Pictured (L–R): HoriGlobal Entertainment’s Butch Baker, Adam Wheeler and HoriGlobal Entertainment’s Akira Hori

Songwriter and producer Adam Wheeler has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with HoriGlobal Entertainment. The deal includes select portions of his back catalog as well as future copyrights.

Wheeler’s credits include two tracks on Megan Moroney’s Gold-certified Lucky album as well as tunes recorded by Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Tenille Arts, Zach John King, Scotty McCreery, The Crabb Family and others. His songs have earned ASCAP and BMI performance awards and been featured on various Grammy-nominated, Gold and Platinum albums. Additionally, Wheeler released his own album Soul of a Songwriter last year.

“It’s awesome to have Adam with us at HoriGlobal,” says Butch Baker, Senior VP/Co-Owner, HoriGlobal Entertainment. “He has been a friend for many years, and I have always admired him as a person and a great songwriter. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to work with the HoriGlobal family,” shares Wheeler. “Butch Baker has a reputation as a great guy and a great song guy. I value both qualities very highly.”

Lainey Wilson during her Bell Bottoms Up grand opening. Photo: Erick Frost

Lainey Wilson celebrated the grand opening of her new bar Bell Bottoms Up on Tuesday night (Sept. 17).

The 27,000 square foot space first opened in May, where Wilson hosted an eight hour meet and greet with fans. Since then, Wilson has made several appearances in the space, including her ACM Honors after party to celebrate her Triple Crown and Milestone ACM Awards.

Lainey Wilson. Photo: Sam Calderon

During the grand opening, Wilson cut the venue ribbon before hoping on the rooftop stage for a surprise performance. The setlist included some of the singer’s biggest hits such as “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Heart Like A Truck.” She also dove into her new Whirlwind album with “4X4XU” and “Hang Tight Honey,” among others.

The event also featured a sneak peek of Wilson’s upcoming collaboration with Wrangler, with select signature looks from the collection, launching Sept. 25. The night’s VIP guest list included fellow country music stars, industry professionals, Nashville city officials and DJs.

“Bell Bottoms Up is a dream come true,” shared Wilson. “Every time I’m in Nashville it’s where I want to be, because it’s a place my ‘Wild Horses’ can call home. I’m living my own honky-tonk dream, and to celebrate the opening of a honky-tonk of my own is truly something special. I hope to see y’all there soon!”

Bell Bottoms Up has two stages with four bars total. The mezzanine level showcases a lounge space called Neon Diamonds that overlooks the first-floor stage and dining area. The rooftop level boasts a ’70s-style Western aesthetic including a dance floor, disco-inspired décor and frozen daiquiri cocktails.

The three-story building is filled with Wilson’s signature flair and features several framed outfits from her top performances. With a Cajun-inspired food menu, guests can pay homage to Wilson’s Louisiana upbringing. Next door is Bayou Keys, Nashville’s newest dueling piano bar, which is also a nod to Wilson’s roots and the place where dueling pianos first began, New Orleans.

Bell Bottoms Up and Bayou Keys are owned and operated by TC Restaurant Group, which serves as the leading operator and partner for dining and entertainment venues in downtown Nashville.

Pictured (L–R): Hardy, Morgan Wallen, Seth England, Craig Wiseman and Ernest attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 49th Annual New York Honors Gala. Photo: Michael Coppola/Getty Images for the T.J. Martell Foundation

The T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry’s leading foundation that provides funds for innovative cancer research, hosted its 49th Annual New York Honors Gala last night (Sept. 17) at Cipriani 42nd Street. The star-studded evening honored Big Loud Partner/CEO Seth England, who received the Lifetime Music Industry Award. It also broke the foundation’s record as the most successful gala in more than 20 years, raising $2.6 million.

Pictured (L–R): Joey Moi, John Esposito, Seth England, Craig Wiseman and Steve Gawley attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 49th annual New York Honors Gala. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for the T.J. Martell Foundation

The evening featured a special writers’ round performance by Big Loud hitmakers Morgan Wallen, Hardy and Ernest. Hardy performed his No. 1 hit “Truck Bed,” while Wallen and Ernest serenaded the room with “Flower Shops.” Wallen also gave attendees an early listen to an unreleased song titled “Love Somebody.”

“When I asked Seth England to be this year’s Honoree, he didn’t hesitate, he didn’t need to check his schedule, he just said yes, because that’s the kind of person Seth is. He truly cares, understood the gravity of our cause and he jumped in with both feet. Seth’s only question was, ‘How do we make the most impact?’ Because Seth always thinks big,” said Steve Gawley, T.J. Martell Foundation Chairman-Elect of the Board of Trustees, during his remarks.

He went on to share that the following day, England’s wife and fellow music business executive Rakiyah Marshall kicked off the campaign with a quarter million dollar personal donation. Soon after, the Big Loud and T.J. Martell teams planned a kickoff breakfast in Nashville which raised over $1.1 million.

Hardy, Morgan Wallen and Ernest perform onstage at the T.J. Martell Foundation 49th annual New York Honors Gala. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for the T.J. Martell Foundation

“Our fundraising work continued full speed into the summer and that’s when I received a call from Craig Wiseman, Seth’s other partner at Big Loud,” Gawley said. “What Craig made clear to me was simply the enormous pride he took in having mentored Seth for his entire career. Craig asked me ‘How much do you need to go over the two million dollars—I’m giving you $300,000 today, we’re breaking the record today and now go on and get even more for cancer research my friend.’ I was pretty stunned.”

