Brittney Spencer. Photo: Nicki Fletcher

Brittney Spencer is set to sing the national anthem at the upcoming 148th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 7.

Spencer will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of the approximately 160,000 fans expected to be in attendance at this year’s run for the roses. The performance will take place just after 4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live as part of NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage.

“We are so excited to have Brittney Spencer help us kick off this year’s Run for the Roses by joining us as the coveted national anthem singer,” notes Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “As an incredible rising talent breaking through in country music right now, we cannot wait to amplify her voice on the Kentucky Derby stage and hear her rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’”

Brittney is the twelfth major artist to perform the national anthem at the iconic horse race. Past artists who have performed include Tori Kelly (2021), Jennifer Nettles (2019), Pentatonix (2018), Harry Connick, Jr. (2017), Lady A (2016), Josh Groban (2015), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), and Mary J. Blige (2012).

The city of Nashville is adopting a new resolution recognizing the Ryman Auditorium and its 130 years as Music City’s most famous and respected concert venue.

The resolution states, “The venue is most famous for being a home for country music…its legacy has been defined by showcasing one of the most expansive lists of diverse performers ranging from jazz, pop and bluegrass to rock and roll, classical, and hip hop. From its very beginning, the Ryman has been a stage to just about every type of music and every type of performer.”

Since the first concert held on May 4, 1892, the Ryman has welcomed an array of acts and genres of music on its hallowed stage, from Harry Houdini and Charlie Chaplin to former president Theodore Roosevelt and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., plus music icons including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Garth Brooks, Lizzo and Harry Styles.

“The Ryman is the crown jewel of Nashville, and we are so excited to celebrate 130 years of Music City’s most famous concert venue,” says Metro Nashville District 19 Council Member Freddie O’Connell. “Whether you are a country music superstar or an up-and-coming artist, music lover or history buff, out-of-towner or Nashvillian, the Ryman is for everyone.”

“As the stewards of this magnificent historical landmark, we have the unique privilege of sharing its 130-year legacy with guests from all over the world,” adds Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryman Auditorium’s parent company, Ryman Hospitality Properties. “We are thankful that the City of Nashville has chosen to recognize this tremendous milestone and look forward to continuing our commitment to celebrating and sharing the Ryman with our community.”

The Ryman’s annual Community Day, when Tennessee residents are invited to experience the Ryman’s daytime tour experience free of charge, will take place Sunday, May 29. Complimentary self-guided tours will be available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with presentation of a valid Tennessee state ID at the Ryman box office.

Throughout the year, the Ryman will continue celebrating its anniversary with more concerts and residencies than ever before, new daytime tour experiences, community events, giveaways and more. For more information on the Ryman’s 130th, click here.

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Robbins, Jimmy Robbins, Steven Lee Olsen, Ben Vaughn, Sophie Moll, Spencer Nohe

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Mailbox Money Music have signed Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen.

Born and raised in Toronto, Olsen moved to Nashville in 2004 to pursue his songwriting dreams. Drawing upon his R&B, soul, country, and pop influences, Olsen’s songs have been recorded by Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Billy Currington, Brett Young, Russell Dickerson, Little Big Town, Lady A, The Judds, Dallas Smith, and more.

He has written two No. 1 songs in the U.S. with his Grammy-nominated, double-Platinum certified song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” performed by Urban, and “More Girls Like You” performed by Kip Moore. He also had a No. 1 song in Canada with co-writing credits on the Platinum hit “Drop,” performed by Smith.

“We’re so grateful to be working with SLO alongside our incredible partners at Mailbox Money,” says Spencer Nohe, Senior Director, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He has an infectious spirit and his talent and track record speak for themselves!”

Jimmy Robbins, Mailbox Money Music adds: “SLO is one of the most naturally gifted songwriters I’ve ever been in the writing room with, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working together!”

Olsen is signed to Universal Music Group Canada and managed by The Core.

Pictured (L-R): Clay Bradley (BMI), Michael Giangreco (Big Loud), Ernest, Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing, Kane Brown, Stevie Frasure (Rhythm House Music), Jesse Frasure, Kent Earls (Verse 2 Music), Levon Gray, Vanna Moua (Rhythm House Music, Martha Earls (1021 Entertainment), Spencer Nohe (Warner Chappell Music), Dennis Reese (Sony Music Nashville). Photo: Steve Lowry

Creatives and industry members gathered on the BMI rooftop once again on a sunny Monday (May 2) afternoon to celebrate Kane Brown‘s seventh No. 1 hit, “One Mississippi.”

