Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Nicole Csabai, BMLG’s Mike Rittberg, G Major Management’s Virginia Davis, Thomas Rhett, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, BMLG’s Allison Jones, The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner and BMLG’s Jake Basden. [Click photo to enlarge]

Dave Barnes and Julian Bunetta were honored for their work on “Craving You,” while Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally and Bunetta were honored for co-writing “Unforgettable.”

Thomas Rhett was also surprised with a Gold certification for his latest album Life Changes. His current single, “Marry Me” has also been certified Gold.

Among those celebrating the two No. 1 songs were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMG’s Kos Weaver, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, SMACKSongs’ Robert Carlton, MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson and Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms. First Tennessee Bank’s Andrew Kintz was also celebrating, while Pinnacle Bank, which announced a donation on behalf of the songwriters to the charity 147 Million Orphans (an organization supported by Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren).

Also celebrating were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, George Briner and Alison Jones, as well as Thomas Rhett’s manager, Virginia Davis of G Major Management.

Next week, Thomas Rhett will be recognized as a CMA Triple Play Award recipient, which honors songwriters who have penned three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period (“Die A Happy Man,” “Star of the Show” and Michael Ray’s “Think A Little Less”).

Pictured (L-R): Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally, Dave Barnes and Dann Huff attend the BMI Thomas Rhett # 1 Party on February 15, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI [Click photo to enlarge]

Pictured (L-R): John Huie, CAA, Partner; Brad O’Donnell, Capitol CMG, Chief Creative Officer; Penny Railey, Maximum Artist Management; Danny Gokey; Hudson Plachy, Capitol CMG, Chief Marketing Officer; Mitchell Solarek, Maximum Artist Management; Gary Gilbert, Partner, Manatt, Phelps, Phillips.

Danny Gokey has signed with Capitol Christian Music Group. The announcement comes on the heels of Gokey’s first GRAMMY nomination for his hit album Rise.

“I’m excited to embrace a new chapter and walk into a new beginning with Capitol CMG,” Gokey said. “The music industry has gone through tremendous changes within the last decade and Capitol has always been at the forefront of innovative and creative solutions to help artists embrace the future. I’m honored to share in this next chapter with them and am expecting great things.”

“Danny Gokey is an artist that we have admired for some time,” said Brad O’Donnell, Capitol CMG Chief Creative Officer. “He’s an incredible singer, passionate communicator and has a strong sense of who he is as an artist. When the opportunity came along to work with him we jumped at the chance.”

Capitol CMG Chief Marketing Officer Hudson Plachy added, “We at Capitol CMG could not be more excited about working with Danny and the incredible talent he is gifted with. The passion, creativity and vision Danny brings has already brought him so much success, and we are honored to come alongside him and his team to serve his gifts moving forward.”

Gokey recently released his latest single “Masterpiece” and joined TobyMac on the road for the TobyMac Hits Deep Tour.

In 2009, Gokey earned third place on American Idol, and signed a recording deal with RCA Nashville, where he released a few singles to country radio before transitioning into the Christian radio format.

Emilee Warner

Warner Music Nashville has added Emilee Warner as Sr. Director, Artist Development. In her new role, Warner will report to SVP Artist Development Shane Tarleton, supporting the WMN roster in marketing and creative initiatives.

“I’m thrilled to add Emilee to our Artist Development team!” said Tarleton. “Her broad experience of marketing and passion for music make her the perfect fit.”

Warner brings more than 10 years of music industry experience to the label, most recently overseeing the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Music program where she launched programs with artists that include Brett Eldredge, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Young, as well as partnerships with the Country Music Association and Pandora. Prior to Cracker Barrel, Warner was the Director of Marketing at Nashville’s premier music venue City Winery, spearheading promotion of the venue’s live music, winemaking, private events and food & beverage programs.

“I am incredibly proud to join Warner Music Nashville,” shared Warner. “The artists and the team are some of the most talented individuals in the business, and I feel fortunate to be part of big things to come.”

Warner also serves as the Membership Lead for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Troubadour Society as well as the Advisory Board for the annual Louisa Nelson Award, which honors female leaders in the community hosted by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery.

Marbaloo Marketing has announced a round of hirings. Lauren Eisentraut has been added as Publicity Manager; she previously worked at Wagstaff in Chicago. Kory Zelkind has joined as Publicity Assistant, following internships at GreenRoom, EBMedia, and NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Kristin Foster has been hired as Interactive Coordinator, and Katie Fuller has been hired as Co-Community Caretaker alongside Joel Irby.

Knitting Factory Presents is expanding its footprint into Nashville with a new exclusive deal to book TRUE, a 300-capacity music venue inside the recently-opened Cambria Hotel & Suites in the SoBro area of Downtown Nashville.

Located across the street from Nashville’s new 1.2 million square foot convention center, TRUE boasts a generously sized stage, new sound & lighting systems, an eat-in kitchen and a pool that connects through a retractable glass wall for an indoor/outdoor feel.

Both the hotel and concert space soft-opened on Jan. 15, with New York-based KFP Senior Talent Buyer Dave Poe booking the venue. Veteran national hotel operator, Fillmore Hospitality, will manage the hotel.

“Mixing live music venues with other areas of hospitality has long been a part of the Knitting Factory philosophy,” said KFP President Mark Dinerstein. “As operators of mixed-use spaces, it’s only natural we continue to expand the concept. Thankfully, we’ve found ideal partners in Fillmore Hospitality.”

“We’re looking forward to bringing an expertly-curated and highly eclectic mix of shows to the Cambria,” said Poe. “Nashville is the perfect place to launch this exciting and unique venue, where we can showcase countless different kinds of music, from national artists to intimate singer-songwriter showcases to full band events and everything in-between.”

Knitting Factory Entertainment owns and operates three Knitting Factory live music concert venues, and curates talent for a multitude of non-operated venues and events across the country. Owner/partnerships also include the Regent Theater Los Angeles and Arrive Hotel. KFE has designed, built, staffed and continues to run three Federal bar and restaurant entertainment complexes over the past five years as well.