Lou Taylor, Peggy Stephens and Heather Kinder. Photo: Courtesy of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group
After more than 30 years at the helm of Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group, Lou Taylor is entering a new phase of growth for the company she founded. That next chapter is being led by an entirely female executive team.
Tri Star recently granted equity to Peggy Stephens (Chief Operating Officer), Heather Kinder (Chief of Staff) and Deedra Carroll (Chief Deputy Director), formalizing their roles in leading the firm’s operational, strategic and infrastructure development efforts. The move is significant in a sector where fewer than 20 percent of executive leadership roles nationally are held by women.
For Taylor, the decision was rooted in experience and performance, not symbolism.
“All of our clients were super excited for the C-Suite that was granted the equity,” Taylor says. “They took a lot of joy in being able to congratulate all of them and let them know they were appreciated.”
The response from clients reflects the longevity of the relationships Stephens, Kinder and Carroll have built within the firm. Each has played a key role in Tri Star’s expansion across its Nashville and West Hollywood offices, helping to evolve the company into a multi-family office serving high-profile entertainers, entrepreneurs and multi-generational families.
Stephens has focused on operational efficiency and client service systems. Kinder has overseen strategic initiatives and internal development. Carroll has led across systems, risk and team structure, strengthening the firm’s infrastructure as it scales.
Taylor sees the leadership shift as consistent with how Tri Star has operated for years.
“I think women by nature are more organized, specifically in a role as a business manager,” Taylor says. “Women control about 72 to 74% of all expendable income in the household. So if there’s a dollar that comes into the house, roughly 70 cents of that dollar is managed by women—paying for the groceries, the kids, the bills—and then the remaining 20% is what’s left over. Clients are often used to looking at a female as both the CFO of the household and the nurturer.”
That dynamic, she says, translates directly to the entertainment space.
“I think it’s a great advantage to be a woman in finance—being able to cultivate a high EQ and understand how people relate to money and what that looks like. You can come at it from a perspective that’s both technically strong and nurturing, and almost educational.”
Entertainment business management requires more than accounting expertise. Artists’ financial decisions intersect with touring cycles, catalog strategy, family considerations and long-term wealth planning. Taylor believes that understanding those layers is part of the job.
The leadership expansion also coincides with a significant acquisition. Tri Star recently acquired The LRW Group, a Miami-based firm serving Fortune 500 clients and high-profile individuals in entertainment and music. The move strengthens Tri Star’s East Coast presence and expands its footprint in private wealth management.
Lou Taylor and Lah Parramore. Photo: Courtesy of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group copy
The connection between Taylor and Lahteefah “Lah” Parramore, founder of The LRW Group, began through shared clients.
“Lah and I met because we ended up representing a duo—I had one half and she had one half,” Taylor says. “Often when you get work from other business managers, it’s not always so great. Her work was so good that I actually personally called her myself and said, ‘I just want to let you know your work was great. I’m looking forward to working with you on this.’ So we just automatically became friends over the last three years.”
That professional respect developed into a broader partnership.
“We just built a great relationship in doing that and we’re having a lot of fun building that market up,” Taylor says.
Parramore now joins Tri Star as Chief Growth Officer, reporting directly to Taylor and leading the company’s East Coast expansion strategy. With her addition, the firm’s executive leadership team is entirely female.
In a financial services landscape where women remain underrepresented at the highest levels, the structure stands out. For Taylor, it also reflects how she has built the company.
“There are people out there, especially women, who actually put their money where their mouth is and elevate women. They don’t just talk about it,” she says. “There’s proof in my legacy that I’ve historically done that, and I hope it inspires today’s assistants and juniors, who will be tomorrow’s leaders, founders and owners, to follow suit.”
Granting equity to her executive team formalizes a succession structure that positions Tri Star for long-term continuity. As revenue models across the music business continue to shift and financial strategies grow more complex, Taylor says leadership depth is essential.
