Willie Nelson, Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde Among 2023 Grammy Winners

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Another Grammy Awards has come and gone, with a new list of winners.

Willie Nelson was country music’s big winner of the night. The icon added two more Grammys to his case, including Best Country Solo Performance (“Live Forever”) and Best Country Album (A Beautiful Time).

“‘Til You Can’t,” recorded by Cody Johnson, earned Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers a pair of Grammys for Best Country Song. Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde took home Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”

Grammy darling Brandi Carlile added three Grammys to her collection, including wins for Best Americana Album (In These Silent Days) and Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song (“Broken Horses”).

Maverick City Music were big winners in the Christian and Gospel categories, taking home Best Gospel Performance/Song, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, Best Gospel Album, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

The Tennessee State University Marching Band won a Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album.

In the general field, Bonnie Raitt took home Song Of The Year for “Just Like That,” Lizzo won Record Of The Year for “About Damn Time,” Samara Joy for Best New Artist, and Harry Styles took home Album Of The Year for Harry’s House.

Below are a selection of winners from the 65th annual Grammy Awards:

SONG OF THE YEAR
“abcdefu” – Sara Davis, GAYLE & Dave Pittenger, songwriters (GAYLE)
“About Damn Time” – Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin & Theron Makiel Thomas, songwriters (Lizzo)
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film)” – Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
“As It Was” – Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon & Harry Styles, songwriters (Harry Styles)
“Bad Habit” – Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Foushee, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby & Steve Lacy, songwriters (Steve Lacy)
“Break My Soul” – Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant & Christopher A. Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
“Easy on Me” – Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin, songwriters (Adele)
“God Did” – Tarik Azzouz, E.Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts & Nicholas Warwar, songwriters (DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy)
“The Heart Part 5” – Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar & Matt Schaeffer, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
“Just Like That” – Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt) – WINNER

RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Don’t Shut Me Down” (ABBA) – Benny Andersson, producer; Benny Andersson & Bernard Löhr, engineers/mixers; Björn Engelmann, mastering engineer
“Easy on Me” (Adele) – Greg Kurstin, producer; Julian Burg, Tom Elmhirst & Greg Kurstin, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
“Break My Soul” (Beyoncé) – Beyoncé, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Jens Christian Isaksen & Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, producers; Brandon Harding, Chris McLaughlin & Stuart White, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
“Good Morning Gorgeous” (Mary J. Blige) – D’Mile & H.E.R., producers; Bryce Bordone, Serban Ghenea & Pat Kelly, engineers/mixers
“You and Me on the Rock” (Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius) – Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Brandon Bell, Tom Elmhirst & Michael Harris, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
“Woman” (Doja Cat) – Crate Classics, Linden Jay, Aynzli Jones & Yeti Beats, producers; Jesse Ray Ernster & Rian Lewis, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
“Bad Habit” (Steve Lacy) – Steve Lacy, producer; Neal Pogue & Karl Wingate, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
“The Heart Part 5” (Kendrick Lamar) – Beach Noise, producer; Beach Noise, Rob Bisel, Ray Charles Brown Jr., James Hunt, Johnny Kosich, Matt Schaeffer & Johnathan Turner, engineers/mixers; Michelle Mancini, mastering engineer
“About Damn Time” (Lizzo) – Ricky Reed & Blake Slatkin, producers; Patrick Kehrier, Bill Malina & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Michelle Mancini, mastering engineer – WINNER
“As It Was” (Harry Styles) – Tyler Johnson & Kid Harpoon, producers; Jeremy Hatcher & Spike Stent, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

BEST NEW ARTIST
Anitta
Omar Apollo
DOMi & JD Beck
Muni Long
Samara Joy – WINNER
Latto
Måneskin
Tobe Nwigwe
Molly Tuttle
Wet Leg

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Voyage (ABBA)
30 (Adele)
Un Verano Sin Ti (Bad Bunny)
Renaissance (Beyoncé)
Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) (Mary J. Blige)
In These Silent Days (Brandi Carlile)
Music Of The Spheres (Coldplay)
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (Kendrick Lamar)
Special (Lizzo)
Harry’s House (Harry Styles)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Amy Allen
Nija Charles
Tobias Jesso Jr. – WINNER
The-Dream
Laura Veltz

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
“Heartfirst” – Kelsea Ballerini
“Something in the Orange” – Zach Bryan
“In His Arms” – Miranda Lambert
“Circles Around This Town” – Maren Morris
“Live Forever” – Willie Nelson – WINNER

