Randall King Goes ‘Into The Neon’ At Adventure Science Center
Pictured (L-R): Victoria Mason (SVP of Strategic Marketing & Analytics, WMN); Mike Dupree (SVP, Creative Director, WMN); Kristen Williams (SVP of Radio, WMN); Randall King; Stephanie Davenport (VP of A&R, WMN); Cris Lacy (Co-Chair & Co-President, WMN); Anna Pittman (VP of Artist Development); Patrick Sabatini (SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, WMN)
Randall King took partners through an immersive experience Monday night (Dec. 4) at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center for a preview of his upcoming album, Into The Neon, out Jan. 26. The Warner Music Nashville artist produced the 18-track album with Jared Conrad.
As the year winds down, King continues to headline shows in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and more.
AIMP Celebrates The Season At Nashville Holiday Bash
Pictured (L-R, back row): MaryAnn Keen (YP Board, BMI), Jacee Badeaux (YP Board, Big Yellow Dog), Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music, AIMP Nashville President), Lauren Lieu (YP Board, Play It Again Music), Kendall Lettow (peermusic), ET Brown (SESAC); (L-R, front row): Tim Hunze (Big Machine Music), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Courtney Crist (Anthem Entertainment), Alex Tamashunas (YP Board, Creative Nation), Emily Boardman (River House Artists), Janine Ebach (Ebach Entertainment), JD Groover (YP Board, Sea Gayle Music)
AIMP held its Nashville Holiday Party on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Never Never in Nashville. Attendees were treated to cocktails and appetizers as the Chapter celebrated the year’s accomplishments.
Mike Stoller Heralded In Country Music Hall Of Fame ‘Poets And Prophets’ Program
Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray and Mike Stoller at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
This weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured songwriter Mike Stoller in its in-depth interview series “Poets and Prophets.” The program was hosted by Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray in the museum’s Ford Theater. Stoller, who wrote and produced some of the most enduring classic songs of the 1950s and ’60s with his partner, the late Jerry Leiber, made a rare Nashville appearance to discuss his legendary music career.
Leiber and Stoller wrote “Hound Dog” for blues singer Big Mama Thornton, which became an enormous pop, R&B and country hit for Elvis Presley in 1956. They also wrote “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “King Creole,” “Treat Me Nice,” “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” and other hits for Presley. One of the most prolific and creative songwriting teams in popular music, Leiber and Stoller also wrote “Stand by Me” (Ben E. King), “Kansas City” (Wilbert Harrison), “Love Potion #9” (the Clovers), “On Broadway” (the Drifters) and “I’m a Woman” (Peggy Lee).
Many of their songs reached the country charts, including Mickey Gilley’s version of “Stand by Me,” Billy “Crash” Craddock’s cover of “Ruby, Baby,” Hank Snow’s recording of “The Man Who Robbed the Bank at Santa Fe” and six Presley sides. Wanda Jackson’s 1961 take on “Riot in Cell Block #9” is a favorite among rockabilly fans. Leiber and Stoller were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Odyssey Entertainment Group Adds Seven
Odyssey Entertainment team
Odyssey Entertainment Group, the Nashville-based talent management agency founded by Paige Kosinski and Nicole Kasper, has significantly expanded both its team and talent roster. Odyssey has added seven full-time staffers to its team, including Sydney Dial, Ali Turgeon, Becca Schomer, Ally Gower, Cienna Lagana, Senith Berhane and Mariele Reeder. Alongside the growth of its dedicated team, Odyssey has also expanded its roster to over 50 exclusive creators across the U.S. and Canada, totaling their combined reach up to nearly 50 million followers. With over 2000 campaigns under their belt, the team has worked with brands such as YouTube, Amazon, Spotify, Revolve, CVS and more.
“Odyssey’s growth is not just about numbers; it’s about the remarkable women we’ve brought on board – the very team members we’ve been searching for to elevate our agency to new heights,” says Kasper. “Each of them brings a unique blend of talent, expertise, and vision that is critical for our journey ahead. As a co-founder, I am immensely proud to see our family expand with individuals who share our passion for empowering creators. This expansion enriches our capabilities and our culture, setting us on a path to redefine success in the industry and create extraordinary opportunities for our talent.”
