Audacy To Open New Sound Space In Nashville

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Entry way of Audacy Nashville Sound Space. Photo: Parker Young

Audacy is set to open its seventh broadcast sound space in Nashville inside the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway.

Katie & Company space. Photo: Parker Young

On Sept. 5, the Audacy Nashville Sound Space will open with an exclusive event and ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring country star Thomas Rhett. It will also serve as the new home of Katie & Company, Audacy’s nationally syndicated country show hosted by the 2024 ACM National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year winner Katie Neal.

Highlighting Audacy’s commitment to the country music format and to the artist, label, management and songwriter communities in Nashville, the studio’s launch follows Audacy’s expansion of Katie & Company to 37 Audacy-owned and partner affiliate stations. The show has amassed 2.7 million listeners each week, on top of Audacy’s 20 owned and operated country brands reaching nearly 14 million listeners per month.

With a state-of-the-art production facility with sets for interviews, photography and private performances, the opening of the Audacy Nashville Sound Space also extends the strategic partnership between Audacy and Hard Rock International. The partnership began in 2021 and now includes three venues in New York, Miami and Nashville. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will enable Audacy to welcome artists for interviews and intimate performances in one stop.

Fireside chat space. Photo: Parker Young

“A permanent presence in Music City continues to elevate Audacy’s commitment to Country music and live events,” says Jeff Sottolano, Chief Programming Officer, Audacy. “The proximity of a professional studio coupled with an intimate performance venue and the singular talent of Katie Neal as a host and interviewer enables us to produce exclusive experiences for listeners and simultaneously, a seamless transition for artists to move between the studio and stage. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will be the heartbeat of our Country music format.”

“Hard Rock’s partnership with Audacy has provided a truly incredible platform for world-class artists to grace Hard Rock stages across the country, and we’re thrilled to be launching the Audacy Nashville Sound Space in Nashville to further our reach,” adds Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “This opportunity also reinforces Hard Rock’s continued commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the Country music community as we expand our entertainment offerings at all of our properties around the globe.”

Green room space. Photo: Parker Young

Performance space. Photo: Parker Young

Logan Turner Inks With Symphonic Music Publishing

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Pictured (L–R): Symphonic’s Melissa Barber and Wild Child Music’s Zach Lund; (L–R, front row): Symphonic’s Randall Foster, Logan Turner and Symphonic’s Eric Olson

Songwriter and producer Logan Turner has signed with Symphonic Music Publishing.

A former member of the band Bexar, Turner has collaborated with and had songs recorded by Russell Dickerson, Cheat Codes, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Martin Garrix, Dasha, Diplo and Jelly Roll.

The Bowling Green, Kentucky native first taught himself to play guitar after an injury derailed his dreams of playing college basketball. While writing songs throughout college, he decided to move to Nashville. Nearly a year after arriving, Turner signed his first publishing deal with Urban, Ross Copperman and Joe Fisher. Shortly after, he was introduced to his future bandmate and signed a deal as Bexar with Warner Music Nashville. After four years, Turner stepped away from the band to fully focus on songwriting and production.

He amassed over 50 million streams during his time with Bexar and toured with Urban, Jelly Roll and Niko Moon. He has also worked with producers and songwriters like Oak Felder, J-Hart, Ojivolta, Murda Beatz, Luke Laird and more.

“Logan is an incredible songwriter and producer who has already achieved tremendous success both on his own and as a member of Bexar,” says Randall Foster, Chief Creative Officer, Symphonic Music Publishing. “I’ve always been impressed by his work and couldn’t be happier that he decided to join the Symphonic family. With our help, there’s no telling how far he’ll go!”

“I feel super excited and blessed to be taking this next step of my career with Symphonic,” says Turner. “Eric [Olson] was one of my first co-writers when I first got to Nashville, and he has always been someone I’ve looked up to and respected both as a producer and as a person. He, Randall and Melissa [Barber] have already made this place feel like home. I am looking forward to helping them build something special.”

RVSHVD Shares New Single From Upcoming Project

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RVSHVD has dropped his new single, “Couldn’t Be Me,” from his upcoming album, It’s Rashad, due out Sept. 20.

The new tune was co-penned by Clint Johnson, Rob Pennington and Ben Simonetti and finds the Georgia native spiraling at the thought of another man with the woman he loves. “Couldn’t Be Me” follows RVSHVD’s July release “Proof,” a collaboration with All That Remains that has racked up nearly 500,000 streams on Spotify alone in just a few weeks.