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
“Wishful Drinking” – Ingrid Andress & Sam Hunt
“Midnight Rider’s Prayer” – Brothers Osborne
“Outrunnin’ Your Memory” – Luke Combs & Miranda Lambert
“Does He Love You – Revisited” – Reba McEntire & Dolly Parton
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde – WINNER
“Going Where The Lonely Go” – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
Palomino – Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Humble Quest – Maren Morris
A Beautiful Time – Willie Nelson – WINNER

BEST COUNTRY SONG
“Circles Around This Town” (Maren Morris) – Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Maren Morris & Jimmy Robbins, songwriters
“Doin’ This” (Luke Combs) – Luke Combs, Drew Parker & Robert Williford, songwriters
“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” (Taylor Swift) – Lori McKenna & Taylor Swift, songwriters
“If I Was a Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert) – Jesse Frasure & Miranda Lambert, songwriters
“I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die” (Willie Nelson) – Rodney Crowell & Chris Stapleton, songwriters
“‘Til You Can’t” (Cody Johnson) – Matt Rogers & Ben Stennis, songwriters – WINNER

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG
“Bright Star” — Anaïs Mitchell, songwriter (Anaïs Mitchell)
“Forever” — Sheryl Crow & Jeff Trott, songwriters (Sheryl Crow)
“High And Lonesome” — T Bone Burnett & Robert Plant, songwriters (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)
“Just Like That” — Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt) – WINNER
“Prodigal Daughter” — Tim O’Brien & Aoife O’Donovan, songwriters (Aoife O’Donovan & Allison Russell)
“You And Me On The Rock” — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius)

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG
“Someday It’ll All Make Sense (Bluegrass Version),” Bill Anderson feat. Dolly Parton
“Life According to Raechel,” Madison Cunningham
“Oh Betty,” Fantastic Negrito
“Stompin’ Ground,” Aaron Neville With The Dirty Dozen Brass Band – WINNER
“Prodigal Daughter,” Aoife O’Donovan & Allison Russell

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM
In These Silent Days — Brandi Carlile – WINNER
Things Happen That Way — Dr. John
Good To Be… — Keb’ Mo’
Raise The Roof — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Just Like That… — Bonnie Raitt

BEST AMERICANA PERFORMANCE
“Silver Moon [A Tribute to Michael Nesmith],” Eric Alexandrakis
“There You Go Again,” Asleep at the Wheel feat. Lyle Lovett
“The Message,” Blind Boys of Alabama feat. Black Violin
“You And Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile feat. Lucius
“Made Up Mind,” Bonnie Raitt – WINNER

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Toward the Fray, The Infamous Stringdusters
Almost Proud, The Del McCoury Band
Calling You From My Mountain, Peter Rowan
Crooked Tree, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – WINNER
Get Yourself Outside, Yonder Mountain String Band

BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM
Let’s Just Praise The Lord – Gaither Vocal Band
Confessio – Irish American Roots – Keith & Kristyn Getty
The Willie Nelson Family – Willie Nelson
2:22 – Karen Peck & New River
The Urban Hymnal – Tennessee State University Marching Band – WINNER

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM
Lion – Elevation Worship
Breathe – Maverick City Music – WINNER
Life After Death – TobyMac
Always – Chris Tomlin
My Jesus – Anne Wilson

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
Die To Live – Maranda Curtis
Breakthrough: The Exodus (Live) – Ricky Dillard
Clarity – DOE
Kingdom Book One Deluxe – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin – WINNER
All Things New – Tye Tribbett

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG
“God Really Loves Us (Radio Version)” (Crowder Featuring Dante Bowe and Maverick City Music) – Dante Bowe, David Crowder, Ben Glover & Jeff Sojka, songwriters
“So Good” (DOE) – Chuck Butler, Dominique Jones & Ethan Hulse, songwriters
“For God Is With Us” (for KING & COUNTRY & Hillary Scott) – Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone, songwriters
“Fear Is Not My Future” (Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin) – Kirk Franklin, Nicole Hannel, Jonathan Jay, Brandon Lake & Hannah Shackelford, songwriters – WINNER
“Holy Forever” (Chris Tomlin) – Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Chris Tomlin & Phil Wickham, songwriters
“Hymn Of Heaven (Radio Version)” (Phil Wickham) – Chris Davenport, Bill Johnson, Brian Johnson & Phil Wickham, songwriters

