Tyne Parrish
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Tyne Parrish serves as a Co-Owner of The GreenRoom and has played a role in shaping the careers of some of country music’s most notable artists, including current clients Dierks Bentley, Bobby Bones, Brooks & Dunn, Russell Dickerson, Caylee Hammack, Lady A, Jon Pardi, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Thomas Rhett, CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live and Live Nation Entertainment.
Through strategic planning and execution of album/single/tour campaigns, securing national traditional and new media, tour publicity, international press plans, special events and charitable initiatives, her goal is to solidify and elevate client profiles.
Working in tandem with top management teams, label groups and music industry leaders over the last two decades, she enjoys sharing music and telling stories with some of the brightest people in business. Her honors include 2020 and 2024 CMA Publicist of the Year.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
We moved nearly every four years growing up. I spent the first 10 or so years in Michigan and Ohio, then moved to Alabama and eventually to Nashville in high school.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What was your childhood like—what were you into?
My mom loved country music and my dad loved oldies, so music was an every day thing around the house and in the car.
Where we grew up wasn’t rural, but it was very small-town Michigan where all spent a lot of early childhood. My grandparents had this DIY lake house—no drywall, no AC or heat —but we made so many memories there with extended family. We had a carefree, outside-all-day kind of childhood. But I didn’t know anyone else who listened to country music, which made me feel like I was in on something different and special. I’ve always been drawn to things that are against the flow of the crowd, a little left of center.
Did you go to concerts as a kid?
Many! My mom loved Earl Thomas Conley—his was my first concert. I remember cutting out a blue moon from cardboard to give him. We went to a lot of concerts as a family—Trisha Yearwood, Sawyer Brown, Lori Morgan, Tim McGraw and George Strait’s summer stadium tours every year as I got older. I wish I still had all the merch from those ’90s shows!
So did you always know this is what you wanted to do?
Not PR specifically, but I always had an interest in what went into music. On car rides, I’d bring tapes and read liner notes. I’d figure out which songwriter wrote for which artist and what that crossover was. But I didn’t see it as a job until we moved to Nashville. Then it clicked—people really do this for a living. Belmont was nearby, so I started the music business program.
What was Belmont like?
I loved it. It was full of creative people who came from across the country for music, but there were other programs too, like nursing and sports, so it felt balanced enough for me. I had come from a fairly homogeneous high school, so meeting people from different walks of life was really enjoyable.
Then I transferred to NYU thinking, “When else can you move to New York?” But as much as I liked to visit, I figured out quickly that it wasn’t where I wanted to plant my roots. I knew I wanted to work hard and be good at whatever I did, but I enjoyed space and the pace of Nashville. I wanted to enjoy my career, work hard, and also have the time to enjoy/prioritize other parts of life.
So I moved back to Belmont and switched to psychology. I thought, “Only a handful of people will land in the music industry—maybe I should be practical.” Before I graduated, I got a receptionist position at Erv Woolsey‘s office.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What was that chapter like?
I learned so much—mainly how to just be available to work. I was on the front porch answering phones. There was a door between me and the rest of the office. We didn’t really use cell phones yet except for emergencies, so I answered basically all incoming calls for the whole office. I got to know people like Ben Farrell and Terry Calogne just by being the first point of contact. Even George Strait called the main line.
Eventually, I moved up—off the porch and inside. [Laughs] I just did my job and tried to do it well.
What was the next job?
I became the assistant to Danny O’Brian, George’s booking agent, and to Scott Kernahan, who managed Dierks Bentley at the time. That’s how I met Mary Hilliard—she was Dierks’ publicist. When she was hiring, she called Kernahan for any recommendations, and he was suggested me.
I had taken one PR class. I didn’t know anything. I asked Scott, “What should I do?” And he said, “Mary Hilliard’s one of the most fun people I know and I learn something new from her every day.” That’s all it took for me to jump in nearly blind, but I knew without a doubt that experience with Mary was something I should pursue.
What was it like to jump into PR?
I was young and just naïve enough to believe I could do it. Mary told me to write a press release, and I’m pretty sure I asked what goes in a press release—you couldn’t just google everything then! It was just the two of us and trial by fire, but she was so patient and encouraging.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
Do you remember an early win—or maybe a fail?
I remember an early mistake (I’m sure there were many more prior to this). I sent a program blurb for an artist opening for Kenny Chesney and wrote their single was Gold instead of Platinum. I was mortified when I caught the error.
