Aubrey Daniels, Andy Friday and Emily Hasty

Major Bob Music has elevated and expanded three of its team members. Andy Friday has risen to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Emily Hasty to Creative Director. Aubrey Daniels has been recruited serve as Head of Publishing.

Working with Bob and Mike Doyle for over 15 years, Friday will oversee all companies owned by Doyle in his newly created position of COO. He also handles day-to-day management for Treaty Oak Revival in a co-management partnership with Eli Kidd of EKidd Artist Management, longtime manager of the band. Previously Major Bob’s Head of Publishing, Friday signed Zach Top and Treaty Oak Revival to Major Bob Music/Bob Doyle & Associates.

Daniels, a Michigan native and Belmont alum, moved to Nashville in 2012. She brings to the role years of experience working closely with writers, artists and labels promoting songs between various publishing companies including Bluewater Music, SNG Music and KP Entertainment’s publishing arm.

An MTSU alum hailing from East Tennessee, Hasty first interned at Major Bob in 2022 and officially joining the team as Administrative Assistant in 2023, soon promoted to Creative Coordinator. She officially signed her first writer, Anslee Davidson, in September of 2023.

“Emily is an extremely hard worker and has risen quickly through the ranks due to her passion and dedication for songwriters,” shares Friday. “Everyone that knows Aubrey will tell you she’s a true song person, I can’t think of anyone better to run a publishing company than her. We’re honored to have Aubrey join our Major Bob team.”

Dr. Valerie Cordero. Photo: Hannah Qi Photography

Dr. Valerie Cordero has been appointed the new Executive Director of the W.O. Smith Music School.

Dr. Cordero holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from UCLA and moved to Nashville in 2012. She joins W.O. Smith after 15 years at Families for Depression Awareness, where she most recently served as Co-Executive Director. Dr. Cordero spearheaded fundraising and marketing initiatives at FFDA, while also working on a national level to promote accessible and culturally-sensitive mental health care. A well-known advocate, she has been highlighted in Reader’s Digest, Better Homes & Gardens and New York Magazine’s The Cut, and has delivered presentations at various conferences throughout the U.S.

“Valerie’s extensive experience in nonprofit management and profound understanding of the significance of music education make her an exceptional choice to lead W.O. Smith Music School,” says Greg Hill, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Her passion and expertise, coupled with our amazing staff and volunteers, will ensure that our students thrive for years to come.”

“I am honored to become a part of the school’s incredible legacy,” says Cordero. “My hope is to further magnify our impact so that we reach—and advocate for—even more underserved youth and families.”

In her new position Cordero follows Jonah Rabinowitz, who led W.O. Smith for nearly 30 years, shaping it into a thriving institution that provides life-changing music education to Nashville’s underserved youth. Under his leadership, the school broadened its impact, established a solid financial foundation and reinforced its position as a key pillar in the city’s cultural and educational scene.

As W.O. Smith Music School begins this new chapter, the Board of Directors and staff embrace Dr. Cordero’s vision to grow programming, enhance community partnerships and continue offering transformative opportunities for students.

Hudson Westbrook. Photo: Kelsey Runge

Hudson Westbrook will hit the road this summer for a slew of headline shows.

The shows will begin on June 13 in Chicago, making stops in Louisville, Minneapolis, Houston and more for an 11-date run. His trek will also include a stop at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on July 23.

“With every new city we visit, I’m realizing how much I love touring,” says Westbrook. “Seeing you guys sing just the few songs we have out word for word back to me and the band is so surreal, and I feel lucky to meet you guys and get to know you at our merch table every night. Thank you for the support, we’ve got more coming this year – we’re just getting started.”

Alongside the headline dates, Westbrook will also join Parker McCollum for three dates on his “What Kinda Man Tour,” including a stop at Red Rocks Amphitheater. He will also make festival appearances at Tailgates N’ Tallboys, Rock The South, Rock The Country and more.

Currently on his “Take Your Time Tour,” Westbrook has had to upgrade several venues due to demand, playing to over 63,000 fans in the last nine months from headline shows alone. He has also garnered over 200 million global streams in just 10 months.

Tickets for all headline shows for summer 2025 are on sale now.

Hudson Westbrook 2025 Summer Tour Dates:
June 7 – Little Elm, TX – Craft Brew & Que Festival
June 12 – Bloomington, IL – Tailgates N’ Tallboys
June 13 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed Street
June 14 – Hastings, MI – Rock The Country
June 19 – Cullman, AL – Rock The South
June 20 – Memphis, TN – Graceland Soundstage
June 21 – Little Rock, AR – Rock The Country
June 28 – Lubbock, TX – Cotton Fest
July 10 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
July 11 – Ashland, KY – Rock The Country
July 12 – Reading, PA – Bulls, Bands, & Barrels
July 16 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwood
July 17 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
July 18 – Sioux Falls, SD – Rock The Country
July 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
July 23 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
July 25 – Charlotte, NC – Underground
July 26 – Anderson, SC – Rock The Country
July 31 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater*
Aug. 1 – West Valley City, UT – Maverick Center*
Aug. 2 – Missoula, MT – Big Sky Brewing Amphitheater*
Aug. 8 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Aug. 9 – Graham, TX – Graham Summer Concert Series
Aug. 14 – Sedalia, MO – Missouri State Fair
Aug. 15 – Omaha, NE – The Astro Amphitheater
Aug. 16 – Imperial, NE – Chase County Fair
Aug. 23 – Portales, NM – Roosevelt County Fair
Aug. 28 – Midland, TX – Horseshoe Amphitheater
Aug. 30 – LaGrange, TX – Fayette County Fair
*Supporting Parker McCollum

Bill Medley

After a lifetime of accolades and awards including being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as part of hitmakers the Righteous Brothers, you would think Bill Medley would be ready to wind it down a bit and just enjoy the fruits of a highly successful career. In fact, the opposite is true.

