SIERRA FERRELL / “Dollar Bill Bar”
Writers: Melody Walker/Sierra Ferrell; Producer: Eddie Spear; Label: Rounder Records
– She has the greatest stone-country voice, is a brilliant writer and packs a wallop as a show-woman. Put simply, this is one of the most creative artists in this genre today. Her jaunty kiss-off single is delightfully innocent and saucy at the same time. Also, check out the YouTube video of Ferrell making her national TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live with her barn-burning “Fox Hunt.” The new album isn’t due until March. Put me on the waiting list.

TYLER HUBBARD / “Turn”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Casey Brown/Josh Miller; Producers: Jordan Schmidt/Tyler Hubbard; Label: EMI Nashville
– She’s so special that she can turn bad to good in a heartbeat. Romantic hillbilly sincerity in every note. A thumping backbeat and some dandy guitar don’t hurt a bit. This dude never disappoints.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Who Hurt You”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: KC
– The grit in his voice stopped me in my tracks. With just his acoustic guitar for accompaniment, he is thoroughly gripping. The well-written song has a philosophical bent in its description of a man with inner wounds. Somebody sign this guy pronto.

BRADY SEALS/ “My Love”
Writers: Brady Seals/Porter C. Howell/Thomas D. Barnes; Producers: Brady Seals/Christy Dinapoli; Label: Hillbilly
– This ultra-romantic charmer is being released in time for Valentine’s Day. It was previously a No.1 hit for Brady’s old band Little Texas in 1994. This new version, complete with stacked chorus vocal harmonies, is a welcome reminder of what a lovely song it is. Play it.

LIZZIE NO/ “Halfsies”
Writer: Lizzie No; Producers: Lizzie No/Graham Richman/Patrick Dillett; Label: Thirty Tigers/Miss Freedomland
– This is the title tune of Lizzie No’s debut album, which dropped last week. I love the way it builds from stark snare-and-guitar accompaniment to a full production soaked in steel and cascading strings and voices. What is equally cool is the way her dry soprano delivery remains on top of it all, delivering an intricate, poetic lyric of surviving pain. Wildly promising.

JORDYN SHELLHART & CHARLIE WORSHAM/ “A Nice Thing To Do”
Writers: Cameron Jaymes/Jordyn Shellhart; Producer: Cameron Jaymes; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Languid and dreamy, with both voices sounding intimate and comforting. The echoey track is gorgeously produced. A sublime listening experience. Need I add that I am a huge fan of both of these talents?

ZACH TOP/ “Sounds Like The Radio”
Writers: Carson Chamberlain/Wyatt McCubbin/Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Leo33
– Top’s new radio single and video are a revelation. As if it wasn’t enough that he’s a hunk who sings like a honky-tonk hero, he also plays stinging lead guitar. The song is a hooky throwback to ‘90s country that is as refreshing as ice water on a summer day. This man is everything you could want in a country superstar.

LOGAN MIZE & JESSIE JAMES DECKER/ “If You’re Up”
Writers: Abe Stoklasa/Daniel Tashian/Sarah Buxton; Producer: Daniel Tashian; Label: Big Yellow Dog
– They’ve broken up, but not really because they still want to hook up. It might be late, late, late at night, but how about it, babe? Chiming, ringing guitars and oomphy percussion percolate behind their equally strong vocals. A righteous little record.

TIGIRLILY GOLD/ “I Tried A Ring On”
Writers: Josh Jenkins/Pete Good/Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh; Producer: Pete Good; Label: Monument
– She jumped the gun and married the guy too soon. Now it’s over and she regrets it all. The churning, multi-textured, mid-tempo production is awesome and the two sisters have never sounded more vocally expressive. By far their best effort yet.

CHARLES ESTEN/ “Love Ain’t Pretty”
Writers: Charles Esten/Marshall Altman/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Marshall Altman Label: CE
– His years on the Nashville TV show and multiple Opry appearances have made him familiar to millions. So it comes of something as a shock to learn that the collection that Esten released last week is his debut album. Its title tune is a troubadour gem that melds his soft vocal delivery with a beautifully mixed ballad track. “Love ain’t pretty,” he sings, “but it’s beautiful.” Amen.

