Grammy Museum Mississippi Adds Three New Members To Board Of Directors
The Grammy Museum Mississippi has added three new members to its Board of Directors, including Betsy Aguzzi of the Mississippi Limestone Corporation, music publicist/entrepreneur Zach Farnum and artist manager Gaines Sturdivant. Aguzzi, Farnum and Sturdivant have been elected to three-year terms. The Board of Directors is responsible for governance, oversight and major decision-making for the Grammy Museum Mississippi, and establishing a strategic plan so that the Museum can fulfill its educational mission.
“We are thrilled to welcome Betsy Aguzzi, Zach Farnum and Gaines Sturdivant to our Board of Directors,” says Emily Havens, Executive Director of Grammy Museum Mississippi. “Each of these talented new members are experts in their individual fields and will be exceptional additions to our Board. We’re looking forward to working with them and the rest of our Board to continue to enhance our music education programming and other inspiring events that we offer here at Grammy Museum Mississippi for the next several years and beyond.”
Combustion Music Celebrates 11th Annual Hope Town Music Festival
Pictured (L-R): Nicole DeNardin, Assistant Administrator for ECC; Olivia Patterson-Maura, Executive Director of FRIENDS; Troy Pritchard, HTVFR Chief; Cha Boyce, Deputy Director of FRIENDS; Chris Farren, Founder of Combustion Music and Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival; and Chris Knowles and Jim Todd of HTVFR. Photo: Courtesy of Combustion Music
Combustion Music celebrated its 11th annual Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival in Elbow Cay on Dec. 6-8, raising over $400,000 for three local charities: Every Child Counts (ECC), Friends of the Environment and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue. This year’s three-day festival featured performances by hitmakers Kendell Marvel, Chris DeStefano, Chris Farren and Payton Smith, and many other special guests, including local favorites Donella and Journey Higgs and her father. The annual festival was established by Combustion Music Founder and President Chris Farren, who has owned a home on the island for over 20 years.
“Each year, I worry that we might have overstayed our welcome, and that my great friends and writers from Nashville, as well as the hundreds of festival goers, are a bit tired of giving…Boy, am I glad my worries were unfounded again this year,” shares Farren. “Once again, everyone stepped up, and we raised a boatload of money…and had a bunch of fun doing it. Thank you to everyone involved!”
Kristina Murray Inks With Normaltown/New West Records
Kristina Murray. Photo: Schuyler Howie
Kristina Murray has signed to Normaltown/New West Records and will release her new project Little Blue on May 9. The nine-song set was produced by Misa Arriaga (Kacey Musgraves, Wyatt Flores) and Rachael Moore (T Bone Burnett’s longtime engineer). Murray has announced a new tour in support of Little Blue. Prior to her album release celebration on May 9 in Nashville, she will appear at this year’s SXSW Music Festival in Austin.
Green Hill Productions Expands Relationship With The Piano Guys
The Piano Guys
Primary Wave Music is expanding its partnership with The Piano Guys as Green Hill Productions, a member of Sun Label Group, acquires a additional stake in the group’s master catalog. As part of this growing relationship, Green Hill will continue working with The Piano Guys through a new distribution deal.
The Piano Guys (pianist Jon Schmidt, cellist Steven Sharp Nelson, videographer Paul Anderson and music producer Al van der Beek) have amassed over two billion YouTube views and topped Billboard charts across multiple genres.
Industry Ink: Grammy Museum Mississippi, Combustion Music, More
/by Lorie HollabaughGrammy Museum Mississippi Adds Three New Members To Board Of Directors
The Grammy Museum Mississippi has added three new members to its Board of Directors, including Betsy Aguzzi of the Mississippi Limestone Corporation, music publicist/entrepreneur Zach Farnum and artist manager Gaines Sturdivant. Aguzzi, Farnum and Sturdivant have been elected to three-year terms. The Board of Directors is responsible for governance, oversight and major decision-making for the Grammy Museum Mississippi, and establishing a strategic plan so that the Museum can fulfill its educational mission.
