Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett To Co-Host 2022 ACM Awards Alongside Dolly Parton

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ACM award-winning country artists Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett will join Dolly Parton to co-host the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Allen is a 2x ACM-nominated artist and the reigning New Male Artist of the Year. A multi-Platinum recording artist and songwriter, Allen is currently nominated for Best New Artist at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, marking his first ever Grammy nomination and the only country nominee in an all-genre category. He made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album, Mercury Lane–his RIAA 2x Platinum debut single “Best Shot,” which claimed the No. 1 spot on country radio for three weeks, and Platinum-certified “Make Me Want To.”

Barrett is a three-time ACM-nominated artist and the reigning New Female Artist of the Year. A multi-Platinum vocalist, she has amassed nearly 2 billion global streams to her credit. She broke out with her massive 5x Platinum hit, “I Hope,” which was the most-streamed country song of 2020 and earned the iHeartRadio Titanium Award for reaching over 1 billion radio spins, and Platinum three-week No. 1 “The Good Ones.”

“The Academy has a long history of highlighting the biggest stars in country music alongside today’s rising stars, and this year that will spotlight even further,” says Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett will co-host the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards side-by-side with Dolly Parton, pairing two of today’s most exciting new artists in the genre with one of the world’s most beloved music icons.”

In addition to joining Parton as co-hosts for the live show, airing exclusively on Prime Video on March 7, the pair will also unveil select nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on the @ACMawards Twitter account. Select nominees will be announced this Thursday, Feb. 10 beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live without commercial interruption on Prime Video Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. CT from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Austin Neal Launches The Neal Agency With Morgan Wallen, Chase Rice, More On Roster

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Austin Neal, Founder of The Neal Agency. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Austin Neal, a third generation country music booking agent and artist advocate, has launched The Neal Agency.

Designed to be a smaller, more artist-focused organization, the eight-act company aims to create touring plans that embody and build upon each artist’s individuality. Neal’s initial roster includes Morgan Wallen, Chase Rice, Hardy, Ashland Craft, Ernest, Riley Green, John Morgan, and Seaforth.

“I hope to have an agency that’s reflective of the kinds of relationships with my artists that I have with the people I’m starting this agency with,” shares Neal. “I truly care about each person and the vision of what that artist wants to build. Beyond long careers and relationships, it’s a way to make a community of people through touring.”

Neal’s background includes time in management, working with both Big & Rich and Bruce Kalmick while at Triple 8. He returned to the agency business at his father Kevin Neal’s urging. The third generation agent is also following in the footsteps of his grandfather Bob, who managed Elvis and then opened the original Neal Agency in Nashville in the mid-60s after stints in Memphis and California booking Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Sonny James and Jerry Lee Lewis.

“My father grew up in this business with his father,” adds Neal. “He learned not just how to make deals, set up tours and build careers, but a wonderful sense of ethics and how to spot real talent. He did that with Jason, FGL and Morgan, and carried on the family tradition.

“My grandfather, who was a disc jockey, concert promoter and owned a record store understood recognizing talent, then helping the artists realize their potential. He brought people together, and that’s something I hope the new Neal Agency will do, too.”

The Neal Agency is located in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood in Nashville.

Kenny Chesney Adds Amphitheater Dates To ‘Here And Now 2022’ Tour

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Kenny Chesney. Photo: Rick Diamond

Kenny Chesney is taking his “Here And Now 2022” tour to 20 amphitheaters in addition to the 21 already-set stadium shows on the upcoming cross-country trek.

Kicking off April 23 in Tampa, Florida, at Raymond James Stadium, the tour will feature newly-added amphitheater shows in Huntsville, Virginia Beach, Boise, Syracuse, and more. The summer-long tour will wrap with what has become a No Shoes Nation tradition: an already almost sold-out double-play at Foxborough, Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium on Aug. 26-27.

“There is something about amphitheaters that creates an immediacy that is so intimate,” Chesney shares. “The energy is very different from a stadium show, and it almost opens the songs up in completely different ways. It’s pretty cool to feel that difference between the two kinds of venues, but I can tell you: both are absolutely the greatest sensations in the world.

