Ron Hill.

RCA Inspiration has appointed Ron Hill as VP, Artist Development, to oversee all A&R/Creative matters and the newly-launched Brand Partnership division for RCA Inspiration, Essential Sound, and Verity. He will report to Sr. VP/GM Phil Thornton.

Hill joins RCA Inspiration from Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, where he was most recently President for Kirk Franklin’s Dallas/Fort Worth-area company and Franklin’s manager for the past six years. The Dallas native began his career interning at Fo Yo Soul Entertainment in 2007, and began managing Franklin and became President of Fo Yo Soul in 2013, where his work has included A&R, music production, tour management, and other creative and business endeavors.

Among Hill’s recent creative work and honors include co-creating the annual Gospel festival “Exodus Music & Arts Festival” with Franklin, which launched in 2018; acting as a Consulting Producer in 2019 for Season 9 of BET’s “Sunday Best”; winning two GRAMMY® Awards at the 2019 and 2017 shows as a producer on Tori Kelly’s Best Gospel Album-winner Hiding Place and Kirk Franklin’s Best Gospel Album-winner Losing My Religion; and garnering two nominations in 2019 from the Stellar Awards (Producer of the Year) and upcoming Dove Awards (as a producer, for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year). Hill has executive-produced albums for Kirk Franklin, Tasha Page-Lockhart, The Walls Group, Christon Gray, and Geoffrey Golden, and was the tour manager for Live Nation’s first Gospel tour “The King’s Men Tour” that featured Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton. He began his career in music while attending college in New Orleans.

Thornton says, “I have been working with Ron Hill for several years in conjunction with his work at Fo Yo Soul, and it is a joy to have Ron join the RCA Inspiration family in this new capacity as the VP of Artist Development. I look forward to collaborating with Ron on the development of our artists and the creative ideas and experience he brings, as we continue to shepherd Gospel and inspirational music to the next level.”

Hill adds: “I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new role. Our genre is at a very pivotal moment in time and I believe now more than ever, Artist Development and A&R will help build lasting careers. I’m excited to have a hand in helping artists grow and reach a wider audience for the kingdom. I would like to thank Terry [Hemmings, Provident Music Group President/CEO] and Phil Thornton for this incredible opportunity, and Kirk Franklin for his continued support.”

Pictured (L-R): RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier and Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) hosted its first ever RIAA Honors event on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday night (Sept. 25), celebrating country music icon Miranda Lambert as Artist of the Year.

Singer-songwriter and Lambert’s long-time collaborator, Natalie Hemby, was on hand to present the award. Lambert and Hemby performed two songs they wrote together, “Bluebird” from Lambert’s upcoming album, Wildcard, and the ACM- and CMA-awarded Song of the Year, “Automatic.”

“It is an honor to receive this award at such a pivotal time in the music industry. I’m incredibly thankful to make a living writing and performing music,” said Lambert.

The event was hosted by RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier.

Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby. Photo: Courtesy RIAA

Evvie McKinney has signed an exclusive recording agreement with Motown Gospel and Capitol CMG. The emerging performer/songwriter has also entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with Capitol CMG Publishing.

McKinney rose to prominence as the winner of the inaugural season of the TV singing competition The Four: Battle for Stardom on FOX. The young singer with Southern charm wowed judges Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, DJ Khaled, and Meghan Trainor with her powerful voice and stage presentation, packing a punch as she effortlessly covered iconic soul songs like Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You” and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”

“After watching Evvie triumph on The Four, it was clear that she is the rare vocalist who is equally as gifted in her stage presence,” says Monica Coates, Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to further develop her into a formidable artist.”

“We’re honored to partner with Evvie and the Motown Gospel team,” says Josh Bailey, VP of A&R, Capitol CMG. “We look forward to introducing her music to a wide range of audiences.”

McKinney has relocated to Nashville and is managed by Mitchell Solarek at Nashville-based Maximum Artist Management. The full-service entertainment group works with clients including Natalie Grant, director and television producer Laurieann Gibson, and Tauren Wells. McKinney’s cover of the Stevie Wonder hit “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” was recently featured on the Hitsville: A Motown Gospel Celebration project, commemorating Motown Records’ 60th Anniversary. She is currently working on her debut project to be released in 2020.

Pictured (L-R): Everette, Kylie Morgan and Angie K have been announced as the second annual CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients. Photo: Electric Machine/CMA

The Country Music Association has selected newcomer artists Angie K, Everette and Kylie Morgan as recipients of the second annual CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship.

The year-long program will launch Oct. 1. Each of the artists will be mentored, connected with top industry professionals, and receive opportunities to participate in CMA-related events including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, international events and CMA Foundation events. Additionally, each KixStart artist will receive a stipend to assist with various facets of their burgeoning careers. Last year, the inaugural recipients of the CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship included Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning and Jameson Rodgers.

“We are thrilled to welcome the new class of KixStart artists and take them under our wing,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Through this program, these artists will receive mentoring from some of country music’s most respected industry professionals and be provided opportunities that propel them forward in their career.”

Angie K
Averaging a grinding 10–15 shows a month year-round, Angie K has played over 1,000 live high-energy shows all over the United States and Central America. The Latin American Country singer has already independently released two original albums, both of which landed top five on iTunes. In 2017, Angie K collaborated with pop artist Jordan Fisher to release “Happily Ever After” for Walt Disney World. The song has already surpassed 4 million streams on Spotify alone and is currently the soundtrack for Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show. Her most recent single, “Leave California” premiered on CMT in 2019 and immediately landed a spot on Apple Music’s Hot Tracks playlist. Named an “Artist You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone Country, Angie K has already hit the road with country heavyweights Trace Adkins, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Janson, Sammy Kershaw, Jake Owen, Tanya Tucker and more. Read more at AngieKeilhauer.com.

Everette
Like the great American bands that came before them, new Broken Bow Records duo Everette doesn’t follow trends. Instead, the guys of Everette write what they live, weaving gritty tales of struggle and heartbreak alongside fun-loving stories of escapism and mischief. Hailing from humble beginnings, Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia unknowingly went to high school a mere eight miles apart in rural Bullitt County, KY. Named for George Clooney’s character in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” the duo is a bonafide triple threat. Rupard and Olympia co-write almost all of their songs as well as play nearly every instrument on Everette’s studio recordings. The two young artists produced their debut project “Slow Roll.” Everette recently announced their residency at the timeless Nashville dive, Springwater, adding to the duo’s anomalous distinction. Read more at Everette-Music.com.

Kylie Morgan
EMI Records Nashville’s Kylie Morgan began writing songs in her hometown of Newcastle, OK when she was only 12 years old. A masterful storyteller, the singer-songwriter released her music independently in her early teens, garnering national attention from music producers and television executives. This early success led Morgan to begin making regular trips to Nashville, crafting her voice and polishing her songwriting. When she turned 19, she made the decision to call Music City home. Recognizing Morgan’s unique talent, the SMACKSongs team signed her to their roster under the guidance of GRAMMY award-winning songwriters, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. An avid yoga enthusiast, she has earned her official Yoga Alliance Certification. She participates in yoga daily and it has become part of her lifestyle. Morgan has previously toured with artists including Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Gavin DeGraw, Brett Eldredge, Little Big Town and Maren Morris. She was named as part of CMT’s Listen Up Class of 2019 and has spent the recent months performing shows across the country, opening for Devin Dawson, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and more. Her new song, “Boys Girl” was released in July and is currently being featured on SiriusXM. When she is not performing, you can find her in the studio working on her debut album with producers Shane McAnally and Ben Johnson. Read more at KylieMorgan.com.