Alex Albanese, Jayne Hamblin and Abby Holcomb. Photo: Emily Stearns

Creative Nation has added Alex Albanese to its team as Creative Manager.

A Boston native, Albanese attended Belmont University earning a degree in Industry Studies in December 2018. After completing school, she worked at Sony Music Publishing as a receptionist. She was then elevated to Creative Coordinator in the A&R department, where she oversaw 50 artists and songwriter calendars. In her new role at Creative Nation, she will help pitch songs, handle the strategic management of writer calendars and bring in new writers and artists on the company’s roster.

“Alex has great ears and a knowledge of and passion for songwriters that was apparent immediately,” shares Emily Furman, VP, Creative. “She’s hungry and poised to hit the ground running and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on our team!”

Additionally, the company has also elevated Abby Holcomb to Sr. Director, Operations & Digital and Jayne Hamblin to Director, Management & Records. Holcomb will continue to oversee the management of Creative Nation’s catalog and content across its digital platforms. Hamblin will continue to manage the day-to-day operations for the company’s artist clients and serve as the point of contact for external partners.

“Abby wears so many hats — she keeps our writers organized, our catalog buttoned up, and our socials updated and fresh all while making sure our team is supported and loved on. A well deserved promotion!” says Kelsey Granda, SVP, Operations & Admin.

“Jayne’s hard work and dedication to our clients and mission are unmatched,” adds Brandon Gill, SVP, Management & Records. “I know she will continue to flourish as she plays a key role in shaping the future of our Creative Nation Management and Records divisions,”

Pictured (L-R, back row): RECORDS Nashville EVP of Promotion and Commercial Strategy Josh Easler, SESAC SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch, SMACKSONGS SVP of Creative Sam Sarno, ASCAP Manager of Membership Nashville Emilia James, Young Guns Publishing SVP Creative Laura Alexander, Rich MGMT’s Brendan Rich. (L-R, seated): songwriter Matt McGinn (SESAC), songwriter Lalo Guzman (SESAC), George Birge (ASCAP) and songwriter Michael Tyler (SESAC). Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP

George Birge brought industry friends and colleagues out to Live Oak on Demonbreun earlier this week to celebrate his second No. 1 hit at country radio, “Cowboy Songs.” The sunny afternoon soiree was hosted by ASCAP, along with SESAC.

The tune, co-written by Birge with Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn and Michael Tyler, and co-produced by Guzman and McGinn, marks Birge’s second chart-topper in a year, following his breakout hit “Mind On You.”

George Birge celebrates his latest No. 1 single, “Cowboy Songs.” Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP

ASCAP’s Emilia James emceed the event, welcoming team members of the writers to speak, including SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, SMACKSongs’ Sam Sarno, Young Guns Publishing’s Laura Alexander and RECORDS Nashville’s Josh Easler.

Each presenter highlighted the talent of the songwriting team and Birge’s relentless commitment to his craft.

Sarno celebrated Guzman, as “Cowboy Songs” marks his first No. 1. “Lalo, you have some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen—not just musically, but with people,” she said. “You are a key to the culture of SMACK, you make the environment a place people want to be.”

Alexander spoke about Tyler’s talent and heart for his family. “Michael, we’re so proud of where you’ve been and where you’re headed.”

Easler highlighted the RECORDS Nashville team, Birge’s manager Brendan Rich and team, and Birge himself.

“The game has changed for us a lot over the last couple of years, but what hasn’t changed is how hard George is working for this,” Easler said. “This guy does it the right way. He works his ass off, he plays the shows, he calls his family, and he goes to bed to get up and do it again the next day.”

When it came time for the writers to speak, Tyler kicked it off by thanking God, his family, and his team. He spoke about his gratitude for Jason Turner, who introduced him to Young Guns and CTM Outlander.

“Y’all have 100% revived my motivation and desire to write songs, and gave my creativity a brand-new chance in this town,” Tyler said. “It has changed my life.”

George Birge with his wife Kara, and sons George James and Luke. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP

McGinn acknowledged his time away from Nashville following his 2023 arrest and mental health struggles, thanking his co-writers for inviting him to celebrate the No. 1.

Guzman spoke about the grind of working towards a hit as a songwriter and thanked those who stood by him.

“I want to thank my friends who have been a part of this journey,” he said. “It’s so important to have good friends who, even when you’re not doing good or you’re broke, are there to keep you going. Without good friends, I wouldn’t be here.”

