New IRS Rule Affects Concert Ticket Resellers

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

A new ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will now require ticketing companies to report if customers sold more than $600 in resale tickets in 2023. Previously, ticketing sites had to send a 1099-K form to sellers who made over $20,000 through 200 or more transactions.

The threshold was lowered to $600 by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and made the change effective with the 2023 tax year. The Act did not make any changes to what is considered income nor how the tax is calculated.

This ruling includes proceeds from payment apps, online marketplaces, and third party settlement companies.

This law that comes on the heels of the American Rescue Plan Act, states that sellers pay taxes on the profits they made over the year, and follows popular tours such as Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” Beyonce’s “Renaissance Tour” and Zach Bryan‘s “The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour,” all of which had resale tickets listed for thousands of dollars on third-party resale sites.

Neil Medley Shares His Stories On Debut Project, ‘South End Kid’

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Singer-songwriter Neil Medley has released his debut album, South End Kid.

The album features 12 tracks, 11 co-written by Medley and songwriters including the late Keith Gattis as well as Tony Lane, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson, Jessie Jo Dillon and others. Medley also included an organic take on the Bruce Springsteen classic, “Dancing In The Dark” on the project, which is his first as an artist after spending the last decade penning songs for acts such as Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Cody Johnson, Josh Abbott Band, Cody Johnson and Brent Cobb.

Medley grew up in Louisville and gravitated towards storytellers like John Prine, Guy Clark and Bob McDill. He began writing songs as a teenager, and after graduating from the University of Kentucky, packed his bags and moved to Nashville to pursue a career a as songwriter. In 2021, Medley landed his first career No.1 with Jake Owen’s “Made For You,” which he co-wrote with Benjy Davis and Joey Hyde.

“For the past 12 years, I have made a living writing songs for other artists,” he shares. “I’ve sat in writing rooms tailoring stories and melodies to fit someone else’s voice and brand, while always keeping one eye on current trends and the other on the past. South End Kid is a project void of all such compromises. It’s a wide-open highway of personal stories, told in my voice exactly how I wanted to tell them. South End Kid is an album that I would want to go out and buy.” 

South End Kid Track Listing:
1. “Two Bar Town” – (Neil Medley, Randy Montana, Dave Kennedy)
2. “Us That I Miss” (feat. Ryan Beaver) – (Neil Medley, Aaron Eshuis, Ryan Beaver, Brinley Addington)
3. “South End Kid” – (Neil Medley, Caroline Watkins)
4. “Hello, Goodbye” – (Neil Medley, Tony Lane, John Pierce)
5. “Just A Simple Man” – (Neil Medley, Steve Moakler, Andrew DeRoberts)
6. “Maliblue” – (Neil Medley, Jessie Jo Dillon, Aaron Eshuis)
7. “Hangovers & Broken Hearts” – (Neil Medley, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson)
8. “It’s Been Real” (feat. Jessie Jo Dillon) – (Neil Medley, Jessie Jo Dillon, Aaron Eshuis)
9. “Dancing In The Dark” – (Bruce Springsteen)
10. “Tucson” – (Neil Medley, Joey Hyde)
11. “Closer All The Time (feat. Keith Gattis)” – (Neil Medley, Keith Gattis) 
12. “Like Him These Days” – (Neil Medley, Neal Carpenter)

Worldwide Stages Announces Investment Opportunity In Its Production Campus

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Rendering of Worldwide Stages Expansion.

Worldwide Stages, the 320,000 square foot entertainment production campus in Spring Hill, has launched its Regulation A stock offering to raise $75 million to build new soundstages and facilities to support the growing demand for music, TV, film and virtual production in the Nashville area.

The Worldwide Stages campus features four soundstages ranging from 3,000 to 21,000 square feet, thousands of square feet of green rooms and production suites, a private 70-seat theater, lobbies and atriums for industry events, on-site food and beverage service, on-site industry vendors and over 1,000 parking spaces on 38 acres.

