The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled its newest online exhibit, “Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970,” which is available to access for free on the museum’s website.

The multimedia exhibit explores the story of Nashville’s vibrant and pioneering R&B scene and its important role in helping the city become a world-renowned music center. The online exhibit revisits, updates and preserves the museum’s award-winning “Night Train” physical exhibit, which was featured in its 5,000-square-foot temporary gallery space from March 2004 to December 2005.

Hatch Show Print poster announcing Earl Gaines and Jimmy Beck at the New Era Club, c. 1959. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

“Night Train to Nashville” explores Nashville’s R&B activity in the decades following World War II. As Nashville’s country music industry was just getting started, the city was also a hotbed for R&B in the late 1940s,’50s and ’60s, with celebrated performers including Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Charles, Arthur Alexander, Ruth Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Etta James and Little Richard, among others contributing to the city’s rich musical heritage. During this time, R&B reigned alongside country in the city’s clubs and studios, on radio and on nationally syndicated television.

The multimedia exhibit showcases historic photos, performance videos and audio recordings, as well as instruments, show posters, stage wear and other rare items featured in the original exhibit.

“The ‘Night Train to Nashville’ story provides important context about how R&B played a vital role in Nashville becoming ‘Music City,’” explains Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Similar to the original exhibit in 2004, the online version offers a multidimensional vantage point from which to consider the era’s race relations and the city’s Black musical culture, and how they affected the making of this incredible music and Nashville’s evolution. As the city developed into a major recording center, it did so against a background of urban change and at a time when racial barriers were tested and sometimes broken on bandstands, inside recording studios and on the airwaves.”

Michael Lau.

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)’s Executive Committee has unanimously elected Michael Lau as National Chair for 2023-2024. Lau, the owner of independent music publishing companies Imachew Music and Middle Foot Music, was also re-elected to a second two-year term as President of the AIMP New York Chapter.

As National Chair, Lau will work with the Executive Committee to lead the coordination of efforts between all four Chapters—Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York—to help ensure the organization stays true to its mission. He will provide guidance on the planning and execution of educational events and coordinate outreach to bolster the independent music publishing community.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as AIMP National Chair, and I would like to thank the Executive Committee for putting their trust in me,” shares Lau. “As the music industry continues to evolve, it is our duty to educate the independent music publishing community on how new trends, legislation and technology will affect them, as well as advocate for their interests. I look forward to carrying that mission forward in the massive footsteps of previous National Chairs John Ozier and Teri Nelson Carpenter.”

In addition to his work with the AIMP, Lau is a member of the Operations Committee of The MLC. He serves on the Advisory Boards of Jammber and MyPart Inc., is an Advisor and Mentor for the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program’s Entrepreneurship course, and is an Alumni Mentor at Berklee College of Music.

The AIMP Executive Committee, which consists of each regional Chapter’s President and Vice President, meets monthly to discuss national initiatives and coordinate regional activities. In addition to Lau, the 2023-2024 Committee consists of Atlanta Chapter President Tony D. Alexander (Made in Memphis Entertainment), Atlanta Chapter Vice President Crystal Morris (Digital Royalty Distribution), Los Angeles Chapter President Marc Caruso (Angry Mob Music), Los Angeles Chapter Vice President Frank Handy (Position Music), Nashville Chapter President Ree Guyer (Wrensong), Nashville Chapter Vice President Duff Berschback (Concord Music Publishing) and New York Chapter Vice President Debbie Rose (Sundae Songs, LLC).

Matt Malcolm. Photo: Stacie Huckeba

Matt Malcolm has joined Wasserman Music as a Fairs & Festivals agent focusing on country and Americana events.

Based in Nashville, Malcolm’s experience includes over 10 years with William Morris Endeavors’ Nashville team, where he served as an agent for artists including Chancey Williams, Catie Offerman, Smithfield, Liv Warfield, and others. During the pandemic, he held positions at Quay Entertainment in LA and CUE Audio in Nashville.

Other new hires at Wasserman include artist representatives Jake Bernstein and Ollie Seaman, Latin music agent Juan Toro,international festivals agent Jesse Fayne and Natalka Dudynsky, who will book casinos and performing arts centers.

“Wasserman continues to be thoughtful about ways to grow our footprint in the music industry and expand our ability to service our world-renowned clients,” notes Wasserman Music EVP & Managing Executive Lee Anderson. “It is critical that anyone who joins our team shares our ethos, and the additions of Jake, Ollie, Juan, Natalka, Jesse and Matt do just that. We are thrilled to welcome them and their clients to the Wasserman family.”

2022 capped another year of growth for Wasserman, which included the announcement of the company’s first U.K. office, the opening of its Brooklyn office, the creation of an Artist Marketing & Digital Strategy Department and hosting the inaugural Music Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University.

Whiskey Myers. Photo: Khris Poage

Whiskey Myers has added 15 additional dates to their upcoming 2023 tour. Cities added to the cross-country trek include Kansas City, Milwaukee, Evansville and a Nashville show at Ascend Amphitheater on May 6.

Kicking off Feb. 16 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the tour now spans 23 cities. Joining the genre-bending band across varying dates are Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Rival Sons and The Weathered Souls, with additional support acts to be announced. Tickets for the newly-added shows go on sale Friday, Jan. 13 at whiskeymyers.com.

