Sarah Hudspeth Joins Black River Publishing As Creative Coordinator

Sarah Hudspeth has joined Black River Publishing as Creative Coordinator. Hudspeth graduated from Belmont University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business. During her time at Belmont, she interned with the Publishing Department at Black River.

“We’re so happy to add Sarah’s passion for country music and the Nashville songwriting community to our Black River team. Her creative instincts are well beyond her years, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future,” says Black River’s Vice President of Publishing Rebekah Gordon.

Reach Hudspeth at shudspeth@blackriverent.com.

 

Clay Walker Signs With 117 Entertainment For PR

Clay Walker has signed with 117 Entertainment for PR representation. Walker most recently released his album Texas To Tennessee and consistently tours to sold-out crowds. He has charted 40 singles—with 11 reaching No. 1—and has amassed over one billion streams across platforms. He has six Platinum and Gold albums and has also amassed 1.3 million followers on TikTok.

 

CAA Hosts 6th Annual Evening For Equality Fundraiser

Creative Artists Agency hosted its 6th Annual Evening for Equality fundraiser on Aug. 22. The fundraiser, in partnership with Universal Music Group and AB Hillsboro Village, was hosted by comedian Danae Hays and generated more than $25,000, benefiting the Oasis Center’s “Just Us” program, Tennessee’s only intentional positive youth development programming focusing exclusively on LGBTQ+ youth. Since inception, the fundraisers have raised more than $165,000 to support and provide free counseling services to LGBTQ+ youth.

More than 60 people attended the event, including Head of Editorial, Nashville, Spotify, Rachel Whitney; SVP Digital Business and Creative Development, Universal Music Group, Dawn Gates and Global President/Chief Strategy Officer of Live Nation Women, Live Nation Entertainment, Ali Harnell; among others.

 “Recognizing the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth, Just Us at The Oasis Center serves as a beacon of hope and affirmation, offering a wide spectrum of positive youth development programs and mental health support designed to foster personal growth, well-being, and a sense of belonging,” stated Joseph Clark, Director, Just Us at The Oasis Center. “Collaborations with the community play a crucial role in our efforts for LGBTQ+ young people in Middle Tennessee, and their families. To date, Just Us is the only full-time staffed and intentional collection of positive youth development programs for LGBTQ+ youth in the state, and all our services are free of charge. Through this partnership with CAA and Evening for Equality, we can continue to create a more inclusive community for all people.”

 

Sandbox Succession, the estate management arm of Sandbox Entertainment Group, will represent the Loretta Lynn Estate effective immediately.

Lynn, who passed away on Oct. 4, 2022, was a lifelong entertainer from Butcher Holler, Kentucky, whose songs defined a generation and landed her in in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The impact her music and life story had on people everywhere earned her the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama. The film adaptation of her 1976 autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter, scored seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, with Sissy Spacek taking home the Best Actress honor for her portrayal of Lynn.

The firm will manage the Country Music Hall of Famer’s estate, in partnership with her family, in the areas of film, television, theater, music recordings, licensing, merchandising and hospitality.

“Loretta Lynn is the original queen of country music, and it is a true privilege that her family has entrusted Sandbox Succession to preserve her precious legacy,” says Sandbox Entertainment CEO Jason Owen.

“We are happy to partner with Sandbox Succession to not only represent but also perpetuate the amazing legacy of our mother’s career,” says the Lynn family.

Led by President Josh Matas, Sandbox Succession provides comprehensive estate management services in all areas, with a focus on name and likeness licensing. The division was established in 2021 and has since grown into a multifaceted branding, strategy and licensing boutique that also represents other late legends such as Johnny Cash, June Carter, The Carter Family and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty.

“With Sandbox Succession, we strive to place our clients at the intersection of historical importance and cultural relevance,” says Matas. “We are thrilled to apply our proven strategies to bring Loretta Lynn to new audiences and celebrate her further with existing fans.”

Musicians Corner Gears Up For Latest Season At Centennial

Musicians Corner, Nashville’s free concert series, returns this fall with a five-week season of live music in Centennial Park, kicking off Sept. 1. The free music festival will take place each Friday in September from 5-9 p.m., with an extended performance schedule on Sept. 22 from 3-9 in partnership with AmericanaFest and New West Records, in addition to a special Saturday event on Sept. 30 for the Musicians Corner Fall Market.

The Musicians Corner’s Fall Series will include performances from Rodney Crowell Trio, The Secret Sisters, North Mississippi Allstars, Striking Matches, Sunflower Bean, and many more. The family-friendly festival recently hosted more than 65,000 fans during its 2023 Spring Series in Centennial Park and will bring together a vast lineup of the city’s finest food vendors, local artisans and kids’ activities. One special day within the fall schedule is the Musicians Corner Fall Market on Saturday, Sept. 30, which will host local artisans and offer a significant variety of unique shopping opportunities at the musical event.

Black Opry Revue To Play Franklin Theater With Special Guest Wendy Moten

The Black Opry Revue is coming to Franklin, Tennessee for the first time on Sept. 2 at The Franklin Theatre. The line-up features 10 acts from the Black Opry collective, including a debut from The Voice season 21 runner-up Wendy Moten.

