Needtobreathe Took Fans ‘Into The Mystery’ At Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

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Needtobreathe play Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena on Friday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo: Lydia Farthing

Grammy-nominated rock band Needtobreathe lit up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last Friday (Oct. 29) on their “Into The Mystery” headlining tour.

Showcasing songs from their newest studio album, Into The Mystery, and treasured throwbacks, the five-piece band got the 12,000-person crowd on their feet and jumping along as they exploded onto the stage with their high-energy performance of “Alive.” They followed it with their equally as electric “Great Night,” which seemed like a promise of sorts to the crowd, signaling that they all were, in fact, going to “have a great night.”

Frontman Bear Rinehart welcomed fans, saying: “I know y’all thought we were gonna be rusty, but you’ve got another thing coming! I brought my banjo tonight!”

Breaking out into one of their biggest hits, “The Outsiders,” the crowd roared along to the banjo and harmonica-infused tune–one of many times that the arena came to life.

Dabbling in sounds of rock, bluegrass, and country with songs full of faith and hopeful lyrics, Needtobreathe also took the crowd to church with hard-hitting songs of praise like “Washed By The Water,” “What I’m Here For,” “Who Am I,” and “Mercy’s Shore.”

Needtobreathe play Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena on Friday, Sept. 29, 2021. Photo: Lydia Farthing

The band also gave moving, acoustic performances of some of their well-known hits and fan-favorites like “Multiplied,” “Forever On Your Side,” and “Banks.”

“There was a time about a year and a half ago where we thought we maybe we would never get to do this again,” Rinehart shared from center stage. “It’s an absolute privilege to have y’all here tonight… This is kind of a big deal because this is our biggest headlining show ever.”

Throughout the nearly 30-song setlist, the band delivered a handful of guitar riffs, harmonica solos, and infectious jam sessions that demonstrated their musical prowess and bluegrass roots. Along the way, they also shared covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and wrapped up the main part of their set with “When The Levee Breaks” by Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy.

During the group’s five-song encore, they saved their biggest songs for last, including the Platinum-certified “Brother,” which was released in 2015 on their Rivers in the Wasteland album; broke into Billboard’s Hot 100, Adult Top 40, Christian Songs, Christian AC, and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts; and earned the top spot on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay chart. The acoustic rendition was joined by a booming choir of fans singing along to every word.

Needtobreathe also surprised fans by bringing out 7x Grammy award-winning vocalist Carrie Underwood to sing their duet, “I Wanna Remember,” garnering a wave of cheers from the crowd.

The band finished on a high note with “West Texas Wind,” and then traveled on to wrap their “Into The Mystery Tour” at Georgia’s Ameris Bank Amphitheater on Saturday night (Oct. 30).

Shane Stevens Signs With Purplebeat Music

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Pictured (top row, L-R): Bob Doyle (Owner, Purplebeat), Eric Daigle (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat), Mike Doyle (GM Purplebeat); (bottom row, L-R): Graham Kothman (Artist Relations Coordinator, Purplebeat ), Shane Stevens and Andy Friday (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat)

Shane Stevens has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Purplebeat Music, a music publishing and management company owned by longtime manager Bob Doyle.

A native of Myrtle Beach, Stevens moved to Nashville in 1996 and achieved his first No. 1 with Lady A’s “American Honey,” co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe. He moved to L.A. in 2014 and began writing for a multitude of artists, eventually selling a country music musical to Paramount Pictures and penning three songs for the My Little Pony soundtrack.

The Purplebeat signing comes on the heels of Stevens’ success as co-writer of the Walker Hayes smash “Fancy Like,” which is currently at the top of the Billboard Hot Country and Country Streaming Charts and top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Fancy Like” is nominated for an American Music Award in the “Favorite Country Song” category. Stevens has also had cuts by Carrie Underwood, Ariana Grande, Sara Evans, Selena Gomez, Jessie James Decker, Meghan Trainor, Ronnie Milsap, Jordin Sparks, Fifth Harmony and more.