The Grammy winner behind evergreen hits like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Unchained Melody” and “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” is still reaching for new horizons and uncharted territories musically, as evidenced by his brand new country album, Straight From The Heart, out now. On the new project, produced by Fred Mollin, Medley lends his iconic baritone to some pure country classics alongside hitmakers like Michael McDonald, Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’ and Shawn Colvin. The album feels like a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who found the stories in the songs mirrored his own life in many ways and made the recording a labor of love for the lifelong country fan.

“Making this album was kind of the perfect storm,” he tells MusicRow. “I’m 84 now and have always wanted to do a country album. I had some guys come and ask me to do this record, kind of as a tribute to the singers and songwriters, and I told them I’d love to do it. I’ve actually been doing country some off and on… in 1968 I left the Righteous Brothers for six years and the first album I tried to do was a country album, and the record company found out I was doing it and made me stop.

“This album, oddly enough, is the story of my life,” he continues. “I mean ‘Sunday Morning Comin’ Down’—if you’ve ever been divorced and gotten the blues, and you are out walking around and see families having lunch or breakfast—it’s very moving. So I’ve lived this album, and that’s why it was so important for me to do it. I also wanted to do it for my grandson and great grandchildren, an album that showed their grandpa’s heart and how he really feels.”

Medley is no stranger to the country world, having visited Nashville with Kenny Rogers in 1978, and later touring with Rogers, Alabama and Loretta Lynn at various times throughout his career and creating lifelong relationships within the country music community. He even earned an ACM Nomination for Top New Male Vocalist of the Year in the 1980’s, so indulging in his deep-seated love for country was easy for the legendary vocalist. What wasn’t easy, however, was selecting which songs would make the cut on Straight From The Heart.

“I think it was subconscious, the fact that I kind of picked out songs that I’ve lived,” admits Medley.”Obviously it was tough, and I was obviously afraid to do a lot of those songs… I almost had to be talked into it because those are great singers. On Kenny’s ‘Sweet Music Man’—it sounds like he wrote that song about me, about an old guy who had hit records and is out trying to find his fans. And to do ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today,’ it took a lot of nerve to do that one, you have to be pretty stupid to try and do that, and I just love the song! I mean George Jones was just one of the great singers…he’s just phenomenal. Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson—I just want to pay tribute to all those guys, so I think the best thing you can do is songs that touch you.

“Listen, I’m not a country singer—I was raised in California and my dad was a Texan,” he explains. “So when I do these songs I just do songs that feel comfortable to my voice and my heart. I’d love for this album to do well because I’d love to go out and perform all these songs.”

Each song on the highly-personal collection represents a meaningful memory or connection to Medley’s life. He kicks off the album with a collaboration with iconic vocalist Michael McDonald on “Cryin Time,” a powerful blend of soul and harmony that’s one of several collabs on the project. Medley also recruited buddy Keb’ Mo’ for “(Since You’ve) Gone)”, a version of the 1950’s hit seeping with remorse and regret. “Keb and I wrote a song together awhile back he recorded and he’s been a real dear friend for a long time. He’s a wonderful gentleman and a great singer, songwriter and guitar player, and he’s one of the first guys I wanted to call to see if he wanted to do this,” says Medley. “I think he did a phenomenal job on the track.”

Medley also joins forces with Vince Gill on the bluesy, nostalgic “These Days,” which came together after Medley originally hoped Gill would simply add some guitar work to the track. Interestingly, Medley and Gill were both nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards back in 1985, which Gill ultimately won.

“I did the entire album to honor singers and songwriters that I admire, and I think Vince Gill is one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time. He writes perfectly for my voice, and I was just thrilled to have him come along on this project. It’s fun to sing with these guys that you admire. It’s like an out of body experience. I’m 84—I guess I should be used to it, but I never get tired of singing with great singers.”

That passion is evident on tracks like his duet with Shawn Colvin on the haunting Hank Williams classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” a tune Medley tried to pay homage to by letting the simple aching beauty of the song shine through.

“With all the songs, I tried to stay away from how they did it and just try to do my version. With the Hank, the song is such a great song. Sometimes singers try to take a great song and make it greater, and I think that’s a huge mistake. All you can do is your best—just sing the song.”

At this stage Medley has climbed just about every musical mountain in his career, and he continues to perform with Bucky Heard as The Righteous Brothers, but he hopes to share some of the songs from Straight From The Heart with fans on the road as well, should the opportunity arise.

“I’ve actually done everything that I’ve wanted to do and some of the stuff that I didn’t think I could do or should,” Medley says, laughing, “but I don’t know what else I’d still like to accomplish, other than I would really love to be able to perform this album at some point on tour. If I do another one of these albums, I would love to work with Chris Stapleton—I think his voice and my voice would be really interesting together.

“Other than that, I have a wonderful family and friends. I’m losing a lot of my great friends, just getting to that age, so I want to keep walking forward. People say ‘when are you going to retire?’ And I say, ‘I gotta get a job first.’ This isn’t a job—this is a 15-year-old boy’s dream. So as long as I can keep going onstage and audiences are still there, I want to keep doing that.”