Dusty Miller Joins FirstBank As Sr. VP, Senior Relationship Manager

/by

Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller has joined FirstBank’s Nashville team as Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, bringing with him over 25 years of financial services experience.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dusty to the team and tap into his expertise in the entertainment industry to better serve the unique needs of these clients across Middle Tennessee and beyond,” says Brad Peterson, SVP who oversees FirstBank’s Music and Entertainment Group. “In a city like Nashville, where music, entertainment and sports are at the heart of our culture, having someone who understands that world is essential.”

Miller joins FirstBank after a 13-year tenure as a wealth advisor with SunTrust Bank, and over the past year, he most recently served as President of his own wealth management firm, Miller Wealth Sports & Entertainment. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in business marketing and obtained his Certificate in Accountancy from Lipscomb University. Miller also holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses, along with a Tennessee Life & Health Insurance license.

“FirstBank’s sustained growth, both in assets and footprint, combined with its unwavering commitment to a local, personalized approach to banking is what attracted me to this role, and I’m committed to carrying that mission forward,” says Miller. “With a deep understanding of the financial goals and needs of entertainment and sports professionals, I’m here to be a strategic partner who can help them build wealth and further their legacy.”

ACM Awards Reveals Additional Performers

/by

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has unveiled the latest round of performers for its 60th annual ACM Awards, taking place May 8 in Frisco, Texas.

The new round of performers includes Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Clint Black, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Wynonna Judd. They join previously announced performers Blake Shelton, Eric Church and Lainey Wilson.

Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 60th annual ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on May 8 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT.

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor is Executive Producer and Showrunner, with Patrick Menton as Co-Executive Producer. Damon Whiteside serves as Executive Producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as Executive Producers for DCP. John Saade will also serve as Consulting Producer for Amazon MGM Studios.

Mark Chesnutt Assembles New Team Members

/by

Mark Chesnutt. Photo: David “Doc” Abbott

Mark Chesnutt has signed with Conway Entertainment Group / Ontourage Management for management. He has also signed with Absolute Publicity for PR representation.

Nineties hitmaker Chesnutt earned 14 No. 1s and 23 top 10s with songs like “Bubba Shot the Jukebox,” “Too Cold at Home,” “Brother Jukebox” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and sold more than 12 million albums. He was a CMA Horizon Award Winner, and also won CMA Vocal Event of the Year in 1993 for his participation on the legendary George Jones’ “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.” Billboard named him one of the most-played country artists of the decade.

“I was Mark’s first agent at Buddy Lee up until the time I left after 33 years,” says Conway Entertainment Group Ontourage Management President Tony Conway. “He’s one of the true great male vocalists of country music. After all he’s been through, we wanted to help him get back on the road and in the studio. We’re thrilled to be working with him on his new adventure in life.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the great Mark Chesnutt,” adds Don Murry Grubbs, president of Absolute Publicity. “The next chapter of his career will be a big one, and we can’t wait to help tell his story. It’s truly an honor to welcome him to our roster.”

Chesnutt is represented by the Nashville division of WME (responsible agent Risha Rodgers) for booking.

Ethan Escue Signs Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music & Ignition Nashville

/by

Pictured (L-R): BJ Hill (WCM), Chase Matthew, Ethan Escue, Lloyd Potts (Ignition) and Christie Walls (Ignition). Photo: Courtesy of Ignition Nashville

Singer-songwriter Ethan Escue has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Ignition Nashville.

A native of White House, Tennessee, Escue’s musical talent first caught the attention of artists like Hayden Coffman and Austin Williams while he was working at a car dealership. His songwriting quickly gained recognition, and he landed cuts including Williams’ latest single, “Between Us” and Coffman’s “Better Off.” Escue recently made the leap to pursue songwriting full time, and with over 100 million streams as a songwriter, has been steadily building his name on Music Row, collaborating with Chase Matthew and Brandt Carmichael, among others. He penned five tracks on Coffman’s Love And A Heartbreak album, including “Only Smoke When I Drink,” “Another Girl, Another Bar” and “Woke Up Drunk (Again).”

“Ethan paints stories in a way that’s both familiar and memorable,” says BJ Hill, SVP, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He’s an incredible songwriter—and even more so, an excellent human being. We’re excited to support his growth alongside our amazing partners at Ignition Nashville.”