UMG Says It Will Pull Catalog From TikTok Following Contract Expiration

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The catalog of major label Universal Music Group (UMG) will potentially be removed from TikTok, one of the world’s largest social platforms, due to their inability to come to an agreement during the negotiation of their contract, which expired yesterday (Jan. 31). This measure would not only include the work of UMG artists such as global sensations Taylor Swift, BTS, Drake, Ariana Grande and many more, but any song that any Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) songwriter contributed to as well.

According to an open letter from UMG to its artists and songwriters shared on Tuesday (Jan. 30), TikTok and UMG disagreed on three key factors in the negotiation, including compensation for artists and songwriters, appropriate protection measures in regards to artificial intelligence, and online safety for TikTok’s users.

In the letter, UMG stated that it had been working with the platform to address its concerns, but that the platform “responded first with indifference, and then with intimidation.”

The letter proceeded: “As our negotiations continued, TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal, far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth. How did it try to intimidate us? By selectively removing the music of certain of our developing artists, while keeping on the platform our audience-driving global stars.

“TikTok’s tactics are obvious: use its platform power to hurt vulnerable artists and try to intimidate us into conceding to a bad deal that undervalues music and shortchanges artists and songwriters as well as their fans. We will never do that. We will always fight for our artists and songwriters and stand up for the creative and commercial value of music.”

UMG shared that while it recognized the challenges that the measures would cause for artists and their fans, the company has “an overriding responsibility to our artists to fight for a new agreement under which they are appropriately compensated for their work.”

TikTok responded to UMG’s open letter on Tuesday (Jan. 30), sharing that it is “sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.

“Despite Universal’s false narrative and rhetoric, the fact is they have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for their talent. TikTok has been able to reach ‘artist-first’ agreements with every other label and publisher. Clearly, Universal’s self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans.”

If is unclear when or if the parties will come to new agreement. This is a developing story.

Mark Your Calendar—February 2024

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Single/Track Release Dates:

Dan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein

February 2 
Scoot Teasley/This Truck Still Misses You/Hollow Point Music
Justin Holmes/Drink You Down/Country Rebel Records

February 4 
McKenna Faith Winters/One Girl To Another/MC1 Nashville
Brandon Lee/Hurricane/MC1 Nashville

February 5 
Dan + Shay/Bigger Houses/Warner Music Nashville
Darci Lynne/Push Our Luck

February 9 
Spencer Crandall/Worth The Wait
Orlando Mendez/Miami or Me
Kalaan White/Backroads/MC1 Nashville

February 12 
Dylan Scott/This Town’s Been Too Good To Us/Curb Records
Cooper Stephenson/Hey Mister/Southern Records
Flat River Band/Home Sweet Home/Early Bird Records
Maggie Baugh/’24

February 14 
Tammy/God And A Job/MC1 Nashville

February 16
Breland/Heartbreak & Alcohol/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
Andy Pursell/I Need You Bad/Southern Dreams Entertainment
Macy Tabor/Match Made In Hell/MC1 Nashville

February 19 
Jessie G/Like My Whiskey (feat. Gretchen Wilson)/Jessie G Music

February 22 
Paula Slow/Hell Don’t Stand A Chance/MC1 Nashville

February 26
Pryor Baird/Mighta Met A Girl/Black River Entertainment
Dawn Rix/Painkiller/Emanant Music

 

Album/EP Release Dates:

Photo: Robby Klein

February 2
Gabby Barrett/Chapter & Verse/Warner Music Nashville
Brit Taylor/Kentucky Bluegrassed
Dugger Band/Goin’ Places

February 9 
The Castellows/A Little Goes A Long Way/Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
Dalton Dover/Take Me Home: Covers/Mercury Records