Tri Star’s evolution into a multi-family office has required expanded advisory capabilities, from tax strategy and risk management to estate planning and wealth preservation. The firm’s client roster spans artists at various career stages, entrepreneurs and established families navigating generational transitions.
Taylor says the internal promotion of Stephens, Kinder and Carroll recognizes the work they have already been doing to support that growth.
“When you have the opportunity, it’s important to exercise it and give people work, especially when they’ve earned it,” she adds.
The acquisition of The LRW Group further broadens the company’s reach, adding Fortune 500 relationships and strengthening its presence in Miami and across the East Coast. Under Parramore’s leadership as Chief Growth Officer, Tri Star is expanding its influence beyond its traditional markets while maintaining its entertainment core.
For Music Row, where women have steadily increased their visibility in creative and executive roles over the past decade, Tri Star’s leadership structure adds another example on the finance side of the business. Business management firms often operate behind the scenes, but their decisions shape the sustainability of artists’ careers.
As the company enters its next phase, Taylor remains focused on strengthening the foundation she built.
The elevation of an all-female executive team is not framed internally as a headline. It is the result of performance, experience and shared ownership. In an industry where succession planning is often opaque, Tri Star has made its path visible.
For younger professionals watching the trajectory of the firm, the message is direct. Advancement and equity are attainable. Leadership can be cultivated internally. And the next generation of business managers may not have to look far to see what that path can look like.
Additional Performers Added To Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Madison HahnenMore performers have been added to NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards, taking place Sept. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Newly revealed artists and songwriters set to take the stage include Rodney Crowell, Riley Green, Vincent Mason, Ricky Skaggs, Andrea Zonn, Smith Ahnquist, Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, John Byron, Johnny Clawson, Luke Dick, Jordan Schmidt, Joybeth Taylor and Dallas Wilson.
They join previously announced performers Steve Earle, Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver, Jacob Davis, Ray Fulcher, Ben Johnson, Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Neil Medley, Josh Miller, Blake Pendergrass, Hunter Phelps, Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover, Lydia Vaughan and Jordan Walker.
Recipients of the Legendary Song award, NSAI’s 2026 Song of the Year award, and the coveted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards will be revealed throughout the evening. Previously announced award recipients Vince Gill (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award), Paul Williams (NSAI President’s Keystone Award), Blake Pendergrass (Songwriter of the Year) and Green (Songwriter-Artist of the Year) will also be honored.
Tickets for the Nashville Songwriter Awards are available here.
Mac McAnally & Rod Essig To Receive Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award
/by LB CantrellMac McAnally & Rod Essig
Veteran singer-songwriter, performer and producer Mac McAnally and star-making CAA agent Rod Essig will be presented with the 2026 Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony Association. They will be honored at the 42nd annual Symphony Ball, presented by Amazon, on Dec, 12 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
A 10-time CMA Musician of the Year and longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has penned some of the biggest hits in country music, including “Two Dozen Roses,” “Old Flame,” and “Down The Road,” a massive No. 1 duet with Kenny Chesney. He will be joined onstage by Amy Grant, whose acclaimed new album he produced, and who will perform in his honor.
Essig, who co-founded CAA’s Nashville office in 1993, has been instrumental in the careers of some of icons such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Martina McBride, among many others, and was Leann Rimes’ first agent. He will be joined by a surprise guest to present him with his award.
Presented annually by the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.
“Our 2026 Harmony Award honorees have spent their careers sharing the sound and spirit of Nashville with audiences around the world,” share Symphony Ball Co-Chairs Haden Cook and Lynn Scarola. “As a member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, a prolific writer of chart-topping hits for other artists, and a stellar solo performer, Mac McAnally has delighted audiences of all ages for decades. Rod Essig, as head of Nashville’s CAA office, has launched and shepherded the careers of some of the most significant artists in country and pop music. Both of them truly embody the spirit of the Harmony Award, and we are honored to celebrate them.”
“I am both surprised and honored to be selected for the Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony,” says McAnally. “As long as I can remember, I’ve heard all kinds of music in my head and wondered whether my head was the only place it belonged. To join the amazing list of past honorees is one more example of life outshining my ‘wildest’ dreams.”
