Industry Ink: CMHOFM, Brantley Gilbert, We The Kingdom, SARMAR Mgmt

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Country Music Hall Of Fame Hosts Program With Photographer Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R): Ed Rode, Don Henry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer, Tony Arata, Matraca Berg and Jeff Hanna. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a program last weekend with photographer Ed Rode, who discussed his career and photography with museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer in the museum’s Ford Theater. Following their conversation, songwriters Tony Arata, Matraca Berg and Don Henry, all of whom Rode has photographed, performed.

Rode’s 2024 book, Songwriter Musician: Behind the Curtain with Nashville’s Iconic Storytellers and Players, features decades of stories captured on camera: playing snooker with John Prine, celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans with Brad Paisley, traversing Tennessee with Ketch Secor and documentarian Ken Burns, and more. The program was offered in support of the museum’s exhibit “Writers, Pickers, and Stars: The Photography of Ed Rode,” which runs through July, and features photos from Rode’s book.

 

Brantley Gilbert & Real American Beer To Launch RAB Zero

Brantley Gilbert has become an investor and equity partner of Real American Beer, and will launch Real American Beer ZERO, the company’s first non-alcoholic beer. Fourteen years sober, Gilbert approached the opportunity with intention and wanted something that reflected how he actually lives. The launch is anchored by a new national partnership with the USO, reinforcing RAB’s commitment to American pride and community. Through the program, RAB will donate $1 per case sold of RAB ZERO to the USO and ongoing donations tied directly to sales, supporting active-duty service members and their families.

 

We The Kingdom Celebrates RIAA Gold Certification For ‘God So Loved’

Pictured (L-R): David Gutekunst (Executive Vice President, Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group), Garrett Davis (Senior Vice President, A&R), Scott Cash, Ed Cash, Martin Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Kenny Rogers (Senior Vice President, CCMG Label Group), Brad O’Donnell (President, CCMG), Emily Dashiell (Senior Vice President, Marketing & Commercial Partnerships). Photo: Tyler Ervin

We The Kingdom was recently presented with an RIAA Gold plaque at the Capitol Christian Music Group offices recognizing the impact of the group’s breakout hit “God So Loved” from their album Holy Water. “God So Loved” has notched major milestones across radio, streaming, and fan engagement, including a No. 1 radio single on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart. The song has generated over 18 million views across socials, received a Dove Award nomination, and continues to draw more than three million streams per month to date. The plaque presentation capped an afternoon of celebrating the band’s new album, Dear Jesus at CCMG, marking a milestone moment for We The Kingdom as they enter a new season.

 

Sarah Marie Burke Launches SARMAR Management

Sarah Marie Burke

Sarah Marie Burke has launched SARMAR Management. With over two decades of experience in A&R Production, Burke founded SARMAR to deliver reliable, organized Production Management services that support artists and creative teams across both studio and live productions. Through SARMAR, Burke oversees recording projects from pre-production through final delivery, managing schedules, budgets, booking, union coordination, metadata collection, and label communication.

Additionally, she provides live show Production Management, drawing on years of experience producing and advancing shows at venues including the Ryman Auditorium, The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. With the launch of SARMAR, Burke has also partnered with VEVA Sound, a music tech company known for audio verification, archiving, and metadata integrity for sound recordings. Burke will utilize VEVA Collect, VEVA Sound’s secure, cloud-based collaboration and asset management platform built specifically for music production workflows.

Seatfun Ticketing Platform Launches New App

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Daniel Mastropietro and Josh Misko. Photo: Sophie Seay

Seatfun, the invite-only, live event service for venues, organizers, and festivals, has officially launched with a new app.

Headquartered in Nashville and Cincinnati, Seatfun was founded in 2025 by Daniel Mastropietro, who is the Chief Executive Officer, and Josh Misko, the Chief Operating Officer, The mobile-first, operator focused and revenue optimized ticketing platform helps give venues, promoters, and festivals the tools and resources to increase revenue, improve marketing, and elevate the customer experience.

Seatfun has officially launched their full app, which allows users to create and manage events, sell tickets with optimized checkout flows, accept Apple Tap to Pay directly on the phone, scan tickets instantly with no extra hardware, build loyalty programs, own their customer data, run SMS marketing, track pixels across TikTok, Snapchat, Meta, and Google, get instant daily payouts, and more. Seatfun also features a marketing suite as well as fraud prevention systems.

