‘St. Jude Presents: Curated’ Event Raises $2.6 Million For St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Photo: Mary Craven

The sixth annual “St. Jude Presents: Curated” event took place on Sunday night (Nov. 9), inviting Nashville executives, artists, creators and culinary icons together in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The intimate evening, which raised $2.6 million dollars, welcomed 100 guests to the farm of ERNEST and his wife Delaney.

Belmont Bluegrass, a local group of Belmont students, kicked off the night with a set during cocktail hour. Co-chair Charles Kelley encouraged artist attendees to perform a song, creating a set featuring ERNEST, Dave Haywood, Ellie and Drew Holcomb, Karen Fairchild, Jessie James Decker, Stephanie Chapman, HARDY, Marcus King and Jordan Davis. Between songs, B.J, mother of 12-year-old St. Jude patient Crosslyn, also joined the stage to share her family’s journey.

The meal was curated and prepared by Executive Chef Cassidee Dabney from Blackberry Farm. A live auction featured a barrel of Weller Special Antique 107, a Chicago trip curated by Burberry, a spring dinner party at the home of broadcaster Jim Nantz and the top item of the evening, artwork by acclaimed contemporary artist Mr. Brainwash, which sold for $150,000.

Pictured (L-R): Eric Decker, Jessie James Decker, Laura Johnson, Neil Johnson, Shawn Johnson East, Andrew East, Gabrielle Hopkins and Dustin Hopkins. Photo: Laura Moll

Charles and Cassie Kelley. Photo: Laura Moll

Pictured (L-R): HARDY, Caleigh Hardy, ERNEST, Delaney Smith, Marcus King and Briley King. Photo: Laura Moll

Jordan Davis & Kristen O’Connor Davis. Photo: Laura Moll

Pictured (L-R): Bryan Frist, Elizabeth Frist, Corinne Kidd and Brock Kidd. Photo: Laura Moll

Krista Burditt and Karen Fairchild. Photo: Laura Moll

Photo: Mary Craven

Sony Music Publishing Elevates Dee Hale

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Dee Hale.

Sony Music Publishing has promoted Dee Hale to SVP, Film & TV Administration. Hale will be based in the company’s Nashville office and continue to report to EVP, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy.

In the new role, Hale will be the primary administrative contact for Sony Music Publishing’s studio clients and provide ongoing support to the company’s UK studio clients. She will also continue her role as co-chair of the Society and Publisher Forum A/V Committee.

Hale has been with Sony Music Publishing for over thirty years, first joining in 1993 as Director of Film & Television Music Administration. During her time at the company, she has worked with a variety of production studios such as Sony Pictures, Tyler Perry Studios, A&E, Discovery, Twentieth Century Studios and Apple. She has also worked with composers such as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Ennio Morricone, Howard Shore, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Elmer Bernstein, Rachel Portman, John Barry and Brian Tyler. For the past 14 years, she has held the role as Publisher Co-Chair for CISAC’s Audio Visual Data Exchange Workgroups.

“I love working for a great company, with great people, doing something I love! It’s been an honor to work with our amazing studio clients and so many others throughout the world to take this part of the business to a higher level, and I am excited for what’s ahead,” shares Hale.

“Dee’s dedication to songwriters and composers is unsurpassed and unwavering,” adds Esworthy. “Her leadership as co-chair of the Society Publisher Forum’s AV Data Exchange working group has been instrumental in strengthening the global administration practices for composers at SMP and beyond. I look forward to seeing Dee step into this new role and am excited to see what she’ll achieve next.”

Second Family Alliance In Music Support Grant Applications Now Open

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The second Family Alliance in Music Support Grant is open now through Dec. 1.

The grant was created to support music professionals as they navigate the challenges of caregiving, parenting and family life, and offers $25,000 to help individuals and small businesses navigating caregiving responsibilities while working in music. The grant will be awarded to an individual seeking assistance in one of the following categories:

– Fertility Assistance: For those pursuing parenthood through fertility treatments
– Needs-Based Grants: For live touring professionals facing financial hardship due to family demands
– Family Caregiving Assistance: For those balancing their careers with caring for a loved one
– Small Business Benefits: For small music businesses looking to provide employee benefits that support family needs

The support grant application can be found here.

