Ashland Craft & Meghan Patrick Join Forces For New ‘Rollin’ Stoned Tour’

Ashland Craft & Meghan Patrick

Ashland Craft and Meghan Patrick are hitting the road this spring on their co-headlining “The Rollin’ Stoned Tour.”

The two artists are bringing their gritty, high-energy brand of country to six cities across the U.S. Tickets for the shows are on sale now here.

“When I first moved to Nashville I was so lucky to quickly find an incredibly talented group of women that also became my chosen family. We’ve written songs together, cheered each other on, and dreamed about getting to do our own tours together for years,” shares Meghan. “Ashland is not only one of my best friends but also one of my favorite voices ever. She’s a hell of a songwriter and entertainer, and her passion for her craft matches mine. We both got tired of waiting on some guy to take us on tour and decided it was time to take matters into our own hands and put together a show worth every penny of our fans’ hard-earned money. Touring with friends is truly living the dream and I can’t wait to see everyone on the road!”

“I can’t wait to get on the road with Meghan and bring this tour to life,” says Craft. “We both bring a lot of passion and energy to what we do, and this tour is a chance to share that with the fans in a way that feels authentic to us. It’s going to be a wild, rowdy time, and we’re ready to bring some country music with grit to every stop.”

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Craft’s latest single, “Lie A Little.” She recently wrapped tours with Cody Johnson and Tucker Wetmore, and is gearing up to join Luke Bryan this summer for select dates on his “Country Song Came On Tour.”

Patrick is a back-to-back CCMA Female Artist of the Year with 19 CMAOntario Awards and recently released her latest album, Golden Child. 

“The Rollin’ Stoned Tour” Dates:
April 10 – The Stache (Grand Rapids, MI)
April 11 – LRH Live (Lori’s Road House) (West Chester, OH)
April 17 – Carol’s Pub (Chicago, IL)
April 18 – The Grainery (Plain City, OH)
April 19 – PBR Louisville (Louisville, KY)

Big Timber Entertainment Expands With New Accounting Division

Troy Brown and Mark Oliverius.

Big Timber Entertainment has unveiled its newest initiative, BTE Presents: Music Business Accounting.

The division expands on the multi-faceted company’s already diverse range of services including artist management, record distribution, radio promotion, publishing and live show production to offer specialized financial management designed to meet the unique needs of musicians and industry professionals. With extensive experience in both the music and financial industries, BTE’s team of specialists offers a customized approach to accounting, tax preparation, royalty tracking, budgeting and financial planning.

Troy Brown, who leads this new service, brings extensive experience from his role as the former Controller of a multimillion-dollar global distribution company. His background includes a BS in Accounting, an MBA in Quality Management and certifications as a QuickBooks Specialist.

At Big Timber Entertainment, we understand that financial management is often one of the most daunting aspects of the music industry,” says Brown, BTE’s Controller-In-Charge.“This new initiative is about empowering creatives to focus on what they do best while we provide the financial expertise to ensure their business runs smoothly and efficiently, and to provide  artists with the tools and expertise they need to navigate financial challenges and grow their careers.”

We’re excited to launch this service because we know firsthand how important it is for artists to have a solid financial foundation,” says BTE’s co-founder and producer Mark Oliverius. “Our goal is to empower creatives to focus on their artistry while we provide the financial tools they need to succeed in the business side of things.”

BTE Presents: Music Business Accounting has also launched a podcast and a blog via their website and socials for additional tools to help clients in navigating their financial journeys.

Pedal Steel Guitarist JayDee Maness To Be Featured As Next ‘Nashville Cats’ Honoree

Pedal steel guitarist JayDee Maness will be featured by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in its in-depth “Nashville Cats” interview series on April 12 in the museum’s Ford Theater.