“It’s always a pleasure to work with someone as dedicated and talented as Ethan Escue,” says Christie Walls, Head of Publishing, Ignition Nashville. “Not only is he a phenomenal songwriter, but he’s also an incredible person outside the room. Ethan has a remarkable gift for top-lining and crafting unforgettable melodies and hooks that truly resonate. His work ethic, attitude, and creativity set him apart in every way.”

“Growing up just 25 minutes from Nashville, I always dreamed of writing songs on Music Row,” says Escue. “It was an even bigger dream of mine to be a part of such a staple in the scene like Warner Chappell. I’ve admired so many writers over the years from there and have always wanted to be a part of that creativity. I also couldn’t ask for a better group to partner with than the team at Ignition. They are some of the hardest-working people in Nashville and I know with them they are going to make even bigger waves in Nashville than they already have. Between Snap, Ken, Chase, Christie, BJ, Julie, and everyone else behind me, I know I’ve got champions in my corner to help me grow and succeed as a songwriter. I want to thank everyone at both Ignition and WCM for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get to work. It’s just now getting started.”

Milk & Honey Launches Publishing Arm, Signs Gabriella Scotto [Exclusive]

/by

Gabriella Scotto. Photo: Lily Nelson

Milk & Honey Music + Sports has officially launched a new Nashville-based publishing division, with rising songwriter Gabriella Scotto as its first signing. The publishing venture, administered by Kobalt, marks the company’s first standalone entry into the publishing space after years of partnerships tied to its clients.

The new venture has been in the works for over a year, with the team taking time to find the right songwriter who could move seamlessly between Nashville and Los Angeles and understand the creative culture of both markets. Milk & Honey’s Nashville head Jeff Skaggs met Scotto years ago while she interned for him at Creative Nation, and brought her into the fold when the search began.

“When we set out down the publishing road it was important to find a writer who was someone we believed in from a creative perspective but also someone who could forge real relationships in the industry,” shares Milk & Honey’s GM & Partner Nic Warner. “Gabriella filled those roles perfectly and we’re all excited to continue to build upon what she started on her own!”

“We’ve been patiently waiting to find the right songwriter to get Milk & Honey Publishing off the ground with, and Gabriella is without a doubt that writer,” adds Skaggs. “Her talent is matched only by her drive, and we’re excited to work with her and watch her have hits across multiple genres.”

Scotto, a New York native, has spent the majority of her writing career in Nashville, building her skills as both a conceptual and lyric-driven songwriter. Her background in pop has opened the door to cross-genre opportunities, especially in the dance and LA pop scenes, where she’s developed a growing network of collaborators.

Her recent collaborators include Dylan Conrique, Anna Hamilton, Kyndal Inskeep, Bizzy, Georgia Webster, Sydney Cubit, Lauren Weintraub, Sam Backoff, KTLN, Zoe Clark, Sam Derosa, Hank Compton and more. Now spending time in the LA songwriter scene, she’s been working closely with Hoskins, Joe Reeves, Y2K, Mags Duvall, Sophie Cates, Jordan Riley, Lil Aaron, Seb Kole, Lauren LaRue and Nolan Lambroza, among others. She’s recently had cuts with BIZZY, Zoe Clark and Gary Robinson.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be the first signing on Milk & Honey Publishing,” says Scotto. “The relationship built with this team over the past year has made me so confident in this partnership, and truly excited for what the future holds. I’m humbled by the opportunity to be surrounded by some of the most talented and driven songwriters in the industry. I’m looking forward to the success in the years to come, and doing it with a team who will be in my corner every step of the way. With Jeff, Nic and Lucas [Keller, Founder and President of Milk & Honey Music + Sports] by my side, the sky is the limit!?”

Mary Chapin Carpenter To Share Her Story On New Album ‘Personal History,’ Due In June

/by

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album Personal History is slated for release on June 6.

The eleven track collection, produced by Josh Kaufman and recorded live at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath, England, is more autobiographical for the singer than any project she’s released before.

“A novel that I’ve loved for years is My Name is Lucy Barton, written by Elizabeth Strout,” says Carpenter. “There’s this moment where the main character is taking a creative writing course, and her teacher says to her, ‘You will only have one story. You will write your one story in many ways.’ I remember reading that line and taking an audible breath. In that moment, I said out loud to no one, ‘Oh, that’s what the songs are.’”