“We are thrilled to welcome Betsy Aguzzi, Zach Farnum and Gaines Sturdivant to our Board of Directors,” says Emily Havens, Executive Director of Grammy Museum Mississippi. “Each of these talented new members are experts in their individual fields and will be exceptional additions to our Board. We’re looking forward to working with them and the rest of our Board to continue to enhance our music education programming and other inspiring events that we offer here at Grammy Museum Mississippi for the next several years and beyond.”
Combustion Music Celebrates 11th Annual Hope Town Music Festival
Pictured (L-R): Nicole DeNardin, Assistant Administrator for ECC; Olivia Patterson-Maura, Executive Director of FRIENDS; Troy Pritchard, HTVFR Chief; Cha Boyce, Deputy Director of FRIENDS; Chris Farren, Founder of Combustion Music and Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival; and Chris Knowles and Jim Todd of HTVFR. Photo: Courtesy of Combustion Music
Combustion Music celebrated its 11th annual Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival in Elbow Cay on Dec. 6-8, raising over $400,000 for three local charities: Every Child Counts (ECC), Friends of the Environment and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue. This year’s three-day festival featured performances by hitmakers Kendell Marvel, Chris DeStefano, Chris Farren and Payton Smith, and many other special guests, including local favorites Donella and Journey Higgs and her father. The annual festival was established by Combustion Music Founder and President Chris Farren, who has owned a home on the island for over 20 years.
“Each year, I worry that we might have overstayed our welcome, and that my great friends and writers from Nashville, as well as the hundreds of festival goers, are a bit tired of giving…Boy, am I glad my worries were unfounded again this year,” shares Farren. “Once again, everyone stepped up, and we raised a boatload of money…and had a bunch of fun doing it. Thank you to everyone involved!”
Kristina Murray Inks With Normaltown/New West Records
Kristina Murray. Photo: Schuyler Howie
Kristina Murray has signed to Normaltown/New West Records and will release her new project Little Blue on May 9. The nine-song set was produced by Misa Arriaga (Kacey Musgraves, Wyatt Flores) and Rachael Moore (T Bone Burnett’s longtime engineer). Murray has announced a new tour in support of Little Blue. Prior to her album release celebration on May 9 in Nashville, she will appear at this year’s SXSW Music Festival in Austin.
Green Hill Productions Expands Relationship With The Piano Guys
The Piano Guys
Primary Wave Music is expanding its partnership with The Piano Guys as Green Hill Productions, a member of Sun Label Group, acquires a additional stake in the group’s master catalog. As part of this growing relationship, Green Hill will continue working with The Piano Guys through a new distribution deal.
The Piano Guys (pianist Jon Schmidt, cellist Steven Sharp Nelson, videographer Paul Anderson and music producer Al van der Beek) have amassed over two billion YouTube views and topped Billboard charts across multiple genres.
Weekly Register: Chart Leaders Swap Spots
/by John Nix ArledgeMorgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
Morgan Wallen remains atop the country albums and streaming songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His 2023 album One Thing At A Time garnered 41K in total consumption (945 album only and 53 million song streams) and his newest track “I’m The Problem,” holds the No. 1 position on the songs chart with 16 million streams.
Also on the albums chart, Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album stays at the No. 2 position earning 29K in total consumption, Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion is at No. 3 with 26K in total consumption, Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken at No. 4 with 20K and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter rounds out the top five with 19K.
On the songs chart, Shaboozey keeps the No. 2 spot with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earning 13 million streams adding to one billion, Wallen’s “Love Somebody” rises to No. 3 with 13 million streams and Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” claims No. 4 with 10 million streams.
BREAKING: Sony Music Nashville Elevates Mallory Michaels To Vice President, Radio Marketing & Promotion
/by Madison HahnenMallory Michaels. Photo: Jessica Amerson
Sony Music Nashville has promoted Mallory Michaels to Vice President, Radio Marketing & Promotion.