February 14
Drew & Ellie Holcomb/Brick By Brick/Magnolia Music/Tone Tree Music

February 16
Chase Matthew/We All Grow Up/Warner Music Nashville
Drake Milligan/Jukebox Songs/Stoney Creek Records
Redferrin/Old No. 7/Warner Music Nashville
Blackberry Smoke/Be Right Here/3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers

February 23 
Scoot Teasley/Scoot Teasley/Hollow Point Music
Matt Jordan/Low Lights/ONEprm

 

Industry Events:

February 4
66th Annual Grammy Awards

February 28 – March 1
CRS

Big Machine Records Appoints Kris Lamb As EVP/General Manager

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Kris Lamb

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has appointed Kris Lamb to EVP/General Manager of Big Machine Records.

Most recently serving at Sr. VP, Promotion & Digital, Lamb has led radio and digital strategy for the imprint’s artists including Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Midland and Jackson Dean, among others. His new role will concentrate on breaking, building and retaining Big Machine Records’ frontline roster of artists, focusing on fan acquisition and engagement.

Lamb is already on the job and will report directly to BMLG’s Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta.

“Kris has been with the label group for 13 years; he started with us as a Regional Promotions Director and I’ve loved watching him work his way up through our system, excelling at each new level. I am so proud that he is now leading the charge for our flagship imprint, Big Machine Records,” says Borchetta. “There is an added pressure being the imprint that founded the company and I’m thrilled he has accepted the challenge to take it even higher. Game On, Lamb Chop… GAME ON!”

“I am beyond honored to represent this remarkable roster of culture-shaping storytellers and blessed to lead this team of forward-thinking executives at Big Machine Records,” says Lamb. “BMR has always been the tip of the spear and I look forward to elevating our impressive roster of artists even higher as a team and making an impact on the future of this imprint, its talent and the country music genre.”

The Big Machine Records imprint has made other changes in addition to Lamb’s appointment. Brooke Diaz, a nine-year veteran of Big Machine Records, has been promoted to National Director, Promotion & Marketing. Bill Lubitz has been promoted to Sr. Director, West Coast Promotion & National Strategy, taking a greater role in syndication and network audience exposure. The Promotion team also includes VP, Promotion, Erik Powell; Director, Midwest Promotion Jane Staszak; Director, Southeast Promotion Jay Cruze and Promotions Coordinator Sara Barlow.

“Brooke is one of the most multi-dimensional promotion executives in the field and her passion, ideation and execution is next to none. I am so thrilled to watch her, along with Erik as VP, guide our radio promo team and strategy to the highest level,” adds Lamb.

MusicRow Reveals 2024 Rising Women On The Row Honorees

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MusicRow is proud to reveal the honorees for the Rising Women on the Row Class of 2024. These six female executives are making a significant impact on Nashville’s country music industry, including: Tiffany Kerns, Taylor Lindsey, Sloane Cavitt Logue, Halie Hampton Mosley, Melissa Spillman and Candice Watkins.

City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb and CMT Next Women of Country are Presenting Sponsors for the 2024 Rising Women on the Row, which will take place at the Omni Nashville Hotel on the morning of March 19.

Industry veteran Kerri Edwards will be this year’s featured speaker. Presented by CMT Next Women of Country, singer-songwriter Carter Faith will be the special performer at the event.

Now in its 11th year, MusicRow‘s annual Rising Women on the Row event has honored over 50 women in the Nashville music industry.

Tickets for Rising Women on the Row are now closed. Tickets will not be sold at the door, as the event is sold out.

This year’s honorees include:

Tiffany Kerns

Tiffany Kerns – SVP, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, CMA | Executive Director, CMA Foundation
In her role as SVP, Industry Relations & Philanthropy, Tiffany Kerns oversees the strategic direction and management of all CMA’s membership events, initiatives and programming. By developing and enhancing robust and innovative CMA membership strategies, Kerns ensures professional development pathways align with the needs of the member base and the future of the industry. Established as CMA’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation has invested nearly $30 million across all 50 states. In her role, Kerns is responsible for the growth, development and execution of the nonprofit’s charitable investments by creating intentional partnerships and implementing an impact-driven grant process. With a steadfast focus on improving the philanthropic model of giving, Kerns has led the charge in enriching music education programs across the United States. She oversees advocacy efforts for the CMA Foundation at the state and federal level, which includes working with dozens of community partners, policymakers, educators and industry leaders to elevate the CMA Foundation’s mission.