When Birge took the mic, he recognized the many people who’ve played a role in his career.

“This is what wildest dreams are made of,” he said. “There are so many people in this room that I wouldn’t be here without.

“I’m a little bit deranged because all I can think about is what’s next—how big can we make this and how far can we go,” he summed. “I’m surrounded by lunatics that think the exact way that I do, and we’ve built a family that doesn’t take no for an answer. We go out there and win and do things that people tell us we can’t. Damn, it feels good to be sitting here with another No. 1.”

Whiskey Jam and Family Alliance in Music (FAM) are joining forces for the first-ever Juice Box Jam, a family-friendly edition of the long-running concert series, set for April 6 at 2 p.m. on SkyDeck at 5th & Broadway.

The event will feature performances from Charlie Worsham, Thelma & James, Jaden Michaels, Mickey Guyton, Daniel Tashian, Runaway June, Ryan Griffin, Alex Hall and Lanco, while supporting the work FAM is doing to create a more family-inclusive music industry.

In addition to live music, Juice Box Jam will offer a variety of activities for kids and families, including the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, a face painting station, a photobooth and more.

FAM is dedicated to transforming the music industry into a space where professional ambition and family life can thrive together. The organization has made significant progress in providing resources, building awareness and fostering a supportive community for music professionals balancing career and family responsibilities.

This marks a new chapter for Whiskey Jam, bringing its signature energy to a family-friendly setting for the first time. With live performances, interactive activities and a mission-driven focus, Juice Box Jam offers a fresh take on the beloved concert series—creating an afternoon of music, community and fun for all ages.

Pictured (L-R): Phil Hotz, Lisa Lorenz, Ivan Evidente, Don Kitchen, Morgan “MJ” James, Shawn Marino, Amanda Kingsland, Widney Bonfils, Shirley Ichkhanian, Kwaku Agyemang, Natassha Cuachon-Cruz; (L-R, seated): UMC President & CEO, Julie Adam and Shannen Serrano. Photo: Katherine Holland

Universal Music Canada (UMC) has named Amanda Kingsland and Shawn Marino as co-heads of A&R for the label. As VP of A&R and VP of A&R Operations, respectively, Kingsland and Marino are tasked with leading the department to sign, develop and break the next generation of Canadian artists on the world stage.

UMC’s domestically signed acts continue to make significant impact in Canada and international markets. In the country space, breakout star Josh Ross continues to climb the charts in the US and beyond and rising act Owen Riegling completed his first headline tour. Other recent signings include award-winning songwriter Lindsay Ell, country act James Barker Band and plenty of artists across pop, R&B, dance music and more.

“Music – and the artists who create it – are our driving force. We focus our hustle, passion, care, creativity, and abundance of forward-thinking ideas on helping the artists we work with achieve personal, artistic, and commercial success. And at the centre of our mission to sign, develop, and break artists is our industry-leading A&R team,” says Julie Adam, President & CEO, Universal Music Canada.

“They are tastemakers and genre experts who scout, sign, and cultivate talent, bringing deep international connections, musicality, skills, and insights to a range of musical projects. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Amanda and Shawn lead A&R efforts out of Canada as we continue to support, elevate, and invest in artistic voices.”

Since joining UMC in 2021, Kingsland rebuilt UMC’s award-winning country music roster and reinvigorated A&R across multiple projects. In her new role, she’ll bring her passion, sharp ear, creative insights and big picture strategic thinking to UMC’s full artist roster. Marino, a 30-year industry veteran, continues to oversee 80A Studios, The Academy (UMC’s dynamic performance and event space), A&R operations and technology and leads A&R for artists creatively approaching ways to revitalize their vast catalogues, from The Tragically Hip to Anne Murray.

Kingsland and Marino will work in lockstep with UMC’s A&R team Kwaku Agyemang, Widney Bonfils, Natassha Cuachon-Cruz, Ivan Evidente, Morgan “MJ” James, Shirley Ichkhanian and Shannen Serrano, supported by UMC’s venue and studio team Don Kitchen, Lisa Lorenz and sound engineer Phil Hotz.

Reporting directly to Adam, Kingsland, Marino and their teams are actively scouting and signing new prospects, developing UMC’s existing roster and building new partnerships with artists, songwriters, producers, publishers and partners industry wide.