Pictured (L-R): Ash Bowers, Jimmie Allen

Endurance Music Group (EMG) has acquired a catalog of country hits written by Jimmie Allen, Ash Bowers and Trent Tomlinson during the trio’s term as Wide Open Music songwriters. The acquisition serves as a follow-on investment to the purchase of Wide Open Music in 2020 and a continuation of EMG’s strategy of sourcing and acquiring music.

Among the hits included in the purchased catalog are Tomlinson’s BMI Country Song of the Year, “In Case You Didn’t Know” (Brett Young), the Bowers No. 1 hit “Prayed for You” (Matt Stell), and all three of Allen’s chart-topping singles: “Best Shot,” “Make Me Want To,” and the recent Billboard Country Airplay No. 1, “Freedom Was a Highway.”

“We are so excited to further strengthen our existing partnership with Jimmie and Ash,” shares EMG Chairman and CEO Jeremy Tucker. “Their songwriting skills are undeniable, as they’ve proven time and again with the hits they’ve created. We’re thrilled to be the new home of this incredible catalog.”

“Working with the Endurance team has been such a pleasure for both Jimmie and I over the past couple of years, so it only makes sense for us to continue to build on that relationship,” adds Bowers.

Garth Brooks. Photo: Becky Fluke

Garth Brooks is setting his sights on Nashville’s Nissan Stadium this spring. The decorated entertainer will take over the stadium on Saturday, April 16. This will be Garth’s final “Stadium Tour” stop in Nashville and the only Stadium Tour stop in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Originally slated to play at Nissan on in July of last year, the show was ultimately forced to cancel due to severe weather. Over 70,000 fans attended the anticipated 2021 performance.

“It’s great to have Garth Brooks back at Nissan Stadium,” shares Burke Nihill, Tennessee Titans President and CEO. “Not only is he the No. 1-selling solo artist in U.S. history, but he also does amazing things for our community, and we couldn’t be more proud to bring him back home to Nashville for what’s sure to be an electric show.”

Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m. CT. There will be an eight ticket limit per purchase.

Brooks launched “The Stadium Tour” in March of 2019 and has broken stadium attendance records at every stop on the tour so far. In 2017, he wrapped up the three-and-a-half-year long “Garth Brooks World Tour” with Trisha Yearwood. The trek sold over 6.3 million tickets, making it the biggest North American tour in history and the biggest American tour in the world.

The second group of performers have been announced for the upcoming 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. The show, which will livestream exclusively on Prime Video, will take place on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. CT.

Among the newest round of performers set to take the stage at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium are Brittney Spencer, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, Eric Church, Gabby Barrett, Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Mitchell Tenpenny, and host Dolly Parton with Kelsea Ballerini.

Previously announced entertainers slated to perform on the live broadcast include Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Breland.

The two-hour show will feature more than 20 performances, and will be hosted by Dolly Parton and co-hosted by reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett and reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen.

Pictured (L-R): Jill Moody (Director of Membership), Lyndsie McClure (Director of Development), Savannah Grimm (Membership Communications and Content Manager), Sydney Zuyus (Marketing and Graphic Design Coordinator)

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has added four to its team.

Jill Moody has come on as Director of Membership and Lyndsie McClure as Director of Development. Additionally, NSAI has expanded the Marketing and Communications team with the addition of Savannah Grimm, Membership Communications and Content Manager, and Sydney Zuyus, Marketing and Graphic Design Coordinator.

Moody brings more than 17 years of experience in event production, management, and booking to the team at NSAI. Formerly the Director of Programming at Analog at Hutton Hotel, she will now oversee the NSAI Membership team, facilitating day-to-day membership services, specialty member events, and enhancing industry relations. She can be reached at jill@nashvillesongwriters.com.

McClure has spent over a decade building client relationships, managing corporate partnerships, and executing events across a variety of industries. As the Director of Development, McClure brings her appreciation for music and extensive experience together to increase support for the premiere association dedicated to protecting and uplifting songwriters. Reach her at lyndsie@nashvillesongwriters.com.

Grimm joins the team as the Membership Communications and Content Manager, applying 8+ years of experience gained during her time at iHeart Media from her role as Music Director, content creator and on-air personality. At NSAI, Grimm’s responsibilities include development and production of creative and educational content, facilitating member communications, social media management, and meeting with members. She can be reached at savannah@nashvillesongwriters.com.

Zuyus’ prior experience includes time at MONQ as Web & Graphics Coordinator, as well as freelancing in various capacities for names such as Nickelodeon, United Way, Steel City Arts Foundation, and more. As Marketing and Graphic Design Coordinator, her day-to-day responsibilities include web and graphics design, event asset development, social media management, and assisting with sponsorship fulfillment. Reach her at sydney@nashvillesongwriters.com.

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Tom Becci (Red Light), Katelyn O’Donoghue, Kasey O’Donoghue, Liam O’Donoghue, Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Autumn House (Red Light)

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Australian group, HomeGrown Trio.

The band, comprised of siblings Katelyn, Kasey, and Liam O’Donoghue, moved halfway around the world to Nashville in 2021 and landed an opening slot on the Jonas Brothers’ fall tour.

Growing up in Northern Queensland, Australia, the trio found their love for music on their family’s massive cattle ranch. They participated in competitions and festivals around Australia, building up a local fan base in the process.

The siblings appeared on The Voice Australia in 2018 where they earned a four chair turnaround from the coaches, ultimately choosing Joe Jonas as their coach. Jonas later signed them to his record label, Let’s Get It Records.

Christina Wiltshire, A&R Director, WCM Nashville shares: “I started following HomeGrown Trio a few years back, when they still lived in Australia. I was instantly drawn to their artistic, yet commercial songwriting and effortless sibling harmonies. When I finally got to meet them, their warm personalities and strong work ethic stood out to me. It just felt right!”

“We’re so excited to be working with Warner Chappell. Moving to Nashville has always been a dream of ours and to be here, working with such an amazing team is an honor,” the band adds. “We can’t wait to continue working and elevating our music among the incredible roster of writers and producers. They have made us feel right at home and we’re over the moon to be a part of the Warner Chappell family.”

HomeGrown is currently serving up a series of singles with plans for their forthcoming debut EP, in partnership with Universal’s Republic Records and Universal Nashville, to be released in 2022.

The band is managed by Tom Becci and Autumn House of Red Light Management.