The company plans to use the proceeds from the Reg A offering to construct additional soundstages and amenities, as well as to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and technology to enhance its services.

“We are excited to share this opportunity with our community and invite them to join us in our vision of transforming the entertainment production landscape in Nashville and beyond,” says Kelly Frey, CEO of Worldwide Stages. “We believe that our campus provides an unparalleled value proposition for our clients, who can enjoy the convenience, comfort, security, and quality of our facilities without compromising on their creative vision.”

Regulation A, or Reg A, is a type of exemption from registration with the SEC that applies to public offerings of securities. Worldwide Stages has chosen to proceed under Tier 2 of Reg A, which allows the company to offer its securities to both accredited and non-accredited investors around the world. The company’s offering circular can be accessed on the SEC’s website. Individuals interested in investing in Worldwide Stages can visit the company’s investor portal.

Worldwide Stages was founded in 2019 by entertainment industry veterans and since its inception, the company has hosted numerous feature film and TV production companies and music artists on its campus. The new Amazon Studios/Nicole Kidman feature film Holland, Michigan was recently shot at Worldwide Stages.

In Pictures: Coastal Country Jam Closes Summer With Star-Studded Lineup

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Coastal Country Jam 2023

Coastal Country Jam, the beachside music festival, returned to Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California Sept. 16-17 to close out summer with a bang.

Tim McGraw performing at Coastal Country Jam 2023

This year’s event featured headliners Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton, who surprised fans on night one by bringing his wife, award-winning artist Gwen Stefani, on stage to perform No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.”

The star-studded roster also consisted of Brooks & Dunn, Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Tyler Hubbard, Scotty McCreery, MacKenzie Porter, Jameson Rodgers and more.

The fan-favorite tunes performed included Shelton’s “God’s Country,” “God Gave Me You” and “I’ll Name The Dogs”; Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels,” “Stars Like Confetti” and “Small Town Boy” plus covers of Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time,” Vanessa Carlton’s “Thousand Miles” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”; and Brooks & Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Neon Moon.”

Additionally, attendees enjoyed an array of other activities, such as mechanical bull riding, cornhole matches and Honky-Tonk dance classes.

Blake Shelton performing at Coastal Country Jam 2023

Maren Morris performing at Coastal Country Jam 2023

Brooks & Dunn performing at Coastal Country Jam 2023

MacKenzie Porter performing at Coastal Country Jam 2023

Fifth Annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Raises $400K For U.S. Military Vets

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Pictured (L-R): Lee Greenwood, Major General (Ret.) Max Haston and David Corlew
Photo: Courtesy of Erick Anderson/Eafoto

The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP) raised over $400,000 for U.S. military veterans at the fifth annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards held at the City Winery in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

This year’s Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards were presented to country star Lee Greenwood, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Operation Song staffers Bob Regan, John Taylor and Don Goodman. Additionally, the nonprofit’s first-ever Giving Heart Award was presented to Nashville businessman Donnie Mingus. The evening featured live performances by previous Patriot Award recipients Chris Young and Darryl Worley as well as the War Hippies (combat warriors Scooter Brown and Donnie Reis).

Some of the funds that were raised came via a live auction, which included a piece of original artwork painted by the late Daniels. The painting went for $50,000.

“Sold out and what a night,” says David Corlew, Daniels’ Manager and TCDJHP Co-Founder. “We are overwhelmed by the support that we received from all of our guests who attended this year. We raised over $400,000 and couldn’t be any happier. Chris Young, Darryl Worley and the War Hippies were as outstanding as ever, and our attendees couldn’t have been more generous.”

Pictured (L-R): John Taylor, Bob Regan, Don Goodman and David Corlew.
Photo: Courtesy of Erick Anderson/Eafoto

Greenwood was honored for his decades of giving back to the U.S. military. Over the years, he’s made numerous trips overseas to entertain the troops and dedicated much of his time giving back through pro-military initiatives, including the Adopt A Vet campaign. After receiving his award, Greenwood treated the audience to an a cappella performance of his biggest hit, “God Bless The USA.”

