
Pictured (L-R, top row): Michelle Kirk, Sydnie Hickey and Reuben Schwartz. (L-R, bottom row): Ansley Carlson and Katie Karl
The Country Music Association has revealed several promotions across its teams and departments.
Michelle Kirk has been promoted to Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, moving up from her previous role as Senior Director. Kirk now oversees the CMA Foundation and its team, leading its work in music education, fundraising, partnerships and community programs. She also works with educators, community organizations and members of the country music industry to expand access to music education.
Kirk joined CMA in 2012 as Strategic Partnerships Coordinator and later became Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships. She left the organization in 2015 to become a Brand Partnerships Agent at WME before returning to CMA in 2019 as Director of Integrated Marketing. She later served as Senior Director of Integrated Marketing before joining the CMA Foundation as Senior Director. She can be reached here.
“Michelle has spent her career building relationships that move this industry, and she brings that same instinct to the CMA Foundation every day,” says Brittany Schaffer, CMA Incoming Chief Executive Officer. “Her work with the music education community and the Country Music industry has strengthened the CMA Foundation’s impact for students, teachers and education partners across the country. Michelle leads with heart and a clear strategic vision, and I’m thrilled to see her step into this role.”
Sydnie Hickey has been elevated to Director of Lifecycle Marketing, moving up from her previous role as Senior Manager of Email Marketing. In her new position, Hickey will oversee CMA’s email and SMS marketing efforts, using audience data and personalized strategies to strengthen fan engagement. She will lead strategy, design and copy direction while supporting major initiatives including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, CMA membership and the CMA Foundation. Her work will focus on growing and retaining CMA’s audience, while also supporting ticket marketing, fan engagement and first-party data efforts.
Hickey joined CMA in 2022 after serving as Marketing Growth Manager at Grace Management Group. She previously worked in venue marketing at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the University of Rhode Island. She can be reached here.
“Sydnie has played an integral role in evolving how CMA connects with our audiences,” shares Catherine Frizzell, CMA Vice President, Marketing. “From expanding our lifecycle marketing efforts across email, SMS, ticketing and fan engagement to helping us make smarter use of audience data to drive meaningful results. She has a unique ability to identify opportunities, build solutions collaboratively, and connect the work back to our broader business goals. I’m incredibly proud of Sydnie’s growth and excited to see her continue to expand her leadership and impact in this new role.”
Reuben Schwartz has been upped to Director of Business Intelligence, moving up from his previous role as Senior Manager of Business Intelligence. In his new position, Schwartz will continue overseeing CMA’s data warehouse, CRM and dashboards while helping guide the organization’s data systems and processes. He will also lead the cross-departmental Data Architecture group, supporting data-driven decision-making across CMA.
Schwartz joined CMA in 2023 after working as Manager of Business Strategy and Intelligence for the Nashville Predators. He previously held analyst roles with Finch Brands and MarketCast. He can be reached here.
“Reuben has become instrumental in how CMA collects, manages, and activates data across the organization,” adds Michael Farris, CMA Vice President, Business Strategy and Insights. “In his first two and a half years at CMA, he’s evolved our entire data tech stack and championed how every department distills value from our data ecosystem. His ability to build trusted partnerships across every team, manage key vendor relationships, and develop the people around him has made him an indispensable leader.”
Additionally, Ansley Carlson has been promoted to Account Executive, Brand Partnerships and Katie Karl has been elevated to Senior Manager, Ticketing. Carlson can be reached here and Karl here.
Shaboozey Appears In New Amazon Music ‘Songline’ Album & Film
/by Lorie HollabaughShaboozey
Shaboozey is appearing in a new episode of Amazon Music’s docu-performance series Songline, and has released a new Songline companion album available now exclusively on Amazon Music.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter reimagines his hits in an intimate Songline performance filmed at Rancho Deluxe, with the full video episode debuting Oct. 23. Amazon’s Songline series invites artists to reimagine their music in a stripped-down, intimate setting, and each performance is intercut with in-depth interviews with the artist, giving songwriters the opportunity to demystify the writing process and share their personal and creative journeys with fans.
