In celebration of its first-ever CMT Music Awards Week, CMT has announced a packed week full of original programming taking place April 9-15.

The week kicks off with Hot 20 Countdown Live, the series’ first-ever live special, on April 9 at 8 a.m. CT. The three three-hour special will be hosted by Cody Alan, Rissi Palmer and Carissa Culiner, with CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini providing a sneak peek of the upcoming show and Carrie Underwood discussing her 23-award winning streak. The special episode will also provide more behind-the-scenes action as hosts go backstage at show rehearsals and count down the week’s top music videos with special appearances by Blake Shelton and Jimmie Allen, and performances from Palmer, Tenille Arts, Chapel Hart, and Elvie Shane.

The week’s programming will also include the official CMT Music Awards Nominee Special and the CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special, which gives fans a front row seat to all the pre-show excitement ahead of the 2022 CMT Music Awards on CBS on Monday, April 11.

Alan and Culiner will host the CMT Music Awards Nomination Special, a half-hour celebration featuring the star-packed list of CMT Music Awards nominees on April 10 at 8 p.m. CT. Underwood will also sit down for an interview on her history with the awards show, nominees Kane Brown and Thomas Rhett will reflect on their nominated videos, and CMT Music Awards co-host Anthony Mackie will share his excitement for the upcoming awards.

In the hour leading up to the awards broadcast on CBS on April 11, Alan, Culiner and Ashley ShahAhmadi will welcome the night’s stars as they arrive at the CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special at 6 p.m. CT. Jordan Davis will give a live performance of his No. 1 hit “Buy Dirt” and more.

Previously announced specials slated for CMT Music Awards Week include CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends, CMT Campfire Sessions: Little Big Town and CMT Storytellers: Brooks & Dunn.

Kenny Chesney Adds Two New Members To Live Band

Kenny Chesney has added Keith Urban‘s multi-instrumentalist Danny Rader on guitar and Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit‘s drummer Nick Buda to his band for his upcoming “Here And Now 2022” tour.

Buda, who left the jam band world to concentrate on session work, went to Boston’s acclaimed Berklee School of Music on the recommendation of Sting’s longtime drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Rader, a three-time ACM winner, most recently for 2017 Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year, plays bouzouki, mandolin, banjo and accordion as well as the electric guitar that has backed Urban live since 2010.

“When we were looking at where to go, what to do next, it was interesting to see the chemistry with different people,” Chesney explains. “So many great musicians came out, which took all of us to a new place in how we see these songs, what they’re capable of. But in the end, because this is a band, not just a group of musicians who back someone up, what Danny and Nick brought was a freshness that hits hard and lifts everything up in some pretty great ways.”

The trek kicks off April 23 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.

 

SoundExchange Names Anjula Singh As Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

SoundExchange has named Anjula Singh as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer to lead SoundExchange’s financial, operational, human resources, and office services teams.

During her 16-years at SoundExchange, Singh has played a critical role in scaling the organization for growth and investing in platforms and infrastructure that increase industry efficiency. She provides leadership in the day-to-day operations at SoundExchange and other aspects of the organization, including the company’s move into publisher services. Most recently, Singh served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

“I am thrilled to announce Anjula’s well-deserved promotion to chief financial officer and chief operating officer,” says Michael Huppe, President and CEO at SoundExchange. “Anjula has been a tremendous partner over the years in advancing the mission of SoundExchange. Her immense institutional knowledge, mastery of our business’s complexities, and ability to work across teams will be critical to our strategy and success as we move into the next chapter.”

“I’m excited to continue serving our community of over 500,000 music creators with the incredible team at SoundExchange,” adds Singh. “Our mission is what drives my work at the company, and I am dedicated to maximizing the value of music and making the business more efficient for music creators.”

 

Black River Records Ups Hope Buser To Associate Director Of Accounting

Black River Records has promoted Hope Buser from Manager to Associate Director of Accounting. She joined the team at Black River Entertainment in 2018 as an Accounting Assistant.

Before her move to Nashville from St. Louis, Missouri, Buser worked in accounting outside of the music business in the manufacturing industry. She reports to EVP of Black River Records, Rick Froio, and is based out of the company’s Music Row office.

“Hope has proven to be a tremendous addition to the BRE team, and we are thrilled that she has agreed to accept this new position,” says Froio.

“I have been so fortunate with all that I’ve learned during my time here at Black River,” adds Buser. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and everyone’s continued support.”

Buser can be reached at hbuser@blackriverent.com or by phone at 615-780-3070.

 

Clayton Anderson’s ‘Show Me Your Fish’ Becomes Theme Song For Redcrest 2022

Clayton Anderson’s new single, “Show Me Your Fish,” was the theme song for Major League Fishing’s Redcrest 2022 Presented by Costa – Pro Bass Fishing’s World Championship and Inaugural Expo, which ran March 25-27.

Written by Anderson, Christian Stalnecker, and Grammy winner Dave Audé, “Show Me Your Fish” was released digitally on Feb. 25. When executives at Pure Fishing, Inc. heard the song, they invited Anderson to be part of this weekend’s event. He performed on the Mossy Oak Music stage at the SageNet Center at Expo Square in Tulsa before the world’s premier bass anglers returned from Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees to crown the Redcrest 2022 Champion.

“Redcrest was beyond epic. The crowds were huge, and everyone was so genuinely nice. I can’t thank the Ugly Stik and Pure Fishing folks enough, along with the Major League Fishing organization for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it all,” Anderson shares. “I’ve said it from the day I came up with the idea for ‘Show Me Your Fish,’ the people are going to be the ones who make or break this song on social media platforms.”

Warner Chappell Music and Ross Golan‘s Unknown Music Publishing have signed a global publishing deal with soulful country singer-songwriter Sophia Scott.

With a sound comprised of country, pop, rock, and R&B influences, Scott has built a following with songs such as “Side Effects,” “White Fence,” “Drink Too Much Wine,” and “She Ain’t Me,” the latter of which has amassed over 12 million streams on Spotify alone. The Nashville-based songwriter signed with EMPIRE Nashville in 2021 and has since opened for the Jonas Brothers and Kelsea Ballerini on the “Remember This” tour.

“Sophia Scott is one of the most authentic, exciting, and refreshing artists I’ve ever come across,” shares Golan. “She shares the attitudes of Loretta Lynn and Linda Ronstadt with a modern twist. It’s impossible not to love and respect her musical perspective. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Sophia to the family.”

BJ Hill, VP of A&R at WCM Nashville, adds, “I remember the first time I saw Sophia sing her songs at a small songwriters round and how moved I was by the emotion. She has stories to tell in her music that will become a part of our lives. Her voice is pure and amazing. We are very lucky to be working with her, Unknown Music, and her awesome team.”

“I still remember the very first song I wrote. It was called ‘Cool Coffee Shop.’ Even as a second grader, I knew exactly what my life would look like and that I was destined to sing and write music (as cheesy as that may sound),” shares Scott. “After years of pouring my heart and soul into music, I can’t believe that little girl is now a published songwriter. Not only do I get to work with the best publisher in Nashville, but I also get to work with one of my biggest songwriting heroes, Ross Golan. This partnership is a dream come true for me. Thank you to BJ, Ross, Kelley [Fox], and everyone at Warner Chappell & Unknown Music for believing in me. I feel so incredibly blessed and can’t wait to begin this new journey.”