Entertainment business and financial management firm Blue Sky Group (BSG) has promoted Chris King to partner. King joined the firm in 2015 as the co-head of their business management division.

The Memphis, Tennessee native is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. He began his career as an account assistance with Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy. Since pairing with Harlan Hallett in February 2015, Blue Sky Group has begun to build a roster including Grammy winners, Platinum record selling songwriters and producers and international touring artists.

“Chris’s hard work and enthusiasm, along with a commitment to our company, clients, and the entertainment industry made this choice a no brainer,” said Hallett, the president of BSG.

Blue Sky Group is located at 54 Music Sq. E. in Nashville.

Nashvillian Chloe Kohanski was named the winner for the 13th season of The Voice on Tuesday evening (Dec. 19). The 23-year-old Kohanski, who was part of Team Blake, made an impression on both viewers and the coaches by belting out classic ’80s and ’90s rock songs each week, including Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart,” Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is,” and Blondie’s “Call Me,” and her blind audition song, Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.”

During last night’s live finale, she teamed with Billy Idol to perform “White Wedding.” After being named the winner, she earned a recording contract with Universal Music Group, as well as a $100,000 grand prize.

Kohanski graduated from Donelson Christian Academy in 2012. After initially attending Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, with intentions of becoming a teacher, Kohanski dropped out and began working as a Starbucks barista in Nashville while pursuing a music career.

Kohanski’s win marks Blake Shelton’s sixth victory as a coach on the show. Kohanski beat fellow Team Shelton member Red Marlow, Team Adam Levine’s Addison Agen, and Team Miley Cyrus’ Brooke Simpson.

Kenny Chesney On Late Night With Seth Meyers

Kenny Chesney appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers last night (Dec. 18) where he talked of unorthodox music marketing, Grammy nominations, No Shoes Nation, why he loves St. John and spearheading a relief effort for the US and British Virgin Islands through his Love for Love City Foundation and evacuating the animals lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Chesney also performed a raw, stripped down “Jesus & Elvis” off his latest album Cosmic Hallelujah, which recently earned a Grammy nod for Best Country Album.

 

Fourth Annual “An Evening With Brett Eldredge” Holiday Show

Brett Eldredge performed his final show of the year last Thursday night (Dec. 14) at his annual holiday concert, “An Evening With Brett Eldredge.” Eldredge performed the season’s most popular holiday tunes for friends, family and industry guests at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

The fourth annual event, which featured a 12-piece orchestra backing the swinging Christmas tunes from his holiday album Glow, raised money for the Brett Eldredge Family Foundation to support area children’s hospitals.

 

Jordan Davis Visits Universal Music Group Staff

MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis delivered treats to the UMG Nashville staff Tuesday morning (Dec. 19) as a thank you for all the support on his debut single, “Singles You Up.” The UMG staff welcomed Davis to the office while wearing his limited edition “Single All The Way” holiday sweatshirt to celebrate.

Davis’ “ugly Christmas sweater” is available for purchase here with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 

HoriPro Honors Golf Tournament Makes Donation to T.J. Martell Foundation

HoriPro Entertainment Group presented a HoriPro Honors Golf Tournament donation to the T.J. Martell Foundation, made in the name of Bob Heatherly, longtime music executive and late husband of Laura Heatherly of T.J. Martell.

The HoriPro Honors Golf Tournament, presented by Legends Bank, was held earlier this year at Henry Horton State Park and honored BMI’s Jody Williams and HoriPro’s Dave Hall. Next year’s HoriPro Honors Golf Tournament is set for Friday, June 1, 2018.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam proclaimed Dec. 23, 2017 as a day to remember Captain Tom Ryman, and to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Haslam presented a special framed proclamation to Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. CEO Colin Reed during Vince Gill and Amy Grant’s Christmas concert last night at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

“I congratulate Ryman Hospitality Properties, all those who have worked to make this building successful past and present, including the incomparable Lula C. Naff, who managed it for nearly fifty years, along with the descendants of Captain Ryman,” Haslam said. “Captain Ryman was correct when he said ‘this auditorium will be an ornament, not only to the city, but to the state, and when completed… it will certainly be a pride to all of us.’”

In May of 1885, Nashville riverboat captain and entrepreneur Thomas Green Ryman heard Rev. Sam Jones speak at a tent revival near the current location of the Ryman Auditorium and was inspired to build a grand tabernacle, where all would be welcome to worship.

In 1892, 125 years ago, the Union Gospel Tabernacle opened for events that included sermons, lectures, conventions and performances by the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. While delivering the eulogy at Ryman’s funeral on Christmas Day in 1904, Reverend Sam Jones suggested the tabernacle be renamed Ryman Auditorium. The beyond capacity crowd offered their unanimous consent with thunderous stomping and applause according to newspaper accounts of the day. The auditorium, world famous as home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, has hosted a variety of the greatest entertainers and speakers of each generation for 125 years.

Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said of one of his favorite venues, “The Mother Church of Country Music is renowned for its acoustics, but the experience is so much more than that. Sitting in those pews, one can sense the wake of some of the world’s greatest entertainers of each generation for nearly 125 years gracing that stage. Guests do not just watch a show at the Ryman, they feel it. And that experience can only be Made in Tennessee.”

The Ryman exhibit “Inspired: 125 Years of Performance” showcases attire from Johnny Cash, Little Jimmy Dickens and Little Big Town; guitars played by Jack White and Vince Gill; long-time Ryman manager Lula Naff’s collection of playbills. One of the highlights includes the Bible used on May 10, 1885 by Rev. Sam Jones. Visitors can get to know the stories with short films hosted by Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood as they take you through each chapter of the Ryman’s story.

Keeping with the tradition of hosting world-class acts and aspiring artists, the Ryman will play host to Old Crow Medicine Show on New Year’s Eve, Kelsea Ballerini on Valentine’s Day and Margo Price for three shows in May, among many others in 2018.