On the heels of the album’s release, Carpenter will join forces with fellow Grammy-winning artist and songwriter Brandy Clark for a special tour this summer and fall. In addition to her work as a musician, last fall Carpenter unveiled her new podcast, Hope is a Muscle, which finds her in conversation with people from all walks of life including Joan Baez, Adriene Mishler, John Darnielle and U.S. CongressmanJamie Raskin. During its run, the podcast was in the top five music podcasts on both Apple and Spotify Platforms.

Personal History Track List:
1. “What Did You Miss”
2. “Paint + Turpentine”
3. “New Religion”
4. “Girl And Her Dog”
5. “The Saving Things”
6. “Hello My Name Is”
7. “Bitter Ender”
8. “The Night We Never Met”
9. “Home Is A Song” (feat. Anäis Mitchell)
10. “Say It Anyway”
11. “Coda”

Lineup Of Events Announced For The 60th ACM Awards Week

/by

The Academy of Country Music has revealed a full schedule of events set for ACM Awards Week in Frisco, Texas, leading up to the 60th ACM Awards on Thursday, May 8 at Ford Center at The Star. From fan-facing concerts and charity fundraisers to industry gatherings, the week will spotlight a wide range of talent and honor the Academy’s six-decade legacy.

ACM Country Kickoff at The Star

Returning for its third year, the free, two-day ACM Country Kickoff will take over Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star beginning Tuesday, May 6. Performances on the outdoor Carhartt Stage will feature ACM nominees Kassi Ashton, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Restless Road and Tucker Wetmore, alongside Josh Abbott Band, Maggie Antone, Drew Baldridge, William Beckmann, George Birge and The Wilder Blue. The event will be hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson of Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly and streamed live on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch from 8–10 p.m. CT. Tickets for Tuesday are available here and Wednesday are available here.

ACM Edition of Whiskey Jam at Sidecar Social

On Tuesday, May 6 at 4 p.m., Nashville’s fan-favorite Whiskey Jam makes its way to Frisco for a free, high-energy show at Sidecar Social in The Star District. Hosted by singer and comedian Danae Hays, the event will feature sets by Russell Dickerson, John Morgan and The Wilder Blue, with more artists to be announced.

Jelly Roll & Friends at Billy Bob’s Texas

That same night, ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee Jelly Roll will return to Billy Bob’s for Jelly Roll & Friends, a special benefit concert for ACM Lifting Lives. This marks the second year for the sold-out event, with surprise guests expected. Tickets go on sale Friday (April 25) and will be available here.

ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off

The annual Topgolf Tee-Off returns Wednesday, May 7 to Topgolf The Colony. The industry-only event includes an afternoon of golf and acoustic performances from rising artists, with proceeds supporting ACM Lifting Lives’ mental health initiatives. For more info or to purchase a bay, email liftinglives@acmcountry.com.

Opry NextStage Live from Texas

The Grand Ole Opry’s NextStage Live returns for its third year at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 at the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall in Plano. Hosted by Jelly Roll, the event will showcase performances from Riley Green and 2025 NextStage artists Avery Anna, Chayce Beckham, Dasha, Kaitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper, Tigirlily Gold and Tucker Wetmore. Tickets are available now here.

“Play Something Country” Gala Honoring Brooks & Dunn

On Wednesday evening, May 7, ACM and ACM Lifting Lives will host an exclusive gala at Omni PGA Frisco, celebrating the achievements of 25-time ACM Award winners Brooks & Dunn. The night will include a cocktail hour presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, a seated dinner, silent auction, and tribute performances by Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson. Bobby Bones will host the event, with Shawn Parr presenting the pre-show and live auction. Table packages begin at $15,000. For more information, email liftinglives@acmcountry.com.

ACM Awards Official After Party

Following the main event on May 8, the ACM Awards Official After Party at the Omni Frisco Hotel will feature performances from legendary artists spanning the Academy’s 60-year history. Presented by Amazon Music, the invite-only celebration will honor this year’s winners and milestones.

Curb Records Promotes Allyson Gelnett (Massey)

/by

Allyson Gelnett (Massey).

Curb Records has elevated Allyson Gelnett (Massey) to National Director of Promotion & Strategic Initiatives.