In addition to his Songline episode, Shaboozey’s recent Amazon Music Original, “Let ’Em Know,” serves as the official anthem and opening theme for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
Over the summer, Shaboozey released his concept album, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, via American Dogwood in partnership with his label home EMPIRE. He is currently bringing the project to life across America with his sprawling “Outlaws Never Die Tour,” which builds on the cinematic nature of the album and features pre-shot visuals throughout the performance, complementing the songs and inviting audiences into Cherie Lee’s world.
Shaboozey Songline Tracklist:
1. “Till Sunday”
2. “Sweet Revenge”
3. “Amen”
4. “Born To Die”
5. “If I Was An Outlaw”
6. “Cowgirl”
7. “Coyotes Point”
8. “Tipsy”
CMA Promotes Five
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R, top row): Michelle Kirk, Sydnie Hickey and Reuben Schwartz. (L-R, bottom row): Ansley Carlson and Katie Karl
The Country Music Association has revealed several promotions across its teams and departments.
Michelle Kirk has been promoted to Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, moving up from her previous role as Senior Director. Kirk now oversees the CMA Foundation and its team, leading its work in music education, fundraising, partnerships and community programs. She also works with educators, community organizations and members of the country music industry to expand access to music education.
Kirk joined CMA in 2012 as Strategic Partnerships Coordinator and later became Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships. She left the organization in 2015 to become a Brand Partnerships Agent at WME before returning to CMA in 2019 as Director of Integrated Marketing. She later served as Senior Director of Integrated Marketing before joining the CMA Foundation as Senior Director. She can be reached here.
“Michelle has spent her career building relationships that move this industry, and she brings that same instinct to the CMA Foundation every day,” says Brittany Schaffer, CMA Incoming Chief Executive Officer. “Her work with the music education community and the Country Music industry has strengthened the CMA Foundation’s impact for students, teachers and education partners across the country. Michelle leads with heart and a clear strategic vision, and I’m thrilled to see her step into this role.”
Sydnie Hickey has been elevated to Director of Lifecycle Marketing, moving up from her previous role as Senior Manager of Email Marketing. In her new position, Hickey will oversee CMA’s email and SMS marketing efforts, using audience data and personalized strategies to strengthen fan engagement. She will lead strategy, design and copy direction while supporting major initiatives including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, CMA membership and the CMA Foundation. Her work will focus on growing and retaining CMA’s audience, while also supporting ticket marketing, fan engagement and first-party data efforts.
Hickey joined CMA in 2022 after serving as Marketing Growth Manager at Grace Management Group. She previously worked in venue marketing at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the University of Rhode Island. She can be reached here.
“Sydnie has played an integral role in evolving how CMA connects with our audiences,” shares Catherine Frizzell, CMA Vice President, Marketing. “From expanding our lifecycle marketing efforts across email, SMS, ticketing and fan engagement to helping us make smarter use of audience data to drive meaningful results. She has a unique ability to identify opportunities, build solutions collaboratively, and connect the work back to our broader business goals. I’m incredibly proud of Sydnie’s growth and excited to see her continue to expand her leadership and impact in this new role.”
Reuben Schwartz has been upped to Director of Business Intelligence, moving up from his previous role as Senior Manager of Business Intelligence. In his new position, Schwartz will continue overseeing CMA’s data warehouse, CRM and dashboards while helping guide the organization’s data systems and processes. He will also lead the cross-departmental Data Architecture group, supporting data-driven decision-making across CMA.
Schwartz joined CMA in 2023 after working as Manager of Business Strategy and Intelligence for the Nashville Predators. He previously held analyst roles with Finch Brands and MarketCast. He can be reached here.
“Reuben has become instrumental in how CMA collects, manages, and activates data across the organization,” adds Michael Farris, CMA Vice President, Business Strategy and Insights. “In his first two and a half years at CMA, he’s evolved our entire data tech stack and championed how every department distills value from our data ecosystem. His ability to build trusted partnerships across every team, manage key vendor relationships, and develop the people around him has made him an indispensable leader.”
Additionally, Ansley Carlson has been promoted to Account Executive, Brand Partnerships and Katie Karl has been elevated to Senior Manager, Ticketing. Carlson can be reached here and Karl here.