“I never thought we’d be away from No Shoes Nation for three years,” he continued. “Now that we finally have the chance to spend the summer together again, I really wanted to provide as many opportunities as possible for everyone to come out and celebrate the music with us; the sense of community and the way we all feel so alive when we’re together celebrating what we love. Whether stadiums or amphitheaters, I can’t wait to see my favorite people in the world.”

Tickets for the new dates go on sale Friday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. local time.

The 8x Entertainer of the Year recently got the chance to celebrate his current single, “Knowing You,” hitting the top of the charts. The country icon and a collection of Nashville’s music executives gathered at The Sutler to commemorate his 34th No. 1 song at country radio.

“Here And Now 2022” Tour Dates:
April 23 – Tampa, Fla. || Raymond James Stadium
April 30 – Charlotte, N.C. || Bank of America Stadium
May 5 – Noblesville, Ind. || Ruoff Music Center*
May 7 – St. Louis, Mo. || Busch Stadium
May 14 – Milwaukee, Wis. || American Family Field
May 19 – Orange Beach, Ala. || The Wharf Amphitheater*
May 21 – Atlanta, Ga. || Mercedes-Benz Stadium
May 25 – Charleston, S.C. || Credit One Stadium*
May 26 – Huntsville, Ala. || Orion Amphitheater*
May 28 – Nashville, Tenn. || Nissan Stadium
June 2 – The Woodlands, Texas || Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
June 4 – Arlington, Texas || AT&T Stadium
June 8 – Canandaigua, N.Y. || CMAC*
June 9 – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio || Blossom Music Center*
June 11 – Pittsburgh, Pa. || Heinz Field
June 15 – Virginia Beach, Va. || Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater*
June 16 – Bristow, Va. || Jiffy Lube Live*
June 18 – Philadelphia, Pa. || Lincoln Financial Field
June 23 – Cincinnati, Ohio || Riverbend Music Center*/**
June 25 – Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field
June 29 – Brandon, Miss. || Brandon Amphitheater*
June 30 – Rogers, Ark. || Walmart AMP*
July 2 – Kansas City, Mo. || GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
July 9 – Bozeman, Mont. || Bobcat Stadium
July 12 – Stateline, Nev. || Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s*
July 13 – Stateline, Nev. || Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s*
July 16 – Seattle, Wash. || Lumen Field
July 19 – Bend, Ore. || Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
July 20 – Bend, Ore. || Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
July 23 – Inglewood, Calif. || SoFi Stadium
July 27 – Boise, Idaho. || Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater*
July 28 – Salt Lake City, Utah || USANA Amphitheater*
July 30 – Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High
August 6 – Minneapolis, Minn. || U.S. Bank Stadium
August 10 – Columbia, Md. || Merriweather Post Pavilion*
August 11 – Syracuse, N.Y. || St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview*
August 13 – East Rutherford, N.J. || MetLife Stadium
August 18 – Columbus, Ohio || Historic Crew Stadium
August 20 – Detroit, Mich. || Ford Field
August 26 – Foxborough, Mass. || Gillette Stadium
August 27 – Foxborough, Mass. || Gillette Stadium
* lineup for these dates is Kenny Chesney and Carly Pearce only
** tickets on sale Friday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. local time

Victoria Banks Inks Admin Deal With Sony Music Publishing

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Victoria Banks & Rusty Gaston

Sony Music Publishing has signed songwriter Victoria Banks to an exclusive, worldwide administration agreement.

Banks penned four songs on Mickey Guyton’s Grammy-nominated album, Remember Her Name, and three songs on her preceding Bridges EP. Banks co-wrote the Capitol Records Nashville artist’s 2020 single “What Are You Gonna Tell Her,” which made history with Guyton’s performance on the 2020 ACM Awards.

Banks has had multiple cuts by Sara Evans, including the solo-written “Saints & Angels,” and has written songs for Carly Pearce, Lauren Alaina, Cassadee Pope, Jessica Simpson, Terri Clark and others. She has also been named both Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association.