Essig shares, “Nashville has always been a haven for music of all kinds, and the connection between Music Row and the Schermerhorn is a vital one, as this summer’s amazing Dolly Parton tribute concerts proved. I have worked with so many wonderful artists over the years, and I truly believe some of the finest musicians in the world are right here in the Nashville Symphony. It’s a true honor to receive this award, and I look forward to many more years of helping promote these superb artists, and instrumental excellence in all genres.”
Past recipients of the Harmony Award include T Bone Burnett, the Grand Ole Opry, Randy Travis, John Esposito, Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Marty Stuart.
MTSU Athletics Launches New ‘Live In The Boro’ Concert Series With Bailey Zimmerman
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman will headline the inaugural show of Middle Tennessee State University Athletics new “Live In The Boro” concert series at Murphy Center on Nov. 5 during the university’s homecoming week.
The one-night event from MTSU Athletics and NVRDUL Events will also feature hip-hop heavyweight Waka Flocka Flame, rising country act Miller Holler, and DJ/producer Dee Jay Silver.
Nashville-based NVRDUL Events, an independent concert-promotion and live entertainment company, aims to take over Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium for multiple concerts and special events throughout the academic year with the goal of establishing the campus as a major new live-entertainment destination for fans throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond. A longtime centerpiece of the MTSU campus, Murphy Center hosted numerous landmark concerts, special events concerts and sporting events during its 53-year history. The university will begin major renovations to the facility in 2027.
“We are pleased to take this next step in our goal of making Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium entertainment destinations that will benefit not only MTSU, but Murfreesboro and Rutherford County,” says President Sidney A. McPhee. “Our planned renovations to Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium, made possible through state and private funding, will make these venues even more attractive for such events.”
“Live in the Boro is an exciting opportunity to bring premier live entertainment to our campus while creating a new source of support for MTSU Athletics,” says MTSU Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. “We’re proud to partner with NVRDUL Events to launch this series and thrilled to kick things off with one of country music’s biggest stars in Bailey Zimmerman during Homecoming Weekend. “Live in the Boro will generate new commercial activity around our athletic venues and provide vibrancy to our campus, Murfreesboro, and Middle Tennessee.”
“When MTSU approached us about creating something unique that could both entertain and support Blue Raider Athletics, we knew it was a special opportunity,” says Carri Hyde, founder and CEO of NVRDUL Events. “Launching Live in the Boro with an artist of Bailey Zimmerman’s stature is an incredible way to begin what we believe will become a signature event series for Middle Tennessee.”
Kelsey Hart’s ‘Red All Over Tour’ To Launch Sept. 25
/by Lorie HollabaughKelsey Hart
Curb Records singer-songwriter Kelsey Hart is prepping to head out later this month on his “Red All Over Tour,” which kicks off Sept. 25 in Central City, Kentucky.
Carson Bock joins as a guest on the tour, which includes stops in Fort Myers, Louisville, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and more through Nov. 21. Tickets are on sale now here.
The “Red All Over Tour” takes its name from Hart’s next single, due out Sept. 25. The track serves as an autobiographical glimpse into who Hart is and what he believes, and the first-time father reflects on where he came from in the haunting ballad, taking pride in the small town values that have shaped the man he is today. The sobering release follows Hart’s lighthearted spin on “She Hit The Road Jack,” as well as “Anything Like You,” and his current single, “Love To Be That Guy.”
Hart has already racked up 310 million global career streams, and his Gold single “Life With You” garnered 894 million TikTok views, debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Digital Songs Chart, and reached No. 1 on the Hot 30 Weekend Countdown on SiriusXM The Highway. As a writer he’s penned songs for Jake Owen, Dylan Scott, Trace Adkins, and more.