EmiSunshine Named Young Entertainer Awards Indie Entertainer Of the Year
EmiSunshine
East Tennessee singer-songwriter EmiSunshine received the award for Independent Entertainer of the Year at the eighth annual Young Entertainer Awards (YEA) ceremony in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. The Young Entertainer Awards honors child and teenage actors and other creative professionals in film, television, theatre and social media.
The 19-year-old has been attracting national attention since the age of 9, when she was invited to appear on NBC’s Today after a video of her performing at a flea market went viral. She frequently collaborates with songwriters such as Leslie Satcher, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Matraca Berg, Darrell Scott, Jim Lauderdale and more and has released 10 albums on her indie label, Little Blackbird Records.
Laci Kaye Booth Forms New Team
/by LB CantrellLaci Kaye Booth. Photo: Natalie Sakstrup
Emerging singer-songwriter Laci Kaye Booth has formed new partnerships with Red Light Management, Geffen Records and WME. The news comes alongside the release of her new single “Cigarettes.”
Booth’s full team consists of Kaitlin Madewell (Manager, Red Light Management), Tom March (President, Geffen Records), Matt Morris (Senior Vice President A&R, Geffen Records), Braeden Rountree (Partner, WME), Lucy Dickins (Global Head of Contemporary Music & Touring, WME), Asha Goodman (Executive Vice President, Sacks & Co.), Cyndi Forman (Senior Vice President A&R, Universal Music Publishing Group) and Michelle Attardi (Senior Director Publishing, Big Machine Music).
“Cigarettes” marks Booth’s next chapter of music that will share her personal and professional setbacks.
Of the new music, she shares, “This song tells the story of where I’ve been, who I was, and how I’ve become who I’ve become. It’s a true-life story, not a highlight reel, with ‘Cigarettes’ having multiple meanings throughout the song. I wrote this song at one of the lowest points of my career and life, with my dear friend and producer, Ben West. It has sorrow, shame, grit and hope written all within it, and I hope the message that’s received from this is to learn from the hard sh*t, learn to let it go and let it make you better.”
Brett Young Plots 2024 International Tour For May
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Young. Photo: Seth Kupersmith
Brett Young has announced that he’ll head overseas on his third European concert tour in May.
The spring tour will kick off May 8 in Norway and continue through May 24 with stops in Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and seven dates in the United Kingdom, including headlining the second night of Highways 2024 at Royal Albert Hall in London, marking the second outing for the new country and Americana festival that debuted in 2023. General ticket sales for the tour begins tomorrow (Dec. 8). For more information, click here.
“We love getting to play for the fans in Europe and these are some of my favorite places to visit,” says Young. “I’m especially honored to get to take the stage at the legendary Royal Albert Hall for Highways 2024–performing at that historic venue is definitely a bucket list moment.”
Young released his fourth studio album, Across The Sheets, via BMLG Records in August, which has over 108 million global streams to date. His newest single, “Dance With You,” is climbing with over 85.2 million total global streams to date, and he’s racked up more than 8.98 billion total tracks streamed across his career. Young will join Sam Hunt on the “Outskirts Tour 2024,” which kicks off in February.
Brett Young’s 2024 International Tour Dates:
May 8 – Rockefeller Music Hall – Oslo, Norway
May 9 – Debaser – Stockholm, Sweden
May 11 – Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, Germany
May 12 – Docks – Hamburg, Germany
May 13 – TivoliVredenburg – Ronda – Utrecht, Netherlands
May 15 – Albert Hall – Manchester, United Kingdom
May 17 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham, United Kingdom
May 18 – Royal Albert Hall – London, United Kingdom
May 19 – O2 Academy Bristol – Bristol, United Kingdom
May 21 – SEC Armadillo – Glasgow, United Kingdom
May 22 – O2 Academy Leeds – Leeds, United Kingdom
May 24 – Botanic Gardens – Belfast, United Kingdom
The MLC Launches New Supplemental Matching Network
/by Liza AndersonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched a Supplemental Matching Network initially consisting of five companies that will provide data matching services to complement and enhance The MLC’s existing matching processes and capabilities.
The services offered by the participating vendors will supplement The MLC’s existing internal capabilities as well as the resources already being provided by The MLC’s existing vendors. The MLC may adjust the scope of services in the Supplemental Matching Network as needed to meet future and evolving needs, including engaging additional vendors if appropriate.