“I’ve been a published writer in Nashville for almost 25 years now, and I feel like these songs that I’m writing now are some of my best. I’m proud to be joining the Sony family and to have the power of their worldwide representation in support of this catalog,” says Banks. “Rusty Gaston has brought a vibrant new energy to Sony here in Nashville, and I’m really excited to be a part of that.”

Industry Ink: Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan, Ashley Bergman, William Davenport

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Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan Earn Platinum Certification For “Buy Dirt”

Luke Bryan & Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan were recently surprised with a Platinum plaque for their No. 1 single “Buy Dirt” while out on a hunting trip together.

“Buy Dirt” is Davis’ fastest moving single to date and the No. 3 most consumed country song of 2022, reaching over 250 million global streams. The song has spent 25 consecutive weeks on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 chart. The track was also nominated for Musical Event of the Year on the 55th Annual CMA Awards.

Davis will hit the road this spring for the second leg of his “Buy Dirt Tour.” He recently announced a second date at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 28, which will mark his first headlining appearance at the famed Nashville venue.

Ashley Bergman Joins Regions Music Row As Assistant Branch Manager

Ashley Bergman

Regions Music Row has tapped Ashley Bergman as Assistant Branch Manager and Team Lead.

A 5-year veteran of Regions, Bergman assists clients with their deposit, credit and investment needs. She was previously a Senior Financial Relationship Consultant with the bank’s Village 21 and Nashboro Village branches. Bergman previously worked in New York’s fashion industry and was a Production Assistant on the Nashville television series before starting her banking career.

Reel Muzik Werks Adds William Davenport To Artist Roster

William Davenport & Reel Muzik Werks’ Teri Nelson Carpenter

Reel Muzik Werks, a film/TV and global music rights management company helmed by Teri Nelson Carpenter, has signed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist William Davenport.

An Atlanta native, Davenport has shared the stage with artists including India Arie, Will Downing, Boney James, Laura Izibor, Mary Mary, and Kirk Whalum. He continues to pen musical stories that reflect everyday love and sensuality while carving his own career in the industry.

While in college pursuing a degree in engineering, Davenport appeared in and won several high-profile talent shows, including the Embassy Records National Talent Search, and the opportunity to be a singer-songwriter for Ne-Yo’s recording label, Compound Entertainment.

“We have great respect for William’s talent and creativity and are thrilled to welcome him into our Reel Muzik Werks family,” shares Carpenter.

“Working with Reel Muzik Werks has been a complete relief,” adds Davenport. “So often on our music journeys the music industry can seem almost impossible to navigate. RMW understands this. They don’t silence voices, they encourage creativity and extend opportunities for artists. Teri definitely looks out for everyone and it takes no time to see it! I’m happy to be a part of the team and can’t wait to make some hits!”

PickleJar & Kelly Ford To Bring Moments From CRS 2022 To Viewers

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Kelly Ford

PickleJar, the live entertainment and artist payments app, has announced they will host multiple activations on-site during CRS 2022.

In addition to their previously announced sponsorship, PickleJar will present the pre-lunch performances on Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, the ping-pong tournament on Feb. 24, and the first-ever New Faces of Country Music backstage livestream on Feb. 25. Country radio veteran Kelly Ford will lead the content capture for all participating events.

Ford will conduct exclusive backstage interviews with New Faces members Gabby Barrett, Walker Hayes, Parker McCollum, Jameson Rodgers, and Lainey Wilson, as well as other industry insiders who will talk about these artists’ rise to fame. This unprecedented access will allow fans to go inside the historically industry-only event.

The New Faces of Country Music backstage programming will be livestreamed exclusively on PickleJar.com and on the PickleJar app.

The platform will also present full-day performances during PickleJar’s CRS Artist Showcase at Barlines in Omni Nashville Hotel from Feb. 23 – 25 for CRS participants and the public.

Ford first teamed up with PickleJar in 2021 to co-host PickleJar’s livestream of the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, More Among iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees

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The iHeartRadio Music Awards are returning live at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles this March to celebrate this year’s most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app.

Representing Music City in the all-genre categories are Dan + Shay for Best Duo/Group of the Year, and Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood for Best Collaboration (“If I Didn’t Love You”). The duet is also nominated for Country Song of the Year, alongside “Famous Friends” (Chris Young & Kane Brown), “Just The Way” (Parmalee & Blanco Brown), “The Good Ones” (Gabby Barrett), and “Forever After All” (Luke Combs).

