
Pictured (L-R): Ryan McElrath, CAA’s Howie Nuchow and Jim Burtson, Jon Pardi, and CAA’s Brian Manning. Photo: Jason Myers
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its 28th annual CAA Nashville BBQ at GEODIS Park, the city’s new soccer stadium, on June 6. Held in celebration of CMA Fest, the event raised funds for Communities in Schools of Tennessee at Nashville and PENCIL, organizations supporting students at local public schools.

Pictured (L-R): Drew Parker, Priscilla Block, and Niko Moon. Photo: Jason Myers
Plenty of star-studded guests were in attendance at the barbecue, including Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, Drew Holcomb, Jelly Roll, Niko Moon, Jake Long, Filip Forsberg, Rex Ryan, CAA Nashville co-founder John Huie, and CAA Nashville Music Co-Heads Brian Manning, Marc Dennis, Jeff Krones, and Darin Murphy.
“It’s been three years since we were last able to gather for one of our favorite events of the year so we were beyond excited to get together again after all this time,” shares Krones, Co-Head of CAA Nashville Music. “We are grateful for the funds raised in support of Communities in Schools of Tennessee and PENCIL – two causes near and dear to our hearts.”

Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Blake McDaniel, Lauren Alaina, and Trisha McClanahan. Photo: Jason Myers
“For nearly three decades, our music colleagues have hosted this extraordinary event, which brings together our clients, colleagues and business partners in one of the most dynamic and energized sports and entertainment markets in the U.S.,” adds Howard Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “We are thrilled to join them in celebrating this special week of country music, and are proud to do so at the incredible GEODIS Park, which our colleagues at CAA ICON helped bring to fruition.”
Nashville’s GEODIS Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada, featuring 30,000 seats. It officially opened its doors for Nashville SC’s first home match on May 1. CAA ICON oversaw development, design, and construction as Owner’s Representative for Nashville Soccer Holdings, owner of Nashville SC.
Spotify House Unveils Fresh Finds Rooftop Lineup For CMA Fest Weekend
/by Lydia FarthingIn addition to the recently announced return of Spotify House for CMA Fest, this year’s event will also introduce the Fresh Finds Rooftop for the first time as part of its four-day marquee music event at Ole Red Nashville.
As part of the company’s commitment to supporting rising talent and music discovery, fans will be able to see new acts from Spotify’s Fresh Finds Country playlist perform live throughout the weekend.
Featured in the lineup of independent and rising artists will be Abby Anderson, Alana Springsteen, Chris Ruediger, David J, Dylan Marlowe, Ella Langley, Erin Kinsey, Finmar, Halle Kearns, Johnny Dailey, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jordan Rowe, Lauren Weintraub, Leah Marie Mason, Maggie Baugh, Megan Maroney, Peytan Porter, Pierre Alexander, Renee Blair, Reyna Roberts, Sophia Scott, Tanner Adell, Taylor Edwards, and Zack Dyer.
The Fresh Finds Rooftop at Spotify House will be first-come, first-serve for fans, with set times Thursday, June 9 through Saturday, June 11 from 6-8:00 p.m. CT, and Sunday, June 12 from 4 to 6:00 p.m. CT.
CAA Hosts 28th Annual Nashville Barbecue At GEODIS Park
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ryan McElrath, CAA’s Howie Nuchow and Jim Burtson, Jon Pardi, and CAA’s Brian Manning. Photo: Jason Myers
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its 28th annual CAA Nashville BBQ at GEODIS Park, the city’s new soccer stadium, on June 6. Held in celebration of CMA Fest, the event raised funds for Communities in Schools of Tennessee at Nashville and PENCIL, organizations supporting students at local public schools.
Pictured (L-R): Drew Parker, Priscilla Block, and Niko Moon. Photo: Jason Myers
Plenty of star-studded guests were in attendance at the barbecue, including Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, Drew Holcomb, Jelly Roll, Niko Moon, Jake Long, Filip Forsberg, Rex Ryan, CAA Nashville co-founder John Huie, and CAA Nashville Music Co-Heads Brian Manning, Marc Dennis, Jeff Krones, and Darin Murphy.
“It’s been three years since we were last able to gather for one of our favorite events of the year so we were beyond excited to get together again after all this time,” shares Krones, Co-Head of CAA Nashville Music. “We are grateful for the funds raised in support of Communities in Schools of Tennessee and PENCIL – two causes near and dear to our hearts.”
Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Blake McDaniel, Lauren Alaina, and Trisha McClanahan. Photo: Jason Myers
“For nearly three decades, our music colleagues have hosted this extraordinary event, which brings together our clients, colleagues and business partners in one of the most dynamic and energized sports and entertainment markets in the U.S.,” adds Howard Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “We are thrilled to join them in celebrating this special week of country music, and are proud to do so at the incredible GEODIS Park, which our colleagues at CAA ICON helped bring to fruition.”
Nashville’s GEODIS Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada, featuring 30,000 seats. It officially opened its doors for Nashville SC’s first home match on May 1. CAA ICON oversaw development, design, and construction as Owner’s Representative for Nashville Soccer Holdings, owner of Nashville SC.
Wes Vause Launches Press On Publicity, Partners With Essential Broadcast Media
/by LB CantrellWes Vause
Following the news of his exit from the Sr. VP Publicity role at Warner Music Nashville, industry veteran Wes Vause has announced he will launch Press On Publicity beginning July 1.
“I’ve dedicated my career to broadening the awareness of country music and its ambassadors, our artists,” Vause shares. “I started as an independent publicist, and now with 20+ years of label experience, I’m ready to bring all that knowledge and strategy full circle into this new venture.
Vause has spent more than 20 years at Nashville-based record labels, rising from Director of Media at Sony Music Nashville to Vice President, Media (2000 – 2014) and most recently, Senior Vice President, Publicity at Warner Music Nashville (2014 – 2022). He began his career with renowned publicist, Evelyn Shriver, whose firm represented some of the biggest names in country music, including Country Music Hall of Fame member, Randy Travis. He also held positions at Asylum and Polydor Records before joining Sony in 2000.
“I am forever grateful for all the artists I’ve had the honor of representing and working with,” Vause shares. “I’m equally grateful to Joe Galante and John “Espo” Esposito, for mentoring, butt-kicking and believing in me over these years. I’m really excited for what the future holds. Press On!”
Additionally, Vause announced that he has established a strategic partnership with longtime friend and three-time CMA Publicist of the Year, Ebie McFarland. The pair will collaborate on a variety of her Essential Broadcast Media clients.
“Over the years, at both Sony and at Warner, Ebie and I have always collaborated so well. When it came time to make this leap, I wanted to do it with a trusted friend and colleague,” says Vause. “While talking it over one afternoon, we realized partnerships don’t have to mirror an existing model. We decided to make it up as we go, while continuing the creativity and camaraderie we’ve enjoyed and shared for 15 years.”
“Working with Wes in this capacity already breeds so much creativity,” adds McFarland, who founded Nashville-based firm Essential Broadcast Media in 2007. “I admire how solutions-oriented and relationship-driven he is on behalf of his clients and look forward to expanding on our already collaborative relationship.”
Congratulate Vause at wes.vause@pressonpublicity.com.
Will Hoge, The McCrary Sisters, More Added To AmericanaFest 2022 Lineup
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R, top row): Sierra Ferrell, Hayes Carll, Mindy Smith; (L-R, bottom row): North Mississippi Acoustic, Leyla McCalla, Trousdale
Americana Music Association has added 58 acts to its annual AmericanaFest, which runs from Sept. 13-17 in Nashville. With 147 acts now confirmed to perform, a final round of performers will be announced in the coming months.
Among the performers added to this year’s lineup are The Wild Feathers, Will Hoge, The McCrary Sisters, Madeline Edwards, Early James, Ben Chapman, and more. The five-day festival and conference will bring together award-winning legends, trailblazing mainstays and buzz-worthy new artists for its 22nd year.
The week of festivities will kick off with the Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now to AmericanaFest Conference Registrants, and Americana Music Association Members will have a chance to buy tickets beginning July 21.
2022 AmericanaFest Passes, which allow admission into all evening showcase venues and select sanctioned special events, are now on sale to the public. 2022 Conference + Festival Passes provide access to the daytime educational conference, the evening music festival plus all sanctioned special events, and can be purchased here.