“Red All Over Tour” Dates:
9/25 – Central City, KY
10/15 – Plain City, OH
10/16 – Binghampton, NY
10/17 – Troy, NY
11/5 – Fort Myers, FL
11/6 – Gainesville, FL
11/7 – Sanford, FL
11/12 – Louisville, KY
11/13 – Indianapolis, IN
11/14 – Milwaukee, WI
11/19 – Chicago, IL
11/20 – Minneapolis, MN
11/21 – Peoria, IL
Joybeth Taylor Extends Deal With Sony Music Publishing & Verse 2 Music, Adds TAYCAN As Creative Partner
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R, back row): Cam Caldwell (SMP), Matt Cottingham (Hunter Cottingham PLLC), Scott Hendricks (TAYCAN), Rusty Gaston (SMP) and Synnovea Halsel (SMP). (L-R, front row): Blake Duncan (TAYCAN), Joybeth Taylor, Kent Earls (Verse 2) and Kane Brown (Verse 2). Photo: Savannah Spencer
Joybeth Taylor has extended her worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Verse 2 Music. TAYCAN Entertainment has also been added as a creative partner.
Taylor has penned multiple No. 1 hits, including Ella Langley’s record-breaking “Choosin’ Texas,” which won 2026 ACM Song of the Year. The song spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running No. 1 for a non-holiday song and the longest-leading hit by a solo female country artist in the chart’s history. It also topped the UK Singles Chart, spent three weeks at No. 1 on Mediabase’s Country Airplay chart and earned its 39th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
A frequent collaborator of Langley’s, Taylor also has cuts with Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Vincent Mason, Warren Zeiders, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Chase Matthew, Corey Kent, Josh Ross, Koe Wetzel, Kameron Marlowe, Zach John King and more.
Her latest radio hit, “I Can’t Love You Anymore” by Langley and Wallen, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Taylor’s recent releases also include Westbrook’s “Made You Look,” Matthew’s “Autopilot” and Kent’s “Empty Words,” which recently reached the top 40 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
“To extend with Sony/Verse 2 and add TAYCAN on is a dream come true,” says Taylor. “I couldn’t have a better team championing me and my songs! Excited for everything to come!”
“When I met Joybeth in early 2021, three things blew me away… her brilliant songwriting ability, her unbelievably hard-working nature and the fact she wasn’t signed to a publisher,” shares Kent Earls, Partner, Verse 2 Music. “The first two traits told me she was destined to make musical history, the third told me I needed to be the one to work with her. Verse 2 Music is proud to continue as Joybeth’s publisher and champion alongside Sony Music Publishing and TAYCAN Entertainment. She’s already made history, we’re all excited to see what we can accomplish next.”
“Having Joybeth join our TAYCAN roster is like having Michael Jordan join your basketball team…Blake [Duncan] and I couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Sony and Verse 2,” adds Scott Hendricks, Partner, TAYCAN Entertainment.
“The only thing that outpaces Joybeth’s big dreams and talent is her unstoppable work ethic, and it has been inspiring to see her career soar to even greater heights,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “I couldn’t be happier for Joybeth and Verse 2 for all their successes, and with TAYCAN joining the partnership, we’re confident the best is yet to come.”
Taylor has earned MusicRow Award nominations for Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year (2025) and Female Songwriter of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. She currently ranks No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songwriters chart and No. 7 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 Songwriters chart.
Dualtone Records Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Compilation
/by Madison HahnenDualtone Records will release Keep Pressing On: 25 Years Of Dualtone on Dec. 4.
The 17-track project will feature new tracks and covers celebrating the label’s 25th anniversary. Artists included on the record include Shakey Graves, flipturn, Abraham Alexander, Angie McMahon, Futurebirds, Mt. Joy, The Brook & The Bluff, Kathleen Edwards, The Lumineers, Gatlin, Jack Van Cleaf, Mountain Grass Unit and Hayes Carll, Shovels & Rope, Judah & the Lion, Langhorne Slim, Aubory Bugg and Gregory Alan Isakov.
The first two tracks of the album are available now, including The Lumineers’ new song “Isabelle Fly” and Cleaf’s cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Best of All Possible Worlds.”