But, I owned it and Mary walked me through it. I told the manager, and he laughed and said, “Go tell the artist.” I was so nervous. But the artist said something like, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I think it’s going to be okay.”
That taught me—own your mistakes. Fix what you can. That’s how you get better.
What about a win?
I remember getting my first magazine cover—it was for Lady A. I pitched it, and I saw it through. I remember thinking, “We have a moment. Let’s go.” It was a women’s magazine so they obviously wanted Hillary on the cover, but we had to figure out how to include the guys but still have it make sense. Working through that with the magazine and the Lady A team—it was just a really fun challenge.
After becoming a leading publicist, you became an owner of The GreenRoom with Kristie Sloan. Tell me about that.
We bought the majority of The GreenRoom from Mary in 2015. She could’ve taken a big check and walked—but she instead offered us the opportunity to set up and every single client stayed. She gave us the foundation and let us take it from there.
Kristie was pregnant at that time, and my husband and I had started the adoption process. It felt a lot like, “When it rains, it pours.” But, we figured it out and had a lot of support from the GreenRoom team and our clients’ teams. Since then, Kristie and I have had four babies combined, taking turns flip-flopping carrying the full load of the company every time. It’s easily one of my life’s greatest gifts to both be able to lead a company and trust that it’s in good hands so that I could step away to be with family during that precious time.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What’s your favorite part of what you do now?
Watching my team win. Today, a manager sent a group text, and one of my teammates replied exactly what I was in the process of typing out. That moment—seeing her gut line up with mine—is the best.
And the work itself—I still love it. We market music via humans, and that unpredictability keeps it fun. The media landscape constantly shifts. No two days are the same.
With country music continuing to gain national attention, there’s more awareness and excitement for it than ever. But even when pop culture shifts, country music is not going anywhere. We build lifelong stars and have career-long fans. Our fans are so invested. And we know how to connect with them.
Who would you say are your biggest mentors?
Mary Hilliard Harrington for sure. Clarence Spalding‘s advice always surprises me in the best way. He helps me see things I didn’t consider. My dad, too. He gave me a book about women climbing Everest when I was little. His advice was never “you can do anything,” it was “if you work hard, you can do something you enjoy.”
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
My dad always said, “Dress for the job you want.” While he partially meant it literally, it’s always reminded me to try and do more than just what’s expected…think ahead, see the gaps and jump in to fill them.
I also love what Thomas Rhett says, “Be where your boots are.” That helps me reset when I’m stressed or trying to regulate some amount of balance between work and personal life.
How do you have a life outside of the demands of being a publicist?
A great team. And, Kristie and I tag in and out. We try to model boundaries in a realistic way. Now that I have kids, I really think about how they’ll remember me from their childhood. Will it be a vision of me staring down at my phone or swinging in the backyard? On a “normal” day when you’re not working early, nights and weekends, you only get a couple hours with them as it is.
But even with the non-traditional work hours, the flip side is that we’re not tied to an office desk 40 hours a week anymore, we don’t have to take a half day from a small PTO allotment to go read to my daughter’s class for an hour. So, for as demanding as our business can be, there are also some major advantages. For me personally, that flexibly goes a long way in terms of the makeup of how I structure my time.
What are you most excited about right now?
There’s a lot to be excited about—we’ve got so much new music coming this summer!
Alabama & Brenda Lee To Be Honored At Eighth Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughBrenda Lee, Alabama
Alabama and Brenda Lee have been revealed as the first announced honorees at the eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards set for Sept. 23 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Both Alabama and Lee have earned two of the organization’s highest honors and will be celebrated with special segments during the night’s festivities. With the return of presenting partner City National Bank, the evening will be a celebration filled with stories and performances honoring the faces behind the industry and the music made in Music City.
Alabama will receive NSAI’s pinnacle honor, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of the band’s contributions to the American songbook. Charting 43 No. 1s and selling over 80 million records, Alabama is undisputedly one of country’s most influential bands, whose work continues to inspire the careers of songwriters and artists to this day. Previous Kris Kristofferson award recipients include Alan Jackson (2024), Bobby Braddock (2023), Garth Brooks (2022), Bill Anderson (2018), and Willie Nelson (2013).