Along with co-writers Jesse Frasure, Ernest, and Levon Gray, Brown commemorated the milestone before a busy week of releasing new music on Thursday (May 5) and playing his first stadium show in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee on May 7.

“One Mississippi” marks the first No. 1 for Brown’s Verse 2 Music, a Sony Music Publishing joint venture helmed by Brown and publishing veteran Kent Earls.

It was also the very first No. 1 party for co-writer Gray. His story is an interesting one, as Brown signed him to Verse 2 Music after discovering him on social media. After seeing a video Gray made, Brown invited him to a co-write in Nashville, where the two collaborated with Frasure and Ernest on “One Mississippi.”

To make things even more special, the party also served as a long-awaited celebration for Ernest, whose five chart-toppers have hit during the pandemic, preventing him from having a proper celebration.

BMI’s Clay Bradley led the affair. “This is the first No. 1 party we’ve had on the rooftop since 2019. I can’t think of a better group to celebrate with on this beautiful day,” he said.

Rhythm House’s Stevie Frasure kicked off the publisher presentations. “When people say it takes a village to get a No. 1 song, it really takes several villages and then their villages,” she said before turning her attention to her hit songwriter husband and fellow publisher. “Jesse, you’re such a great partner at Rhythm House, you’re a good leader and mentor, you’re so giving of your time, and you’re so talented.” She added, “This town is really lucky to have you.”

Verse 2’s Earls was on hand to speak about the company’s first No. 1. Earls thanked the co-writers, fellow publishers, Sony Music Nashville, and Brown’s team—including shouting out his wife and Brown’s manager, Martha Earls.

“A special thank you goes out to Rusty Gaston and his team at Sony Music Publishing,” Earls added. “Thank you for believing in the long term plan that Kane and I shared with you, and also each of these writers that we’ve added to the Verse 2 roster.

“Speaking of family,” Earls added. “Kane Brown, here we are again. I’m not only honored to be celebrating your seventh No. 1 country single, but also our first at Verse 2. I’ll never forget the night you called saying you found someone for us to sign on Instagram.”

He closed by telling the industry crowd Gray’s discovery story, from Instagram to the “One Mississippi” co-write. “It was a high pressure opportunity and Levon delivered. He brought the title idea and these four guys knocked it out of the park,” Earls said. “Levon, it’s pretty extraordinary that your first co-write in Nashville is a No. 1 song.”

Big Loud’s Michael Giangreco was up next to talk about Ernest. “How about Ern? Five No. 1s and three more records on the radio right now,” he said. “We couldn’t be more excited we get to work with you. You’re one of the best guys of all time.”

Next up was Sony Music Publishing’s Gaston, who recognized Brown’s songwriting ability. “Kane Brown is a real deal songwriter,” he said. “There will be a day when every one of us are celebrating Kane Brown going into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This will happen. But there will also be a day where we all celebrating Kane Brown going into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. That’s what a songwriter he is.”

Dennis Reese, Sr. VP of Promotion & Artist Development at RCA Records, spoke about his and Brown’s collaboration process on picking singles.

“I’ve been in Nashville now for five years. My first day on the job was April 1 at the ACMs in Las Vegas. I met Kane Brown the very first day on the job,” Reese recalled. “He was quiet and not feeling well, and had that ‘I’m not sure if I trust you or not’ vibe. But hopefully after seven No. 1 songs, he trusts me,” he said.

Pictured (L-R): Ernest, Kane Brown, Jesse Frasure, Levon Gray. Photo: Steve Lowry

Frasure was the first of the songwriters to speak. He spoke about the interweaving of team members in the crowd. “I love that this family in the Nashville publishing community is so [interwoven]. We’re all supporting each other and fighting for this hard business,” he said.

Ernest was up next. “It means everything to finally get to celebrate a No. 1 with human people in person!” he said before recognizing the people who first took a chance on him.

Gray was quiet and grateful when he spoke. “I was working night shift in a gas station when I tagged Kane in my post. I’m very grateful to be here in Music City amongst the most talented artists and writers in the world,” he said. “This right here is one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Superstar Brown closed the celebration with some brief remarks. He was particularly excited to celebrate Gray’s first No. 1. “I’m so pumped for you, man. Thank you for tagging me,” he said.

He thanked his whole team, and closed with, “I love everyone in here. Thank you so much for coming. Hopefully there is many more to come.”