Jon Nite wins Songwriter of the Year at the 2023 SESAC Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
The annual SESAC awards kicked off country-music week festivities last night (Nov. 5) with a glamorous reception that honored the performance rights organization’s biggest Nashville songs of 2023.
Kane Brown with SESAC songwriters Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge. Photo: Katie Kauss
Jon Nite was honored as SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year. “Amazing!” he exclaimed. “Thank you guys. I don’t deserve this.” Nite recalled moving to Music City in 1998 with $500 in his pocket. “And now I’m here!” Shannan Hatch, who presented his award, also gave him a commemorative, gleaming, black Gibson J-200 guitar.
Nite was honored for co-writing “You Didn’t,” sung by Brett Young, the Gabby Barrett tune “Pick Me Up” and Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country.” Hubbard, Barrett, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and more saluted the songwriter via video. Sony Music Publishing Nashville, which publishes Nite’s works, was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year.
Singer Kane Brown was on hand to present SESAC’s Song of the Year award to Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge, who co-wrote “Thank God.” Brown recorded the chart-toppling romantic country ballad as a duet with his singing wife Katelyn.
SESAC SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch; Blanco Brown; Senior Director, Creative Services, Lydia Schultz Cahill. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
Amid the awards for contemporary songwriting, the program paused to present the SESAC Heritage Award to Albert E. Brumley Music, which has feen affiliated with SESAC for 80 years. Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977) wrote “Turn Your Radio On,” “Rank Strangers to Me,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” “Did You Ever Go Sailing,” “If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven),” “This World Is Not My Home” and “He Set Me Free.” Jamey Johnson dramatically sang Brumley’s most iconic song, “I’ll Fly Away.” Betsy Brumley accepted on behalf of her family.
The other country and Americana songwriters honored were Kelsey Waldon (“Tall and Mighty”), Pete Good & Josh Jenkins (“Y’all Life” sung by Walker Hayes), Casey Brown (Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine”), Justin Ebach (Jon Pardi’s “Your Heart Or Mine”), Henry Brill (“All I Really Wanna Do”), Jim Lauderdale (“That Kind of Life”), Chris LaCorte (Sam Hunt’s “Water Under the Bridge”) and Jared Keim (Dustin Lynch’s “Party Mode”).
Song of the Year co-writer Josh Hoge picked up a second SESAC Award for his work on Kane Brown’s hit “Bury Me in Georgia.” Dillon Carmichael performed a forceful version of “Son of A” before getting his award for it. The first performer of the evening was Megan Moroney, who sang a winsome “Tennessee Orange,” which earned her a SESAC award. The song is a contender for Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. Not present at the gala were Zac Brown & Ben Simonetti, who won for their hit “Out in the Middle.”
Megan Moroney attend the SESAC 2023 Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
During the ceremony, Hatch asked veteran tunesmith Rafe Van Hoy to stand in the audience. She then led the attendees in a toast in honor of his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last month.
Presiding over the gala were SESAC CEO John Josephson and Senior Directors ET Brown and Lydia Schultz Cahill, plus SVP Shannan Hatch. The organization’s event producer, Tim Fink, greeted guests as they arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum’s quietly elegant sixth floor event space was the SESAC venue.
More than 400 music-business attendees complimented the room. Sequined gowns were much in evidence, some accented with feathers. Male attire ranged from sport shirts to tuxedos, with smatterings of cowboy couture. Cocktail tables were draped in black with succulents as centerpieces. The stage was embellished with neon darts that changed colors.
The cocktail supper featured beef tenderloin, pulled pork and fried green tomato sliders. Guests also sampled customized mac & cheese, hot chicken tenders, truffled deviled eggs, tuna sushi on cucumber discs, tomato & mozzarella skewers, impossible-burger meatballs, vegges, cheeses, olives and other bites.
Sunday’s SESAC event marked the beginning of four nights of star-studded events in Music City leading up to Wednesday’s CMA Awards show.
