Jeremy Cowart
Artist and photographer Jeremy Cowart has opened a new photography studio, The Portrait Lab. Located in Franklin, Tennessee, the studio offers 60-second photo shoots.
The high-tech photo sessions use rotating setups that create beauty light, overhead dramatic light, side Rembrandt lighting and backlight mood lighting as well as 200 backdrops, featuring both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cowart’s own physical artwork, that sync with the lighting on a state-of-the-art LED backdrop wall.
Cowart has also invented a system that edits the portrait quickly in different formats, such as in black and white, multiple color overlays, contrast or tone. The photo session uses various glass, prisms and foreground elements to give every portrait its own fingerprint so that each portrait is its own work of art.
“It’s always the idea that motivates me,” he shares. “The 60-second photo shoot was an idea to create a process of using patented lighting and state-of-the-art techniques that I have been fine-tuning over the past two decades. My hope is that the public sees my love for art and love for people throughout all of it.”
Cowart has spent the last 20 years shooting portraits of celebrities and humanitarian projects around the world. In November 2022, his portrait work was featured in a PHILLIPS art auction in London among photos shot by Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus and more. Cowart’s past clients include Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, Kim Kardashian, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, One Republic, Ryan Tedder, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Emma Stone, Sting, Kelly Clarkson, Heidi Klum, Garth Brooks and The Killers, among others.
For more information, click here.
Jeremy Cowart Opens New Photography Studio Offering 60-Second Photo Shoots
/by Lorie HollabaughJeremy Cowart
Artist and photographer Jeremy Cowart has opened a new photography studio, The Portrait Lab. Located in Franklin, Tennessee, the studio offers 60-second photo shoots.
The high-tech photo sessions use rotating setups that create beauty light, overhead dramatic light, side Rembrandt lighting and backlight mood lighting as well as 200 backdrops, featuring both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cowart’s own physical artwork, that sync with the lighting on a state-of-the-art LED backdrop wall.
Cowart has also invented a system that edits the portrait quickly in different formats, such as in black and white, multiple color overlays, contrast or tone. The photo session uses various glass, prisms and foreground elements to give every portrait its own fingerprint so that each portrait is its own work of art.
“It’s always the idea that motivates me,” he shares. “The 60-second photo shoot was an idea to create a process of using patented lighting and state-of-the-art techniques that I have been fine-tuning over the past two decades. My hope is that the public sees my love for art and love for people throughout all of it.”
Cowart has spent the last 20 years shooting portraits of celebrities and humanitarian projects around the world. In November 2022, his portrait work was featured in a PHILLIPS art auction in London among photos shot by Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus and more. Cowart’s past clients include Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, Kim Kardashian, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, One Republic, Ryan Tedder, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Emma Stone, Sting, Kelly Clarkson, Heidi Klum, Garth Brooks and The Killers, among others.
For more information, click here.
UMPG Nashville Signs Rob Snyder
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): UMPG Nashville’s Cyndi Forman, Rob Snyder and UMPG Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG Nashville
UMPG Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Rob Snyder to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
The West Chester, Pennsylvania native has penned songs recorded by Luke Combs, including four-week Billboard No. 1 “She Got The Best Of Me,” as well as Warren Zeiders, Zac Brown Band and more. In 2013, Snyder founded Revival, a platform spotlighting exceptional songwriters in Nashville.
“I have been a fan of Rob’s songwriting through the years,” says Cyndi Forman, Senior VP, A&R, UMPG Nashville. “I knew he was a great songwriter, but after getting to know him, I’ve come to realize he’s an even better person who is a true student of the craft.”
Snyder shares, “I’m thrilled to have found a home at Universal Music Publishing! They believed in me from the start, and I’m fired up to work with such an awesome group of hardworking, good people!”
Morgan Wallen, Hardy & Ernest To Perform At Gala Honoring Seth England
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): Morgan Wallen (Photo: Cameron Baird), Hardy (Photo: Robby Klein) and Ernest (Photo: Delaney Royer)
The T.J. Martell Foundation has announced details regarding its 49th Annual New York Honors Gala, taking place Sept. 17 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s primary fundraiser supporting cancer research.
Big Loud recording artists Morgan Wallen, Ernest and Hardy will participate in a special writers’ round during event, where the independent music conglomerate’s CEO/Parter Seth England will be honored with the foundation’s Lifetime Music Industry Award.
