Dan Rogers Talks 100 Years Of The Grand Ole Opry On The Kelly Clarkson Show 

Dan Rogers appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Photo: Weiss Eubanks

Dan Rogers, Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, will appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show today (April 30) to talk about the just released book, 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the legendary show. Clarkson featured Rogers in the popular #What I’m Liking segment.

100 Years of Grand Ole Opry, written by Craig Shelburne, commemorates and showcases the remarkable institution’s century-long history through never-before-seen photos and ephemera from years past, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from those who have paced backstage before career-defining performances and those who have come to know the Opry as a second home.

Mark Wills Joins Cast of Holiday Film The Best Thing About Christmas

Mark Wills

Mark Wills has joined the cast of the upcoming holiday film, The Best Thing About Christmas, with filming scheduled to start April 28 at The Square Room in downtown Knoxville. In addition to his acting role, Wills will perform the film’s original title track, “The Best Thing About Christmas,” penned by Derek Hinckley, who also stars in the movie as lead character Dylan Hunt, and serves as Executive Producer.

Opry Offers TN Residents New Opry 100 Specialty License Plate

The Opry is offering Tennessee residents the opportunity to celebrate the home of country music wherever they go with the purchase of the new Opry License Plate. As part of the continuing celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th year, the specialty plate celebrates the Opry’s 100th year on the air and features its iconic barn backdrop, microphone stand, and wooden circle, considered by many to be the home of country music. A portion of proceeds from each plate will go to the Opry Trust Fund, benefitting members of the country music industry in times of need.

Gabrielle Mooney Signs With Adrian James Music Group

Adrian Fuxa, Gabrielle Mooney and Deb Henson

Artist Gabrielle Mooney has signed an exclusive global music publishing, record and management deal with Adrian James Music Group. Mooney’s debut album for Adrian James Records will feature her new single, “If You Do Don’t,” set for release on June 20. In addition to her new music, Mooney shared her inspiring personal story on April 29 in an exclusive interview on Oprah Winfrey’s podcast in an episode about near-death experiences. In the poignant discussion, she opened up about her experience with a brain tumor and her journey following a near-death experience, providing listeners with an intimate look into the challenges she has overcome.

Broadway Star Jasmine Amy Rogers Inks Record Deal With Melody Place

Jasmine Amy Rogers. Photo: Nicole Wilson

Boop! The Musical Broadway star Jasmine Amy Rogers has partnered with Nashville-based Melody Place to exclusively release her albums. Rogers’ additional credits include Anita in Jelly’s Last Jam (Pasadena Playhouse), Gretchen Wieners in the National Tour of Mean Girls and Melody Green in The Wanderer (Papermill Playhouse) and Francis in the world premiere of Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre). Her TV credits include Evil on Paramount+.

Rogers was a Jimmy Awards finalist and appeared in Cabaret as Sally Bowles at the Manhattan School of Music where she studied Musical Theatre. Melody Place has been working with Grammy-winning producer David Foster on the Boop! The Musical cast album (for which Foster wrote the music), which is slated for release later this spring.

Adéllyn Polomski (SALXCO, Manager), Ink and Seth England (CEO / Partner, Big Loud). Photo: Vinny

Grammy-nominated artist Ink has signed with Big Loud Records and Electric Feel Records with management by Salxco.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany and raised in Atlanta, Ink began her journey as a street performer in and around Atlanta. She counts influences ranging from R&B songwriters like Babyface and Tony Henry and the Southern rock of Creedence Clearwater Revival, to the confessional songwriting of Lauryn Hill and the godmother of rock’n’roll herself, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. As a writer she has co-penned the Cowboy Carter tracks “16 Carriages,” “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “Ameriican Requiem,” as well as the contender for biggest song of the year, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” which is currently in its ninth week at the top of the chart. Ink has also collaborated with other artists including Jlo, Lil Nas X, Kehlani and more.

“Signing with Big Loud and Electric Feel Records feels like the beginning of a new chapter, one where I can truly embrace my sound and the stories I’ve been holding inside,” shares Ink. “It’s surreal, but I know this is where I’m supposed to be. With these labels, I finally feel like my music has found its home. I can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on.”

“Ink isn’t just pushing boundaries — she’s rewriting the map,” Big Loud CEO/Partner Seth England shares. “Her ability to weave country roots with raw energy and cinematic storytelling is something we haven’t seen before. She’s fearless, original and deeply connected to the moment we’re in. We’re proud to welcome her to Big Loud and honored to be part of what she’s building.”

“We are incredibly excited for Electric Feel Records and Big Loud to partner on Ink’s artist project,” adds Electric Feel Founder/CEO Austin Rosen. “Her authenticity, unique sound and fearless storytelling make her an ultimate powerhouse.”

Thebrosfresh. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI

BMI launched its seventh season of its signature Rooftop On The Row series on Monday night (Apr. 28) with newcomers Thomas Edwards, Colt Graves and Thebrosfresh.

Colt Graves. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI

The invitation-only event offered over three hours of music as hundreds of industry guests took in the Music City skyline from BMI’s Nashville office. DJ Smoke set the tone for the evening as BMI’s Mason Hunter introduced Edwards to the stage, where he performed “Nights I Can Remember,” “Whiskey Bottle Man” and “Friday Night 9-5.” Graves kicked off his set with “Burning House” before going into “Dirt on Me,” “Mug Shot” and his collaboration with Timbaland “Cowboy Capone.” Thebrosfresh closed out the evening with “Consent (It’s Been a While),” “Your Energy” and “She Wants” from their latest EP, Same Leather.

BMI’s Rooftop On The Row series returns May 28 with headliners Lukas Nelson and Kaitlin Butts, followed by Tucker Wetmore and Tanner Adell on Jul. 15. Vincent Mason and Max McNown will take over on Aug. 12, before the final event on Sept. 17 which will serve as the official kickoff to Americanafest, with performers for the final show to be announced soon.

Thomas Edwards. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Claire Dodelin, BMI’s Jackson Kiger, BMI’s Clay Bradley, THEBROSFRESH’s Torrence Thomas, Colt Graves, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Thomas Edwards, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI’s Mason Hunter, THEBROSFRESH’s Thurman Thomas and BMI’s Shannon Sanders. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI

Pictured (L-R): VDW Music Group’s Marion Van Der Wees, Big Machine Music Sr. Director Timmy Haehl, Thomas Daniel and Big Machine Music’s President Mike Molinar. Photo: Big Machine Music

Multi-genre singer-songwriter Thomas Daniel has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with Big Machine Music.

“Mike Molinar and Big Machine Music have an undeniable history of championing songwriters. I’m grateful to join a roster and team that I feel so inspired by,” shares Daniel.

In addition to his own 150 million streams as an artist, Daniel’s songs have been recorded by K-Pop global superstars Enhypen (“One In A Billion”), as well as Lauren Spencer Smith (“Bigger Person”), Alexander Stewart (“When You Love Someone”), Taeyeon (“All For Nothing”) and No. 1 Billboard Japanese band &Team (“Crescent Moon’s Wish”), among others.

“Thomas is as natural of a songwriting talent as I’ve ever had the privilege of signing in my career,” shares Molinar, BMM’s President. “His incredible sense of melody and capacity to capture the full range of human emotion lyrically are just a couple of reasons why we are so proud and excited that he chose us as his publishing partner.”