New Acts Confirmed to Showcase at AmericanaFest 2022:
Abby Hamilton
Abraham Alexander
Alex Williams
Ashley Ray
Autumn Nicholas
Bandits on the Run
Ben Chapman
Chuck Mead
Colin Lillie
Cordovas
Dan Bettridge
Early James
Fanny Lumsden
Ferris & Sylvester
Gabe Lee
Garrison Starr
Hannah Juanita
Hayes Carll
Jaime Wyatt
KINGSWOOD
Kyshona
Lady Nade
Larry McCray
Lauren Housley
Leah Blevins
Leyla McCalla
Lilli Lewis
Lisa Morales
Madeline Edwards
Margo Cilker
Mark Wilkinson
The McCrary Sisters
Megan Nash
Melody Moko
Memorial
Michelle Malone
Michigan Rattlers
Mindy Smith
Nicki Bluhm
North Mississippi Acoustic
Oliver Wood
Ordinary Elephant
Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls
Robby Hecht
Ryland Moranz
Sean McConnell
Sierra Ferrell
Tami Neilson
Them Coulee Boys
Tim Kelly with Ruston Kelly
Tommy McLain
Tommy Prine
Tristan Bushman
Trousdale
Webb Wilder
The Weeping Willows
The Wild Feathers
Will Hoge
Starwood Rehearsals Space Opens In Middle Tennessee
/by Lorie HollabaughProduction Resource Group (PRG), the largest entertainment and live event production solutions provider of tour and event support, is opening Starwood Rehearsals. The new concept in rehearsal spaces will serve Nashville artists preparing for their tours.
The Starwood Rehearsals space is located at PRG’s Super Depot in La Vergne, Tennessee, and provides clients with direct access to the entire suite of PRG equipment and expertise, allowing for any type of production setup.
Starwood Rehearsals. Photo: Courtesy of Production Resource Group, LLC
The new, climate controlled 10,000 square foot facility boasts a 100 foot by 100 foot rehearsal space, dressing rooms, a green room, board rooms, production offices, and a gallery viewing space. Other venue features include a 50,000-pound distributed rigging capacity, multiple loading docks and drive-up ramps, 24/7 secure access, secure bus parking and power, and much more.
“With so much pent-up demand for the return of concert touring, artists and their management are experiencing a scarcity of suitable rehearsal facilities. With Starwood Rehearsals, we’re rounding out our service offering by answering that need,” shares Randy Hutson, CEO of PRG Music.
From 1986 to 2006, Starwood Amphitheatre was an outdoor music venue just five miles from PRG’s current facility. The Starwood Rehearsals name pays homage to Nashville’s local culture, the rich history of concert touring, and the artists and their production teams who put on shows at the venue.
Trisha Yearwood To Receive 2022 CRB Artist Achievement Award
/by Lorie HollabaughTrisha Yearwood will be honored with this year’s CRB Artist Career Achievement Award. She’ll receive the award during the 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, set for June 30 at Virgin Hotel Nashville.
The CRB Artist Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that, through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership, has significantly contributed to the development and promotion of country music and country radio.
“Trisha’s career achievements are among the ultimate imaginable: country icon, TV star, bestselling author, philanthropist,” shares CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson. “Undeniably a legend. Let’s celebrate her together on this extraordinary night.”
A musical tribute, featuring a surprise performer, will be held during the evening in honor of Yearwood. The Class of 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees will also be honored at the event and include off-air honorees Becky Brenner, Bob Call and Barry Mardit and on-air honorees Whitney Allen, Debbie Conner, Cathy Martindale, and Rachel & Grunwald. Individual tickets are available for purchase here.
Previous Artist Career Achievement recipients include Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill, Randy Travis, George Strait, and The Judds, among others.
Lanco To Launch Headlining ‘Low Class Lovers Tour’ This Month
/by Lorie HollabaughLanco is set to kick off their headlining “Low Class Lovers Tour” on June 16 in Ohio. The 20-date run, named after their new single, has the group crisscrossing the country throughout the fall with stops in Kansas City, Norfolk, Denver, Sacramento, and more through October.
“The Low Class Lovers Tour” announcement comes on the heels of Lanco’s radio success as they were recently named iHeart Radio’s Bobby Bones Show National Spotlight Artist of the Week.
Solely written by lead vocalist Brandon Lancaster and produced by Jay Joyce, their single “Low Class Lovers” tells the story of finding happiness through experiences and is the follow-up chapter to their double Platinum, multi-week No. 1, “Greatest Love Story.”
Lanco performing acoustically in Hopewell, VA following a venue’s power outage
This past weekend the band showcased their dedication and adaptability when the power at The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia went out and prevented them from playing. Lanco quickly pivoted and set up a stripped-down stage in the park across the street from the venue where they performed an acoustic set and met with fans.
Lanco will make multiple appearances at this week’s CMA Fest prior to kicking off their tour. Fans can catch their two CMA Fest performances at the Ascend Amphitheater (June 10) and the Chevy Riverfront Stage (June 12).