Brenda Lee will be awarded with the NSAI President’s Keystone Award, a recognition bestowed to an individual that has given significant contributions to the industry for the betterment of all songwriters. Lee was personally selected by NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller in honor of her incredible achievements, record-breaking career, and undeniable place she has earned in music history. Lee signed her first record deal at the age of 11, has sold over 100 million albums, was the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames, and also holds the record for longest gap between No. 1 charting hits, with her first in 1960 (“I’m Sorry”) and the most recent in November 2023 (“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”).
“At City National Bank, we recognize the incredible talent and creativity that fuels the songwriters of Nashville and across the nation,” says Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Managers of City National Entertainment in Nashville. “That’s why we’re proud to return as the presenting sponsor of the Nashville Songwriter Awards, which recognize individuals for their artistry, storytelling and impact in music.”
Lainey Wilson & Jessie Jo Dillon Nab Early ACM Wins
/by LB CantrellLainey Wilson is surprised by Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert
The winners of the ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories were revealed yesterday (May 7), ahead of tonight’s 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, which airs live at 7 p.m. CST from Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas.
Lainey Wilson, who is one of the night’s top nominees with seven nods, earned her first ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Award in a backstage surprise from Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert. The three will debut their forthcoming collaboration, “Trailblazer,” at the ACM Awards.
Kelsea Ballerini and Jessie Jo Dillon
Wilson, who penned this new track with Lambert and Brandy Clark, also co-wrote every track on her latest album, Whirlwind, a 14-track project that is not only nominated for the coveted ACM Album of the Year Award this year but also features her hit single “4x4xU,” which earned her two nominations in this year’s ACM Song of the Year category as a songwriter and artist. This marks Wilson’s 13th ACM Award win.
For the second year in a row, Jessie Jo Dillon earned the ACM Songwriter of the Year Award in an on-stage surprise from her frequent collaborator and ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee, Kelsea Ballerini, during ACM Country Kickoff. This honor arrives after Dillon co-penned multiple tracks on three of the five projects vying for Album of the Year at tonight’s ceremony.
Dasha, Ingrid Andress, David Archuleta, More To Play ‘Concert For Love & Acceptance’
/by Madison HahnenThe annual “Concert For Love & Acceptance” has set the lineup for its 2025 event, taking place June 2 at Category 10 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Dasha will headline the event, with additional performances from Ingrid Andress, David Archuleta, Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell, Tiera Kennedy, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Maggie Rose, Runaway June, Sam Williams and Ty Herndon, who founded the event in 2015 to raise funds for Ty Herndon’s Foundation For Love and Acceptance, which supports the LGBTQ+ community alongside support for mental health, addiction and trauma recovery.
“CMA Fest is such a sacred week for country music lovers, and we’re honored to be able to kick the week off for the fans with a night of music that brings us together and reminds us that we have a whole lot more in common than what divides us,” says Herndon. “This is a night about putting differences aside and coming together to say we’re all God’s children and our job is to love and accept one another.”
Tickets are available here. Additional performances and appearances will be announced at a later date.
My Music Row Story: The GreenRoom’s Tyne Parrish
/by LB CantrellTyne Parrish
Tyne Parrish serves as a Co-Owner of The GreenRoom and has played a role in shaping the careers of some of country music’s most notable artists, including current clients Dierks Bentley, Bobby Bones, Brooks & Dunn, Russell Dickerson, Caylee Hammack, Lady A, Jon Pardi, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Thomas Rhett, CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live and Live Nation Entertainment.
Through strategic planning and execution of album/single/tour campaigns, securing national traditional and new media, tour publicity, international press plans, special events and charitable initiatives, her goal is to solidify and elevate client profiles.
Working in tandem with top management teams, label groups and music industry leaders over the last two decades, she enjoys sharing music and telling stories with some of the brightest people in business. Her honors include 2020 and 2024 CMA Publicist of the Year.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
We moved nearly every four years growing up. I spent the first 10 or so years in Michigan and Ohio, then moved to Alabama and eventually to Nashville in high school.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What was your childhood like—what were you into?
My mom loved country music and my dad loved oldies, so music was an every day thing around the house and in the car.
Where we grew up wasn’t rural, but it was very small-town Michigan where all spent a lot of early childhood. My grandparents had this DIY lake house—no drywall, no AC or heat —but we made so many memories there with extended family. We had a carefree, outside-all-day kind of childhood. But I didn’t know anyone else who listened to country music, which made me feel like I was in on something different and special. I’ve always been drawn to things that are against the flow of the crowd, a little left of center.
