Justin Tomlinson

Ed Rivadavia, Vice President, Digital Strategy, Sony Music Nashville has appointed Justin Tomlinson as Manager, Digital Strategy, Sony Music Nashville. Reporting directly to Rivadavia and currently in his new capacity, Tomlinson manages day-to-day strategy for his designated artist roster, while acting as webmaster for SonyMusicNashville.com and overseeing development and content for the label group’s social media channels.

Remarks Rivadavia, “With his recent experience at RCA Inspiration, Justin brings with him a fresh perspective to digital marketing innovation. I am thrilled to welcome Justin to Sony Nashville’s Digital Strategy team.”

“It’s an honor to continue my career at Sony Music by joining the Sony Nashville team,” responds Tomlinson. “With the perpetual expansion of digital and streaming strategies, I am thrilled to implement creative initiatives all while contributing to collaborative efforts with the team, under Ed’s leadership.”

For the past five years, Tomlinson has amassed extensive experience in record label and broadcast television digital, marketing and publicity. Since June 2016, he held the position of Marketing & Digital Marketing Coordinator for RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music Nashville’s Provident Music Group. In this role, Tomlinson created and implemented digital marketing campaigns for such artists as Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, The Walls Group and Koryn Hawthorne, among other RCA Inspiration artists.

From June 2015 to June 2016, Justin Tomlinson was RCA Inspiration’s Marketing & Publicity Assistant. Prior, he was Consumer Research Analyst for Sony Music Entertainment (November 2014-February 2015) and Talent Production Assistant for Viacom/BET (January 2013-June 2014).

Tomlinson is a graduate of New York’s Five Towns College in Dix Hills, Long Island, where he received his Bachelor of Professional Studies in Music Business/Business Management in 2014. He can be contacted at justin.tomlinson@sonymusic.com.

Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Lila Downs, Steve Earle, and Graham Nash will perform on a fall concert series sponsored by the Women’s Refugee Commission that will visit five cities in support of families targeted by the Trump administration’s policies.

“The Lantern Tour: Concerts for Migrant and Refugee Families,” will take place from Oct. 23–28 with shows in Nashville (Oct. 23), Washington, D.C. (Oct. 25) Collingswood, New Jersey (Oct. 26), Boston (Oct. 27) and New York (Oct. 28). Not all artists will appear on all dates, and a full list of venues can be found here.

“The Women’s Refugee Commission has been on the front lines in advocating for the safety of women and children. Their work is as remarkable as it is critical, especially right now,” said Emmylou Harris, a supporter of the Women’s Refugee Commission. “It is my honor to partner with this incredible organization and to bring my friends along for what I know will be a powerful tour.”

Ben Folds, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely and Ray Stevens will be the next artists to receive stars on the Music City Walk of Fame during an induction ceremony on Aug. 21, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in Music City Walk of Fame Park. The event is free and open to the public.

“This summer’s Music City Walk of Fame inductees reflect the incredible breadth of the many musical gifts Nashville has sent out into the world,” Mayor David Briley said. “Ben Folds’ sharp songwriting and piano playing, the vibrant voice Brenda Lee started sharing with country music fans as a teenager, the great vocals and stage presence that Jeannie Seely has brought to the Grand Ole Opry for 50 years, and Ray Stevens’ witty lyrics and memorable songs are all testimonials to the magic that happens every day in Music City.”

 The inductees will receive the 81^st, 82^nd, 83^rd and 84^th stars on the Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration.

Florida Georgia LIne

The Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, raced to yet another successful run over the weekend, with 40,000 fans enjoying three days of jam-packed concerts.

Celebrating its sixth year, the festival kicked off on Friday night with headliner Blake Shelton, who took the stage following a short weather delay. Saturday night highlights included a rousing set from Brooks & Dunn, who made their first debut together at the festival due to huge fan demand.

Sunday the event closed on a high with a full-energy show from Florida Georgia Line. Along with the music, fans embraced all that the festival has to offer, including the Campsite Contest, DeeJay Silver’s Pancake Party, Faster Humans Fun Run, Hustle & Muscle Classic Car & Truck Show and more.

For the first time ever, in addition to the lineup of artists including Jillian Jacqueline, Jon Langston and Charlie Worsham, the Next From Nashville stage welcomed a “Songwriters Storyjam” with The Warren Brothers, J.T. Harding and Lee Thomas Miller sharing stories about the hits they’ve penned for country’s top artists.

Blake Shelton