Erin Duvall Exits Black River, Joins Belmont University As Assistant Professor

Erin Duvall, Director of Digital Media at Black River Entertainment, has announced that she will be exiting the company. She has taken a new position at Belmont University to serve as an Assistant Professor of Music Business. She will also be consulting on video strategy for an array of artists, including Randall King, Lauren Duski and more.

Duvall took on her position at Black River in January of 2022 where she lead all digital strategy and activations for Black River’s roster. She was responsible for each artist’s audience and content development, social media marketing, online promotion, influencer marketing, and advertising.

Duvall has over 16 years of experience in the industry, including as the video strategist for Warner Music Nashville where she focused on YouTube growth for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, and more. She previously served as the U.S. country music programmer for YouTube Music and Google Play, and has handled digital marketing for an array of artists and brands. She began her career as a writer, serving as Associate Editor of Country Aircheck and Deputy Editor for AOL’s The Boot.

Contact Duvall at erin@byerinduvall.com.

 

Halle Kearns Signs With UTA For Representation

Rising country artist Halle Kearns has signed with UTA for agency representation.

Kearns made her country music debut in 2020 with her first three singles, culminating in the release of her debut EP Finally at the end of the year. The EP garnered over 4 million streams in its first year, found placements on Spotify’s top country editorial playlists, reached No. 7 on the U.S iTunes charts, and was featured on Sirius XM’s The Highway.

With over 12 million streams collectively and more than 10 million views on TikTok, Kearns will release her sophomore EP on June 3. She will also be heading out on the road this summer on her “Tin Roof Tour,” with stops in Myrtle Beach, Memphis, Cincinnati, Orlando, Kansas City, Detroit, and more.

 

 

The MLC, NSAI, Bluebird Cafe Hosts Songwriters Brunch At Key West Songwriters Festival

Earlier this month, The MLC hosted a Songwriters Brunch at the Key West Songwriters Festival along with NSAI and The Bluebird Café.

The 2022 Songwriters Brunch featured performances by songwriters Craig Wiseman, Danny Myrick, Steve Bogard and more.

 

PLA Media Signs Texas Singer-Songwriter Will Carter

PLA Media has added Will Carter to its artist roster. The Katy, Texas native brings the Texas red dirt country style to the Nashville agency as they team up for a forthcoming project. His first release in 2022, “Wrong Side Of Town,” will be dropping in June.

Carter has already amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify, over a dozen singles on the Texas music charts, and has earned four nominations each in the Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories at the Texas Country Music Awards.

“Will has been entertaining audiences ever since he was old enough to walk. You can hear that experience reflected in his music,” states Pam Lewis, Founder and CEO of PLA Media. “This Lone Star State performer has a remarkable work ethic and his determination sets him apart from the emerging talent on the scene.”

“It’s an honor to team up with an experienced team like PLA. Their professionalism and expertise makes me excited to take my career to new heights in 2022,” adds Carter.

Multiple artists slated to perform at the National Rifle Association’s Memorial Day concert in Houston on Saturday (May 28) have pulled out of their performance slots due to the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

Of those originally scheduled to perform at the concert billed the “Grand Ole Night of Freedom,” Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, T. Graham Brown, Danielle Peck, Don McLean, and Larry Stewart have all pulled out. Jacob Bryant is the only artist that remains on the bill, though Billboard reports that the concert is expected to be canceled.

In a statement, Gatlin said that he could not “in good conscience, perform at the NRA convention in Houston this weekend.” He added that while he agrees with “most of the positions held by the NRA,” he hopes that the NRA “will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in America.”

Read Gatlin’s full statement below:

To my fellow sad Americans—

I cannot, in good conscience, perform at the NRA convention in Houston this weekend. While I agree with most of the positions held by the NRA, I have come to believe that, while background checks would not stop every madman with a gun, it is at the very least a step in the right direction toward trying to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw this week in Uvalde— in my beloved, weeping Texas.

It is not a perfect world and the ‘if only crowd’s’ policies will never make it one. I am a ‘what if guy’ and I can’t help but ask the question, ‘What if the teachers had been proficient in the use of firearms and had, in fact been armed this week? My answer is that there would not be 21 freshly dug graves for 21 of God’s precious children.

My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in America.

I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd Amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.

God Help Us Please

– Larry Gatlin

The Ryman Auditorium has been designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mark Fioravanti, President of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, made the announcement in a dedication ceremony held yesterday (May 26).

