Justin Moore St. Jude Golf Classic Raises Over $400,000 For Charity

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault

Justin Moore hit the links for a good cause recently, hosting the 2022 Justin Moore St. Jude Golf Classic, presented by Winrock Automotive at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.

The annual event raised more than $400k for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and kicked off on Sunday evening (May 1) at Jack Stephens Center with a pre-party for supporters and players, which included an intimate, acoustic performance by Moore, along with a private dinner and silent auction.

The following day, Moore, other special guests including Joe Nichols, Chase Rice, Scott Reeves, and Prince Lorenzo De Medici, and more than 25 teams of golfers united on the fairway at Chenal Country Club for the benefit tourney.

Moore is gearing up for a busy summer as the multi-Platinum hitmaker recently kicked off his 12-date arena run “Country On It Tour,” with guest Granger Smith. Moore also joined fellow Arkansan Heath Sanders for “Raised On Red,” an homage to the way they were brought up and unshakeable similarities.

CMA To Livestream 2022 CMHOF Inductee Announcement

The Country Music Association will livestream this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees announcement on Tuesday, May 17.

Hosted by iconic country duo Brooks & Dunn, the livestream will begin at 10 a.m. CT on CMA’s YouTube channel.

The newest crop of inductees were recently honored in a special, in-person celebration on May 1. Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles, Pete Drake, and The Judds were honored at this year’s event.

For more information about CMA and the Country Music Hall of Fame, click here.

Mtheory Adds Tiffany Provenzano As Founding Director, Equal Access Development Program

Pictured (L-R, back row): Tiffany Provenzano, Kadeem Phillips, Charlene Bryant, Marques Vance; (L-R, front row): Valerie Ponzio, Miko Marks, Madeline Edwards

Management services company Mtheory has added Tiffany Provenzano as Founding Director of its new Equal Access development program.

The Equal Access initiative is designed to give artists and managers from underrepresented demographics in country music the access, training, and networking opportunities they are not always afforded. It was announced following the 2022 CMT Music Awards that the inaugural class that will benefit from the Equal Access program includes artists Madeline EdwardsMiko Marks and Valerie Ponzio; and music management professionals Charlene BryantKadeem Phillips and Marques Vance.

As the Director of the Equal Access program at Mtheory, Provenzano will be marrying her music industry experience with the advocacy work she was doing in the nonprofit world.

Prior to this position, she worked at Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records in NYC for 9 years before moving to Nashville. Upon coming to Music City, Provenzano worked for a start-up before joining local nonprofit The Equity Alliance for the past 2 years, running their operations.

CMT To Air ‘Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration’ Live From Ryman

Naomi Judd. Photo: Derrek Kupish

A celebration of the life and legacy of Naomi Judd, Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration, will be held May 15 at the Ryman Auditorium to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the country music icon.

CMT will exclusively televise the public memorial service as a commercial-free special at 5 p.m. CT. Additional details on the service, performers and special appearances will be announced in the coming days.

“We are sincerely privileged to work alongside Wynonna and Ashley to present this live celebration of life for their mother Naomi. While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music. This special will celebrate her timeless voice, unforgettable spirit and the immense impact she left on our genre through the best form of healing we have–music,” CMT producers share.

Naomi Judd: a River of Time Celebration is a co-production from CMT and Sandbox Live in partnership with The Judds’ family. Margaret Comeaux (CMT), Leslie Fram (CMT), Jason Owen (Sandbox Live) and Patrizia DiMaria (Ladypants Productions) are Executive Producers.

Industry Ink: Devin Dawson, CMA/MusicBiz, ACM Lifting Lives, PLA Media

Devin Dawson Celebrates Double Platinum Debut

Pictured (L-R): Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Devin Dawson, Ben Kline (EVP/General Manager, Warner Music Nashville)

Devin Dawson was surprised on Monday (May 9) by his label Warner Music Nashville with a plaque commemorating the double Platinum certification of his standout debut single, “All On Me.”

Featured on his debut album, Dark Horse, the song has been streamed nearly 450 million times.

