Brett Young Celebrates RIAA Certifications

Brett Young with his family and RIAA plaques. Photo: BMLG

Brett Young celebrated several RIAA certifications with family, friends, co-writers and industry partners yesterday (April 25). He received plaques for “In Case You Didn’t Know” (nine-time Platinum), “Here Tonight” (double Platinum), “Sleep Without You” (double Platinum) and “You Didn’t” (Gold). Guests were treated to a preview of Young’s forthcoming music as well as a stripped down performance of “You Didn’t,” “Dance With You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” topped with a daddy-daughter dance starring Young’s two daughters.

The gathering took place in the midst of push week for his current chart-topping radio single “You Didn’t,” and followed the launch of his new wedding anthem, “Dance With You.” The new track, and its accompanying lyric video which features personal footage from the artist’s wedding day, garnered the most first-week streams of Young’s career with more than two million global streams and inclusion in more than 25 playlists by digital streaming partners.

New Edition Commemorates 40 Years With NMAAM Exhibit & RIAA Certifications

Pictured (L-R): New Edition’s Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, 92Q’s Sissy Brown, NMAAM’s Candice N. Jones, New Edition’s Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill. Photo: 353 Media Group

R&B group New Edition made their way to Music City over the weekend to speak about their musical history and pop-up exhibit at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) during a panel hosted by Director of Marketing & Communications Candice N. Jones and Q92’s The Kenny Smoov Morning Show Co-Host Sissy Brown, ahead of their headlining show at Bridgestone Arena.

As fans enjoyed the event, NMAAM President & CEO H. Beecher Hicks III invited Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) SVP, Artist & Industry Relations Jackie Jones to surprise New Edition with plaques commemorating their certifications, including a rarity of three multi-Platinum albums on MCA Records.

Georgette Jones Honors Mother Tammy Wynette During Opry Tribute

Georgette Jones with Tammy Wynette’s Opry placard.

Georgette Jones, artist and daughter of music icons Tammy Wynette and George Jones, graced the historic Opry stage on April 6 to honor her mother’s passing twenty-five years ago. She performed “My Man” and “Till I Can Make It On My Own.” The tribute lineup also included Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Mascitti, Wendy Moten and Chuck Mead.

“I know how much this would have meant to my mom,” said Jones. “It had been 13 years since I last played the Opry. At that performance, Jean Shepard announced my engagement to the world from the stage. This night, I got to share the stage with my husband Jamie for the first time. My son Kyle was there with me and my other son Ryan would have joined me but he is on active duty with the Air Force. I got to sing Mom’s favorite ”Til I Can Make It On My Own.’ Everyone was so gracious and it was beautiful to see the audience and artists shining a spotlight on my mom. I even discovered some of our former household furnishing backstage so it truly felt like coming home.”

Ahead of tribute night, she shared what the Opry meant to her and family.

“The Opry and the Ryman were very important to mom. She grew up listening to the Opry on WSM and always dreamed of having the honor of playing there. It really meant the world to her to stand in the circle and to be part of the Opry family. As a child, I ran the halls backstage along with many other artists’ children and grandchildren. I have the best memories being there not only for Opry appearances, but for award and TV shows as well. It was a big extended family environment that I am grateful to have experienced.”

Allison Morris Signs With Big Yellow Dog Music

Allison Morris

Multi-genre songwriter and Belmont University alum Allison Morris has signed a publishing deal with established independent publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music.

Morris has already made a name for herself in Music City. As a brain tumor survivor and member of the APPI community, her journey to success has been nothing short of inspiring. Her unique perspective and determination have earned her some stripes in the industry as well as the respect of her peers.

“I am thrilled to have signed with Big Yellow Dog Music,” says Morris. “Their reputation as one of the best independent publishers on Music Row speaks for itself, and I am honored to be joining their roster of talented songwriters—not to mention ALL of the amazing music I will get to make with their amazing sync team. This is an incredible opportunity for me to take my career to the next level, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Pictured (L-R): Cody Voth, Hannah Voth, Caleb Voth

Nashville-based country trio Voth has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, siblings Caleb, Hannah and Cody, released their first wave of singles in 2018 including the track, “I Choose Us,” which captured the attention of country fans nationwide. Voth released their self-titled EP in 2020 and have opened for artists Walker Hayes, Priscilla Block and Tenille Townes.

