As Country Radio Seminar begins in downtown Nashville, the Country Radio Broadcasters announced the honorees for the 2023 Country Radio Hall of Fame. Kelsea Ballerini joined Country Radio Hall of Fame co-chairs Joel Raab and Tim Roberts during the CRS Honors to reveal the honorees.

The list includes six radio professionals in two categories: On-Air personality and Radio (Off-Air broadcasters). Pam Green, Charlie Morgan, Wade Jessen and John Willyard are among the distinguished radio category honorees, while Trish Biondo and Dollar Bill Lawson are recognized for their outstanding on-air contributions.

“We are thrilled to honor this year’s inductees, whose contributions to the country radio industry have been significant and impactful. Their contributions have helped shape the industry, and we look forward to recognizing their achievements at the induction ceremony later this year,” shares Raab.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the country radio/music industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format. The honorees will be heralded at the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner on Monday, July 10, at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. More information on the event, including ticket information, will be released closer to the event.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Laura Veltz has launched a new podcast Songwriter Soup in partnership with American Songwriter, consisting of new hour-long episodes every Monday.

Joined by co-hosts Tracy Hackney and Kevin Sokolnicki, the podcast offers insights into sparing your sanity and saving money in the songwriting business. The first season will feature acclaimed songwriters Luke Dick, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Jimmy Robbins and Andy Albert.

“We all have thousands, if not millions, of songs living in our brains – they become familiar to sing and impactful enough to connect you back to key moments within your life’s story and yet, most people don’t know of the many great creators and poets behind their favorite lyrics,” shares Veltz.

Named Billboard’s 2022 Songwriter of the Year, Veltz has worked with some of music’s biggest stars including Demi Lovato, Maren Morris, Idina Menzel and more. In 2020, she took home the ACM and CMA Awards for Song of the Year, and BMI’s Award for Pop Song of the Year in 2021. Veltz became the first woman to claim the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Country Songwriters chart for “The Bones.” 

“Songwriters are such a secret that most of us remember the moment we realized songwriting is an actual job and we generally have no idea how to get started, let alone navigate the complexities of the business along the way,” she says. “With Songwriter Soup, my hope is that some of the things we’ve distilled into words help songwriters live a little bit better, a little easier and enjoy this incredible opportunity to be the world’s emotional interpreter.”

As an audio engineer, Sokolnicki has worked with artists such as Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers and Lynda Carter, among others, while Hackney serves as a financial advisor for artists, songwriters, producers and music business executives. Together, they bring more than three decades of experience to the podcast.

“I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard a songwriter say they have no idea how their recorded songs will pay them or if it will pay them at all,” says Hackney. “Songwriter Soup is designed to pull back the curtain on both the money and creative side of songwriting. Whether you’re a longtime songwriter with multiple hits who is dealing with complex business, creative and financial decisions or the avid music fan who wants to know more about how songs get to your ears, we’re digging in with some fun, fascinating people to understand this career that has vital impact on all of our lives.”

 “A songwriter’s path is full of uncertainty and comes with highs and lows creatively, socially and especially financially,” adds Sokolnicki. “That kind of shaky ground can lead to all kinds of anxiety and decisions that leave you questioning everything. This podcast is made for anyone on a creative journey who might need a little encouragement and sound financial advice.”

 The C2C Festival will return March 8-10 in 2024 to The O2, London and OVO Hydro, Glasgow, and will hit the road to visit Northern Ireland at The SSE Arena, Belfast for the first time. The full lineup will be announced later in the year along with more details.

Thomas Rhett, Lady A and Zac Brown Band headlined the 2023 festival. The event continues to bring country music to the United Kingdom and Ireland masses, with tens of thousands of fans attending every year. Once again, C2C will host three days of performances from the world’s best country stars as well as emerging talent from Nashville, UK and Europe.

Early bird tickets will be available this Friday, March 17, and can be purchased from gigsandtours.com, AXS.com and ticketmaster.co.uk. For Belfast, tickets will be available via ticketmaster.ie.

Pictured (L-R): UMPG Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson, Lydia Sutherland, UMPG Nashville’s Cyndi Forman. Photo: Courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Nashville

Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Nashville-based artist Lydia Sutherland.

The Quebec native first emerged as a much sought-after songwriter in the Canadian music space, which led to her signing a recording contract with Universal Music Canada. She was recently named a semi-finalist of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition.

“Lydia walked into my office one day last year and absolutely blew my mind with her lyrics and ideas in every song she played me,” shares Cyndi Forman, Senior Vice President A&R, UMPG Nashville. “I couldn’t get the songs out of my head and knew I had to sign her. I am thrilled she’s joining the team!”

“From the first day I walked into UMPG and sat down with Cyndi I felt like I first and foremost met a friend and supporter for life but also found the perfect home for me and my songs,” adds Sutherland. “It’s still so hard to comprehend how this all happened and how I ended up with this dream team. All I can say is that I am incredibly grateful and beyond excited for this new journey to start!”