Jameson Rodgers. Photo: Chris Hollo

Jameson Rodgers has been named the Opry NextStage featured artist for December. Rodgers joins prior 2021 Opry NextStage artists Hailey Whitters, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Niko Moon, Yola and Priscilla Block.

Rodgers’ new single “Missing One” just landed at radio and follows his two consecutive No. 1s: his Platinum-certified debut single “Some Girls” and “Cold Beer Calling My Name” featuring labelmate Luke Combs. Rodgers is currently on his headlining “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour,” which wraps with two nights at Nashville’s Exit/In on Dec. 16-17.

“I’ll never forget the day I got to invite my grandmother to Nashville for my Opry debut. My late grandfather named my dad after Ernest Tubb and my family has listened to the Opry on WSM radio for over 80 years,” shares Rodgers. “Not only have I been able to perform several times at the Opry but to be their NextStage artist for December is truly an honor. I’m grateful every time I step in the circle and am excited about this opportunity as a NextStage artist!”

With the release of his debut album, Bet You’re from a Small Town, the singer-songwriter has been credited on multi-Platinum-selling songs for Florida Georgia Line (Top 10 single “Talk You Out of It”) and Chris Lane (No. 1 hit “I Don’t Know About You”). Rodgres was named a member of MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Class of 2021, and hit the Opry stage Nov. 21 during the first-ever Opry NextStage Live in Concert.

Opry NextStage collaborations include live performances, strategic marketing support and short-form documentary-style storytelling created by Opry Entertainment’s content team. Opry NextStage presents rising artists who are making standout music at the forefront of their careers through the Opry’s marketing platforms, which are set to deliver more than 100 million impressions.

Emily Peacock

Music publishing company Tree Vibez Music, which was founded by FGL‘s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, have elevated main staff member Emily Peacock to Senior Creative Director.

First joining TVM in 2018, Peacock plays a pivotal role in leading the company’s songwriters, including Kelley, Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Corey Crowder, RaeLynn, Canaan Smith, Blake Redferrin, and Chris Loocke. For the third consecutive year, Peacock is featured in MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory among rising Nashville music business professionals who are having a major impact on the industry.

The Belmont University graduate first launched her professional career alongside BMI’s Bob DiPiero at Love Monkey Music. For over a decade, she’s worked hand-in-hand with veteran publisher Leslie T. DiPiero at Tom-Leis Music and Advanced Alternative Media (AAM). Peacock is a member of the ACM, CMA, Recording Academy, and AIMP, and participates in NSAI programs such as “R.I.S.E.,” Pitch to Publisher, plus judging their annual song contest. She’s also served in various volunteer and leadership roles with the Musicians On Call organization since 2013.

“Emily’s dedication to our roster and attention to detail is unsurpassed,” shares TVM General Manager Leslie T. DiPiero. “We are grateful for her enviable work ethic and air traffic control skills. Our entire Tree Vibez Music family extends our heartfelt congratulations to Emily Peacock!”

Peacock can be reached at emily@treevibezmusic.com.

Nashville’s leading music industry publication MusicRow Magazine has released its 2022 Touring & Next Big Thing Print Issue, featuring Warner Music Nashville’s Brett Eldredge on the cover.

Included in this issue is a discussion surrounding the return to the road as Dan + Shay embarked on their relaunched “The (Arena) Tour.” After being forced to postpone their first headlining arena tour after only four shows, members from the award-winning duo’s team—including CAA’s Jeff Krones and Sandbox Entertainment’s Leslie Cohea—explain what the last eighteen months looked like for their camp, including rescheduling, changing production, and keeping up with COVID-19 protocols across the country. The Touring & Next Big Thing issue also tackles some of the challenges involved in the transition from success on TikTok to becoming a viable touring act for the many artists that were discovered on the platform during the pandemic. “For an artist that is used to performing within the confines of a vertical screen, it’s massive,” offers WME Music Agent, Lindsey Dodge. “It’s exciting for them to get to play on a real stage, but it’s a big change.”