It’s Rashad is fueled by stories the artist has accumulated from his small-town origins and his life-changing experiences as a touring artist. It also offers some personal introspection on tracks like “Drowning Man” and “Wasn’t For You.”

“I moved to Nashville in 2021, new to everything as a professional artist,” says RVSHVD. “Everyone always asks me about how to say my stage name, who I am, where I’m from, but I’m introverted so it’s a challenge sometimes. I’ve always put what I wanted to say in music, so I spent three years learning how to put myself out there. Once I did that, I knew I was ready to make a project for not only everyone who’s always asked, but my fans who wanted to get to know me more. I titled it It’s Rashad to show how to pronounce my name and to show what songs and sounds make me who I am, ‘Rashad.'”

It’s Rashad Track Listing:
1.Intro (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela)
2. The 9 (RVSHVD)
3. For The Streets (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela)
4. Couldn’t Be Me (RVSHVD, Rob Pennington, Ben Simmonetti)
5. Cottonmouth (feat. Ice Nine Kills) (RVSHVD, Michael Whitworth, Michael Lotten)
6. Deal With The Devil (feat. Danny Worsnop) (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela, Angel Rewis-Johnson)
7. Proof (feat. All That Remains) (RVSHVD, Philip Kirk Mosley, David Ray Stevens)
8. Drowning Man (RVSHVD, Jay Brunswick, Brandon Manley)
9. Down To The River (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela)
10. 25 To Life (RVSHVD, Nick Wayne, Alex Maxwell)
11. Mapdot Madness (RVSHVD)
12. Interlude (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela)
13. Wild Wild West (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela)
14. Hunnids In A Honky Tonk (feat. Paul Wall) (RVSHVD, Michael Ferrucci, Christopher Valenzuela, Paul Michael Slayton)
15. Looking Out For You (RVSHVD, Josh Logan Tangney, Justin Ebach)
16. Outlaw (RVSHVD)
17. Tell Me I’m Wrong (RVSHVD)
18. Adrian (RVSHVD, Emily Hackett, Joshua Devon Walker, William Champlin)
19. Wasn’t For You (RVSHVD, John Marlin, Nick Autry)

Warner Chappell Music & Songs & Daughters Sign Emmi Elliott

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Pictured (L–R): Nicolle Galyon, Emmi Elliott and Bryce Sherlow

Warner Chappell Music and Songs & Daughters have signed singer-songwriter Emmi Elliott to a global publishing deal.

The Ohio native made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University. Since then, she has continued to hone her craft, focusing on writing country and Christian music.

“It’s an incredibly full circle moment to be working with Emmi Elliot in this upcoming chapter of her career,” says Bryce Sherlow, Manager, A&R, Warner Chappell Music. “I have known Emmi for years and am constantly in awe of her beautiful melodies, steady and strong work ethic, and most of all, who she embodies as a person. She deserves every bit of this and I can’t wait to continue elevating her presence in the Nashville songwriting community alongside Nicolle Galyon. ”

Galyon, President & Founder, Songs & Daughters, adds.”I’ve been listening to Emmi’s songs for a while now. She won me over with her lyricism, drive and 100%-ers. She’s a brilliant creative, and I feel lucky to get to work with her.”

“I am incredibly grateful to be signing with Songs & Daughters and Warner Chappell. I cannot say enough about how much Nicolle and Bryce inspire me,” shares Elliot. “I have so much respect for them as individuals as well as their talent and work ethic. Joining this team is a dream come true, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”

Nate Smith Announces Sophomore Album ‘California Gold’

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Photo: Kaiser Cunningham

Nate Smith will release his sophomore album, California Gold, on Oct. 4. The project features new track “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” out now.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of big epic pop-rock songs of the 2000s, says Smith of the single. “Bands like Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down were all influences in my early teens. ‘Fix What You Didn’t Break,’ to me, feels like the perfect blend of 2000s rock and heartfelt country. I want to make love songs that cut deep but are still tough. I teamed up with the same crew that wrote ‘World On Fire’ with me: Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes and Taylor Philips. This is easily one of my favorites that I’ve released. It’s a bit of a theme song for this new project.”

The 16-track album will also include previously-released track “Wish I Never Felt,” collaborations with Avril Lavigne and Alesso, along with Gold-certified “Bulletproof,” which broke records this week and scored Smith his third  consecutive multi-week No. 1 on the Mediabase chart—making him the first artist to start their career with three consecutive multi-week No. 1s in R&R/Mediabase history.

Additionally, Smith is gearing up for his “Through The Smoke Tour,” which kicks off in Portland on Sept. 19 and ends in Nashville on Dec. 5.