Did you go to concerts as a kid?
Many! My mom loved Earl Thomas Conley—his was my first concert. I remember cutting out a blue moon from cardboard to give him. We went to a lot of concerts as a family—Trisha Yearwood, Sawyer Brown, Lori Morgan, Tim McGraw and George Strait’s summer stadium tours every year as I got older. I wish I still had all the merch from those ’90s shows!
So did you always know this is what you wanted to do?
Not PR specifically, but I always had an interest in what went into music. On car rides, I’d bring tapes and read liner notes. I’d figure out which songwriter wrote for which artist and what that crossover was. But I didn’t see it as a job until we moved to Nashville. Then it clicked—people really do this for a living. Belmont was nearby, so I started the music business program.
What was Belmont like?
I loved it. It was full of creative people who came from across the country for music, but there were other programs too, like nursing and sports, so it felt balanced enough for me. I had come from a fairly homogeneous high school, so meeting people from different walks of life was really enjoyable.
Then I transferred to NYU thinking, “When else can you move to New York?” But as much as I liked to visit, I figured out quickly that it wasn’t where I wanted to plant my roots. I knew I wanted to work hard and be good at whatever I did, but I enjoyed space and the pace of Nashville. I wanted to enjoy my career, work hard, and also have the time to enjoy/prioritize other parts of life.
So I moved back to Belmont and switched to psychology. I thought, “Only a handful of people will land in the music industry—maybe I should be practical.” Before I graduated, I got a receptionist position at Erv Woolsey‘s office.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What was that chapter like?
I learned so much—mainly how to just be available to work. I was on the front porch answering phones. There was a door between me and the rest of the office. We didn’t really use cell phones yet except for emergencies, so I answered basically all incoming calls for the whole office. I got to know people like Ben Farrell and Terry Calogne just by being the first point of contact. Even George Strait called the main line.
Eventually, I moved up—off the porch and inside. [Laughs] I just did my job and tried to do it well.
What was the next job?
I became the assistant to Danny O’Brian, George’s booking agent, and to Scott Kernahan, who managed Dierks Bentley at the time. That’s how I met Mary Hilliard—she was Dierks’ publicist. When she was hiring, she called Kernahan for any recommendations, and he was suggested me.
I had taken one PR class. I didn’t know anything. I asked Scott, “What should I do?” And he said, “Mary Hilliard’s one of the most fun people I know and I learn something new from her every day.” That’s all it took for me to jump in nearly blind, but I knew without a doubt that experience with Mary was something I should pursue.
What was it like to jump into PR?
I was young and just naïve enough to believe I could do it. Mary told me to write a press release, and I’m pretty sure I asked what goes in a press release—you couldn’t just google everything then! It was just the two of us and trial by fire, but she was so patient and encouraging.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
Do you remember an early win—or maybe a fail?
I remember an early mistake (I’m sure there were many more prior to this). I sent a program blurb for an artist opening for Kenny Chesney and wrote their single was Gold instead of Platinum. I was mortified when I caught the error.
But, I owned it and Mary walked me through it. I told the manager, and he laughed and said, “Go tell the artist.” I was so nervous. But the artist said something like, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I think it’s going to be okay.”
That taught me—own your mistakes. Fix what you can. That’s how you get better.
What about a win?
I remember getting my first magazine cover—it was for Lady A. I pitched it, and I saw it through. I remember thinking, “We have a moment. Let’s go.” It was a women’s magazine so they obviously wanted Hillary on the cover, but we had to figure out how to include the guys but still have it make sense. Working through that with the magazine and the Lady A team—it was just a really fun challenge.
After becoming a leading publicist, you became an owner of The GreenRoom with Kristie Sloan. Tell me about that.
We bought the majority of The GreenRoom from Mary in 2015. She could’ve taken a big check and walked—but she instead offered us the opportunity to set up and every single client stayed. She gave us the foundation and let us take it from there.
Kristie was pregnant at that time, and my husband and I had started the adoption process. It felt a lot like, “When it rains, it pours.” But, we figured it out and had a lot of support from the GreenRoom team and our clients’ teams. Since then, Kristie and I have had four babies combined, taking turns flip-flopping carrying the full load of the company every time. It’s easily one of my life’s greatest gifts to both be able to lead a company and trust that it’s in good hands so that I could step away to be with family during that precious time.
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What’s your favorite part of what you do now?