Michaels previously served as Senior Director of Promotion at RCA Nashville. In her newly established role, she will create and execute strategic national radio promotion plans for all artists signed to Sony Music Nashville, supporting both the Columbia Nashville and RCA Nashville labels. Additionally, Michaels will collaborate with the regional promotion teams to ensure airplay targets are met, boosting visibility and commercial success for the artists. She will report to Dennis Reese, Senior Vice President of Radio Marketing & Promotion.
“I’m thrilled to announce this well-deserved promotion,” shares Reese. “Mallory is a force and her ability to execute the radio plans for our artists has helped lead the label to significant history breaking No. 1 records. I’m excited to see her continue her growth here with us and bring more success to the label.”
Michaels joined Sony Music Nashville in May 2018, overseeing promotion efforts in the Midwest and Southwest regions for the RCA Nashville roster. During her tenure, the RCA Nashville team achieved several No. 1 hits, including Chris Young, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert and Old Dominion, as well as two record-breaking No. 1 singles for Nate Smith, the 10-week No. 1 “Whiskey On You” and the multi-week No. 1 “Bulletproof.” She also helped Corey Kent earn his first No. 1 with “Wild As Her” from his debut album. Before joining SMN, Michaels spent four years at Warner Music Nashville as Director of Promotion for the Midwest and Northeast, where she earned multiple No. 1 songs and platinum records. She also contributed to the launch of Red Bow Records. Michaels is a graduate of Belmont University.
New Loretta Lynn Musical In Development
/by LB CantrellLoretta Lynn. Photo: Russ Harrington
The life and musical legacy of beloved country music icon and legend Loretta Lynn will be celebrated in a new stage musical Coal Miner’s Daughter, starring Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster.
The production is in development under the direction of Tony Award-winner Sam Gold, with Music Production by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori. Lynn’s manager, producer and daughter, Patsy Lynn, and longtime adviser, Nancy Russell, will act as consulting producers.
Inspired by the award-nominated 1980 film and Lynn’s autobiography with George Vecsey of the same name, Coal Miner’s Daughter brings her remarkable journey to the stage. From her humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to her rise as a country music icon, this adaptation features songs from Lynn’s legendary career and delves into her life beyond the film’s conclusion.
“We are so grateful to see that our mother’s life story and music will continue to touch the hearts of audiences and remain an important statement of the American dream,” says the family of Loretta Lynn. “As one of the last creative projects our mom was so passionate about, we are thankful that she had the opportunity to experience the initial stages of Sutton’s sincere portrayal of Loretta. Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her onstage. The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”
The producing team committed to bringing the iconic story of Lynn’s life to the stage include Broadway veterans Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Bee Carrozzini and ATG Entertainment.
Lynn is one of country music’s most iconic figures, with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her powerful storytelling and unapologetically honest lyrics, she sold over 45 million records worldwide and earned numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, CMA awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy includes timeless hits such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough” and “The Pill.” She passed away on Oct. 4, 2022.
Clay Walker Plots ‘Drive Me Smooth Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughClay Walker
Clay Walker will embark on his new “Drive Me Smooth Tour” beginning March 1.
The 20-date tour will include stops in Tulsa, Hot Springs, Fort Myers and more, with a Nashville Grand Ole Opry stop on March 5. Along with the new tour, Walker has announced a new single, “Cowboys In Heaven,” which will arrive Feb. 28.
“I am excited for the year ahead! New music, lots of tour dates, and the opportunity to engage the world’s greatest fans, has me smiling and ready to take to the roads that lead me straight to you!” says Walker.
More information and tickets to the “Drive Me Smooth Tour” can be found here.
