ASCAP Celebrates Top Country Writers At Special Nashville Hitmakers Night
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, 8x ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews
ASCAP celebrated its top country music songwriters and publishers earlier this week during ASCAP Nashville Hitmakers Night at Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen.
Members and top executives, including ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, gathered to toast ASCAP’s 2020-2021 Country Music Award winners and 2020-2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees.
The Everly Brothers Receive Commemorative Tennessee Music Pathways Marker
Family of The Everly Brothers, along with city and state officials gather at Everly Brothers Park. Photo: Visit Knoxville
The Everly Brothers were recently honored with the unveiling of a new Tennessee Music Pathways marker in Everly Brothers Park. Family of The Everly Brothers, along with city and state officials, gathered in Knoxville to celebrate the achievement.
Everly Brothers Park is the only commemorative park in the U.S. to honor the rock-and-roll duo of Don and Phil Everly, and features inlaid plaques with signatures and quotes from famous musicians on the impact The Everly Brothers have had on their careers and rock music around the world. Distinguished as one of the most innovative and original styles of 1950s rock-and-roll, The Everly Brothers’ blend of country music, rhythm ‘n’ blues and pop harmonies were rooted in vintage country brother duets.
“Visit Knoxville is honored to partner with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to unveil the Tennessee Music Pathways marker at Everly Brothers Park,” notes Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “The Everly Brothers began performing as a duo in Knoxville, and their music has inspired artists through the decades ever since. Spaces like this further cement Knoxville’s place in American music history, and draws visitors from around the world.”
“The Tennessee Music Pathways were created to preserve, promote and inspire Tennessee’s rich and diverse musical heritage,” adds Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. “The Everly Brothers not only helped shape the state’s rich music history but shaped rock-and-roll music around the world, and for that, we are grateful to celebrate them today.”
Andrew Farriss Signs With TKO For Booking Representation
Andrew Farriss
Country and Americana singer-songwriter Andrew Farriss has signed with TKO Booking Agency for exclusive booking representation. Farriss is best known as the creative force and co-founder of the three-time Grammy-nominated band INXS.
Farriss released his solo EP, Love Makes the World, in 2020, which spawned two hit singles–the title track, which hit No. 5 on the Australian country chart and “All the Stars Are Mine.” He followed in March 2021 with the release of his self-titled debut album, which hit No. 3 on the ARIA album chart. His current single, “You Are My Rock,” is now making its way up the Billboard Indicator and Americana charts in the United States.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Andrew Farriss into the TKO family,” states Andrew Goodfriend, agent at TKO. “He is a legend in the rock community and a truly gifted songwriter, and we look forward to helping him chart the next chapter in his celebrated career.”
“I am so excited to work with TKO,” Farriss adds. “They represent a wide array of great artists as diverse as I am, so it’s a great fit! With my new music charting in the United States on both the Americana and Billboard charts, I’m looking forward to getting out and performing shows for the fans.”
Casi Joy Joins Mint Talent Group’s Artist Roster
Casi Joy
Country-pop recording artist Casi Joy has inked with booking agency Mint Talent Group, whose roster includes artists such as Art Garfunkel, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Grandmaster Flash, Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, and the Allman Brothers band.
Working with country icon Blake Shelton, Joy made a notable turn on NBC’s The Voice in 2017. Now, With over 350,000 followers and counting on social media and upwards of 40 million combined views online, her vulnerability and creative voice have built a strong fanbase.
The Kansas City native has shared stages with some of country’s biggest names throughout her career, including Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Dustin Lynch and others. Joy spent this summer playing numerous festivals and headlining shows throughout the midwest, all following her June signing to Nashville-based label Vere Music.
“I am thrilled to be working with Mint!” Joy shares. “They have such a vast understanding of all areas of music. I’ve been living on the road for years now, going wherever the music takes me, and I can’t [wait] for Mint to keep me right where I wanna be: the stage!”
Creative Nation Signs Mia Mantia, Promotes Four Staffers
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: (L-R, back row): Rachel Guttman (Taylor Guttmann, PLLC), Beth Laird, Luke Laird, Kelsey Granda; (L-R, front row): Emily Furman, Mia Mantia, Alex Tamashunas, Abby Holcomb. Photo: Spencer Combs
Mia Mantia has signed a publishing deal with Creative Nation.
