Pictured (L-R:) Nathan Thompson (Sr. Director, Business Development and Marketing, Average Joes Ent.); Amanda Quinton (Manager); Adam Wakefield; Shannon Houchins (CEO/President, Average Joes Entertainment)

Adam Wakefield has signed with Average Joes Entertainment. Wakefield will release two self-penned singles, “Cheap Whiskey and Bad Cocaine” and “Dry Days,” on July 13 on the new label, with a full album scheduled to drop later this year.

Wakefield was a contestant on Blake Shelton’s team on NBC’s The Voice, and finished second overall in the season 10 finale. He released his debut self-titled EP in July 2017, and is currently working on his new project for Average Joe’s. Wakefield spent last year on an extended tour filling in for The Steeldrivers’ frontman, Gary Nicols, and is returning to the road this summer with his own band. 

“Adam’s style and artistry is undeniable, and his spirit is infectious. We’re excited to welcome him to the AJE family,” commented Shannon Houchins, CEO/President, Average Joes Entertainment.

“I couldn’t be more excited about signing with Average Joes. Never have I been surrounded by such a supportive and skilled group of people. The trust they have placed in me to create music in an environment unfettered by mainstream norms and the status quo is inspiring, and should be to anyone in the industry,” said Wakefield.

Several country artists will earn one of entertainment’s top honors next year, when they receive their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Faith Hill and Trio members Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt are among the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2019. They join fellow musicians and/or industry members Michael Bublé, Cypress Hill, The Lettermen, Tommy Mottola, P!nk, Teddy Riley, Jackie Wilson (posthumous), Idina Menzel, Cedric “The Entertainer”, Judith Light and Paul Sorvino.

“The Walk of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce our newest honorees to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Committee always tries to select a group of talented honorees that appeal in various genres of the entertainment world,” Chairman and Walk of Famer Vin Di Bona. “I feel the Committee has outdone themselves and I know the fans, tourists and the Hollywood community will be pleased with our selections. We are excited to see each and every honoree’s face as they unveil that majestic star on Hollywood’s most famous walkway!”

Dates have not been scheduled for the star ceremonies at this time.

The full list of 2019 inductees include:

MOTION PICTURES:
Alan Arkin, Kristen Bell, Daniel Craig, Robert De Niro, Guillermo del Toro, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Tyler Perry, and Gena Rowlands.

TELEVISION:
Alvin And The Chipmunks, Candice Bergen, Guy Fieri, Terrence Howard, Stacy Keach, Sid and Marty Krofft, Lucy Liu, Mandy Moore, Dianne Wiest, and Julia Child (Posthumous).

RECORDING:
Michael Bublé, Cypress Hill, The Lettermen, Faith Hill, Tommy Mottola, P!nk, Teddy Riley, Trio: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, and Jackie Wilson (Posthumous).

LIVE THEATRE/LIVE PERFORMANCE:
Idina Menzel, Cedric “The Entertainer”, Judith Light, and Paul Sorvino.

CMHOF Leadership headshots and group shots on June 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Donn Jones Photography

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted Ali Tonn to Senior Director of Education & Public Programs.

Tonn directs educational programming at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including all content developed and provided in the Museum’s Taylor Swift Education Center. Tonn began work at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the fall of 2005. Since then, the education division has seen a 350 percent increase in participation with current engagement reaching over 100,000 individuals each year. The opening of the Taylor Swift Education Center in 2013 enabled the creation of new programs and services for students, teachers, and family audiences. A videoconference lab in the center allows for long-distance support to schools and community organizations far from Nashville, with partnerships for schools in New York City and Los Angeles.

Locally, Tonn helped develop the partnership with Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions with the joint-creation of String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry, showcasing Nashville’s traditions of country music and puppetry arts. She played a key role in the creation and launch of the 2017 Community Counts: Museum Admission Program for Locals enabling wider museum access for area residents. Tonn’s work has been recognized through awards from the American Alliance of Museums, Tennessee Association of Museums, and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Key Women Educators.

Tonn holds a B. A. in Music and Music History from the University of Kansas and a M. A. in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining the museum, she worked with the Madison Civic Center in Wisconsin where she directed children’s programs; the Manhattan School of Music where she supported the Graduate Program in Orchestral Performance and administered the Conservatory’s Community Outreach efforts; and the W.O. Smith Community Music School in Nashville where she taught flute, piano, and music theory, created instructional materials, managed volunteers music teachers and assisted with various other operational needs.