The platform was intentionally designed to be invite-only, to protect event quality, protect buyers, and protect venues. In the first six months of operation before officially announcing, Seatfun was adopted by over 100 event organizers of all sizes, and has now raised funding at a multi-million-dollar valuation to continue building the next generation of ticketing focused on transparency, growth, and giving control back to venues and organizers.

“In today’s live events landscape, venues are carrying more pressure than ever. Since COVID, artist fees haven’t gone down, but bar sales and ancillary revenues often have, and that gap falls almost entirely on venues and promoters,” share Mastropietro and Misko. “On top of that, streaming numbers don’t necessarily translate to ticket sales, creating additional risk, yet artist deposits and guarantees from major agencies have continued to climb. Events organizers and ticketing companies should thrive together, or dive together. Seatfun was created by events organizers for events organizers, and one principle will always remain our North Star: put humans first, nurture real connection, and deliver meaningful value. Period. The rest is just technology.”

Brent Cobb To Host Second Annual South Of Atlanta Festival

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Brent Cobb. Photo: Jace Kartye

Brent Cobb will bring the South of Atlanta Fest back to Macon, Georgia on May 1-2 at the Robins Financial Capitol Theater.

“Macon’s always had something special in the air,” Cobb shares. “There’s a rich musical history there, and there are some incredible artists making music in this town right now. I love getting to record here, see shows here, and now bring folks together to celebrate it. South of Atlanta Fest is about honoring that legacy while shining a light on what’s happening in Macon today.”

The event will feature performances from Cobb, American Aquarium, Tobacco Road and Kristina Murray among others across various stages and songwriter rounds.

Pre-sale for festival wristbands and individual show tickets will begin on Thursday (March 5) and general on-sale begins on Friday (March 6). Find more ticket information here.

The Richlynn Group Promotes Three

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Emma Eyre, Tyler Phillips and Carly Scognamiglio

The Richlynn Group has promoted Tyler Phillips, Emma Eyre and Carly Scognamiglio to Account Manager roles at the Nashville-based digital marketing and public relations firm.

Phillips, who joined the company in 2023, now leads Digital Distribution and Creative Strategy initiatives, overseeing multi-platform marketing campaigns and release rollouts. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with dual degrees in Public Relations and Communication Studies, Phillips brings expertise in digital distribution, advertising, campaign strategy, and festival and film promotion to her new role.

Eyre joined The Richlynn Group in March 2024 and advanced from part-time assistant to full-time coordinator before her promotion to Account Manager. A Murray State University graduate with a degree in Marketing, she supports clients through public relations, strategic marketing, tour press and digital content execution.

Scognamiglio, a Belmont University graduate in Creative and Entertainment Industries and Public Relations, joined the firm in June 2024 as a Digital Coordinator and now serves as Account Manager. She supports clients across public relations, social media strategy and digital marketing initiatives.

“Developing and implementing intelligent digital strategies for our artists and brands is at the forefront of our campaigns,” says Richlynn partner Kate Richardson. ”As we continue to grow in this dynamic space, we are proud to elevate three exceptionally talented women whose leadership and creativity are shaping our future.”

Music Business Veteran Laurie Lynn Larson Passes

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Laurie Lynn Larson.

Laurie Lynn Larson passed away on March 2 of sudden complications of a recurrence with Ovarian/Peritoneal cancer at the age of 60.

Born and raised in Littleton, Colorado, she became a fan of country music and singer songwriters as a teen. She moved to Nashville in 1983 where she studied Sales and Marketing at Lipscomb before transferring to Belmont to study music business.

She began her career writing copy for Jeff Walker at Aristo Media and worked at the original Country Music Hall of Fame. During her 11 years with the Crook & Chase show, Larson spent two years in Los Angeles.

After moving back to Tennessee, she worked in marketing for Mercy Ministries, organizing the 2000 Mercy Project that included Amy Grant, Michelle Tumes, Point of Grace, Donna Summer and Martina McBride. She moved into management, working with Jana Stanfield, Robin Crowe (Dark Horse Studio) and others. She served as assistant producer on the 2003 Alabama Farewell Tour documentary.