A native of Springboro, Ohio, Mantia made the move to Nashville to attend Belmont University, where she recently graduated with a songwriting degree. While at Belmont, she won the 2019 GrammyU songwriter showcase, as well as the 2019 Belmont ASCAP Writers’ Night, which led her to play at the university’s annual Best of the Best showcase.
“Mia’s songs move people. There’s not much more you can ask for in a writer,” notes Creative Nation Creative Director Alex Tamashunas. “They make you think, laugh, cry, and call your mother. She, and her songs, have immense character – and I’m simply grateful we get to ride the waves she will make in country music,”
“From the day I moved to Nashville, everyone has told me you need to find a champion that believes in you and will put themselves on the line for you. That’s something I really took to heart when searching for a deal,” Mantia adds. “As soon as I walked into Creative Nation, I felt like I found not just one champion, but a house full of them. I really couldn’t ask for anything more in a first deal and can’t wait to see what this amazing team and I can do!”
Pictured (L-R): Alex Tamashunas, Abby Holcomb, Kelsey Granda, Emily Furman. Photo: Spencer Combs
In addition to the signing Creative Nation has also promoted several staffers.
Emily Furman has been promoted to VP, Creative; Tamashunas has been elevated to Creative Director; Kelsey Granda rises to SVP, Operations and Administration; and Abby Holcomb has been promoted to Office and Social Media Director.
Furman and Tamashunas will continue managing writer calendars, pitching songs, and signing and developing Creative Nation’s publishing roster. Granda will continue to coordinate with the company’s financial and legal teams regarding deals and budgets, and oversee day-to-day company operations. In her new role, Holcomb will continue to manage the office and the Creative Nation catalog, and will now oversee all content across Creative Nation’s digital platforms.
“Kelsey, Emily, Alex and Abby are a powerhouse publishing team. Working alongside them has been such a joy and I’m excited about building the future of Creative Nation with them,” notes Co-Founder and CEO, Beth Laird.
Scotty McCreery To Release ‘Same Truck: The Deluxe Album’ In November
/by Lorie HollabaughScotty McCreery is releasing an expanded version of his most recent album with Same Truck: The Deluxe Album on Nov. 18. Fans can listen to “Nothin’ Right,” one of six new tracks featured on the deluxe collection, everywhere now.
The album will be available on vinyl, CD and digitally, and comes on the heels of McCreery’s three-week No. 1 and RIAA Gold-certified hit “Damn Strait.” A brand new single from the project, “It Matters to Her,” was just released and was the second most-added song at country radio this week.
Same Truck: The Deluxe Album was produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis, and features 18 tracks, including new songs “Falling for a Stranger,” “Here and Ready,” “Nothin’ Right,” “On It,” “Live a Little,” and “Small Town Story.”
“We had more songs I loved ready for the original release of Same Truck than we could put on that album, so I am pumped that Triple Tigers asked me to do a Deluxe Edition where I could add six more songs,” McCreery explains. “We’ve also had a lot of requests for a vinyl version of Same Truck over the last year, so I’m excited we can offer that option as well.”
“On It” reunites McCreery with Jessi Alexander, Jonathan Singleton and Rogers, the writers responsible for his Gold-certified 2020 No. 1 “In Between.” Meanwhile, “Small Town Story” finds McCreery once again teaming with Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell, with whom he also wrote his Platinum-certified top 10 hit “See You Tonight” from 2013.
McCreery has been touring all summer and will perform a sold-out show at the historic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas next Friday (Sept. 23).
Same Truck: The Deluxe Album Track List:
1. Same Truck (Scotty McCreery, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips, Zach Crowell)
2. You Time (Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis)
3. It Matters To Her (Scotty McCreery, Rhett Akins, Lee Thomas Miller)
4. Damn Strait (Trent Tomlinson, Jim Collins)
5. It’ll Grow On Ya (Jeremy Bussey, Jason Blaine, Taylor Phillips, Adam Wood)
6. The Waiter (Scotty McCreery, Matthew West, Frank Rogers)
7. Why You Gotta Be Like That (Scotty McCreery, Jordan Schmidt, James McNair)
8. Home (Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers, Brent Anderson, Tammi Kidd)
9. Carolina To Me (Scotty McCreery, Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips)
10. Small Town Girl (Scotty McCreery, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell)
11. That Kind of Fire (Scotty McCreery, Josh Hoge, Matt McVaney, Justin Wilson)
12. How Ya Doin’ Up There (Scotty McCreery, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Tyler Reeve)
13. Falling for a Stranger (Aaron Eshuis, Travis Wood, and Hannah Ellis)
14. Here and Ready (Abe Stoklasa, Sarah Buxton, and Mikey Reeves)
15. Nothin’ Right (Scotty McCreery, Jordan Schmidt, Jared Mullins, and James McNair)
16. On It (Scotty McCreery, Jessi Alexander, Jonathan Singleton, and Frank Rogers)
17. Live a Little (Scotty McCreery, Aaron Eshuis, and Blake Chaffin)
18. Small Town Story (Scotty McCreery, Ashley Gorley, and Zach Crowell)
Morgan Wallen Remains At No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by MusicRow StaffMorgan Wallen earns a two-week No. 1 with “You Proof” on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. While he did lose 69 spins from the previous week, Wallen still holds a +10 spin lead over Thomas Rhett’s “Half Of Me.”
Wallen co-wrote “You Proof” with Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith, and Ryan Vojtesak. Last week, Wallen earned two nominations for this year’s 56th annual CMA Awards. He sits alongside Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood for Entertainer of the Year, and received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Wallen is set to headline iHeartRadio Music Festival this month and Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in 2023.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Homestead Music Signs Madeline Merlo, Elevates Chelsey Block To Managing Partner
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Brad Hersh (Homestead Music Creative Director), Chelsey Block (Homestead Music Managing Partner), Madeline Merlo, Brad Belanger (Homestead Music Founder/Managing Partner). Photo: Michael James
Nashville-based management firm Homestead Music has signed NBC’s Songland winner Madeline Merlo. The award-winning songwriter will release her Slide EP on Sept. 23 via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records.
Merlo was featured on the second season of Songland, the songwriting reality TV series, where Lady A cut her song, “Champagne Night.” The hit notched three weeks at No. 1 on country radio and earned her, along with her co-writers, the 2021 CCMA Award for Songwriter of the Year.
Originally from British Columbia, she has earned four top 15 country radio singles on the Canadian airwaves, won the CCMA Award for Rising Star, and gained two Female Artist of the Year nods.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Madeline in this next stage of her career,” notes Chelsey Block, Homestead Music Managing Partner. “She’s one of the most prepared new artists there is, and her music fills a lane we’re thrilled for the genre to have.”
“I am so thrilled to join Homestead Music’s incredible roster and work with this world-class team,” Merlo shares. “As an artist, it is so important to place your career in capable hands. I am beyond excited to see what the future holds with Homestead Music behind me.”
In tandem with the signing announcement, Homestead Music has also advanced Block to Managing Partner. Established in 2013 with Founder/Managing Partner Brad Belanger at the helm, Block has proven herself as a key power player at the company for more than three years.
“Chelsey has been the center of our wheel since she came on board more than three years ago,” says Belanger, Homestead Music Founder/Managing Partner. “We’re grateful and excited for her to step into this leadership position at Homestead Music.”
In addition to Merlo, Homestead’s roster also includes country artists Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, and riser Conner Smith.
Josh Turner Rings In The Holiday Season Early With New Vinyl Release, Christmas Tour, More
/by Lydia FarthingJosh Turner
Multi-Platinum-selling recording artist Josh Turner will release his debut Christmas album, King Size Manger, on a special emerald green vinyl ahead of the holiday season, starting Sept. 16.
Released last year, King Size Manger marked Turner’s first-ever Christmas project, full of fresh interpretations of the classics as well as four originals. The album has nearly 20 million global streams, debuted at No. 1 on the Seasonal Albums sales chart the week of release, and currently sits on the chart at No. 14.
“I was really excited that we were able to release King Size Manger on vinyl this year,” Turner notes. “I’ve collected vinyl records pretty much my entire life and there is just something extra special about listening to Christmas music on a record player.”
To further the festivities, Turner will release his first-ever Christmas DVD, part of the Gaither Gospel Series, on Oct. 21. The King Size Manger television special will also premiere on UPtv on Nov. 18.
Taped at The Grove in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the Gaither Gospel Series DVD features new performance footage of Turner singing all eleven songs from his debut holiday album. Hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, Turner and his family will also share some of their favorite Christmas traditions and holiday memories. The live performance DVD features guest appearances by The Turner Family, Rhonda Vincent, Pat McLaughlin and more.
“I wanted the special to feel like an extension of our Christmas tour from last year,” Turner adds. “My family came out on the road and they were a big part of ‘The King Size Manger Tour.’ Jennifer played keys on numerous songs, Hampton played most of the show and Hawke, Marion and Colby were all featured on several songs. I think we were able to capture a big part of the road show.”
Additionally, for the second year in a row, Turner will embark on “The King Size Manger Tour,” kicking off on Dec. 2 in Macon, Georgia. The holiday trek will make its way to Nashville on Dec. 8 as it takes over Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
“The King Size Manger Tour” Dates:
Dec. 2 – Macon, GA – Macon City Auditorium
Dec. 3 – The Villages, FL – Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
Dec. 8 – Nashville, TN – The Fisher Center For The Performing Arts
Dec. 9 – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
Dec. 16 – Houston, TX – Arena Theatre
Dec. 17 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
**Additional dates to be announced
Mitchell Tenpenny Blazes His Own Trail On New 20-Track Album, ‘This Is The Heavy’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellMitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Since bursting onto the scene with his 2X Platinum-certified, No. 1 hit “Drunk Me” in 2018, singer-songwriter Mitchell Tenpenny has been releasing a steady stream of new music. A little over four years later, Tenpenny has racked up 1.3 billion on-demand streams and a fan-base ravenous for new music.
On Friday (Sept. 16) Tenpenny will add 20 more tracks to his discography with his new album This Is The Heavy, out via Riser House/Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville.
“I don’t think fans can be overloaded with music. They’re overloaded every day with just the way cell phones work,” Tenpenny tells MusicRow. “I think people want it—and we write it all the time. Bobby Braddock told me one time, ‘You’re going to be buried with your best songs.’ But now, we can release more music, so a lot of these songs will get a chance to be heard when they wouldn’t have 10 years ago.”
Tenpenny, who co-wrote every song on the project, lovingly describes the music as “farm emo.” With its grungy guitars, pop-punk melodies and southern-inspired lyrics, “farm emo” sounds like the perfect description of This Is The Heavy.
“I love having guitars and big drums, but country music’s always been lyrics for me. To marry the two has been my goal for a long time,” Tenpenny says. “That’s why we named this album This Is The Heavy. Production-wise, I wanted it to be a little heavier, but lyrically, I’m always going to stick to what we do and what country music is all about: telling stories.”
Tenpenny’s farm emo can best be heard on songs such as “Good Place,” “Always Something With You,” and “Good And Gone.”
“I made this music with some of my best friends, Michael Whitworth, Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt. Jordan, who co-produced the album, grew up with all of the same music. [This fusion of music] just naturally happens when you get in the room.”
A charming facet to Tenpenny’s music that has been ever-present since the beginning is his references to Nashville. Between him singing about a house party off of Franklin Pike on “More Than Whiskey Does” and his many mentions of bars in midtown, the songwriter is intentional with including details about his hometown.
“When I listen to artists, I want to hear about their story. I want to hear about their bar. I don’t always want to be vague,” Tenpenny says about his Music City references. “I want to tell people exactly what my life is. I want it to feel like a movie.”
On a clear highlight of This Is The Heavy, Tenpenny tells the story of meeting his fiancé and fellow artist Meghan Patrick on “Losers.” Written with Albert, J.T. Harding and Daniel Ross, the tune is named after the midtown bar that Tenpenny met and then proposed to Patrick in.
“That’s my bar. I love that place. I’ve met so many people there. I met my fiancé there. I got engaged there,” Tenpenny shares. “Andy Albert came in the day we wrote that and said, ‘Mitchell, we’re writing a song about where you met Meghan. That’s your bar.
“I wanted Meghan to hear it and remember the story the way I remember it. I really concentrated on making it absolutely perfect so that she would love it,” he adds.