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE/SONG
“Positive” (Erica Campbell) – Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Juan Winans, songwriters
“When I Pray” (DOE) – Dominique Jones & Dewitt Jones, songwriters
“Kingdom” (Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin) – Kirk Franklin, Jonathan Jay, Chandler Moore & Jacob Poole, Songwriters – WINNER
“The Better Benediction” (PJ Morton Featuring Zacardi Cortez, Gene Moore, Samoht, Tim Rogers & Darrel Walls) – PJ Morton, songwriter
“Get Up” (Tye Tribbett) – Brandon Jones, Christopher Michael Stevens, Thaddaeus Tribbett & Tye Tribbett, songwriters

Click here for a full list of winners.

Entertainment Production Campus Worldwide Stages Officially Opens

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Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

Worldwide Stages LLC (WWS) has officially unveiled its a massive entertainment complex in Spring Hill, Tennessee, just south of Nashville.

WWS has already provided facilities to multiple facets of the entertainment industry, including tour rehearsal spaces for artists and production facilities for diverse content creators to produce live-streaming events, music videos, commercials, episodic television series and feature films.

After aquiring the former world headquarters of Saturn, WWS invested millions of dollars into a complete renovation. The entertainment campus provides thousands of square feet in luxurious production facilities, greenrooms and professionally decorated artist suite; a variety of stages ranging in scale for music tour rehearsals, TV and film production; decorated gathering spaces for meetings or events; a private 70-seat theater with state-of-the-art audio equipment; acres of private parking for personnel and production equipment with easy access to major Interstate highways; and onsite medic and security personnel.

Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

“It feels like opening ‘Disneyland,’ but for entertainment production professionals and A-list stars,” shares Kelly Frey, CEO & President of WWS. “The first word we hear from artists and production companies visiting our facility is ‘Wow.’ We wanted to create not just a functional production environment but also a safe haven for A-list entertainers. We even designed a Speakeasy around a vintage 1920’s era solid wood bar that our guests can use for meetings, events or relaxation onsite.”

Frey adds, “Forget about the warehouses and industrial soundstages of the past. WWS is much more like a five-star hotel venue that happens to have the soundstages and ancillary production space A-list performers and international production companies need to produce their entertainment content securely and in comfort.”

Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

“The opening of WWS signals Tennessee’s trending growth and competitiveness in the entertainment sector on both a local and national level,” says Bob Raines, Executive Director for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission. “WWS will not only leverage Tennessee’s internationally renowned music industry, but also service the influx of television and motion picture professionals interested in producing the next generation of entertainment content.”

WWS is already planning expansion, adding additional soundstages onsite in Spring Hill in response to industry demand while investigating expansion to other entertainment-centric cities in need of the luxury-branded facilities curated by WWS.

Industry Ink: Tyler Hubbard, CAA, Spotify, Deluge Music

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Tyler Hubbard Sells Out Bowery Ballroom In New York City

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, Liz Fischer and Tyler Hubbard at the Bowery Ballroom.

Multi-Platinum artist Tyler Hubbard sold out the Bowery Ballroom in New York City with his performance on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Hubbard released his debut solo album Tyler Hubbard last week on Friday, Jan. 27. The collection features hit “5 Foot 9” as well as his latest single “Dancin’ In The Country.”

 

CAA Amplify Kicks Off Black History Month Celebration With Intimate Dinner

Mickey Guyton at CAA Amplify’s Black History Month Dinner. Photo: Courtesy of CAA

CAA kicked off their celebration of Black History Month last night (Feb. 2) with an intimate dinner hosted by CAA Amplify alongside a group of Black female agents and executives.

The event was led by CAA Agency Board Member Lisa Joseph Metelus and Senior Motion Picture Agent Lorrie Bartlett. Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, the first Black woman elected to the city’s top office, served as the surprise honored guest.

“We are honored to be in community with an incredible gathering of women leaders in the entertainment industry,” stated Metelus and Bartlett. “At its core, CAA Amplify is a powerful platform that celebrates the continued progress towards equity, and those breaking barriers daily. We are thrilled to welcome Mayor Bass, a woman shattering the glass ceiling, and offer our support as she works to best serve the needs of Los Angeles.”