Additionally, MusicRow catches up with Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Venues for Bridgestone Arena David Kells, who pulls back the curtain on some of the hardships the Nashville arena faced over the last eighteen months. The 2022 Touring & Next Big Thing Print Issue also features a Q&A with WME’s Nate Towne about his evolution from the company’s mailroom to becoming a Partner. This edition also breaks down the Nashville Number System, chronicles its beginnings from the late 1950s, and explains how it is used in modern day recording and performing.

MusicRow also remembers Randy “Baja” Fletcher, a titan of the touring industry who tragically passed away in August, with a special tribute for his journey through the live entertainment space and his vast contributions to the industry. The touring veteran had stints on the road with several entertainment giants, such as ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, and Keith Urban. “His knack for engaging people of all sorts was a gift we could use more of, and he was truly an ambassador for the country music industry and humanity, in general,” says longtime tour manager for Urban, Chuck Hull, of Baja.

Celebrated in this issue is MusicRow’s eighth annual Next Big Thing class of artists, including Bexar (Warner Music Nashville), Cooper Alan (Cooped Up Records), Callista Clark (Big Machine Records), Hannah Dasher (Independent), Brooke Eden (BBR Music Group/BMG), Willie Jones (Sony Music Nashville), Ian Munsick (Warner Music Nashville), Lily Rose (Big Loud Records/ Back Blocks Music and Republic Records), Brittney Spencer (Independent), Tiera (The Valory Music Co.), and Sam Williams (Mercury Nashville).

Also featured is the N.B.T. Industry Directory Class of 2022, which spotlights rising Nashville music representatives who are having a major impact on the industry. These industry members occupy important roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future. Click here to view the 70 N.B.T. members of 2022.

Additionally, the 2022 Touring Directory is included in this issue, featuring contact information for touring transportation, production and insurance companies.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2022 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

Hailey Whitters

Hailey Whitters is kicking off her 2022 “Heartland” Tour on Feb. 4.

The rising singer-songwriter will make stops in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and more, leading into a festival-filled year with performances at the C2C: Country To Country Festival, Stagecoach Festival, Tortuga Music Festival, and others.

Members of Whitters’ The Heartlanders fan club will receive an early access presale today (Nov. 30) ahead of general on-sale which begins Friday, Dec. 3.

“I’ve been dreaming about one day playing my own headlining tour since the early days of cover bar gigs and graveyard shifts in a 15-passenger van,” explains Whitters. “I’m so excited to get to now play my own headlining set for fans and give back all that they’ve given me while chasing this dream. They’re the reason I get to do this and I hope to create an experience and a night they won’t ever forget. I’m playing some of my favorite cities and looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces.”

Whitters recently received her first Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for “A Beautiful Noise.” She is currently in the midst of Midland’s “The Last Resort Tour,” which will make a stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 1-2.

Hailey Whitters Upcoming Tour Dates:
12/1 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *
12/2 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium *
12/3 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore *
12/4 – Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium *
12/9 – Knoxville, TN – The Tennessee Theatre *
12/10 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium *
12/11 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy *
12/16 – Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium *
12/17 – Houston, TX – The Terminal *
12/18 – Grand Prairie, TX – The Theatre at Grand Prairie *
12/22 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater *
12/23 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater *
2/4 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
2/5 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
2/10 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed Street
2/11 – Omaha, NE – Barnato Lounge
2/12 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
2/17 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
2/18 – Detroit, MI – El Club
2/19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
2/22 – New York, NY – The Mercury Lounge
2/24 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
2/25 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore
3/11 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – The SSE Hydro – C2C: Country To Country Festival
3/12 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena – C2C: Country To Country Festival
3/13 – London, United Kingdom – The O2 – C2C: Country To Country Festival
3/25 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
3/26 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
4/10 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga Music Festival
4/14 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall-Upstairs
4/15 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheatre #
4/16 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheatre #
4/22 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
4/23 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
4/26 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
4/29 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
5/1 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach Festival
5/6 – Swisher, IA – DanceMor Ballroom
8/4 – Oro-Medonte, CA – Boots And Hearts Country Music Festival
* – with Midland
# – with Jon Pardi and Lainey Wilson