Hunt Brothers Pizza received the Patriot Award for its unwavering support to our men and women in uniform. Over the years, the company has donated thousands to TCDJHP.

Regan, Taylor and Goodman were honored for their efforts to help heal through song. Operation Song empowers veterans, active-duty military members and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. The trio originally introduced Daniels and Corlew to the nonprofit’s work, which ultimately led to saving the life of a personal friend of the Country Music Hall of Famer.

Special guest speakers included former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik and decorated military veterans Major General (Ret.) Max Haston, Green Beret Master Sergeant (Ret.) Joel Pruitt (a previous Patriot Award recipient), Special Forces Master Sergeant (Ret.) Steven Nisbet and Sergeant Major (Ret.) Jesse R. Horsley.

Storme Warren of The Big 615 Radio co-hosted the event with Young. This year’s dinner was sponsored by Lipman Brothers, Team Construction, Fiserv and SuperTalk 99.7.

Chris Young performing at the fifth annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards. Photo: Courtesy of Erick Anderson/Eafoto

The criteria for the Patriot Award is based on the mission of the organization, which is to support veterans in their return, rehabilitation and reintegration back into civilian life. The award honors a person, persons, or group that fulfills and exemplifies the efforts and dedication of TCDJHP’s purpose to continuously care, support and encourage the people and families who have served our great nation. Previous recipients include Young, Worley, Mike Huckabee, Mark “Oz” Geist, Jude Seale, William Horton, Donnie Mingus, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)’s Daniels Center, the Shepherd Center and more.

Since its inception, TCDJHP has raised over $2.5 million for veterans.

Morgan Wallen Adds Multiple Nights In Several Markets For 2024 Tour

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Morgan Wallen has added back-to-back nights to his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” due to an overwhelming demand, including two additional shows in May at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

Wallen’s coast-to-coast run will include additional stops in Tampa, Kansas City, Las Vegas and more. A rotating lineup of guests including Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Nate Smith, Bryan Martin, Lauren Watkins and Ella Langley will join for support. A special Texas guest will appear during Arlington show on July 26, while direct support for the new Nashville stops will be announced soon.

Tickets  will be using advance registration to ensure more get into the hands of fans directly by helping to filter out bots. Fans can register now this Sunday (Oct. 1 )at 11:59 p.m. PT. Once registration closes, fans will be randomly selected to receive a day and time of the presale along with a code that grants them access. Fans who previously registered for the presale now have the option to update their show preference to one of the newly announced dates. For more information, click here.

Brittney Spencer Slates Debut Album ‘My Stupid Life’ For January

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Brittney Spencer is set to release her debut album, My Stupid Life, on Jan. 19 via Elektra. She is sharing the first track from the project, “Bigger Than The Song,” today (Sept. 29).

Written by Spencer, Jennifer Wayne and Tofer Brown, “Bigger Than The Song” is Spencer’s tribute to artists who curated the soundtrack to her life – Reba McEntire, Aretha Franklin, Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson, Dolly Parton, Beyonce, Britney Spears and more. It was penned as a celebration of the simple joys of good music, and the impact a great song can have on someone’s life. CMT and BET will air the song’s video, which is also out today, on the Viacom Times Square Billboard.

My Stupid Life’s 13 tracks are a culmination of Spencer’s experience during her time trying to “make it” in Music City, discovering herself in the process. The Baltimore native moved to Nashville ten years ago, and this album is her commitment to be unapologetically herself.

“This feels like a long time coming,” says Spencer. “It took me three years from the time I released my first EP Compassion to now to release my first album. These songs serve as my introduction to country music and I wanted to give them all the time and care that they (and my fans) deserve. I wrote a lot of songs from the back corners of my mind because I wanted to take a good, deeper look at myself and create something true to who and where I am at this time in my life. The more I put the pen to my feelings and thoughts, the more I realize I’ve heard similar sentiments throughout my life. Through making this album, I’ve learned we’re not alone in our heads, and I hope this album hugs the tiny, loud parts of our overthinking brains that sometimes need it most.”