Country music artist Mickey Guyton was in attendance along with Warner Bros. Television Chairperson Channing Dungey, Executive Vice President of TriStar Television Jennifer Turner, actress Jurnee Smollett, President of TriStar Pictures Nicole Brown, Vice President of Netflix Niija Kuykendall, Universal Studio Group Chairman Pearlena Igbokwe and many other leaders within the industry.

 

Spotify Nashville Represents At Women In Entertainment Event

Pictured (L-R): Gemma McInturff, Guest, Brittany Schaffer, Jackie Augustus, Rachel Whitney and Mary Catherine Kinney. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Spotify

Spotify hosted its 2023 Women in Entertainment event on Wednesday evening (Feb. 1) at Spago Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California.

Spotify Nashville team members Brittany Schaffer, Gemma McInturff, Jackie Augustus, Mary Catherine Kinney and Rachel Whitney were among those in attendance.

 

Deluge Music Signs Blake Wood

Pictured (L-R): Deluge Music’s Stephanie Greene, Blake Wood, Deluge Music’s David Robkin, and Lewis Brisbois’ Matt Cottingham.

Deluge Music has signed singer-songwriter Blake Wood to an exclusive global publishing agreement.

Born in Kentucky and raised in North Carolina, Wood made his way to Music City two years ago. He comes from a musical family as his brother Jon is also a Nashville-based artist and his father Steven is a musician and producer.

Berklee College & Electronic Arts Music Announce ‘Next Gen’ Scholarship

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Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive & President at EA Music and Nashville resident

The Screen Scoring Department at Berklee College of Music and Electronic Arts Music have partnered on a new EA/Berklee Next Gen Scholarship.

The new scholarship will, each semester, offer one qualified woman or non-cisgender composer studying in the Screen Scoring Department the chance to not only receive financial aid but also be mentored by an industry-leading team and learn how they compose, orchestrate and arrange an original score for an EA video game title.

“This is an exciting moment for the Screen Scoring Department and Berklee as a whole,” said Sean McMahon, department chair. “We are constantly striving to provide the best possible education for our students to attain personal and professional success. With this scholarship and mentorship program, Berklee and EA Music will collaborate on a vital initiative that allows the selected women to succeed, learn, and enter the world of composing with support from one of the most forward-thinking companies in interactive entertainment.”

The scholarship recipient will be announced at ‘EA Day’, an annual event beginning Spring 2023 that will bring notable guest speakers and Electronic Arts/EA Music executives to the Boston campus. The scholarship and mentorship program will empower deserving women to enter the industry with a practical understanding of what goes into composing an original video game score, a list of top-level professional contacts, as well as an understanding of working relationships.

“Our collaboration with Berklee is the latest in a series of EA initiatives designed to inspire the next generation to pursue STEAM-based careers,” says Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive & President at EA Music, and Nashville resident. “Music composition is traditionally a very male-dominated sector, with a recent USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative finding that women currently represent only 1.7% of composers in screen music, and the gender ratio of male composers to female composers is 18.3 to 1. We must work together to change this – and fast. We hope this partnership will provide the women who take part with an incredible learning opportunity and remind them of the variety of roles available to them in the video games industry. We look forward to our continued role in developing a new generation of women composers”

Joe Baldridge Joins Ocean Way Nashville As Director Of Studio Operations

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Joe Baldridge

Joe Baldridge has joined The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business as Director of Studio Operations at Ocean Way Nashville.

In addition to teaching, Baldridge boasts a 35-year audio engineering career stacked with multiple No. 1s. He holds nearly 600 credits on All Music, earned a Dove Award for his work with TobyMac and a Grammy nomination for his work on Taylor Swift’s album Red.

“Joe has a fantastic balance of vast commercial and teaching experience and is a highly respected faculty member in our field,” says Michael Janas, Audio Engineering Program Chair and Instructor of Audio Engineering Technology. “With a combination of 35 years of professional experience and more than 13 years in the classroom, he understands the highest level of skill needed to succeed in the industry as well as what it takes for students to reach that level.”

“Ocean Way isn’t just a world-renowned studio; it’s also a space for students to learn and hone their crafts,” states Dr. Sarita Stewart, Interim Dean of Curb College “We’re excited for Joe to continue leveraging the Ocean Way name to bring more eyes to Belmont. After a national search, it was clear he was the best person to fill the role.”

“We have an excellent team here built on a solid reputation created by those who came before us,” says Baldridge. “We are excited to continue to serve recording arts and grow Ocean Way Nashville as a home for creatives from all over the world to do their best work.”

