The Academy of Country Music and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) have teamed up to launch the OnRamp program, a guaranteed income program for 20 young Black members of the music community in Nashville, Tennessee.

The program intends to improve inclusivity and equity within Music City, while empowering the next generation of leaders early in their careers through access to professional development opportunities, community mentorship, and other resources to increase personal growth and industry exposure, including exclusive ACM membership panels and tentpole live events as well as visibility with the ACM Board and other industry leaders.

OnRamp applications will be available starting in late spring with the program starting in June, in celebration of Black Music Month and to commemorate BMAC’s third anniversary. Each participant will receive a one thousand dollar monthly stipend for one year.

The 2022 cohort of the ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program will help to guide the OnRamp program as it grows. ACM LEVel Up is a Nashville-based professional development and enrichment program for rising leaders in country music, funded by ACM at no cost to participants. The two-year curriculum is designed to encourage participants to play a crucial role in expanding the horizons of the country genre to new audiences that transcend demographics and geography. In December, ACM announced the program’s 2023 cohort, representing an entirely new and unduplicated list of organizations from the 2022 inaugural class.

Last June, BMAC released a report, Three Chords & The Actual Truth, which documented opportunities for improvement in Black representation and participation in the country music space. The report called for Music Row, the city of Nashville and its companies, organizations and individuals committed to change and equity to partner with BMAC in a transformational program for Black artists in Nashville. ACM is amongst the first industry leaders to recognize and help facilitate necessary changes within the music community.

“The Academy has a rich history of fostering diversity and inclusion in the country music industry both on stage and behind-the-scenes, and we see this partnership as a particularly impactful way to continue our committed work to making the statement ‘Country Music is for Everyone’ a true reality,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “We’re excited to work with BMAC on this pivotal and transformative work for our Nashville community by increasing opportunities for young professionals from diverse backgrounds in our industry.”

“It speaks volumes for the Black Music Action Coalition and the Academy of Country Music to join forces to launch a guaranteed income program in Nashville for emerging Black artists and young professionals. I applaud Damon Whiteside, the ACM Board and the LEVel Up team for sharing our vision and becoming true partners with BMAC on a direct impact solution that will begin to address long standing racial inequalities that exist in this country,” says BMAC Co-Founder & Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers.

Bryce Sherlow has been promoted to A&R Manager at Warner Chappell Music, and Benji Amaefule joins the company as an A&R Manager as well. 

“I’m really happy to welcome passionate young publishers who love music and the writers that create it to our team,” shares Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “It’s been great to see Bryce grow at Warner Chappell, and she’s going to continue to charge ahead creatively on Music Row. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Benji to Music City. Many in the industry have seen his passion for songs and songwriters through his prior work in media, and we’re excited to see him make the jump over to creative as he joins our A&R team.”

Sherlow graduated from Belmont University in 2019 and interned with Scooter Braun Projects, Sony Music Entertainment, Songs Music Publishing, and Mick Management. She joined WCM Nashville in 2021 after stints at Creative Artists Agency and Collective Artists Management. As a Tour Marketing Assistant at CAA, she served as a member of The Task Force and was responsible for planning the company’s annual Young Nashville Party and all Nashville volunteer events. As Digital Coordinator at Collective Artists Management, Sherlow developed strategic plans surrounding releases and managed socials for the clients.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this promotion onto Warner Chappell Nashville’s creative team and to be working with an extremely talented roster,” says Sherlow. “Throughout my time at Warner Chappell, it has been evident to me that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I am grateful to Ben and the entire creative staff for believing in me and entrusting me with this increased responsibility. I feel incredibly supported internally and cannot wait to continue fostering relationships and building the careers of our incredible songwriters.”

Amaefule is a new addition to WCM Nashville, relocating from Houston. He began his career in country promotions at Cox Media’s KKBQ Houston developing social media content for artists and events. He also previously served as Head of Artist and Label Partnerships at media platform Country Central. In his personal passion for country music, he cultivated his own brand, TheBenjiChord, where he interviews artists and writers and reviews new releases coming out of Music Row. Amaefule also previously worked for Apple and BMC Software and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with the amazing team of writers and artists here at Warner Chappell Music,” says Amaefule. “I’m so excited to learn from Ben and the whole A&R team and know we will do great work together. This is the best time to be a creator and fan of music, and the Warner Chappell roster has an incredible track record of success. I’m grateful to be a part of this organization and look forward to contributing to the legacy of this team.”