The Supplemental Matching Network will initially include Blokur, Jaxsta, Pex, Salt and SX Works, a SoundExchange company. To select these vendors, The MLC completed an assessment that included both qualitative evaluations through a Request for Information (RFI) and subsequent quantitative testing through pilot programs. This comprehensive selection process aligned with the approach The MLC has implemented when evaluating other strategic vendors.
“We conducted an extensive due diligence process to select the initial set of vendors for our Supplemental Matching Network,” says Andrew Mitchell, Head of Analytics & Automation, The MLC. “These vendors bring complementary technologies and capabilities that can be effectively leveraged to serve our members. This network reflects our ongoing commitment to evolve in innovative ways to best achieve The MLC’s mission.”
Old Dominion To Perform At Brooklyn Bowl For ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen
Old Dominion will perform at this year’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash official watch party at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville.
“We’ve had such an amazing 2023—we can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than by doing what we love the most, playing music and making sure there are no bad vibes! What a great way to set the tone for 2024,” says Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey.
The event will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets include a champagne toast as well as two additional drink tickets. For more information, click here. Upgrades for VIP Boxes and the Bowlers’ Lounge are available through nashvilleevents.com.
The special will air live on CBS Dec. 31, and will be available for next-day streaming on Paramount+.
AEG Presents To Relocate To Nashville Yards In 2025
/by Liza AndersonAEG Presents has announced that it will relocate to Nashville Yards in 2025.
Southwest Value Partners has teamed up with AEG to develop the Nashville Yards’ mixed-use district. The project is designed as a walkable, urban community that includes a 4,500-capacity music venue and Class A+ creative office building as well as residential, hospitality, entertainment, retail and culinary offerings.
“We have an exceptional partnership with AEG, and together we believe we are constructing one of the most uniquely attractive music, retail and creative workplace environments in the world. Independent of that, AEG Presents is a preeminent entertainment brand and operator of world-class entertainment venues, and we are very excited to have their extended presence at Nashville Yards,” says Cary Mack, Managing Partner, Southwest Value Partners.
Anchored by CAA, the creative office building features an articulated metal facade with ultra-clear glazing and layered floor plates that allow outdoor private terraces on every floor. The building is adjacent to the new music venue and rises eleven stories above Church Street with private amenities such as meeting hubs, entertainment spaces, a large outdoor vegetated deck and more.
This new office structure will house AEG Presents’ regional office, its global touring division and the Nashville outpost of its partner Messina Touring Group. The three entities combined oversee all components of the live music experience, from club and theatre bookings to arena and stadium dates, and promote tours for Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, George Strait, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs and Zach Bryan, among others. AEG Presents will also book and operate the forthcoming music venue, which is scheduled to open in early 2025.
“We’ve been hyper-focused on expanding our presence in Nashville for a few years now. It’s a big opportunity for us to be consolidating all our operations under one roof at what’s soon to be one of the most popular destinations in the city, and to be booking and operating a new, state-of-the-art music venue on-site makes it that much more exciting,” shares Rick Mueller, President of North America, AEG Presents.
Industry Ink: Randall King, AIMP, Mike Stoller, Odyssey, EmiSunshine
/by Lorie HollabaughRandall King Goes ‘Into The Neon’ At Adventure Science Center
Pictured (L-R): Victoria Mason (SVP of Strategic Marketing & Analytics, WMN); Mike Dupree (SVP, Creative Director, WMN); Kristen Williams (SVP of Radio, WMN); Randall King; Stephanie Davenport (VP of A&R, WMN); Cris Lacy (Co-Chair & Co-President, WMN); Anna Pittman (VP of Artist Development); Patrick Sabatini (SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, WMN)
Randall King took partners through an immersive experience Monday night (Dec. 4) at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center for a preview of his upcoming album, Into The Neon, out Jan. 26. The Warner Music Nashville artist produced the 18-track album with Jared Conrad.
As the year winds down, King continues to headline shows in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and more.