Blue Highway Records & Thomas Rhett Launch Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records
/by Madison HahnenBlue Highway Records CEO Jake Basden, Thomas Rhett and G Major Mgmt’s Virginia Bunetta. Photo: Courtesy of Blue Highway Records
Thomas Rhett and Blue Highway Records have launched Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records. Through its partnership with Blue Highway Records, the label will release Rhett’s music while supporting the next stage of his career as both an artist and entrepreneur.
“When we started talking about what the next chapter could look like, I knew I didn’t simply want to make another deal. I wanted to build something that reflected the legacy and shaped the future of my music,” says Rhett. “From my initial conversations with Jake [Basden] and the leadership team at Blue Highway, it was clear they, too, were thinking differently about what a record company can be for an artist today. This allows me the opportunity to own the body of work I’ve spent my entire career creating, while still having an ambitious team and global infrastructure around me for my future recordings. I am incredibly excited about building this next chapter together.”
“Thomas Rhett has always been an artist, a songwriter, a performer who brings the best of what being a progressive country artist is today: someone who is willing to explore how other genres merge with Nashville without losing his roots, without sounding calculated or forced,” adds Blue Highway Records CEO Basden. “His musical fluidity is matched by his sense of lyrics, songs, and what people feel, creating an honest kind of country that finds its way into people’s lives, wherever they are. Having watched Thomas Rhett come into his own and then achieve major success, I am honored to be his partner going forward.”
Over his career, Rhett has amassed 25 No. 1 singles, more than 16 billion streams, eight ACM Awards, two CMA Awards, five CMA Triple Play Awards, five Grammy nominations and additional trophies from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. Rhett is currently on the “Soundtrack to Life Tour” through the end of the month.
Reba McEntire To Host Benefit Auction With Julien’s Auctions
/by Lauryn SinkJulien’s Auctions will host “The Reba Collection,” a special benefit sale taking place in person at Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 23.
Curated highlights from the sale include fine jewelry, screen- and stage-worn gowns, her signature boots and belt buckles, awards and other memorable keepsakes all from Reba McEntire‘s personal collection. The full auction catalog and registration information can be found here.
The sale will benefit The Reba McEntire Fund, to support various local and national non-profit initiatives.
“We have all these clothes, and my team has taken such great care of them. So now it’s time for them to move on to someplace else and find a new home,” says McEntire. “They’ll have the story, they’ll have the outfit, and they’ll know I did wear ’em.”
“We are honored to bring Reba McEntire’s extraordinary personal collection to auction in Nashville. For more than five decades, Reba has shared her incredible talent, passion, and heart with audiences around the world, creating a legacy that reaches far beyond music and entertainment. Each of these pieces holds a special place in that journey, offering a deeply personal connection to the moments, memories, and milestones that have shaped her remarkable career,” says Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Julien’s Auctions. “What makes this auction especially meaningful for all of us is being able to share these treasures with the people who have loved and supported Reba throughout the years while supporting The Reba McEntire Fund.”
2001 “One Night at McCool’s Screen-Worn Ensemble. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
2009 Academy of Country Music Awards Stage-Worn Green Evening Gown with Signed Photo. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
1987 “Greatest Hits” Ampex Golden Reel Award. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
“Reba” Bronze Belt Buckle with Signed Box. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Miranda Lambert Opens The Truth [Recap]
/by Lauryn SinkMiranda Lambert. Photo: Alive Coverage
Miranda Lambert took the stage Thursday night (Oct. 1) at The Truth, marking the first show at the brand-new Nashville venue.
Lambert kicked off the sold-out show with a run of hits, including “Kerosene,” “Fastest Girl In Town” and “Only Prettier,” getting the crowd warmed up early.
The night was extra special, celebrating the release of Lambert’s new album, Crisco, out now via MCA. “We’re so excited to open this amazing venue in Nashville,” Lambert shared from the stage. “[Crisco] is one of my favorite projects I’ve gotten to work on in a really long time. It’s the first time I’ve recorded with strings. It’s the first time I’ve really dove into that area of country music so thank y’all for coming along for the ride!”
She continued the show with a preview of the new music, performing “Snakeskin Boots,” “Sunset Marquis,” “Till The Going’s Gone” and the title track, “Crisco.”
The energy surged as Lambert moved through a run of fan-favorites including “Heart, Like Mine,” “Famous In A Small Town,” “If I was A Cowboy,” “Bluebird” and “Vice.”