 

Taylor Lindsey

Taylor Lindsey – SVP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville
Taylor Lindsey is the SVP, of A&R at Sony Music Nashville, where she oversees SMN’s dynamic new A&R team as well as signs and develops a diverse roster that includes recorded music icons, breakthrough acts and newcomers. Prior to taking on her current expanded role, Lindsey was directly involved with the development of artists such as Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others. Before joining SMN, Lindsey was at BMG where she signed and developed the careers of songwriters and artists as well as pitched the catalogs of 13 chart-topping songwriters, including her award-winning sister, Hillary Lindsey. A respected industry executive, Lindsey has been included in a number of industry power lists including Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2018), Billboard’s Women In Music (2018, 2019 & 2023), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2022 & 2023), Variety’s Hitmakers Impact (2020), Variety’s Young Leaders In Music (2019) and more. She is also a graduate of the 2019 Class of Leadership Music. She resides in Nashville with her husband, Grammy-nominated songwriter Derrick Southerland, and their daughter, Lyle, and son, Ryder.

 

Sloane Cavitt Logue

Sloane Cavitt Logue – Partner, WME
Sloane Cavitt Logue leads the Nashville Client Strategy Division at WME, where she works across several departments in navigating various opportunities outside of the live space, including digital, fashion, literary, film, television, talent ventures/partnerships, theater, sports and social impact for clients. Additionally, Logue connects clients with internal opportunities within the Endeavor network, which includes WWE, UFC, PBR, 160over90, Harry Walker, IMG and many more. Prior to joining WME, Logue held tenure at Show Dog-Universal Music and Live Nation. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the Deviate Leadership Program, which focuses on elevating and coaching future female leaders in the entertainment industry. Dedicated to mentoring up-and-coming industry trailblazers, she is actively involved in WME’s mentorship program, as well as Grammy U, and is an inaugural member of CMA’s Female Executive Leadership Program. Logue resides in Nashville with her husband, Dave, their son, Cavitt, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Captain.

 

Halie Hampton Mosley

Halie Hampton Mosley – Chief Operating Officer, WHY&HOW
Halie Hampton Mosley joined WHY&HOW in October 2021 as Vice President of Roster Operations, and has helped define and oversee the goals and initiatives of the WHY&HOW roster and staff. Since joining, Hampton Mosley has been instrumental in streamlining and expanding roster operations, and establishing internal practices such as WHY&HOW’s parental leave policies. She also remains closely involved in WHY&HOW artist strategy for such acts as Chase Rice, Danielle Bradbery, BRELAND and Kelleigh Bannen, among others. Prior to joining WHY&HOW, Hampton Mosley spent seven years in Artist Management at Maverick Nashville led by long-time Manager Clarence Spalding. She most recently served as the Day-to-Day Artist Manager for Diamond-selling duo Florida Georgia Line at Hit Farm Management in partnership with Full Stop Management led by Irving and Jeffrey Azoff.

 

Melissa Spillman

Melissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Melissa Spillman is VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. In her role, Spillman is responsible for signing and developing new and established songwriters and artists and placing songs with major recording artists. She started out her career at Dreamcatcher Entertainment which led to a seven-year stint in A&R at Capitol Records. After that she headed up renowned producer Jay Joyce’s Neon Cross Music as Head of Publishing and Production. From there she started her own company, Freetown Music where she oversaw the creative development and management of artists, producers and songwriters until she was tapped by Concord Music Publishing to become their VP of A&R in 2021. Beyond her work in music, Spillman proudly started a non-profit organization called Wan Fambul Foundation, which strives to support children and their families in Sierra Leone, West Africa, the birthplace of three of her sons. She resides in Franklin with her songwriter/producer/author husband Jeremy, four sons and their dog Canyon. You can find her cheering on her sons who play football for the University of Tennessee and Franklin High School this fall.

