King Calaway Joins Red Light Management, Slates New Music Coming This Summer [Exclusive]

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King Calaway. Photo: Courtesy of BBR Music Group

Rising country band King Calaway has joined the Red Light Management roster and is set to return with new music this summer.

The band released their debut album Rivers via BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records in October of 2019. Rivers featured their breakout single “World For Two,” which was the No. 1 most added song at country radio in its debut week.

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to retreat to their homes, the band spent 2020 working on their songwriting, harmonies and groove to create a fresh sound. They have since emerged with brand new music as a 5-piece band comprised of original members Caleb Miller, Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Chad Michael Jervis, and Austin Luther. Jordan Harvey, who was part of King Calaway when the band emerged, separated from the band late last year.

Now a part of the Red Light Management roster, King Calaway is excited to release new music via Stoney Creek Records later this year.

“As a band, we’ve been very eager to release the new music we’ve been working on this past year and to get back on the road,” the band says. “We couldn’t be happier to have Red Light behind us in support of a new direction and an exciting new chapter.”

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome KC to the Red Light family,” says Gaines Sturdivant, who will manage King Calaway. “Their musical prowess speaks for itself whether in the studio, onstage, or in the writing room. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the new iteration and sonic evolution they have tirelessly perfected over the last several months. It’s a freshness of the highest caliber which captured my attention immediately.”

Triple 8 Management Adds Wave Of Producers To Growing Roster

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Cason Cooley, Luke Dick, Shani Gandhi, Martin Johnson; (L-R, bottom row): Brandon Paddock, Jon Randall, Danen Reed Rector, F. Reid Shippen.

Triple 8 Management has expanded their services into the producer space as they add to their growing client roster.

Triple 8 has taken a leading role in this developing trend, with a robust roster of producers including Cason Cooley (Needtobreathe, American Authors, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors); Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Luke Dick (Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Jackson Dean); multi-Grammy nominated mixer, engineer, and producer Shani Gandhi (Sierra Hull, The Mountain Goats, Sarah Jarosz); as well as multi-talented artist, producer, and songwriter Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls and The Night Game (Elle King, Chase Rice, Lady A) who co-wrote and produced King and Lambert’s current hit, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

Triple 8 also added producer and songwriter Brandon Paddock (Chase Rice, Lady A, The Night Game); Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award-winning producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jon Randall (Dierks Bentley, Parker McCollum, Dwight Yoakam) who most recently collaborated with Lambert and Jack Ingram on The Marfa Tapes; producer and songwriter Danen Reed Rector (Charlotte Sands, Kyd The Band, Quinn Lewis); and multi-Grammy award winning mixer, engineer, and producer and two-time ACM Audio Engineer of the Year F. Reid Shippen (Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Ingrid Michaelson).

“It all started with Alena Moran,” notes Triple 8 Owner George Couri. “I heard from her and multiple Grammy-winning producer and mixer Reid Shippen about wanting to all work together, even though we didn’t manage producers at the time. It has gone exceedingly well to serve him, and so, with Alena and others on the team now, we look forward to continuing to grow this area of our business.”

Grant Gilbert Inks Publishing Deal With River House Artists

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Pictured (L-R): Kayla Adkins, Zebb Luster, Grant Gilbert, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Rusty Gaston

Rising singer-songwriter Grant Gilbert has signed a worldwide publishing deal with River House Artists in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

The Texas native launched his music career during his time at Texas Tech when he began playing shows at the Blue Light, a club that helped launch Josh Abbott, Wade Bowen, and William Clark Green. He has gained prominence over the last few years performing with Josh Abbott. He released his EP, Loud and Clear, in 2019 which features his single “Held On To,” and this past March released the Trouble Like Us EP, including the single “I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy.”

“It took one meeting with our team for us to realize Grant was the right fit for River House. His excitement for songs is contagious, and his willingness to absorb knowledge on how to improve in this industry will help him be successful. We couldn’t be more excited to help him grow his catalog of songs and showcase his powerful vocal ability to music fans,” shares VP/General Manager of River House Artists Zebb Luster.

