Newly-signed Warner Records artist Maddox Batson has released his latest single, “X’s.”

“‘X’s’ was inspired by a concert I went to with a couple of my friends. When I walked in, the security immediately wrote with a Sharpie a big ole’ X on my right hand because I was under 18. The next day when I was in the studio, one of my co-writers noticed some of the Sharpie was still on my right hand—and we came up with the song name. We all loved it and the rest is history,” says Batson.

Born just north of Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the 14-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist infuses elements of classic country, southern rock and pop together to create his own sound. He gained traction earlier this year with “Tears In The River,” which amassed 21 million global streams, and “I Wanna Know.” Batson recently landed a massive cut as a songwriter, co-writing Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s single “Tough.” He also became became the youngest artist to ever play Nashville’s iconic Whiskey Jam, reaching a capacity crowd during CMA Fest.

Later this month, Batson will host his “Maddox Batson & Friends” headlining show at the White House Pumpkin Patch in White House, Tennessee in addition to joining Gabby Barrett on tour for select dates.

Muscadine Bloodline has landed the support slot on Post Malone‘s upcoming “F-1 Trillion Tour,” which kicks off this weekend in Salt Lake City.

The tour will run through the end of October with stops in Boston, Charlotte, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Austin and more, with a Nashville Nissan Stadium show set for Oct. 19.

The announcement comes on the heels of the duo’s latest album, The Coastal Plain, which released last month. Drawing deeply from their personal histories, they craft narratives reminiscent of the people and landscapes of their southern Alabama upbringing across the album’s 14 tracks, blending classic country, roots and gospel influences.

Since forming in 2015, the duo has also achieved success with their 2016 Platinum-certified single, “Porch Swing Angel,” which has garnered over 100 million streams on Spotify to date, made their Grand Ole Opry debut, performed sold-out shows across the country and joined Eric Church, Turnpike Troubadours and Cody Johnson on the road.

Kane Brown will be crowned this year’s Country Champion at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

The multi-Platinum artist recently notched his 11th  country radio No. 1 with “I Can Feel It” and released the follow-up to history-making number “Miles On It” with Marshmello, while visiting various stadiums on his “In The Air Tour.” Brown broke through with his self-titled, double-Platinum debut album in 2016 and became the first artist ever to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. He ruled the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for 13 weeks and scored two of the most-streamed country songs of all time with Diamond-certified “Heaven” and nine-time Platinum “What Ifs (feat. Lauren Alaina).” Additionally, Brown’s 2018 project, Experiment, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, making him the first country act in over 24 years to top the chart with a sophomore album.

He later released Mixtape Vol. 1, which earned him an ACM Award nomination for Album of the Year along with a Video of the Year win in 2021. Brown was named to the TIME100 list that same year. He was then honored with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Champion of Youth Award in 2022, before becoming the first Black artist in history to headline and sell out Boston’s famous Fenway Park in 2023. Brown was also lauded earlier this year with the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 Artist Humanitarian Award.

“Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music,” says Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.”

Brown joins previously-announced 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards honoree Miranda Lambert, who will be presented with the Country Icon Award, and follows Wyonna Judd as the second Country Champion Award recipient.

Hosted by Shania Twain, the ceremony will air live from the Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.

Riley Green Celebrates Triple-Platinum Tune ‘I Wish Grandpas Never Died’

Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment executives recently presented Riley Green with a plaque to commemorate his self-penned, triple-Platinum hit “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.”

 

CMHOFM Hosts Conversation In Partnership With Nashville Fashion Week

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation with multi-Emmy-winning fashion designer Marina Toybina and Head of Wardrobe for Carrie Underwood’s “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” Maria “Poni” Silver, in partnership with Nashville Fashion Week, yesterday (Sept. 4).

Moderated by the museum’s Angela Stefano Zimmer, Toybina and Silver discussed their careers and design processes. Underwood loaned stagewear created by both designers to the museum for display at the event.

 

Invasion Group Opens Nashville Office

Invasion Group, the boutique management company founded by Peter Casperson and Steven Saporta, has opened a Nashville office. Having already established locations in New York and Boston, the company hopes to broaden its influence and foster new opportunities with this space in Music City, led by artist manager Courtney Oertel.

“With Courtney at the helm, we are excited to offer Nashville’s independent artists Invasion’s unique artist development model,” says Casperson. “Her extensive experience in management, marketing and nonprofits makes her the perfect addition to our team.”

 

Kelly Feild Joins Bandit Lites’ ‘Gen8’ Leadership

Bandit Lites Director of Personnel Kelly Feild has taken on additional responsibilities as the second-in-command at the Bandit International Facility in Nashville, and plans to guide projects with a fresh perspective as a part of what the live event company calls “Gen8.”

“A new generation of young, talented people are taking the leadership positions to guide Bandit through the next 30 years,” says Michael T. Strickland, Bandit Lites Chair & Founder. “Kelly and several other younger people are now in the critical roles at Bandit. They follow the established Bandit Standards, but with a point of view and outlook for how to improve every day. The one constant is change, and Kelly is big part of the Gen8 change at Bandit.”

Jeannie Seely has been named the Artist Ambassador and Honorary Chair of Music for Seniors’ “Lighting Up Lives” campaign, a month-long awareness and fundraising effort that aims to highlight the impact of music on the health and happiness of older adults in Tennessee.

The initiative includes two free concerts, “Alison Brazil & Roots of Rhythm” in Nashville and “Pappy Fisher & Friends” in Knoxville, and will culminate in the private, invitation-only musical benefit, “An Evening with Jeannie Seely & Friends,” on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Soho House Nashville. The “Lighting Up Lives” launch follows the appointment of the nonprofit’s new Executive Director Liz Kelly.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the Music for Seniors leadership team as we launch ‘Lighting Up Lives,’ our newest initiative designed to engage new partners and donors, thank our existing supporters and honor the musicians who are the heart of our programming,” says Kelly. “To have someone like Jeannie Seely who knows and appreciates the healing power of music join us in this endeavor is a dream come true and we’re thrilled to have her serve as our Artist Ambassador and Honorary Chair.”

“I’m honored to support Music for Seniors and its mission to enrich the lives of older adults through music,” shares Seely. “They provide so many free, important programs that promote health and happiness that are made possible by generous donors and volunteers. I invite you to become part of the Music for Seniors family and help us celebrate ‘Lighting Up Lives.’”

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