At the outset of his 60-plus-year career, Maness helped sow the seeds of country-rock, recording with the Byrds on their landmark 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo and with Gram Parsons’ International Submarine Band. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Desert Rose Band and toured with Buck Owens’ Buckaroos. As a session musician, he has recorded with Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Dwight Yoakam and Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill, Ray Stevens and Tanya Tucker, among many others.

Among his best-known contributions is the pedal steel solo on Eric Clapton’s multi-Platinum 1992 single “Tears in Heaven,” and his playing also appeared in the background music for the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard throughout its seven-season run. Maness is an 18-time winner of the Academy of Country Music’s Steel Guitar Player of the Year award.

The interview will be moderated by museum writer-editor Dave Paulson and will be illustrated with rare photos, film and recordings. After the program, Maness will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters. “Nashville Cats” is included with museum admission and free to museum members, but seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance.

The “Nashville Cats” series began in 2006 by honoring Don Helms and Country Music Hall of Fame members Harold Bradley and Charlie McCoy. Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, “Nashville Cats” has showcased stories and songs from 53 musicians and session singers who have played important roles supporting the artists in either the recording studio or on tour.

CAA Promotes Ethan Goldish & Cam Jensen

Ethan Goldish & Cam Jensen

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has promoted Nashville-based Elevate trainees Ethan Goldish and Cam Jensen to Agents in its Music Touring department.

Goldish started at CAA in 2019 as a floater in the Music department, and later served as an assistant to Steve Kaul, Brad Bissell and Jeff Krones. He was promoted to booking professional in 2022.

Goldish has been actively involved in the PENCIL Foundation as part of the Emerging Leaders Board and was accepted into CAA’s Elevate program in July 2024. He works with a number of clients across the agency’s roster, including Ben Rector, Warren Zeiders, Owl City, Marlon Funaki and Coleman Jennings, among others. He graduated from Duke University in 2019 with a degree in Economics.

Jensen joined CAA in 2022 as an assistant and most recently served as a coordinator before being elevated to booking professional in 2024. He currently oversees the Southeast club territory for CAA’s touring division.

Among the clients Jensen works with are Hannah McFarland, Blake Whiten and Dylan Cotrone, among others. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, before going on to complete his MBA at The Citadel Graduate College. He was accepted into Elevate in October 2024.

Outside of Nashville, additional promotions include Oliver Acutt, Lianne Adamapoulos, Thomas Brooke, Michael Gianino, Drew Leffler, Cooper Patterson, Marisa Pisterzi, Landon Shepanek, Ben Sibley, Dom Valentyn, Ryder White and Kennedy Woodard.

Lee Brice Shows The Power Of A Song & A Guitar At Ryman Show

Lee Brice. Photo: Chase Lauer

Lee Brice’s acoustic show at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday night (Feb. 18) was an intimate journey through his life and career, delivered in a storytelling format that resonated deeply with attendees. As part of his “You, Me & My Guitar Tour,” Brice took the stage surrounded by a collection of guitars, with no elaborate set or distractions, just him and his music. 

Edwin McCain kicked off the night with some of his biggest tunes including “I Could Not Ask For Me,” “Walk With You” and “Take Me.” After letting his charismatic banter shine through, McCain ended his set with “Solitude” and “See Off This Mountain.”

Brice’s set began with a moving video montage, setting the stage for his musical voyage. As the clip came to an end, Brice greeted the audience. “This is special for me. We’re going to talk about guitars, and we’re going to talk about my life.” The crowd was immediately drawn in as he began his story, showcasing his first-ever guitar, signed by Willie Nelson. Brice shared how he learned to play that guitar by playing a few lines of the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” a moment that set the tone for the rest of the night. 