Nashville singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun is set to release her new album Proof of Life on April 28 via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. To celebrate, she released a new song from the project, “Changes,” as well as the official music video.

Oladokun produced the project with Mike Elizondo, Ian Fitchuk, Dan Wilson, and Alysa Vanderheym. Proof of Life is a thirteen-track album that simply encapsulates the human experience. This project features Oladokun’s new single “Changes” and previously released tracks “Keeping The Light On” and “Sweet Symphony,” as well as a duet with Chris Stapleton. Collaborations with Manchester Orchestra, Mt. Joy, Maxo Kream, and Noah Kahan are also included, and deluxe editions on CD and vinyl will have three additional tracks.

“This album is evidence of how I live,” Oladokun says. “I hope these are helpful anthems. I started making music because I wasn’t hearing from the ‘everyday human being’ on the radio. I hope this resonates with anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day. I’m average. I do this job because I love what I do. I put so much care, craft, and intention into it. I’m making music to live to.”

Oladokun is set to headline Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on May 12 and support John Mayer and Noah Kahan on their respective tours this year.

Proof of Life Track Listing
1. Keeping The Light On
2. Changes
3. Taking Things for Granted
4. Somebody Like Me
5. Friends feat. Mt. Joy
6. You At The Table feat. Manchester Orchestra
7. Sweet Symphony feat. Chris Stapleton
8. Trying
9. Pride
10. Revolution feat. Maxo Kream
11. The Hard Way
12. We’re All Gonna Die feat. Noah Kahan
13. Somehow

Kristian Bush will release the final installment of his four-album collection, 52-This Year, on March 10 via Big Machine Label Group.

Bush shared the album’s lead single, “Already Yours,” today (Feb. 20) on all streaming services. The melody-driven track celebrates true and instant love, and was co-written by Bush with Andy Alberts and Andrew DeRoberts.

“It’s strange that we don’t have names for certain feelings even with all of the words we have in the English language,” Bush says. “But the feeling you get when you realize someone you have just met feels like someone you’ve known for lifetimes is the feeling this entire song is about.”

With 52-This Year, the solo artist and Sugarland founder will have completed four albums within the span of one year—the same number of albums released by Sugarland to date. Across the 52 songs (one for each year of his life) and especially in the final 14, Bush embraces the wisdom and experiences accumulated from decades spent in the music business.

The album title draws its name from the lyrics of the album’s final song, the deeply personal “New Year’s Resolution #7,” which Bush penned on New Year’s Day 2016 while both reflecting and looking to the future.

“I was making a list of the things I wanted to do, what I wanted to change, and what I thought I got right last year that I should keep up,” Bush says. “It is the truth of me, the closest you will probably ever get to knowing me, so it seems appropriate as the title to this final volume of 52.”

Along with juggling his four-album release, Bush launched and hosts his weekly podcast, 52-The Podcast, that explores the connection between his new songs and past hits, produces Megan Moroney, leads his label/publishing company Songs of the Architect, writes, records and performs with his rock band Dark Water and his folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim. He is also gearing up for Sugarland’s impending 20-year anniversary.

52- This Year Track List:
“Can’t Fix” | Kristian Bush, Connie Harrington
“Already Yours” | Kristian Bush, Andy Alberts, Andrew DeRoberts
“This Is How Love Sounds” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Cohen, Jon Nite
“The Space Between Us” | Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks
“If I Could Be” | Kristian Bush, Connie Harrington, Paul Plissey
“Let It Be Me” | Kristian Bush, Brandon Bush, JT Harding
“Love and Blue Jeans (feat. Billy Pilgrim)” | Rodney Clawson, Luke Dick, Shane McAnally
“Going Out of Business” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Trott
“Victory Lap” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Trott
“First Glass of Wine” | Kristian Bush, Benji Shanks
“Longneck with Jesus (feat. Billy Pilgrim)” | Kristian Bush, Marty Dodson, Paul Overstreet
“What Love Is” | Kristian Bush, Phil Barton, Liz Rose
“If You Gotta Go Now” | Kristian Bush, Jeff Cohen, Matt Thiessen
“New Year’s Resolution #7” | Kristian Bush

Ashley McBryde brought her spectacular Lindeville project to the Ryman Auditorium last week for two sold-out crowds.