“All of us at Purplebeat are so excited to be working with Shane,” Purplebeat shares. “He is an absolute pro and brings tremendous talent and experience to our roster. I think the success of ‘Fancy Like’ is just a glimmer of things to come.”

“I could not be more excited or feel more blessed about being back in Nashville and with my team at Purplebeat,” adds Stevens. “It’s like a homecoming for me and nothing could possibly feel more right than being with Eric [Daigle], Mike [Doyle], Andy [Friday], Graham [Kothman] and Bob. Winning with them is a dream come true. This is a solid foundation to build on.”

Purplebeat first opened its doors in Nashville in January 2017 and is building a growing presence in Nashville and Los Angeles. The company will soon announce additional signings, including synch producer MA-TIE-US and on the rise EDM/Indie Pop artist MAYLYN.

Mark Your Calendar—November 2021

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Single/Track Releases

November 1
Dillon Carmichael/Son Of A/Riser House
Tiffany Woys/About Love
Jahayla Overton/Fix Me/JDO Recordings
Jerry Edmundson/Watch This Guitar Come Alive/SAMP Records

November 5
Tim Dugger/Christmas In Dixie/Curb Records

November 8
Shannon LaBrie/Raining Hallelujah/Moraine Music Group

November 12
Rod + Rose/Mary Had A Little Lamb/Curb Records
Stephanie Ryann/What Christmas Means To Me

November 15
Brett Young/You Didn’t/BMLGR

November 19
Rod + Rose/Winter Wonderland/Curb Records

 

 

Album/EP Releases

November 5
Deana Carter/ Did I Shave My Legs For This? 25th Anniversary Edition/Capitol Nashville/UMe
LoCash/Woods & Water/BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records
Chase Wright/Intertwined
Stars Go Dim/The First Noel/Curb | Word Entertainment
Tim Kelly/Ride Through The Rain

November 12
Elvis Presley/Elvis: Back In Nashville/RCA/Legacy Recordings
Ronnie Milsap/Christmas with Ronnie Milsap/Craft Recordings
Jason Aldean/Macon/BBR
Amanda Shires/For Christmas/Silver Knife/Thirty Tigers
Cody Jinks/Mercy/Late August Records
Caned By Nod/None The Wiser/Late August Records
Skip Ewing/Skip Ewing – Christmas
Sarah Reeves/More The Merrier/Curb | Word Entertainment
Caroline Jones/Aintpodes

November 16
Lucas Hoge/12.25

November 19
The Willie Nelson Family/The Willie Nelson Family/Legacy Recordings
Gabby Barrett/Goldmine (Deluxe)/Warner Music Nashville
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss/Raise The Roof/Rounder Records
Tyler Braden/What Do They Know/Warner Music Nashville
Pryor & Lee/Right Now/Black River Entertainment
Wade Bowen/Where Phones Don’t Work/Thirty Tigers

 

 

Industry Events

November 1
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

November 3
10th Annual Touring Career Workshop

November 8-10
59th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards – Online

November 10
The 55th Annual CMA Awards

November 15
69th Annual BMI Country Music Awards – Online

November 21
The American Music Awards

Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inducts Two Classes During Special Gala

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Pictured (L-R): NaSHOF Board Chair Sarah Cates; Inductees Rhett Akins, Toby Keith, Buddy Cannon, Amy Grant and John Scott Sherrill; NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Classes of 2020 and 2021 were officially honored Monday night (Nov. 1) during NaSHOF’s 50th and 51st Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala. The musical contributions of the 10 new inductees were celebrated through star-studded performances of some of their biggest songs for the capacity crowd at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Honored for the Class Of 2020 were Kent Blazy and Brett James in the songwriter category; Spooner Oldham in the veteran songwriter category; Steve Earle in the songwriter/artist category; and Bobbie Gentry in the veteran songwriter/artist category. Those recognized in the Class of 2021 were Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith in the songwriter/artist category, and Amy Grant in the veteran songwriter/artist category.