California Gold Track Listing:

1. “Fix What You Didn’t Break”
2. “Want Me Back”
3. “What Alone Looks Like”
4. “Can You Die From A Broken Heart” (with Avril Lavigne)
5. “Perfect”
6. “Carry You Home”
7. “Goodbye Again”
8. “Not Of This Earth”
9. “Wish I Never Felt”
10. “Faith”
11. “Bittersweet”
12. “Gave It All”
13. “Hurtless”
14. “Bulletproof”
15. “California Gold”
16. “I Like It” (with Alesso)

Industry Ink: Lee Brice, Mitchell Tenpenny, AIMP, More

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Lee Brice Celebrates Platinum ‘World’

Pictured (L-R): Enzo DeVincenzo (Red Light Management), RJ Meacham, Ciara Shortridge, John Clore, Lee Brice, Benson Curb (Curb Records), Bryan Stewart (Curb Records), Jeff Tuerff (Curb Records) and Anthony DeVincenzo (Red Light Management). Photo: Randy Powers

Lee Brice celebrated the RIAA Platinum certification of his 2020 album Hey World, as well as four certified singles from the album this week. Brice was presented with the plaque at the Curb Records office by Curb VP of Marketing John Clore and SVP of Commercial Partnerships Benson Curb. Brice was also joined by longtime managers Enzo DeVincenzo and Anthony DeVincenzo as well as other members of the Curb Records executive team for the momentous occasion.

 

Mitchell Tenpenny Previews The 3rd At Industry Bash

Pictured (L-R): Parker Stacey (Director, Digital Marketing & Artist Management, SMN), Caryl Atwood (SVP, Commercial Partnerships, SMN), Alaina Vehec (VP,Commercial Partnerships, SMN), Mitchell Tenpenny, Ken Robold (EVP & COO, SMN), Rachel Clogston (Director, Commercial Partnerships, SMN), Alexis Rivera (Coordinator, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, SMN) and Rachel Hobbs (Specialist, Media, SMN). Photo: Brenton Giesey

Mitchell Tenpenny celebrated the launch of his upcoming album The 3rd with more than 200 friends, songwriters, record label executives and Music Row partners this week. He previewed some of the 20 tracks on the record, told the stories behind the songs and played a few live.

Colbie Caillat joined Mitchell for a performance of “Guess We’ll Never Know” a song she’s featured on, and good friend Chris Young stopped by to celebrate Mitchell’s new music as well.

 

AIMP Hosts Nashville Catalog Acquisition Panel

Pictured (L-R): Brad Peterson (FirstBank), Mark Ahlberg (Endurance Music Group), Sarah Smith (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC) and Marc Driskill (Muserk)

The AIMP held “A Discussion On: Current Catalog Acquisition Market Factors” panel on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at CMA’s offices in Nashville. Moderated by Marc Driskill (Head of Development, Muserk), panelists Brad Peterson (Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Music & Entertainment, FirstBank), Sarah Smith (Attorney, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC) and Mark Ahlberg (Senior Vice President, Endurance Music Group) spoke to AIMP members and guests about the ins and outs of selling a catalog in today’s market and best practices to keep in mind.

 

Shalom Foundation Celebrates Milestone With Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Pictured (L-R): Margaret G. Rush MD, MMHC (President of Monroe Carrell), Steve Moore (The Shalom Foundation Founder & Chairman), Amy Casseri (Shalom Foundation board member and Vice President of Women and Children’s Services at HCA) John W. Brock III, MD (Professor of urology, Monroe Carell Surgeon-in-Chief), Douglass Clayton, MD, (Medical Director for the International Charity Care Program at Monroe Carell) and Ken Moore (Shalom Foundation Vice-Chairman & Medical Director and Mayor of Franklin, TN). Photo: Donn Jones, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

The Shalom Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides life-changing medical and nutritional care to children in Guatemala, celebrated an upcoming surgery milestone alongside its longtime partner Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt this week. Founded by longtime music industry executive Steve Moore after a mission trip to Guatemala in the 1990’s, The Shalom Foundation has provided dire surgeries for children in the country at no cost to their families for more than 20 years. Next month, they will pass 10,000 surgeries performed through their Moore Pediatric Surgery Center, made possible through partnerships with medical teams across the country, including Monroe Carell.

“We truly couldn’t do the work we do in Guatemala without the medical expertise of teams like the ones at Monroe Carell,” says Moore. “They were one of our very first partners, and their tireless commitment to the children of Guatemala over the years has changed and saved countless lives.”