McBryde and her collaborators staged a carnival of sights and sounds to the music of her Grammy-nominated project Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville. The album is a look at the town of Lindeville, created by McBryde and her co-writers, that is the home to vibrant characters with engrossing storylines. A collaborative project, McBryde is joined by a host of talents on the album, including Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere and more. It was nominated for Best Country Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

The Ryman stage looked like the set of a play, with “Lindeville” written out on a banner behind the band, the album’s trademark purple dinosaur set up by the steel guitarist and a special radio station booth in the corner set for Storme Warren. The radio exec put on his acting hat to play the part of radio announcer for Lindeville’s WTF (What The Fuzz) radio.

The evening started with the album’s cover star, Audrey Byrd, dancing across the stage and plopping down on a chair to begin to read a story. As she read, narration from McBryde played.

McBryde said, “Three little misfits had an idea one muggy as hell afternoon. The idea, it was weird, but they weren’t ‘a-feared,’ for they knew another weirdo or two. They figured they knew just exactly the few they would call to chorale and explore. The phone calls were made and if you ask them, they’ll say, ‘The stars lined up too good to ignore.’ Soon there were six at a small kitchen table in a cabin, mysterious and quirky. They toiled away all hours of the day, helping themselves to tequila and jerky. It wasn’t long before song after song came falling right out of the ether – onto sketch pads and laptops and guitars and keyboards about pawn shops and strippers and preachers. What they had on their hands, through some kind of plan, was so magic, it grew legs and wings. So Ash called a friend who said he was in, he built the band and asked her who should sing. There was just one more dream these weirdos could dream, and it’s all yours tonight. You’ve got good timing. Ladies and gents, we proudly present: ‘Lindeville Live.'”

Hilarity ensued when McBryde appeared to perform “Brenda Put Your Bra On” alongside Pillbox Patti and Lainey Wilson. Bras of all shapes, colors and sizes were flung up on stage while the women kicked off the night’s music.

Next, Aaron Raitiere appeared to perform “Jesus Jenny.” A scorned lover heckled Raitiere from the crowd as he sang the witty tune.

There were several moments of transition through the evening as the next slate of performers got ready to entertain. Like on the album, McBryde crafted several commercials for the businesses in Lindeville. A bluegrass band comprised of Charlie Worsham, TJ Osborne, Tim Sergent, Dan Hochhalter, Ben Helson and Jerry Pentecost joined McBryde to promote Lindeville’s Dandelion Diner, Ronnie’s Pawnshop and Forkem Family Funeral Home while everyone else got set for the next number. Each commercial was funny, hokey and delightful.

Speaking of bands, the Lindeville house band was electric. Brothers Osborne‘s John Osborne served as the eager bandleader. Chris Harris, Matt Helmkamp, Joe Andrews, Caleb Hooper, Quinn Hill and Preston Wait joined him.

TJ Osborne appeared at one point to sing the sincere “Play Ball.” He sounded beautiful singing about a caretaker of the local baseball park, who has been through trials but feels blessed to be alive.

Another impactful moment came when Benjy Davis gave a stoic performance of “Gospel Night At The Strip Club.” As Davis sang the first chorus of the tune, “Jesus loves the drunkards and the whores and the queers,” a dazzling group of local drag queens showed up in various sections of the Ryman. They smiled out at the crowd and sang along. It was enough to make audience members cry.

One of the night’s funniest moments came when Raitiere and Shelly Fairchild acted out “The Missed Connection Section of the Lindeville Gazette.” While pretending to grocery shop, the two traded verses about missing their connection with each other at the store. “Man seeking woman who won’t tell his wife,” Raitiere sang while Fairchild echoed, “Woman seeking man who won’t tell her husband.”

McBryde was joined by her fellow female performers for an epic rendition of “Bonfire At Tina’s.” The anthem about small town women gathering together in solidarity for a drunken bonfire was one of the rowdiest points of the night, with audience members raising their fists and singing along.

To tribute the album’s namesake, the illustrious songwriter Dennis Linde, McBryde led a performance of one of his beloved tunes, The Chicks‘ “Goodbye Earl.” The campy spirit of the song fit the night’s setlist perfectly.

Before closing, McBryde performed her breakout hit, “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” McBryde paused at the line, “I hear the crowd,” to soak in the community she has built with her music, before concluding the event with a heartfelt thank you.

McBryde’s Lindeville album is undoubtedly one that will stand up as time passes. The un-barred artistic expresion, brilliant songwriting and camaraderie between herself and her collaborators will draw listeners for decades to come.

Click here to listen to Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.