“I am super excited to sign a publishing deal with River House Artists,” says Gilbert. “It feels good to know I have a team behind me that is willing to work hard and believe in me as an artist and songwriter. They already feel like family, and I can’t wait to get to work!”

Alan Jackson Lends A Hand To His Hometown With Tornado Relief Concert

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Alan Jackson. Photo: Katie Kauss

Last Saturday (June 26), Alan Jackson returned to his hometown of Newnan, Ga. to headline a day-long concert event to raise money for residents whose lives were upended by an EF-4 tornado earlier this year.

The event raised an estimated $2,000,000 for tornado relief, and Jackson’s headlining set was preceded by Chris Young, Caylee Hammack, and Adam and Brian Wright. Jered Ames from Jackson’s downtown Nashville honky-tonk, AJ’s Good Time Bar, and local artists Corbette Jackson and Will Finley entertained early in the afternoon as concertgoers filled the Coweta County Fairgrounds while college football Hall of Famer David Pollack emceed.

Chris Young, Alan Jackson, and Caylee Hammack. Photo: Katie Kauss

“It’s good to be back down here in my hometown of Newnan, Georgia,” Jackson told the crowd of over 20,000. “I’m from Newnan and my wife, Denise, is from Newnan. We were both born and raised here and all of our childhood and young adult memories come from this area. When we saw what that tornado did coming through here a few months ago, it broke my heart. It broke Denise’s heart. We had relatives affected by it and friends. The high school that we went to got hit. I was hoping we’d be able to do something to try to help down here and it’s just been amazing how this community came together to make this happen.”

Jackson’s headlining performance was livestreamed exclusively on Facebook and reached nearly 1,000,000 fans worldwide, allowing them to contribute to the fundraising efforts. Donations can still be made via Facebook, by phone (text “Give” to 844-737-4859), via Venmo (@CowetaFoundation), or the Foundation’s website.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell Celebrate New Music

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BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 643

Amythyst Kiah. Photo: Val Hoeppner/WMOT

The last time the fabulons were out in force was some 17 months ago, so the pandemic quarantine put the kibosh on this column (among many other social things). After all, there was no room to “work,” and “Bobby Karl Works the Zoom,” just didn’t seem right.

This week, that changed. Bobby Karl has returned.

“Isn’t it great to be among other people again, fully vaxed?” commented Kristi Rose. “Doesn’t it feel wonderful to hug people again?” added Regina McCrary.

The occasion was a magical night of music at City Winery on Monday (June 28). The event was the record-release party/concert by Amythyst Kiah, plus a celebration of the new album by Allison Russell. Both women are in the acclaimed collective Our Native Daughters. Both women are Tennesseans (Allsion is a Nashvillian). Both are Americana Music Award Emerging Artist nominees this year. (Our Native Daughters is up for Group of the Year).

Kristi was sitting in the crowd with her gifted, multi-instrumentalist hubby Fats Kaplan. Regina was with her gifted, soul-singing siblings The McCrary Sisters. The Winery audience was also populated by Jon Freeman, Hunter Kelly, Brenda Colladay, Craig Havighurst, Yola (who memorably guested on stage during Allison’s set), Matt Leimkuehler, Linda Endres, Jerry Treacy, Jon Keen, Robert McMillan, B.J. Griffith, Adam Stager, Gavin Posey, Michael Gray, Shore Fire’s Andrea Evenson and WMOT exec Val Hoeppner.

Allison Russell. Photo: Val Hoeppner/WMOT

WMOT Roots Radio’s Jessie Scott presided, doing onstage interview segments with the stars in between songs.

Amythyst Kiah was charismatic, humorous and thoroughly compelling as she offered tunes from her just released Rounder Records project Wary + Strange. With just her throaty alto voice and accomplished acoustic-guitar work, she commanded the room with “Hangover Blues,” “Ballad of Lost,” “Wild Turkey” and the set-closing standout, the AMA Song of the Year nominee “Black Myself.”