Dawson has been busy in recent months with collaborations, and was recently featured on the No. 1 smash “One Beer” with Hardy and Lauren Alaina. Dawson also co-wrote Blake Shelton’s Grammy-nominated, multi-week No. 1 “God’s Country.”

 

 

CMA Sponsors 2022 Music Biz Brunch Featuring O.N.E. the Duo

Pictured (L-R): Marcus K. Dowling, Prana Supreme Diggs, Tekitha Washington and CMA CEO Sarah Trahern at the Music Biz Brunch during Music Biz 2022 Conference sponsored by the Country Music Association.

The CMA hosted the Music Biz Brunch on May 10 during the annual Music Biz 2022 Conference at the JW Marriott hotel in Nashville.

The evening featured an insightful conversation and performance by mother-daughter singer-songwriter group, O.N.E the Duo. The conversation was moderated by Marcus K. Dowling, Tennessean Nashville Country Music Reporter.

O.N.E the Duo, comprised of mother Tekitha Washington and daughter Prana Supreme Diggs, took the stage alongside Dowling for a conversation on the intersectionality of storytelling in all genres, the dynamic of making music as mother and daughter and intentionality of their creative approach, as well as their experience writing and recording in Nashville.

Following the interview, the group treated the crowd to a stirring performance.

 

 

ACM Lifting Lives Lends A Paw To Miranda’s MuttNation Foundation

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Acacia Evans

ACM Lifting Lives is awarding two grants in honor of Miranda Lambert in 2022, continuing a longstanding tradition of honoring each Entertainer of the Year winner by supporting their selected charities.

The $25,000 Entertainer of the Year grant will be split between two recipients, with $12,500 benefiting Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation and $12,500 benefiting Music Health Alliance’s Mental Health Fund. ACM Lifting Lives is also matching the donation to Music Health Alliance to coincide with mental health awareness month this May.

Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation has raised over $6 million since its inception to help promote the adoption of rescue pets, support animal shelters across the country, advance spay & neuter and assist with the transport of animals during times of natural disaster.

 

 

William Kriedberg Joins PLA Media

William Kriedberg

PLA Media has appointed William Kriedberg to Publicity Account Executive. In this role, he will spearhead the publicity and social media campaigns and expand the reach for PLA clients.

Kriedberg got his start as a temp at UMG and Sony Music in New York before moving to Nashville in late 2015. Catch This Music hired him to begin booking country artist Scott Stevens, and he then joined the Kinkead Entertainment Agency.

Other stints include SiriusXM and management company Latitude Entertainment Group as PR and Management Coordinator with the company’s flagship artist, Creed Fisher.

CMHOF Unveils Special Week Of Programming For CMA Fest 2022

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will offer a slate of special programs during CMA Fest 2022 this June, including a live performance with Jenee Fleenor on June 9, a concert and conversation with some of CMT’s Next Women of Country on June 10, a Songwriter Session with Caitlyn Smith on June 11, and a Musician Spotlight with John Osborne on June 12.

All programs are included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance.

Live Performance: Jenee Fleenor – Thursday, June 9, at 2 p.m. in the Ford Theater
Fleenor is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar in recording sessions, live concerts and on television. She has toured with Terri Clark, Martina McBride, Jon Pardi, Blake Shelton and Steven Tyler; and regularly performs with the house band on The Voice. In 2019, Fleenor became the first woman nominated for the ACM’s Specialty Instrument Player of the Year honor and the CMA’s Musician of the Year award which she won in 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2019, she also released her debut album, Fiddle & Steel, and she is featured in the museum’s exhibition American Currents: State of the Music, which highlights significant developments in country music in 2021. She will be accompanied by Ben Isaacs and Mike Rogers.

CMT’s Next Women of Country – Friday, June 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the CMA Theater
The museum will present five of CMT’s Next Women of Country, hosted by CMT executive Leslie Fram, with performances and interviews with Priscilla Block, Ashland Craft, Miko Marks, Lily Rose and Hailey Whitters.