“In April of 2012, we had just released our debut album and were on a pretty intense run; every day seemed to involve the trifecta of morning acoustic radio performances, interviews and shows,” share The Lumineers. “On the humid Nashville evening of April 27th, we met an angel in the form of our label head, Paul Roper. We were about to play the Basement, below Grimey’s record shop, and Paul could see we were truly haggard. Earlier that day, we had done a long photo shoot which felt awkward. Paul appeared like a mirage in the desert, opening his trunk to us to reveal his bounty of Dominoes Pizza and a 12-pack of Stella’s. As we ate and drank, we felt looked after. And although it was a small gesture, it defined what Paul and Dualtone have done for us all these years. They do the little things and manage to always show up. It’s a rare quality in a label and a person, and I’m grateful for it.
“The song ‘Isabelle Fly’ never actually took flight. It felt like some sort of failed attempt,” they continue. “But I’ve always loved this song anyway and am glad it’s got a place on this 25 year compilation so we can share this song finally.”
“I’m deeply honored to get to contribute to Dualtone’s 25th anniversary compilation album,” says Cleaf. “I feel lucky to have found a home at Dualtone, alongside artists who have inspired me since I first picked up a guitar, with a team who so evidently and intentionally cares for the music they represent.
“Kristofferson was my gateway album into Kris Kristofferson’s music and has remained one of my favorite albums of all time,” he continues. “Songs like ‘Best of All Possible Worlds’ spotlight Kristofferson’s knack for humor and keen social critique in his lyrics. Recorded with good friends of mine in New York, it was a joy to perform this song that I have always looked toward as an exemplary piece of songwriting.”
“Paul Roper was universally beloved in this industry,” Dualtone General Manager and SVP of Artist Development Whitaker Elledge adds. “He was a mentor and a friend and a confidant, and losing him was devastating for all of us. But that grief also provided an incredible sense of motivation because we knew exactly how Paul would want us to carry on and keep building this place we’re all so lucky to call home.”
Dualtone’s 25th anniversary celebration will begin next week with two events during AmericanaFest. The “Dualtone at 25: Keep Pressing On” panel will take place Sept. 16, followed by the label’s official 25th Anniversary Bash showcase on Sept. 17. Moderated by World Cafe host Raina Douris, the panel will feature Dualtone Records Co-Founder Scott Robinson, Elledge, SVP of Promotion and Strategy Julie Muncy, The Team’s Keith Levy and Bugg.
The Dualtone 25th Anniversary Bash will take place at The Basement East as part of the label’s official AmericanaFest showcase. The lineup includes Houndmouth, Shakey Graves, The Brook & The Bluff, Langhorne Slim, Futurebirds, Alexander, Bugg and special guests.
Keep Pressing On: 25 Years of Dualtone Records Tracklist:
1. Shakey Graves – “One In A Million”
2. flipturn – “Sad Disco (Pine Studios)”
3. Abraham Alexander – “Fire And Rain (feat. Joy Oladokun)”
4. Angie McMahon – “Clay Pigeons”
5. Futurebirds – “Yur Not Ded (2.0)”
6. Mt. Joy – “New President”
7. The Brook & The Bluff – “Fool Yourself”
8. Kathleen Edwards – “Dogs and Alcohol”
9. The Lumineers – “Isabelle Fly”
10. Gatlin – “Dead Sea”
11. Jack Van Cleaf – “Best of All Possible Worlds”
12. Mountain Grass Unit and Hayes Carll – “Railroad River Junction”
13. Shovels & Rope – “Te Amo (Reprise)”
14. Judah & the Lion – “Old Man”
15. Langhorne Slim – “What A Wonderful World”
16. Aubory Bugg – “Both Sides Now”
17. Gregory Alan Isakov – “The Parting Glass”
BREAKING: Nominees Revealed For 60th CMA Awards
/by LB CantrellThe final nominees for the 60th annual CMA Awards have been revealed.
