Atlus has inked with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

As an independent artist, Atlus amassed a Platinum single, four independent studio albums, a fan base that has grown into the millions across social platforms and over a billion on-demand streams.

“Music has always been personal to me. Everything I write either helps me work through something or tells a real story from my life,” states Atlus. “The industry default is ‘It’s not personal, it’s just business.’ But that’s never been true for me, and from day one [Jon] Loba, JoJamie [Hahr] and everyone at BMG have shown it’s never been true for them either. It’s clear we are truly on the same page. It IS personal and that is the way we do business.”

“Every time we introduce Atlus to someone new, there is an instant and passionate connection,” says Loba, BMG America’s President, Frontline Recordings. “He is a true poet, who powerfully and intimately chronicles the very real struggles and tragedies of life in a way that still leaves hope for a better day. While his journey and sound are specific, we have found that, even inside the label, he connects across age, gender and musical taste in an incredibly universal way. We could not be more excited to partner with him and his team in championing his music across the globe!”

His first single on the label, “Devil Ain’t Done” is out today (Aug. 15). The track, which he wrote alongside David Garcia (who also co-produced the release with Andrew Baylis) and Geoff Warburton, reflects themes of self-doubt & perseverance.

“I believe that everyone runs into the devil at some point in their life, and sometimes it’s the devil in your mind and sometimes it’s the devil in your hometown. And where I grew up, he drove a nice car, had fast cash in his pockets, pills in the glove box, and he lived in the trailer next door. I spent most of my life avoiding that devil,” explains Atlus. “Life is much better now, but the devil can find his way into any room. I just remind myself to keep being a good person and not give into the temptation.”

Next week, Las Vegas will host 50 award-winning hitmakers during the launch of the first Las Vegas Songwriters Festival. Presented by MGM Resorts International and Entersong Entertainment, the event will take over Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Aug. 21 – 24, offering fans more than 100 performances across five stages from writers whose work has defined the soundtracks of countless lives.

Co-founded by hitmaker Rob Hatch and Entersong partner Mike Every, in collaboration with MGM Resorts, the festival will blend intimate performances, storytelling and unique collaborations. Names like Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillon, Liz Rose, Victoria Shaw, Billy Montana, Lee Brice and Justin Wilson are among the lineup, representing more than 300 No. 1 hits. The weekend will also feature Q&A sessions hosted by Storme Warren, giving fans the rare opportunity to hear the inspiration behind their favorite songs directly from the writers themselves.

Hatch, a SESAC Songwriter of the Year with cuts by Justin Moore, Randy Houser and more, envisioned the festival as a platform to showcase the world’s most successful songwriters in one place—with Las Vegas providing a fitting backdrop. In the conversation below, he shares how the idea came together, why The Bluebird Café’s “in-the-round” format was essential, and what it means to put songwriters at the center of the spotlight.

MusicRow: What was your original vision for the Las Vegas Songwriters Festival, and how did it grow into this massive first-year lineup?

Our original vision was to create the ultimate celebration of songwriting by bringing together the most talented writers, the biggest hitmakers, the best singers, the best players and the best entertainers, all in one of the best venues in the world. It’s grown into this tremendous lineup thanks to the dedication and hard work of our incredible team, including: Chuck Bowling (Former President and COO of Mandalay Bay), Paul Davis (Senior Vice President – Booking & Development, MGM), Mike Every (Director, Entersong), Laura Ishum (Vice President, MGM), Donna Lee (General Manager, Entersong) and Rachel Dean (Account Manager, Entersong). It took a lot of effort to make this first-year lineup a reality, and we couldn’t be more excited to take the festival to the next level.

With five stages and more than 100 performances, how did you approach curating the mix of iconic names, unique pairings, and up-close fan moments?

I’ve had the unique perspective of writing songs with so many of these folks for the past 25 years. I know their songs, I know how they perform, I know who’s friends with who, and I know who plays well together—so a lot of it came down to that inside knowledge.

And then we’ve got Matt Warren, a hit songwriter himself, hosting the festival. We wanted to have someone who knows this world inside and out to bring the kind of perspective only a fellow writer can.

We also knew we wanted the festival to be for people who love great songs and want to hear the stories behind them from the writers who created them. We thought what better way to let fans learn more about some of these hits and the people who wrote them than having some Q&A sessions, and who better to moderate than Storme Warren, a friend and advocate of songwriters everywhere.

Why was it important to involve The Bluebird Café and the “in-the-round” format in this Vegas setting?

The Bluebird is the most legendary songwriter venue—you can’t celebrate songwriters on this level without including them. If people know anything about songwriters, chances are it’s because of the Bluebird. We’re proud to have them as a partner, and bringing their iconic “in-the-round” format makes it feel like we’re really bringing the Nashville experience to Vegas.

As both a hit songwriter and festival founder, what does it mean to create this kind of platform for songwriters in the spotlight?

It feels like something that should have existed already—I’m really just taking the next step. I’ve been to plenty of songwriter festivals, and they have some really strong and up-and-coming writers, I wanted to create something different: a platform that puts the biggest hit writers in the world in one place together. Writers with the most hits, the best stories, and the kinds of songs people know and can sing along to all night long.

Songwriter/artist/producer Aaron Gillespie has signed with Jonas Group Publishing.

As a member of the Grammy-nominated rock band Underoath, Gillespie’s success not only led to the founding of his band The Almost, which enjoyed a top 10 alternative radio single, but also paved the way for Gillespie to further hone his skills as a songwriter and producer after relocating to Nashville.