She later spent 10 years working in sales for Senior Living facilities. During her time at Belmont Village Senior Living she produced five “Bluebird At The Belmont” songwriter shows raising money for the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging. The shows featured Tony Arata, Bob Dipiero, Allen Shamblin, Jeff Trott, Jon Night, Billy Montana, Aaron Barker, Doc Holladay, Keith Burns, Heidi Newfield, Jimmy Nichols, Jill Colluci & Pam Rose and more.

Larson counts one of her proudest moments as facilitating the recording of her wife Karen Staley’s track “I’ll Leave My Heart In Tennessee” recorded by Opry members Daily & Vincent. It was later unanimously voted in the TN Legislature in 2022 as the 11th Official Tennessee State Song.

Larson is survived by Staley, her wife of 14 years, cousins Tamara, Terry & Dean Berry, and their children Taylor, Aubrey, Jasmine and Jade Berry. She will be interred with a Green Burial in the pasture of Staley’s former Scarlet Sun Farm, now White Oak Farm, in Franklin, Tennessee on Friday (March 6) at 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alive Hospice here.

CMA Unveils 2026 Triple Play Award Recipients, Honors Bart Herbison

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The Country Music Association has unveiled 16 CMA Triple Play Award recipients for its 2026 Awards, taking place April 13 in Nashville. The ceremony will be hosted by Jim Beavers.

This year’s 16 CMA Triple Play Award honorees are Andy Albert, Louis Bell, John Byron, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Riley Green, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ella Langley, Chase McGill, John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass, Taylor Phillips, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith and Morgan Wallen. CMA will also celebrate over 40 songwriters who earned their first No. 1 Country hit since the last ceremony.

Additionally, Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), will receive the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award.

“I am humbled at this recognition by the Country Music Association,” shares Herbison. “And I want to use this opportunity to thank the hundreds and hundreds of writers, particularly anyone who served on the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Board of Directors during my tenure, who have all been integral to our advocacy efforts.”

The CMA Songwriter Advocate Award recognizes individuals who have championed the art and careers of songwriters, leaving a lasting impact on Country Music and the songwriting community. Herbison has been a leading advocate for songwriters, spearheading major industry advancements including the Music Modernization Act and long-term capital gains protections that have returned millions to creators. He spearheaded efforts that produced a historic 44% increase in mechanical royalties and helped establish the Mechanical Licensing Collective. Through strategic investments like the Bluebird Café and Music Mill studios, Herbison has strengthened the songwriting community while developing its future.

“Songwriters are the heartbeat of Country Music, and the CMA Triple Play Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the creativity and hard work it takes to land three No. 1 songs in a single year,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It’s just as special to recognize Bart with the CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, as well as honor those celebrating their very first No. 1 — a milestone that is often the start of an extraordinary career. Bringing our songwriting community together to recognize these achievements is one of the most meaningful ways CMA supports the people behind the music and the continued growth of the genre.”

The CMA Triple Play Award celebrates songwriters who achieve three No. 1 hits within a 12-month period, as measured by the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The honor spotlights their essential influence on defining the sound and success of the genre.

Celebrating their first CMA Triple Play Award this year is Albert, Bell, Green, Kasher Hindlin, Langley, Morgan, Pendergrass and Post. Gorley remains the most decorated recipient, receiving his 27th CMA Triple Play Award at this year’s ceremony.

Michael Riggs Rises To SVP, Licensing & Income Tracking At Sony Music Publishing

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Michael Riggs

Michael Riggs has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Licensing and Income Tracking at Sony Music Publishing.

Riggs will continue to report to Sony Music Publishing’s Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy. In his new position, Riggs will focus on strengthening tracking operations and enhancing matching capabilities for digital deals in the U.S. and globally. He will also continue to lead the Licensing, Sync Administration, Global Income Tracking and Client Audit teams.

Since first joining Sony Music Publishing as an Income Tracking Analyst nearly three decades ago, Riggs has been integral in the company’s continued advancement of its digital royalty tracking, collection and licensing capabilities, working closely across SMP’s global teams to drive faster, more efficient payments for songwriters and clients.

“Michael’s unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters,” says Esworthy. “His relentless pursuit of unpaid royalties and leadership in licensing emerging revenue streams have been invaluable to our mission, and I am thrilled to recognize him with this promotion.”

“I’m honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters,” says Riggs. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to advancing our support for our incredible songwriters and clients in this new role.”

Nathan Wallace Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Matt Turner (Concord), Nathan Wallace and Brad Kennard (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman for Concord

Nathan Wallace has signed with Concord Music Publishing.