The project features award-winning collaborators including Grace Potter, Maren Morris, Abbey Cone and Sarah Buxton, plus guitar contributions by Jason Isbell.

Next month, Spencer will make her Austin City Limits television debut as well as her debut at ACL Fest.

My Stupid Life Track Listing:
1. “New To This Town” (Brittney Spencer)
2. “I Got Time” (Spencer, Jessica Cayne, Nate Campany, Emily Reid)
3. “Night In (Phone Call)”
4. “Night In” (Spencer, Cayne, Summer Overstreet)
5. “Bigger Than The Song” (Spencer, Jennifer Anne Wayne, Tofer Brown)
6. “My First Rodeo” (Spencer, Cayne, Sean Douglas, Zach Skelton)
7. “The Last Time” (Spencer, Sean McConnell, Sarah Buxton)
8. “Deeper” (Spencer, Tayla Parx, Gustav Landell)
9. “First Car Feeling” (Spencer, Cayne, Kat Higgins)
10. “Desperate” (Spencer, Emily Falvey, Mikey Reeves)
11. “If You Say So” (Spencer)
12. “My Stupid Life” (Spencer, James Brock Human, McConnell)
13. “Reaching Out” (Spencer, Joe Kirkland)

Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle Among Winners At 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards

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Billy Strings took home the title of Entertainer of the Year for the third time in a row at the 34th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards last night (Sept. 28) at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Other big winners at the show, hosted by Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle, included The Travelin’ McCourys, who were named Instrumental Group of the Year, Authentic Unlimited, who won Vocal Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year, and Tuttle herself, who received Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year honors for Crooked Tree.

Previously announced Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame honorees Sam Bush, Wilma Lee Cooper, and David Grisman were also honored during the show, which aired on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction channel and was livestreamed on IBMA’s Facebook Live.

2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Billy Strings
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Authentic Unlimited
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Travelin’ McCourys
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Crooked Tree” – Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
Written by Molly Tuttle/ Melody Walker
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Crooked Tree – Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “The Scarlet Red Lines” – Larry Sparks
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Kissimmee Kid” – Jason Carter
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Authentic Unlimited
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Alberta Bound” – Special Consensus with Patrick Sauber, Ray Legere, John Reischman, Trisha Gagnon, Claire Lynch, Pharis & Jason Romero
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Molly Tuttle
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Greg Blake
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kristin Scott Benson
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Vickie Vaughn
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justin Moses
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jason Carter
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Trey Hensley
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sierra Hull

DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’

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Jimmy Buffett. Photo: Julie Skarratt

It’s wall-to-wall country stars in this edition of DISClaimer.

For your listening pleasure, we present Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Lady A, Charlie Worsham and Kip Moore, Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina and Cody Johnson. And the biggest star of them all gets the Disc of the Day award. It’s Jimmy Buffett singing the most touching and uplifting song of his career. Released posthumously, it demonstrates that this troubadour was making powerful music right up until the end of his life.  

Our DISCovery Award goes to Matt Schuster, whose sound is the one of the most innovative I’ve heard these days. 

LARRY FLEET / “Earned It”
Writers: Larry Fleet/Connie Rae Harrington; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The title tune of Fleet’s album is a toe-tapping blue-collar anthem about being proud to be a member of the working class. Fiddles saw, guitars twang and his voice drawls with honesty. I love it that this guy is so by-gawd country. Make him the star he deserves to be. 

LADY A / “Love You Back”
Writers: James McNair/Lindsay Rhimes/Emily Weisband; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG Records
– It’s kind of a snooze until the three kick in with those amazing three-part harmonies. Then it’s katy-bar-the-door. A sterling, stirring audio ride. 

MASON RAMSEY / “Next Right Thing”
Writers: Mason Ramsey/Kendall Goodman/Brandon Day; Producer: Brandon Day; Label: Atlantic Records
– This 16-year-old country phenom wails with fire on this country rocker. The sound is wonderfully relentless, and he bends notes in all the right places. 