Warner Music Nashville Adds Fount Lynch As Sr. VP, Publicity; Wes Vause To Exit
/by LB CantrellFount Lynch
Warner Music Nashville has tapped Fount Lynch as Senior Vice President of its publicity department. The company also announced that Wes Vause will exit after eight years with WMN.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fount to Warner Music Nashville,” says WMN Co-President Ben Kline. “He has the experience and enthusiasm to help develop new strategies that will serve the changing media landscape. Fount, along with the three dedicated and forward-thinking members of his team, will take our publicity department into the future.”
“All of us at WMN thank our friend Wes Vause for his many contributions to the company, its people and our artists over the past eight years,” adds Kline. “We wish him the best of luck on his new venture.”
Lynch joins WMN from Red Light Management, where he served as both an artist manager and a member of the marketing team for the Nashville office. He also helmed his own public relations company, LYNCH PR. Previous stops include publicity roles at Sony Music Nashville, Universal Music Group Nashville and MCA / Lost Highway Records.
Lynch will start on June 13 and will report to Kline.
“Music has always been my passion. Seeing that same passion from the team at Warner Music Nashville has been both exciting and humbling,” Lynch says. “I am grateful to have this opportunity and thrilled to be part of the WMN team. I will miss my Red Light Management family, but I look forward to continued collaboration in my new role!”
Jokes Vause, “Fount came in when I left Sony, and now he’s coming in when I’m leaving Warner Music Nashville… I’m grateful that he’s always there to clean up my messes!”
The news follows Kline and Cris Lacy‘s appointment to Co-Presidents at the label.
Jake Rose Inks Exclusive Publishing Deal With Endurance Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): EMG’s Courtney Kruckeberg and Mark Ahlberg, Rose, Martin, and EMG’s Lauren Funk. Photo: Ed Rode
Jake Rose has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Endurance Music Group.
Rose is the frontman of the alt-rock band New Medicine, as well as a rising solo country artist. His first country single, “Sleeves,” has had more than four million streams to date and his current single, “WD-40 & Beer,” is featured in a national advertising campaign for Keystone Light.
As a songwriter, he’s penned recent singles and cuts for Jimmie Allen, Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and more.
“Jake’s originality and creativity as a songwriter set him apart in this business,” says EMG President Michael Martin. “As a writer, producer, musician, and artist, he effortlessly blends his country and rock influences in a way that speaks to the heart of both genres. Jake’s energy and passion shine through in all his creative endeavors and are infectious to those around him. The EMG team is thrilled to continue our partnership with Jake, and we look forward to his continued impact in country music and beyond.”
The Hamel, Minnesota native is currently working on a new EP slated to release this summer, in addition to a New Medicine EP expected in the fall. He’s also busy writing and producing for other artists, including Brian Kelley, Redferrin, and Las Vegas rock band Adelitas Way. Rose has played over 500 shows on tour and opened for a wide range of headliners, from Tim McGraw and Maren Morris to Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, and Shinedown.
“I’m so excited to begin my next chapter as a songwriter, artist, and producer with Endurance,” adds Rose. “They have championed every aspect of my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with a team that truly believes in me and what I do. I know together we are going to accomplish great things, starting with great songs.”
Johnny McGuire Signs Publishing Deal With MV2 Entertainment
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Nicole Sherrill, MV2 Creative Director; Ben Strain, MV2 Sr. Creative Director; Johnny McGuire; Leslie Robers, BMI Assistant Vice President, Creative; Tony Harrell, MV2 General Manager.
MV2 Entertainment has signed songwriter Johnny McGuire to an exclusive publishing deal.
McGuire, a Kansas native, has spent the better part of a decade in Nashville learning the craft of songwriting. Best known for his time as half of the duo Walker McGuire, who landed a Top 40 with the tune “Til Tomorrow,” he is currently writing with some of Nashville’s premiere songwriters to gear up for his career as a solo artist.
“I’m so excited and grateful to be joining the MV2 family,” McGuire shares. “I look forward to being a part of their momentum as they continue to grow and have success.”
“Johnny is an awesome talent as a songwriter and is a great addition to our roster at MV2,” adds Tony Harrell, MV2’s General Manager. “His depth as a lyricist and approach to writing is both fresh and commercial, and our team is excited to have him at MV2.”
MV2’s roster currently boasts hit writer Josh Thompson (“One Margarita” for Luke Bryan; “Wasted on You” for Morgan Wallen); singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Forrest Finn; and artist-writer up-and-comers Blake Henderson, Joe Whelan, and Andrew Stone.