Tim Montana’s Inaugural ‘American Thread’ Benefit Concert Set For October

Tim Montana. Photo: Chris Douglas

BBR Music Group recording artist Tim Montana will hold his inaugural “American Thread” benefit concert Oct. 2 at Nashville‘s City Winery.

Several surprise guest performers are also on tap for the event, which will benefit Special Ops Xcursions, a nonprofit that supports U.S. special operations forces and their families. Tickets for the American Threads benefit concert go on sale July 21 via citywinerynashville.com. Pre-sales begin today (July 19).

For the past three years, Montana has headed up the American Thread Sporting Clays Shoot in Nashville, with celebrities lending their time to help our nation’s military heroes. Previous attendees include Charlie Sheen, Colbie Caillat, Lee Brice, Steve Cropper and more. Montana will continue his tradition with the fourth annual Sporting Clays Shoot, set for Oct. 3 at the Nashville Gun Club. The yearly event has generated nearly one million dollars since its inception.

“The Tim Montana and Friends American Thread Shoot has helped us impact thousands of special operations family members,” explains Special Ops Xcursions Executive Director Scott Graves. “The funds and awareness raised provides the opportunity for healing to happen in the outdoors! Bottom line, our warriors still in the fight need us and we need them. The world is a better place by this remarkable combination of celebrities and our nations most elite soldiers.

“I’m honored to get to serve those that have served us,” says Montana. “Raising money through the American Thread Shoot has been one of the highlights of my life and career and has been life changing to our active duty soldiers, veterans and their families”

WMG & TikTok Announce Expanded First-Of-Its-Kind Partnership

Warner Music Group and TikTok have formed a wide-ranging, first-of-its-kind partnership to license the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.

The multi-year, multi-product deal will expand the level of partnership, collaboration and innovation between the two companies and help create new revenue, marketing and insights opportunities for WMG’s artists and songwriters, while deepening the engagement with TikTok’s huge audience of passionate music fans.

“We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok,” says Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG. “Through this expanded and significantly improved partnership for both companies, we can jointly deliver greater value to WMG’s artists and songwriters and TikTok’s users.”

Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, says, “We are very excited to partner with Warner Music Group to create a shared vision for the future in which artists, songwriters, music fans, and the industry can all benefit from the power of discovery on TikTok platforms.”

As part of the new deal, WMG and TikTok will find new ways to harness TikTok’s revenue generation and promotional capabilities, as well as a wealth of insights. In addition, artists and songwriters will have access to new ways of working with TikTok’s brand partners, as well as to new fandom development and monetization features, like merchandise, ticketing and digital goods and services, among other opportunities. The deal will also see the joint development of additional and alternative economic models.

The companies have also agreed to a licensing deal for TikTok Music, the premium subscription streaming service that recently launched in Indonesia and Brazil, with plans for further growth in other markets. The deal also paves the way for WMG artists and songwriters to leverage the unique promotional capabilities and engage with the growing community of users on TikTok’s sister video-editing app, CapCut.

Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll

Luke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Certified RIAA Platinum

Reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs received RIAA Platinum certification for his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy Award-winning “Fast Car.” In celebration of the milestone, a new live performance video for the song – filmed earlier this spring during Combs’ sold-out show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis – debuted yesterday (July 18).

“Fast Car” is from Combs’ acclaimed new album, Gettin’ Old, and continues his monumental success at radio as it is No. 5 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and Chapman, the sole writer on the track, sits at No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart.

The song is No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week – its third consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. This is Combs’16th consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. Garnering over 337 million global streams to date, “Fast Car” is also currently No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.

 

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Launches ‘It Takes Balls’ Campaign

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert

Three-time Grammy Award-winner Miranda Lambert has launched a new MuttNation campaign, “It Takes Balls,” to raise awareness for the importance of spay and neuter, and to offer grant applications to low-cost programs in Tennessee, focusing on rural areas.

“Spay and neuter is the best way to keep pets out of overcrowded shelters, to reduce pet homelessness and to make sure your cats and dogs live happy and healthy lives,” says Lambert. “Sometimes it literally takes balls to do the right thing. Please spay or neuter your pets!”

Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. While beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them wind up in overcrowded shelters, especially as thousands are euthanized across the country every year, often due to lack of space. MuttNation is inviting lo- cost spay and neuter programs in Tennessee to complete and submit a grant application to help address this ongoing issue.

“We especially encourage low-cost spay and neuter clinics in rural Tennessee that serve multiple counties to apply,” adds Lambert, “and we hope to expand the program beyond Tennessee soon.”

 

Jelly Roll Grants Community Service Hero’s Dying Wish

Suzanne Durham & Jelly Roll. Photo: Andrea Thompson.