Colter Wall Extends ‘Memories & Empties Tour’ With Early 2026 Dates

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Colter Wall.

Colter Wall has added new dates to his upcoming “Memories and Empties Tour” in February and March.

The run of newly-added dates kicks off Feb. 12 in Midland, Texas, and includes stops in El Paso, San Diego, Indianapolis, and more before wrapping Mar. 14 in Detroit. Hayden Redwine will join as support for the February shows and Kade Hoffman will support on all March dates.

Fans can sign up now to access the artist presale beginning Nov. 18, and additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Nov. 21.

The new tour follows Wall’s 2025 “Colter Wall and Friends Tour,” which featured sold-out shows across Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, Calgary, and beyond. Last week, Wall released his latest single “The Longer You Hold On” from his upcoming album Memories and Empties, out this Friday (Nov. 14) via La Honda Records and RCA Records.

Newly Added “Memories & Empties Tour” Dates:
Feb 12 – Midland, TX –Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
Feb 13 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
Feb 14 – El Paso, TX – Abraham Chavez Theatre
Feb 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
Feb 18 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
Feb 20 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park
Feb 21 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park
Mar 06 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
Mar 07 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance
Mar 08 – Evansville, IN – Victory Theatre
Mar 09 – Bowling Green, KY – Southern KY PAC (Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center)
Mar 11 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

Caroline Jones Readies New Album Due In February

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Caroline Jones is set to release her new album, Good Omen, on Feb. 13. The project marks her debut release on Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. The title track will be released on Friday (Nov. 14).

“I am thrilled to announce my next album, Good Omen. This project has my most raw and empathetic storylines yet, set to a backdrop of rich, dark, bluegrass infused tracks. This being my first album as a mother, I’ve channeled the intense empathy that motherhood affords you, which, it turns out, is a superpower as a songwriter and artist. I collaborated with some amazing new songwriters and musicians on this project, including co-producer Julian Raymond, and cannot wait for folks to hear the stories and the sound that we crafted,” shares Jones.

Jones, a member of the Zac Brown Band, penned all 12 tracks alongside Eric Paslay, Sarah Buxton, Emily Weisband and Liz Rose, among others. In support of the album, Jones will kick off her nearly 20-date headlining tour Feb. 17 in Nashville, before traveling to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and more. A full list of tour dates is available below.

Good Omen Track List:
1. “No Tellin’” (Caroline Jones, Lauren McLamb, Clara Park)
2. “All The Things” (Caroline Jones, Brandon Hood, Liz Rose, Emily Weisband)
3. “You’re It For Me, Honey” (Caroline Jones, Rob Grimaldi, Lauren McLamb, Brandon Ratcliff)
4. “The Bridge” (Caroline Jones, Sarah Buxton, Lauren McLamb)
5. “Forever Love” (Caroline Jones, Brandon Hood, Eric Paslay)
6. “Storm Chaser” (Caroline Jones, Jamie Kenney, Lauren McLamb, Brandon Ratcliff)
7. “Cutting It Close” (Caroline Jones, Gabe Faust, Lauren McClamb)
8. “Good Omen” (Caroline Jones, Sarah Buxton, Joy Williams)
9. “Family” (Caroline Jones, Bobby Hamrick)
10. “Divorce in a Small Town” (Caroline Jones, Sarah Buxton, Eric Paslay)
11. “Becca” (Caroline Jones, Lauren McLamb, Brandon Ratcliff)
12. “All The Things (Acoustic)” (Caroline Jones, Brandon Hood, Liz Rose, Emily Weisband)

“Good Omen Tour” Dates:
February 17 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
February 19 – Gainesville, FL – Heartwood Soundstage – Indoor Stage
February 20 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar
February 21 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
March 5 – New York, NY – The Mercury Lounge
March 6 – Wayne, PA – 118 North
March 7 – Cambridge, MA – The Middle East – Sonia
March 19 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse
March 20 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
March 21 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House
April 3 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake
April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
April 8 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
April 9 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim – The Parish
April 11 – San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord
April 30 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
May 1 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed Street

By Design Reveals Global Publishing Partnership With Sony Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, By Design’s Josh Thompson, and By Design’s Josh Pauley. (L-R, front row): By Design’s Jeremy Holley, By Design’s Rod Riley, and By Design’s Josh Bailey. Photo: William King

By Design has established a global publishing partnership with Sony Music Publishing. With the deal, Sony Music Publishing will provide global administration services for By Design’s growing roster, as well as collaborate for joint-venture signings.

