New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, CBS’ five-hour special to ring in the New Year, will be hosted by radio and TV personality Bobby Bones and Entertainment Tonight‘s Rachel Smith. The celebration will air live from Music City on Friday, Dec. 31 on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

“I’m so excited to celebrate and host New Year’s Eve this year right down the street from my house, with so many of my friends who have great performances planned,” says Bones. “I can’t wait to show America how special Nashville is.”

“I am over the moon to co-host New Year’s Eve Live from Nashville,” Smith adds. “I get to hang with the hottest acts in country music, some I’m lucky enough to call friends, on New Year’s Eve in my hometown! Sign me up!”

As previously announced, the special will feature nearly 50 performances by country’s hottest stars, including Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell and Zac Brown Band. The broadcast will cross multiple time zones, with the traditional countdown at midnight ET, culminating with the renowned Nashville music note drop and fireworks at midnight CT.

The  Country Music Association awarded Luke Combs and Keith Urban with CMA International Artist Achievement Awards during The 55th Annual CMA Awards. The honor recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the U.S. during the eligibility period.

“Both Keith and Luke have been trailblazers for our genre, consistently growing and enhancing country music globally,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “They each place such a distinct priority on country music’s international fanbase and continue to further CMA’s mission to bring country music to audiences all over the world. We could not be prouder to present them both with this award.”

Combs’ sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, debuted at No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada, as well as on the country charts in the U.K. and Australia. With its release, Combs became the first male country artist to have their first two albums certified Silver in the United Kingdom. What You See Is What You Get has been in the Australian ARIA Top 50 Albums chart for 104 weeks while his debut album, This One’s For You, has been on the chart for 178 weeks. Combs is the second highest streamed country artist in the U.K. for 2021, only behind Dolly Parton, and will headline the Country to Country (C2C) Festival in 2022.

“This award means a lot to me,” says Combs. “I am humbled to have so many supporters outside of my home country who love my music, and I am really looking forward to playing for them soon. Thank you to the CMA for honoring me with this award!”

Urban has been a consistent pioneer for the global spread of country music for over a decade. In 2019, he not only headlined the C2C Festival in the U.K. and Europe, but also embarked on his own shows throughout the year. He has performed on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing as well as created a BBC Radio 2 series, proving his broadcast abilities.

Urban posted on his social channels saying: “CMA, thank you so much for this incredible honor, International Artist Achievement Award, thank you, thank you, thank you. This goes out to all the fans as well, thank you guys. Can’t wait to hit the road very soon.”

As announced earlier this fall, CMA awarded U.K. concert promoter Chris York the 2021 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award. Winners for the remaining 2021 CMA International Awards categories will be presented in the coming months.

Sophie Moll Joins JRM Publishing, Mailbox Money Music As Creative Manager

Sophie Moll has joined JRM Publishing/Mailbox Money Music in the role of Creative Manager. Moll will work under the direction of Sarah and Jimmy Robbins.

Originally from Conyers, Georgia, Moll moved to Nashville in 2014 to attend Belmont University. After graduating in 2018 with a B.B.A. and majoring in music business, she began working at Wrensong Entertainment under Ree Guyer, where she quickly realized she wanted to pursue a career in music publishing.

“Sophie has already proven herself to be an indispensable addition to our team. We are fortunate to have her join JRM Publishing/Mailbox Money Music as we grow our roster and ventures,” shares Sarah Robbins.

 

 

Jess Blais Receives 2022 Steve Ferguson CRS Scholarship For 2022 Conference

The recipient of the 2022 Steve Ferguson CRS Scholarship has been announced as Jess Blais. She was selected by a board of country radio programmers and other industry professionals and will receive a paid registration for the 2022 Country Radio Seminar, running Feb. 23-25 in Nashville.

Blais serves as the content director for KYSM / Country 103.5 in Mankato, Minnesota. She will be honored during the 2022 CRS conference.

Spearheaded by Nashville’s GrassRoots Promotion, the scholarship was established to honor the legacy of longtime WTHO producer Steve Ferguson, who passed away in 2019.

“Jess Blais brings a passion for country music that truly embodies the spirit of the Scholarship,” says GrassRoots managing partner Nancy Tunick. “Steve Ferguson was such a positive force for the country format and the selection committee saw those same qualities in Jess.”

 

Reel Muzik Werks Signs Songwriter & Author Thornton Cline

Reel Muzik Werks, helmed by creator advocate Teri Nelson Carpenter, has signed award-winning songwriter and author Thornton Cline.

Throughout his career, Cline’s music has received awards and nominations from the Recording Academy and the Gospel Music Association in the pop, classical, and kids’ music categories. Cline is also celebrating the recent release of his 34th traditionally-published book, Cheers From Heaven, with Tuscany Bay Books.

“Thornton is a great talent as a songwriter and an author. We are thrilled to welcome him into our Reel Muzik Werks family,” shares Carpenter.

“I am honored to sign with Teri Nelson Carpenter and Reel Muzik Werks,” Thornton adds. “I feel confident that Reel Muzik Werks will do what they say; by collecting royalties due for my songs all over the globe as well as licensing my songs in TV and film. They have offices all over the world and have an excellent track record as compared to other companies. I look forward to great things happening in our four-year business partnership.”

 

Stone Senate Signs With Conway Entertainment For Booking

Nashville-based Conway Entertainment Group has signed southern rock band Stone Senate for booking service. They join a roster that includes Randy Travis, The SteelDrivers, Jake Hoot, and Monte Montgomery.

With influences like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band, Stone Senate is made of lead vocalist/guitarist Clint Woolsey, guitarists James Edwards and Ted Hennington, bass player/vocalist Paul Zettler, and drummer/vocalist David Zettler. Having been together since 2012, the band has built their audience through relentless touring year round.

Stone Senate is signed to Rollin’ the Dice Records, a label imprint under longtime Nashville manager Erv Woolsey.

“We are very excited about our future with Stone Senate. The music speaks for itself, and the men are the best kind of people anyone could hope to work with,” shares Cody Payne of Conway Entertainment. “I had been hearing about the group for the last couple years and jumped on the opportunity to work with a band that already has such a great reputation thus far in their career.”

“I’ve known and respected Tony Conway for many years and had the opportunity to work with him on multiple occasions. I’m grateful to have him and his team at Conway Ent on board to help us grow Stone Senate’s touring!” adds Erv Woolsey, CEO and founder of Rollin’ the Dice Records.

Stone Senate and Conway Entertainment will wrap the year on Dec. 4 at The Basement in Nashville. Tickets for the show are on sale now.