On Monday (July 17), Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie visited a private concert and reception for Suzanne Durham, arranged by the James Bess Foundation.

Durham is a Nashville resident who was diagnosed with an inoperable and untreatable lung cancer and given less than five months to live. Having turned her own life around from drug and alcohol additions, she works as a house manager for a Nashville rehabilitation facility. She has transformed the lives of several individuals who also struggled with addiction, and wanted Jelly Roll to speak and sing for them.

Jelly Roll played a set including his hits “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner” with his guitarist Alex Mark Howard before having dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.

The James Bess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nashville that grants wishes to adults battling a terminal illness. Named for James Bess, a man whose dying wish to meet Garth Brooks went unfulfilled due to lack of resources, the foundation began granting wishes in August of 2017 and have fulfilled 33 wishes nationwide.

Christina Bosch Joins King Publicity

Christina Bosch. Photo: Trisha Kram

Christina Bosch has joined King Publicity as a publicist.

Bosch’s prior stops include time at Country Swag, where she served as an On-Air Personality/Host as well as Managing Editor, helping to grow the brand for country fans in New York City. She most recently served as Vice President at The Nash News, where she built up the brand and community of growing fans.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Christina to my team. Her media background adds an exciting dimension to our client endeavors, and I have no doubt that she brings a fresh perspective on how we can further enhance our services for our artists,” shares Avery King, President of King Publicity. “With Christina based in New York, we not only expand our outreach but also maintain our boutique and personalized approach, solidifying our commitment to delivering exceptional support to our clients.”

“I have known and respected Avery as a friend and colleague for almost a decade so when she came to me with this opportunity, I couldn’t say yes fast enough,” shares Bosch. “I am honored to be her first hire and to be trusted to learn from her and to help elevate her already successful approach to publicity in the country music space and beyond.”

Bosch can be reached at christina@kingpublicity.com effective immediately.

Jason Isbell, Devon Gilfillian To Perform At ‘Together In Action’ Benefit In August

Jason Isbell, Devon Gilfillian and more are set to perform at “Together In Action,” a concert benefiting gun violence prevention efforts in Tennessee, on Aug. 15 at City Winery Nashville.

Chris Housman, Julie Williams, Autumn Nicholas and The Kentucky Gentlemen will also perform at the benefit, which is presented by Country Any Way and eQuality events and will aid organizations working to raise awareness about gun violence in the Volunteer State.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 19. Moms Demand Action will be on site at the concert providing more information on how to get involved in the movement to end gun violence, and tickets can be purchased here.

“In my efforts to change the landscape of country music, I’m realizing that a huge part of that is taking a close look at where we live and being vocal about the changes we’d like to see,” says Holly G, creator of Country Any Way and event organizer. “Since becoming a resident in Tennessee, I’ve incorporated into my mission making sure that marginalized voices and the voices of people who want Tennessee to be an inclusive and safe space are heard. Music gives us such a beautiful platform for expression and creating community. I’m so excited that myself, eQuality events, and City Winery Nashville were able to pull together such an amazing group of artists to send a clear message that Tennesseans deserve a safe place to live.”

The Nashville community was shaken earlier this year when a shooter brutally took the lives of three adults and three children at The Covenant School. According to Everytown For Gun Safety, Tennessee has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the country, with 1,385 people killed by guns in an average year. A recent report suggests several key policies, including secure firearm storage laws and extreme risk laws as well as requiring background checks on all gun sales can help reduce gun violence in the U.S.

Kat & Alex To Go Their Separate Ways

Kat & Alex. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Kat & Alex, the husband-and-wife duo known for their country-latin fusion, announced via Instagram yesterday (July 17) that they are parting ways after four years together.

The pair—made up of Kat Luna and Alex Georgia—met after Luna witnessed Georgia singing at their church in Miami, leading them to collaborate. They appeared on American Idol in 2020 before returning home to focus on writing and recording original music as a duo.

That same year, Kat & Alex ventured to Music City, signed with The AMG for management, inked a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and released their debut single “How Many Times” and its accompanying Spanish version, earning nearly 20 million streams. They tied the knot, signed with Sony Music Nashville as well as WME, released several new tracks and made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2021.

In the Instagram post, the two share that they will now pursue individual music careers and “hold nothing but love for each other” as they begin to navigate their next chapters.

 

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Toby Keith To Receive The Country Icon Award At 2023 ‘People’s Choice Country Awards’

Toby Keith. Photo: Richard McLaren

Country music legend Toby Keith will receive the Country Icon Award at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards with a heartfelt presenter tribute by fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton. As a pioneer in country music and one of the most influential artists of all time, Keith will be recognized for his decades-long career as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur.