Standing in the wings, taking it all in was Monique Ross. She is in a duo with her sister Chauntee called SistaStrings, and they have moved to Music City. Milwaukee’s loss is Nashville’s gain.

I say this because Monique was magnificent on cello and background vocals during Allison Russell’s ethereal set. Allison’s lyrics are devastating, but the sound is beautifully enchanting. She performed “Poison Arrow,” “Nightflyer,” “Persephone,” “The Runner” (with Yola) and other tunes from her Fantasy Records debut CD, Outside Child. She mused poetically during song intros and captivated the crowd on clarinet and banjo.

It was a sultry summer night, made memorable by great sounds and a reunion with music loving pals.

Alana Springsteen Signs With UTA

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Pictured (L-R): Emily Wright (UTA, Music Brand Partnerships), Brent Weinstein (UTA, Chief Innovation Officer), Jefferey Hasson (UTA, Agent), Alana Springsteen, Haley Fairman (UTA, Agent), Josh Garrett (UTA, Agent), Basak Kizilisik (Eighteen Company, Management). Photo: David Bradley

Pandora’s 2021 Country Artist to Watch, Alana Springsteen, has signed with UTA for worldwide representation.

In just over a year, Springsteen has independently surpassed over 30 million on-demand steams and amassed 670 playlist adds. The 20-year-old Virginia Beach native signed her first publishing deal at just 14, and has continued to grow her catalog since.

Springsteen notched co-writer and co-producer credits on her latest release, “California,” and is also active when it comes to charitable initiatives, recently being named the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s newest Celebrity Ambassador.

“The UTA team blew me away with their passion, excitement, and plan for me and my music,” says Springsteen. “They understood me and my vision from day one, and UTA definitely felt like home. They’re brilliant at what they do, and I’m so grateful they’re now a part of the fam. Thank you to Jeffrey [Hasson], Brent [Weinstein], David [Zedeck], and the entire team. I can’t wait for everything to come!”

“We’re beyond excited to represent such an amazing artist, songwriter, and performer as Alana Springsteen,” shares Hasson and Zedeck. “From our first meeting, we were impressed by her drive, purpose, and raw talent. Alana’s unique ability to capture emotions in the songs that she writes, and her commanding presence onstage, is a very rare gift. She’s a superstar in the making and we can’t wait to help share her talent with the world.”

Springsteen is signed to Eighteen Company in partnership with SB Projects for management, and publishing with Warehouse West Entertainment. She is set to release more new music later this year.

Garth Brooks Breaks Nissan Stadium Entertainment Record

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Garth Brooks. Photo: Becky Fluke

Garth Brooks has broken the record for entertainment ticket sales for his upcoming Nashville Nissan Stadium show in just 75 minutes, with tickets still being sold. The recently announced Nashville show is set for July 31, and marks the country superstar’s first show at Nissan Stadium in his decades-long career.

“It’s just crazy to think that people…would do that for you,” Brooks says. “I mean, I can list you eight-thousand artists that I think they would do it for, but it’s just crazy when you see your name or your face on somebody’s shirt that’s coming there that knows every word of everything you’ve ever done,” he explains. “I know that’s me for George Strait. And I know how much I worship and love George Strait. And to think that somebody could feel that way to me is just…totally crazy.”

The feat adds to the collection of honors Brooks has received this year. In May, Brooks received The Kennedy Center Honor alongside actress-dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen, folk singer and activist Joan Baez, violin virtuoso Midori, and beloved acting icon Dick Van Dyke. Brooks was also recently awarded the Country Touring Artist of the Decade at the 2021 Pollstar Awards.

Naomi Judd, Mary Chapin Carpenter Inducted Into Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame

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Naomi Judd, Mary Chapin Carpenter

Naomi Judd and Mary Chapin Carpenter were among the first inductees into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame during its inaugural ceremony at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C.