Additionally, Ocean Way recently hired Austin Atwood, a 2012 music business alumnus, to serve as Operations Manager and promoted Jamie Warden to Business Manager.

Designed by award-winning recording engineer Allen Sides and purchased by Belmont University in 2001, Ocean Way Nashville is the number one tracking room in Music City. The world-class teaching facility also serves an impressive client roster. Housed in a 100-year-old Gothic revival gray stone church, Ocean Way Nashville serves a diverse list of clients spanning pop, rock, hip hop, country and gospel and has emerged as the premier scoring facility in the Southeast. Besides being a sought-after space for full-band tracking, Ocean Way Nashville has become an internationally favored destination for orchestral recording as well as scoring for films and video games.

Carly Pearce Slates New Live Album For March

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Carly Pearce is set to release a new live project, 29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City), on March 24.

The album was recorded during an intimate concert event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, which also featured special guests Lee Brice (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”), The Isaacs (“Easy Going”), Matthew West (“Truth Be Told”), Jenee Fleenor (“29”) and Ashley McBryde (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”).

Pearce will vie for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this Sunday (Feb. 5) on CBS. Her current hit “What He Didn’t Do,” has amassed over 200 million streams to date.

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member joins Blake Shelton’s “Back to the Honky Tonk Tour,” starting Feb. 16 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City) Track Listing:
1. “Diamondback (Live From Music City)”
2. “What He Didn’t Do (Live From Music City)”
3. “Easy Going (Live From Music City)”
4. “Dear Miss Loretta (Live From Music City)”
5. “Next Girl (Live From Music City)”
6. “Should’ve Known Better (Live From Music City)”
7. “29 (Live From Music City)”
8. “Never Wanted To Be That Girl (Live From Music City)” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
9. “Your Drinkin’, My Problem (Live From Music City)”
10. “Liability (Live From Music City)”
11. “Messy (Live From Music City)”
12. “Show Me Around (Live From Music City)”
13. “Day One (Live From Music City)”
14. “All The Whiskey In The World (Live From Music City)”
15. “Mean It This Time (Live From Music City)”
16. “Truth Be Told (Live From Music City)” – Carly Pearce and Matthew West
17. “Every Little Thing (Live From Music City)”
18. “Hide The Wine (Live From Music City)”
19. “I Hope You’re Happy Now (Live From Music City)” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

CRS Announces Day 2 & 3 Agenda Details

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CRS has unveiled details surrounding Day Two and Three of this year’s event, set for March 13-15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The details regarding Day One, the Digital Media Summit, were also announced this week.

Newly-announced panels include:
Leading Through High Functioning Anxiety: Exploring the traits, characteristics, challenges, and coping mechanisms for those with High Functioning Anxiety, specifically in the workplace. Panelists include Laura Melrose Ramey (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Onsite Workshops) and Isabelle Burton Richards (Master of Arts/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor/Center for Contextual Change). Debbie Carroll (Onsite Workshops, VP Entertainment and Specialized Services) will moderate the panel.

Merch Madness 2023: Four key takeaways on how radio stations can generate non-traditional revenue through quality, creative merchandise and merchandise collaborations. Panelists include Jamie Mottram (BreakingT), Scot Calonge (Richards & Southern Inc.), Masa Patterson (Benztown), and Moderator Allison Warren (Cumulus Radio Group Nashville).

Socially Acceptable: Understanding The Platforms of Today: An interactive workshop on effectively utilizing social media platforms. Moderated by Nicole Michalik (Beasley Media Group), panelists are Stefany Reed (Artist Relations & Talent Partnerships, Live Nation), Kelsey Charles (Lucchese Boots), and Cheldin Rumer (CEO, This Is It Network).

Prep Rally: The three main styles of show prep: searching and finding your content, using show-prep services, and utilizing personal stories/moments for relatable content for listeners will be discussed. Panelists set to appear are Tim Leary (Hubbard/WIRK), Steve Reynolds (The Top Ten Talent Coach/The Reynolds Group), and Charlie Maxx (Beasley Broadcast Group/WXTU & Futuri Media). Kelly Sutton (Host of Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton) will moderate.