In addition to his many accomplishments and accolades, including the National Medal of Arts award in 2021, Keith is known for his charitable work with The Toby Keith Foundation, OK Kids Korral and his annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic – all in support of children battling critical illnesses.

As the 2014 Spirit of the USO Award recipient, the beloved artist has also demonstrated his dedication to the troops with 11 USO tours, spanning 18 countries and more than 280 events.

The People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Little Big Town, will air live from the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across NBC and Peacock.

“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever Country Icon Award,” says Cassandra Tryon, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Live Events, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “As a talented songwriter and powerhouse performer, Keith has touched the hearts of fans across the globe. His illustrious career and passion for philanthropy has cemented his place as an icon in country music history.”

10th Annual Faster Horses Festival Closes Successful Decade Of Shows

Billy Currington, Shania Twain at Faster Horses in Brooklyn, MI. Photo Courtesy of The GreenRoom PR / Faster Horses.

The 10th Annual Faster Horses Music and Camping Festival wrapped its three-day anniversary event July 14-16 in Brooklyn, MI with fans returning in droves to enjoy the star-studded lineup including headliners Luke Bryan, Shania Twain and Zac Brown Band. 

Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Chris Cagle, and more helped kick off the three-day festival on Friday. The evening commenced with a drone show lighting up the night sky to mark the festival’s tenth anniversary, and capped off with a lively performance from Bryan.

The summer fun continued on Saturday, beginning with the annual “Faster Humans” fun run around the Michigan International Speedway, where fans raced around the track before heading to catch the day’s stacked lineup. Packed with memorable sets across both stages, fans sang along to Dwight Yoakam, Mike., Warren Zeiders and more before Zac Brown Band closed out the night.

Sunday wrapped the weekend with performances by Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Billy Currington, Kameron Marlowe and Megan Moroney, followed by headliner Shania Twain who played fan-favorite hits, bringing Currington on stage for the first ever live performance of “Party for Two.” The tenth anniversary weekend closed with “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” as Twain danced under the stars in her original “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” music video outfit.

Over the weekend the crowds also gathered at the Next From Nashville Stage to catch performances from Ben Burgess, George Birge, Mackenzie Carpenter, John Morgan, Lauren Watkins and more.

Courtney Johanson Exits The GreenRoom PR, Joins Red Light Management

Courtney Johanson

Courtney Johanson has left her position at The GreenRoom PR after more than a decade with the company. She will now fulfill a management role for Kip Moore, Caylee Hammack and Tucker Beathard at Red Light Management.

As a Senior Publicist at The GreenRoom, Johanson was involved in press campaigns for clients including Moore, Beathard, Hammack, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Elvie Shane, Travis Denning, all of Live Nation’s Country Festivals and more.

She secured national television, print and online coverage and has had a hand in building critically-acclaimed album launches as well as gaining national press attention for Live Nation’s Country Festivals. Johanson has a BA in music industry management from Canterbury ChristChurch University in the United Kingdom.

“I’m saying a bittersweet goodbye to The GreenRoom PR. Having started at The GreenRoom as an intern for Mary Hilliard in 2012, I can honestly say there’s nowhere else I would have chosen to spend the last decade. I’m so thankful to Tyne [Parrish] and Kristie [Sloan] for not only being the best mentors and leaders, but also friends,” Johanson shares.

Congratulate Johanson at courtney.johanson@redlightmanagement.com.

Warner Chappell, The Core & Bailey Zimmerman Sign Brandon Wisham

Pictured (L-R): Bryce Sherlow (WCM), Tracy Martin (The Core), Bailey Zimmerman, Brandon Wisham, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Simon Tikhman (The Core), Chief Zaruk (The Core)

Singer-songwriter Brandon Wisham has signed a worldwide global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, The Core Entertainment and Bailey Zimmerman. 

A Savannah, Georgia native, Wisham spent his childhood in Williamston, South Carolina as the youngest of seven kids. Influenced by Luke Combs, Justin Bieber, Hardy and the Jonas Brothers, Wisham describes his sound as “country with an R&B kick.”

He recently started sharing his original songs on social media, and the posts caught the ear of rising country superstar Zimmerman. The pair quickly formed a friendship that led to Wisham moving to Nashville to begin his professional music journey. Upon arriving in Music City, he began collaborating with Zimmerman, who cut Wisham’s song “Pain Won’t Last” for his debut album Religiously. The Album.

“From the first listen of the songs that Brandon had written we knew he had a head-turning voice and we wanted to join his team,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “We’re extremely proud to be partnering with Bailey and the team at The Core as we welcome Brandon into the Warner Chappell family.”