Sam Nasr. Photo: Georgia Caparos

UMPG Nashville has promoted Sam Nasr to Manager, A&R. She will continue to report to Troy Tomlinson, Chairman and CEO of the Nashville division.

In her elevated role, Nasr will seek out and develop new talent and support existing clients by finding opportunities. Nasr most recently served as A&R Coordinator, a role she has held since July 2022. Nasr hails from Miami and is a graduate of Belmont University.

“Soon after Sam joined the UMPG Nashville team, it became obvious that she loved and respected songwriters,” says Tomlinson. “Her work ethic and determination to put songwriters in the ‘right room’ rather than just ‘any room’ quickly made her a favorite A&R person among the songwriters in her care. Her positive attitude, quick smile, kindness and desire to grow are just precursors to the career ahead of her.”

“Songwriters are the heart of this town, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this community,” adds Nasr. “I’m honored to step into this new role and am excited to continue building with Troy Tomlinson, the creative team and the incredible songwriters at UMPG.”

Megan Moroney. Photo: Cece Dawson

Megan Moroney’s Platinum smash “Am I Okay?” has landed at No. 1 this week, reigning atop the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.

The title track from her sophomore album, “Am I Okay?” marks the second No. 1 from Moroney, who previously soared to the top of the charts with her triple Platinum breakthrough single “Tennessee Orange.” Written by Moroney, Luke Laird and Jessie Jo Dillon and produced by Kristian Bush, “Am I Okay?” is the opening track to Moroney’s latest full-length project, which was released in July 2024 and became the year’s third-biggest debut from a female country artist and landed on Best Of lists like Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Albums of 2024.”

Moroney will dive back into her “Am I Okay? Tour” this week. The 50-date headline run includes two-night stands at famed spots like Roadrunner, The Greek Theatre and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with dates through October 12.

George Jones’s statue on the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk. Photo: Catherine Powell

A statue honoring George Jones has been added to the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk, joining the likenesses of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Monroe.

“Today, we add another legendary artist to the Ryman’s Icon Walk by bringing forth George Jones, who had a fabulous career and is revered as one of the greats,” says Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed at the statue’s unveiling. “The Ryman and the Opry were lucky to be a part of George’s story for so many years, so we feel it is only fitting to have George added here among these other stars who have made a lasting impression on country music.”

Pictured (L-R): RHP Executive Chairman Colin Reed, Nancy Jones, Jamey Johnson and Patrick Moore, CEO Opry Entertainment Group. Photo: Catherine Powell

The statue was created to honor Jones’s significant contributions to the historic venue and Music City, and Jones’s beloved wife Nancy and daughter Susan attended the unveiling, along with country music star Jamey Johnson, who honored Jones during the ceremony.

“The Ryman was one of George’s favorite places to play music,” says Nancy Jones. “He truly revered it as the ‘Mother Church’ and loved the acoustics. To have his legacy live on here permanently, and to see all the people who joined us today and continue to embrace him and his music, means so much to our family.”

The Ryman team collaborated once again with artist Ben Watts, the artist behind the existing four statues. Each statue takes approximately one year to complete and reflects the deep reverence for these trailblazers and their ties to the Mother Church of Country Music. Visitors can find Jones standing at the northwest corner of the building near the venue’s driveway on Fifth Avenue next to the likeness of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music

Pictured (L-R): Dara Tucker, Amythyst Kiah, Blessing Offor and Saaneah. Photo: 353 Media Group/NMAAM

The music and legacy of Linda Martell was honored at an event June 4 held by Sun Records and the National Museum of African American Music to celebrate Martell’s 84th birthday, Black Music Month and the 55th anniversary of her groundbreaking album Color Me Country.

Held at NMAAM’s Roots Theater, “A Night For Linda Martell” featured a video tribute, a panel discussion, and live performances honoring Martell’s pioneering role in country music. The program included appearances by artists and advocates she inspired including Amythyst Kiah, Dara Tucker, Blessing Offor, Saaneah and a video greeting from Rissi Palmer.

Vocalist and songwriter Tucker led a panel discussion on the experiences of making country music as Black artists, reflecting on how Linda Martell paved the way. Guests also explored a special archival display featuring rare artifacts from the Sun Records vault, including original Color Me Country materials and memorabilia from Martell’s Grand Ole Opry debut.

“It was such an honor getting to celebrate the legendary Linda Martell, whose light is shining brighter than ever,” said Tucker. “Leading a panel of intelligent, informed invested black creators who are all a product of Linda’s influence was truly a watershed moment for me. This tribute gave me an excuse to dive into Linda’s songbook in a way that I never have before, and what a treat it was. Linda Martell has left an indelible mark on the world of country music, and her groundbreaking achievements will stand the test of time.”