Ella Langley leads the group with nine nods, including her first for Entertainer of the Year. Other top nominees include Miranda Lambert with seven nominations; Kacey Musgraves and Ben West with five nominations each; Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. with four nominations each; and Dave Clauss, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson with three each.
Alongside Langley, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton and Wilson are vying for Entertainer of the Year.
There are 13 first-time nominees, including Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James and Ben West.
“For six decades, the CMA Awards have celebrated excellence in Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We’re grateful to CMA’s Professional members, whose collective voice determines every nomination, bringing real expertise to the balloting process each year. Congratulations to all of this year’s deserving nominees. We cannot wait to celebrate our milestone anniversary together in November.”
The CMA Awards broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC, Disney+ and next day on Hulu.
2026 CMA Awards Final Nominees (by ballot category order):
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Cody Johnson
– Ella Langley
– Chris Stapleton
– Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– “Be Her” – Ella Langley
Producers: Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Ben West
Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss
– “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
Producers: Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Ben West
Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss
– “I Knew It, I Knew You” – Taylor Swift
Producers: Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift\
Mix Engineer: Laura Sisk
– “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
– Dandelion – Ella Langley
Producers: Devin Dawson, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss
– Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Luke Laird, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian
Mix Engineers: Serban Ghenea, Konrad Snyder
– Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Mix Engineer: Eric Masse
– The Way I Am – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
– “Be Her”
Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt
– “Beautiful Things”
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney
– “Choosin’ Texas”
Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
– “Dry Spell”
Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne
– “Gary”
Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Miranda Lambert
– Ella Langley
– Megan Moroney
– Kacey Musgraves
– Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton
– Zach Top
– Stephen Wilson Jr.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Lady A
– Little Big Town
– Midland
– Old Dominion
– The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
– Brooks & Dunn
– Brothers Osborne
– Dan + Shay
– Muscadine Bloodline
– Thelma & James
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
– “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton)
Producer: Dave Cobb
– “Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves (feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producers: Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian
– “I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen
Producers: Austin Goodloe, Ella Langley, Ben West
– “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce & Riley Green
Producers: Carly Pearce, Ben West
– “McArthur” – HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & Tim McGraw
Producer: Jay Joyce
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
– Tom Bukovac – Guitar
– Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
– Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
– Rob McNelley – Guitar
– Charlie Worsham – Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
– “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
Directors: Ella Langley, Caylee Robillard, Wales Toney
– “Dry Spell” – Kacey Musgraves
Directors: Hannah Lux Davis, Kacey Musgraves
– “Gary” – Stephen Wilson Jr.
Directors: Tim Cofield, Stephen Wilson Jr.
– “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
– “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Avery Anna
– Carter Faith
– Emily Ann Roberts
– Tucker Wetmore
– Stephen Wilson Jr.
Corey Kent Announces 20+ Date ‘Heartland Rock And Roll Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughCorey Kent. Photo: Dayna White
Corey Kent has announced his 2027 “Heartland Rock and Roll Tour” is set to kick off Jan. 22 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. Tyler Nance and Jacob Hackworth will join as support on the new tour.
The tour will bring Kent’s sound to intimate theaters, clubs and legendary venues around the country, including stops at Houston’s House of Blues, Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, Pittsburgh’s Stage AE and Boston’s House of Blues before the tour’s final night at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 11 at coreykentofficial.com.
“This year I’ve played all over the world and opened up for some of my favorite artists,” says Kent. “But now it feels like it’s time for a headline tour right here in the heartland…the Heartland Rock and Roll Tour! I’ve reimagined everything on this tour making this show unlike anything we’ve ever done. I hand picked some of my favorite venues in the country and it’s almost time! Tickets go on sale this Friday.”
The tour announcement comes as Kent readies his third album, Heartland Rock and Roll, which captures the Oklahoma native’s signature blend of country, rock and soul while putting a name to the sound he has spent his career building. The project features previously-released tracks “Everyday Life,” “Rocky Mountain Low” featuring Koe Wetzel, “Wannabe,” “Cigarette Burns,” “Rather Be Here” featuring Jason Aldean, and current single “Empty Words,” which is Top 40 and climbing at country radio.