“This year we’re belatedly celebrating our Golden Anniversary—more than 50 years of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Sarah Cates, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “Though we were unable to gather last year, we’re making up for lost time by honoring two stellar classes. It’s gratifying to have these legendary songwriters join us at last!”

Pictured (L-R): NaSHOF Board Chair Sarah Cates; inductees Brett James, Kent Blazy, Steve Earle, Spooner Oldham; NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser

Trisha Yearwood kicked off the evening honoring inductee Bobbie Gentry in a performance of the hit “Ode To Billy Joe,” a global smash that was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Gentry did not attend the event, and instead NaSHOF member Gretchen Peters spoke on her behalf. Thomas Rhett performed his father’s signature hit “That Ain’t My Truck” as a special tribute to inductee Rhett Akins, then NaSHOF member Byron Hill presented him. Carrie Underwood performed her mega-hit “Jesus Take The Wheel” to honor inductee Brett James, accompanied by co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. James was presented by NaSHOF member Rivers Rutherford.

Kenny Chesney honored inductee Buddy Cannon with a performance of the Cannon-penned Vern Gosdin hit, “Set ’Em Up Joe,” before NaSHOF member Bill Anderson presented Cannon. Toby Keith was honored by NaSHOF member Ronnie Dunn, who performed Keith’s 1993 No. 1 hit, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” a song that would go on to become one of the most played country song of the 1990s. Hall of Fame member Mac McAnally presented Keith.

NaSHOF member John Anderson was on hand to honor John Scott Sherrill with a performance of his 1982 Sherrill-penned hit “Wild And Blue,” before Hall of Fame Board member and industry journalist/historian Robert K. Oermann presented Sherrill. Jason Isbell honored inductee Spooner Oldham with a performance of “I’m Your Puppet,” and NaSHOF member Dickey Lee inducted him.

Emmylou Harris honored inductee Steve Earle with a performance of his song “Pilgrim.” Hall of Fame Board member and host of The Songwriters public television show Ken Paulson presented Earle.

Vince Gill also paid tribute to wife Amy Grant during the special evening with a performance of her song, “Breath of Heaven,” and Garth Brooks took the stage to honor inductee Kent Blazy and also perform their hit “If Tomorrow Never Comes” with him, which was named NSAI’s Song of the Year in 1989.

Pictured (L-R): Thomas Rhett and inductee Rhett Akins. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Bill Anderson, inductee Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, inductee Kent Blazy, Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Robert K. Oermann, inductee John Scott Sherrill, John Anderson. Photo: Bev Moser

The Academy Of Country Music Leases Office Space In Nashville

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The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has leased office space at the Nashville Warehouse Company in Nashville, Tennessee, MusicRow has confirmed. This will be the first time the ACM has occupied a permanent presence in Music City. A spokesperson for the ACM says that more details will be revealed in the spring.

“We are excited to officially welcome the Academy of Country Music to Wedgewood Houston, and we are honored that they chose Nashville Warehouse Company to be the organization’s first-ever office location in Music City,” says AJ Capital Partners Pres. Eric Hassberger.

The Academy of Country Music was founded in Los Angeles in 1964. Performer Tommy Wiggins, songwriter Eddie Miller and club owners Mickey and Chris Christensen teamed up with other performers, radio and record label executives to establish the Country and Western Music Academy, and to promote country music in the western states.

The ACM Awards were originally staged in Los Angeles with the first event held in 1966. The ACM Awards left Southern California for the first time in 2003 and settled into Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Events Center before moving to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The 50th anniversary of the ACM Awards was held at the AT&T Stadium in Texas in 2015 with the Academy returning back to Las Vegas the following year.

In 2020 and 2021, the ACM moved the show to Nashville due to the pandemic, and broadcasted from three of Music City’s iconic venues: Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. The 2022 ACM Awards will take place in Las Vegas, once again.

Darius Rucker Plots 12-City Theater Tour For 2022

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Darius Rucker. Photo: Keith Griner

Darius Rucker is visiting some classic theaters across the country on his new “Darius Rucker Live” tour, set for early 2022.