 

Candice Watkins

Candice Watkins – SVP, Marketing, Big Loud Records
As SVP of Marketing at Big Loud Records, Candice Watkins brings proven leadership and across-the-board expertise to the independent powerhouse, selected as one of Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music, and a Country Power Player for the last three consecutive years. Leading the label’s marketing efforts across its many ventures and partnerships, Watkins executes creative strategy and bold, cross-platform campaigns that make an impact. Recently, Watkins has led the marketing efforts behind chart-topping successes like Morgan Wallen’s back-to-back all-genre No. 1 albums, as well as the successful recent projects from HARDY, Hailey Whitters, Stephen Wilson Jr., Charles Wesley Godwin and many more. Watkins also spurred introductory campaigns for artists like Jake Worthington, Lauren Watkins, Ashley Cooke, Dylan Gossett and more, while embarking on major campaign efforts for heavy hitters Lauren Alaina, ERNEST, Larry Fleet and more. The Montclair, New Jersey native is a graduate of Boston’s Northeastern University and Los Angeles’ USC. Prior to joining Big Loud, Watkins served as Sr. Director of Marketing & Artist Development at UMG Nashville and preceded by stops at Red Light Management, Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment and Martingale Entertainment. Outside of her work innovating campaign strategy for Big Loud, Watkins serves on the board for CMA, ACM, and Teen Dream Center.

Curb Records Elevates Craig Powers & Lori Hartigan

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Curb Records has elevated Craig Powers to SVP, Media and Lori Hartigan to National Director, Media.

“As we celebrate our 60th year in business, I am thrilled to see our company continue to grow. With the strengthening of our team, Curb Records is poised for a productive future,” shares Mike Curb, Curb Records Chairman.

Powers joined Curb in 2020. Previously serving as VP, Media, he will continue to oversee mainstream/crossover radio success for artists such as Sarah Reeves, Natalie Grant, Wyn Starks and For King + Country.

Hartigan has been with Curb Records for 10 years, working with developing artists like Dylan Scott. She was instrumental in his success at radio and other media platforms, and served the past eight years as Director, West Coast promotion. In her elevated role, Hartigan will renew her commitment to artist development as well as oversee a secondary promotion team for the entire Curb roster.

“I’d like to thank our chairman, Mike Curb, for his confidence in me. I’m so grateful to be working with all of our artists and team members at Curb Records. Lori has years of experience in our industry and is well known for her work in country promotion. I’m thrilled for her to join our media team, bringing her knowledge and expertise to all Curb artists and all formats,” says Powers.

“It’s been an honor to work with Curb’s talented country artists. I’m especially proud of having worked with Dylan Scott from day one and experiencing his growth along the way. I’m looking forward to working with all Curb artists in my new role,” says Hartigan.

Additionally, Todd Thomas will pivot to Director, West Coast Promotion for the label. Thomas has been with Curb since 2013, working in in-house booking and development before joining the promotion team in his previous role in 2019.

The company has also hired Bailey White as Director, Southwest Promotion, working with Scott, Brice, Ellis and Hart, among others. White comes to Curb following three years with Black River Entertainment’s promotion team and over ten years in the country entertainment world. She will report to SVP, Promotion RJ Meacham, rounding out the team that includes Mike Rogers, Allyson Gelnett, Samantha DePrez and Brian Day.

“I am thrilled to welcome Bailey to our country promotion team!” Meacham shares. “With her exceptional relationships and dedication to the job, I know she’ll play an integral role moving the needle for our artists and music with country radio. Additionally, I have full confidence in Todd Thomas as he pivots to the west coast, where he already has strong relationships throughout the region. Together, we’re poised for success and continued growth!”

