CMA Welcomes New Women’s Leadership Academy Class

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Pictured (L-R): Executive Coach Cory Colton, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy Tiffany Kerns, Heather Vassar, Halie Hampton Mosley, Allison Laughter, Samantha Borenstein, Rachel Powers, Mallori Kirchenschlager, Meg Kehoe, Kaitlyn Moore, Jessica Myers, Courtney Allen, Stephanie Davenport, Kylen Sharpe, Charlotte Burke Bass, Molly Shehan, Executive Coach Diane Watson and CMA CEO Sarah Trahern at the 2023 Women’s Leadership Academy Kick-Off Retreat on Monday, July 10 at CMA. (Not Pictured: Taylor Smith). Photo: Drew Noble/CMA

CMA has announced a new class for its Women’s Leadership Academy, which kicked off this week.

The professional development program, now in its second year, is an interactive group coaching experience for 15 high-performing, high-potential women leaders within country music. The 15-week program will include an initial one-on-one coaching session to establish individual goals and set success measures, seven educational sessions as a group, and group coaching sessions twice a month throughout the entirety of the program.

Cohort members will walk away with an expanded network, a roadmap for career growth, and improved leadership abilities. Session topics are expected to include leadership branding, imposter syndrome, establishing boundaries, managing conflict and stress, communication and leveraging influence.

“After our inaugural year last year, we were blown away at the conversation, community and genuine connection that was born from this program,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “We were reminded that true leadership starts with developing a system of support across our business, and through the incredible women in this program, that’s exactly what we’ve seen happen. There was no doubt that we would continue this program, and I am thrilled to welcome this year’s impressive class of women.”

Throughout the next 15 weeks, participants will be coached by expert executive coaches, Diane Watson, PCC, and Cory Colton, PCC, BCC, and will receive further insight surrounding increased self-awareness and how to use it strategically, confidence building and communicating effectively, managing inner criticism to unleash further potential, building a personal brand and networking successfully, as well as creating a better work-life integration by setting boundaries.

The new class of CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy:

Courtney Allen (Senior Director of A&R, Concord Music Publishing)
Charlotte Burke Bass (Vice President of Nashville Operations, The Oriel Company)
Samantha Borenstein (Artist Manager, Sam I Am Entertainment)
Stephanie Davenport (Senior Director of A&R, Warner Music Nashville)
Halie Hampton Mosley (Vice President of Roster Operations, WHY&HOW)
Meg Kehoe (Head of Media, Sony Music Nashville)
Mallori Kirchenschlager (Business Manager, Luma Business Services)
Allison Laughter (Vice President of Digital, Marketing and Streaming, Red Light Management)
Kaitlyn Moore (Vice President of Marketing, mtheory)
Jessica Myers (Vice President of Rights Management, Big Machine Label Group)
Rachel Powers (Vice President, Messina Touring Group)
Kylen Sharpe (Agent, CAA)
Molly Shehan (Partner/Attorney, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC)
Taylor Smith Tileston (Tour Manager, Little Big Town)
Heather Vassar (Vice President, EMPIRE)

Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith Announce ‘2023 Christmas Tour’ Dates

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Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith have announced the dates for their upcoming “2023 Christmas Tour” this holiday season.

Grant and Smith will kick off the co-headlining journey on Nov. 26 in Atlanta, making additional stops in Kansas City, Washington D.C., Dallas and more. All shows go on sale this Friday (July 14). The pair will be joined by special guest Michael Tait of the Newsboys on the nine shows, including their first appearance together in New York City at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 5.

The concert will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of holiday albums between them. Following the nine-city run with Grant, Smith will continue the tour with Tait for eight more dates, hitting Fort Myers, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Bowling Green, Nashville and more, while Grant returns to Nashville for her “Christmas at the Ryman” residency with husband Vince Gill, which will kick off on Dec. 13.

In support of their longstanding relationship with Compassion International, Grant and Smith will bring awareness to their child sponsorship experience at each show. For more information, visit AmyGrant.com and MichaelWSmith.com.