The new tour, kicking off Feb. 17, will feature intimate theater performances by Rucker in beautiful venues like the Fox Theater in Detroit, the Saenger in New Orleans, and the Met in Philadelphia, and will feature support from Caylee Hammack on all dates. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning this Friday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster.

“It’s been a dream of mine for a while to bring our show to these beautiful theaters,” says Rucker. “Some of my favorite venue memories over the years are at places like the Apollo in New York or the Royal Albert Hall in London, as it’s just a different experience when you’re that close. With Hootie, we went straight from playing dive bars to arenas, so there are still a lot of theaters I’ve never had the opportunity to play. I’ll just say that this tour will have a lot of firsts, even for me.”

Rucker will celebrate the news of the new tour with a performance of his current single, “My Masterpiece,” during an appearance this Friday, Nov. 5 on ABC’s Good Morning America. The song was penned by Rucker with Josh Osborne, J.T. Harding and Ross Copperman, the same foursome behind his recent No. 1 hit “Beers And Sunshine.” “My Masterpiece” will be featured on Rucker’s forthcoming album due out next year.

Football fan Rucker is also launching a new apparel line, NFL x Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics, later this month which was inspired by Darius’ love for both music and football. The assortment will feature tees, fleeces, outerwear and more for all 32 NFL teams and will be available at NFLshop.com and Fanatics.com.

“Darius Rucker Live” Tour Dates:
February 17 – Philadelphia, Pa. | The Met
February 18 – Pittsburgh, Pa. | The Benedum Center
February 19* – Columbus, Ohio | Palace Theatre
February 24 – Boston, Mass. | Boch Center Wang Theatre
February 25 – New York, N.Y. | Beacon Theatre
March 3 – Milwaukee, Wis. | Riverside Theater
March 4 – Minneapolis, Minn. | The Orpheum Theatre
March 17 – St. Louis, Mo. | The Fabulous Fox Theatre
March 18 – Indianapolis, Ind. | Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
March 24 – Chicago, Ill. | Chicago Theatre
March 25 – Detroit, Mich. | Fox Theatre
April 1 – New Orleans, La. | Saenger Theatre
* tickets on sale Dec. 17; Citi presale Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. ET through Dec. 16 at 10 p.m. ET

Gorley, Frasure, & Hardy Reign On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer

Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 for the fourth consecutive week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He is a co-writer on “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland) and “Take My Name” (Parmalee).

Jesse Frasure stays at No. 2 this week, as a co-writer on “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), and “If I Was A Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert).

Michael Hardy moves up to No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), and “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton).

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Mandy Barnett Talks The Road To Her Grand Ole Opry Induction [Interview]

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Mandy Barnett. Photo: Jiro Schneider

Grammy-nominated vocalist Mandy Barnett has been steeped in the world of country music for much of her life.

Growing up just over 100 miles outside of the Music City lines, in Crossville, Tennessee, she listened to the weekly broadcasts of the Grand Ole Opry, which recently celebrated its 5,000th live broadcast.

At a young age, Barnett realized her innate vocal ability and quickly found herself infatuated with singing, though not so interested in becoming a star.

“I’ve always been more interested in singing than trying to become a celebrity. That’s always been my thing: I love to sing,” she shares with MusicRow. “I love the technical aspects of singing. If you have the technical aspects of singing down then you don’t have to worry about the emotional aspects, but it’s a craft. You have to work on it and keep your vocal cords lubed up and agile.”

She continues, “Over the years, I’ve just tried to roll with the punches, keep my voice fairly agile and keep it from aging too much… Whether it’s singing live or in the recording studio, I’ve been singing since I was a little kid so I enjoy both aspects.”

Mandy Barnett Photo: Chris Hollo

Barnett enjoyed early acclaim, working with famed producer Jimmy Bowen (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers) at the age of 12 and signing deals in her teenage years with MCA and Capitol. However, shortly after moving to Nashville, she was dropped by her label.