“We are thrilled to be honoring our distinguished music industry colleague and dear friend Seth England with this year’s Lifetime Music Industry Award to commemorate his deep commitment to the foundation,” says Steve Gawley, Board of Trustees Chairman-Elect, T.J. Martell Foundation. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on Seth’s dedicated efforts towards our cancer research as well as his pioneering work in the music world, and look forward to celebrating Seth and his achievements with an exhilarating night of music!”
The evening will also include a fundraising auction and the announcement of an initiative hoping to continue to raise awareness of early screening and testing made by Def Jam Chief Creative Officer/EVP and 2023 Rising Music Superstar Award recipient Archie Davis.
For more information, click here.
Matt McVaney Inks With Round Hill Music
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Round Hill Music Director of A&R Taylor Antle; Round Hill Music GM/SVP of A&R Mike Whelan; Matt McVaney; Round Hill Music Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will
Songwriter and producer Matt McVaney has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Round Hill Music.
The Ohio native first made waves with writing and producing credits on Kane Brown’s “Used To Love You Sober.” He also is credited on Brown’s “I Love That I Hate You” and his debut single “Thunder In The Rain.” Since then, he has worked with Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, Scotty McCreery, Tim McGraw, Gary LeVox and Dalton Dover.
“I’m thrilled to work with a writer and producer of McV’s caliber,” says Round Hill’s Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He has a proven track record of producing and developing some of the best talent in country music and we’re pumped to bring him on board to produce some of our artists at Round Hill. McV is an incredible writer and so much fun to be around; we’re so excited to welcome him to the RHM family!”
“I’m so excited to be signing with Round Hill Music,” adds McVaney. “Lindsay has been such a huge champion of me, and I love the way she thinks outside the box when it comes to the songwriting industry and has a forward-thinking approach to the music industry as a whole. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together!”
Warner Music Nashville Signs The Band Loula
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Christina Dunkley (Management), Ben Kline (Co-Chair/Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (Co-Chair/Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Patrick Sabatini (SVP Legal & Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville) and Chip Dorsch (Management); (L-R, front row): Stephanie Davenport (VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Malachi Mills (The Band Loula), Logan Simmons (The Band Loula) and Mary Hilliard Harrington (Management)
Warner Music Nashville has signed The Band Loula. Their major-label debut track, “Don’t Call Me,” is set for release this Friday (Aug. 23).
Hailing from north Georgia, the duo is made up of longtime friends Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons. Together they have created a swampy, soul-forward country sound, and are currently in the studio with Grammy-winning Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne working on new music.
“The Band Loula’s music is equal parts raw talent, southern storytelling, heart and soul,” shares WMN’s VP of A&R, Stephanie Davenport. “Their incredible songwriting is matched only by their insane vocals, and I’m so thrilled to have them at Warner Music Nashville.”
The Band Loula has spent the year touring with Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, Paul Cauthen and Brent Cobb, and they will continue touring with Elle King through November. Their team also includes managers Mary Hilliard Harrington, Chip Dorsch and Christina Dunkley and agents Grace Stern and Jay Williams of WME. They are signed to UMPG Nashville for publishing.
Keith Urban Pops Up In Alabama For Surprise Buc-ee’s Show
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban
Keith Urban thrilled fans in Athens, Alabama with a surprise pop-up concert in a parking lot adjacent to a Buc-ee’s convenience store and gas station, where he played for an estimated crowd of 6,000.
The concert came off with same day notice and quick construction of a stage, and Urban performed songs from his forthcoming album High, as well as many of his No. 1 hits for the crowd. Buc-ee’s put him to work behind the food counter inside as well, where he poured sauce on their famous brisket and chopped up some meat.
“I came down to this Buc-ee’s about a month ago and when I left, I went ‘it’d be kinda fun to do a show there,'” said Urban. There’s no word on whether there will be any more random pop-ups in the works.
The Young Fables Ink With BMG
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Wes Lunsford (The Young Fables), Laurel Wright (The Young Fables), Patryk Larney (Manager, Hope Tree Entertainment) and Chris Oglesby (BMG). Photo: Hope Tree Entertainment
Country/folk duo The Young Fables have signed a publishing deal with BMG.
Members Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford have made a mark in the country/folk scene with their vulnerable take on musical storytelling paired with their whimsical blend of the sounds.