Gillespie co-wrote and performed on “Demon or Ghost” with Mitchell Tenpenny, penned “Hereditary” with Cassadee Pope, and produced and co-wrote “Long Live Country Music” and “Heaven Is A Honky Tonk” with Raelynn, along with many others. His production works extend to major record labels as well, including Big Loud and Big Machine Label Group.

“Aaron brings a rare combination of authenticity, passion, and creative range that inspires everyone in the room,” says Jonas Group Publishing President Leslie T. DiPiero. “From rock stages around the world to intimate songwriter circles in Nashville, he’s done it all – and he does it with heart. We’re honored to be part of his next chapter.”

“I’m excited and honored to be a part of the family at Jonas,” says Gillespie. “It feels like an actual family, and the attention to detail they have – and the honesty about what you’re making – is unparalleled. Leslie DiPiero and team have truly made me believe in myself as a writer and producer, and I’m so ready to see where this all takes us.”

Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum To Livestream ‘Band Together Texas’ Benefit Concert

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum’s “Band Together Texas” show benefiting Texas flood relief will now be live streamed across iHeartRadio (all country stations), SiriusXM (The Highway and Outlaw Country), YouTube (Lambert and McCollum’s official channels), Facebook (Lambert and McCollum’s official pages) and nugs.net. Set for Sunday, Aug. 17 at Moody Center in Austin, the event supports Central Texas flood recovery efforts with proceeds benefiting The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas Community Foundation.

In addition to performances from Lambert and McCollum, the event will feature Ryan Bingham, Wade Bowen, Ronnie Dunn, Dylan Gossett, Jack Ingram, Cody Johnson, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Jon Randall and Randy Rogers Band. Besides the musical performances, notable Texans lending their support to the event include actors Matthew McConaughey and Dennis Quaid, former UT Longhorns coach Mack Brown and players Emmanuel Acho, Colt McCoy and Vince Young, MLB star and Houston native Roger Clemens, television host and Dallas native Chris Harrison, and Austin-based fashion designer Kendra Scott.

 

PickleJar Entertainment Group Adds Katie Cook & Scott Gaines

PickleJar Entertainment Group has added Katie Cook and Scott Gains to host its nationally syndicated overnight country music radio show, PickleJar Up All Night, relaunching on Aug. 18, from its new flagship station, 106.7 WNFN-FM in Nashville.

Cook has spent two decades at CMT as an interviewer. Gaines’ radio career includes stops in Detroit, Dallas, and national platforms like Westwood One, iHeartMedia, and Cumulus Media.

PickleJar Up All Night will feature exclusive interviews, fan-driven contests, live performances and spotlight segments. The show will stream live and integrate with the PickleJar Live app, where fans can interact with talent, enter giveaways, and support their favorite performers directly.

 

GrassRoots Promotion Adds George Davis As Music Row Promotion Manager

Nashville-based GrassRoots Promotion has added George Davis as its new Music Row Promotion Manager. Davis joins GrassRoots from his most recent position as midday host on KBXB-FM 97.9 in Sikeston, Missouri. In his new role, he will work with the Music Row panel to oversee radio campaigns for GrassRoots clients.

“George has been a long-time supporter of independent and emerging artists, and GrassRoots is pleased to add him to the team,” says Nancy Tunick, Managing Partner of GrassRoots Promotion. “His deep radio experience and passion for music make him a perfect fit for our mission.”

 

Warren Peay Inks With Integrity Music

Warren Peay has inked with Integrity Music. The Bamberg, South Carolina native first gained national recognition as a top eight contestant on Season 21 of American Idol. He was later featured on Zach William’s “Sundays Comin’.”

“I first met Warren in 2023 when he featured on a Zach Williams song,” shares Integrity Music President, Blaine Barcus. “I was blown away by his voice in the studio! More importantly, I’ve come to know him as a humble guy who loves Jesus and leads worship at his small country church in South Carolina. The Integrity team is thrilled to now partner with him and watch God use his songs to touch the world.”

“I am beyond excited about my partnership with Integrity Music, and I am proud to be part of a Christ-centered family focused on spreading the love of God,” adds Peay. “I hope my music resonates with people in all stages of their faith, young and old, and brings those who may not know Christ closer to Him.”

Anne Wilson is gearing up for the release her third studio album Stars on Oct. 17.

Across the 12 tracks, the Kentucky native delivers a coming-of-age collection that blends the grit of country storytelling with the faith-filled light that has guided her journey. Stars also features music from Wilson’s recent God Story EP, including the faith-fueled “Devil Is Too,” the soaring title track “God Story,” which is currently climbing the charts at Christian radio, the heartfelt “Twenty Three,” in memory of her late brother Jacob, and “’Til The Road Runs Out.”

“This past year, I’ve spent so much time writing and praying through new songs while reflecting on the incredible story God’s been writing with my life,” shares Wilson. “’Stars‘ is the sound of surrender — of letting go of my own plans and stepping fully into His. Every song is a piece of my heart and a reminder of His faithfulness. I can’t wait for you to hear it all on October 17. And I’m beyond excited to share that ‘The Stars Tour’ is coming to cities across the country this fall — it’s going to be such a joy to sing these songs with all of you and celebrate this journey together!”

In conjunction with the album release, Wilson will also launch her newly announced “The Stars Tour” in Nashville on Oct. 18. Featuring special guest Jordan Rowe, the tour pre-sale for Wilson’s Hey Girl Nation begins today, (Aug. 13), with general on-sale beginning Aug. 15.

The announcements of Wilson’s album and tour arrive during a busy season for the award-winning artist, who recently celebrated new career milestones: two billion career streams and a Gold certification for fan-favorite single “Sunday Sermons.” Wilson was surprised with the accolades during her final weekend on the road opening stadiums for Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem Tour.”