CMA Women’s Leadership Academy Celebrates Tiffany Kerns

Members from all five CMA Women’s Leadership Academy classes recently gathered to recognize WLA Founder Tiffany Kerns and thank her for her years of work with CMA and the program. Kerns’ leadership and mentorship have helped support the careers of many women in the music industry while creating a strong and lasting community among WLA members.

 

FEMcountry Debuts At Parton’s Live At SongTeller Hotel

FEMco, the women-focused music platform founded by longtime industry executive Leslie Fram, has partnered with Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel to launch FEMcountry at Parton’s Live, presented by Natural Life. The series opened earlier this week with a conversation featuring two-time Grammy-nominated artist Jo Dee Messina, followed by acoustic performances from Kylie Frey, Ruby Amanfu and Shelly Fairchild.

The event also featured a songwriter round that paid tribute to Parton, with Fairchild performing “Jolene,” Frey singing “9 to 5” and Amanfu performing “Why.” The event marked the first official songwriter round held at the venue. The next FEMcountry at Parton’s Live is scheduled for Oct. 20.

 

Ashley Cooke Performs On ‘Live With Kelly & Mark’

On Monday (Sept. 21), Ashley Cooke appeared on Live with Kelly & Mark to perform her rising single “baby blues.” Co-host Kelly Ripa joined the theme by wearing baby blue. “baby blues” continues to gain momentum, with the song surpassing 63 million global streams.

Cooke recently kicked off her headlining tour, with upcoming dates in Maine, Connecticut, Illinois and more.

 

Braxton Keith Partners With Tru Western For New Cologne

Braxton Keith has partnered with Tru Western to launch Leather Vintage Label No. 5 Canyon Echoes, the latest addition to the brand’s fragrance collection. Inspired by an 889-mile journey through West Texas, including the Big Bend region and Chihuahuan Desert, the cologne features notes of Desert Acacia, Cactus Water and Amberwood.

“West Texas will always be home to me, and it’s a big part of who I am and the music I make,” says Keith. “That’s what made working with Tru Western on Canyon Echoes feel like such a natural fit. The brand celebrates the West in a way that feels authentic to where I come from, and this fragrance captures the landscape and spirit of a place that means a lot to me.”

 

Cowgirls At The Cowboy will return to Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Oct. 22-24.

Jenny Tolman is once again curating the event. The festival kicks off Thursday with a Songwriter Showcase featuring Nashville hitmaker Jessi Alexander, Lily Meola and Tolman. Friday night will feature performances from Tolman and Mackenzie Carpenter. Emmylou Harris will headline the event on Saturday night.

Tickets are on sale now. Now in its fifth year, Cowgirls At The Cowboy is designed to celebrate strong women in music. In previous years, performers have included Ella Langley, Trannie Anderson, Avery Anna, Ashley McBryde, Lauren Alaina and more.

Backstage Access Presents is bringing its destination-driven event series to the heart of country music with “Backstage Access Presents: Music City,” taking place Nov. 15–18 in Nashville.

The three-day experience will feature performances and appearances from Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Flatland Cavalry, Matt Stell, Charlie Worsham, John Cooper Albright, Presley Aaronson, Boomtown Saints, Six One Five Collective, Braison Cyrus, Sam Drysdale, Mack Geiger, Erin Grand, Braden Hull, Brandon Helder, Jordan Dane Johnson, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Alannah McCready, Lilly Moss, Tori Rose, MaRynn Taylor and XOLEX.

“Backstage Access Presents: Music City” will bring artists, industry leaders, partners, and guests together in intimate settings throughout Nashville during one of country music’s biggest weeks of the year. Through showcases, songwriter rounds, hospitality experiences and behind-the-scenes access, the event is designed to remove the barriers that often separate artists, decision-makers and audiences, and create space for conversations and relationships to develop organically.

Programming will unfold across Nashville over three days, with intimate artist performances and songwriter rounds, hospitality experiences with brand partners, Music Row gatherings, and late-night events. The experience will culminate during CMA Awards night with a private watch party and celebration.

The Music City installment builds on the foundation established by Backstage Access Presents: Napa Valley, which debuted in April and was set among Napa Valley’s wineries and estates, pairing intimate performances with culinary and wine experiences while connecting artists with radio programmers, music supervisors, industry leaders, brand partners, and tastemakers.

Rather than recreating Napa Valley in a new location, “Backstage Access Presents: Music City” is being shaped around the city itself – its listening rooms, songwriter culture, iconic venues, hospitality and the relationships that have long made Nashville one of the world’s most influential music communities. The three-day experience is intended to give guests a closer look at the artists, stories and people shaping country music today.

“Napa Valley showed us just how powerful it can be when you bring great artists and great people together in an environment that feels personal and allows real relationships to develop,” says Bobbii Jacobs, Founder of Backstage Access Presents. “Bringing that experience to Nashville during CMA Awards week felt like a natural next step. Music City is built on songs, stories and relationships, and that’s really at the heart of what Backstage Access Presents is all about. We’ve put together an incredible mix of established artists and emerging talent, and we’re excited to create three days where people can discover new music, reconnect with longtime friends and build relationships that continue well beyond the event.”

ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams has revealed that Jim Selby has been elected to the organization’s Board of Directors as a publisher member. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization governed by a board elected by its songwriter, composer and publisher members.

“The ASCAP Board cares deeply about making decisions that are in the best interests of the membership as a whole,” says Williams. “As a global publishing leader, Jim has the expertise to tackle the complex issues facing music creators and publishers in today’s market, from both the challenges and opportunities of AI to licensees who want to pay songwriters less. He will be an invaluable voice on the ASCAP Board in our mission to advocate for and protect our more than one million members.”

Selby serves as President, Global Music Publishing at BMG, overseeing the company’s publishing operations worldwide.

He took on the position following the combination of Concord and BMG, helping lead the integration of their global publishing businesses. Selby played a key role in developing the structure and strategy for the combined organization and bringing together teams across North America, the U.K., Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

In his current role at BMG, Selby focuses on expanding the company’s global publishing roster and catalog, developing opportunities for songwriters and composers, and growing its presence in key markets.

Before joining BMG, Selby was Chief Publishing Officer at Concord, where he oversaw the company’s global publishing operations and strategy. During his time at Concord, he also held leadership roles including General Manager of Record Labels, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer. Earlier in his career, Selby served as CEO and General Manager of Naxos of America and held various executive positions across the music industry. His experience spans creative strategy, business operations, technology and commercial development.

Selby previously served as Chairman of the A2IM Board of Directors. He currently sits on the NMPA Executive Board, CMRRA CPC Board and ICMP Board, where he works on issues affecting music publishers and songwriters.