Both Combs and Aldean also received a nod for Country Artist of the Year, along with Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Miranda Lambert. The award show will also celebrate the newer faces of country music. Vying for this year’s Best New Country Artist are Lainey Wilson, Niko Moon, Parker McCollum, Ryan Hurd, and Tenille Arts.

Both Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves also racked up multiple nominations. Swift for Female Artist of the Year, as well as Best Lyrics (“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”) and Best Fan Army, both of which are fan-voted categories. Musgraves also earned two fan-voted category nominations for Best Cover Song (“Fix You” originally by Coldplay) and a brand new category for Best Comeback Album (Star-Crossed).

In its ninth year, this year’s show will feature a plethora of awards presentations, live performances, and more. Fans can tune in to watch the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Tuesday, March 22 on Fox from 7-10 p.m. CT. The show will also be broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations across the country and on the iHeartRadio app.

The 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards will give fans an opportunity to decide the winners in several new and established categories. Fan voting will determine this year’s Best Fan Army, Best Lyrics, Best Cover Song, Best Music Video, the Social Star Award, Favorite Tour Photographer, TikTok Bop of the Year, and the first-ever TikTok Songwriter of the Year and Best Comeback Album. Fans can vote on Twitter using the appropriate category and nominee hashtags or by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards. Voting will close on March 15.

Partial List of 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees:
Best Duo/Group of the Year:
AJR
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
BTS
Dan + Shay
Maroon 5

Best Collaboration:
“Best Friend” – Saweetie featuring Doja Cat
“If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Kiss Me More” – Doja Cat featuring SZA
“Peaches” – Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Stay” – The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

Country Song of the Year:
“Famous Friends” – Chris Young & Kane Brown
“Forever After All” – Luke Combs
“If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Just The Way” – Parmalee featuring Blanco Brown
“The Good Ones” – Gabby Barrett

Country Artist of the Year:
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Thomas Rhett

Best New Country Artist:
Lainey Wilson
Niko Moon
Parker McCollum
Ryan Hurd
Tenille Arts

Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category*
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” – Taylor Swift
“Bad Habits” – Ed Sheeran
“deja vu” – Olivia Rodrigo
“drivers license” – Olivia Rodrigo
“Easy On Me” – Adele
“Happier Than Ever” – Billie Eilish
“Heat Waves” – Glass Animals
“Leave The Door Open” – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – Lil Nas X
“Your Power” – Billie Eilish

Best Cover Song: *Socially Voted Category*
“Fix You” (Coldplay) – Kacey Musgraves
“good 4 u” (Olivia Rodrigo) – Camila Cabello
“Happier Than Ever” (Billie Eilish) – Shawn Mendes
“Heather” (Conan Gray) – Tate McRae
“I’m Still Standing” (Elton John) – Demi Lovato
“Jolene” (Dolly Parton) – Lil Nas X
“Nothing Else Matters” (Metallica) – Miley Cyrus

Best Comeback Album (New Category): *Socially Voted Category*
30 – Adele
Certified Lover Boy – Drake
Medicine At Midnight – Foo Fighters
Solar Power – Lorde
Star-Crossed – Kacey Musgraves
Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night – Bleachers
Voyage – ABBA

For a full list of 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominees, click here.

Music Industry Veteran Heather McBee Shifts To Nonprofit Sector

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Heather McBee

Mending Hearts, an organization that helps women restore their lives from addiction through a long-term treatment program regardless of the ability to pay, has added music industry veteran Heather McBee as its new Executive Director.

With over 25 years in the music industry, McBee’s career includes stops at Sony Nashville, Cumulus, Project Music/Nashville Entrepreneur Center. She was honored as part of MusicRow‘s inaugural class of Rising Women on the Row in 2012.

With this transition, McBee makes the shift to the nonprofit space where she will be charged, in part, with engaging the music industry with the organization.