Corey Kent’s 2027 “Heartland Rock And Roll Tour:”
*Jan. 22 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Main Stage – Fort Worth, TX
*Jan. 23 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
*Jan. 28 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
*Jan. 29 – The Bluestone – Columbus, OH
*Jan. 30 – Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
*Feb. 4 – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
*Feb. 5 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
*Feb. 6 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
*Feb. 18 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
*Feb. 19 – The Foundry – Greenville, SC
*Feb. 20 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
*Feb. 25 – The Signal – Chattanooga, TN
*Feb. 26 – Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC
*Feb. 27 – The Senate – Columbia, SC
*Mar. 11 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA
*Mar. 12 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD
*Mar. 13 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
^Mar. 18 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
^Mar. 19 – Aura – Portland, ME
^Mar. 20 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
*Apr. 30 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
*Tyler Nance
^Jacob Hackworth
Lou Taylor Expands Tri Star’s Leadership Bench With All-Female C-Suite [Interview]
/by LB CantrellLou Taylor, Peggy Stephens and Heather Kinder. Photo: Courtesy of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group
After more than 30 years at the helm of Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group, Lou Taylor is entering a new phase of growth for the company she founded. That next chapter is being led by an entirely female executive team.
Tri Star recently granted equity to Peggy Stephens (Chief Operating Officer), Heather Kinder (Chief of Staff) and Deedra Carroll (Chief Deputy Director), formalizing their roles in leading the firm’s operational, strategic and infrastructure development efforts. The move is significant in a sector where fewer than 20 percent of executive leadership roles nationally are held by women.
For Taylor, the decision was rooted in experience and performance, not symbolism.
“All of our clients were super excited for the C-Suite that was granted the equity,” Taylor says. “They took a lot of joy in being able to congratulate all of them and let them know they were appreciated.”
The response from clients reflects the longevity of the relationships Stephens, Kinder and Carroll have built within the firm. Each has played a key role in Tri Star’s expansion across its Nashville and West Hollywood offices, helping to evolve the company into a multi-family office serving high-profile entertainers, entrepreneurs and multi-generational families.
Stephens has focused on operational efficiency and client service systems. Kinder has overseen strategic initiatives and internal development. Carroll has led across systems, risk and team structure, strengthening the firm’s infrastructure as it scales.
Taylor sees the leadership shift as consistent with how Tri Star has operated for years.
“I think women by nature are more organized, specifically in a role as a business manager,” Taylor says. “Women control about 72 to 74% of all expendable income in the household. So if there’s a dollar that comes into the house, roughly 70 cents of that dollar is managed by women—paying for the groceries, the kids, the bills—and then the remaining 20% is what’s left over. Clients are often used to looking at a female as both the CFO of the household and the nurturer.”
That dynamic, she says, translates directly to the entertainment space.
“I think it’s a great advantage to be a woman in finance—being able to cultivate a high EQ and understand how people relate to money and what that looks like. You can come at it from a perspective that’s both technically strong and nurturing, and almost educational.”
Entertainment business management requires more than accounting expertise. Artists’ financial decisions intersect with touring cycles, catalog strategy, family considerations and long-term wealth planning. Taylor believes that understanding those layers is part of the job.
The leadership expansion also coincides with a significant acquisition. Tri Star recently acquired The LRW Group, a Miami-based firm serving Fortune 500 clients and high-profile individuals in entertainment and music. The move strengthens Tri Star’s East Coast presence and expands its footprint in private wealth management.
Lou Taylor and Lah Parramore. Photo: Courtesy of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group copy
The connection between Taylor and Lahteefah “Lah” Parramore, founder of The LRW Group, began through shared clients.
“Lah and I met because we ended up representing a duo—I had one half and she had one half,” Taylor says. “Often when you get work from other business managers, it’s not always so great. Her work was so good that I actually personally called her myself and said, ‘I just want to let you know your work was great. I’m looking forward to working with you on this.’ So we just automatically became friends over the last three years.”
