Marisa Maino has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Prescription Songs.

This is the first publishing deal for the singer-songwriter, who released her latest EP Stages of Love & Heartbreak in April. The EP includes seven tracks, including “Ever Young,” previously released singles “Hot,” “Boy Toy,” “Want You Like That,” and “Bored and Brokenhearted,” as well as new songs “Love Sux” and “Mistake.” Maino is set to release the official video for “Love Sux” on July 13.

“We are so excited to welcome Marisa to the Prescription Songs family,” said Prescription Head of A&R Katie Fagan. “Her growth as a writer even over the past year has been massive and we are honored to continue to help elevate her career as a songwriter and artist. She’s an incredibly special addition to our roster and we can’t wait for the world to hear what she’s cooking up!”

“Writing with RX has always been a dream of mine,” said Maino. “My favorite songs were created here, and the company is female-run. Dare I say RX is groundbreaking? Being able to become a part of their family is so surreal, and getting a check to write songs for my best friend feels too good to be true. I hope no one pinches me anytime soon because if it is a dream I’m not ready to wake up yet.”

Lee Brice and Carly Pearce have scored a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their chart-topping hit “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”

They were surprised during Wednesday evening’s CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold’s virtual celebration, as CMA CEO Sarah Trahern presented them with a plaque commemorating the sales milestone.

“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which Pearce wrote alongside Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, and Randy Montana, has earned over 225 million global streams.

“I knew when I heard the song for the first time that this was something special and I’m honored that Carly asked me to be a part of it,” says Lee. “Thank you to all the fans for loving this song as much as Carly and I did recording it and making this a PLATINUM hit.”

“Having songs that meant something to people was always my dream,” expressed Carly. “To see these songs reach such big milestones and see that my music is making an impact on people’s lives is more than I could’ve ever hoped for. I will never take any of this for granted and am so thankful.”

City National Bank has inked a sponsorship deal with Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe, becoming the “Official Bank of The Bluebird Cafe.”

“Nashville embraces our songwriting community and nothing represents that fact better than The Bluebird Cafe,” said Diane Pearson, senior vice president and team leader of City National Bank’s Nashville Entertainment Team. “Our community is blessed to have this special place that showcases songwriters in a way no one else can. We at City National are incredibly proud to support this iconic venue that is truly a national treasure.”

Owned by the Nashville Songwriters Association International since 2008, The Bluebird Cafe opened in 1982 and has gained worldwide recognition as a songwriter’s performance space and a venue where both established and up-and-coming songwriters and artists rise to fame and build their careers.

“Sponsoring The Bluebird Cafe is a terrific honor for City National Bank,” said Linda Duncombe, executive vice president and chief marketing, product and digital officer for the bank. “City National has a long and proud history of serving the entertainment industry in Nashville and across the country. We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Bluebird and be a part of their incredible legacy.”

“We only have a handful of sponsors and because of that, we’re careful about making sure the fit is right and that those partners understand our brand, which is both unique and delicate. Across the board, our partners share a love and understanding of songwriters and what makes them a significant part of the music business and of the Nashville community,” said Erika Wollam Nichols, general manager and chief operating officer of The Bluebird Cafe and president of Bluebird Cafe Inc.

Nichols adds, “City National is heavily invested in the entertainment business nationwide, and has a long history of supporting our community here in Nashville. They couldn’t have been a better fit.”

Country artists and friends came together via livestream last night (June 30) for the 5th annual Concert for Love & Acceptance, started by the Foundation for Love & Acceptance founder, award-winning country music artist and philanthropist Ty Herndon. The multi-artist livestream event raised needed resources to support LGBTQ youth and families.

Hosted by Herndon, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, and CMT’s Cody Alan, the event benefited GLAAD and ACM Lifting Lives and was presented in part by CMT.

Actor and comedian Leslie Jordan kicked the Concert for Love & Acceptance off. “Speaking of love and acceptance, I love country music,” Jordan gleamed.

Tanya Tucker performed the first piece of music for the evening, expertly delivering her Grammy-winning “Bring My Flowers Now” with piano accompaniment.

Jake Owen played an acoustic version of his radio single “Made For You” from his porch. “Everybody’s made for somebody,” Owen said. Brett Young followed that up with “Lady.”

Kalie Shorr expressed that the cause was close to her heart, and played an ever-appropriate, stripped down version of her rocking “Angry Butterfly.” Lewis Brice followed Shorr with his dreamy “It’s You (I’ve Been Looking For).”

Mickey Guyton made an appearance to support the cause. “We have a long way to go when it comes to loving one another and accepting and celebrating one another just as we are, but I’m proud to be in the first with all of you,” Guyton said.

Hit songwriter Shane McAnally expressed gratitude to live in a moment of change, and said there is still work to be done before playing a shortened version of his anthemic hit with Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” “I hope everyone who hears this and sees this feels included,” McAnally said.

Country singer Wendy Moten performed a cover of George Jones’ “Walk Through This World With Me.” Michael Ray followed Moten with his 2017 hit “Think a Little Less.”

Actress, producer and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson performed her new song, “Where’s My Country Song?” She then presented Chenoweth with the 2020 Foundation of Love & Acceptance Rally Award. “She is tireless in her efforts to make the world a better place,” Wilson said of Chenoweth.

Chenoweth wasn’t the only award winner of the evening. Herndon also presented country newcomers Shelly Fairchild, Harper Grae and Brandon Stansell with the first-ever Rising Star Award.
“I’m excited to honor three LGBTQ rising stars in country music,” Herndon said. “They’re each a pioneer in their own right and tonight we’re proud to present each of them with our first-ever Foundation for Love & Acceptance Rising Star Award. These are my friends, and they’re so magnificent.”

Lauren Alaina showed off her always beautiful voice on her “Getting Good,” and Chenoweth followed it with her gorgeous voice on a interwoven performance of Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” and “Losing My Mind” from the musical Follies.

Everette sounded great on a new tune, “Gonna Be Okay,” and Terri Clark played an acoustic version of her “No Fear.” Viewers were also treated to performances by Billy Gilman, Jamie O’Neal and Dennis Quaid.

The Indigo Girls gave one of the best performances of the night with a new song, “Country Radio.” “I wanna know what it’s like to fall in love like most of the rest of the world / But as far as these songs will take me is as far as I’ll go / I’m just a gay kid in a small town who loves country radio,” the Indigo Girls sing with their classic harmonies.

Founder and host Herndon closed the show with an expertly done version of his 1996 hit “Living In A Moment.”

The Foundation for Love & Acceptance is still accepting donations here. The Concert for Love & Acceptance is available to watch here.