In her most recent role, she served as Interim Executive Director for Operation Song to provide transitional strategic support to the organization. At the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC), McBee was the VP of Operations which empowered her to co-found Project Music, an incubator for music-tech entrepreneurs. Additionally, she led the development of Sony Music Nashville’s digital music business and served at Cumulus Media, launching America’s Morning Show in 30+ markets.

“The next chapter of Mending Hearts will focus on expansion and Heather will play a key role in that process,” shares Founding CEO Trina Frierson. “We are excited to have her leadership and support of our mission to provide women in Tennessee with the most comprehensive recovery services possible. We think big at Mending Hearts-Heather is a visionary that will fit right in.”

“My goal is to help lead the organization toward pivotal growth,” McBee adds. “Serving women in recovery is an ever-changing landscape, and I hope to work with Trina, the Staff and Board to elevate the scope of our abilities, striving to boldly serve our community through all challenges.”

McBee can be reached at hmcbee@mendingheartsinc.org.

Deborah Allen Explores ‘The Art Of Dreaming’ On New Project

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Deborah Allen is releasing her first album of all-new material in a decade, The Art of Dreaming, on BFD/Audium Nashville on March 18. “Blue Collar Baby,” the album’s first single dropped today (Feb. 4).

The Art of Dreaming draws from Allen’s Delta influences: Memphis soul, rockabilly, gospel, Delta blues and Nashville country. The 12-track project is a combination of new songs and favorites which she kept in her back pocket for just the right time. “Blue Collar Baby,” which Allen wrote with Al Anderson, is an up-tempo country rocker celebrating hard-working, American men everywhere.

“Blue-collar workers are the backbone of our country,” Allen says. “The real people who make up America, that’s what this song is about. I’m a multi-dimensional person. When people hear my new album, they’re going to hear many influences. But, the stories and songs are at the core of it all. I hope that they enjoy the musical ride.”

The Art of Dreaming Track List:
1. Run Baby Run
2. Memphis Rendezvous
3. A Girl Like That
4. It’s Only Goodbye
5. Patsy Cline Crazy
6. All or Nothing At All
7. Lyin’ Lips
8. Blue Collar Baby
9. Someone Like You
10. Shameless Love
11. Last Time for Everything
12. The Art of Dreaming
Produced by: Deborah Allen
Recorded by: Jim Dineen, Buddy Hyatt, Zac Allen
Mixed and masted by: Billy Decker

Circle Network Unveils New Series ‘Bill Cody Presents’ & ‘Circle Presents: Country Sessions’

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Circle Network is adding two new original series to its programming: Bill Cody Presents and Circle Presents: Country Sessions, set to premiere this month.

Bill Cody Presents will feature eight hour-long episodes with artists hand-selected by Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody. Each episode will feature sit-down conversations with artists such as Marty Stuart, Ronnie Milsap, Pam Tillis and Garth Brooks.

Brooks will serve as the special guest for the premiere episode, airing on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. CT from Allentown Studios, where Brooks recorded all of his albums.

“I grew up with people who were bigger than life characters and extraordinary storytellers,” Cody says. “In this series I have the chance to take my time talking openly and honestly  to my longtime friends  in their most familiar settings. It’s Nashville’s greatest and most accomplished musical storytellers sharing their very personal journeys to stardom.”

Circle will also debut season one of Circle Presents: Country Sessions, a series featuring the stories behind songs from country’s biggest artists, writers and producers. Lee Brice will kick off season one on Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. CT as he reveals the stories behind his hit songs “I Drive Your Truck” and “Hard To Love.” Circle Presents: Country Sessions will include 10 30-minute episodes airing weekly, and will feature additional artists, including Maddie & Tae, Josh Turner, The Gatlin Brothers, and more.

Circle Presents: Country Sessions was filmed on location at Belmont University’s Gallery of Iconic Guitars (the GIG) and Ocean Way Nashville Studios, on its campus in Nashville.

“We’re so excited to partner with country radio legend Bill Cody to bring some of his favorite classic country artists into people’s homes on Circle TV,” Evan Haiman, SVP of Content  at Circle Network, shares. “Our very own Country Sessions is also an exciting opportunity to show off some amazing performances and allow fans to get to know their favorite artists even better.”

For more scheduling and program information, click here.