KANE BROWN / “I Can Feel It”
Writers: Kane Brown/Phil Collins/Gabe Foust/Jaxson Free; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA Nashville 
– I love his baritone vocal dips in the verses, and he definitely communicates lust in the soaring choruses. This one’s an upbeat banger that is going places. 

CHARLIE WORSHAM & KIP MOORE / “Kiss Like You Dance”
Writers: Jon Nite/Andrew DeRoberts/Andy Albert; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Talk about a good time. This joyous, flirtatious bopper rumbles with an outlaw beat, and both men sound like they are having big, big fun. Turn it up and stomp along. 

JIMMY BUFFETT / “Bubbles Up”
Writers: Jimmy Buffett/Will Kimbrough; Producers: Michael Utley/Mac McAnally; Label: Sun Records
– Warmly philosophical and contemplative. Acoustic guitar strumming and a subtle bass heartbeat underlie Buffett’s relaxed, friendly delivery. Co-written with Nashville guitar treasure Will Kimbrough (a longtime Coral Reefer), the ballad reflects on your life’s journey and encourages optimism and hope. What a eulogy. What a gift.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Thicc As Thieves”
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Rocky Block/Jacob Durrett/Parker Welling/Luke Bryan/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Snappy and sassy. This sprightly rocker has cute lyrics as well as beats to spare and a catchy, layered-vocals production. 

CODY JOHNSON / “Work Boots”
Writers: Jason Afable/Brett Beavers/Canaan Smith; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville
– The superb “The Painter” remains the single, but here’s another preview of CoJo’s Leather album, due Nov. 3. It’s a jaunty ditty that urges, “feet don’t fail me now.” Get up off your barstool and make your work boots dance with her. Crispy twanging and slurred slide notes abound.

KIMBERLY PERRY / “Fools Gold”
Writers: Kimberly Perry/Nicolle Galyon/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Records Nashville/Columbia
– Our story so far: She had country hits with her two brothers in a trio act, then decided she was going to be a pop star. That didn’t work out, so now she wants back into country music, this time as a solo. With its processed vocals and dance club beats, this doesn’t sound all that “country” to me. 

DAN + SHAY / “Then Again”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Andy Albert/Jordan Reynolds/Lori McKenna; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– A heavenly listening experience—lilting, sweet, romantic, wafting and gentle. They harmonize beautifully as the reflective lyric unspools. A complete audio pleasure. The song also inspired a music video, one of eight (!) the duo has made to promote songs on their new Bigger Houses album. 

DARIUS RUCKER / “Southern Comfort”
Writers: Chris LaCorte/Matt Rogers/Josh Osborne; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Uptempo and breezy, it’s an ode to the South with Allman-esque guitars and Dixie name-dropping galore. Rucker sings at the top of his range, and is extra-effective doing so. He should do it more often.

SAWYER BROWN / “Under This Old Hat”
Writer: none listed; Producer: Blake Shelton; Label: SB
– This veteran country band stars in Get Me to the Stage on Time, a documentary film that premieres this week. Produced by Blake Shelton, their comeback album features this zippy, rapid-fire-vocal rocker about living on the road. Sounding as good as ever, fellas. 

MATT SCHUSTER / “Tell Me Tennessee”
Writers: Matt Schuster/Josh Dorr/Andy Albert/Lalo Guzman; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– I dig this guy’s refreshing sound. His plaintive, heartfelt tenor is backed by a jingle-jangle, pop-ish track with irresistible rhythm. The hooky bopper’s lyric calls out to a missing lover to join him in the Volunteer State. I’m definitely intrigued. Send more. 

Industry Ink: Wasserman Music, Merle Travis, Equal Access, More

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Wasserman Music Celebrates AmericanaFest

Wasserman Music staff. Photo: Jeremy Harris

Wasserman Music hosted staff, friends and clients at their second annual AmericanaFest party last week.

