Ronnie Milsap, Mavis Staples

The Memphis Music Hall Of Fame announced its new class of inductees for 2022.

The eight individuals selected to be inducted include Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap, soul and gospel icon Mavis Staples, rockabilly musician and songwriter Billy Lee Riley, Grammy-winning producer and engineer Jim Gaines, musician and educator Fred Ford, Grammy-winning musician and producer Booker T. Jones, drummer and producer J.M. Van Eaton, and former chair of Elvis Presley Enterprises Priscilla Presley.

The Memphis Music Hall Of Fame inductees are chosen by a local and national nominating committee composed of nationally recognized authors, producers, historians and leaders in the music industry. The number of annual inductees, both performing and non-performing, may vary each year. The class of 2022 will be celebrated in a concert and induction ceremony this fall.

Of his nomination, Milsap shared, “When you look at the history, this year’s inductees represent so many facets of what makes Memphis music so mighty, it’s an honor to be included. So many of them make music I listen to today, and Priscilla Presley has carried Elvis’ legacy forward with such style, it reminds you what was created there will endure and shape music long after we’re gone. To be seen as part of that humbles me.”

The MusiCares: Music on a Mission Presented by Gibson virtual concert is set to take place during Grammy Week on March 30 at 7 p.m. CT, fit with a stacked lineup of performers.

Joining the celebration will be Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Amythyst Kiah, Shawn Colvin, Jesse & Joy, k.d. lang, Fantastic Negrito, Gian Marco, Dante Spinetta, Cage The Elephant, morgxn, Zach Person, and Emily Wolfe. The evening will also feature a never-before-seen performance from Grammy award-winning artist Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The virtual concert will celebrate both the power of music and Joni Mitchell as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree. Tickets are on sale now with every dollar of tickets purchased to be distributed to those in need in the music community. The show will also air on Mandolin.

“Music on a Mission started as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we were blown away by the support from the music community, industry professionals and of course music fans,” says Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “We’re so thankful that Gibson recognizes the importance of this event to both fans and professional musicians and that they’ve signed on to help us make Music on a Mission a reality again this year.”

“MusiCares does so much for our music community, the critical care and aid they provide is needed now more than ever in recent years,” adds Elizabeth Heidt, VP of Global Cultural Influence at Gibson Brands. “As a key partner of Gibson Gives, it is not only our honor, but also our duty to help bring Music on a Mission back, and to continue to raise awareness and funds for MusiCares.”

Maren Morris is unveiling a new weekly radio series, Humble Quest Radio, airing on Apple Music’s global live-streaming radio stations Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Country.

On Humble Quest Radio, Morris serves as disc jockey, therapist, confidante, shoulder, and best friend as she responds to questions, queries, and comments from fans submitted via her Humble Quest HQ Hotline. The series also includes themed playlists tailored to each episode.

On the first episode, the Grammy winning vocalist shares stories and experiences with fans about navigating challenging life changes, her personal journey, and how it led to her new album, Humble Quest, and accompanying radio show.

“It’s crazy to think that my humble quest has led me to hosting my own radio show, but that’s what happens when you’re willing to embrace what life throws at you,” Morris shares. “Throughout this series I cannot wait to see how our journeys are the same, where they’re different, what I could learn from you and what I could share with you.”

Humble Quest Radio premieres on Apple Music 1 on Tuesday, March 29 at 12 p.m. CT with an encore broadcast on March 30 at 1 p.m. CT on Apple Music Country.

Pictured (L-R): Erik Andersen, Justin Schmidt, Bryan Ros

Missing Piece Group has announced new promotions and staff hires to the expanding company.

Erik Andersen has been promoted to Senior Director of Publicity, Justin Schmidt has been promoted to Director of Publicity, and Bryan Ros has been added to the Nashville publicity team following his tenure with the Americana Music Association.

“One of Missing Piece’s greatest strengths is the continuity of our team; I’m extraordinarily grateful that as we enter our 12th year of business that many of our executives have been with the company since its earliest days. Both Erik and Justin are seasoned, exceptionally talented publicists, and along with our GM Joe Sivick and head of marketing John Hammond have been essential in making this company what it is today,” explains CEO/Founder Michael Krumper. “At the same time, I’m thrilled for us to be adding a new publicist to our growing presence in Nashville, led by our Director of Publicity Michelle Steele. Bryan’s background working for the Americana Music Association makes him a natural addition to the company.”

“Over the past nine years, I’ve loved watching Missing Piece expand and flourish while also having the opportunity to grow along with it,” shares Andersen. “I’ve had the privilege of working with so many amazing artists, past and present. I look forward to continuing to represent our roster and working alongside this incredible staff.”

“It’s an honor to work alongside the incredible team at Missing Piece Group as Director of Publicity, and I’m excited to continue pushing the envelope of what is possible for our clients,” adds Schmidt. “Each day brings new challenges as well as new creative opportunities, both of which I am eager to take on in this role.”

“I’m thrilled to join such a collaborative and hard-working team,” says Ros. “This is the type of environment where you feel completely empowered in your role, and I’m really looking forward to working with my new teammates to keep building a platform for our clients and for music that deserves to be heard.”

Missing Piece Group’s roster of clients includes Ashley Monroe, Blue Note Records, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Dan Wilson, Hailey Whitters, Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’, Leslie Jordan, Low Cut Connie, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tom Jones and more.

Kelsea Ballerini will be honored at the Song Suffragettes eighth anniversary celebration on March 28 at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville. Ballerini will be presented with the Song Suffragettes’ Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award for her contributions to the songwriting community.

During the special evening hit songwriter and frequent Ballerini collaborator Nicolle Galyon will interview the award-winning entertainer and discuss some of the songs that have inspired the nearly 350 women who have performed on the Song Suffragettes stage through the years.

Ballerini is only the fourth woman to receive this honor after esteemed songwriter/publisher Liz Rose (2019), hitmaker Laura Veltz (2020) and singer-songwriter Ashley McBryde (2021).

The evening’s two performance rounds will feature 11 writers, along with a performance by Ballerini. The first songwriter round will feature TMWK Records artist Kalie Shorr hosting with performances from Ava Suppelsa, Autumn Nicholas, Ava Paige and first-time Song Suffragette and Republic Records recording artist Lanie Gardner.

The second round of the evening will be hosted by Song Suffragettes alumna Lauren Hungate and feature singer-songwriters Caroline Watkins, Emily Brooke, first-time performer Peytan Porter, and BMG recording artist Madeline Merlo. Both rounds will feature Song Suffragettes’ long-time resident cajon player Mia Morris, who will be playing her 144th show and performing two of her own original songs.

Tickets to the show at Nashville’s The Listening Room Café are on sale now at the Café’s website. The show will also stream live on the Song Suffragettes YouTube channel.