The works of the late, legendary country photojournalist Alan L. Mayor are being presented in a one-of-a-kind exhibit crafted by the Bobby Hotel team, the Americana Music Association, MTSU’s Center for Popular Music and the Alan L. Mayor Estate at the Bobby Nashville.

The exhibition’s opening shot, Dolly Parton at the 1989 CMA Awards. Photo: Alan L. Mayor

Mayor’s extensive archive includes images of iconic country artists reflected through the decades of the country music industry. The exhibit, “The Collection: Alan L. Mayor: A Nashville Retrospective 1974-1999,” went on display Sept. 6 and will remain open through Jan. 6, 2024. The public exhibit is located within the common areas of Bobby Nashville, including the lobby, the Union Tavern Bar and restaurant, as well as the second floor. There is no admission fee.

From the 1970s, Mayor established himself on Music Row as the go-to photojournalist of the Nashville music industry, capturing the personal lives and careers of many Nashville artists before his passing in 2015. Over 60 of his photos are on display, and the exclusive retrospective takes viewers back to a time during country’s evolution as young talents were emerging.

Mayor’s lens captured the wild energy of the outlaw movement, the rise of artists such as Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, and countless other candid moments. Many of the images reflect iconic moments on stage, from Porter Wagoner’s bedazzled suits to a duet with Tammy Wynette and George Jones, while other photos capture more intimate moments behind the scenes such as Ricky Skaggs and wife Sharon White in the crowd at the Station Inn.

Mayor published a collection of photos, The Nashville Family Album, a Country Music Scrapbook during his career. His clients included The Tennessean, Nashville Banner, Billboard, MusicRow Magazine and many more.

Music Health Alliance (MHA)’s sixth annual “Heal The Music Day” has been set for Oct. 20. Music makers across all genres are invited to join Spotify, the Grand Ole Opry, Dave Matthews Band, Keith Urban, Dan Aykroyd, Alabama Shakes, Phish, Vince Gill, Lauren Daigle and more to raise awareness and funding in support of MHA, the music industry’s resource for healthcare.

Funded entirely through individual and corporate donations, grants and fundraising, the nonprofit has provided free healthcare advocacy, resources and mental health support to more than 20,000 working music professionals worldwide for more than 10 years.

Launched in 2017, “Heal The Music Day” is the brainchild of Grammy-winning artist and songwriter Rodney Crowell. Crowell is championing this year’s campaign to raise awareness and support for the emergent and ongoing medical, dental and mental healthcare needs of the music community—76 percent of whom are self-employed or part of a small business—many with limited resources, and often uninsured or underinsured for healthcare. In just six years, “Heal The Music Day” has raised over a million dollars  to provide a lifeline for those struggling with health or mental health issues in the music industry.

“Calling everyone who makes a living in the music industry and those who are passionate fans! We’re at a critical juncture and reaching out to you for your invaluable support. In the past year, our requests for assistance have skyrocketed by a staggering 50 percent, encompassing vital needs such as mental health support, medical bill negotiations, emergent dental care and end of life planning,” says Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder & CEO. “It’s a heartbreaking reality that many in the music industry are forced to make the agonizing decision between putting food on the table and accessing essential medical care. MHA refuses to let this continue, and your commitment to ‘Heal The Music Day’ is key to ensuring that no one in our music community faces such dire choices. Please let the music play and donate to ‘Heal The Music Day.'”

To become a partner in healing, industry members, businesses dependent on the industry and fans can pledge a percentage of a single day’s earnings or event to support MHA’s critical resources and help fellow creators in need.

For every dollar donated, MHA provides $30 in life-saving healthcare resources. Services are free to any person who has worked in the music industry for three or more years. Spouses, legal domestic partners and dependent family members may also qualify. For more information, click here.

Chris Sligh. Photo: Courtesy of Porchlight Music

Porchlight Music has signed award-winning artist and producer Chris Sligh to a publishing deal.

Sligh was a top 10 American Idol finalist in 2007, which led to a thriving artist career with a string of Billboard chart hits including “Empty Me,” which received a 2010 Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year as well as the BMI Christian Song of the Year award. In 2009, he scored his first No. 1 with Rascal Flatts‘ “Here Comes Goodbye,” a song that earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals the following year.

In 2019, the multi-instrumentalist began writing with country artist Nate Smith and has since had 78 cuts, including tunes recorded by Smith, Bailey Zimmerman and Josh Ross. Last week, Smith’s “Wreckage,” co-written by Sligh, Smith, Mary Kutter and Paul Wrock was certified Gold by the RIAA.

“Chris is a guy that has had success as an artist coming off the heels of American Idol to having major success as a songwriter and track guy. But in addition to that, he’s someone that we all love being around. He will be a great addition to our offense,” says Tim Medlin, Partner/Co-Founder, Porchlight Music.

Greyson Chance & Heather Russell

Prescription Songs has signed publishing deals with singer-songwriter and pianist Greyson Chance and singer-songwriter and producer Heather Russell.

Pictured (L-R): Prescription Songs’ Kelly White, Prescription Songs’ Rachel Wein, Greyson Chance, Prescription Songs’ Brooke Webster, Cultiv8’s Alex Ziabko and Prescription Songs’ Katie Fagan

Chance, an Oklahoma-born artist, emerged as a viral sensation at age 12. He introduced himself with his 2011 debut album Hold On ‘til the Night, and realized the power of his voice with 2019’s Portraits, which includes the single “Shut Up” that generated over 95 million Spotify streams and counting, followed by “Yours” with 12 million Spotify streams. Chance recently released the deluxe edition Palladium.

“Working with Greyson is an A&R’s dream; he is unapologetic in his creative vision, yet open to feedback and never afraid to venture into new territory,” says Prescription Songs’ Rachel Wein and Brooke Webster. “As longtime fans, we are thrilled to welcome Greyson into the Prescription Songs family and look forward to building together.”

“I am so grateful and honored to now be alongside the many talented artists, producers and writers at Prescription,” Chance shares. “For me, it was the Prescription team themselves who made me want to pursue my first publishing deal. I feel at home and understood by each and every person in their building, and that’s a special thing to experience in the music industry.”

Pictured (L-R): Brent Burns, Heather Russell and Prescription Songs’ Chris Martignago

Originally from Toronto, 23-year-old Russell’s songs have a vintage, theatrical feel. She has been navigating the industry since signing a major record deal at the age of nine. Her music is inspired by a love of film noir and pop culture. Russell’s upcoming debut Knock, the first of a three-part album, was just released via Kick Kick Snare/42 Records.

“Heather’s voice is one of a kind and she lights up every creative room she’s in,” adds Prescription Songs’ Chris Martignago. “I’m excited to be a part of her journey and to be teaming up with Brent again in a new capacity. We’ve got work to do and I’m excited for us to be in business together to make it happen.”

“Prescription Songs immediately felt like home. My manager, Brent Burns, and Chris Martignago have known each other for over a decade. I’m so grateful to them both, and to everyone in the building for believing in me and welcoming me with open arms,” says Russell. “They are all matched in their professional capacities only by the awesomeness of their personalities! Side effects will absolutely include winning.”