Warner Chappell Music and Ross Golan‘s Unknown Music Publishing have signed a global publishing deal with soulful country singer-songwriter Sophia Scott.

With a sound comprised of country, pop, rock, and R&B influences, Scott has built a following with songs such as “Side Effects,” “White Fence,” “Drink Too Much Wine,” and “She Ain’t Me,” the latter of which has amassed over 12 million streams on Spotify alone. The Nashville-based songwriter signed with EMPIRE Nashville in 2021 and has since opened for the Jonas Brothers and Kelsea Ballerini on the “Remember This” tour.

“Sophia Scott is one of the most authentic, exciting, and refreshing artists I’ve ever come across,” shares Golan. “She shares the attitudes of Loretta Lynn and Linda Ronstadt with a modern twist. It’s impossible not to love and respect her musical perspective. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Sophia to the family.”

BJ Hill, VP of A&R at WCM Nashville, adds, “I remember the first time I saw Sophia sing her songs at a small songwriters round and how moved I was by the emotion. She has stories to tell in her music that will become a part of our lives. Her voice is pure and amazing. We are very lucky to be working with her, Unknown Music, and her awesome team.”

“I still remember the very first song I wrote. It was called ‘Cool Coffee Shop.’ Even as a second grader, I knew exactly what my life would look like and that I was destined to sing and write music (as cheesy as that may sound),” shares Scott. “After years of pouring my heart and soul into music, I can’t believe that little girl is now a published songwriter. Not only do I get to work with the best publisher in Nashville, but I also get to work with one of my biggest songwriting heroes, Ross Golan. This partnership is a dream come true for me. Thank you to BJ, Ross, Kelley [Fox], and everyone at Warner Chappell & Unknown Music for believing in me. I feel so incredibly blessed and can’t wait to begin this new journey.”

Award-winning radio personality Kelly Ford has been added as Vice President of Programming at PickleJar, the live entertainment and artist payments app.

Formerly with Audacy, Ford will oversee the company’s social and content programming strategy in addition to developing original on-demand content for the company’s over-the-top (OTT) channel, PickleJar Plus. Additionally, Ford will take on the oversight of editorial and live streaming content in partnership with select partners and PickLounge venues across the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Ford, a 2021 Gracie Award Major Market Morning Drive Host Winner, most recently served as morning personality for Kelly Ford in the Morning on New York’s Country 94-7/WNSH, in addition to hosting a nationally syndicated weekend ’90s country show for Audacy. Prior to that she held positions in Louisville, Kentucky, and Denver, Colorado before helping Cumulus launch WNSH/New York in 2013. Her rise in New York led to a co-host spot on Westwood One’s nationally syndicated Ty, Kelly & Chuck morning show, based in Nashville, alongside Ty Bentli and Chuck Wicks.

“Everything I care about personally and professionally led me to this opportunity to step outside the traditional entertainment structure and pursue something with an unbridled horizon,” shares Ford. “This is such an exciting opportunity to serve the greater artistic good. As we are pausing to reevaluate all aspects of our industry post-COVID, I see PickleJar as a catalyst for changing how audiences and artists connect, as well as making a profound social impact for those in need.”

Ford first teamed up with PickleJar to develop a series of artist-focused showcases aired exclusively inside the PickleJar Live app and on PickleJar+ Channel. In her new role with the company, she will expand on her decades of radio expertise and her unique audience personalization to bring the stories of the artists directly to the fans.

“We want to be the go-to-brand who tells the story of up-and-coming artists—and capture those unforgettable moments of live entertainment,” says Jeff James, PickleJar chief executive officer. “Kelly’s creative energy knows no bounds. Kelly celebrates and unleashes a diversity of fan experiences in a relatable format. From the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame broadcast to the Revolutionary Women of Music event leading into the ACM Awards earlier this year, Kelly’s support of artists and creators is an essential part of PickleJar’s growth.”

Drams N’ Jams 2022 Raises $106,000 For Folds Of Honor Tennessee

Drams N’ Jams 2022, hosted by Folds of Honor Tennessee, took place last week (March 24) at The Bell Tower in downtown Nashville. The event raised $106,000 which will go directly to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members that Folds of Honor was created to support.

The night featured music from five of Nashville’s top singer-songwriters, including Kip Moore, Charles Esten, Jameson Rodgers, RaeLynn, and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano. The group performed many of their hit songs, such as Moore’s “Beer Money” and Carrie Underwood‘s “Something In The Water,” which was written by DeStefano.