Watching my team win. Today, a manager sent a group text, and one of my teammates replied exactly what I was in the process of typing out. That moment—seeing her gut line up with mine—is the best.
And the work itself—I still love it. We market music via humans, and that unpredictability keeps it fun. The media landscape constantly shifts. No two days are the same.
With country music continuing to gain national attention, there’s more awareness and excitement for it than ever. But even when pop culture shifts, country music is not going anywhere. We build lifelong stars and have career-long fans. Our fans are so invested. And we know how to connect with them.
Who would you say are your biggest mentors?
Mary Hilliard Harrington for sure. Clarence Spalding‘s advice always surprises me in the best way. He helps me see things I didn’t consider. My dad, too. He gave me a book about women climbing Everest when I was little. His advice was never “you can do anything,” it was “if you work hard, you can do something you enjoy.”
Photo: Courtesy of Parrish
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
My dad always said, “Dress for the job you want.” While he partially meant it literally, it’s always reminded me to try and do more than just what’s expected…think ahead, see the gaps and jump in to fill them.
I also love what Thomas Rhett says, “Be where your boots are.” That helps me reset when I’m stressed or trying to regulate some amount of balance between work and personal life.
How do you have a life outside of the demands of being a publicist?
A great team. And, Kristie and I tag in and out. We try to model boundaries in a realistic way. Now that I have kids, I really think about how they’ll remember me from their childhood. Will it be a vision of me staring down at my phone or swinging in the backyard? On a “normal” day when you’re not working early, nights and weekends, you only get a couple hours with them as it is.
But even with the non-traditional work hours, the flip side is that we’re not tied to an office desk 40 hours a week anymore, we don’t have to take a half day from a small PTO allotment to go read to my daughter’s class for an hour. So, for as demanding as our business can be, there are also some major advantages. For me personally, that flexibly goes a long way in terms of the makeup of how I structure my time.
What are you most excited about right now?
There’s a lot to be excited about—we’ve got so much new music coming this summer!
Gabby Barrett Announces New ‘Life I’m Living Tour’ Beginning In June
/by Lorie HollabaughGabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein
Gabby Barrett is gearing up to launch her new headlining tour, the “Life I’m Living Tour 2025.”
Beginning with a double dose of CMA Fest events on June 5 and 6 in Nashville, the trek will feature 30 dates across the U.S., visiting Columbus, Abilene, Sioux City, Fort Wayne, Bakersfield and more before wrapping Oct. 5 in Ocean City.
“I’m pumped to hit the road this year!” Barrett shares. “The ‘Life I’m Living Tour 2025’ is going to be about the journey of my music career thus far, and turning the page to the next chapter with new music that is coming shortly!”
The tour will build on a whole new level of creative control that Barrett claimed with the 2024 release of her sophomore album, Chapter & Verse (Warner Music Nashville), when she co-wrote nine of 14 songs and for the first time, co-produced the full project alongside producer Ross Copperman.
Barrett, the 2020 ACM New Female Artist of the Year, returns to the 60th ACM Awards tonight (May 8) as a presenter on the show.
Gabby Barrett’s “Life I’m Living Tour 2025” Dates:
June 5 – Nashville, TN @ CMA Fest
June 6 – Nashville, TN @ CMA Fest
June 7 – Blue Springs, NE @ Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska
June 20 – West Chester, OH @ Lori’s Roadhouse
June 21 – Joliet, IL @ Taste of Joliet
June 27 – Santa Rosa, CA @ Country Summer Music Festival
June 28 – Redding, CA @ Win-River Resort & Casino
July 5 – O’Fallon, MO @ Heritage and Freedom Festival
July 10 – Granite Falls, MN @ Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort
July 11 – Columbus, NE @ Platte County Fair
July 12 – Catoosa, OK @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Track 5)
July 17 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
July 18 – Bloomington, IL @ Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
July 19 – Lincoln City, IN @ Lincoln Amphitheatre
July 24 – Saginaw, MI @ The Theater at The Dow Event Center
July 25 – Rockford, IL @ Coronado Theatre
July 26 – West Bend, WI @ Washington County Fair Park
August 14 – Worley, ID @ Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
August 21 – Abilene, TX @ West Texas Rehabilitation Fundraiser
August 22 – Sioux City, IA @ Orpheum Live
August 23 – Mason, WI @ Concert in the Corn
September 1 – Du Quoin, IL @ Du Quoin State Fair
September 5 – Lancaster, PA @ American Music Theatre
September 6 – Farmington, PA @ Timber Rock Amphitheater
September 7 – Wooster, OH @ Wayne County Fair
September 11 – Allegan, MI @ Allegan County Fair
September 12 – Valparaiso, IN @ Central Park Plaza
September 13 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Sweetwater Performance Pavilion
September 18 – Bakersfield, CA @ *Venue TBA
October 5 – Ocean City, MD @ Country Calling Festival
Gretchen Wilson Unmasked As ‘Pearl’ To Win ‘The Masked Singer’s’ 13th Season
/by Lorie HollabaughGretchen Wilson wins The Masked Singer. Photo: Courtesy of FOX Entertainment
Gretchen Wilson emerged from her lavish sea-themed costume to hoist the Golden Mask Trophy as the winner of The Masked Singer‘s 13th season last night (May 7) after eight performances and a plethora of incorrect guesses as to the identity of her character “Pearl.”