Music Executive Kidnapped Outside Of Nashville’s SoHo House

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A female music executive was kidnapped and robbed after leaving a meeting at Nashville’s SoHo House last week just before 8 p.m.

Sources share that the two robbers came up behind the woman as she was getting into her car. They both pointed guns at her head as they instructed her to get into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

The victim was using her AirPods to talk on the phone with her friend when the kidnapping occurred. Luckily, he heard her scream and phoned another mutual friend to call the police, as he was out of the country.

After demanding her cell phone, the robbers looked up banks in the area, and made her drive to three different ATMs. Though she explained that she only had credit cards, they made her try to get cash out and were unsuccessful.

Next, they had her contact a friend to ask for money. Before meeting the friend, the kidnappers made the woman drive back to SoHo House. One robber got into a dark-colored sedan and followed the victim’s car to meet the friend, who had called the police to help arrange a set-up.

Once the robber in the car saw the police, he grabbed the woman’s keys, opened the door and ran to the other robber’s sedan. Because the victim’s car was idling and doesn’t require a key to drive after its started, she floored it towards West End where the police were waiting. The suspects took off with her phone and wallet.

The victim, while shaken, is physically okay, though her family members have received threats via text message following the kidnapping.

Police are now looking for the robbers, who the victim describes as Black men in their 20s wearing black clothing and masks.

Those with any information about the kidnapping and robbery can call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. You can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.

Big Machine Label Group Promotes Mike Rittberg & Clay Hunnicutt

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Mike Rittberg & Clay Hunnicutt

Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has elevated Mike Rittberg to COO and Clay Hunnicutt to EVP, Label Operations.

Rittberg rises from his position of BMLG’s EVP, Label Operations, overseeing marketing, streaming and all release initiatives across the label group’s core imprints: Big Machine Records, BMLG Records, The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine John Varvatos Records.

Hunnicutt most recently served as General Manager for the Big Machine Records imprint, which boasts an impressive roster of artists including Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Midland and Jackson Dean, among others. In his new role, he will concentrate on business development, growing the entire label group’s ventures, fostering partnerships and focusing on catalog initiatives, which are critical to company objectives.

Both report to BMLG’s President, Label Operations Andrew Kautz.

“Mike is the consummate professional. He is a mega self-starter, always pushing the boundaries and always seeking solutions. He has become incredibly important to the operations of BMLG and is a great co-pilot for our continued growth,” shares Scott Borchetta, BMLG Chairman & CEO. “Clay has done an exceptional job at elevating the growth and artist development for the Big Machine Records imprint. In his new role, he’s able to take his insights and energies to all of our imprints during this extremely exciting time in our industry.”

“Scott and I have all the confidence in Mike’s strengths to take on a broader role with the BMLG and HYBE America’s Label services initiatives,” adds Kautz. “We’ve seen Clay’s successes with Big Machine Records imprint and know he will flourish as he takes on a broader role and help us achieve our growth goals for 2024 and beyond.”

Pinnacle Financial Partners Secures Naming Rights Of Nashville Yards Music Venue

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Rendering of The Pinnacle

The forthcoming live music venue in the Nashville Yards mixed-use district will be known as The Pinnacle, effective immediately. The 4,500-capacity music venue is set to open in early 2025.

The entertainment theater is named after Pinnacle Financial Partners, who entered into an agreement with Southwest Value Partners and AEG, joint venture partners and co-developers of the Nashville Yards. This makes Pinnacle the official bank of the music venue and marks its first naming rights partnership in the company’s history.

Rendering of The Pinnacle

Pinnacle, a Founding Partner of Nashville Yards, opened its initial retail presence at the development in 2022. Later this year, the company will move into its new corporate headquarters and open a full-service branch in the project’s first multi-tenant office building, known as the Pinnacle Tower.