“Drive Me Smooth Tour” Dates:
March 1 – Navasota, TX – Texas Birthday Bash
March 5 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
April 10 – Salina, KS – The Stiefel Theatre
April 11 – Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa
April 12 – Gonzales, TX – Cattle Country Music Festival
April 25 – Anderson, SC – Anderson Soiree
April 26 – Ridgeland, SC – Operation Patriots FOB
May 10 – Owensboro, KY – Downtown Owensboro
May 16 – Pasadena, TX – Pasadena Strawberry Festival
May 17 – Orange Grove, TX – The Post OG
May 24 – Monticello, MS – Atwood Music Festival
June 14 – Hot Springs, AK – Timberwood Amphitheater
June 19 – Cullman, AL – Rock The South Festival
June 21 – New Haven, KY – Log Still Distillery
June 29 – Greeley, CO – Greeley Stampede
July 19 – West Liberty, IA – Muscatine County Fair
Aug. 1 – Sweet Home, OR – Oregon Jamboree Music Festival
Sept. 19 – Helotes, TX – John T. Floore’s Country Store
Oct. 29 – Key West, FL – Country Cruising Cruise
Nov. 2 – Fort Myers, FL – Caloosa Sound Amphitheater
Post Malone To Take ‘The Big Ass World Tour’ Overseas
/by Madison HahnenPost Malone. Photo: Adam DeGross
Post Malone will bring his “Post Malone Presents: The Big Ass World Tour” to Europe and the UK in August.
In addition to several festival appearances such as Untold Festival, Frequency Festival, Lovestream Festival and more, Post Malone will bring his own headline show to 11 stadiums in Europe, marking his first stadium shows in the EU and UK. He will visit cities such as Prague, Berlin, Paris and more before wrapping up in Lisbon on Sept. 14. American tour mate Jelly Roll will be joining the trek.
Post Malone released his debut country album, F-1 Trillion last year, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has since earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. The album features the hit single “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen, which skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the spot for six weeks straight. “I Had Some Help” also claimed the top position on Billboard‘s Songs of the Summer chart for 2024 and received Grammy nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
General sale for the newly added stops will begin on Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. local time here. Mastercard cardholders in Lithuania, France, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands can access exclusive presale tickets. The Mastercard Presale begins tomorrow (Feb. 19) at 12 p.m. local time through Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. local time.
Post Malone Presents: The Big Ass World Tour Europe 2025 Dates:
Aug. 12 – Czech Republic, Prague – Airport Letnany
Aug. 18 – Germany, Berlin – Parkbühne Wuhlheide
Aug. 21 – Lithuania, Kaunas – Darius and Girenas Stadium
Aug. 23 – Denmark, Horsens – Horsens & Friends at Nordstern Arena
Sep. 3 – France, Paris – Paris La Défense Arena
Sep. 5 – Germany, Hanover – Heinz von Heiden Arena
Sep. 7 – UK, London – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sep. 9 – Netherlands, Arnhem – GelreDome
Sep. 12 – Spain, Barcelona – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Sep. 14 – Portugal, Lisbon – Estadio do Restelo
Kat Luna Signs With Sony Music Nashville
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Margaret Tomlin (VP, A&R, SMN), Ken Robold (President/COO, SMN), Kat Luna, Martha Earls (Neon Coast) and Jess Tomlins (Neon Coast). Photo: Matthew Berinato
Sony Music Nashville has signed Latina country artist Kat Luna.
“I’m so excited and grateful to start my journey as a solo artist with Sony Music Nashville, I’m thankful for them believing in me and my music,” she says of the partnership.
Formerly of the duo Kat & Alex, Luna is embarking on a new chapter as a solo artist. A first generation Cuban American, she was born and raised in Miami and grew up singing in church. She decided to pursue music professionally after appearing on La Voz at the age of 19. After later competing as a solo artist on American Idol, Luna moved to Nashville.
The singer-songwriter now looks ahead to her next chapter as she prepares to release new music produced by Nathan Chapman. She is represented by Neon Coast for management, UTA for booking and Warner Chappell Nashville for publishing.