The Women Songwriter Hall of Fame was started by author, radio/television personality and songwriter Janice McLean DeLoatch, who serves as Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman. The event paid homage to women whose body of work represents the best of heritage and legacy of modern American music.

Judd is a six-time Grammy, nine-time CMA, and seven-time ACM award-winning singer, actress, philanthropist, author, and public speaker. Her and her daughter Wynonna Judd brought a fresh acoustic sound to country music, and are often celebrated for a rarely-interrupted stretch of 14 No. 1 hits when every single of theirs released by RCA Nashville/Curb landed in the Billboard Top 10. The Judds dominated touring with 20 Top 10 hits, have sold more than 20 million albums and blazed a trail for duos and women who have followed them.

Naomi Judd at the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction. Photo: Scott Adkins

“It’s always gratifying when someone acknowledges your best efforts. I love expressing my deepest feelings as I did in writing ‘Love Can Build A Bridge.’ Not only was I being celebrated at this auspicious event in Washington, D.C., I was among other accomplished songwriters. It was fun to reconnect with Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson fame. We met years ago. A good time was had by all!” shared Judd.

With hits like “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” inductee Carpenter has won five Grammy Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA awards, two ACM Awards and is one of only nineteen female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has sold over 15 million records. In 2020, Carpenter released two albums—The Dirt And The Stars in August 2020, and One Night Lonely, recorded live without an audience at the legendary Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Virginia, in addition to sharing Songs From Home, a virtual concert series which has been viewed over 10 million times.

The two joined other inductees Simpson,  Roberta Flack, Tawatha Agee, Klymaxx, Deniece Williams, Jeri Keever “Bunny” Hull and Veryl Howard.

Dierks Bentley Racks Up 20th Chart Topper With ‘Gone’

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Dierks Bentley has notched his 20th trip to the top of the charts with his latest single, “Gone.”

The track reached the top of the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Singles chart this week. “Gone” also hit No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in February. Bentley co-wrote the chart topper with Nicolle Galyon, Ben Johnson, and Niko Moon.

“I really can’t believe I have 20 No. Ones at country radio,” Bentley says. “I still remember the bar I played in Texas when I found out that ‘What Was I Thinking’ was going to be my first No. 1. It’s a great feeling that only gets better with each song that goes to the top. I am so appreciative of country radio for all the support they have given me from the beginning… it’s been a great ride.”

Fans can catch “Gone” and many more of Bentley’s hits during his upcoming 2021 Beers On Me Tour. Featuring specials guests Riley Green and Parker McCollum, the tour is scheduled to launch Aug. 13 at USANA Amphitheatre in Salt Lake City, Utah. The trek will criss-cross the nation stopping in Buena Vista, Colo. over Labor Day Weekend for his third annual Seven Peaks Music Festival.

Warner Chappell Music Nashville Inks Publishing Deal With Alexander Palmer

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Alexander Palmer

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has inked a worldwide deal with chart-topping songwriter, producer, and classically-trained pianist Alexander Palmer.

Palmer has landed two No. 1 hits at country radio, including Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got,” which has garnered over 350 million streams, and Dierks Bentley’s 2x Platinum “Somewhere on a Beach,” which was named ASCAP’s 2017 Song of the Year.

Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Palmer’s craft blends elements of R&B, hip hop, and country. As a BMI songwriter, he currently splits his time between Nashville and LA. Palmer has also seen multi-genre success with credits on Jason Derulo’s 5x Platinum hit “Whatcha Say” and Chris Brown’s 2x Platinum hit “Turn Up the Music.”

“Alexander brings a unique perspective having lived and worked outside of Nashville,” says President & CEO, WCM Nashville Ben Vaughn. “We’re all excited to welcome him to the Chappell family and watch him continue to put his own stamp on the music scene.”

“I’m excited to join such a major player in both country music as well as internationally across the board. Ben and Will Overton made me feel right at home and we hit the ground running,” shares Palmer.