Black River Entertainment has added Traci Hite to its team as Director of Promotion, Southeast.

“Black River Entertainment has such an impressive roster and a legacy of success that speaks for itself,” says Hite. “I’m incredibly honored to be a part of our team’s next chapter and contribute to the exciting future ahead.”

“Traci came highly recommended, and she did not disappoint,” adds VP National Promotion, Bill Macky. “Her passion, energy and enthusiasm for our artists and music were evident from our first meeting. She is going to be a great addition to our team.”

Hite has made previous stops at Way-FM\Alabama, KCBI-FM\Dallas, Capitol Christian Music Group, Curb-Word Entertainment and most recently Quartz Hill Records/Stone Country Records. She joins the Black River Entertainment team as Kelsea Ballerini’s “Baggage” and Chris Young’s “Til The Last One Dies” gain traction at country radio.

Based in Cullman, Alabama, Hite can be reached at thite@blackriverent.com.

Molly Tuttle is gearing up for the release of her new solo album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, on Aug. 15 via Nonesuch Records.

She recently shared a new single and video from the upcoming project, “The Highway Knows.” Recorded with producer Jay Joyce, the fifth full album from the singer, songwriter and guitarist marks a sonic departure from Tuttle’s recent work. Tuttle goes to a whole new place on her new album, which is a hybrid of pop, country, rock and flat-picking, plus a murder ballad for good measure. Her virtuoso guitar work takes center stage on this project more than ever, and for the first time, she introduces her banjo playing on two songs.

So Long Little Miss Sunshine was recorded with drummer/percussionists Jay Bellerose and Fred Eltringham, bassist Byron House, and Joyce on multiple instruments. Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) also plays banjo, fiddle and harmonica, as well as singing harmony, and much of the LP was co-written with Secor, who is also Tuttle’s partner.

“I’ve been wanting to make this record for such a long time,” says Tuttle. “Part of me was scared to do such a big departure, and that went into the album title. I think ‘The Highway Knows’ is reflective of a lot of the album stylistically. We wove together different genres and sounds, and ended up with something that I’m really proud of.”

Last month Tuttle gave fans a taste of the upcoming new album with the lead single “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark,” and an accompanying video. The song is already her most successful radio track, currently sitting at No. 2 on Americana Radio, and debuts this week on the AAA Radio Chart, a career first.

Tuttle is the US Ambassador for Spotify’s EQUAL program for the month of July. EQUAL is Spotify’s program aimed at “turning up the volume on the voices of women making waves around the world.”

So Long Little Miss Sunshine Track List:
1. “Everything Burns”
2. “The Highway Knows”
3. “Golden State Of Mind”
4. “Rosalee”
5. “I Love It”
6. “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark”
7. “Easy”
8. “Summer Of Love”
9. “Old Me (New Wig)”
10. “Oasis”
11. “No Regrets”
12. “Story Of My So-Called Life”

Mark Dinerstein Consulting and JPB Partners have acquired Nashville based full-service facility promoter and operating company Marathon Live from Founder Josh Billue. Dinerstein will lead the organization as CEO, and Billue will serve as Chief Development Officer.

The Marathon Live umbrella includes six live music and event venues, including Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Kansas City’s The Truman, Chattanooga’s The Signal, Little Rock’s The Hall, St. Louis’ The Hawthorn and Jacksonville’s FIVE. Dinerstein plans to expand the company’s portfolio through acquiring existing event spaces, as well as renovate existing facilities alongside the building of new venues.

In addition to its venue portfolio, the organization has also had launched its facility management division. The division will oversee venue services such as risk-based and non-risk talent buying, general consultation, operations, sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, production design, food and beverage operations, facility development, facility renovation and preservation and more.

“I am thrilled to join the Marathon Live team, work with a uniquely talented group and lead our network of owned and operated facilities into the next era of growth.” says Dinerstein. “We look forward to connecting with existing facilities looking to join our endeavor with both independent spirit and savvy business strategies to ensure their place in the entertainment and private events sector for generations to come.

