The T.J. Martell Foundation is commemorating 50 years of bringing together the music industry in the battle against cancer and fueling groundbreaking progress in research and patient care. Created by music executive Tony Martell in honor of his son, T.J., the organization has supported research that has driven some of the most significant advancements in cancer treatment.

Steve Gawley, Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and Business Development at REPUBLIC Collective, will serve as the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the foundation. Gawley will shape the foundation’s future with a vision focused on four core pillars; boosting financial sustainability and fundraising innovation, expanding research funding, evolving the brand to remain at the forefront of music culture and strengthening leadership while engaging the next generation.

“For 50 years, the T.J. Martell Foundation has been at the intersection of music and medicine, turning passion into progress.” shares Gawley. “As we celebrate this milestone, we look ahead to a future where every dollar raised, and every partnership formed brings us closer to a cure.”

“Steve Gawley’s leadership is shaping the next era of our mission,” adds Lynn-Anne Huck, CEO of The T.J. Martell Foundation. “His ability to unite people, build partnerships, and drive innovation ensures we are not just preserving a legacy—we are creating a future where groundbreaking cancer research thrives.”

Combining the power of music and community, the foundation’s Board of Trustees, comprised of leaders from record labels, publishing, management, live entertainment, streaming, media and brand partnerships, has been vital in advancing its mission.

Additional members of the foundation’s executive committee includes Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Label Group), Tom Corson (Warner Records), John Esposito (Executive Chairman), Avery Lipman (REPUBLIC Collective), Joe Schmidt (REPUBLIC Collective), Daniel Glass (Glassnote Entertainment Group), Jeffrey Harleston (Universal Music Group), Michael Huppe (Sound Exchange), Rich Isaacson (R I Entertainment), Michael Kushner (Warner Music Group), Dennis Lord (Attorney), Marc Reiter (Metallica), Darren Stupak (Sony Music Entertainment), Julie Swidler (Sony Music Entertainment), Andy Tavel (Raines Feldman Littrell LLP) and Ron Wilcox (MD Consulting, Treasurer).

“The music industry thrives on discovering and nurturing new talent before the world knows their name,” continues Gawley. “We must take the same approach to cancer research—funding the boldest, most promising ideas to help drive them toward mainstream solutions that will benefit anyone who suffers from this terrible disease. With its leadership deeply engaged, the T.J. Martell Foundation continues to expand its impact, funding the next wave of cutting-edge cancer research and providing hope to patients and families around the world.”

To celebrate its 5o years, the foundation will host an array of events supporting cancer research. Fundraising dinners will take place on April 22 at the Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza in Nashville and May 22 at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California.

The annual New York Honors Gala will take place on Sept. 16 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, celebrating 50 years of impact, funding breakthroughs and showcasing industry leaders who have supported the mission.

Members of The Grand Ole Opry celebrate 100th anniversary. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry

The Opry 100: A Live Celebration NBC special last week celebrating the Grand Ole Opry and its impact on country music over the past century was the most-watched program of the night among all the broadcast networks against mostly original programming.

The star-studded, once-in-a-lifetime live special showcased unforgettable performances and iconic collaborations from some of the biggest names in country music, and drew 5.3 million viewers Wednesday night across NBC and Peacock. The special showed impressive growth in its first four half-hours, holding up well as its final half-hour surpassed its first.

The special featured many highlights, including Reba McEntire delivering an emotional tribute to two of country’s most beloved icons, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood honoring George Jones and Tammy Wynette with a tribute to two of country music’s most influential duos; Carrie Underwood sweetly honoring Randy Travis with some of his hits and walking down from the stage to end a song with him, and an Opry cast salute to fellow member Dolly Parton. 

Luke Combs Appears At Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum’s All Access Program For Students

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Writer-Editor, Dave Paulson, museum CEO Kyle Young, Luke Combs and museum Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement Katie Palmer. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted an interview and brief performance with Luke Combs as part of the museum’s All Access program for students. Combs shared his experiences and career lessons with nearly 600 local seventh through twelfth graders in the museum’s CMA Theater. Combs also performed two songs during the program — “Fast Car” and “When it Rains it Pours.”

