Boutique artist development and digital marketing agency Quinton Digital has announced a handful of promotions and new hires to their company. Existing employees Ashley White and Maria Abdelnour’s roles will be expanding, while the firm welcomes Megan Clemens and Kelly Cunningham to the team.

Founded by Quinton in 2018, the company’s current roster includes Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, Morgan Wade, Muscadine Bloodline, Ben Rector, Brandy Clark, Drew Green, Monument Records, and more.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve built over the past four years at Quinton Digital, and could not be more excited for this next phase of growth,” says President and Founder Amanda Quinton. “From our team to our roster, I’m honored to be surrounded by such talent and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”

White has been elevated to Sr. Director, Marketing and Operations. In her new role, she oversees day-to-day operations for the company, and will continue to lead high-level marketing strategy and DSP relations. Abdelnour, previously Sr. Account Director, has shifted into the newly created role of Sr. Director, Management Services. She will serve as direct support for Mary Sparr‘s Hillpeople Management (Morgan Wade, Elizabeth Cook, Ian Noe) in a day-to-day capacity, and will also oversee the company’s tour marketing efforts.

Clemens joins the team as Director of Digital & Creative Strategy. She previously served as the Senior Marketing Manager at Marbaloo, the Head of Marketing at Gimme Radio and, most recently, worked for Tyler Hubbard‘s Big Blue Truck Publishing. Cunningham also joins the team as Digital & Creative Coordinator, having previously worked as a marketing coordinator at WHY&HOW Management.

Quinton Digital is currently hiring a Social Media Manager. To apply, send a resume to amanda@quintondigital.com.

Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill closed out a sold-out, four-night residency at the Ryman Auditorium on Sunday night (Aug. 7). The run of shows featured plenty of great music each night and, true to Gill’s style, lots of jokes.

Gill, who was recently selected to be honored in CMT’s Giants series, played nearly four hours each night. He thrilled concert-goers with hits such as “One More Last Chance,” “Tryin’ to Get Over You,” “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away,” “I Still Believe in You” and many more. His voice as smooth and expressive as ever, Gill joked about being 65 and getting the senior discount, but his talent has refined even more with age.

On Thursday night (Aug. 4), Gill said he and his band hadn’t been on the road for his own shows in three years—though Gill has been on the road with the Eagles. The Grand Ole Opry member took the time to fit sections in the show that clearly thrilled him to perform. He played some bluegrass, some of his favorite songs that weren’t big hits, and a few covers—in addition to his many hits.

In a really special moment, Gill spotlighted iconic steel guitarist Paul Franklin when he played two songs from their project Bakersfield, a tribute to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. The two country giants sounded wonderful on Haggard’s “The Bottle Let Me Down” and Owens’ “Together Again.”

Gill also told many stories behind his songs—letting the crowd in to his often humorous perspective on the music business. One funny story he told was about writing his epic romantic song, “Look at Us,” with Music Row hitmaker Max D. Barnes. He said that he had approached Barnes, the writer of Vern Gosdin‘s weeper “Chiseled in Stone,” to write a sad song.

Gill brought the title “Look at Us,” but Barnes thought the characters in the song ought to stay together. When Gill pushed back, Barnes encouraged him to look around the room at Barnes’ Grammys and songwriting awards. “He was right!” Gill quipped before playing the 1990 classic.

Another awesome section of music came when Gill turned the spotlight over to the astoundingly talented Wendy Moten, who sang backup alongside Gill’s daughter Corrina throughout the night. Though Moten was billed as the opener, Gill wanted to make sure she was properly heard, so he placed her set just after intermission.

The Ryman crowd was not disappointed in the pause in Gill’s music as her Thursday set was fantastic. She sang a hair-raising version of Bobbie Gentry‘s “Ode to Billie Joe” and another great cover of Jeannie Seely‘s “Don’t Touch Me.”

“I watched Hee Haw and Soul Train growing up, and fell in love with both!” Moten said before closing her set with Aretha Franklin‘s “Ain’t No Way.” It’s no wonder Gill gave her such a precious time slot—Moten is a born entertainer.

Other talents on Gill’s stage were Billy Thomas (drums), Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass), Jedd Hughes (guitar), Jack Schneider (guitar), and John Jarvis (keyboards).

On another night, Gill and daughter Corrina performed a special tribute to her mom Amy Grant, singing her dad’s 2021 Grammy award-winning Best Country Solo Performance of “When My Amy Prays,” changing the lyrics to “When My Momma Prays.” Grant has been recovering from a bicycle wreck, and Gill was thankful for the prayers—though he did make sure to make jokes about convincing his superstar wife that he produced the Beatles.

Gill will be back on the Ryman stage, with his dear wife Amy Grant, at their annual “Christmas at the Ryman” residency from Dec. 12-21. Tickets are available now.

Big Machine Label Group and Blac Noize! Recordings have partnered to sign rising hip-hop star Doobie.

Infusing rock and hip-hop influences, Doobie burst onto the scene with viral hits “Nikki Sixx,” “Icy T*tties” ft. Caskey and “Hate Song,” and has quickly racked up over 600 million views on YouTube. The Ohio native writes and produces much of his music, including new single “Meditation” which is slated to arrive on Friday.

“Doobie is an incredible songwriter and producer who has built an impressive following,” says Blac Noize!’s Chioke “Stretch” McCoy. “He is the type of artist this company was created for. We are excited to work with Doobie and his team to show the world what a global superstar he is.”

“Doobie’s life stories are his music,” adds Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. “Raw and real. Cutting and colorful. Celebratory and mournful. He brings you into his world to experience.”

Tim McGraw Notches Another Career No. 1 With ‘7500 OBO’

Before country mainstay Tim McGraw took the stage on Saturday night (Aug. 6) during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, he took time to celebrate his latest No. 1 country radio hit “7500 OBO.”

McGraw was joined by two of the song’s co-writers, Matt McGinn and Jennifer Schott, and executives from his Big Machine Records team, including Kris Lamb, Clay Hunnicutt, and Big Machine Records President/CEO/Founder Scott Borchetta.

The single went No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in May of 2022.

 

Chris Young Earns Platinum Certifications For ‘Famous Friends,’ ‘Drowning’

Multi-Platinum entertainer Chris Young recently scored a double-Platinum certification for his “Famous Friends” collaboration with Kane Brown.

Young’s co-writers, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe, joined for the celebration where Young was also surprised with a Platinum plaque for his song “Drowning,” which was co-written by Crowder and Josh Hoge.

“Any day I get to celebrate big milestones with my co-writers and friends is a good day,” says Young. “I’m really proud of how hard everyone has worked on this entire project and excited about playing all of the new music live and the rest of 2022.”

With more than 5 billion streams across his catalog, which includes twelve No. 1 singles, the RCA Records Nashville artist has earned 24 multi-Platinum, Platinum, or Gold certifications from the RIAA. His newest single, “At The End Of A Bar” with Mitchell Tenpenny, is currently approaching top 5 on the country radio charts.

 

Alabama Donates $25K To Kentucky Flood Aid

During a concert held this past Saturday (Aug. 6) in Sharpsburg, Kentucky, Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama donated $25,000 to aid those affected by the recent flooding in the Bluegrass State.

Before a packed crowd at the Barnyard Venue, the group’s founding members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry presented a check to The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a non-profit organization providing financial help to eastern Kentucky families, farms and businesses that are suffering as result of the catastrophic weather event.

“With all the devastation caused by the floods in eastern Kentucky, this is a very emotional time,” says Owen. “Alabama wanted to offer help in a small way.”

“We hurt for the loss of life and destruction caused by the floods in Kentucky,” adds Gentry. “Hopefully these funds can help the families, farmers and businesses that were affected. They are in our prayers.”

The donation was made through the June Jam Foundation, Alabama’s non-profit that distributes money to other non-profit organizations and service groups.

 

PLA Media Adds Two To Artist Roster

PLA Media has added Oklahoma-based country artist Cam Allen and Kentucky-based country singer-songwriter Branden Martin to its roster.

Allen first burst onto the country music scene through a viral Twitter video of him performing. Shortly after, he earned a spot on season 19 of American Idol. Allen and his band have shared the stage alongside top country artists, including Dustin Lynch, Randy Rogers, Chris Cagle, Corey Kent and Mike Ryan. He recently released his summer smash “Lake Days” on GOAT Music Group.

“I’ve had a great track record working with Oklahoma crooners. Cam’s edgy vocals and Marc Cohn/Chris Stapleton vibe fits perfectly on the current music scene and summertime playlists,” says Pam Lewis, FRSA, Founder and President at PLA Media.

Martin was featured on NBC’s The Voice Season 12 after performing in local bars and music venues, opening for artists such as Jason Michael Carroll, RaeLynn, Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad, David Allan Coe and The Steel Woods. His EP, Live at Southern Ground, won the 2021 Appalachian Arts & Entertainment Award for EP of the Year. Martin is set to release his debut album 001 on Aug. 12.

“Our team is excited to work with Branden who has an obvious natural talent for songwriting and performing raw, authentic country tunes. His dynamic stage presence is inspiring,” Lewis adds.