2023 SESAC Nashville Awards Honorees:
“THANK GOD”
Written by: Josh Hoge, Christian Stalnecker
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Feels Like Friday, Sony Music Publishing, Chorus 2 Music, RMM 416 Publishing
Recorded by: Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
“DANCIN’ IN THE COUNTRY”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard
“TENNESEE ORANGE”
Written by: Megan Moroney
Published by: Georgiamo, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“YOUR HEART OR MINE”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Jon Pardi
“YOU DIDN’T”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Brett Young
“PICK ME UP”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Gabby Barrett
“GIRL IN MINE”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes
Recorded by: Parmalee
“WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat Hits, Concord Tunes
Recorded by: Sam Hunt
“BURY ME IN GEORGIA”
Written by: Josh Hoge
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Chorus 2 Music, Sony Music Nashville
Recorded by: Kane Brown
“OUT IN THE MIDDLE”
Written by: Ben Simonetti, Zac Brown
Published by: Simonetti Music Publishing, Day For The Dead Publishing
Recorded by: Zac Brown Band
“Y’ALL LIFE”
Written by: Josh Jenkins, Pete Good
Published by: Follow Me Where I Go, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“SON OF A”
Written by: Dillon Carmichael
Published by: Riser House Tunes, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Dillon Carmichael
“PARTY MODE”
Written by: Jared Keim
Published by: Twelve6 Sequoia, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch
“CHANGE OF HEART”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, RMM 416 Publishing, Good Songs We Love
Recorded by: Margo Price
“THAT KIND OF LIFE (THAT KIND OF DAY)”
Written by: Jim Lauderdale
Published by: Wudang Mountain Songs, Critter City Music
Recorded by: Jim Lauderdale
“TALL AND MIGHTY”
Written by: Kelsey Waldon
Published by: MyKaintuck Publishing, Do Write Music
Recorded by: Kelsey Waldon
“DON’T LET THE DARKNESS”
Written by: Ed Jurdi
Published by: Three Pisces Music
Recorded by: The Band of Heathens
“ALL I REALLY WANNA DO”
Written by: Henry Brill
Published by: Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by: Devon Gilfillian
Industry Veteran Margie Hunt Passes
/by Liza AndersonMargie Hunt
Industry veteran Margie Hunt passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Hunt moved to Nashville from New Mexico in 1972 to work with Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter at Waylon Jennings Enterprises, located in the Glaser Studio building on 18th. Ave. S. Many industry icons such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Tony Joe White, Dobie Gray, Guy Clark, Kinky Friedman, Harlan Howard, Billy Swan and Shel Silverstein referred to the building as their second home. It was there that they built the foundation for the “Outlaw Movement” and the Highwaymen recordings.
In the fall of 1976, Bonnie Garner hired Hunt as her secretary in CBS Records/Sony Music’s A&R department. Working at one of the biggest record companies in Nashville, and guided by Garner, Hunt learned how a major recording facility functioned while working with the biggest names on their roster, including Cash, Nelson, Kristofferson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Earl Scruggs Revue, Charlie Daniels, Sonny James, Merle Haggard and more. Over the course of three decades, Hunt worked directly with over 100 artists including the new wave of talent signed to the label, which consisted of Ricky Skaggs, Doug Stone, Collin Raye, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Loveless, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Montgomery Gentry, Marty Stuart, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Exile, Travis Tritt, The Chicks and more.
She worked closely with the newly-signed Ray Charles in 1983. Between 1983-1988, Charles recorded six albums at CBS Records, including Friendship, which featured the hit “Seven Spanish Angels” with Nelson. The track became a country standard, staying on the charts for 27 weeks.
Throughout her tenure at CBS Records/Sony Music, Hunt was promoted five times. In 1994, she created and led the first in-house, full-time Film & Television department. In this position, Hunt was responsible for the utilization and exploitation of more than 60 years of hits and over 50,000 country recordings. At the time, CBS Records was the first label in Music City to actively pursue country catalogs for use in film and television. She placed music in more than 30 major motion pictures and television programs. Hunt was then promoted to Sr. Director, Product Development in 1997, and won two Grammys as a producer and an executive producer.