Wallace’s work has secured a multitude of sync placements across Love Is Blind, Love Island USA, Teen Mom, 90 Day Fiancée, All American, Married At First Sight and Found as well as in the film This Is The Year (2020).

Wallace frequently collaborates with Grammy-nominated Gospel and Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, Blessing Offor, co-writing and producing Offor’s 2025 Christmas album, To All A Good Night. Other production credits and collaborations include work with artists such as Honest Man, Lee Brice and Desmond Child, among others.

“Nathan came highly recommended by mutual friends, and it didn’t take long to understand why,” shares Matt Turner, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing. “His infectious energy fills the room, his production is fresh and unique, and his personality is one that makes collaboration feel effortless and inspiring! We at Concord, are super excited to see what the next few years holds for Nathan Wallace!”

“Joining Concord feels like the start of a really exciting chapter,” adds Wallace. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the belief they’ve shown in me. They’ve built a thriving home for songwriters, and I’m proud to be part of the family. I’m excited to keep pushing creatively and build something lasting alongside an outstanding team.”

CRS 2026 Honors To Reveal Country Radio Hall of Fame Class Of 2026 & ACM Radio Award Winners

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The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and select ACM Radio Award winners will be revealed during CRS Honors, taking place March 18.

CRS Honors will host the live announcement of the ACM Radio Award winners for Station of the Year and On-Air Personality of the Year across all market sizes. The announcement follows the unveiling of the ACM Radio Award nominees. Parker McCollum will join to help unveil the honorees.

The remaining ACM Radio Award winners will be announced during the New Faces of Country Music Show.

CRS Honors will feature performances from Frank Ray and HARDY. Presleigh Bearden, Karly Duggan and Erin Merimonti will be presented with the Rusty Walker Scholarship. The Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarship will be presented to Ella Martinez, Dixie Roberts and Aston Williams. The Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship will be presented to Monica McGlochlin.

CRS Honors will once again be hosted by CRB Board President Kurt Johnson, with opening remarks from CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis.

Online registration for CRS 2026 has closed. On-site registration will be available in Nashville at the current rate of $799 through the start of the event.

CMA Brings Mental Health Panel Discussion & Songwriters Series To SXSW

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The Country Music Association is hosting two events at SXSW 2026 on March 13: a panel discussion around mental health and touring, and its signature CMA Songwriters Series round, presented in partnership with Amber Health.

The panel will take place at Downright Austin in Capitol Ballroom E, and will explore how Wyatt Flores, Flores’ manager William Dyer, and clinical psychologist and Co-Founder of Amber Health Dr. Chayim Newman joined forces to reimagine tour support and pioneer a new, replicable model for artist care in country music. Joined by Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations and Philanthropy, the conversation will spotlight CMA’s collaboration behind the initiative and how it embeds sustainable mental health resources directly within the touring ecosystem, enabling care and support to be accessible year-round.

The CMA Songwriters Series will take place at Central Presbyterian Church at 8 p.m. CT with a special opening performance by Georgia Webster. The evening will feature Chase McDaniel, Ingrid Andress, Tiera Kennedy and Flores in a traditional writers round, with each songwriter sharing the stories behind their songs and offering audiences an up-close look at the craft of songwriting as they perform.

“Country music has always been rooted in real stories and real emotion,” says Kerns. “Bringing an empowering conversation and a CMA Songwriters Series to SXSW gives us the opportunity to showcase that tradition in its most authentic form, while reinforcing our commitment to the wellbeing of the artists and industry professionals who make this music possible. Just as important, we’re looking forward to connecting with Austin’s dynamic music community, celebrating the creativity that defines the city and building lasting relationships rooted in a shared passion for great music.”

“Our partnership with CMA has put country music at the forefront of the efforts to better support the mental health of artists and their crews on tour, especially for early-career and emerging artists,” adds Newman. “We’re excited to share these efforts and their real-world impact with the audience at SXSW this year, hopefully inspiring attendees and the Austin community to find ways to participate in this shared mission.”

Both events underscore CMA’s broader investment in mental health and well-being across the music industry. CMA significantly expanded its financial commitment to that in 2024, with further growth in 2025, deepening its investment not only in the music, but in the long-term health, sustainability and future of the artists, songwriters and professionals who power country music forward.