Artist manager Bruce Kalmick of WHY&HOW is launching Hazel Street Records, a joint label venture with global distributor The Orchard. Spanning various genres, the first two signings are alternative rock band Goldpark, and alt-pop duo Nox Holloway. Kalmick will serve as Hazel Street Records’ CEO.

Laura Bender, most recently General Manager of Hard 8 Management/Folsom Records, will lead the label as General Manager based in Nashville. At Hard 8, Bender worked with Dashboard Confessional, Twin Forks, and Dan Layus while overseeing the company’s team of day-to-day managers as well as digital marketing and touring personnel. Prior to Hard 8, Bender was National Dir., Promotion at Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) after more than a decade in promotion at RRP/Warner Music Group.

Lesley James and MJ Marty will serve as Directors: Radio and Streaming. James previously spent two years at East City Management (alt-J, Wolf Alice, Kodaline) as head of U.S. Radio and Streaming Promotion. Prior to that, he was on-air talent and program director WWCD in Columbus, Ohio.

Marty’s career includes time at Epic Records, Island Def Jam, Columbia Records, and most recently established Realid Records at Warner Music Group. Marty has been integral in promotion efforts and campaigns for Beyoncé, John Legend, and Fall Out Boy.

Andrew de Torres has been named Dir., Digital and Artist Marketing. He spent the last two years at Thirty Tigers (John Prine, Alanis Morissette, Jason Isbell) as digital sales manager, following time as a touring artist signed to Photo Finish Records/Atlantic Records.

Kalmick launched WHY&HOW late last year, which represents Grammy-nominated rock band KALEO, Platinum country-trap artist BRELAND, Southern rock band Whiskey Myers, and genre-bending singer-songwriter ZZ Ward.

“My vision for Hazel Street Records is to find undeveloped talent and do the hard work of building career artists,” said Kalmick. “The Orchard is the perfect partner to build this vision with us. We’ve been lucky enough to assemble a team of some of the most creative people in the industry, led by Laura, who is one of the most innovative and tenacious executives I’ve ever met.”

“When I first began talking to Bruce nearly two years ago, I was impressed by his passion for finding talent, and his track record is a testament to his long-term commitment and dedication to his artists,” said Bender. “We shared a vision of building a label from the ground up as a home to find and develop raw talent. Then 2020 hit, and we were forced to redefine artist development without the prospect of touring. Our artists, in turn, used the time to explore their creative process in new ways, and honed their craft, writing and recording incredible music that we can’t wait to share this year. Through all of it, we are grateful for the support of The Orchard, who were true partners through unprecedented times.”

The label is off to a running start with Goldpark’s first single “Beautiful Desperation,” set for release Friday, Feb. 12. Nox Holloway released “Separate Ways” last summer and is currently working on their debut album.

Bruce Kalmick will be CEO of Hazel Street Records.

for KING & COUNTRY is releasing a new expanded edition of their latest project with Burn The Ships (Deluxe Edition: Remixes & Collaborations), on March 26. The deluxe addition features the duo’s collaborations with Dolly Parton, Timbaland, and more.

Starting with the Grammy-winning collaboration with Dolly Parton in 2019 for the duo’s Platinum-selling No. 1 track “God Only Knows,” Joel and Luke Smallbone have spent the last two years bridging gaps with their cross-genre collaborations. The 17-song project includes guest appearances by Dolly, Timbaland, Tori Kelly, Kirk Franklin, and more.

Recently, for KING & COUNTRY released their latest single and lyric video for “Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae + The WRLDFMS Tony Williams],” a song about renaissance and renewal. for KING & COUNTRY first teamed up with Lecrae on his track “Messengers” in 2015, earning the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song that year. Earlier this year, for KING & COUNTRY continued to expand their palette by joining with label mates Hannah Ellis and Jackson Michelson to release “Together (The Country Collaboration)” – a brand new rendition of the duo’s multi-week No. 1 hit.

“Thank you all for embarking on the Burn The Ships voyage over the last few years,” Joel and Luke shared. “Since the album’s release, there have been wonderful collaborations bringing with them new and fresh musical moments that we felt deserved to be grafted into this record’s story going forward. Our hope is this ‘complete edition’ brings with it a new emotion, depth, and spirit. This album no longer belongs to us or these other incredible voices who lent their talents to it, it belongs to you. It’s your stories, your heartfelt conversations, texts, FaceTimes and gifts that have inspired and re-inspired us along the way – honestly, you have given this catalog of songs a whole new meaning and life, and not only given us the courage to keep stepping forward, but have also helped us find redemption in our own stories.”

Josh Osborne

Josh Osborne rises to the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, after having been at No. 2 behind Morgan Wallen for a few weeks. Osborne’s co-written “Beers And Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” (Sam Hunt), “How They Remember You” (Rascal Flatts), “Never Be Sorry” (Old Dominion), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), and “7 Summers” and “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen) propel him to No. 1.

Wallen shifts down to No. 2 this week, and co-writer Ernest Keith Smith moved down to No. 4.

Ashley Gorley takes the No. 3 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credit on “Sand In My Boots” and “Warning” (Morgan Wallen), “Hole In The Bottle” (Kelsea Ballerini), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “We Were Rich” (Runaway June), and “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett). Jesse Frasure rounds out the top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Brooke Eden, Brian O’Neil

Nashville-based music manager, Brian O’Neil, has announced the formation of Constellation Management & Consulting, a full-service management and consulting practice specializing in artist development, brand management, and strategic consultation.

O’Neil previously served as Artist Manager & Head of Touring under Fletcher Foster at Iconic Entertainment Group, where he worked with artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Levi Hummon, and Joel Crouse. Prior to his time at Iconic Entertainment Group, O’Neil spent six years at Creative Artists Agency before transitioning into artist Management.

Constellation has signed BBR Music Group artist Brooke Eden, who launched her latest song, “No Shade” Friday, Feb. 5. The release of Eden’s latest single is the first of three, which will be accompanied by interconnecting music videos that brings fans on her journey to self-acceptance and love. The singles are produced by Jesse Frasure (Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown) and the music videos are directed by Ford Fairchild.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest mentors and colleagues in the music business, and I’m looking forward to building a company that focuses on a well-rounded approach to creating businesses around the most compelling art and music of our time,” states O’Neil, President, Constellation Management & Consulting. “I’m honored to partner with Brooke Eden. Her voice, her songwriting, and her story have the opportunity to change the landscape of country music for the better, and I’m so proud to join her on the journey.”

“Brian has become the other half of my brain,” says Eden. “In the short time we’ve been working together, we’ve really found our groove. He’s the put-together to my creative chaos. He’s not afraid to put in the real work, and I feel very confident having him as my co-pilot as we navigate through this ever-changing musical landscape.”