The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new American Currents: State of the Music exhibit is slated to open on Friday, March 4.

Presented annually, American Currents explores notable music, artist achievements and events from the past year, as determined by the museum’s curators. The latest exhibit will run through Feb. 5, 2023.

This year’s exhibit of artists, musicians, songwriters and institutions features Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Jerry Douglas and John Hiatt, Jenee Fleenor, the Grand Ole Opry, Mickey Guyton, Walker Hayes, Wanda Jackson, Alison Krauss, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Allison Russell, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings and Taylor Swift.

A portion of the exhibit titled Unbroken Circle will highlight artists and their musical connections, including those who have influenced them or share musical perspectives. Featured pairings include Breland and Keith Urban, Thomm Jutz and Tom T. Hall, Brittney Spencer and Reba McEntire, and Lainey Wilson and Lee Ann Womack.

“Through the annual American Currents exhibit, the museum documents the genre’s evolving history, diverse sounds and broad cultural influence,” shares Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “In another year characterized by the complexities of the pandemic, the continued pursuit of social justice and more, country music stood out as a microcosm of American culture. This exhibit offers perspectives on music and events that shaped the genre in 2021.”

American Currents also includes a video compilation of important country moments from 2021. In addition, the exhibit recaps the year’s chart-topping country albums, singles and highest-grossing tours as reported by Billboard and Pollstar. 

Brian Kelley is setting out on his first-ever solo trek, the “Made By The Water Tour,” launching this April. Presented by Boat Trader and his partners at Oyster City Brewing Co., the run will also feature special guests The Boat Boys.

The 11-date tour will bring tunes from his solo album, Sunshine State Of Mind, and will kick off in his home state on April 21 at the Daytona Beach Bandshell in Daytona Beach, Florida. The trek will also make stops in South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and more, before docking May 19 at The Hall in Little Rock.

“Y’all, I am beyond excited to announce my own tour,” shares Kelley. “Releasing my first album has been nothing short of a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring these songs, along with some beach vibes, to the stage!”

Tickets to all dates are on sale to the general public this Friday (Feb. 4) via officialbriankelley.com, with various presale opportunities beginning tomorrow (Feb. 2).

Following the tour, Kelley will be gearing up as his production company CuzBro Productions, in partnership with Lively McCabe Entertainment, welcomes their anticipated country musical “May We All” to Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville this summer. The show makes its world premiere engagement from June 7–July 17.

BMG Nashville has added Kelsey Worley as Creative Director. She will report to Chris Oglesby, VP Creative.

Worley, who just relocated to Nashville from Los Angeles, will be responsible for working with BMG’s roster of songwriters such as Shy Carter, Sam James, Chris August and Drew Kennedy. She will also develop and sign both established and up-and-coming talent.

A Berklee College of Music graduate, Worley began her career at Interscope Records where she served as an Executive Assistant to the CEO, John Janick. She was then promoted to her most recent position of A&R Manager for the rosters of Interscope Records, Geffen Records and Darkroom Records.

“I am thrilled to have Kelsey become a part of our BMG family,” says Oglesby. “Her experience and passion for songs and songwriters open up opportunities for our whole team.”

Worley can be reached at kelsey.worley@bmg.com.

Rhiannon Giddens has revealed the cover for her upcoming debut Candlewick Press picture book, Build a House, ahead of its Oct. 11 publication date.

Written as a song to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, Build a House is illustrated by painter Monica Mikai, and tells the story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them. Steeped in sorrow and joy, resilience and resolve, turmoil and transcendence, the debut offers a message for readers: honor your heritage, express your truth, and let your voice soar, even when your heart is heaviest.

“I released this song on Juneteenth in 2020 with the great Yo-Yo Ma. We made a socially distanced recording (very–there was an ocean between us!) and put it out on socials and that was that. A few days later, someone said the lyrics would make for a great children’s book. Fast forward two years and that children’s book is almost here! It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to work with my fantastic publisher Candlewick on this book, and a revelation to see what gifted artist Monica Mikai has done with this story,” said Giddens.

Build a House is the first of four children’s books Giddens has planned with Candlewick Press. The second scheduled book, We Could Fly, is slated for publication in fall 2023 and is based on “We Could Fly,” written with Dirk Powell, a dialogue between mother and daughter drawing on African folklore and celebrating resilience and love. It will be illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu.

The announcement follows the recent news of Giddens’ two Grammy nominations with her partner Francesco Turrisi: Best Folk Album for They’re Calling Me Home and Best American Roots Song for “Avalon.” She is also looking forward to the long-awaited world premiere of her opera, “Omar,” later this year, and the very first tour of the Lucy Negro Redux ballet for which she composed the score.

Eric Daigle and Andy Friday have been named Co-Heads of Creative at the Nashville and Los Angeles-based publishing company Purplebeat Music.

As Co-Heads of Creative, the duo will be responsible for working with Grammy-nominated Shane Stevens, hit multi-genre producer Nash Overstreet, rising country star Zach Top, film and TV producer Brandon Matias, and catalogs from alumni writers Angelo Petraglia, Ruby Amanfu, Jakub Vanyo and Maylyn.

The announcement comes on the heels of Shane Stevens’ nomination for Country Song Of The Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards for the multi-Platinum hit “Fancy Like,” which he co-wrote for Walker Hayes.

Daigle joined Purplebeat Music in 2017 after serving as General Manager for the artist development company Holy Graffiti, which he co-owns and founded with Shane Stevens. There the duo developed artists and hosted songwriting camps, including the NashPop Songwriter Camp with writers who penned over 73 crossover songs in eight days. Writers attending the camp included The Elev3n, Shea Taylor, Jesse McCartney, Lindsey Ell, Levi Hummon, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson, Maggie Rose and many more.

“Growing up loving all types of music, Purplebeat has given me the opportunity to work with artists, writers and producers across all genres. Thank you to Bob and Mike Doyle who have entrusted our team to reach new heights from a startup company five years ago and to our creative roster (past and present), who have put their heart and soul into each and every song. Without them we would not be able to do what we do best,” says Daigle.

Friday also joined Purplebeat in 2017 after working as a manager and Senior Director of New Media at Bob Doyle and Associates/Major Bob Music, the longtime management team and publishing company for Garth Brooks. During his tenure at Bob Doyle & Associates he worked with Brooks as well as The Band Perry, Brett Kissel, Josh Farro (Paramore) and Angelo Petraglia (Kings Of Leon).

“I’m excited about the team that we are building at Purplebeat and to be working alongside some very gifted people,” adds Friday. “My earliest memories involve music and I am thankful to God and to Bob and Mike Doyle for the opportunity to do what I love every day. Whether it is meeting with a creative to hear their music and listen to their story, or hearing a newly written song for the first time, it never gets old.”

“Eric and Andy are truly devoted to our writers and the success of their careers. They both have shown quick growth and clear insight on supporting and leading a creative team. They have hearts for music and minds for business. A very rare and valuable combination,” says Mike Doyle, Purplebeat GM.