Melody Place is expanding its digital team with the addition of Kacey Flory as Head of Digital Marketing and Kayla Smith as Digital Marketing Coordinator.

Flory brings nearly 10 years of industry experience to the role, including more than seven years at Crowd Surf, where she worked her way from Digital Marketing Assistant to Director of Marketing & Management. During her time there, she worked on digital campaigns for artists and clients across pop, country and other genres, including Camila Cabello, New Kids on the Block, Joshua Henry, Atsuko Okatsuka and Jim Gaffigan.

She also worked with major-label clients including Interscope Records, MCA and BBR Music Group. A member of the Academy of Country Music’s Class of 2025, Flory will oversee digital marketing and social media efforts for Melody Place’s artist roster and other entertainment projects.

Smith began building her career in music four years ago by shadowing industry professionals and volunteering at shows, where she gained experience in touring merchandise. She spent three years working as an elementary school teacher while continuing to pursue opportunities in music, working shows during nights, weekends and summers. During that time, she also earned a master’s degree in marketing and analytics. This summer, Smith worked as a digital intern at The Core Entertainment before joining Melody Place.

“Kacey is such a pro, with vast knowledge and incredible instincts for how artists across a multitude of genres can connect with audiences. Kayla is incredibly bright, eager, and creative, and with Kacey leading the team, they make a dream digital duo. The unique perspective each of them brings to their work will continue to propel Melody Place to new heights. We’re so pleased to have them both on board,” says Sandy McGraw, President and GM.

Mitchell Tenpenny and Flo Rida are teaming up for their new “Whistle & Whiskey Tour” beginning Feb. 3, with Jay Webb kicking off the party each night.

The first four shows will feature stops in Duluth, Sioux City, Grand Forks, and Rochester, with additional cities to be announced soon. “Whistle & Whiskey” will feature country favorites and some of the biggest party anthems of the past two decades, bringing three distinct sounds together on one stage. Tickets for the new tour go on sale on Friday (Sept. 25).

Flo Rida exploded onto the scene with the 7x Platinum “Low” featuring T-Pain, which spent 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has released hits including “RightRound,” “Club Can’t Handle Me,” “Good Feeling,” “Wild Ones,” “Whistle” and “My House.” With over 100 million singles sold worldwide, his catalog has become the soundtrack to parties around the world.

Tenpenny has already amassed more than 2.6 billion global streams, and his breakout No. 1 “Drunk Me” has been certified quadruple Platinum. His hit-filled catalog also includes additional No. 1s “Truth About You” and “At The End Of A Bar” with Chris Young. Along with his own successful headlining tours, he has toured with Jason Aldean, Luke Combs and Jordan Davis.

“Whistle & Whiskey Tour” Dates:
Feb. 3 — Duluth, MN — DECC
Feb. 4 — Sioux City, IA — Tyson Events Center
Feb. 6 — Grand Forks, ND — Alerus Center
Feb. 7 — Rochester, MN — Mayo Civic Center

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has wrapped its 25th year, bringing another weekend of music and community to Bristol, Tennessee.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Sierra Ferrell and Old Crow Medicine Show were among the featured acts, joining a mix of established and emerging artists.

“This festival is yours, forever,” said Festival Director, Richard Oakley, to the crowd of fans, volunteers, and team members before Sunday’s closing performance.

Day one festivities began in the late afternoon with Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo opening the State Street Stage with a special 25th anniversary jam. It marked Lauderdale’s 14th appearance at the festival. Later, fans gathered at Paramount Bristol for performances from German songwriter and producer Toby Gad and Bristol cellist and composer Dave Eggar. The pair performed songs Gad helped write, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “My Immortal,” and “Viva La Vida.” As the evening continued, Los Lobos and St. Paul and The Broken Bones brought a soulful rock sound to the Piedmont Avenue Stage, while Johnny Mullenax closed out the night with an energetic set on the Country Mural Stage.

Day two featured sets from Josh Mitcham and Possum Creek Playboys before a brief rain shower moved through Bristol. While the weather caused a short delay for the outdoor stages, the music continued inside Paramount Bristol with Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time. The festival favorite, inspired by the classic WCYB program, served as the official 25th anniversary celebration and featured Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, Trousdale and The Band Loula.

Once the rain cleared, performances continued across the festival grounds, including sets from Acoustic Syndicate: “The Bristol Reunion,” Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, Johnson City’s Florencia & The Feeling, and the Del McCoury Band. Ferrell headlined the Cumberland Square Park Stage, returning to the festival after making her debut at the 6th Street Stage in 2021. The night ended with energetic performances from Clay Street Unit and Braxton Keith, who brought their mix of swagger and grit to the 6th Street and Piedmont Avenue Stages.

The final day of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion opened with performances from Virginia West, Logan & McKenna and Erin Lunsford. The Bristol Sessions Super Raffle also announced more than $250,000 in cash and prizes benefiting the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

Denitia brought her Texas-rooted mix of soul and country to the 6th Street Stage, while River Shook energized the Piedmont Avenue Stage. The Band Loula drew a crowd at Cumberland Square Park, and Bristol native Aaron Dowdy led Fust through a set of indie rock and Americana at the 6th Street Stage. Maggie Antone had fans singing along with her blend of country, soul, and Southern rock, while Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives brought their cosmic-country sound to Cumberland Square Park.

Old Crow Medicine Show closed the festival with a high-energy set on State Street. The band welcomed Hannah Dasher to the stage for a performance of “Just Someone I Used To Know,” honoring Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. Old Crow also paid tribute to Jimmie Rodgers during the set, helping launch the Birthplace of Country Music’s year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions. The festival ended with “Rocky Top” and “Wagon Wheel” echoing across State Street, bringing Tennessee and Virginia together and closing out another year of music on the state line.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will return Sept. 10-12, 2027.

The Crew, a group of music industry executives, will host its 17th annual CMA Awards viewing party on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. CT at Tin Roof Nashville Downtown.

The benefit brings together industry professionals to support Musicians On Call while celebrating fellow artists, songwriters and colleagues during the 60th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live throughout Tin Roof. Last year, The Crew raised over $24k for Musicians On Call at the viewing party. Organizations interested in purchasing a sponsorship package this year should contact Jackson Kiger or Markus Koger.

“We are so happy to be back again this year to not only celebrate one of country music’s biggest nights, but to raise money for the incredible cause that is Musicians On Call,” shares The Crew. “Thank you so much to all of our amazing sponsors and the Nashville community without whom this night would not be possible.”

For 25 years, Musicians On Call has brought the healing power of music directly to patients, families, and caregivers in healthcare environments through bedside, virtual, and streaming programs. MOC has connected more than one million people across all 50 states with live music.