“2023 Christmas Tour” Dates:
**Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Michael Tait
*Michael W. Smith and Michael Tait
Nov. 26 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre**
Nov. 27 – Durham, NC – DPAC**
Nov. 30 – Kansas City, MO – Kansas City Music Hall**
Dec. 01 – Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre**
Dec. 04 – Tysons, VA (Washington, D.C.) – Capital One Hall**
Dec. 05 – New York, NY – Carnegie Hall**
Dec. 06 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre**
Dec. 09 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park**
Dec. 10 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre**

SMACKSongs & Worktape Music Partner To Sign McCoy Moore

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Pictured (L-R): Carly Sater, Lee Krabel, McCoy Moore, Travis Gordon, Sam Sarno and Jeremy Groves

SMACKSongs and Worktape Music have partnered to sign McCoy Moore to a worldwide publishing deal.

The Lakeland, Florida native moved to Nashville after graduating from high school to pursue songwriting. Moore spent his first few years in town playing as many writers’ rounds as possible, sharing original music and releasing songs independently as an artist. He has since has garnered cuts with artists such as Shane Profitt and Bryce Mauldin.

“McCoy is not only an incredible talent but a great person as well,” says Lee Krabel, VP of Publishing at SMACK. “From our first meeting with McCoy and Travis [Gordon] we knew we had to figure out a way to all work together. We are excited to see what he can accomplish!”

“The SMACK team is a proven developer of talent and their enthusiasm for McCoy and his songs has been truly palpable,” adds Worktape Music’s Gordon. “I’m thrilled to partner with them to help make McCoy’s dreams become reality.”

“I’m super thankful for Lee and Travis, and my whole SMACKSongs/Worktape family,” says Moore. “I couldn’t be more excited to write songs and be surrounded by hardworking people every day in this next chapter of my career. Every time you walk into the office, you can tell everyone is happy to be there and I feel that same way. I’m grateful for good folks believing in what I bring to the table, and I’m excited to get to work!”

Farm Aid To Return To Indiana

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Willie Nelson performs at Farm Aid 2022. Photo: Sharon Carone

Farm Aid is returning this year to Noblesville, Indiana on Sept. 23 at Ruoff Music Center.

Performers for Farm Aid 2023 will include Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds) and Margo Price, as well as Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, The String Cheese Incident and Particle Kid.

The festival will highlight the work of family farmers to address climate change through regenerative, organic and sustainable farming practices, and will showcase these innovative climate champions on the Farm Aid stage and throughout the event. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, July 15, at 10 a.m. ET, at LiveNation.com.

Indiana has hosted Farm Aid concerts three times, and this marks the second festival in Noblesville. Farm Aid IV took place at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis in 1990, and Farm Aid 2001: A Concert for America was held in Noblesville just weeks after the terrorist attacks of 2001.

“Family farmers have the solutions to some of our toughest challenges,” says Farm Aid President and Founder Willie Nelson. “As we face a changing climate, farmers in Indiana, across the Midwest and all over the country are farming in ways that create more resilient farms to build healthy soils and protect our water.”

“We are honored and excited to bring the Farm Aid experience back to Indiana. My home state holds deep meaning for me and for the generations of family farmers who have dedicated their lives to caring for the Earth and bringing us good food,”says Farm Aid Co-Founder John Mellencamp.

Fred Rubenstein Joins Sony Music Nashville As VP, Digital Marketing

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Fred Rubenstein. Photo: Rebecca Lader

Sony Music Nashville has appointed Fred Rubenstein as Vice President, Digital Marketing, effective immediately.

Rubenstein will be responsible for overseeing the digital marketing team and leading the strategy, execution and implementation of innovative social media and digital marketing campaigns across the Sony Music Nashville roster. He will also focus on exploring new partner/platform opportunities that will enable digital discovery, enhance artists’ brands and drive consumption.

Rubenstein will report to Jennifer Way (Senior Vice President, Marketing) and relocate to Nashville.