When England took to the podium, he continued to highlight the life-changing work of the foundation.

“None of us would be here without the incredible work of the historic T.J. Martell Foundation. This year, I’ve had a massive learning curve about all that this organization means to folks—learning about the people it’s helped save and the money raised that continues to go to cancer research,” England shared. “The work that the T.J. Martell Foundation has done has touched countless lives, and being a part of that legacy is beyond humbling. I’m honored to be able to contribute to this mission in tonight’s small way.”

Pictured (L–R): Brianne Deslippe, Eric England, Candice Watkins, Greg Thompson, Patch Culbertson, Joey Moi, Seth England, Austen Adam, Craig Wiseman, Kimberly Gleason Sara Knabe and Paul Logan attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 49th annual New York Honors Gala. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for the T.J. Martell Foundation

Referring to Wallen, Hardy and Ernest, he added, “I like to always remind the three of them and anyone else who will listen that this business is what you do, it’s not who you are. Tonight, I couldn’t be more proud of those three in particular who showed up for me, showed up for this foundation and for cancer research because that’s who they are as people.”

The evening also included a fundraising auction, and Archie Davis, Def Jam’s Chief Creative Officer/EVP who received the New York Honors Gala Rising Music Superstar Award in 2023, announced an important new initiative that will continue to raise awareness of early screening and testing.

The event was hosted by Gawley and the Gala Co-Chair committee including Ben Adelson, Tyler Arnold, Scott Borchetta, Tom Corson, Archie Davis, John Esposito, Clint Higham, Lynn-Anne Huck, Monte Lipman, Avery Lipman, Rakiyah Marshall, Debbie Martell, Joey Moi, Brian O’Connell, Andre Stapleton, Julie Swidler, Greg Thompson, Candice Watkins and Wiseman.

“Brantley Gilbert’s World’s Largest Album Release Party.” Photo: Corey Roberson

Brantley Gilbert celebrated the release of his seventh studio album, Tattoos, by closing down Nashville’s famous Broadway and bringing 118,000 people together for his “World’s Largest Album Release Party” last Friday (Sept. 13).

Gilbert performed a mix of hits and fan favorites along with tracks from the new project, starting the night with his headlining tour’s namesake, “Off The Rails.” He was joined by various surprise guests, including “Over When We’re Sober” duet partner Ashley Cooke and Gary LeVox as well as frequent collaborators and tour mates Demun Jones and Struggle Jennings and Colt Ford, marking his first performance since suffering from a severe heart attack earlier this year.

The multi-Platinum artist took a moment to thank his team behind the scenes and addressed fans, stating, “We wouldn’t be here doing this without y’all, so thank you for being here. It means the world to us.”

Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford during his “World’s Largest Album Release Party.” Photo: Brian Vaughan

The event also served as the finale to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (BMMCGP)’s “Freedom Friday” festivities and featured supporting performances Brian Kelley, Mae Estes, Chase McDaniel, Noah Hicks, Mackenzie Carpenter and Shaylen. In addition to the music, vendors and activations, such as airbrush tattoos, lined the streets to entertain fans.

Additionally, Gilbert’s “Off The Rails Tour” continues tomorrow (Sept. 19) in Huntington, West Virginia, with more stops slated through mid-October.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Claire Dodelin, BMI’s Clay Bradley, BMI’s Nina Carter, Wyatt Flores, BMI’s Mason Hunter, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, BMI’s Kelsey O’Neill and BMI’s Shannon Sanders. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

As AmericanaFest takes over Nashville, BMI hosted its final installment of this year’s “Rooftop On The Row” series, presented by George Dickel.

The Hanseroth Twins perform during BMI’s final “Rooftop On The Row.” Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

Nearly 800 industry professionals gathered yesterday evening (Sept. 17) to hear from headliner Wyatt Flores as well as The Hanseroth Twins, Kade Hoffman and Emily Nenni. The evening was emceed by BMI’s Mason Hunter. DJ Smoke set the vibe for those partying on BMI’s rooftop.

Kicking off the night were The Hanseroth Twins, who performed a string of original songs including “Counting The Days” and “Remember Me.” Hoffman followed, soothing attendees with “Tired of Waiting,” “Lady Luck,” “Bonfire Blues” and the contemporary western sounds from his just-released EP, Relics. Genre-blending, singer-songwriter Nenni jumped into “Get To Know Ya,” “Useless” and “Don’t Wanna Cry,” previewing her style before taking the BMI Stage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival next month.

Emily Nenni perform during BMI’s final “Rooftop On The Row.” Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

When Flores took the stage, he thrilled the crowd with “Orange Bottles” and “Running Out Of Time,” before leading into crowd favorites like “Please Don’t Go” and “Milwaukee.” The AMA Emerging Act of the Year nominee continued his energized set with “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight,” “Oh Susannah” and title track “Welcome To The Plains” from his upcoming album.

The 2024 season of BMI’s “Rooftop On The Row” featured affiliates Colbie Caillat, Jackson Dean, Mae Estes, Ella Langley, Ryan Larkins, Redferrin, Josh Ross and Lauren Watkins.