In her new role, Gelnett will work with Senior Vice President, Promotion, RJ Meacham to oversee the creation and execution of promotional strategies to expand fan growth and drive airplay and exposure in pivotal country markets. Gelnett will help with the alignment of promotion, marketing and branding efforts for the Curb Records roster.

“Allyson’s passion for our artists and their music has been clear from day one,” says Meacham. “She builds genuine partnerships with radio and streaming and brings an unmatched drive to deliver results. Her hustle, adaptability, and sharp instincts in an ever-shifting landscape make her the perfect fit for this role.”

“I’m incredibly honored to step into this new role and continue championing the artists and music that make Curb so special, building on a strong foundation that drives long-term success for our team and our artists,” adds Gelnett. “I’m especially thankful to Mike Curb and RJ Meacham for their persistent trust and unwavering support.”

Gelnett first joined Curb Records in 2018 as Director, Regional Promotion on the country promotion team.

Second Annual ‘I’m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion’ To Take Place May 6

/by

 

The second annual “I’m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion” will take place on May 6 at the Hall Park Hotel in Frisco, Texas, as part of ACM Awards week. Mickey Guyton will serve as host for the evening.

The celebration is named after Pride, the late legendary country artist and baseball player. During his career, he fought through racial discrimination, eventually becoming recognized for his musical talents. He notched a total of three Grammy Awards, the ACM Pioneer Award in 1994 and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He was the first Black artist to earn a No. 1 country record and leaves a lasting impact through the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s Charley Pride Fellowship Program.

“We’re honored to support this celebration that uplifts trailblazers pushing the genre forward, while reaffirming our commitment to broadening the narrative and welcoming a wider range of voices into the spotlight,” shares Ryan Redington, GM of Amazon Music.

The ceremony will honor and recognize the achievements of more than ten honorees, including artists, executives and allies in country music who capture Pride’s victories and relentlessly serve as trailblazers and representatives of hope, advocacy and innovation in the music industry.

This year’s honorees include country singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer, singer, songwriter, producer and American Idol judge Lionel Richie, Guyton, singer, songwriter and record producer Shaboozey, Mexican-American singer-songwriter, artist, actor and activist Freddy Fender Estate, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and Grandmother of Juneteenth Opal Lee, President and CEO of F2 Entertainment Fletcher Foster, The Tennessean/USA Today country music reporter Marcus Dowling, Head of Country Music at Amazon Music Michelle Tigard Kammerer and CEO of mtheory Cameo Carlson.

Whiskey Myers To Release New Album In September

/by

Whiskey Myers is set to release their seventh studio album, Whomp Whack Thunder, on Sept. 26 via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records. Along with the announcement, the album’s lead single, “Time Bomb,” is available now.

The band, comprised of Cody Cannon (vocals, guitar), John Jeffers (guitar), Cody Tate (guitar), Jamey Gleaves (bass), Jeff Hogg (drums) and Tony Kent (percussion, piano), channels the spirit of classic rock through a modern southern lens. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album features 11 solo-written tracks from Cannon.

“We didn’t set out to chase a specific sound—we set out to make a Whiskey Myers record,” reflects Jeffers. “Jay pulled something out of us that’s raw and real, and every track’s got a piece of our story in it. This album’s about where we’ve been, what we’ve lived and the scars we earned along the way – and I think Whomp Whack Thunder might just be our most fearless album yet.”

Ahead of the fall release, fans can catch early previews of the new music on the “What We Were Born To Do Tour,” kicking off June 6 and hitting cities across the U.S. throughout the summer. Whiskey Myers also co-headlines 14 dates of the “Live in 25 Tour” with Tedeschi Trucks Band later this year in addition to headlining their own personally curated festivals; the seventh annual Wiggy Thump Festival on May 10 in their hometown of Palestine, Texas and the inaugural Moon Crush “Whiskey Moon” music vacation taking over Miramar Beach, Florida. Nov. 7-9.

The album is available for pre-order now.

Whomp Whack Thunder Track List:
1. “Time Bomb”*
2. “Tailspin”
3. “I Got To Move”
4. “Rowdy Days”
5.”Icarus”
6. “Midnight Woman”
7. “Break These Chains”
8. “Born To Do”
9. “Rock N Roll”
10. “Ramblin’ Jones”
11. “Monsters”

*All songs solely written by Cody Cannon.