 

Jeff vom Saal Named Nashville Symphony’s New COO

Jeff vom Saal

The Nashville Symphony has appointed Jeff vom Saal as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Sept. 9. Reporting to President & CEO Alan D. Valentine, vom Saal will oversee artistic planning and orchestra operations, education and community engagement, communications and marketing. As COO, vom Saal will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Nashville Symphony organization, focusing on strategic initiatives and orchestra operations, and ensuring the continued growth and success of the institution for future audiences.

vom Saal’s journey to the Nashville Symphony follows a career spanning two decades managing orchestras nationwide. He has served as the chief executive of the Marin Symphony (San Rafael, California); Quad City Symphony Orchestra (Davenport, Iowa); Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (Fargo-Moorhead, North Dakota); Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra (Boston, Massachusetts) and most recently, Spokane Symphony Orchestra (Spokane, Washington), where he spent the past eight years.

17th Annual ACM Honors Takes Over Downtown Nashville

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Lainey Wilson posing with fans ahead of 17th Annual ACM Honors. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM

The 17th Annual ACM Honors took over downtown Nashville on Wednesday (Aug. 21) as honorees, performers, presenters and special guests arrived at Robert’s Western World, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Everyone made their way through the honky-tonk to walk the red carpet before heading into the historic Ryman Auditorium for the event, hosted by Carly Pearce and Jordan Davis.

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks chatting with fans ahead of 17th Annual ACM Honors. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM

Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Terri Clark, Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean, Emmylou Harris, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Post Malone, Kameron Marlowe, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack all took the stage to pay tribute to this year’s Special Award honorees Walt Aldridge, Tony Brown, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Shannon Sanders, Lainey Wilson and Trisha Yearwood as well as celebrate Artist-Songwriter of the Year Chris Stapleton, Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon, and the ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners.

On Sept. 24, the ceremony will air on Dr. Phil’s Merit Street for the first time as part of a larger partnership between the Academy of Country Music and Merit Street Media.

Pictured (L–R): Jordan Davis, ACM’s Damon Whiteside and Carly Pearce at the 17th Annual Honors. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM

Post Malone and Alan Jackson at the 17th Annual ACM Honors. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Jelly Roll Slates New Album For October

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Jelly Roll has unveiled the follow-up to his chart-topping country debut, Whitsitt Chapel. Titled Beautifully Broken, the new album arrives on Oct. 11 and shares its name with his upcoming headlining tour kicking off Aug. 27 in Salt Lake City.

This release comes shortly after Jelly Roll extended his current label partnership with BBR Music Group (BBRMG), BBRMG imprint Stoney Creek Records and BMG music publishing. BMG has simultaneously entered into a worldwide deal with Republic Records for this record.

The album features current hit “I Am Not Okay” alongside “Liar” and “Get By,” which was recently chosen as ESPN’s anthem for the 2024 College Football season. Fans can pre-order the album now, with all net profits from pre-orders in the U.S. web store going to charities supporting mental health and addiction initiatives as a part of the project’s launch.

After teasing the album on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this summer, Jelly Roll further discussed the album, his connection with fans and his continued desire to find purpose in a recent interview with the New York Times Magazine.

His track “I Am Not Okay,” co-written by Jelly Roll, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley and Casey Brown, continues to resonate with listeners and follows his fourth consecutive No. 1 at country radio and 5th career No. 1, including his Grammy-nominated multi-week No. 1, “Save Me.”

After its launch later this month, the “2024 Beautifully Broken Tour” will include stops at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Center and New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Ed Rode Chronicles 30 Years Of Nashville Talent In New Photo Documentary Book

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Seasoned photographer Ed Rode has released a new photo documentary book, Songwriter Musician, that chronicles three decades of Nashville musical talent. An accompanying exhibit at Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum will open Aug. 31 and remain on display through the end of the year.

Photo of Dolly Parton (taken by Ed Rode) featured in Songwriter Musician

Spanning generations and genres, each portrait captures the subject, their humanity and their artistry as Rode’s accompanying personal stories and biographies seek to place each moment, and each subject, into the broader story of Music City. Featured moments include a teenaged Taylor Swift spinning and smiling in the wake of impending stardom, “I Fall to Pieces” songwriter Hank Cochran stretching back on a well-worn hammock and Michael Rhodes wrapping his arms around his favorite bass, a tool that anchored sessions for greats from Johnny Cash to Elton John.

“When I started this photographic journey, I realized early on that I was witnessing musical moments few people get to experience,” says Rode. “It felt important to capture and collect them for generations to come. To me, this book is a window into the soul of Nashville’s music community.”