“In addition to facility acquisition, we intend to grow through ground-up construction and offer full-facilities management services aimed at the 1,000 – 2,500 capacity sector offering true partnership through shared ideals,” he continues.

“The sale of Marathon Live to Mark and JPB helps protect our thriving organization while rapidly accelerating my original vision of growth,” adds Billue. “My new role as Chief Development Officer will allow me to continue to focus on building new facilities for Marathon Live, and we have some very exciting projects on the horizon.”

Other team members of Marathon Live will include Ryan Henry (Chief Operating Officer), Chris Hewitt (Chief Accounting Officer), Casey Osburn (SVP Facilities), Matt Phillips (Talent Buyer), Sarah Stockton (Jr. Talent Buyer), Liza Saturday (Operations Director), Jeremy Hicks (Communications Director), Christina Luppinanci (Marketing Manager), Jill Schuler (Private Events Director) and Kasey Ray (Production Director) with additional support from a variety of managers in various departments, General Managers and Assistant General Managers.

Matt Cooper has signed with Quartz Hill Records, an imprint of the recently rebranded Quartz Hill Music Group.

“To go farther, to get where I wanna be, I knew that it was going to take a really solid and special team,” says Cooper. “I could see that Benny [Brown] and Ash [Bowers] truly believed in the songs, and the team around them really believed in me as well, and so that fired me up. I’m just excited to be a part of this family, and it does feel like a family here, which is awesome.”

The Florida native began writing songs as a college freshman inspired by the sounds of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Thomas Rhett. As an independent artist, Cooper has amassed 108 million lifetime streams to-date and nearly 1.5 million social media followers.

“Matt has his own sound that’s fresh and original, but it still has those country music traditions of storytelling and authenticity,” says QHMG Founder Brown. “The streaming world has already fallen in love with Matt’s music and I can’t wait for country radio to fall in love with it too.”

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Matt Cooper to the Quartz Hill family. He’s already proven himself with remarkable success as an independent artist, building a loyal fanbase through pure talent, hard work, and heart. On top of all that, Matt is an absolutely great guy — I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in this next chapter,” says QHMG Executive Vice President Bowers.

His current single, “Highs & Lows” will impact country radio on Sept. 29 and an acoustic version of the solo-written song will be released this Friday (July 18).

Lucas Hoge takes a look inward on his latest album, Book About Me, out now on all digital streaming platforms.

The new 10-song collection offers listeners an intimate, reflective look into the chapters that shaped Hoge’s life. Produced by Forest Glen Whitehead, Cameron Bedell and Chris Tanner, Book About Me is packed with feel-good anthems, love ballads, and stories filled with faith, family and small-town roots, and each track turns a page in the story of a man who’s never forgotten his roots.

“Book About Me is a poignant and vibrant musical journey that weaves together the tapestry of my life experiences from the fields of the farm to the sun-soaked shores of the beach, and everything in between,” says Hoge. “Each song serves as a chapter, revealing stories of growth, heartache, joy, and resilience, all told through rich melodies and evocative lyrics. This album is not just a collection of songs; it’s an intimate memoir set to music, showcasing my unique perspective and the moments that have shaped identity.

“With heartfelt storytelling and diverse musical styles, Book About Me invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys and to find solace and connection in shared experiences,” he continues. “Whether it’s a nostalgic ballad about childhood adventures or an upbeat anthem celebrating life’s simple pleasures, this album encapsulates the essence of living fully and authentically.”

Book About Me Track List:
1. “When A Cowboy Prays (feat. Forrie J Smith)” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
2. “Gone Fishin” (Lucas Hoge, Corey Lee Barker, Steve O’Brien)
3. “American Made” (Lucas Hoge, Andrew Peebles)
4. “Farmhand” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
5. “Fruity Drink” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
6. “Livin I Like” (Lucas Hoge, Forest Glen Whitehead)
7. “Same Ole” (Lucas Hoge, Nate Kenyon)
8. “Book About Me” (Lucas Hoge, Justin Lantz)
9. “Life Well Lived” (Lucas Hoge, Camron Bedell)
10. “When A Cowboy Prays” (Lucas Hoge / Justin Lantz)