The museum’s All Access program connects students with country music’s creative and entertainment communities and illuminates the history and culture presented in the museum galleries. Combs is currently featured in an exhibition at the museum, “Luke Combs: The Man I Am,” which traces his story from singing with his school choirs in North Carolina to headlining stadiums around the world. The exhibit runs until June 2025 and is included with museum admission.

Kelsey Hart’s ‘Life With You’ Goes Gold

Kelsey Hart, along with his wife Auminee Hart, the Curb Records team, Riverwood Entertainment, “Life With You” producer Blake Bollinger, Bracken Law’s Josh Bracken, “Life With You” co-writer Kyle Schlesinger and Riley Roth celebrate Hart’s RIAA Gold certification of “Life With You” at the Curb Records office in Nashville

Kelsey Hart is celebrating the RIAA Gold certification of his top 30 single and viral TikTok hit, “Life With You.” The rising star is also getting ready to hit the road with Restless Road on their “Goin’ Out Like That Tour,” which will visit 20 cities this spring. The title cut from Hart’s full-length debut, Life With You released last year and has amassed upwards of 117 million global streams and is currently top 30-and-climbing at country radio.

Sister Hazel Raises Over $800K At 7th Annual “Lyrics For Life” Benefit

Sister Hazel. Photo: Chris Watkins Photography

Sister Hazel hosted its seventh annual “Lyrics for Life – An Evening of Making Music Matter” event on March 8 in their hometown of Gainesville, Florida. The event raised more than $800,000 for Lyrics for Life’s Camp Hazelnut, the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, and STOP! Children’s Cancer in Gainesville. The unforgettable evening featured an intimate performance by Sister Hazel, with special guest appearances by Rick Springfield and Edwin McCain. Since its founding, “Lyrics for Life” has raised more than $5 million to support children’s cancer research and treatment.

Jyou Signs With East Music Row Records & Deluge Music

Pictured (L-R, seated): EMR’s Johnny Gates, Deluge Music’s David Robkin, Jyou and EMR’s Austin Luther; (L-R, standing): Winona Fighter’s Chloe Kinnon, EMR artist Felicity, Deluge Music’s Stephanie Greene and Jyou’s family and friends

Alternative/urban artist Jyou has signed with East Music Row Records and Deluge Music. The signing and celebration took place last week at Deluge’s Starstruck offices.

Seph Schlueter Counting Blessings With Gold-Certified No. 1

Seph Schlueter and the PLG team, manager, Jon Sell / Origin Creative Co and MPM Business Management team, and booking team – Platform Artists and co-songwriters

Seph Schlueter‘s No. 1 song “Counting My Blessings” has been certified Gold. As his first major label release, this song was also No. 1 on all four Christian charts for multiple weeks and was awarded the 2024 K-Love Breakout Single of the Year, nominated for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 2024 Dove Awards, and a finalist for the 2024 Billboard Awards Top Christian Song.

In addition, Schlueter was named a 2025 Amazon Artist to Watch. He has released a new song, “Turn It To Praise,” out now. This song follows his January worship release, “Words We’ll Sing Forever” and his current radio single, “Running Back To You,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Audience Chart and currently sits in the top 2 on the Billboard and Mediabase charts.

Neah McMeen Inks With PLA Media

Neah McMeen. Photo: Libby Danforth

Neah McMeen has signed with PLA Media for publicity representation. Hailing from Webber, Kansas, McMeen’s sound is deeply rooted in America’s heartland. When she’s not performing, she’s a full-time sophomore at The University of Kansas, where she is pursuing a degree in Health Sciences. She recently released her somewhat salty debut single, “Bitter” and a TikTok video from her last Nashville photo/video shoot recently went viral, nearing 500,000 views within 48 hours.

Pictured (L-R): Combustion Music’s Keithan Melton, Combustion Music’s Falcon, Story House Collective’s Matthew West, AJ Pruis, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Combustion Music’s Kelly Lyons and Combustion Music’s Blake Duncan. Photo: Melissa Pruis

AJ Pruis has extended his publishing deal with Combustion Music in partnership with Story House Collective.