‘Dolly: An Original Musical’ Announces Casting Call Results
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton’s new musical, Dolly: An Original Musical, has chosen 15 people out of the thousands of entrants in the “Search for Dolly” Casting Call who will attend in-person auditions in New York City.
The actors being invited to audition are:
– Kathryn Adeline – New York City
– Peri Barnhill – New York City
– Elyse Bell – New York City
– Alberta Brown – Halifax, Canada
– Haley Brown – Los Angeles
– Kylee Hennes -– Richfield, Wisconsin
– Annelise Laakko – New York City
– Tasha Lefler – Newport, Tennessee
– Solo Lowit – Milton, Georgia
– Kindred Moore – New York City
– Norah Nunes – Houston, Texas
– Kelly O’Brien – Aldbury, Tring, United Kingdom
– Tricia Paoluccio – California
– Cecilia Petrush – New York City
– Madeline Powell – New York City
Dolly: An Original Musical will have its world premiere this summer in Nashville at Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University before the production comes to Broadway in 2026. Dolly: An Original Musical, will play a four-week limited engagement with preview performances beginning July 18 for an Aug. 8 opening night with a final performance set for Aug. 17.
Tickets for Dolly: An Original Musical are on sale now at dollymusical.com or by calling the Fisher Center Box Office at 615-460-2255.
Megan Moroney & Lane Boots Team For Limited-Edition Line Of Cowgirl Boots
/by Lorie HollabaughMegan Moroney has collaborated with Lane Boots on a new, limited-edition product line.
The new line includes her own spin on the classic white Smokeshow boot, as well as two boot charms. Referring to the boot as a “love letter to Megan’s signature style,” Lane Boots adorned the Smokeshow with a number of specially designed details: intricate embroidery, scalloped edges and a heart-shaped heel pin and blue boot bottom imprinted with her name. The boot charms include a heart engraved with “Am I Okay?” and a guitar dusted in blue glitter.
Over a year in the making, the new line is set to launch just in time for Moroney’s upcoming “Am I Okay? Tour” kicking off on March 20 in Montreal. Moroney is also gearing up to receive the Rulebreaker Award at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event on March 29 in L.A. This year’s honorees also include Gracie Abrams, Jennie, Erykah Badu and more.
JUST IN: Jodi Dawes Joins Big Machine Label Group As VP, Publicity & Communications
/by LB CantrellJodi Dawes
Big Machine Label Group has appointed Jodi Dawes as Vice President of Publicity & Communications.
Dawes will oversee the label group’s PR department and lead media strategy across the imprints of Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Company and Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. She is on the job now, reporting directly to BMLG Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta.
“What Scott and his team at Big Machine Label Group have built across the last two decades is remarkable, and their enthusiasm for the future of the company is contagious,” shares Dawes. “I am thrilled to join them and work with this roster of talented artists, encompassing burgeoning new voices, road-tested hitmakers, and bonafide stars. It’s an honor to lead publicity efforts at BMLG at such an exciting time for this label, and for country music as a whole.”
Dawes joins BMLG from Universal Music Group Nashville, where she spent more than three years spearheading label publicity campaigns for artists including Brothers Osborne, Parker McCollum, Maddie & Tae, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Anne Wilson, Tucker Wetmore, Josh Ross and more. Prior to her time at UMGN, Dawes gained experience at several boutique PR firms in Nashville, including four years at Sweet Talk Publicity where she handled day-to-day publicity needs for Ernest, Chris Lane, Breland and RaeLynn, among others.
“Jodi is joining us at a very important time in the evolution of the Big Machine Label Group,” says Borchetta. “Her laser-sharp acumen in the media world will not only enhance, but add a multiple to supercharging all things Big Machine. I am thrilled to have her on the team.”
Dawes can be reached at jodi.dawes@bmlg.net.