A highlight of the night came as Lambert began “House That Built Me,” leading to a crowd-wide sing-a-long of the timeless track before she continued with “Automatic” and “All Kinds Of Kinds.”
The crowd roared as Lambert called to the stage Chris Stapleton for a duet on “A Song To Sing.” Lambert shared that this track inspired her to begin what would become the Crisco album.
After “Tequila Does,” she explained that she often doesn’t get to include her deeper album cuts in her set, but picked a few to share through a medley of “Dear Diamond,” “Bathroom Sink” and “Dead Flowers.”
As the night began to wind down, Lambert delivered yet another run of hit tracks including “Tin Man,” “White Liar,” “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “Little Red Wagon,” before ending the night with the fiery “Gunpowder and Lead.”
Today (Oct. 5), Lambert announced an iTunes exclusive release of “Seven Year Ache” featuring Parker McCollum. The previously unreleased take on Rosanne Cash’s 1981 chart-topper is available exclusively when fans download Crisco on iTunes, now through 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 8.
Lambert continues the Crisco celebration tomorrow (Oct. 6) with a sold-out album release show at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Photo: Alive Coverage
Photo: Alive Coverage
Parker Welling Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenParker Welling. Photo: Bree Marie Fish
Parker Welling has moved into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter chart. Luke Bryan’s “Country And She Knows It” and Russell Dickerson’s “Worth Your Wild” put the songwriter at No. 10 this week.
Ella Langley remains at No. 1 with “Be Her,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” “Jaded” and “Loving Life Again.” Chase McGill stays at No. 2 with “Carry On,” “Hands Up,” “Last Thing You Need,” “McArthur,” “Ten Pairs Of Boots” and “Water At A Wedding.”
Jordan M. Schmidt (No. 3), Riley Green (No. 4) and HARDY (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Ashley Cooke Signs With The Familie
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Royce Risser (EVP, Country Music & Managing Partner, The Familie), Ashley Cooke and Steve Astephen (CEO/Founder, The Familie).
Ashley Cooke has inked with The Familie for management representation.
“Ashley represents everything we’re looking for in the artists we partner with,” says Steve Astephen, Founder and CEO of The Familie. “She has an incredible work ethic, an authentic voice, and a clear vision for where she wants to go. She’s built a remarkable connection with fans while continuing to evolve creatively, and we’re excited to help support the next chapter of her career.”
“I’m thrilled to join The Familie and begin this new chapter together,” adds Cooke. “Steve and his team fully understand my vision and the kind of career I want to continue to build, which makes me so excited for the future!”
Cooke released her 15-track self-titled album via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music in August. The project was primarily produced by Dann Huff and features the country radio singles “the hell you are” and “baby blues,” the latter of which continues to climb the charts. The “baby blues” music video, featuring comedian and actor Matt Rife, premiered last month.
Throughout her career, she has earned ACM Award and iHeartRadio Music Award nominations, toured with Kane Brown and Parker McCollum, and appeared on CBS’ Marshals.
Cooke will continue her “baby blues world tour” this week at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre. The 28-date tour is currently scheduled through Feb. 25, when it wraps at the Ryman Auditorium. Cooke will also take the tour to the UK early next year, with stops at venues including Belfast’s Limelight 1 and London’s KOKO.
Dylan Gossett Slates ‘The Ramblin’ Tour’ For Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughDylan Gossett. Photo: Harrison Hargrave
Dylan Gossett will embark on a new headline tour set for this spring, “The Ramblin’ Tour.”
The tour kicks off March 25 in Charleston and includes stops in Fayetteville, Memphis, Detroit, Indianapolis, Fort Worth and more through May 21. Leon Majcen and Clay Street Unit will join as support.
Tickets will be available starting with an artist pre-sale beginning today (Oct. 5), with additional presales running ahead of the general on-sale beginning tomorrow (Oct. 6).
Gossett recently released his sophomore album, Ramblin’, via Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records. The album includes previously released singles, “Clothesline,” “Loving You Like That,” and “Honeysuckle.” Gossett is currently on the second leg of his co-headlining U.S. tour with Charles Wesley Godwin, which runs through the end of October.