Around the same time, a new “jukebox” musical named Always… Patsy Cline was slated to hold its residency at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. After auditioning, an 18-year-old Barnett landed the lead role of the iconic Cline, a role she would become known for for the rest of her career. Barnett appears on the original cast album and remains the only actress to have played the title role on the same stage where Cline’s legendary career began.

“To be able to portray someone that I admired so much was just really a dream come true,” she gushes. “It was so amazing to do that and to work with Gaylord, the Ryman, and all of the great musicians and people that came together for it. We really assembled a great group of people,” Barnett explains.

“I wasn’t coming to Nashville to become the star of a musical theater piece. I was coming to Nashville to make records and do concerts,” she clarifies. “It was just the timing, where I was in my life, and who it was about. All those things matter and all those things came together to be the perfect fit for me.”

In addition to her time in the theatrical space, Barnett has released eight studio albums and worked with some of the who’s who in Nashville’s creative world, including award-winning musicians, songwriters, and producers like Owen and Harold Bradley.

She built her reputation on her powerful voice and devotion to classic country, R&B, and popular standards, which is evident on albums such as her 2020 A Nashville Songbook record, which honors iconic country and pop standards. Barnett’s most recent album, Every Star Above, tributes her hero Billie Holiday. Barnett developed the album alongside the late jazz legend Sammy Nestico and recorded it with a 60-piece orchestra.

“When you’re able to have those roots with people like that, it really means a lot. One of the things that I treasure more than anything are the years that I spent working with some of the greatest musicians, producers, and songwriters ever,” she shares. “[Another one of my favorite parts of my career has been] being able to work at the Grand Ole Opry all these years with the legends.”

After giving over 500 performances on the Grand Ole Opry stage throughout her 30-year career, Barnett has finally earned her coveted spot as a member of the famed country music show.

Connie Smith Mandy Barnett Photo: Chris Hollo

On Sept. 28–which is also Barnett’s birthday–Opry legend Connie Smith invited her to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“I was totally clueless about all of it,” Barnett says. “I really had no clue when Connie came back to read my birthday card until she started breaking up a little bit. I thought, ‘Oh no, is she getting ready to ask me this? Because I’m not prepared for it and I may just hit the floor,'” she laughs.

“They made it so special… I have a very long history with the Grand Ole Opry since my years of Always… Patsy Cline, and I’m just very grateful that they invited me to become a member. I’m so proud of it,” Barnett offers.

Barnett’s long-awaited Opry induction ceremony is set to take place tomorrow night (Nov. 2) at the Grand Ole Opry House. She will also be featured in a handful of shows in the Opry’s debut production of “Opry Country Christmas” this holiday season.

When asked what makes the historic Grand Ole Opry stage so special to her and what sets it apart, Barnett quickly sums: “It’s just a special stage in general and it’s the oldest radio show in the world. All the people that I have loved and admired have played on that stage… It’s special to me because I’ve spent the majority of my life trying to get there. It’s really been an amazing journey and well worth the wait.”

Bill Anderson Exhibit To Open At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum In December

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Bill Anderson‘s life and musical legacy will be explored in a brand new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit, Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See, which opens Friday Dec. 3 and runs through March 2023.

The exhibit will trace the Country Music Hall of Famer’s story from childhood to his days in Georgia, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher and sports writer while in high school and a DJ in college, through his contributions as one of the most decorated artists, songwriters and entertainers in history.

Among the highlights of the exhibit are:

– Anderson’s Rawlings leather glove used when he was a pitcher for Avondale High School’s baseball team, circa 1955.
– The Royal electric typewriter used in the 1960s by Anderson to type song lyrics and answer fan mail.
– Anderson’s 1958 Martin D-28 that he called his “second voice.” He used the guitar extensively on stage, in the studio, and to write songs, including “Still,” “The Tips of My Fingers,” “Po’ Folks” and “Once a Day.”
– Stage costumes worn by Anderson, including rhinestone-studded suits from the 1960s designed by S.A. Formann, a Buffalo, New York-based tailor, and Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors.
– Custom-made boots by L.M. Easterling Custom Boot Company, embellished with the initials “WBA”—for Whisperin’ Bill Anderson.
– A Manuel shirt, embellished with rhinestones and metallic embroidery, designed for Anderson in the 1990s.
– Anderson’s handwritten lyrics, with corrections, to “Give It Away.” Written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson in 2005, it yielded a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