“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do at SMP, and it’s clear that By Design shares the same spirit,” says Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “We are thrilled to partner with their team and champion the incredible roster and catalog they’re building.”

“We’ve always said that By Design is more than a label — it’s a creative ecosystem,” shares Josh Bailey, Co-Founder of By Design. “Partnering with Sony Music Publishing allows us to expand that ecosystem, giving our creatives best-in-class support on a global scale. It’s about equipping creatives to tell meaningful stories and providing the infrastructure to bring those stories to life.”

“This partnership reflects what we’ve believed from the beginning — that great art thrives in great alignment,” adds Josh Thompson, Co-Founder of By Design. “Rusty and the SMP team understand the balance between creative excellence and creator care, and together we’re building a foundation that empowers writers to dream boldly and impact culture through their original design.”

The company recently appointed Josh Pauley as Vice President of Publishing and A&R.

Callie Prince Inks With Endurance Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): EMG’s Lauren Funk and Michael Martin, Callie Prince, EMG’s Courtney Kruckeberg.

Callie Prince has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Endurance Music Group.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be working with the one and only Callie Prince! She truly has a knack for pairing great lyrics with infectious, soaring melodies. From the first time I heard ‘She Calls Him Baby,’ I was hooked—she has a rich, captivating voice that makes you want to hit repeat. The entire Endurance team has been fired up about Callie for a while now, and we’re so excited to make it official! Her passion makes the creative process effortless, and we can’t wait to see where she goes from here,” shares EMG Creative Director Courtney Kruckeberg.

“It is truly an honor to work with Endurance,” Prince says. “They believe in me and my songwriting, and they champion me and push me to get better. I’ve always dreamed of being a songwriter, and they have helped turn that dream into a reality!”

A Mississippi native, Prince will release her debut EP, Girls Who Cuss, on Friday (Nov. 14). Her recent single “Cigarette” landed on featured editorial playlists including Spotify’s Fresh Finds, All New Country and Fresh Finds Country; Apple Music’s New in Country; CMT’s The Roundup; and Whiskey Riff’s Country New Music Friday.

Prince is currently managed by 1221 Management.

JUST IN: Dan + Shay Sign New Management Deal

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Simon Tikhman, CEO and Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment; Dan + Shay; Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, CEO and Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment

Three-time Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum duo Dan + Shay have signed with The Core Entertainment for management. The duo will be represented by The Core Entertainment co-founders and CEOs Simon Tikhman and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk.

Dan + Shay have built a career defined by powerful performances and enduring, emotionally resonant songs. Their catalog includes landmark hits such as “Tequila,” “Speechless,” “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber), “Glad You Exist” and “Save Me The Trouble,” contributing to billions of streams, multiple No. 1 singles and numerous Platinum and Gold certifications worldwide.

In joining The Core Entertainment, Dan + Shay join an acclaimed, multi-genre roster that includes Bailey Zimmerman, Cameron Whitcomb, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Nickelback and more.

“We’ve always admired The Core’s ‘music-first’ mentality, and from our first conversations with Simon, Chief, and the entire team, we knew that it was the perfect home for us,” Dan + Shay share. “They have built something truly special, and we are proud to be a part of the story they are writing. We believe in their passion and vision for our music, and can’t wait to launch the next chapter of our career together. The best is yet to come.”

Tikhman and Zaruk note, “Dan + Shay are rare talents—world-class vocalists, songwriters, and performers whose music continues to connect on a global level. We’re honored to join their team and look forward to building on everything they’ve created while opening new doors across music, touring, and partnerships.”

Industry Leader Bill Ivey Passes

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Bill Ivey. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Bill Ivey, the Country Music Hall of Fame executive who became the head of the Recording Academy, the American Folklore Society and the National Endowment for the Arts, has passed away.

Ivey, 81, was the Hall of Fame’s CEO from 1971 through 1997. He died in Nashville on Friday, Nov. 7.

While at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bill Ivey founded its Library & Archives, built the museum’s collections, acquired Hatch Show Print and purchased the Bob Pinson Recorded Sound Collection. His leadership elevated the institution from being a modest tourist attraction to being the world’s center for the preservation and study of country’s many styles, past and present.