Block wrote and recorded “Just About Over You,” which landed in the top 20 on both Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, leading Block to a recording contract with Mercury Nashville. Craft, who released her debut album, Travelin’ Kind, in 2021, has collaborated on tracks with Brothers Osborne and Hardy. After a hiatus from music, Marks released her first record in thirteen years, Our Country, in early 2021 and quickly followed it with her Race Records EP, a compilation of covers of early country, bluegrass and folk-rock songs. Rose’s song “Villain” gained popularity on TikTok and helped her land a record deal in early 2021. She released her seven-track project Stronger Than I Am later that year and is an opening act on Chris Lane’s 2022 “Fill Them Boots Tour.” Whitters released her breakthrough album, Living the Dream, in 2021 and Raised in 2022. She co-wrote the Grammy-nominated song “A Beautiful Noise,” which was recorded by Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keys, and her songs have also been recorded by Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and Martina McBride.

Songwriter Session: Caitlyn Smith – Saturday, June 11, at noon in the Ford Theater
Earlier this year, singer-songwriter and Monument Records artist Caitlyn Smith released her latest album, High, which includes the single “Downtown Baby.” She was also nominated for the ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year honor in 2022. Smith’s previous releases include her 2020 album, Supernova, which features the singles “Long Time Coming” and “I Can’t” (featuring Old Dominion), and her 2018 debut album, Starfire. She wrote “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor and John Legend), “Wasting All These Tears” (Cassadee Pope) and “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers), as well as songs recorded by Gabby Barrett, James Bay, Garth Brooks, Miley Cyrus, Lady A, Tenille Townes and Rascal Flatts.

Musician Spotlight: John Osborne – Sunday, June 12, at noon in the Ford Theater
John Osborne and his brother, T.J. Osborne, are together known as Brothers Osborne. The duo signed to EMI Records Nashville in 2012, and in the decade since, they have won multiple ACM and CMA awards, including three ACM Vocal Duo of the Year awards and four CMA Vocal Duo of the Year awards. Brothers Osborne earned their first Grammy, for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Younger Me”), earlier this year. As Brothers Osborne’s guitarist, John has been profiled by publications including Guitar World and Premier Guitar. He and T.J. are featured in the museum’s exhibition American Currents: State of the Music.

Dolly Parton Featured In New Musical For Taco Bell

Mexican Pizza the Musical, an off-Broadway production from Taco Bell featuring Dolly Parton, is set to premiere exclusively on TikTok on May 26 at 7 p.m. CT.

Parton stars in the satirical musical about the story of those who fought to bring back the Mexican Pizza, featuring notable moments from Doja Cat.

 

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Fans were asking for a Taco Bell musical on Twitter following an exchange between the Mexican Pizza queen herself, Parton, Doja Cat, and Victor Kunda, who first went viral on TikTok following his creative interpretation of what a Mexican Pizza musical rehearsal could look like, based off of Doja Cat’s iconic Mexican Pizza jingle.

Written by Hannah Friedman, with music by songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Mexican Pizza: The Musical will feature original music with special appearances from Kunda, Doja Cat, Dolly Parton and more.

Taco Bell’s mexican pizza will be returning to menus nationwide on May 19 with rewards members gaining early access starting May 17.

Kacey Musgraves, The Chicks, Asleep At The Wheel, More Set For Austin City Limits Festival

Kacey Musgraves, The Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk, Lil Nas X and more are set to headline the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival from Oct. 7-9 and Oc. 14-16 at Zilker Park.

The nine-stage, two-weekend extravaganza will also include performances from Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Billy Strings, Zach Bryan, Phoenix, Diplo, ZHU, Lil Durk, James Blake, Wallows, Jazmine Sullivan, Tobe Nwigwe, The War on Drugs, Spoon, Conan Gray, Goose, Oliver Tree, and more.

The deep roots of Texas are found throughout this year’s lineup, from headliners The Chicks and Kacey Musgraves, to favorites including Robert Glasper, Teezo Touchdown, Asleep at the Wheel, Buffalo Nichols, Joshua Ray Walker, Sarah & The Sunday, Eric Tessmer, Darkbird, Primo the Alien and more.

