Brinn Black. Photo: Haley Crow

Brinn Black visited the MusicRow Magazine offices recently to perform her new single, “72’s,” which showcases the vulnerability in her storytelling and a voice imbued with warmth. The song finds her pining over a lover who seems more obsessed with his pack of Marlboro 72s than with her. The track follows her previous release, “Daddy’s Medicine.”

A longtime resident of Nashville, Black also formed the multi-day music retreat Lyrics On The Lake Songwriters Festival six years ago. The event has raised more than $100,000 for The Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals in Black’s home state of Virginia.

Brinn with MusicRow staffers.

Bonfire Music Group will launch Nashville-based Bonfire Management on Aug. 1. Led by Steve Johnson, the team includes Bonfire Music Group’s owner Lonnie Lassiter, CEO Ethan Burkhardt and marketing director Kyle Watson.

The artists on the Bonfire Management roster are Chatham County Line, The Barefoot Movement, The Slocan Ramblers, Jason Lee McKinney Band, Mike & Amy Aiken, and Anna Lynch. Bonfire Management will also oversee the operations of The Earl Scruggs Music Festival slated for its inaugural event Labor Day weekend of 2020 in Mill Spring, North Carolina at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

“I’m looking forward to all the great things ahead with Bonfire. I’ve known Lonnie and Ethan for over 10 years, we have worked closely, and they have turned in to family, just like the artists I’m privileged to be working with on the roster,” Johnson says. “I can’t wait to get things going. I’m beyond excited to be leading their Management Division. We have assembled a strong roster of artists and will be supporting a few festivals. It’s a fun mix of working with artists and events, really all the fun things I enjoy about the music community. Now, let’s make some wonderful noise and get things going!”

Most recently, Johnson spent more than six years as Artist Relations Manager at MerleFest. He also spent time as Tour Manager for Steep Canyon Rangers. Johnson has a diverse background including stints in hospital administration, air medical/aviation services, leading non-profit organizations both in and out of the arts/music communities, and in government affairs having spent time on Capitol Hill. To his music industry credit, Johnson started Mountain Music Entertainment and HoosierDevil, both focused on artist and event management and booking. He has worked with many artists providing management and/or booking support, including Junior Sisk, Lorraine Jordan, Mark Newton, Danny Burns, Nu-Blu, Songs From The Road Band, and Rodney Dillard. Additionally his companies have produced or supported several music events, including the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series, and Jam in the Trees. Johnson has directly served as Artist Relations Staff to Red Ants Pants Music Festival, Mountain Song, and Graves Mountain Festival of Music.

“We are excited for this new direction and to have Steve on board with the team,” said Burkhardt, CEO of both Bonfire Music Group and Pinecastle Records. “Steve is known for being a hard worker in the music community and is well connected to many facets of the industry. We look forward to great things ahead.”

Cover Art Courtesy of The Valory Music Co./Tape Room Records

Avenue Beat, the collective of Sami Bearden, Savana Santos and Sam Backoff, release their debut self-titled EP today on The Valory Music Co./Tape Room Records. Avenue Beat wrote all four tracks on the EP, which was co-produced by lead singer Savana, David Garcia and Ashley Gorley.

“Today’s the day!! We’ve been dreaming of this moment for so long and are FREAKING OUT that we finally get to share these songs with the world,” said Avenue Beat. “We see our band as a direct reflection of what our friendship looks like and hope that when people listen to our music, they walk away knowing who we are – just three best friends, navigating this crazy life together and figuring it out as we go.”

Avenue Beat joins the bill for Girls of Nashville’s 5^th Anniversary show on August 6 at City Winery in Nashville.

AVENUE BEAT EP TRACK LIST:
1. “Delight” | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet
2. “Be A Bro” | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet
3. “Ruin That For Me” | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Justin Ebach
4. “Broke (wrktp)” | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos

Pictured (L-R): Jason Turner (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC), Kenley Flynn (Combustion Music), Corey Kent, Chris Farren (Combustion Music) , Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music)

Corey Kent has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Combustion Music.

The Oklahoma-born artist, previously performing as Corey Kent White, began touring throughout the country at an early age. Shortly after college graduation, Corey wrote his first No. 1, William Clark Green’s “Hit You Where It Hurts.” He previously released the EP Making Noise in 2014, followed by Long Way in 2016.

“From the minute we met Corey we knew we had to work with him,” said Combustion Music Senior Creative Director Kenley Flynn. “His positive energy, work ethic and talent spoke for themselves. Combustion couldn’t be happier about this new partnership and look forward to bringing Corey’s music to the country fans nationwide.”

“I’ve always been really impressed with the things that the folks at Combustion have accomplished,” said Kent. “They’re incredibly efficient & effective. I’m stoked to have such a great team & humbled to be joining a roster of such fantastic writers/artists.”

Kent is set to release the first of three 3-song EPs on Friday, July 26. From The West Part 1 will feature the recently released, “End of the Trail,” along with two brand new songs.