In addition to some new songs, This Is The Heavy includes Tenpenny’s top 10 single “Truth About You” and fan-favorite “Bucket List,” a special song to the songwriter.
“My last album Telling All My Secrets had a song about my dad that I lost when I was a kid. For this record, I wanted to write a song that talks about loss, but not in a way that’s specific to my dad. This one was one of those songs where I wanted to be a little more broad,” Tenpenny shares. “It’s just about how we don’t know how much time we have or what we have to do, so let’s let’s make a list and start crossing things off.”
Tenpenny’s This Is The Heavy will be available everywhere tomorrow.
Bailey Zimmerman Unveils Debut EP, ‘Leave The Light On,’ Due Out In October
/by Lydia FarthingBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Chris Ashlee
Breakout country artist Bailey Zimmerman has announced his debut EP, Leave The Light On, will roll out on Oct. 14 via Warner Music Nashville/Elektra Music Group.
Ahead of the full release, the rising singer-songwriter has shared “Never Leave” from the project, available everywhere now. Leave The Light On will also feature Zimmerman’s previously released tracks, “Rock And A Hard Place” and “Where It Ends,” as well as four unreleased songs.
“I was in a pretty weird part of a relationship at the time, and just wanted to write something that expressed how I felt about the situation,” Zimmerman explains of “Never Leave.” “When I came into the room with Gavin Lucas, Mary Kutter and my man Chris Sligh, I knew I could be really honest!”
Zimmerman’s current hit single, “Fall In Love,” is now in the top 15 at country radio. Propelled by nearly 250 million streams to date, the song is the 11th most-streamed country song of the year and currently sits in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
With more than half a billion streams to date, Zimmerman’s first-ever headlining trek is also completely sold out.
1. Intro
2. Never Leave
3. Waiting
4. House On Fire
5. From The Fall
6. Trainwreck
7. Fall In Love
8. Rock And A Hard Place
9. Where It Ends
Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, More Among Performers For Austin City Limits Hall Of Fame Celebration
/by Lorie HollabaughAn all-star slate of guest performers have been announced for the upcoming 2022 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Inductions & Celebration on Oct. 27, honoring singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow and Texas music pioneer Joe Ely.
Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Mavis Staples, Brittney Spencer, Marcia Ball, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock will all salute the newest class of inductees with performances and tributes. The inductees will be honored at the star-studded ceremony at ACL’s studio home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin.
Crow and Ely will also perform at the celebration. ACL Hall of Famer, steel guitarist and producer Lloyd Maines will return as Music Director, leading the ACL All-Stars house band, featuring guitarist David Grissom, keyboardist Chris Gage, bassist Bill Whitbeck and drummer Tom Van Schaik.
The event is open to the public and a limited number of tickets are on sale at acltv.com/hall-of-fame. All proceeds will go to benefit Austin PBS. Musical highlights and inductions from the celebration will air as a special Austin City Limits on Jan. 7, 2023 on PBS.
Established in 2014, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of artists and key individuals who have played a vital part in the pioneering music series’ nearly half-century as a music institution. The seventh annual Hall of Fame in 2021 welcomed Lucinda Williams, Wilco and Alejandro Escovedo to its ranks.
Lauren Daigle To Play Three Nashville Dates On ‘Behold: A Christmas Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Daigle is bringing her “Behold: A Christmas Tour” back this holiday season with three nights at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium from Dec. 6-8.
The special performances will feature some of Daigle’s seasonal favorites from her Christmas album, Behold: A Christmas Collection. The mini-tour will also include two nights at the Saenger Theatre in her home city of New Orleans.
Fans can register now at laurendaigle.com for ticket pre-sale, which begins Sept. 21 at 12 p.m. local time.
“Music has always been a huge part of my family’s holiday celebration,” Daigle notes. “So for me, being able to do these shows every year, to share these songs with others, brings joy to my heart.”
Daigle’s Look Up Child spent 100 weeks at No. 1 and holds the record for the greatest number of weeks at the top of any individual album chart. Additionally, the Grammy-winning crossover hit, “You Say” became the longest-running No. 1 song of any genre on the Billboard Hot charts at an incredible 132 weeks, and has been certified 5x-Platinum by the RIAA.
Her latest single, “Hold On To Me” marks her sixth No. 1 and extends her record of most number ones by a female artist on the chart.