She later founded Hunt Music Services, and spent time at AWMG Entertainment.
Hunt was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2022, which recognizes the “Women Behind The Music.” During the induction ceremony, she received a video message from Stuart in which the country star stated, “Congratulations on this wonderful honor that you so deserve. I remember you so well from back in the CBS days. The thing that stands out to me about you was you had a heart for music and the people who made it.”
Memorial services for Hunt are pending.
CAA’s Nashville Office To Relocate
/by LB CantrellRendering of CAA’s new office
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed an agreement to relocate its Nashville office to the Nashville Yards’ mixed-use district, being developed by Southwest Value Partners and AEG.
Occupying nearly 75,000 square feet across two floors, CAA is scheduled to move into its new space in late 2025. The agency will have exterior crown signage as the anchor tenant in the building, which is being developed in a walkable, urban community with multiple retail and restaurant selections and a 4,500-capacity music and event venue.
“Guided by our colleagues in music, CAA opened our first office in Nashville in 1991, immediately making an impact on Music City that continues today,” says Howard Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “With more than 3,400 employees across 25 countries, CAA’s track record of success and growth in the representation of entertainment and sports talent and brands has solidified our leadership position around the world.
“The move to Nashville Yards demonstrates our commitment to Nashville and the Southeast, while providing our employees, clients and guests an inspiring environment that captures the spirit of Nashville, one of the most significant sports and entertainment destinations in the world,” adds Nuchow.
Designed by the award-winning CannonDesign, CAA’s offices will have unique features including tech-enabled, indoor-outdoor workspaces, game and listening lounges, private terraces on each floor, and substantial space devoted to collaboration and connection.
Adjacent to the new state-of-the-art music venue and Amazon Nashville’s two office towers, the creative office building at 955 Church Street that CAA will move into rises above Church Street with large 40,000+ square foot floorplates, soaring ceiling heights, three levels of curated retail, dining and entertainment along with best-in-class private amenities including meeting hubs, entertainment spaces and a large outdoor vegetated deck overlooking Nashville Yards.
CAA’s Nashville operations, currently located in the SunTrust Building next to the Ryman Auditorium and less than a mile from Nashville Yards, includes more than 130 employees across Music Touring, Music Brand Partnerships, Music Marketing, Digital Media, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Coaches, Brand Consulting, Property Sales and CAA ICON, the owner’s representative and strategic management consulting firm, which oversees the development, design and construction of major stadiums worldwide. CAA ICON helped guide the successful building of Nashville SC’s Geodis Park and will provide project development and management services to the Tennessee Titans on the development of its new stadium.
SESAC Celebrates Hits & Heritage
/by Robert K OermannJon Nite wins Songwriter of the Year at the 2023 SESAC Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
The annual SESAC awards kicked off country-music week festivities last night (Nov. 5) with a glamorous reception that honored the performance rights organization’s biggest Nashville songs of 2023.
Kane Brown with SESAC songwriters Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge. Photo: Katie Kauss
Jon Nite was honored as SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year. “Amazing!” he exclaimed. “Thank you guys. I don’t deserve this.” Nite recalled moving to Music City in 1998 with $500 in his pocket. “And now I’m here!” Shannan Hatch, who presented his award, also gave him a commemorative, gleaming, black Gibson J-200 guitar.
Nite was honored for co-writing “You Didn’t,” sung by Brett Young, the Gabby Barrett tune “Pick Me Up” and Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country.” Hubbard, Barrett, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and more saluted the songwriter via video. Sony Music Publishing Nashville, which publishes Nite’s works, was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year.
Singer Kane Brown was on hand to present SESAC’s Song of the Year award to Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge, who co-wrote “Thank God.” Brown recorded the chart-toppling romantic country ballad as a duet with his singing wife Katelyn.