Pictured (L-R, front row): Ciara Shortridge, Curb Records; Enzo DeVincenzo, Red Light Management and Lee Brice; (L-R, back row): Rebekah Liles-Jackson, Curb Records; RJ Mecham, Curb Records; Storme Warren; Anthony DeVincenzo, Red Light Management; Jackie Jones, RIAA; Jeff Tuerff, Curb Records; Benson Curb, Curb Records and John Clore, Curb Records; Photo: Chase Lauer

“Picture of Me” kicked off his own musical journey timeline. He then honored his roots with a heartfelt piano rendition of “Oh How I Love Jesus,” paying tribute to the church music that shaped his early years. The energy in the room soared as the crowd stood for “Soul,” and then Brice played his new single, “Cry.”

The next part of the show featured several meaningful covers, each representing a pivotal moment in Brice’s journey. He kicked off with “Old Violin” by Johnny Paycheck, a song that inspired his move to Nashville. He then paid tribute to Travis Tritt by performing “Be Somebody” on Tritt’s actual guitar, showing his respect for the artist who helped shape his path. Brice continued with “More Than a Memory,” a song he wrote that was recorded by Garth Brooks. Finally, he performed “Crazy Girl” by Eli Young Band, a song he co-wrote, and the performance took on extra significance when a couple in the audience got engaged during the heartfelt rendition. After these emotional moments, the energy in the room was undeniable as the crowd got back on their feet for “Drinking Class.”

Brice then began playfully bragging on his crew member Simon, who played riffs of various iconic rock hits before him and Brice went into “Beverly Hills.” The audience then waved their hands as the bandmates turned the Ryman into a big celebration for “Parking Lot Party.”

The emotional high continued as Brice was presented with multiple plaques, honoring his career achievements. Jackie Jones of the RIAA presented him with plaques for his double-Platinum hit “Boy” and six-times Platinum “Rumor.” Storme Warren also presented Brice with a “Career Highlights” plaque, celebrating his incredible milestones, which included 12 billion global streams, nine No. 1 radio singles, 18 billion airplay impressions, CMA and seven-time ACM Award winner, Grammy, Emmy and Billboard Music Award nominee, SESAC, ASCAP and BMI 2021 Song of the Year for “One of Them Girls,” $1.5 million donated to Folds of Honor and a roster of country music hitmakers who have recorded his songs, including Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks, among others. Overcome with emotion, Brice took a moment to thank his fans and his team.

Rebecca Lynn Howard, Edwin McCain & Lee Brice. Photo: Chase Lauer

The powerful singer delivered a tender moment with his cover of “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, where his vulnerability truly shone through. He then transitioned to the piano for a heartfelt performance of “I Don’t Dance,” leaving the audience in awe. The energy soared again when Brice performed “Boy,” dedicated to his son. He followed with “This Little Guitar,” a touching song he co-wrote with his daughter Trulee at seven years old, accompanied by a heartwarming video of her singing along and moments of them together.

The night reached new heights when Brice was joined by Rebecca Lynn Howard for an unforgettable version of “I Will Always Love You.” The audience stood in ovation, moved by the beautiful duet. “I’ll Be” with both Howard and McCain followed, evoking chills throughout the room.

As the night continued, Brice’s setlist delivered fan-favorites with “Rumor” and “One Of Them Girls.” Before “I Drive Your Truck,” Brice took time to honor the men and women in the military, first responders, teachers and healthcare workers. During the performance, the audience lit up the room with their cell phone lights, creating a sea of stars.

The crowd stayed standing as “When the Kingdom Comes” featured just Brice and his guitar, no microphone, with a single spotlight shining down. His voice filled the room as the a capella version gave everyone goosebumps.

“This is me and my guitar, but I wouldn’t be anything without you,” Brice shared. With that, the crowd erupted into applause, and Brice ended the night with the tour anthem, “You, Me & My Guitar.”

The You, Me & My Guitar Tour” will continue tomorrow (Feb. 21) in Savannah, with additional stops in Overland Park, Wallingford, Duluth and more throughout the end of March.

Jess Loper Named GM At Gotee Records

Jess Loper

Jess Loper has been named General Manager for the independent label Gotee Records. In her new position she will report to Joey Elwood, the CEO of Bell Partners Christian Music, of which Gotee Records is the primary imprint.