Pruis recently notched his eighth No. 1 single as a songwriter with Tasha Layton and Chris Brown’s “Worship Through It.” Pruis works in country, pop and Christian writers’ rooms, with credits on songs from Newsboys, Matthew West, Sanctus Real, Megan Moroney, Max McNown, Corey Kent, Fletcher, Colbie Caillat, Hey Violet and more.

He co-wrote and co-produced several tracks on West’s album Don’t Stop Praying, including his current top 15 single, “Unashamed”. Pruis’ more recent cuts include Kent’s “Break Like That,” Reyna Roberts’ “Justify.” Spencer Crandall’s “The Right One,” Rhett Walker’s “Somebody Say Amen,” Loyals’ “Give To Me,” Olivia Lane’s “Who God Says You Are” and more. Prius has also had songs cut by Ingrid Andress, Jordan Feliz, Alana Springsteen, Casting Crowns, Anne Wilson, Locash, Scotty McCreery and more.

“Couldn’t be happier to extend our partnership with Matthew West and AJ Pruis. AJ continues to excel and win in multiple formats,” says Combustion Music President Chris Farren. “We are so pumped to continue winning together.”

West adds, “It has been such an honor to partner with AJ and to have a front row seat to watch his journey unfold, and I’m excited to announce the continuation of our partnership. He’s writing and producing one great song after another and there’s no doubt in my mind he’s got a bright future ahead of him. The music industry has discovered what a unique talent AJ is and I have no doubt that the best is yet to come.”

“Feeling incredibly blessed to keep working with Story House Collective and Combustion Music,” says Pruis. “They’ve been an amazing team for the past decade, and I can’t wait to see what we do together in the coming years!”

Milana Lewis, Tom Becci & Kristin Graziani. Photo: Erica Hernandez

Concord has acquired Stem Distribution, adding the company to its subsidiary portfolio. Stem will remain a separate division within Concord Label Group, led by CEO Milana Lewis and President Kristin Graziani.

Stem has begun and grown artist careers for rising talent and established acts. With Concord, Stem will now have more capital and resources to gain new technology and develop the infrastructure needed to enhance its portfolio of label services and drive Stem’s global growth. The deal will not impact current staffing or operations.

“The success of the indie community is vital to the long-term growth and health of the music industry,” shares Tom Becci, Chief Executive of Concord Label Group. “Our investment in Stem will equip them with the tools necessary to deliver first-class service across the globe while further modernizing the indie music landscape. Our focus on bolstering independent artists and entrepreneurs has never been clearer.”

“Milana and her team have spent a decade creating a company that provides immense value to both artists and labels.” adds Concord CEO Bob Valentine. “Like Concord, their focus has always been giving artists the tools they need to realize their visions and grow their careers. I am excited to welcome the Stem team to Concord and look forward to witnessing our collective success.”

“From day one, Stem has been hellbent in its mission to provide artists and their teams true autonomy.” says Lewis. “We’ve built a platform that has consistently launched the hottest artists in the world by assembling the right components—discerning taste, cutting-edge financial tools, seamless distribution, bespoke marketing strategies and high-touch creative services. Now, with Concord’s backing, we gain more fuel for the engine and a global team to help us scale. This isn’t an exit—it’s an expansion. We’re doubling down on raising the standard for independent artists and proving what’s possible when they have the right support behind them.”

“Stem and Concord both serve as trusted and successful partners to independent artists,” explains Graziani. “Bob, Tom, Vic and the Concord team have built an incredibly impressive, durable business across multiple facets of the industry and we are honored to be their selected partner as they enter the rapidly growing and sought-after distribution space. We know Concord’s capital, comprehensive global label services and strategic expertise across recorded music will immediately strengthen Stem’s offering, while allowing us to continue to deliver on our promise of empowering independent artists and labels.”

As part of the deal, Tone, the business platform for royalty accounting and other modern financial tools for record labels under Stem, will operate as an independent business, with Concord serving as one of its investors.

Concord’s external legal counsel was provided by Reed Smith, with tax advisory services from KPMG. Stem’s team was led by Raine and featured counsel from Rachel Totten and Natalie Martirossian from Goodwin Procter, Sarah Graham from Gibson Dunn and Laxmi Vijaysankar from Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill.