Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley is launching his line of bourbon, called American Highway, later this month. The whiskey was aged in barrels stored in a 53-foot semi-trailer that followed his 2019 nation-wide tour for 7,314 miles across 25 states, from coast to coast.

The fluctuating climate of the barrels’ journey expanded and contracted their staves, imparting oak and char into the flavor. This well-traveled batch was then blended with three-year, 13-year and 15-year-old Kentucky bourbons to create the final product. The next batch, to be released in 2022, was aged on the “Rolling Rickhouse” during Paisley’s 2021 tour.

“Bourbon is like songwriting, it’s a blend of things coming together to make something incredible,” says Paisley. “These are really special barrels that saw more of the United States than most people I know.”

Paisley worked closely with award-winning bourbon distiller Bardstown Bourbon Company to create the final blend. Located in Bardstown, Kentucky the “Bourbon Capitol of the World,” this modern bourbon distiller creates custom whiskey, bourbon and rye for more than 30 different brand-owners worldwide and has won critical acclaim for its releases.

“You don’t get to see many celebrities that have such a technical palate,” says VP of New Product Development Dan Callaway. “It was a super collaboration that resulted in a travelled bourbon in an exemplary expression.”

With just 30,000 bottles of the initial release produced, the 96-proof blend has a suggested retail price of $99.99 and will be sold exclusively online through www.seelbachs.com. For information about the whiskey, visit American Highway’s website.

Priscilla Block. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

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

In early 2020, Block began experimenting on TikTok and quickly developed a fanbase with songs like “Thick Thighs,” “PMS” and “Just About Over You.” Fans independently funded her recording and “Just About Over You” eventually peaked on both the iTunes Country and All-Genre song charts, was named one of The New York Times Best Songs of 2020, and is now top 15 on the charts.

“I am so honored to get to continue my journey with this new Opry chapter,” says Block. “I am forever grateful for their foundation to country music, the fact that I have their support is more than I could ever wish for. I am pinching myself that I am getting to join this year’s class of talented people, many of whom I have been a fan of for the last few years.”

Named a 2021 Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, CMT, The Boot, MusicRow, Sounds Like Nashville, and more, Block is set to hit the Opry stage for the first-ever Opry NextStage Live in Concert show on Nov. 21. The special evening will feature performances by Block, Travis Denning, McCollum, Moon, Tenille Townes, Whitters and Wilson.

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.

Stephanie Alderman &  Dorian Hanna

Business management firm Farris, Self & Moore (FSM) have recently announced a wave of new hires, including seasoned Business Manager Stephanie Alderman and long-time accountant Dorian Hanna, who will act as a Client Manager.

FSM also added Emma Gibson (Client Bookkeeper), Graham Haney (Office Administration Team), and Elaina Riggs (Royalty Team) who will report to recently promoted Royalty Director Matt Najdowski.

“From the moment I met Kella [Farris], Stephanie [Self], and Catherine [Moore], I knew I would thrive on this team,” says Alderman. “We have shared values and vision for what exceptional business management can mean for artists at all stages of their professional journey. I’m absolutely thrilled to join forces with Farris, Self & Moore.”

“I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of a growing firm that is still able to focus on the individual needs of each client,” adds Hanna. “Kella, Catherine, and Stephanie have created an inspiring and motivating place to work, and I look forward to contributing my efforts to expanding their vision for the firm.”

“We could not be happier to welcome Stephanie and Dorian to the FSM family and team,” shares FSM co-founder Moore. “Their extensive knowledge and experience in the music industry will be a significant resource to our firm and all of our staff. Their leadership will help FSM continue to serve our clients at the all-in, full service level our firm is known for.”

Stephanie Alderman can be reached at salderman@fsmnash.com.
Dorian Hanna can be reached at dorian@fsmnash.com.
Emma Gibson can be reached at emma@fsmnash.com.
Graham Haney can be reached at graham@fsmnash.com.
Elaina Riggs can be reached at elaina@fsmnash.com.
Matt Najdowski can be reached at matt@fsmnash.com.

ACM Lifting Lives has announced the newly elected Board of Directors for its 2021-2022 term.

As previously announced, officer roles for the 2021-2022 term are Troy Vollhoffer as Chair, Lorie Lytle as Vice-Chair, Daniel Miller as Vice President, Duane Clark as Treasurer, and Taylor Wolf as Secretary.

“As we conclude a monumental year for ACM Lifting Lives, we are grateful for the service of this year’s board members and the role they played in helping to distribute more than $3.8 million in funds to our country music community,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives executive director. “We are excited to welcome our new board members and to utilize their unique expertise and passion in continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of others though the power of music.”

The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors is comprised of ACM Board Members, referred to as representative directors, and leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs who are referred to as public directors.

2021-2022 ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors:
Officers:
Chair – Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production
Vice-Chair – Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
Vice President – Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
Treasurer – Duane Clark, FBMM
Secretary – Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives

Representative Directors:
– Jackie Campbell, 615 Leverage + Strategy
– Duane Clark, FBMM
– RAC Clark, Lion’s Heart Entertainment*
– Beville Dunkerley, Pandora
– Rod Essig, CAA
– Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
– Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management*
– Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
– Darin Murphy, CAA*
– Annie Ortmeier, Universal Music Group Nashville*
– Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production
– Butch Waugh, Studio2bee
– Sally Williams, Live Nation

Public Directors:
– Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity**
– Tiffany Brush, Topgolf**
– Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
– Ross Copperman
– Chris Farren, Combustion Music
– Kathleen Flaherty, K21 Communications
– Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
– Julie Gordon***
– John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
– Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
– Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia
– Ellen Lehman, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee**
– Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
– Beth Moore
– Kimberly Schlapman, Little Big Town
– Meredith Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest Foundation
– F. Reid Shippen, Robot Lemon
– Elaina Smith, Nights with Elaina
– Jay Williams, WME
– Judee Ann Williams, CAA**

* – Newly elected Representative directors
** – Newly elected Public directors
*** – Newly appointed Public director