Three-day General Admission tickets for both weekends will be available at aclfestival.com starting  today (May 11). Three-day GA+ tickets, three-day VIP and Platinum tickets, and hotel packages are also available.

Sony Group Corporation Q4 Results: 30% Increases In Recorded Music, Music Publishing Revenues

Sony Corporation has revealed its financial statements and consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022. In all of Sony’s business endeavors, consolidated sales increased 10% compared to the previous fiscal year which marks a record high.

In its fourth quarter ended March 31, 2022, streaming revenue increased 32% year-on-year in recorded music and 36% year-on-year in music publishing.

On the recorded music front, the company continues to strengthen its ability to discover and nurture artists, expand its roster and acquire new labels such as Alamo Records. This can be seen as the company averaged 36 songs in Spotifyʼs weekly Global Top 100 songs in the 2021 fiscal year.

To view the full financial report, click here.

Hillsong United, Lauren Daigle, More Set For ‘All This Future Summer Festival Tour’

The “All This Future Summer Festival Tour” is set for July and August as Hillsong United teams up with a group of artists in various cities across the country. TobyMac, Lauren Daigle and Johnnyswim will join on select dates.

Seventeen artists are slated to perform at a mix of amphitheaters and arenas on various dates throughout the summer tour. The 14-city trek kicks off in Scranton, Pennsylvania on July 25 and will visit Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, and more before its final stop in Austin, Texas on Aug. 11.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

“Our prayer for this tour is that people will be encouraged and filled with hope,” says JD of Hillsong United. “The world feels as hurt and battered as ever but we know God’s presence is with us, and in His presence there is peace, joy and love. Despite the season we all may be in, there is a reason to gather together and sing!”

“’The All This Future Summer Festival Tour’ is going to bring a powerful, one-of-a-kind night to each city that it visits,” says Dan Rauter, SVP of Global Touring with Premier Productions. “Each tour stop will showcase a truly diverse group of artists of faith, covering a wide range of musical styles, and whose music is impacting lives inside and outside of the church walls.”

“All This Future Summer Festival Tour” Dates:

Monday, July 25, 2022 – Scranton, PA
UNITED | Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | We The Kingdom | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 – Bridgeport, CT
UNITED | Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | We The Kingdom | TAYA| Social Club Misfits

Thursday, July 28, 2022 – Wilmington, NC
UNITED | Johnnyswim | Tauren Wells | Benjamin Hastings | Social Club Misfits

Friday, July 29, 2022 – Jacksonville, FL
UNITED | Johnnyswim | KB | Benjamin Hastings | Ryan Ellis

Saturday, July 30, 2022 – Orange Beach, FL
UNITED | Tauren Wells | Andy Mineo | TAYA | Ryan Ellis

Monday, August 1, 2022 – Cincinnati, OH
UNITED | Tauren Wells | Andy Mineo | TAYA | Ryan Ellis

Tuesday, August 2, 2022 – Franklin, TN
UNITED | TAYA | Tauren Wells | Anne Wilson | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Wednesday, August 3, 2022 – Camdenton, MO
UNITED | Johnnyswim | Tauren Wells | TAYA| Social Club Misfits

Friday, August 5, 2022 – Lincoln, NE
UNITED | Johnnyswim | Dante Bowe | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Saturday, August 6, 2022 – Rogers, AR
UNITED | TobyMac | Johnnyswim | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Sunday, August 7, 2022 – Brandon, MS
UNITED | TobyMac | Johnnyswim | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Monday, August 8, 2022 – Southaven, MS
UNITED | TobyMac | Blessing Offor | TAYA | Social Club Misfits

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 – Oklahoma City, OK
UNITED | Lauren Daigle | TAYA | Benjamin Hastings | Ryan Ellis

Thursday, August 11, 2022 – Austin, TX
UNITED | Lauren Daigle | TAYA | Benjamin Hastings | Ryan Ellis