Musicians on Call has elevated 11 staff members throughout the organization.

Katy Epley has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Epley has been with Musicians On Call for 18 years, playing a key role in expanding the organization’s programs to Middle Tennessee in 2007. As COO, she will oversee daily operations, ensuring the Programs Department delivers exceptional services and the Operations Department adheres to strong business practices.

Elizabeth Black has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Operations. In her new role, she will manage the organization’s finance, technology, legal and human resource functions. She has been with the organization for 13 years.

Nicole Rivera has been upped to Vice President of Innovation. Rivera joined the team in 2014 and most recently led the Program Team. As VP of Innovation, she will oversee key projects for the organization, including co-developing the organization’s technology platform and establishing a new structure for remote and part-time employees.

PJ Cowan has been promoted to Director of Programs. He has been with the organization for 10 years, contributing to both the fundraising and program departments. As Director of Programs, he will lead the program team in managing and expanding nationwide initiatives.

Tarah Duarte has been elevated to Director of Corporate Partnerships. Duarte joined the corporate partnerships team in 2019. As Director, she will lead the organization’s collaborations with national brands across various industries, including healthcare, lifestyle and entertainment.

Melinda LaFollette has been upped to Director of PR & Events. Since joining the marketing team in 2018, LaFollette has been responsible for overseeing all media, communications and live events for the organization. In her new role as Director, she will continue to guide the organization’s national public relations strategy and manage all live events.

Alli Prestby has been promoted to Creative Director. She joined as Creative Coordinator in 2022 and has since enhanced the organization’s national brand. As Creative Director, she will lead a team dedicated to continuing her efforts in strengthening and evolving the organization’s brand awareness.

Torianne Valdez has been elevated to Director of Artist Relations. Valdez joined the program team in 2017 and later transitioned to overseeing the organization’s artist relationships. As Director of Artist Relations, she will manage the organization’s national talent strategy, which includes building relationships with celebrity talent and industry teams, as well as recruiting and coordinating celebrity visits and partnership opportunities both locally and nationally.

Audrey Jadwisiak has been upped to Senior Program Manager. Jadwisiak joined the program team in 2022, where she has contributed to the delivery and expansion of programs while enhancing the volunteer experience. As senior program manager, she will oversee the organization’s bedside program across multiple East Coast and Midwest markets.

Lia Okenkova has been promoted to Senior Development Manager. Okenkova took on the role of Grants Coordinator in 2023, managing and executing grant applications and stewardship. As Senior Development Manager, she will continue overseeing the organization’s grant funding while also guiding the strategic direction of the development department.

Sasha Arnkoff has been elevated to Program Manager. Arnkoff joined the staff in 2023 as Executive Assistant, after serving as a MOC Volunteer Musician since 2014. As Program Manager, she will oversee the organization’s West Coast bedside programs.

“The talent and commitment of Musicians On Call’s team is unmatched, and it’s an honor to recognize these hardworking members through their promotions,” shares Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “I am confident that they will continue to take our organization to exciting new levels and will do great things to further our mission of delivering the healing power of music to people who are facing some of the hardest days of their lives.”

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Nicole George-Middleton, Ashley Gorley, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews, Abigail Barlow & Emily Bear. Photo: Ryan Lash for ASCAP

ASCAP held its 2025 Membership Meeting last Thursday (Feb. 27) in Manhattan.

The event began with a performance by songwriter and National Poetry Slam champion IN-Q. Then, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, along with ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews gave the ASCAP State of the Union address. They celebrated the PRO’s 111 years of supporting music creators, highlighted the outstanding achievements of ASCAP members in 2024, and shared the organization’s record-breaking financial success over the past year. In 2024, ASCAP generated $1.835 billion in revenue and distributed $1.696 billion in royalties to its songwriter, composer and publisher members.

“In 2024, ASCAP continued to navigate both the potential and the disruption of AI by staying true to our creator-first, future-forward DNA,” explained Williams. “We advocated for the rights and royalties of human creators while exploring opportunities to innovate for and with our members. Working together is how we take care of our own. As music creators, our community is built on a foundation of compassion, connection and a sense of purpose. That is our bedrock, where we always land, where we always begin.”

“We’re only here because of you— we were founded by you; we’ll continue to exist because of you,” added Matthews. “We’ve been around for 110 years, and will be around another hundred years because of you.”

“Right now, there are 4 million students in the US who lack access to music education in their schools,” noted ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Nicole George-Middleton. “And 1.3 million of these students are in elementary school. That’s why the work we do at The ASCAP Foundation is so critical right now. And why we’ve spent so much of our recent time and energy identifying ways to reach as many of these children as we can.”