“Caleb, Hannah, and Cody, are an undeniably unique group with a distinct style that sets them apart,” says WCM Sr. Director, A&R/Digital, Jessi Stevenson. “We’re excited to welcome them to the Warner Chappell family and help them blaze new paths in their career.”

Rendering of new Titans stadium. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

After months of deliberation and going through the different stages of Nashville’s government, the Nashville Metro Council has approved the $2.1 billion Titans Stadium deal in a final vote, 26-12, early Wednesday morning (April 26).

The vote was Metro Council’s third, and allowed citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about the massive, publicly-funded undertaking on Tuesday night, pushing the council meeting into the early hours of today.

“For more than 25 years, Nashville, Tennessee, has been the Titans’ home, and with the approval of the new stadium agreement, we are grateful to know the Titans will be a part of this great city and state for decades to come,” says Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk. “I remember the early days of our time here feeling all the promise and opportunity ahead, and I feel that same enthusiasm and excitement again today. We are thankful for the support of Mayor Cooper, Metro Council, the Sports Authority, the State of Tennessee, and most importantly, the people of Nashville and Tennessee as we all embark on this new chapter together.”

As it stands, ready to be signed into law, the stadium will be paid for in three parts. The state will pay $500 million in bonds with the Titans and the NFL paying around $840 million and the remaining $760 million being paid by Metro government via a stadium sales tax, downtown campus sales tax and a county-wide hotel occupancy tax.

Rendering of new Titans stadium. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

“Tonight’s final approval of the new stadium agreement allows Nashville to move forward with the revitalization of the East Bank riverfront that East Nashville neighborhoods have been demanding for more than 40 years,” says Metro Nashville Council Member Brett Withers. “We can now replace an aging, 100 percent taxpayer-supported stadium with a new facility that is funded primarily by the team, by visitors to our city and by new revenues arising from campus development that is not possible under the old lease.

“During extensive community engagement that shaped the East Bank Vision Plan, which the Planning Commission unanimously adopted in October of 2022, neighbors who were still learning about the stadium question itself definitively agreed that the prospect of centering the planned Central Waterfront neighborhood not around the current, aging stadium but rather around a new park and multimodal street designed for transit was the better outcome for the future of our thriving city. Relocating the stadium closer to the interstate makes sense for a lot of reasons, but replacing the current stadium with a central community gathering space incorporating green stormwater technology and surrounded by mixed uses including affordable housing is chief among them.”

The stadium agreement includes a new 30-year lease and non-relocation agreement between the Titans and the Sports Authority. The terms of the new agreement remove the current obligation of Nashville’s General Fund to maintain and upgrade the stadium and returns 66 acres of land to the City of Nashville previously restricted by parking lots through 2039. The city has announced plans to include the returned property in the creation of a new neighborhood set along Nashville’s Cumberland River. The neighborhood, through new revenue sources generated by its development, is projected to bring in over a billion dollars to Nashville’s General Fund during its first 30 years of development.

The team will also contribute nearly $48 million over the life of the lease to the Nashville Needs Impact Fund, a fund directed by the Metro Council to support city needs such as public education, public transit, affordable housing and several other areas.

Rendering of new Titans stadium. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

“Tonight is a huge win for Nashville taxpayers,” says Nashville Mayor John Cooper. “We’ve eliminated a billion-dollar liability created by an aging stadium lease and created a platform for the city to thrive for decades. This was always about more than football. This vote unlocks the East Bank Vision for Nashville’s next generation. It enables a true smart growth plan for the decades ahead. It will expand our transit network, create affordable housing, build parks and civic space, activate the waterfront, and drive resilience and sustainability.

The stadium is currently estimated at 1.75 million square feet, with a capacity of approximately 60,000. It is anticipated to bring in year-round events, with aspirations to host Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours, College Football Playoffs, Wrestlemanias and more. It will also continue to host Tennessee State University (TSU) home football games, extending the long-standing partnership between TSU and the Titans. The stadium will include a 12,000 square foot community space to host classes for local schools, job trainings and other community-minded events.

“The Sports Authority is appreciative of all the hard work and due diligence that has gone into vetting this stadium project,” says Metro Nashville Sports Authority Chair Cathy Bender. “We believe the East Bank stadium project is the right deal for our city and look forward to moving into the next phase with the Tennessee Titans.”

Groundbreaking is expected to occur in early-to-mid 2024, with an opening anticipated in 2027. It will set a goal of achieving a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold certification. Titans games and other major events will continue to operate in the current Nissan Stadium until the new building opens.