That professional respect developed into a broader partnership.
“We just built a great relationship in doing that and we’re having a lot of fun building that market up,” Taylor says.
Parramore now joins Tri Star as Chief Growth Officer, reporting directly to Taylor and leading the company’s East Coast expansion strategy. With her addition, the firm’s executive leadership team is entirely female.
In a financial services landscape where women remain underrepresented at the highest levels, the structure stands out. For Taylor, it also reflects how she has built the company.
“There are people out there, especially women, who actually put their money where their mouth is and elevate women. They don’t just talk about it,” she says. “There’s proof in my legacy that I’ve historically done that, and I hope it inspires today’s assistants and juniors, who will be tomorrow’s leaders, founders and owners, to follow suit.”
Granting equity to her executive team formalizes a succession structure that positions Tri Star for long-term continuity. As revenue models across the music business continue to shift and financial strategies grow more complex, Taylor says leadership depth is essential.
Tri Star’s evolution into a multi-family office has required expanded advisory capabilities, from tax strategy and risk management to estate planning and wealth preservation. The firm’s client roster spans artists at various career stages, entrepreneurs and established families navigating generational transitions.
Taylor says the internal promotion of Stephens, Kinder and Carroll recognizes the work they have already been doing to support that growth.
“When you have the opportunity, it’s important to exercise it and give people work, especially when they’ve earned it,” she adds.
The acquisition of The LRW Group further broadens the company’s reach, adding Fortune 500 relationships and strengthening its presence in Miami and across the East Coast. Under Parramore’s leadership as Chief Growth Officer, Tri Star is expanding its influence beyond its traditional markets while maintaining its entertainment core.
For Music Row, where women have steadily increased their visibility in creative and executive roles over the past decade, Tri Star’s leadership structure adds another example on the finance side of the business. Business management firms often operate behind the scenes, but their decisions shape the sustainability of artists’ careers.
As the company enters its next phase, Taylor remains focused on strengthening the foundation she built.
The elevation of an all-female executive team is not framed internally as a headline. It is the result of performance, experience and shared ownership. In an industry where succession planning is often opaque, Tri Star has made its path visible.
For younger professionals watching the trajectory of the firm, the message is direct. Advancement and equity are attainable. Leadership can be cultivated internally. And the next generation of business managers may not have to look far to see what that path can look like.
Melody Place Adds Industry Vets Bob Reeves & Liz Kiley
/by Lorie HollabaughBob Reeves & Liz Kiley
Nashville-based indie label and publishing company Melody Place has hired industry veterans Bob Reeves and Liz Kiley as Head of Promotion & Commercial Partnerships and Head of Marketing, respectively.
In his new role as Head of Promotion & Commercial Partnerships, Reeves brings over 25 years of music promotions management experience, including leading radio promotions teams at Warner Music Nashville, Reviver Entertainment Group, and Riser House Entertainment.
A seasoned entertainment executive, Kiley joins Melody Place with years of experience in music, TV, and radio. Her previous stints include Universal Music Group, MTV Networks/Viacom, and The Box Network in marketing, programming, and streaming roles. She is also a Leadership Music Alumna and former board member.
“The combined wisdom of Bob Reeves and Liz Kiley provides Melody Place with a treasure trove of context, leadership, and vision,” says Sandy McGraw, President and GM. “They’ve eached reached pinnacles that others spend their entire careers striving for, and I’m thrilled and humbled that they’ve joined us on our journey to put art and the artists first.”
The Melody Place roster includes artists Sara Evans, Pia Toscano, Katharine McPhee, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Braden Hull and Jackie Evancho. The label co-produced the hit Broadway musical, BOOP!, alongside 16-time Grammy winner David Foster and released its Original Cast Recording, and also just released an 18-track duets tribute album, Dan Seals & Friends: The Last Duet, in partnership with the Dan Seals Estate.