Way comments, “Fred is a highly respected digital marketing executive who isn’t afraid to break the mold to try something new. He is a natural leader and collaborator, and I’m looking forward to adding his fresh, innovative perspective and broad digital expertise into our marketing strategy as we continue to deliver unique, memorable campaigns that amplify our artists’ voices and their music.”

“I am very excited to join a team that is already is already pushing the boundaries for their artists in the digital space. The vision and outlook that Sony Music Nashville has for being at the forefront of this space is super exciting and I appreciate their trust in leading that. I look forward to continuing this mission by amplifying unique digital campaigns for and with, our artists,” Rubenstein adds.

Rubenstein was most recently Senior Manager, Creator Acquisitions & Development for Amazon’s live streaming service Twitch, where he managed deals and accounts with billion-dollar companies and on-boarded new talent from the music, gaming and sports spaces. Notable projects included WWE, The Needle Drop and Mike Shinoda. Prior to his role at Twitch, he was a member of digital marketing teams at Elektra Music Group and Roadrunner Records where he spearheaded digital campaigns for Slipknot, Sturgill Simpson, Turnstile, Trivium and more.

Rubenstein is a graduate of Monmouth University where he received a B.A. in marketing.

Recording Academy Raises Annual Membership Fees

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The Recording Academy has raised its annual membership fees from $100 to $150. The increase begins on Aug. 1, but any dues submitted on or before July 31 will reflect the old rate.

Since the last time the Recording Academy increased membership in 2000, the organization has organized over 650 events across 12 Chapters, provided $110 million in aid through MusiCares and actively supported the passage of numerous bills at both the state and federal level to protect creators’ rights, in addition to celebrating and recognizing Grammy Award nominees and winners.

According to Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., if the fee increase causes a member a hardship, they will make accommodations to help, as they did during the pandemic. Mason reports a small but significant percentage of members were granted a fee waiver during the pandemic and that some people paid double dues during COVID to support people who weren’t able to pay.

“If people do have hardships [with this fee increase], we’re going to continue that policy,” he said to Billboard. “It’s not about trying to extract money from people that don’t have it. It’s just trying to make a fair value. So, when someone says we can’t afford to play $150, we’re going to say, ‘OK, what can you afford? Oh, you can’t afford it, No problem. We want you as a member regardless.’”

The Academy also has a waiver policy on entry fees. All professional and voting members of the Recording Academy receive five “courtesy entries” per year. If they choose to enter more than five entries, they must pay. This year, the fee is $40 for entries made between July 17-31, $75 for entries made between Aug. 1-23 and $125 for entries made between Aug. 24-31.

The Academy reports any member burdened by the entry fees can request the fees be waived by reaching out to the awards department. It justifies charging a fee for any member making more than five entries, saying, “The per-entry fee structure encourages entrants to consider the value of each entry and make mindful decisions to put forward work that they truly believe is Grammy-worthy.”

George Strait To Headline ATLive In October

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ATLive, developed and promoted by AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE), is once again bringing some of the biggest artists to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The multi-day music event returns on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21 with a roster of superstar artists from country and Latin music.

Saturday’s lineup will offer a star-studded extravaganza with country icon George Strait, eight-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, the legendary Willie Nelson & Family and six-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town.

Friday night (Oct. 20) will feature an exciting Latin lineup, including Grupo Firme, J Balvin, Farruko and Yahritza Y Su Escencia.

Tickets for each night go on sale Friday, July 21 at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.

“We are extremely excited to once again bring an incredible lineup of artists to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for ATLive,” says Doug Roberts, VP of Stadium Events and Premium Sales, AMB Sports and Entertainment. “The ATLive concert series has quickly become one of the can’t-miss concert events of the year and we look forward to welcoming fans of both Latin and country music for two great nights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in October.”

ATLive, powered by Ticketmaster and presented by Sweetwater Brewing Company and Wells Fargo, hosted six shows at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with nearly 300,000 people in attendance during its first three years. Past stars include Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Miranda Lambert, Metallica, Lionel Richie, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Keith Urban and more. ATLive is produced by AMBSE in partnership with Messina Touring Group.