Joined by Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Old Dominion, a historic marker was unveiled to celebrate the milestone. The Ryman, currently celebrating its 130th anniversary, now joins 11 other rock & roll landmarks throughout the country, including Austin City Limits and Whisky a Go Go.

“It’s spiritual, and it’s one of the reasons she’s called the Mother Church. Like any good mother, she commands respect and makes you feel at home. As Music City and country music continue to expand around her, she remains the center of the family,” shares Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist of Old Dominion. “She’s a beacon and a bucket list experience for us all, creators and fans alike.”

The Ryman and Rock Hall also announced a multi-year partnership, which will include a new daytime tour exhibit at the Ryman scheduled to open later this year featuring the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees who have graced the Ryman stage over the years.

“The Ryman is one of the most storied music venues in the world. With an unmatched role in popularizing country music—one of the pillars of rock & roll—its legendary stage has hosted performances by a staggering number of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and continues to do so today,” adds Harris. “We recognize the significance of Ryman Auditorium and are thrilled to designate this iconic venue as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark.”

Of the 351 individuals who have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, more than 100 have also graced the Ryman’s legendary stage. Ten-time Grammy-winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt performed a sold-out show Thursday night (May 26), where she also paid tribute to the Ryman’s mark on rock & roll history.

“The Ryman has played an important role not only in the history of Nashville, but in country music and rock & roll as well,” Raitt explains. “This stage holds a special place in my heart as I’m able to perform live with many of the incredible Nashville songwriters in the audience whose work has enriched my life and music. I’m honored to help pay tribute to of one of America’s great rock & roll venues.”

Tyler Hubbard‘s first release as a solo artist, “5 Foot 9,” debuts at country radio this week earning 157 first week adds across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

The single, which was released via EMI Records Nashville, was written by Hubbard, Jaren Johnston, and Chase McGill and produced by Hubbard alongside Jordan Schmidt.

Hubbard notes, “As much as the song talks about real life stuff like whiskey, country music, dirt roads and rain, I want listeners to be reminded that God really does make the good stuff. For me, over the last couple of years, I’ve really been reminded of that.”

“5 Foot 9” debut at No. 32 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart, No. 43 on the Mediabase Chart, and No. 58 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The song will be part of his debut album where he will highlight a variety of musical sides and influences, from urban to contemporary Christian, while his country roots remain in the forefront.

For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Roger Miller‘s classic albums are being released digitally for the first time ever via Capitol Nashville/UMe. To honor Miller’s life, legacy, and timeless music, albums will be rolled out once a month throughout the summer to mark 65 years since the start of Miller’s songwriting career.

Beginning today (May 27), three albums will be released once a month throughout August, starting with 1970’s A Trip In Country, Miller’s recordings of hit country songs he wrote for George Jones, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price and others; 1979’s Making A Name For Myself, featuring his single “The Hat” which he memorably performed on “The Muppet Show;” and 1985’s eponymous Roger Miller, featuring his recording of “River In The Rain” which he wrote for the seven Tony Award-winning play, Big River; and his last-ever single, “Some Hearts Get All The Breaks.”

In all, 12 albums will be made available throughout the summer months, including three of Miller’s biggest records: 1964’s Roger And Out (later to become known as Dang Me) and 1965’s The Return Of Roger Miller and The 3rd Time Around. Miller’s Gold-certified debut, Roger And Out, made him a household name with his first No. 1 country song and top 10 pop crossover hit, “Dang Me,” which along with the hit single, “Chug-A-Lug,” garnered him his first five Grammys, including Best Country Song; Best Country and Western Recording, Single; Best Country and Western Performance, Male; Best Country and Western Album; and Best New Country and Western Artist.

“I’m excited that these classic albums of Roger’s are being made available digitally for all to enjoy,” shares Miller’s widow, Mary Miller. “As I revisit his wonderful catalog of songs, I’m reminded how much I like hearing his lighthearted ones like ‘Hey Would You Hold It Down?’ as well as how poignant his ballads are. I hope these songs bring you a laugh, a tear, but most of all, a smile.”

May 27
Roger Miller-1985-MCA
Making A Name For Myself
A Trip In The Country

June 24
Roger Miller 1970
Roger Miller 1969
A Tender Look At Love

July 29
Waterhole #3
Walkin’ In The Sunshine
Words and Music

August 26
The 3rd Time Around
Return Of Roger Miller
Roger And Out