“Authenticity and emotion can be hard to find. Laurel and Wes combine it with grit and determination. Laurel’s vocals pull you into every word, while Wes’s harmony and guitar complete the story. I am so excited to begin this journey and introduce you to The Young Fables,” says Chris Oglesby, VP, Publishing, BMG Nashville.
The Young Fables will release their fourth studio album, Short Stories, in October. They will host a release show at the Basement East in Nashville on Oct. 20. They also recently released their feature documentary The Fable of a Song, which won the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award.
“BMG has been an inspiration to us. Chris Oglesby and the team have embraced us wholeheartedly and we’re excited to learn from their experience and their forward-thinking approach to publishing. We truly value their dedication and unwavering focus on supporting artists and are happy to call BMG a new member of our musical family,” share Wright and Lunsford.
Paul Cauthen Slates ‘Black On Black’ For October
/by John Nix ArledgeRising artist Paul Cauthen is set to release his new album, Black on Black, on Oct. 25 via Anemoia Records/Atlantic Records.
Today (Aug. 19), to tease the new record, Cauthen released the track “Sweetheart from the Trailer Park” from the project, and announced headline shows in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and more for the fall.
“Sweetheart from the Trailer Park” comes one the heels of the recently released “Hot Damn” and forthcoming title track “Black on Black.” These new songs mark a pivotal time for the Cauthen, who brought out Lana Del Rey to duet “Unchained Melody” during his Stagecoach performance and scored a feature on Shaboozey’s track “Last of my Kind” from his recent album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
Black on Black was largely recorded at Rosewood Studios in Cauthen’s hometown of Tyler, Texas with collaborator Jason Burt and crafted during the artist’s tour across North America on his motorcycle and tour bus.
Cauthen, affectionately known as “Big Velvet” for his smooth baritone voice, grew up singing in the church choir. He steadily made himself known throughout the country and Americana genres as a part of the duo Sons of Fathers before taking his career solo with debut album, My Gospel. Since then, he has released two more albums Room 41 and Country Coming Down and toured across the world sharing stages with Margo Price, Orville Peck, Elle King, Midland, Cody Jinks and more.
Paul Cauthen’s Black On Black Track List:
1. “Black on Black”
2. “Ridin’ the Line”
3. “Angels & Heathens”
4. “Hot Damn”
5. “Speaking in Cursive”
6. “Everybody Get in Line”
7. “Bet on Me”
8. “Lavender Jones”
9. “Innocent”
10. “Black Roses”
11. “Sweetheart From the Trailer Park”
12. “To Whom Do You Belong”
‘Face The Fight Night At The Opry’ To Feature Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry and presenting sponsor Humana are teaming up with Face the Fight on Sept. 10 for World Suicide Prevention Day, to help increase awareness and education about veteran suicide prevention.
Launched in June 2023 by founding partners the Humana Foundation, Reach Resilience and USAA, Face the Fight is an initiative to bring organizations together to reduce the veteran suicide rate. Avid military supporters and Opry members Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan as well as Coffey Anderson are set to perform during the special evening.
“We are proud to partner with the Grand Ole Opry to shed light on the crisis in veteran communities and increase awareness of Face the Fight,” says George Renaudin, Humana’s President of Medicare and Medicaid. “As a member of Face the Fight, we’ve been working with many others to grow this impactful initiative and find meaningful ways to help reduce veteran suicide while removing systemic barriers for veterans and military members. The strides made in the first year alone are remarkable, and I believe events like this will only help ensure those who have served our country have access to the care they need and enable more people to learn about Face the Fight and support it.”
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Signs Lanie Gardner
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Jonathan Craig (Left Right), Peter Strickland (BMG), Katie Kerkhover (BMG), Lanie Gardner, Jon Loba (BMG) and Quinn Bauducco (BMG). Photo: Kevin Grace
Lanie Gardner has signed a record deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
The breakout act first captured national attention with her viral rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” which claimed a spot at No. 25 on the Billboard Rock charts. Gardner has raked in millions of views across her socials and streaming platforms since the with her country-rock sound. Recently, she was featured on the Twisters soundtrack in addition to landing a collaboration with David Guetta, signing a publishing deal with Big Machine Music and hitting the road with Jelly Roll and ZZ Ward.
“Lanie is exactly the kind of artist we look for when adding to our incredible roster—unique, exciting, an insatiable work ethic, and a heart that matches her art. We are so excited to help execute her vision,” says JoJamie Hahr, EVP, Recorded Music at BMG Nashville.