Tickets On Sale Now For 2023 SOURCE Nashville Hall Of Fame Awards

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Tickets are now available for the 2023 SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards, taking place Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in the Historic Municipal Auditorium.

Individual tickets are $95 for SOURCE members and $105 for the general public.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards. The special event will be presented by Springer Mountain Farms and hosted by award-winning artists Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely.

The annual awards recognizes a select group of “Women Behind The Music,” inducting them into the SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame. The 2023 inductees include Marcie Allen, Renee Bell, Janice Jackson, Jackie Patillo, Becky Shanks, Denise Stiff and Valerie Summers.

For more information, click here.

Drake White Announces ‘Benefit For The Brain’ Concert

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Photo: Zack Knudsen

Four years after surviving his own traumatic brain injury, country soul singer Drake White has announced his “Benefit For The Brain” charity concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 28.

White will share the stage with Randy Houser, Riley Green and Jamey Johnson as well as more special guests from the country, rock, and Americana worlds that will be announced soon.

Through his Big Fire Fund 501(c)(3) charity organization, White seeks to advance research and support networks in the field of brain and mental health. Brain health became important to the acclaimed entertainer after suffering a stroke and collapsing onstage in 2019, being subsequently diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).

After undergoing a series of operations to repair his AVM and months of physiotherapy, White relearned how to do almost everything – including playing guitar and singing.

“This will be a night of music and conversation shining light on brain and mental health,” explains White. “Through music and community, our goal is to raise awareness and resources to foster innovation in adolescent brain health, empower veterans and their families and bridge the gap between alternative medicine and public perception. Together, we hope to inspire a community of understanding, improve quality of life and give courage to face the battle between your ears.”

All proceeds raised will be gifted to a handpicked slate of benefit partners representing three pillars: military personnel and their families with a focus on PTSD and other related issues; child and adolescent brain health; and progressive research into alternative brain and stroke treatments. For more information, click here.

News of the empowering benefit concert comes at the start of a brand-new creative chapter for White, who released his heartfelt single “Spirit” at the end of June. Co-written by White with Leslie Satcher and Phil Pence, this marks the first taste of his upcoming project.

Tyler Halverson Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Brad Kennard (Concord), Matt Turner (Concord), Claire Buchanan (Concord), Jen Hubbard (Concord), Garrett Stephenson (Concord), Courtney Allen (Concord); (L-R, front row): Melissa Spillman (Concord), Tyler Halverson, Allen Mitchell (Erv Woolsey Company), Erv Woolsey (Erv Woolsey Company). Photo: Audrey Spillman

Tyler Halverson has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Concord Music Publishing.

Halverson hails from Canton, South Dakota, a tiny town south of Sioux Falls with a population of just over 3,000. He fell in love with music listening to his father’s CD collection as a kid, which included everything from Garth Brooks and Hayes Carll to Boyz II Men, and moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. Upon graduation, Halverson spent time in South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, and credits much of his style and carefree attitude to his adventures out west.

In early 2020, Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline saw a clip of Halverson on Instagram and not long after, recorded a couple of songs with him. Throughout 2021, Halverson gained traction with indie releases such as “Beer Garden Baby,” “Mac Miller” and 2022’s “Your Bar Now (with Kylie Frey),” amassing tens of millions of streams across platforms. Halverson signed to Atlantic Records earlier this year, and his debut single, “Her,” was released on May 5.

Known for his laid-back and confessional brand of country, Halverson takes inspiration from classic country and western music while also looking ahead to the genre’s future, and has even established his own unique style he dubs “Western Amerijuana.”

“I saw Tyler play a writer round at The Basement in 2021, and I was immediately hooked,” says Melissa Spillman, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “Everything about him is original and authentic, and I am so proud to have him in the Concord family. His brand of Western Amerijuana music makes him immediately stand out from the pack. We are so lucky to get to work with such a humble and talented artist!”

“I’m so thankful and grateful to be a part of Concord, a team that supports my songwriting and artistry! I’m blessed to say I write songs for a living now,” says Halverson. “Thank you, Melissa and Concord for believing!”