“As a company, we’ve changed so much over the last 10 years, and our staff, I think, is pound for pound the best in the business because our job titles do not speak to the breadth of what each person does,” shares Elwood. “Jess is an example of this incredible versatility as she has touched every facet of our business (Brand Management, Publishing, Label Services, and Operations) in her eight years at Gotee. So, it’s with tremendous excitement that we want to announce her appointment to GM, and we see this transition for her as an inevitable step in her progress as a leader in our industry and at Gotee.”

Loper began her career as an Editor in the newsroom of Business Wire and then transitioned into the music industry in the A&R department at Capitol CMG/Universal Music. At the label, she was an integral part of the production process for CMG’s roster while also working with business affairs, union negotiations and film and TV licensing for the label. In 2017, she joined the team at Gotee Records as VP of Brand Management and Publishing (Emack Music) where  she also handled A&R, cultivated writer relationships for Emack writers, assisted with film and TV placements and handled administration for Man Cub Music.

Most recently, Loper launched Without Labels Collective, a company that focuses on music supervision and licensing for film and television (The Jesus Music Documentary, Trinity Broadcasting Networks, The Huckabee Show, Compassion International and Thrive). The new venture is also focused on educating and supporting songwriters and artists on the business side of the creative process.

Taylor Austin Dye Signs With Red Street Records

Pictured (L-R, top row): Red Street Records’ Patrick Waters, Alex Valentine, Amanda Roach, Lex Music Group’s Austin McBride, Lex Lipsitz and Red Street Records’ Andy Elliot; (L-R, bottom row): Red Street Records’ Mike Craft, Taylor Austin Dye and Red Street Records’ Jay DeMarcus

Taylor Austin Dye has signed with Red Street Records.

A Booneville, Kentucky native, Dye has amassed a solid fanbase since her 2023 debut project Out of These Hills followed by her 2024 album Sick of Me. Her viral breakout hit “Rest In Peace” garnered millions of online views and hit the top of the iTunes country charts, leading to a year of major milestones including a Grand Ole Opry debut and a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Dye has played for audiences across the nation headlining her own shows and opened for acts including Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Jake Owen, Elle King and more.

“Taylor Austin Dye is a one-of-a-kind artist, and we feel so fortunate to have her as a part of the Red Street team,” says Red Street Records CEO Jay DeMarcus. “She’s worked so hard to build what’s proving to be a stellar career, and we’re honored to partner alongside her and watch her explode!”

“I’m positively thrilled to be part of the Red Street family,” says Dye. “From the moment I first met with their team, I knew they were the right people to help me achieve my dreams, while still staying true to my roots. I’m so excited for this partnership and can’t wait for what’s to come.”

BREAKING: MusicRow Taps Jennie Smythe As Speaker For 2025 Rising Women On The Row

Jennie Smythe, Founder and CEO of the award-winning Girlilla Marketing, will be the featured speaker at MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row breakfast, presented by City National Bank. The annual event is set for Thursday, March 20, at 8:30 a.m. at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Attendees will gain insights from Smythe during an on-stage interview with MusicRow Publisher and Owner Sherod Robertson. Smythe is set to release her memoir Becoming Girlilla in April.

The 12th annual celebration will honor the 2025 class of Rising Women on the Row honorees, which include Lydia Schultz Cahill, Rakiyah Marshall, Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Katie Kerkhover, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Julie Sturdivant. Read about the honorees here.

Tickets for Rising Women on the Row are now closed. They will not be sold at the door.

Smythe’s Girlilla Marketing heads digital strategy for a diverse roster of world-famous entertainers and brands, including Dead & Company, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Blondie, Brooke Shields, Iliza Shlesinger, Terry Crews, Kristin Chenoweth, Vince Gill and many others. Smythe is a forward-thinking entrepreneur who leads her self-built company with equal parts passion and drive.