AIMP Celebrates The Season At Nashville Holiday Bash
Pictured (L-R, back row): MaryAnn Keen (YP Board, BMI), Jacee Badeaux (YP Board, Big Yellow Dog), Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music, AIMP Nashville President), Lauren Lieu (YP Board, Play It Again Music), Kendall Lettow (peermusic), ET Brown (SESAC); (L-R, front row): Tim Hunze (Big Machine Music), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Courtney Crist (Anthem Entertainment), Alex Tamashunas (YP Board, Creative Nation), Emily Boardman (River House Artists), Janine Ebach (Ebach Entertainment), JD Groover (YP Board, Sea Gayle Music)
AIMP held its Nashville Holiday Party on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Never Never in Nashville. Attendees were treated to cocktails and appetizers as the Chapter celebrated the year’s accomplishments.
Mike Stoller Heralded In Country Music Hall Of Fame ‘Poets And Prophets’ Program
Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray and Mike Stoller at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
This weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured songwriter Mike Stoller in its in-depth interview series “Poets and Prophets.” The program was hosted by Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray in the museum’s Ford Theater. Stoller, who wrote and produced some of the most enduring classic songs of the 1950s and ’60s with his partner, the late Jerry Leiber, made a rare Nashville appearance to discuss his legendary music career.
Leiber and Stoller wrote “Hound Dog” for blues singer Big Mama Thornton, which became an enormous pop, R&B and country hit for Elvis Presley in 1956. They also wrote “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “King Creole,” “Treat Me Nice,” “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” and other hits for Presley. One of the most prolific and creative songwriting teams in popular music, Leiber and Stoller also wrote “Stand by Me” (Ben E. King), “Kansas City” (Wilbert Harrison), “Love Potion #9” (the Clovers), “On Broadway” (the Drifters) and “I’m a Woman” (Peggy Lee).
Many of their songs reached the country charts, including Mickey Gilley’s version of “Stand by Me,” Billy “Crash” Craddock’s cover of “Ruby, Baby,” Hank Snow’s recording of “The Man Who Robbed the Bank at Santa Fe” and six Presley sides. Wanda Jackson’s 1961 take on “Riot in Cell Block #9” is a favorite among rockabilly fans. Leiber and Stoller were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Odyssey Entertainment Group Adds Seven
Odyssey Entertainment team
Odyssey Entertainment Group, the Nashville-based talent management agency founded by Paige Kosinski and Nicole Kasper, has significantly expanded both its team and talent roster. Odyssey has added seven full-time staffers to its team, including Sydney Dial, Ali Turgeon, Becca Schomer, Ally Gower, Cienna Lagana, Senith Berhane and Mariele Reeder. Alongside the growth of its dedicated team, Odyssey has also expanded its roster to over 50 exclusive creators across the U.S. and Canada, totaling their combined reach up to nearly 50 million followers. With over 2000 campaigns under their belt, the team has worked with brands such as YouTube, Amazon, Spotify, Revolve, CVS and more.
“Odyssey’s growth is not just about numbers; it’s about the remarkable women we’ve brought on board – the very team members we’ve been searching for to elevate our agency to new heights,” says Kasper. “Each of them brings a unique blend of talent, expertise, and vision that is critical for our journey ahead. As a co-founder, I am immensely proud to see our family expand with individuals who share our passion for empowering creators. This expansion enriches our capabilities and our culture, setting us on a path to redefine success in the industry and create extraordinary opportunities for our talent.”
EmiSunshine Named Young Entertainer Awards Indie Entertainer Of the Year
EmiSunshine
East Tennessee singer-songwriter EmiSunshine received the award for Independent Entertainer of the Year at the eighth annual Young Entertainer Awards (YEA) ceremony in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. The Young Entertainer Awards honors child and teenage actors and other creative professionals in film, television, theatre and social media.
The 19-year-old has been attracting national attention since the age of 9, when she was invited to appear on NBC’s Today after a video of her performing at a flea market went viral. She frequently collaborates with songwriters such as Leslie Satcher, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Matraca Berg, Darrell Scott, Jim Lauderdale and more and has released 10 albums on her indie label, Little Blackbird Records.
Keith Urban To Appear At Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley During CRS 2024
/by Liza AndersonKeith Urban is set to appear at Bob Kingsley‘s Acoustic Alley on Thursday, Feb. 29 during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024. Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley pays homage to the songwriting craft and the brilliant songwriters behind the music.
In addition to Urban’s performance, two writers’ rounds featuring some of the industry’s most established songwriters have been scheduled. More details will be announced soon.