Wasserman Music artists showed out during the week-long festival, which included the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday evening (Sept. 27). The event featured performances by Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Margo Price, The Milk Carton Kids, Nickel Creek and Noah Kahan, and Wasserman Music walked away with four award wins: Russell for Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music Award, Billy Strings for Artist of the Year, Nickel Creek for Trailblazer Award and Tyler Childers for Album of the Year (Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?).

CMHOF Honors Merle Travis With Special Conversation & Performance

Pictured (L-R): Eddie Pennington, Cindy Travis, Tommy Emmanuel, Merlene Travis-Maggini, Dave Paulson and Deke Dickerson. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Merle Travis with a special conversation and performance this past weekend.

Presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association and hosted by the museum’s Writer-Editor Dave Paulson, the event explored the musician’s life, work and legacy with Deke Dickerson, co-author of the 2022 book Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story, master guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Eddie Pennington as well as Travis’s daughters Cindy Travis and Merlene Travis-Maggini.

Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story paints a vivid portrait of the guitar innovator and hit songwriter. Using a trove of unearthed autobiographical writings left by Travis, Dickerson traces his journey from Kentucky coal country to his high standing among country music’s most influential guitarists.

In addition to being an author, Dickerson is a guitarist and historian who has released over twenty albums, both on his own and with projects such as Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics.

Emmanuel is one of the world’s premier acoustic guitarists and one of only five people to be named a “Certified Guitar Player (CGP)” by his musical hero Chet Atkins, and often plays Travis’ work in concert. Pennington is a lifelong disciple of “Travis Picking” and other thumbpicking styles and has called Travis his greatest hero.

Cindy, Travis’ youngest daughter, was a production assistant for a PBS series and is now an interior decorator living on the east coast. Merlene, Travis’ middle daughter, recently retired from Sony Pictures Entertainment after a 39-year career in music publishing and currently resides in California. Both daughters maintain their dedication to keeping their father’s legacy alive.

Equal Access Program Takes The Stage At City Winery Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Angie K, Adam Mac, Denitia, Chely Wright, Valerie Ponzio, Nick Tabron, Camille Parker, Fancy Hagood, Sam Williams and Dalton Dover. Photo: Collette Badora

The Equal Access Development Program, the artist and management training initiative helmed by CMT and management services company Mtheory, held a showcase featuring program participants and special guests on Tuesday night (Sept. 26) at City Winery Nashville.

Equal Access offers funding and training, and provides the rising artists and management professionals with access to industry leaders, helping to ensure a multi-faceted pipeline of diverse, creative talent in country music.

Hosted by Chely Wright, the evening featured performances by Angie K, Camille Parker, Dalton Dover, Denitia, Fancy Hagood, Nick Tabron, Sam Williams, Adam Mac and Valerie Ponzio.

Riley Clemmons Scores First RIAA Certification

Riley Clemmons with Capitol Christian Music Group team members

Capitol Christian Music Group recently presented artist Riley Clemmons with her first RIAA plaque, recognizing the Gold certification of her single, “Fighting For Me” alongside co-writers Jordan Sapp, who also produced the tune, and Ethan Hulse at an intimate release party for her new album, Church Pew.

“Fighting For Me” was released as the lead single for her sophomore album, Godsend, and quickly became her top performing song with over 160 million worldwide streams.

“Truly, I’m just so excited and completely overwhelmed with gratitude,” shares Clemmons. “‘Fighting For Me’ was written from such a deeply personal place, so watching it resonate with so many people has been surreal. My entire team surprised me with the Gold Record plaque, and I cried like a baby. It was such a special moment. I’m so grateful for every single person on the team that worked to make this milestone possible.”

Alexandra Kay Previews Her Debut Album With TuneCore

Pictured (L-R): Hayley Roets, John Graffo, Kaitlyn O’Donnell, Alexandra Kay, Maria Ho-Burge and Kevin Cornell.

Alexandra Kay provided a sneak peak of her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, on Monday night (Sept. 25) with TuneCore.

Kay co-wrote all of the songs on the 11-track collection, set for release on Oct. 26.