Judges Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke, and host Nick Cannon, were all over the map trying to guess “Pearl’s” identity after each performance. Week after week, “Pearl” stumped all four judges by effortlessly moving from Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again,” to Whitney’s “Saving All My Love For You,” Gloria Estefan’s “Conga,” Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and The Outfield’s “Your Love.” A beautiful version of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” sent her into the Top Four, and KT Tunstell’s “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” landed her in the Top Three. After singing The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You,” she was announced as the Season 13 winner.
“This is without a doubt the craziest thing I ever agreed to do, and it ended up being one of the most rewarding,” says Wilson. “The cast and crew were some of the craziest people I’ve ever worked with, and they all became like family. ‘Pearl’ is safely back in the ocean, but her gloves may resurface on the ACM Red Carpet!”
Wilson will be on hand at the ACM Awards in Dallas tonight (May 8) to present the Top New Artist of the Year and the Female Artist of the Year Award, 20 years after winning Female Artist of the Year herself. She’ll also appear in the special role of “Tour Manager” on The Road, a new music competition series airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ this fall.
Ryman Auditorium’s Annual Community Day Set For May 25
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Ryman Auditorium will host its annual Ryman Community Day on May 25.
Tennessee residents are invited to enjoy the daytime tour experience free of charge from 9-4 p.m. with a valid Tennessee state ID. Tickets may be reserved in advance here.
As part of Ryman Community Day festivities, PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium will come alive with family-friendly offerings, including on-site printmaking from the iconic Hatch Show Print, food trucks and games and activities for children like face painting, caricatures and music crafts from the Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab.
The Ryman gift shop will also be open, offering a 10% discount to all guests with a valid Tennessee state ID. Throughout the day, free live music will take place both outside on the PNC Plaza stage and inside on the Ryman stage. The full live music schedule can be found at ryman.com/event/ryman-
On the Ryman’s daytime tour, guests can experience the history of Nashville’s Mother Church and the legendary artists that have graced its stage. This year, Tennessee visitors can enhance their experience with a guided backstage tour, available for $10 day-of at the box office. Guests can also experience Ryman’s newest exhibit, “Opry 100 at the Ryman” which highlights the 100-year history of the Grand Ole Opry. The new exhibit features exclusive memorabilia and items from Opry members like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and more. The daytime tour experience includes immersive videos and star-studded exhibits, including the famed Rock Hall at the Ryman which debuted in 2022 and currently has brand new items on display that were owned or worn by Eric Clapton, Jon Bon Jovi, Mavis Staples and Sheryl Crow.
Centricity Music Elevates Five
/by John Nix ArledgeChristian record label Centricity Music has elevated five veteran staffers to its senior suite. John Mays steps into the role of President of A&R while Camy McArdle transitions to Co-General Manager/SVP, Business Affairs & Publishing alongside Andrew Lambeth who now serves as Co-General Manager/SVP, Marketing. John Stokes will assume the role of SVP of Marketing & Operations and Chad Segura will act as SVP, Publishing.
“Centricity has the best team in the industry, and I wanted to start the year by acknowledging and rewarding the team’s responsibilities and accomplishments,” says Caren Sidle, CEO. “We have had many successes in our history and these titles recognize the milestones and prepare us for continued growth and innovation in the coming years.”