Girlilla Marketing celebrated 15 years of success in 2023. The talented team oversees social media endeavors, partner marketing and content creation for clients. They bring expert knowledge to developing online audiences, digital monetization, virtual events, fan clubs, paid media campaigns, analytics tracking and creative services such as graphic design and video editing.

In her more than two decades of experience, it is no accident Smythe has emerged on top of an ever-evolving field. Motivated by a lifelong love of music, her creative approach has earned numerous awards and recognition. She has been featured in Forbes, the Associated Press, Billboard, MusicRow, Fast Company, People, HITS and The Tennessean. She is a multi-year winner of the Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Awards, a MusicRow magazine Rising Women on the Row honoree and was recognized on the Nashville Post In Charge 2023 Music list.

Smythe is Chairperson of the CMA Board of Directors, as well as on the boards of the CMA Foundation (past chairperson) and Music Health Alliance and recently named a 2025 Advocacy Ambassador by the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy. She is a past board member of the Academy of Country Music, and a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Music executive development program. Her early career includes time at Disney’s Hollywood Records, YAHOO! Music, Warner Bros. Records and Clear Channel.

Smythe is married to fellow entrepreneur Shannon Houchins and resides in Nashville with their two children.

Abbey Cone To Go ‘Greener’ This April

Abbey Cone will release her debut album, Greener on April 11.

Greener is an album I pieced together when my life felt like it was falling apart,” says Cone. “These songs are some of the most personal I’ve ever written. Although the past year has been one of the hardest of my life, light found its way through the cracks, and I’ve somehow found myself on the other side. This is Greener— a true story.”

Her first full-length project since 2022 EP Hate Me, Greener traces Cone’s journey through the highs and lows of love, capturing the complex emotions that arise along the way. The album opens with “If You Were A Song,” which has garnered over 17 million streams on Spotify. From there, it unfolds like a narrative, beginning at the peak of love, unraveling through the heartache of a breakup and ultimately finding peace in the quiet clarity of closure.

She also dropped the latest single from the project last Friday (Feb. 14), “I Kissed My Friend Last Night,” produced by Matt Martin and co-penned by Cone, Martin and Cece Coakley. The track captures the emotional complexity that follows a breakup, with Cone navigating a mix of conflicting feelings. Set against a backdrop of synths and shimmering guitars, she harmonizes with two versions of herself, one ready to move on and the other still mourning what’s been lost.

Since moving to Nashville at 16, Cone has performed at major events like C2C Festival in London at The O2, Stagecoach, CMA Fest and even made her Grand Ole Opry debut after receiving an invitation from Vince Gill. She was inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020 and named one of Pandora’s 10 Country Artists to Watch in 2022. Cone has been building a reputation for her emotionally powerful songwriting that resonates with both the next generation of listeners and beyond.

Cone started 2025 with a guest feature on Mat Kearney’s latest single, “Good Thing Going On,” following a string of releases last year. These included “This Little Lighter Of Mine (Joy Version),” featuring Joy Oladokun, which celebrates finding light in tough times, and “I Hate Springsteen,” both of which will appear on her upcoming project. Cone also co-founded the Nashville writers round series, The Pony Show, and stayed busy on the road, performing alongside Kimberly Perry on CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, as well as with Mickey Guyton and Morgan Wade. She also joined Brittney Spencer for her Tiny Desk performance, where she helped arrange the set and provided background vocals.

Later this month, Cone will join Stephen Day as a supporting act for the first leg of his nationwide tour, with stops in cities like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and more.