Whiskey Myers has played more than 2,500 live shows since their emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show in 2019.

CRB Announces Recipients Of 2023 Rusty Walker & Lisa McKay Women In Radio Scholarships

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) has unveiled the 2023 recipients of the Rusty Walker and Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholars. Each recipient will receive complimentary registration, hotel and airfare for CRS 2023. Scholars will also be recognized during the week of CRS 2023.

Receiving this year’s Rusty Walker Scholarship are Tori D (Marketing Director, KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3, Boise, Idaho), Brooke Summers (Afternoon Host, KFGE – Froggy 98/Lincoln, Nebraska) and Caitlin Fisher (Morning Show Co-Host, K95.5/Tulsa, Oklahoma), while Liz DelGrosso (Morning Show Co-Host, KCLR/Columbia, Missouri) and Chelsea Lee (Morning Show Co-Host/Producer/Assistant PD, 100.7 KIKV-FM/Alexandria, Minnesota) will receive the Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarship.

CRB Scholarship Committee Chairman John Shomby notes, “This is an important part of our work at CRS, bringing new broadcasters to CRS, giving them a chance to network with and learn from some of the best in our business.”

CRS will be held March 13-15 and will feature a packed schedule that includes CRS’ most anticipated events, such as educational panels, virtual networking and workshops.

Andrew Jannakos’ ‘Gone Too Soon’ Goes Gold

Pictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Nashville’s Andrew Stines, Shaun Lakey, Kayla Brown, Frank Demilt, Taylor Lindsey, Jess Keifer, Lexi Stringer, Taylor Sowers, Nina Schollnick, Alaina Vehec, Lauren Klein, Tracy Fleaner, Caryl Atwood, Jen Way, Lexi Rivera, Jason McColl, Andrew Jannakos, Paige Altone, Ken Robold, Lauren Zimmerman, Cary Ryan, Parker Stacey, Adam Davis, Alison Mingino, Madeline Lary, Steve Hodges, Meghan Reich, Nathan Thomas, Jess Wong, Emily Butler, Candice Surrency, John Johnson and Dennis Reese; (L-R, front row): Rachel Clogston, Rebecca Graham, Meg Kehoe and Olivia Laster.

RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville’s Andrew Jannakos recently took the stage for a sold-out crowd in his hometown of Flowery Branch, Georgia, where he was surprised with a RIAA Gold-certification plaque for his debut single “Gone Too Soon.”

Upon the track’s release, Jannakos earned a No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, while the track landed at No. 12 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and within the Hot 100. The song has amassed over 90 million on-demand streams to date.

Jannakos has also announced a brand new track, “Gettin’ There,” which will arrive on Jan, 27.

WME Adds Bryan Martin To Artist Roster

Bryan Martin. Photo: Josh Russell

Bryan Martin has signed with WME for global representation. The news comes just before Martin is slated to unveil new music and hit the road on a national tour.

Hailing from Louisiana, Martin is a Cherokee Indigenous American country artist. His debut album, If It Was Easy, details his struggle with opiate addiction and mental health, and tells the story of growing up in an oil field family. Meanwhile, Martin’s sophomore album, Self Inflicted Scars, expands on his hardship and recounts his back-to-back suicide attempts at the early age of 19 years old.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to represent Bryan,” notes WME’s Kevin Neal. “He’s a uniquely talented ‘throwback’ country artist. He’s lived his life through his songs.”

Martin’s upcoming single, “Wolves Cry,” will be available Jan. 27 via Average Joes Entertainment.

Case Hardin Inks With Grant Entertainment For Booking

Pictured (L-R): Grant Entertainment’s Candy Hutzell, Case Hardin and Grant Entertainment Owner Holly Grant.

Texas award-winning country artist Case Hardin has joined Grant Entertainment for representation and booking. He’s currently touring across the Lone Star State to support his recent album, Lucky Him, produced by Hardin, Ronnie Huckaby and Kenny Grohman.

Hardin scored his third consecutive Texas Regional Radio No. 1 with “Honky Tonk Highway.” The track is Hardin’s sixth song to break the Texas Regional Radio top 5. His additional chart-toppers include his first multi-week No. 1 “Alcohol Abuse,” and “When You Roll That Way.”

“I couldn’t ask for more in joining Grant Entertainment,” Hardin explains. “Grant Entertainment and their roster of artists stand for everything that I believe in. Through music, they too believe in preserving the cowboy and western way of life with energetic live shows and real country music. I’m proud to become a part of the Grant Entertainment family.”

“We are very excited to welcome Case Hardin to the Grant Entertainment family,” adds Holly Grant, Owner of Grant Entertainment. “Case is a very talented Texas country music artist and we are privileged to be a part of his ongoing success and growth.“

The Grant Entertainment team has represented Texas country music artists such as Jake Bush, who has notched five consecutive No. 1 hit songs on Texas Radio; Scotty Alexander, named the 2021 TCMA Guitarist of the Year; and Bailey Rae, who won the 2021 TCMA Young Artist of the Year and was a top nine Semi-finalist on NBC’s The Voice Season 19; among others. Grant Entertainment also represents national artists, including Bryan White, Darryl Worley and Chuck Cannon.