“The Ramblin’ Tour” Dates:
March 25 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
March 26 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
March 27 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore – Main Hall
March 30 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal
March 31 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
April 2 – Fayetteville, AR – Ozark Music Hall
April 3 – Memphis, TN – Satellite Music Hall
April 4 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
April 6 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia Presented by Highmark
April 7 – Baltimore, MD – The Paramount Baltimore
April 8 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
April 10 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
April 11 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
May 4 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
May 6 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
May 7 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
May 8 – Omaha, NE – The Astro
May 13 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
May 14 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
May 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
May 20 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
May 21 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Floating Leaf Entertainment Joins Red Light Management
/by Madison HahnenJeb Hurt. Photo: Justin Cook
Austin-based artist management company Floating Leaf Entertainment, founded by Jeb Hurt, has joined Red Light Management. The move brings Floating Leaf’s roster, which includes Koe Wetzel, Kolby Cooper, Fox & Vead and others, under the global management company founded by Coran Capshaw.
The partnership gives Floating Leaf’s artists access to Red Light’s worldwide team and resources across music, touring, brand partnerships and entertainment. It follows a period of growth for Floating Leaf and its artists. Hurt has played a key role in Wetzel’s rise from a Texas-based breakout to a major country touring act, while also building a roster focused on artists with unique identities and long-term careers.
“This is about taking what we’ve built at Floating Leaf and giving it an even bigger runway,” says Hurt, Founder of Floating Leaf Entertainment. “We’ve always been incredibly focused on the artist — who they are, what makes them different and how we can help build a career around that. Red Light has an incredible history of doing the same thing at a global level. To bring those philosophies together, with the people and resources they have behind them, is really exciting. I couldn’t be more proud of what our team and artists have accomplished to get us here, and I’m even more excited about what comes next.”
“Jeb has built something special at Floating Leaf,” shares Ben Kline of Red Light Management. “He has an incredible instinct for artists and has earned the kind of trust that you can’t manufacture. Koe, Kolby, Fox & Vead and the rest of the roster are a reflection of that. We’re excited to bring the full breadth of Red Light to the table — our people, our relationships, our global reach and all of the opportunities that come with being part of this organization. There’s a lot of momentum around these artists, and we’re thrilled to be part of their careers.”
The deal also gives Floating Leaf new opportunities to grow its roster and expand its reach. By joining Red Light, the company will draw on the management firm’s decades of experience developing artists and building careers across genres and markets.
“This isn’t about changing what Floating Leaf is,” adds Hurt. “It’s about having more at our fingertips to serve the artists we believe in. We’ve got the opportunity to dream a little bigger, move a little faster and think globally about what’s possible. That’s a pretty exciting place to be.”
Blake Proehl Drops New Six-Track Debut ‘Hearts Don’t Break’
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Proehl has released his new six-track debut EP, Hearts Don’t Break, via MCA.
Moving between high-energy, feel-good moments and songs rooted in nostalgia, relationships and the ones that almost worked, Hearts Don’t Break is the fullest introduction yet to who Proehl is becoming as an artist. “If He Ain’t Up” brings playful confidence and feel-good energy, while the title track “Hearts Don’t Break Like That” plays on Proehl’s own story of resilience and starting over. “Way Back” taps into the nostalgia of the little moments that can instantly transport you to another time, while “Always Almost” reveals a more vulnerable side, reflecting on a relationship that never quite became what it could have been.
“I’ve learned that when one door closes, another one opens, and sometimes it leads you somewhere you never expected,” says Proehl. “Having this EP finally out in the world is such a big milestone for me, and I’m really proud of everything it took to get here. I’m excited to keep growing, connecting with fans and seeing where the music takes me.”
Hearts Don’t Break arrives at a pivotal moment in Proehl’s career. Since signing with MCA earlier this year, his streams have increased to more than 25.6 million, and he’s crossed the milestone of 1 million monthly listeners. He’s currently on the road with upcoming dates in Chattanooga, Charlotte, Fort Wayne, and more.
Hearts Don’t Break Tracklisting:
1. “If He Ain’t Up”
2. “Hearts Don’t Break Like That”
3. “She Got It”
4. “Way Back”
5. “Wild Magnolia”
6. “Always Almost”