“This partnership represents Pinnacle’s deep investment in elevating Nashville’s creative community and will further our reputation as one of the world’s best music banks,” shares Andy Moats, Pinnacle’s Director of Music, Entertainment & Sports. “The Pinnacle will be an international symbol that shows the music community how the arts and business should work together. Our music banking team will be directly across the street from the venue—visiting artists will be able to see us from the green room balcony. And we’ll be sharing the Nashville Yards campus with AEG Presents and CAA, making this a new epicenter for the business side of Music City.”

The Pinnacle will be operated by AEG Presents, and is being developed with an appreciation for Nashville’s musical legacy. The 88,000-square-foot, indoor venue will include a lifter floor for enhanced sightlines, a horseshoe balcony with rail-side standing, VIP seating, first-come-first-served bleachers on the balcony level, production capability for live streaming and televised events and more.

Development plans for the Nashville Yards district

Nashville Yards is a developing, 19-acre project located in the heart of downtown Nashville. When complete, the project will be a walkable, urban community featuring high-end hospitality offerings, including the 591-room luxury Grand Hyatt Nashville and the newly renovated Union Station Nashville Yards, retail and restaurant options, The Pinnacle concert venue and other entertainment offerings.

“We are so very pleased to extend the excellence of all we are building at Nashville Yards into a deeper association with one of the most outstanding banking and financial services companies in the country,” says Cary Mack, Managing Partner, Southwest Value Partners. “Pinnacle’s extensive music and entertainment business offerings make them the perfect partner for our world class music venue, which we are very proud to name The Pinnacle.”

“We’ve been looking forward to the opening of this venue since the Nashville Yards project was first launched eight years ago,” shares Rick Mueller, President, North America, AEG Presents. “The naming rights partnership with Pinnacle—a brand with deep ties to the music community—brings us that much closer to the moment when we first swing the doors open and welcome fans and artists to Nashville’s newest music venue. It’s an exciting time for AEG Presents, and we’re honored to expand our presence in a city with one of the most thriving musical communities on the planet. Stay tuned for more from The Pinnacle.”

Luke Combs To Open Category 10 Entertainment Venue In Downtown Nashville

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Rendering of Category 10 Exterior

Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group have revealed more details about their multi-level entertainment venue in downtown Nashville, including its name: Category 10. Inspired by Combs’ chart-topping debut “Hurricane,” Category 10 is set to open in phases this summer.

Rendering of The Main Stage

The expansive honky-tonk experience celebrates Combs as a significant force who took country music by storm. “The Category 10 name symbolizes the sheer, undeniable power of Luke’s voice, songwriting and career, and just like Luke, this venue will be an off-the-charts experience unlike anything else downtown,” says Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties.

Located at 120 2nd Ave. N., Category 10 aims to be the largest and most versatile entertainment complex in Nashville’s downtown entertainment district, totaling 67,000 square feet, with three interior floors, a rooftop and an indoor/outdoor capacity of approximately 3,000. The venue features five entertainment experiences that are influenced by the hitmaker’s music and passions.

Rendering of The Still

The Honky-Tonk experience will consist of a street-level authentic honky-tonk with live music. The Main Stage will be the largest dance floor and stage in downtown Nashville, fully equipped for 1,500-person capacity ticketed concert events. With themed bars and a large beer selection, the space will also host line dance lessons. The Sports Bar will have an extensive selection of major sports playing year-round. Inspired his songwriting, The Still is designed for Combs’ Bootleggers Fan Club, bourbon aficionados, songwriters and music lovers from all walks of life. This space will feature a variety of bourbon and performances by famous and up-and-coming singer-songwriters in an intimate setting. Lastly, The Eye is set to include the largest outdoor deck on Broadway with a 7,000-square-foot rooftop and unobstructed views of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium.

The core of Category 10 will be its concert-quality acoustics and live music programming throughout the venue. Lineups will be curated by the Opry Entertainment team with a special emphasis on up-and-coming talent.

“Cat 10 is going to be a place that artists of all levels want to play downtown,” says Combs. “We are building a spot where we can put on a high-level touring act show one night and a songwriter showcase the next. There isn’t anything like this venue, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”

Rendering of The Sports Bar

Rendering of The Eye Exterior