“Behold: A Christmas Tour” 2022 Dates:
December 6 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
December 7 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
December 8 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
December 10 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA
December 11 – Saenger Theatre – New Orleans, LA
Industry Ink: ASCAP, The Everly Brothers, Andrew Farriss, Casi Joy
/by Lydia FarthingASCAP Celebrates Top Country Writers At Special Nashville Hitmakers Night
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, 8x ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews
ASCAP celebrated its top country music songwriters and publishers earlier this week during ASCAP Nashville Hitmakers Night at Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen.
Members and top executives, including ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, gathered to toast ASCAP’s 2020-2021 Country Music Award winners and 2020-2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees.
The Everly Brothers Receive Commemorative Tennessee Music Pathways Marker
Family of The Everly Brothers, along with city and state officials gather at Everly Brothers Park. Photo: Visit Knoxville
The Everly Brothers were recently honored with the unveiling of a new Tennessee Music Pathways marker in Everly Brothers Park. Family of The Everly Brothers, along with city and state officials, gathered in Knoxville to celebrate the achievement.
Everly Brothers Park is the only commemorative park in the U.S. to honor the rock-and-roll duo of Don and Phil Everly, and features inlaid plaques with signatures and quotes from famous musicians on the impact The Everly Brothers have had on their careers and rock music around the world. Distinguished as one of the most innovative and original styles of 1950s rock-and-roll, The Everly Brothers’ blend of country music, rhythm ‘n’ blues and pop harmonies were rooted in vintage country brother duets.
“Visit Knoxville is honored to partner with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to unveil the Tennessee Music Pathways marker at Everly Brothers Park,” notes Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “The Everly Brothers began performing as a duo in Knoxville, and their music has inspired artists through the decades ever since. Spaces like this further cement Knoxville’s place in American music history, and draws visitors from around the world.”
“The Tennessee Music Pathways were created to preserve, promote and inspire Tennessee’s rich and diverse musical heritage,” adds Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. “The Everly Brothers not only helped shape the state’s rich music history but shaped rock-and-roll music around the world, and for that, we are grateful to celebrate them today.”
Andrew Farriss Signs With TKO For Booking Representation
Andrew Farriss
Country and Americana singer-songwriter Andrew Farriss has signed with TKO Booking Agency for exclusive booking representation. Farriss is best known as the creative force and co-founder of the three-time Grammy-nominated band INXS.
Farriss released his solo EP, Love Makes the World, in 2020, which spawned two hit singles–the title track, which hit No. 5 on the Australian country chart and “All the Stars Are Mine.” He followed in March 2021 with the release of his self-titled debut album, which hit No. 3 on the ARIA album chart. His current single, “You Are My Rock,” is now making its way up the Billboard Indicator and Americana charts in the United States.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Andrew Farriss into the TKO family,” states Andrew Goodfriend, agent at TKO. “He is a legend in the rock community and a truly gifted songwriter, and we look forward to helping him chart the next chapter in his celebrated career.”
“I am so excited to work with TKO,” Farriss adds. “They represent a wide array of great artists as diverse as I am, so it’s a great fit! With my new music charting in the United States on both the Americana and Billboard charts, I’m looking forward to getting out and performing shows for the fans.”
Casi Joy Joins Mint Talent Group’s Artist Roster
Casi Joy
Country-pop recording artist Casi Joy has inked with booking agency Mint Talent Group, whose roster includes artists such as Art Garfunkel, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Grandmaster Flash, Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, and the Allman Brothers band.
Working with country icon Blake Shelton, Joy made a notable turn on NBC’s The Voice in 2017. Now, With over 350,000 followers and counting on social media and upwards of 40 million combined views online, her vulnerability and creative voice have built a strong fanbase.
The Kansas City native has shared stages with some of country’s biggest names throughout her career, including Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Dustin Lynch and others. Joy spent this summer playing numerous festivals and headlining shows throughout the midwest, all following her June signing to Nashville-based label Vere Music.
“I am thrilled to be working with Mint!” Joy shares. “They have such a vast understanding of all areas of music. I’ve been living on the road for years now, going wherever the music takes me, and I can’t [wait] for Mint to keep me right where I wanna be: the stage!”