Greener Track List:
1. “If You Were A Song” (Abbey Cone, Nate Cyphert, Nathan Spicer)
2. “Video Games” (Abbey Cone, Cece Coakley, Matt Martin)
3. “Worst Case Scenario (Worktape)” (Claire Douglas, Madison Kozak, Abbey Cone)
4. “I Hate Springsteen” (Abbey Cone, Madison Kozak, Joe Ginsburg)
5. “Little Bit of You” (Abbey Cone, Tom Jordan, Andrew Stoelzing)
6. “This Little Lighter Of Mine (Joy Version)” (Abbey Cone, Hank Compton, Josh Lovell)
7. “Cry That It Happened” (Abbey Cone, Ava Suppelsa, Madison Kozak)
8. “I Kissed My Friend Last Night” (Abbey Cone, Cece Coakley, Matt Martin)
9. “Greener” (Abbey Cone, Andy Seltzer, Charli Adams, Carys Selvey)

Industry Ink: Taylor Vaughn, Chase Rice, Cody Johnson, FAM, Fort Nash

Taylor Vaughn Joins Big Feat PR As VP

Taylor Vaughn

Taylor Vaughn has joined Big Feat PR as Vice President. In her new role, Vaughn will be heading up the West Coast office and working across the company’s extensive roster of entertainment clients. Vaughn joins Big Feat after nearly sixteen years within the music and entertainment industry. Prior stops include Vice President at Full Coverage Communications, where she spearheaded numerous award winning, nominated and record breaking campaigns, and nearly 10 years at Republic Records, where she rose to Vice President.

Big Feat PR represents artists including Shinedown, KALEO, Max McNown, Willie Jones, Maddie Zahm, Sports Team, Jack Van Cleaf, S.G Goodman, Little Feat, Bootsy Collins, Taj Mahal, and more and have worked with Universal Music Group’s Republic on artists including Noah Kahan alongside, Verve, Decca, as well as labels including Sony Music, Concord, S-Curve, ATO, AWAL, Third Man, Thirty Tigers, Oh Boy, Last Gang, Empire, Roc Nation Distribution, BMG, New West, and more. Big Feat PR has also worked with brands and industry clients including Dynamic Talent Agency British Underground, Jazz Re:Freshed, Bluesound and MQA across events and showcases from SXSW to Winter Jazz Fest.

 

Chase Rice Light Up Neon Steeple With Two Shows

Chase Rice. Photo: Ash Summerford

Chase Rice recently played two sold-out shows at the Neon Steeple at Eric Church‘s Chiefs in downtown Nashville on Feb. 13-14 featuring songs from his I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell and Go Down Singin’ albums.

 

Cody Johnson & Ashley McBryde Greet Radio & Streamers At Bridgestone Show

Pictured (L-R): Scott Gaines, Lon Helton (Country Aircheck), Andy Flick (WMN), Michael Bryan (Apple Music), Mike Sanders (WZZK), Rod Phillips (iHeart), Victoria Mason (WMN), Cody Johnson, Cris Lacy (WMN), Kathleen St. Clair (SiriusXM), James Marsh (WMN), Travis Daily (Cumulus), Tyler Reese (Cumulus), Justin Newell (WMN) and Mark Niederhauser (WMN)

Warner Music Nashville artists Ashley McBryde and Cody Johnson recently gathered backstage with radio and streaming partners at Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 15 before Johnson’s Nashville show.

 

Family Alliance In Music Offering L.A. Fire Assistance Grants

The Family Alliance In Music is offering a couple of grants for those in need of assistance with child or elder care due to the L.A. fires. Those who have immediate needs should apply here by March 15 for possible assistance.

 

Fort Nash Holds Galentine’s Meetup

Fort Nash Media’s “Women in Country” Galentine’s Meetup. Photo: Ike Everard

Fort Nash recently hosted a Galentine’s event, which brought together 100 artists, songwriters and industry professionals for an evening of community, conversation and celebration.

They are planing a Women In Country Garden Party Happy Hour on May 28 from 5-8 p.m. at Fort Nash Studio. The organization hosts networking events quarterly at their studio as a platform for women in the country industry to connect, collaborate and celebrate their contributions to the genre.