SESAC SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch; Blanco Brown; Senior Director, Creative Services, Lydia Schultz Cahill. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
Amid the awards for contemporary songwriting, the program paused to present the SESAC Heritage Award to Albert E. Brumley Music, which has feen affiliated with SESAC for 80 years. Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977) wrote “Turn Your Radio On,” “Rank Strangers to Me,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” “Did You Ever Go Sailing,” “If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven),” “This World Is Not My Home” and “He Set Me Free.” Jamey Johnson dramatically sang Brumley’s most iconic song, “I’ll Fly Away.” Betsy Brumley accepted on behalf of her family.
The other country and Americana songwriters honored were Kelsey Waldon (“Tall and Mighty”), Pete Good & Josh Jenkins (“Y’all Life” sung by Walker Hayes), Casey Brown (Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine”), Justin Ebach (Jon Pardi’s “Your Heart Or Mine”), Henry Brill (“All I Really Wanna Do”), Jim Lauderdale (“That Kind of Life”), Chris LaCorte (Sam Hunt’s “Water Under the Bridge”) and Jared Keim (Dustin Lynch’s “Party Mode”).
Song of the Year co-writer Josh Hoge picked up a second SESAC Award for his work on Kane Brown’s hit “Bury Me in Georgia.” Dillon Carmichael performed a forceful version of “Son of A” before getting his award for it. The first performer of the evening was Megan Moroney, who sang a winsome “Tennessee Orange,” which earned her a SESAC award. The song is a contender for Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. Not present at the gala were Zac Brown & Ben Simonetti, who won for their hit “Out in the Middle.”
Megan Moroney attend the SESAC 2023 Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC
During the ceremony, Hatch asked veteran tunesmith Rafe Van Hoy to stand in the audience. She then led the attendees in a toast in honor of his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last month.
Presiding over the gala were SESAC CEO John Josephson and Senior Directors ET Brown and Lydia Schultz Cahill, plus SVP Shannan Hatch. The organization’s event producer, Tim Fink, greeted guests as they arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum’s quietly elegant sixth floor event space was the SESAC venue.
More than 400 music-business attendees complimented the room. Sequined gowns were much in evidence, some accented with feathers. Male attire ranged from sport shirts to tuxedos, with smatterings of cowboy couture. Cocktail tables were draped in black with succulents as centerpieces. The stage was embellished with neon darts that changed colors.
The cocktail supper featured beef tenderloin, pulled pork and fried green tomato sliders. Guests also sampled customized mac & cheese, hot chicken tenders, truffled deviled eggs, tuna sushi on cucumber discs, tomato & mozzarella skewers, impossible-burger meatballs, vegges, cheeses, olives and other bites.
Sunday’s SESAC event marked the beginning of four nights of star-studded events in Music City leading up to Wednesday’s CMA Awards show.
2023 SESAC Nashville Awards Honorees:
“THANK GOD”
Written by: Josh Hoge, Christian Stalnecker
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Feels Like Friday, Sony Music Publishing, Chorus 2 Music, RMM 416 Publishing
Recorded by: Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
“DANCIN’ IN THE COUNTRY”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard
“TENNESEE ORANGE”
Written by: Megan Moroney
Published by: Georgiamo, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Megan Moroney
“YOUR HEART OR MINE”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Jon Pardi
“YOU DIDN’T”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Brett Young
“PICK ME UP”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Gabby Barrett
“GIRL IN MINE”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes
Recorded by: Parmalee
“WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat Hits, Concord Tunes
Recorded by: Sam Hunt
“BURY ME IN GEORGIA”
Written by: Josh Hoge
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Chorus 2 Music, Sony Music Nashville
Recorded by: Kane Brown
“OUT IN THE MIDDLE”
Written by: Ben Simonetti, Zac Brown
Published by: Simonetti Music Publishing, Day For The Dead Publishing
Recorded by: Zac Brown Band
“Y’ALL LIFE”
Written by: Josh Jenkins, Pete Good
Published by: Follow Me Where I Go, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Walker Hayes
“SON OF A”
Written by: Dillon Carmichael
Published by: Riser House Tunes, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Dillon Carmichael
“PARTY MODE”
Written by: Jared Keim
Published by: Twelve6 Sequoia, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch
“CHANGE OF HEART”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, RMM 416 Publishing, Good Songs We Love
Recorded by: Margo Price
“THAT KIND OF LIFE (THAT KIND OF DAY)”
Written by: Jim Lauderdale
Published by: Wudang Mountain Songs, Critter City Music
Recorded by: Jim Lauderdale
“TALL AND MIGHTY”
Written by: Kelsey Waldon
Published by: MyKaintuck Publishing, Do Write Music
Recorded by: Kelsey Waldon
“DON’T LET THE DARKNESS”
Written by: Ed Jurdi
Published by: Three Pisces Music
Recorded by: The Band of Heathens
“ALL I REALLY WANNA DO”
Written by: Henry Brill
Published by: Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by: Devon Gilfillian
Louie TheSinger Signs With UMG Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Manager Lorenzo Zenteno, UMG Nashville’s Lori Christian, Cindy Mabe and Mike Harris, Louie TheSinger, UMG Nashville’s Chelsea Blythe and Rob Femia. Photo: Chris Hollo
Louie TheSinger has signed with UMG Nashville.