The meeting was followed by a panel and Q&A featuring ASCAP songwriters Ashley Gorley, Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow. Moderated by ASCAP VP of Marketing and Creative Director Erik Philbrook, the panelists shared their storytelling techniques and offered advice on navigating the industry’s highs and lows. During the discussion, Gorley shared how he got started in songwriting as a Belmont University student, where a teacher introduced him to ASCAP. Bear spoke about the lessons she learned from her mentor, Quincy Jones, particularly his lifelong approach to learning in the music industry. Barlow emphasized the importance of building community and finding allyship within the songwriting world.

Pictured (L-R): Ken Madson (Ignition), Gregg Nadel (Co-Chair & Co-President, WMN),
Chase Matthew, Cris Lacy (Co-Chair & Co-President, WMN) and Loyd Potts (Ignition). Photo: David Bradley

Chase Matthew hosted an advance screening of his new six-part MAVTV original docuseries, Chase’n on Feb. 26 at Warner Music Nashville for key industry tastemakers, friends and family.

Chase Matthew makes headline debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Kara Lewis

The first episode of the new series, which blends the grit of Nashville’s music scene with the adrenaline of car culture, will air March 12 exclusively on MAVTV and the MAVTV GO App. Chase’n gives viewers an in-depth look at the Lucas Oil brand ambassador’s relentless pursuit of both musical success and mechanical mastery.

From recording and performing new songs, to getting his hands dirty under the hood of his favorite rides and giving back to the community that raised him, fans can check out each new episode of Chase’n on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET this spring on MAVTV – available via cable providers including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum, DIRECTV, Verizon, U-verse and more.

The event follows the successful launch of his album Chase, and Matthew’s headline debut at the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 21. In celebration of delivering his third studio LP, the setlist for the album release show was loaded with songs off the 13-track collection. He also received plaques for brand new RIAA certifications while appearing at SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour earlier in the night.

Matthew is currently bringing this new music to his 2025 “World Tour” which spans the U.S., U.K. and Europe before he joins Keith Urban’s “High And Alive World Tour” this summer, with stops in the U.S. and Australia.

Tyler Hubbard Entertains Members At CMHOF’s ‘The Big Gig’

Lisa Purcell, Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Tyler Hubbard and Ben Hall, Vice President of Development at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Tyler Hubbard took the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Feb. 26 for its annual members-only concert, “The Big Gig,” celebrating the members who sustain the museum. Hubbard performed his hits including “5 Foot 9,” “Dancin’ In The Country” and his current single “Park” in the museum’s CMA Theater for the audience.

Kameron Marlowe Honored With One Billion Streams Plaque

Sony Music Nashville Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey with Kameron Marlowe. Photo: Adam Davis

Kameron Marlowe was honored earlier this week for amassing one billion global career streams at an event celebrating the release of his recent album, Sad Songs For The Soul. Sony Music Nashville Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey presented Marlowe with a plaque to commemorate the milestone.

“This week has been unreal. Dropping Sad Songs last Friday was already special, but hitting over a billion streams? That’s just crazy,” Marlowe shares. “I can’t thank y’all enough for the love and support on this project—it means the world. This wouldn’t be possible without my team and, most importantly, the fans who’ve been riding with me every step of the way. Y’all are the reason I get to do this, and I’m beyond grateful!”

Warner Chappell Music Live Song Pitch Round

The Listening Room Cafe is hosting another Live Song Pitch Round with Warner Chappell Music on March 13 at 1 p.m. featuring Lydia Vaughan, Summer Overstreet, Heath Warren, Jet Harvey, Josh Kerr and Chandler Brown. The songwriters will play their uncut songs to A&R and industry professionals at the event.

Allison Portlock Elevated To Executive VP/Marketing At Sound Royalties

Allison Portlock. Photo: Jason Nuttle

Allison Portlock has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP) of Marketing at Sound Royalties. Since joining the company in 2018, Portlock’s efforts have been key in driving significant annual growth, launching new services including Tour Financing and Bridge Financing, expansion into international markets, and the company’s no-cost, no-fee funding programs launched during Covid and for the L.A. wildfires.

As a member of the executive team, Portlock will oversee high-level strategic initiatives, shaping growth strategies and guiding the company’s evolution into new markets and services. She will also continue leading initiatives to expand the brand, fostering partnerships, and amplifying the company’s reach and influence throughout the global industry.

Caroline Owens Inks With Wortman Works

Jules Wortman, Caroline Owens and Demi Hofstetter

Bluegrass artist Caroline Owens has signed a management deal with Wortman Works, the media, marketing and management firm led by music industry veteran Jules Wortman. Owens is set to release her debut single with Billy Blue Records, “You’ve Still Got It,” on March 7, with plans to release a full album (co-produced with Jerry Salley and Darin Aldridge) later this year.

“I’m so grateful to be turning the page to this new chapter in my career,” shares Owens. “With a new single and new management team, I could not be more excited for what is to come. When I first heard this single, written by Jerry Salley and John Pennell, I knew immediately I had to have the song. With a great team behind me and a song that truly speaks to my heart, I feel more inspired than ever. This new music represents a fresh beginning, and I can’t wait to share it—this is just the beginning!”