Throughout the event, multiple priceless items, including guitars signed by Dolly Parton and John Rich, as well as rare bottles of whiskey, were auctioned off to the attendees, all benefiting Folds of Honor. Sgt. Rocky Sickmann, United States Marine Corps Sergeant and P.O.W., Iranian Hostage Crisis, also delivered a speech about his 444 days in captivity while serving in the United States military.

Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded 35,000 scholarships in all 50 states. The next Folds of Honor Tennessee event will be the annual Rock-N-Jock Celebrity Softball Game. Tickets will go on sale April 15.

 

Deborah Allen Inks Booking Deal With Fusion Touring

Deborah Allen has signed an exclusive booking deal with Fusion Touring. The multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and performer released The Art of Dreaming earlier this month through BFD/Audium Nashville, marking her fourteenth album.

“When Deborah Allen steps onto a stage, she creates a special connection with each and every person in her audience. Our team is proud to represent Deborah and her unforgettable live show,” Fusion President Mike Meade shares.

“Along with writing songs and recording, live performance is a large part of who I am,” adds Allen. “I can already tell that my relationship with Fusion Touring is going to kick 2022 and this next phase of my life and career into high gear.”

 

Big Yellow Dog Adds Karen Elson To Artist, Label & Publishing Rosters

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, advocate, and supermodel Karen Elson to its artist, label and publishing roster.

Elson co-wrote all the songs on her new album Green with its producers Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. Tashian and Elson, who have become frequent collaborators with songs such as “Lightning Strikes” and “Christmas Lights,” also collaborated on the song “Wild Blue” from the new project.

Green marks Elson’s third full-length album, following 2010’s The Ghost Who Walks and 2017’s Double Roses.

 

We Are Messengers Celebrates First No. 1 At Christian Radio

We Are Messengers recently celebrated their first No. 1 single at Christian radio with “Come What May.”

The band was surprised with a commemorative plaque on the Grand Ole Opry stage during Casting Crowns’ “The Healer Tour” stop, which We Are Messengers provided direct support for on Sunday, March 27.

The band has 350 million on-demand global streams and boasts six top 5 and 10 top 10 Christian Airplay hits, including “Image of God,” “Power,” “Maybe It’s Ok,” “Magnify,” “Point To You,” “Love,” “Everything Comes Alive,” “God With Us,” “This Is Jesus,” and “From Heaven To Earth (Joy To The World).”

 

Banner Music Signs JC Andersen To Publishing Roster

Nashville-based publishing company Banner Music has added rising country artist JC Andersen to its roster.

Andersen has been writing and performing all across the country for several years, and has written songs that are on Tara Thompson’s upcoming project. He was also one of the six national finalists on the TV show The Next GAC Star, where he placed third overall on the live finale.

“I’ve been working towards a publishing deal as long as I can remember, so getting to this point in my career is a huge dream-come-true. I couldn’t be happier signing with Banner Music,” says Andersen. “I’ve been in this town for a long time, and I’ve never been met with such a welcoming, passionate staff as the folks at Banner. I feel right at home. I have to hand a massive thank you to them for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity.”

“I can’t say enough good things about JC Andersen’s talent and work ethic. We are very happy we were able to sign him!” adds Camellia Kleindienst, CEO/President of Banner Music.

Summerfest in Milwaukee has announced over 100 acts for the 54th edition of the festival, including Thomas Rhett, Gabby Barrett, and Jason Aldean. The annual festival will take place June 23-25, June 30-July 2, and July 7-9.

Other artists representing Nashville on the lineup include Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson, For King & Country, Jameson Rodgers, Phil Vassar, Niko Moon, Priscilla Block, The Wild Feathers, Boy Named Banjo, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Steve Miller Band, and Gayle, among many others.

“It feels great to announce our highly anticipated lineup and have the festival back in its regular summer timeframe for 2022,” said Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “From Justin Bieber, Halsey, Backstreet Boys, and a special Summerfest co-headlining show with Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and Wu-Tang Clan, to John Fogerty, Steve Aoki, Halestorm, and others, it would be difficult to find a more diverse lineup anywhere.  Make plans to join us for Summerfest this June, one of the most affordable music festivals in the world, and home to over 1,000 artists performing live over the nine-day run.”

Tickets for Summerfest are on sale now with limited time passes available including the UScellular Power Pass which includes one admission for all nine days, and the UScellular 3-Day Pass available which is valid for one general admission per day, any three days of the festival.

Click here for the full festival lineup, including artists, dates, stages, and time slots.