Okay, Boomer! – A Conversation with Gen- Z: How to connect with and appeal to the next generation of audio consumers, employees, and co-workers in the industry in 2023 and beyond. The panel will feature conversations with everyday Gen-Z’ers, Gen-Z Personalities, experienced industry veterans, and successful programmers who employ all Gen-Z members. Panelists are Bru (Audacy), Dan Hunt (Program Director/National Brand Team, iHeartMedia), and Brittani Koster (Sr. Manager/Streaming, Big Loud). Maynard (National Programming/EVP Programming, iHeartMedia) will moderate this session.

Tuesday (March 14) and Wednesday (March 15) at CRS ‘23 will also include mentoring breakfasts, Team UMG at the Ryman, The BMLG luncheon, the annual “Artist Interview” featuring Kenny Chesney, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, The CRS Research presentation, the annual New Faces of Country Music Show and much more.

“This year’s agenda will tackle our industry’s greatest challenges and opportunities, including growing as a content creator, coping with anxiety, discovering new revenue streams, celebrating diversity, and maintaining relevance in a changing universe,” shares Joey Tack (WIVK/Knoxville), Chairman of the CRS 2023 Agenda Committee.

The War & Treaty To Drop New 10-Song Collection ‘Lover’s Game’ In March

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The War And Treaty are gearing up for the release of their new 10-song collection, Lover’s Game, set for March 10 via Mercury Nashville.

Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter explore the many facets of the complex emotion and pull back the layers of a maturing relationship on the brand new project.

“There is no greater or higher calling in life than to be conduits of love and that’s exactly what Lover’s Game is to us,” says Tanya. “From the opening guitar riff to the last piano note on this record…love is the intention and love is the subject that can’t be ignored. We’ve been through every facet of it together and we could not be more excited to share another layer of our story.”

The new album includes tracks “That’s How Love Is Made,” the spirit-lifting “Angel,” “Have You a Heart” which aches for real partnership, the fiery “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me” and more. The couple dug deep into the lessons their love has laid bare for this new album, writing more than 100 songs over the last two years before compiling it.

They’ll bring the new music to more than 35 cities this spring on their “Lover’s Game Tour,” kicking off March 19 in Oklahoma City. The powerhouse duo will also perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage tomorrow night (Feb. 4).

Lover’s Game Track Listing:
1. “Lover’s Game”- Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter, Dave Cobb
2. “Blank Page” – Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
3. “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me” – Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
4. “Yesterday’s Burn” –  Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
5. “That’s How Love Is Made” –  Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter, Dave Barnes
6. “The Best That I Have” – Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
7. “Dumb Luck” – Beau Bedford
8. “Angel” –  Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
9. “Up Yonder” –  Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter
10. “Have You A Heart” – Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter

‘CMT Storytellers: Kelsea Ballerini’ To Air February 16

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Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT

Kelsea Ballerini will star in the third installment of CMT Storytellers, set to premiere Thursday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. CT on the network.

The show features never-before-heard stories behind Ballerini’s most career-defining songs, and takes fans along on a musical journey from her Platinum debut album The First Time (2015) through her latest project Subject To Change (2022). She performs hits “Peter Pan,” “Homecoming Queen?,” “Half of My Hometown” and “If You Go Down” on the show, which was filmed in front of an intimate audience outside of Nashville, and opens up about her evolution as a singer-songwriter, her writing process, and navigating life and career in the special one-hour concert.

“Songwriting is my therapy, my haven, my best friend and my exhale,” says Ballerini. “It’s the purest part of what I do, and I am grateful to join a lineup of storytellers I’ve learned from as I tell mine.”

Brooks & Dunn kicked off the revival of CMT Storytellers this spring, followed by an episode with Darius Rucker. The Storytellers franchise originally aired on VH1 from 1990 to 2015 and quickly became a cultural touchstone, featuring some of the biggest names in music including Garth Brooks, The Chicks, Pearl Jam, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, among others.

Ballerini will also return as co-host of the CMT Music Awards for the third consecutive year, and is set to appear as part of the concert event “The Judds: Love Is Alive – The Final Concert” this spring. This Sunday (Feb. 5), she’s also up for her first Grammy in the “Best Country Solo Performance” category for “Heartfirst.” Ballerini is set to embark on the second leg of her headlining “Heartfirst Tour” this spring, in addition to joining Kenny Chesney on his “I Go Back Tour.”