Pictured: One of several suits embellished with elaborate chain-stitch embroidery and rhinestones, designed for Anderson by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors in the 1960s. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

“Bill Anderson not only fortified and evolved country music, but his remarkable body of work establishes him as one of the most prolific and preeminent American artists and songsmiths across all genres,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “But it’s his natural curiosity, humanity and ability to forge true, emotional connections with audiences—both as a performer and songwriter—that constantly replenishes his relevance and endears him to so many today.”

Known as “Whisperin’ Bill” for his soft-spoken and conversational singing style, Anderson has placed 80 records on the Billboard charts as an artist, with his singles reaching country’s Top 20 more than 40 times. His songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Connie Smith, George Strait, James Brown, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, and many more. As a songwriter, he’s placed songs on the country charts in seven consecutive decades. Anderson also achieved popularity as an actor and game show host. He remains a mainstay performer on the Grand Ole Opry today, recently celebrating his 60th anniversary as a member on the historic radio show.

“I grew up dreaming of the day they’d put my ball glove into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, never dreaming that one day it would end up in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville,” says Anderson. “But now that old glove, along with some guitars, a few rhinestone suits and some scribbled song lyrics are on display in the Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See exhibit in Music City. When the museum does an exhibit, they really do it up right, and I’m honored to know that I am now a small part of their incredible legacy. I’m not sure I could have ever seen this far.”

In support of the exhibit’s opening, the museum will host an interview and performance with Anderson, as well as a Songwriter Session with his collaborators, on Saturday, Dec. 4 in the museum’s Ford Theater. Tickets for both programs will be available on the museum’s website on Friday, Nov. 5, beginning at noon CT.

CAA Promotes 9 To Agent/Executive Ranks, Including 3 In Nashville Office

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Creative Artists Agency (CAA) announced the promotions of Zack Borson, Kaitlyn Bruce, Alex Douma, Kara Enos, Omar Garcia, Brian Greenwood, Ariel Happe, Brad Pophal, and Jamie Shaughnessy to Agent/Executive.

The news of the promotions comes on the heels of CAA’s notable signings of Zac Brown Band, who was previously repped by former WME Partner Scott Clayton, in addition to The Weeknd, JoJo Siwa, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stormzy, and many others.

Of the appointments, Kaitlyn Bruce, Kara Enos, and Ariel Happ are based in CAA’s Nashville office. Bruce began her career at CAA as assistant to agent Lucy Kozak, was elevated to Professional in CAA’s Music Marketing division, and will now serve as an Executive. Enos began her career at CAA as an assistant to agent Tim Beeding and was promoted to Coordinator. She has been elevated to Agent. Happe served as a public relations assistant at Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. before joining CAA. She was elevated to Coordinator in the agency’s Music Brand Partnerships division, and will now serve as an Executive.

The agency has also recently welcomed Music Agents Matt Galle, Carly James, Mike Marquis, Mike Mori, Rachel Pestik, and Adam Voith, who added several artists to the agency’s roster, such as Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, Shawn Mendes, Vampire Weekend, Janet Jackson, and My Chemical Romance, among many others.

“Given what our industry has been through over the past 20 months, we’re incredibly proud of the Touring department’s accomplishments, and are blessed to have an amazing team that stayed focused and diligent throughout. We have also been fortunate to have fantastic agents and executives join us over these past months,” says CAA’s Head of Music, Rob Light. “The entire team has worked tirelessly on behalf of our clients–their creativity and teamwork continues to serve the passions, needs, interests, and dreams of the incredibly talented artists we work with. Each of the nine people joining our Agent and Executive ranks today has earned their place among our talented colleagues and we look forward to their many successes ahead.”