Born in Detroit in 1944, Ivey earned an undergraduate history degree at the University of Michigan, then an M.A. in folklore and ethnomusicology at Indiana University. He was also an acoustic-guitar player. He was doing graduate work toward a Ph.D. in 1971, when he decided to apply for a job as director of the library at the Country Music Foundation (CMF), the umbrella nonprofit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Museum had opened on Music Row in 1967, and the board of the Country Music Association (then running the CMF) determined four years later that the Museum should have a proper library and research center.

In August, 1971, Ivey was hired to oversee the development of the library. He so impressed the CMF’s board that he was promoted to director of the CMF by the fall of that year. During the next 25 years, he made the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum a key player in the music industry as well as Nashville’s burgeoning tourism industry. Ivey also set a rigorous standard that ensured the collections of artifacts, recordings and library materials documenting country music would be unmatched. He presided over two building expansions and secured national accreditation for the museum, which it has maintained.

In December 1997, President Bill Clinton selected Bill Ivey to be the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. While there, Ivey established the NEA “Songs of the Century” project to educate students about the history of American popular music. He laid the groundwork for better relations with Congress and led to the funding of his “Challenge America” and “Creative Links, Positive Alternatives for Youth” initiatives designed to foster stronger ties between arts organizations, community groups and federal agencies. He also accompanied First Lady Hillary Clinton to the Grammy Awards when she won in the Spoken Word category.

After four years of serving the NEA in Washington, Ivey returned to Music City. He directed the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University and served on the faculty there from 2002 to 2012.

Bill Ivey rose through the volunteer ranks of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) to become its trustee and two-time national chairman (in 1981-83 and again in 1989-91). He remained a force on the Grammy organization’s board of directors for many years. Ivey was also elected president of the American Folklore Society.

In 1989, he helped found the Leadership Music nonprofit networking forum and served for several years as that organization’s discussion facilitator. He also wrote liner notes for historical reissue albums as well as scholarly articles. In later years, Bill Ivey wrote three books exploring the intersections of popular culture, politics and public policy.

In a social media post, the CMF eulogized Bill Ivey: “He was a challenging thinker who helped cement the reputation of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as a significant and authoritative music history center. His impact on the Museum and the wider arts world is incalculable.”

A Celebration of Life will be held for Ivey on Saturday (Feb. 21) at 2 p.m. CT at the CMA Theater inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Tyler Hubbard Renews Global Administration Deal With Warner Chappell Music Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Spencer Nohe (WCM), Tyler Hubbard and Austen Adams (WCM).

Tyler Hubbard has renewed his global administration deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

As a songwriter, Hubbard has penned 19 No. 1 hits, and has become the only country artist to achieve four consecutive chart-topping hits both as part of a duo and as a solo act. His credits include Jason Aldean’s “You Make It Easy,” “Lights Come On,” and “Burnin’ It Down,” Little Big Town’s “Hell Yeah,” and Cole Swindell’s “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.” among others.

As a solo artist, Hubbard has garnered more than two billion streams. His 2023 RIAA Gold-certified debut self-titled solo album features chart-toppers “5 Foot 9” and “Dancin’ In The Country,” both earning 3x and 2x Platinum certification by the RIAA, respectively. His most recent self-released hits “Back Then Right Now” and “Park” were both off his 2024 Strong album.

During his time with Florida Georgia Line, Hubbard and duet partner Brian Kelley made history with “Cruise” as the first country song to earn RIAA Diamond certification. They are also the only country act to receive two RIAA Diamond-certified singles for their “Cruise” and “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha.

“I’m beyond grateful to continue this journey with Warner Chappell Music,” shares Hubbard. “The team has been such a huge part of my story as a songwriter and publisher, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds. Music has always been a way for me to connect with people, and I feel so blessed to keep doing what I love with people who believe in me. Let’s keep this thing rollin!”

“Tyler’s signature voice, bright spirit, and heartfelt songwriting have left a lasting mark on country music,” adds Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “Spanning from his acclaimed early smashes to his latest inspired hits, he continues to prove himself as an artist of undeniable talent and staying power. Spencer Nohe and the entire Warner Chappell team have been incredible champions of this work, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead!”