The recent Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) inductee will close out the evening’s rounds. The event will be hosted by Fitz from Country Top 40. Radio Ink will also present its Top Country PDs awards during the function.
CRS 2024 will take place at the Omni Nashville Hotel Wednesday, Feb. 28-Friday, March 1. For more information, click here.
Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Cody Johnson To Headline Boots And Hearts Festival 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughThe headliners and first round of performers have been announced for the 2024 Boots And Hearts Music Festival, set for Aug. 8-11 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario.
Cody Johnson will make his Boots And Hearts debut headlining Friday night (Aug. 9), along with Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean, who return to the festival for their third time to headline Saturday (Aug. 10) and Sunday night (Aug. 11), respectively. The first round of performers also includes Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney, NeedToBreathe, Nate Smith, Lonestar and Madeline Merlo.
“We are immensely grateful to the fans and the country community for embracing our continued growth and the achievement of new milestones year after year,” says Eva Dunford, Boots And Hearts Co-Founder. “We have just celebrated our two most successful years in the history of Boots And Hearts, and we eagerly anticipate the return of our loyal Boots family for yet another incredible year. I am extremely proud to be a member of a team that consistently pushes boundaries and continues to be recognized as a leading festival on an international scale. As they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Weekend passes and single day tickets will be available on Dec. 8 at bootsandhearts.com.
Dylan Gossett Slates ‘No Better Time Tour’ For This Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughTexas singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett is launching his first-ever headlining trek, the “No Better Time Tour,” this spring.
Kicking off on Feb. 26 in Dublin, Ireland, the tour will visit London, England and make stateside stops in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta and Nashville, among others. Tickets go on sale via Spotify presale today (Dec. 6), and on sale to the public this Friday (Dec. 8). Gossett will also make his first festival appearances at SXSW, Tortuga Music Festival and Two Step Inn in addition to opening for Midland on select dates.
The 24-year-old recently released his debut EP No Better Time, which was written, recorded, produced and mixed by Gossett himself in his bedroom. The EP includes the viral single “Coal,” which has more than 50 million streams to date. The track recently climbed to No. 35 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and No. 24 on Billboard‘s Country Digital Song Sales chart as well as cracked the top five on Spotify’s Global and US Viral 50 Charts and peaked at No. 14 on the iTunes Country Chart. No Better Time, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers Albums chart, also features fan favorites “Beneath Oak Trees” and “Flip a Coin.”
Gossett recently announced his signing to Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records, in partnership with Range Media Partners, and his signing to UTA. Additionally, he will support Luke Grimes in his home state tomorrow (Dec. 7) at The Studio at The Factory in Dallas, and on Saturday (Dec. 9) at Emo’s in Austin.
‘All For The Hall’ Benefit Raises More Than $900K For Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Ernest, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty, Brenda Lee, Patty Loveless, Mickey Guyton, Hardy; (L-R, back row): CEO of Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, Kyle Young, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Riley Green and Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum Board Chair, Mary Ann McCready. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Keith Urban and Vince Gill returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Dec. 5), to host Urban’s recurring “All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn perform onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The star-studded lineup featured performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Ernest, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Hardy, Old Dominion, The War And Treaty, Trisha Yearwood, Brenda Lee, Brooks & Dunn and Patty Loveless. During the show, artists performed a song that defined a memorable moment in their life, in addition to one of their own songs, and Urban and Gill joined many of the artists onstage throughout the evening.
The night’s performances included Urban on “Wild Hearts,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Theme From the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys),” Gill doing “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away” and “Rocky Mountain Way,” Lee sharing her classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Old Dominion on “Memory Lane” and “Alive,” Hardy doing “Truck Bed” and “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” Yearwood on “The Song Remembers When” and “You’re No Good,” and Brooks & Dunn doing “My Maria” and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” among many more.
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The evening also featured a performance of an original song from the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music, which pairs students with songwriters to teach lyric writing and language arts through music. With the support of professional songwriter Paulina Jayne, Abigail Sowards, a senior from Stewarts Creek High School, performed her song “These Moments” alongside her fellow classmates John Dechira and David Guydon. Sowards is among the more than 8,000 students this year who have participated in the museum’s Words & Music program.