Mays has worked with Centricity since 2005, previously holding the role of SVP of A&R. McArdle joined in 2022, rising from Senior Director of Business Affairs & Finance. Both Lambeth and Segura started at Centricity in 2015 serving as VP of Sales & Promotions and VP of Publishing, respectively, while Stokes joined in 2017 as VP of Marketing & Operations.
Belmont University Awards Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey Honorary Doctorates At 2025 Spring Commencement
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey, Belmont Board of Trustees Chairman Milton Johnson and Belmont Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer. Photo: Sam Simpkins
Belmont University awarded Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey and two leading entrepreneurs with honorary Doctor of the University degrees during its 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies May 2-3 at the Curb Event Center.
President Dr. Greg Jones presided over the events and presented the honorary degrees at the ceremonies, which recognized the graduation of 2,016 students, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates.
“These four extraordinary individuals exemplify what Belmont seeks to instill in its graduates,” said President Jones during the ceremonies. “We bestow this prestigious award with great discernment, recognizing it as the highest accolade the University offers. On behalf of our entire Belmont community, it is with great honor that we recognize these leaders who continue to make a tremendous impact through their commitment to faith, service and excellence in their respective fields.”
A Belmont alumna who graduated in 1986 with a degree in music business, Yearwood has been a singer, author, chef and entrepreneur for over three decades. In 1991 she became the first female country artist to have a debut single reach No. 1 with “She’s in Love with the Boy.” With 15 studio albums and over 15 million records sold, she has received multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards, been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and has stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Nashville Music City Walk of Fame. She is also a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, Emmy-winning host of Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on Food Network, and philanthropist supporting Habitat for Humanity, breast cancer research and animal welfare through her charity, Dottie’s Yard.
“When I think about all of the things that allowed me to have that first song go to number one, and to get a record deal, and to get to tour the world and do all the things that I’ve been able to do in the 34 years of my career, I can’t thank Belmont enough for all of the things along the way,” said Yearwood receiving her honorary doctorate.
Hillary Lindsey, a Belmont alumna and award-winning songwriter, has had songs recorded by artists in both country and pop. Her career includes 28 No. 1 country singles, three Grammy awards, and CMA Song of the Year honors. She is well known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and has been inducted into both the Nashville and National Songwriters Hall of Fame, one of only 400 songwriters in the National Hall of Fame and one of just a few from the country genre.
Dr. Kim Tan, a trained chemist, businessman, entrepreneur and innovative leader focused on social impact through creative business strategies, and Michael Bontrager, founder of Chatham Financial, the largest independent global financial derivatives advisory services and technology firm, also received honorary Doctor of the University degrees during the ceremony.
Country Thunder Florida Hosts 2025 Event With Riley Green, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, More
/by Madison HahnenRiley Green. Photo: Dale Macmillan/Country Thunder
Country Thunder Florida held its 2025 event on May 2-4 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Blake Shelton. Photo: Dale Macmillan/Country Thunder
Among the weekend’s highlights was Ella Langley joining headliner Riley Green for a performance of “Don’t Mind If I Do” and their smash hit “You Look Like You Love Me” on Friday night. During the set, Reba McEntire appeared on the jumbotron to surprise the duo with the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year. Dillon Carmichael also joined Green on stage for a Toby Keith tribute of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.” Additional Friday performers included Kevin Smiley, Abby Anderson and Owen Riegling, as well as Carmichael and Langley’s own sets.
Saturday night brought more powerhouse performances with sets from Angie K, The Kentucky Headhunters, Bayker Blankenship, Chayce Beckham, Jake Owen and a headline set from Blake Shelton.
Jelly Roll. Photo: Dale Macmillan/Country Thunder
Jelly Roll closed down the weekend with his headline set on Sunday, which included “Heart of Stone,” “Need a Favor,” “Save Me,” “I Am Not Okay” and more. He also welcomed a nine-year-old girl on to the stage for an impromptu duet of “Liar.” He was preceded by Ashley McBryde, Clint Black, Drew Baldridge, Dallas Smith and Nolan Sotillo who all brought the energy on the festival’s final day.
Another fan favorite event throughout the weekend was The Songwriters Showcase, which featured Brinley Addington, Heath Warren, Benjy Davis, Troy Cartwright, Hays, Philip Morgan, Abby Anderson, Angie K and more sharing the stories behind their songs.
Ella Langley & Riley Green. Photo: Courtesy of ACM
Jelly Roll sings “Liar” with fan. Photo: Dale Macmillan/Country Thunder