A Texas native proud of his Mexican heritage, Louie represents a different voice and sound in today’s country music world. He grew up in the streets of Fort Worth and ended up spending time in prison, where he vowed to change course. Upon his release, he put all his focus on family and creating and performing music his own way.
“Having witnessed Louie’s magnetic charisma translate on stages across this country and watch the rabid fan base he is building, I know that Louie is going to widen the country music audience,” says Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville Chair & CEO. “I am so inspired by Louie’s energy, purpose and intention to expand the sound of country music through his own personal story and his songs. I am so proud to bring Louie into the Universal Music Group Nashville family!”
“It’s crazy to think that I was just in a prison cell three years ago and now I’m signed to one of the biggest record labels in the world,” shares Louie. “Big thank you to Cindy Mabe and my new fam at UMG Nashville. I’m ready to disrupt country music (in a good way). I’m just tryna add a little spice and make my people proud. It’s time Mexican Americans have a voice in this country world and I’m here for it.”
Louie is currently in the studio working on new music set for release in the new year.
BREAKING: Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall Partner With Big Loud To Launch Big Loud Texas
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Joey Moi (Partner/Producer/President of A&R, Big Loud), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), Patch Culbertson (SVP/GM, Big Loud Records), Seth England (CEO/Partner, Big Loud), Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Alena Moran (Manager, Triple 8 Management), Candice Watkins (SVP of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records) and Stacy Blythe (SVP of Radio Promotion, Big Loud Records)
Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall have partnered with Big Loud Records to launch their own imprint, Big Loud Texas. Lambert and Randall will be directly involved in signing and developing artists on the roster. In addition, Randall will serve as President of A&R for Big Loud Texas while also contributing his expertise as a producer.
Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall
“As a teenager chasing my dreams in the honky-tonks of Texas, Nashville seemed so far away,” says Lambert. “Every time I’m back home I get to hear the incredible talent our state produces, and I feel a responsibility to help get more of those Texas voices heard. I’m really excited to team up with my buddy Jon Randall and Big Loud to do just that. Get ready, y’all – we’re bringing even more Texas to town!”
“When I was a kid playing in bands and kicking around Texas, I knew that making music was all I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” shares Randall. “Since then, I’ve gotten to play with so many of my heroes produce legends and friends and travel all over the world… but all those roads lead right back home. I feel very blessed to share this full circle moment with one of my best pals, Miranda Lambert, and help some other dreamers chase their song around the world.”
Big Loud Texas will serve as a dedicated imprint of Big Loud Records, a label whose success story began in 2015. Counting over 34 billion global on demand streams, 18 No. 1 U.S. airplay and 28 No. 1 Canadian airplay hits and more than 70 RIAA-certified titles, the Big Loud Records roster is home to genre standouts Morgan Wallen, Lauren Alaina, Hardy, Ernest, Hailey Whitters, MacKenzie Porter, Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr., Dallas Smith, Maggie Rose, Griffen Palmer, Shawn Austin, Lily Rose, Jake Worthington, Ashley Cooke, Lauren Watkins and Zandi Holup.