The project framed by his lens began in 1990, and was encouraged by guitarist, producer and label executive Chet Atkins. Rode, then working as a photojournalist for the Nashville Banner, met Atkins on an assignment and the two developed a friendship. He told Atkins about a hopeful but blurry vision for a far-reaching, pointedly personal documentary project.

“This is a town of songwriters and session musicians,” Rode remembers Atkins telling him. “Go photograph them because they’re usually in the background. People out there hear their work, but don’t know who they are.”

Atkins introduced him to Harlan Howard, Curly Putman and “Cowboy” Jack Clement, among others. After marking the moments, Rode started to see the full picture of Songwriter Musician.

Photo of Willie Nelson (taken by Ed Rode) featured in Songwriter Musician

“One of the greatest figures in country music helped me forge partnerships and foster friendships,” he notes. “What Chet Atkins contributed to Nashville’s story is incalculable. What he contributed to this project is just as immeasurable.”

“Some of the faces in this book may be unfamiliar beyond Music Row, some are among the most celebrated in the world,” Rode continues. “Every one of them adds their own color and contrast to Nashville’s music community. I hope this book brings it all into view—from the humanity behind the superstars to the history-changing contributions of people behind the scenes.”

Click here to order Rode’s Songwriter Musician.

Jake Worthington Brilliantly Brings Back Traditional Country Music At Cannery Hall

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Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Rising country singer Jake Worthington defined the meaning of traditional country music at his sold-out show at Cannery Hall in Nashville last night (Aug. 22). 

As fans entered the newly-renovated concert hall, they were met with intriguing flyers hung up around the room promoting the Big Loud Records artists’ new single. It was revealed during the show that Worthington will be releasing his new song “Hello Shitty Day” on Sept. 27. The track will also feature country superstar Miranda Lambert.

McCoy Moore warmed up the crowd with a slew of original songs including “Good Ole Bars,” “Something To You” and more. Moore got the whole room dancing and singing along to his cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” before closing his set with his slow, melodic track “Bible And A Bar.”

The room was filled with anticipation waiting for Worthington to hit the stage. As the lights dimmed, the speakers were filled with the sound of iconic old school country songs, perfectly setting the tone for the evening. Walking onto the stage in his signature look with a cowboy hat, blue jeans, a button up and boots, Worthington kicked off the night with “Next New Thing.”

Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

After asking the crowd if they were “ready to have a good time tonight,” Worthington was met with an enthusiastic response before going into “Only Way To Find Out.” With the crowd already in the palm of his hand, he shared the news about his next single “Hello Shitty Day,” explaining how Lambert approached him with the song and how he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to record it. Worthington played the tune for the room, marking its live debut.

Cementing himself as a genuine country music singer three songs in, the crowd was ready to hear more as he went into a new unreleased track. Before keeping the party going, Worthington took the time to shout out his friends and family in the room. He then turned the dial up even more by playing his rocking “Night Time Is My Time.” During the song, he had the crowd raise their drinks to a “good night of country music.”

“Usually I’d come all the way from Texas to be here and I did, but the rest of these boys on stage are all Nashville residents,” Worthington said of his incredible band. He then brought Texas to Tennessee with “Ain’t Got You To Hold.” Fans hollered when he started into a favorite in his catalog, “Single At The Same Time,” which he dedicated to all the single people in the crowd.

Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

It was time to slow it down for a bit as Worthington showed off his vocals with “Is It Cold In Here,” a track off Hardy’s Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape. He is featured on the track with Hardy alongside icon Reba McEntire and Joe Diffie. He kept the slow tunes burning with his unreleased “Love So Big.”

Paying tribute to some of his idols, Worthington took some time for a slew of covers, including Merle Haggard’s “Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine” and George Jones’ “White Lightning,” a song both his grandpas used to sing to him when he was younger. After expressing his gratitude to the fans who showed up, he got everyone’s boots stomping to “Honky Tonk Crowd.” 

In another tribute to Jones, Worthington beautifully covered “You’re Still On My Mind.” The reason he decided to cover another Jones song was because he was sharing the stage with Tom Killen, who played steel guitar on the road with Jones for 30 years. Worthington called it an honor to be sharing the stage with him, and the crowd felt the same. He ended his run of covers with “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will).” 

As the night was coming to an end, Worthington still had a lot of energy left in his boots. To close out the set, he sang fan favorite “State You Left Me In,” and everyone sang along. After exiting the stage to a roaring applause, Worthington walked back out with the band for a two-song encore featuring a brand new track off his upcoming album, leaving the crowd in awe as he closed the show.