Country riser Jackson Dean sold out his first headlining gig in Nashville at The Basement East Thursday night (Jan. 19).

The Big Machine Records artist gave a passionate, 90-minute set with a mix of fan favorites from his debut album Greenbroke as well as eight unreleased songs. Fans were enthralled with his high-powered, almost menacing delivery of his first No. 1 hit “Don’t Come Lookin’,” as well as his full-hearted performances of the tender autobiography “Greenbroke,” the gritty stomper “Trailer Park,” and the ethereal confessional “Wings.”

The Maryland native is clearly influenced by the country outlaws of the ’70s and ’80s. While his songs are lyrically-driven, his performances range from raucous and rowdy to pensive and passionate. At The Basement East show, he didn’t say too much between songs, letting the music do the talking.

His sound has caught on. In the last year, Dean has found his place on several industry watch lists such as Pandora’s Ten for 2023 (all genre), Spotify’s Hot Country Artists to Watch 2023, the CMT Listen Up class of 2023, Amazon Music’s 2023 Breakthrough Artists to Watch: Country Class, and more. In March he will perform at CRS as part of the prestigious New Faces of Country Music show of 2023.

Prior to the show, Dean was presented with a plaque for his breakout hit, “Don’t Come Lookin’.” The tune cemented him as the youngest male in not just Country Aircheck, but Radio & Records’ chart history to land a No. 1 with their very first single and declared Dean as the top most heard new artist on the Country Aircheck chart for 2022. Later, his producer and fellow songwriter, Luke Dick made a surprise appearance and joined the young artist to perform the hit.

A highlight of the show came when Dean performed his next single to country radio, a three-and-a-half minute heartache, “Fearless (The Echo).” The track impacted country radio this week and was the No. 1 most-added single of the week.

After more headlining shows, Dean will make his second appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Feb. 3 before joining Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce on the “Back to the Honky Tonk Tour.” He also has dates booked with Eric Church and Parker McCollum for later this year.

ACM LEVel Up Program Announces Second Workshop Of Undergraduate Series

The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program has announced the second workshop of their undergraduate student series. An Inside Look into Live Touring and Production will take place on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The workshop panel will consist of AEG Presents’ Brianna McGoff and Adam Weiser as well as WME’s Nate Towne discussing what brings everyone’s favorite country stars to the road and how they create sold-out shows from clubs to stadiums all around the world. AEG Presents’ Shelby White and WME’s Morgan Kenney will serve as moderators.

The discussion will focus on everything from the logistics of these tours and the financials, to the ins-and-outs of how production is able to move from one venue to another fluidly.

All participants must register to attend in-person or virtually, with sessions being filled first come, first serve. The location for the workshop will be sent to those selected to attend in-person upon confirmed registration. For more information, click here.

 

YEP Nashville To Host Financial Panel For Industry Members & Musicians

Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Nashville will host their educational financial panel, Money Hacks in the Entertainment Industry, at SESAC on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30.p.m. CT.

The event is geared toward both industry professionals and musicians to provide helpful information from some of Music City’s top financial experts.

MAMBA, LLC’s Elaine Bryan, Roussel & Associates’ Beau Fish, Pinnacle Bank’s Carter Robinson and Wiles + Taylor & Co.’s Kim Whelan will serve as panelists and provide budgeting advice as well as tips for filing taxes as an independent musician and saving for retirement as a music industry professional. They will also dive deep into the roles that business managers, CPAs and bankers play in the career of an artist and how they all work in tandem to aid the financial success of their clients.

For more information, click here.

 

Krista Farmer-Dykes To Leave CMA After Eight Years

The Country Music Association’s Manager of Media Relations Krista Farmer-Dykes is leaving after eight years with the organization to launch her Secret Mom Hacks podcast and voiceover career. Her last day will be Friday, Feb. 24.

Farmer-Dykes’ new podcast will be dedicated to all things related to pregnancy and parenting. The show officially launches with new weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, March 1, but preview episodes are available now across all podcast platforms.

She can be reached at [email protected].

 

Hill Entertainment Group Adds Palmer Heath As Client Coordinator

Hill Entertainment Group has added Palmer Heath as Client Coordinator. The entertainment management firm is home to Rodney Atkins, Rod + Rose, the Naomi Judd estate and The Judds, Tiera Kennedy, Mark Wills, Jennifer Hart, Emily Earle, and more.

In this role, Heath will be responsible for maintaining artists’ day-to-day schedules, executing career initiatives for clients and fostering their brands through content, catalog and live performance. Prior to Hill Entertainment Group, she oversaw brand partnership campaigns at an influencer agency in Nashville.

“I am excited for Palmer to join our growing team,” says President & CEO Greg Hill. “Her energy, passion and enthusiasm for our clients is infectious and inspiring.”

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with these clients,” adds Heath. “I’m honored to be a part of such a knowledgeable and supportive team like the one at Hill Entertainment Group.”

Aaron Sawyer has joined Triple 8 Management as artist manager. With him, he brings longtime colleague and associate manager Hannah Boren to the company.

Sawyer joins Triple 8 after a seven-year stint with Red Light Management, expanding the T8 artist roster to include Madison Cunningham, I’m With Her, Julian Lage, Melt, Sean and Sara Watkins, and Watkins Family Hour.

“Aaron Sawyer has been a trusted friend for at least 15 years, and Hannah and I have known each other since her time at Noisetrade in 2014,” shares Triple 8 partner Paul Steele. “I cannot say enough kind things about these people and am honored they have decided Triple 8 is the right place for them to be. I have never been more excited about our future than I am today, and Aaron and Hannah are a big part of that.”

“We’re really proud that Triple 8 is known for being a collaborative and creative environment where everyone in the company is willing to raise a hand and help across teams and departments,” notes Triple 8 Management founding partner George Couri. “Aaron and Hannah embody those qualities and compliment the team perfectly. We are thrilled to welcome them to our organization. We are lucky to have them.”

“I’ve long admired the company George and Paul have built over the years, as well as their all-hands approach to management and ability to look at every minute detail to foster enduring artist growth and development,” Sawyer adds. “Paul and I nearly joined forces in 2015, so when the opportunity to join him arose again, it felt kismet.”