“I’ve admired what Miranda and Jon have done – both as musicians and as champions of young talent – for many years, so it’s an honor to join forces in this way,” adds Seth England, Big Loud CEO/Partner. “One of the most important things to us at Big Loud is to align with cultural camaraderie. Texas exudes that spirit and no one knows that better than Miranda and Jon.”
BREAKING: Tim Foisset Joins Spotify
/by LB CantrellTim Foisset
Tim Foisset has joined Spotify as Head of Label Partnerships, Nashville. His new role begins today (Nov. 6).
At Spotify, Foisset will manage the label partnerships team in Nashville, which includes Gemma McInturff, Miller Guth and Meagan Bennington.
Foisset joins Spotify after 13 years at Warner Music Nashville, where he most recently served as SVP Commercial Partnerships, working with Warner Music Nashville’s partners in streaming, digital retail, physical retail, e-commerce and D2C to drive strategic marketing and revenue. He’s guided new release strategies for artists including Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley McBryde, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Cole Swindell, Cody Johnson and more.
Foisset began his career in 1998 at Burly Bear Network in New York City and later joined Fuse Networks as the Manager of Consumer Marketing. He moved to Razor & Tie in 2005 as Director of Digital Marketing, where he managed the label’s relationships with digital partners and oversaw online marketing initiatives. Foisset moved to Music City in 2011 to join Warner Music Nashville.
Ian Munsick To Debut ‘White Buffalo: Voices Of The West’ Documentary
/by Lorie HollabaughIan Munsick. Photo: Christopher Douglas
Ian Munsick is releasing a companion documentary to his White Buffalo album, White Buffalo: Voices Of The West, which premieres Dec. 6 during Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
“Some of the best kept secrets are out there, thriving, where the prairie meets the mountains,” Munsick states. “I was lucky enough to be born and raised in the heart of cowboy country, mostly untouched by the outside world. It’s a culture where cowboys and Native Americans are one and the same. I’ve always wanted to use my platform to help shed light on what’s been hidden for decades, so naturally Voices Of The West was a great way to convey an important message, while artistically collaborating with people who rarely get the opportunity to have their voices heard.”
Following the premiere, Yellowstone actor and enrolled member of the Lakota Nations Mo Brings Plenty will moderate a panel discussion between Munsick, Hall, Yellowtail and Bird, alongside director/cinematographer from the Tohono O’odham Nation Cam Mackey and producer Caroline Munsick.
“For centuries, our horse nation relatives carried my ancestors on their backs and continue to in these modern times. It can be said they are responsible for our existence today,” says Brings Plenty. “American Indians, cowboys, ranching and rodeo are deeply rooted in this country’s history, culture and the enduring spirit of the American West, and through Ian’s lens, a historical story of growth, camaraderie, respect, humility and the importance of creating allies with communities other than our own—organically through our shared love of our four-legged relatives—will appear for audiences of all ages.”
Munsick’s headlining “The Buffalo Roams Tour” is currently underway, featuring a rotating lineup of special guests including Randall King, Triston Marez, Catie Offerman, Jake Worthington and Chancey Williams.
New Suzy Bogguss Project ‘Prayin’ For Sunshine’ Out Now
/by Lorie HollabaughSuzy Bogguss is embracing a new chapter in her career with the release of a brand new album, Prayin’ For Sunshine.
Prayin’ For Sunshine marks the first time Bogguss has penned an entire album. The impetus for the collection came during the global lockdown in 2020, when she reflected on her journey and felt compelled to share her experiences with her audience. Recorded at her long-time Tennessee home, the album captures the unvarnished essence of southern storytelling and the authentic roots of Americana music.