Industry Ink: BMI, Laurie Gregory, Forward Music Management, More

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BMI Kicks Off Bluebird Cafe Series With ‘New Faces Of Nashville’ Show

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Harper Grae, Tony Evans Jr., Lindsey Hinkle and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Edwin Keeble

BMI kicked off their 2023 showcase series, BMI Presents at the Bluebird Cafe, with a “New Faces of Nashville” set on Tuesday evening (Jan. 31). The show featured performances from Music City newcomers Lindsey Hinkle, Harper Grae and Tony Evans Jr.

BMI Presents at the Bluebird Cafe spotlights a diverse group of Nashville-based, emerging singer-songwriters each month at the historic venue.

“BMI is proud of our partnership with the Bluebird. We’re mutually committed to the support of our songwriter community,” shares BMI Nashville Executive Director, Creative, Shannon Sanders.

The event marked Hinkle’s Bluebird Cafe debut. She serenaded audience member with her songs including “Power of a Woman,” “Bound to Fall,” and “Leave Me Alone.” The self-taught musician has written her own music since she was 13, and has opened for acts including Keith Urban, Lady A, Sugarland and Darius Rucker.

Grae spoke about her childhood tribulations, singing about her mother’s struggle with addiction and being raised by her grandparents. Her emotional set included “Monster,” “Bloodline,” and “Dying on the Vine” and more from her EP Buck Moon Medleys.

Evans Jr. closed out the show with songs centered around heartbreak and “that knot in the stomach we feel when a relationship ends.” The Georgia native performed three tracks during his set — “We’ve Never Danced,” “Hard to Sleep Alone” and “Kids We Never Had.”

 

Laurie Gregory Joins Smokin’ Oaks Organic Farms As Director of Marketing & Events

Laurie Gregory

Music and hospitality industry veteran Laurie Gregory has joined Smokin’ Oaks Organic Farms as Director of Marketing & Events.

Gregory served as a founding producer of Music City Roots and previously managed events for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In her new role, Gregory will be responsible for promotions and events for the farms as well as the Nashville storefront located on 8th Avenue South.

Owned by Justin Head, Smokin’ Oaks features a full-service butcher shop, deli and grocery as well as an area used for lunch seating, ticketed events, tastings and live music. Everything in the store is carefully sourced to be top quality clean, nutrient-dense products. All meats are from the owner’s farm, where the animals are 100 percent pasture-raised in a healthy environment.

“Smokin’ Oaks is a true farm-to-table business,” says Gregory. “Just like the authentic musicians and creatives I have worked with all these years, our team’s dedication to clean local food and support of other farms inspire me to develop opportunities for the public to experience. I have the dream job of combining my favorite things: food, music and community.”

Gregory can be reached at laurie@smokinoaksorganicfarms.com.

 

Matt Freedman Inks With Forward Music Management

Matt Freedman and Brad Austin.

Matt Freedman has joined Forward Music Management’s roster.

Freedman has been working on his music since he was a teenager. His songs combine a unique blend of country, rock, Americana, pop and blues. He and his band The Herd have opened for artists including Miranda Lambert and Brett Young.

“Matt is uniquely positioned for 2023 and beyond. He’s a bit of a renaissance artist with one foot firmly planted in the roots of country, pop and Americana music yet the other foot is pointing squarely towards the future. I’m excited for people to hear what’s next from Matt!” says Forward Music Founder Brad Austin.

 

Ginmarc Publishing Signs Addy Prado

Pictured (L-R): Ginmarc’s Jennifer Rai, Addy Prado and BMI’s Leslie Roberts. Photo: Michael Miller

Jennifer Rai and her husband, producer Mark Bright, have launched independent publishing company, Ginmarc. Singer-songwriter Addy Prado is Ginmarc first signee, inking an exclusive publishing deal with the company.

Ginmarc seeks to support the creativity and development of songwriters and producers. Rai served as Creative Director of Mark Bright Productions for years, and recently held the same position at Adair Publishing. She has also served as A&R Director & Production Coordinator on multiple major label projects.

Prado is a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar, oboe, and more, and grew up singing with her sister from an early age. She is currently touring with her friend Matthew Fowler and sister Tana in a trio. Since signing with Ginmarc she has written with Bright, Marc Beeson, Chuck Butler, Michael Farren and more, and has already earned cuts with Canadian country artist Emilie Naimark and rising pop artist Garrett Adair.

“Addy is pure creative energy,” says Rai. “Her voice, as an instrument, is as strong as her writing instincts. I am just thrilled to have the privilege of signing her as my first writer and supporting her creativity.”