The Black Opry Revue lineup also includes Nick Tabron, Tylar Bryant, Layna, Lori Rayne, Carmen Dianne, Aaron Vance, Ally Free and The Kentucky Gentlemen, with special guest Moten. Featuring the Revue’s two signature formats, the evening will consist of a writer’s round followed by group performances with several participating artists accompanied by the house band, Ping Rose and the Anti-Heroes. Tickets to the event can be purchased at FranklinTheatre.com.

 

Warren Brothers, Kristian Bush, More Set For Franklin Theater Songwriter Series

The Franklin Theatre has announced the lineup for the remainder of its 2023 Songwriters Series. Kristian Bush will continue the series on Aug. 31; The Warren Brothers will take the stage on Sept. 21; Mae Estes, Marti Dodson and Autumn McEntire will take the spotlight on Oct. 19; Nov. 16 will feature Sierra Hull, Jim Lauderdale, Bobby Tomberlin and Lillie Mae; and closing out the series for the year on Dec. 14 will be Adam Sanders, Adam Craig and Jordan Walker. Tickets for the Songwriters Series performances are available now on The Franklin Theatre’s website.

“We are thrilled to present such an incredible lineup for the remaining performances in our Songwriters Series,” says Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “These artists represent the best in songwriting and performance, and we can’t wait to share their talent with our audience. We’re proud that The Franklin Theatre is becoming a home to songwriters here in Williamson County.”

Artist and actor Charles Esten plans to ring in 2024 by releasing his independent debut album, Love Ain’t Pretty, on Jan. 26.

More than 10 years in the making, the full-length project first began to come together when Esten arrived in Music City to play Deacon Claybourne on ABC/CMT’s television series Nashville.

Working alongside hitmakers Eric Paslay, Gary Burr, Jon Nite, Leslie Satcher and more, the entertainer co-wrote all 14 songs, diving deep into earth-shattering romance, big-picture reflection and beyond. Vividly detailed and filled with the daring emotion of a celebrated storyteller–both onscreen and onstage–Esten explores life, love and the passing of time through the lens of a traveled and tested individual, who has never lost his innate sense of wonder or wide-open soul. He united with producer and co-writer Marshall Altman to create a calm, controlled and contoured sound, mixing the momentum of country rock with small-town charm.

The collection’s only collaboration “Down The Road,” featuring Paslay, is out now along with tracks “One Good Move,” “A Little Right Now” and “In A Bar Somewhere.” Through 1,000-watt guitar riffs and an uplifting vocal blend, Esten and Paslay swap encouraging lines centered around chasing dreams and staying the course, no matter what comes.

Love Ain’t Pretty Track Listing:
1. “Love Ain’t Pretty” (Charles Esten, Marshall Altman, Jimmy Yeary)
2. “A Little Right Now” (Charles Esten, Jacob Lyda, Brian Maher)
3. “One Good Move” (Charles Esten, Sam Backoff, Zarni deVette, Elise Hayes)
4. “In A Bar Somewhere” (Charles Esten, Jason Gantt, Neil Medley)
5. “I Ain’t” (Charles Esten, Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc)
6. “Another Song About You” (Charles Esten, Colin Elmore)
7. “When Love Ain’t Love” (Charles Esten, Jeffrey East)
8. “Candlelight” (Charles Esten, Kenny Alphin, Eric Paslay)
9. “Back In My Life Again” (Charles Esten, Marcus Hummon, Bryan Todd)
10. “Make You Happy” (Charles Esten, Gary Burr, Jon D’Agostino)
11. “Willing To Try” (Charles Esten, Gary Burr)
12. “Maybe I’m Alright” (Charles Esten, Leslie Satcher)
13. “Down The Road (feat. Eric Paslay)” (Charles Esten, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman)
14. “Somewhere In The Sunshine” (Charles Esten, Jon Nite)

Moe Bandy is set to be honored on Nov. 12 at the 2023 Texas Country Music Awards with the first-ever Moe Bandy Icon Award.

Cody Canada and the Departed, Coffey Anderson, Chad Cooke Band, Ken Holloway, Brandon Rhyder, Case Hardin, Payton Howie, Ryder Grimes, Jaret Ray Reddick and Jacob Stelly are slated to perform throughout the ceremony at Billy Bob’s Texas, which will be hosted once again by TCMA Spokesperson Brandon Rhyder along with his co-host Malone Ranger, on-air personality with 95.9 KFWR The Ranch.

“I am very honored to be a part of and receive this award,” shares Bandy. “It makes me proud to be a Texan at heart and a part of the Texas music that we all love. I will forever be grateful for this award and hope it continues for years to come.”

“The Texas Country Music Association is excited to have established the ‘Moe Bandy Icon Award’ which will be included in the 2023 Texas Country Music Awards Ceremony,” says Linda Wilson, President of the Texas Country Music Association. “This will be an ongoing annual award, with the very first one, of course, presented to Moe Bandy himself. Moe has a rich history in the country music industry with 10 No. 1 hits, 40 top 10 hits, and numerous awards, Texas is proud of him, and TCMA could not be more excited to present this award to him at Billy Bob’s Texas on November 12th.”

Bandy recently released his new 12-track album, Thank You Lord, featuring special guests The Isaacs on “Family Bible” and The Oak Ridge Boys with Nora Lee Allen on “The Lord Is My Shepherd.”