The tracks range from the heartfelt homage “Paint the Town Blue,” celebrating her hometown, to “Sunday Birmingham,” a road song expressing longing for rest on tour, and “It All Falls Down To The River,” which delves deep into the intricate facets of American history, accompanied by soul-stirring gospel harmonies from the McCrary Sisters.
Along with the new album, Bogguss is also sharing a new cookbook Suzy’s Soup Night with her fans. The collection intertwines recipes with photos, honoring the joyous gatherings that have become emblematic of Bogguss’ life.
Prayin’ For Sunshine Track Listing:
1. “It All Falls Down To The River” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
2. “Sunday Birmingham” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
3. “It’s Too Late” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider, Pat Bergeson)
4. “Paint The Town Blue” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
5. “Cryin’ Over You” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
6. “Camille” (Suzy Bogguss, Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters)
7. “GPS” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
8. “We Can Make It Alright” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
9. “A Woman Who Cooks” (Suzy Bogguss, Bill Lloyd)
10. “Can You Still See Me Like That” (Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider)
Industry Ink: Shenandoah, Clay Walker, Enteract Entertainment
/by LB CantrellShenandoah Celebrates No. 1 For ‘Two Dozen Roses’ With Luke Combs
Pictured (L-R): Track Entertainment’s Noah Gordon, NBA All-Star Kevin Willis, Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, Fame’s Rodney Hall and Shenandoah’s Manager Cole Johnstone
Iconic country group Shenandoah recently gathered at The Mane Room at The University of North Alabama (UNA) to celebrate hitting No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with their reimagined hit “Two Dozen Roses” featuring Luke Combs.
Marking Shenandoah’s first No. 1 in 30 years, the new version of the 1989 hit officially went out to country radio last month as the band’s new single. Shenandoah and Combs recorded the track, produced by Grammy-winning engineer Noah Gordon, at the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, where the original version was recorded.
Clay Walker Celebrates 30-Year Career With A Night of Hits, Memories & Stories
Pictured (L-R): UTA’s Lance Roberts, TKO Artist Management’s TK Kimbrell, Clay Walker and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter’s Alicia Warwick
On Wednesday evening (Nov. 1), Clay Walker hosted members of his team and the music industry at The Late Great to celebrate and reflect on 30 years in the music business. Walker’s debut self-titled album came out 30 years ago in 1993 on Giant Records.
Walker played some of his 11 No. 1 hits as well as songs that influenced him, teased new music and discussed his memories of creating that first album, songwriting and touring throughout the course of his career.
Enteract Entertainment Signs Singer-Songwriter Zach Westscott
Pictured (L-R): Lee Willard, Mike Flanders, Zach Westscott and Blake Propst
Enteract Entertainment has signed singer-songwriter Zach Westscott to an exclusive publishing and distribution deal.
A native of Leesburg, New Jersey, Westscott left his job as a firefighter and moved to Tennessee to pursue country music in 2015. After working as a mechanic in Clarksville, he made his way into Music City’s bar scene working as security at several popular music venues on Broadway, earning himself the name of “the singing security guard.” Since then, Westscott has traveled around the country performing at a wide variety of venues as well as opening shows for country artists such as Lonestar and Tyler Booth.
Dalton Dover To Hit The Road On First Headlining Tour In 2024
/by Liza AndersonRising country star Dalton Dover will embark on his first headlining journey, the “Never Giving Up On That Tour,” starting Feb. 9 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dover has spent the last year sharpening his live show skills performing festival dates and serving as support for Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore and Chase Rice.
“We’ve had so much fun on the road this year, whether we played festivals like CMA Fest, local fairs or supporting some of my favorite artists and introducing ourselves to new fans,” shares Dover. “It’s been amazing to learn from some of the best in the industry on how to deliver a high-impact show, and we can’t wait to bring our best to these shows in 2024!”
He also recently unveiled the music video for the tour’s namesake, his single “Giving Up On That,” on CMT, CMT Music, CMT.com and Paramount’s Times Square Billboard. Directed by Tristan Cusick, the video was filmed near Dover’s hometown in Rome, Georgia.