Eddie Kloesel has been named as Partner at full-service artist management and music company WHY&HOW by Founder & CEO Bruce Kalmick.

Kloesel joined WHY&HOW when it launched in 2020 as Vice President of Touring & Sponsorships, and has since risen to Executive Vice President.

“Eddie and I have been in business together for a long time. He’s a trusted strategic thinker who approaches our clients’ business like an entrepreneur. He’s always thinking outside the box, and has brought forward opportunities that are not only lucrative for our clients but are also unique within the industry,” says Kalmick. “When I launched WHY&HOW, bringing Eddie on board was an obvious decision, and his promotion to Partner has been a long time coming.”

“For nearly 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from Bruce, whose leadership is defined by empowering the team around him. Being named Partner is both a profound honor and a deeply meaningful milestone. Together, I look forward to continuing to elevate WHY&HOW and the incredible clients we serve. For a kid from Vidor, Texas with a lifelong dream of making it in the music industry, this is a moment I’ll cherish and build upon with immense gratitude,” shares Kloesel.

He has played a key role in defining and executing the company’s long-term strategic goals, seeking to identify and capitalize on opportunities that contribute to the company’s growth and profitability. He has also overseen brand partnerships and touring strategy for WHY&HOW clients, including Whiskey Myers and Chase Rice. Kloesel helped to secure a partnership between Rice and Coors Banquet, a first-of-its-kind deal for the legacy Molson Coors brand, which has since been renewed, and assisted in establishing Whiskey Myers’ relationship with American sprint car racing series High Limits Racing.

He has overseen the release of 11 independent albums across the rock and country genres, including Rice’s I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell and Go Down Singin’, Southall’s For the Birds and self-titled 2023 album, as well as five Whiskey Myers collections, including the band’s 2019 self-titled release. His clients’ projects have collectively earned six Gold, 11 Platinum, three double-Platinum and four triple-Platinum RIAA certifications.

On the touring front, Kloesel managed Whiskey Myers’ 2022-2023 tour, which saw the band become one of the few independent acts to headline arenas and sell out a debut show at Red Rocks in under 36 hours. He also helped to book Rice as an opener for Garth Brooks at Ford Field in 2020, after working to book Whiskey Myers as an opener for The Rolling Stones at Soldier Field in 2018.

“I’ve known Eddie since we were both very new in this industry. We’ve seen each other both change and grow to the point we are hardly recognizable from what we were 10 years ago,” says Rice. “He has been a massive part of me getting out of the machine that I was in, to creating music that is true to who I am to my core. There will be songs released at some point that are five to 10 years old simply because he continues to send me old stuff occasionally, reminding me how great some of my earlier writing was. He’s old school in a new world, and I believe this world needs more men like him. He’s not just my manager, he’s family, and I’m proud to call him a friend. He’s earned this.”

The Store Hosts Second Annual Toy Store Event

The Store, the free-referral based grocery store co-founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley hosted its second annual Toy Store last weekend. Families The Store currently serves were able to shop for toys to provide Christmas gifts for more than 800 children through generous donations from sponsors and donors across the U.S.

Traditional holiday festivities and gift wrapping were also provided during the special event. More than 4,000 toys were donated by the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the local community and additional sponsors helped with countless rolls of wrapping paper, tape, bows, décor, food and other supplies.

 

Jeffrey Steele, Brett James, & Neil Thrasher Perform At ‘Tunnels To Towers’ Benefit

The Listening Room Cafe’ hosted “Tunnel to Towers Presents Jeffrey Steele, Brett James and Neil Thrasher” on Thursday (Dec. 12) as part of the venue’s monthly Sound Good, Do Good initiative, and 100% of the night’s ticket sales benefited the organization at the end of the show. Tunnels to Towers was created in response to 9/11, with a mission to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families, build smart homes for injured veterans, and address veteran homelessness.

 

Wyatt Flores Appears on CBS Saturday Morning Sessions

Wyatt Flores was featured on CBS Saturday Morning‘s “Saturday Sessions” series last weekend performing “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight,” “Milwaukee” and “Stillwater.”

The appearance adds to a breakout year for Flores, who released his full-length debut album, Welcome to the Plains, earlier this fall via Island Records. In celebration of the new music, Flores was featured as part of NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk Concert” series last month, made his late-night TV debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this fall, and recently spoke with NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

 

Larry Weiss Honored With MVP3 Foundation Best Singer-Songwriter Award

Veteran songwriter Larry Weiss was honored at the NSAI offices on Dec. 16 at an industry event hosted by MVP3 Foundation and MVP3 Music Group in conjunction with NSAI. Weiss was presented with the MVP3 Foundation 2024 Best Singer-Songwriter Award, formally recognizing his longstanding career and contributions to the creative music sector, and dedication to mentoring young aspiring artists.

As part of the program, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison conducted a Q&A with Weiss who shared his story behind the Glen Campbell No. 1 hit “Rhinestone Cowboy.” MVP3 Music Group flagship recording artist Wade Quinton, performed an acoustic rendition of the song.

 

Waymore’s Outlaws With Tommy Townsend

Waymore’s Outlaws With Tommy Townsend are set to launch a residency at Chief’s On Broadway at the club’s ticketed venue Neon Steeple on Dec. 28. Consisting of Waylon’s former bass player Jerry “Jigger” Bridges, Barny Robertson on keys, Carter Robertson on vocals, Jeff Hale on drums and steel guitarist Fred Newell, the band collectively performed on the recordings of hits “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” the Dukes of Hazzard “Good Ol’ Boys” theme, “Luckenbach Texas,” “Rainy Day Woman” and countless other Gold and Platinum hits.

WME Nashville and Safe Haven Family Shelter have joined forces once again to support families in need this holiday season. WME staff, along with clients Lily Rose and Ashley Cooke and industry partners, contributed their time and resources to bring some holiday cheer to 21 families.

“I am so thankful to be able to help the families at Safe Haven Family Shelter for a second year,” says Carrie Murphy, WME Agent, who spearheaded the efforts. “I am moved at the generous spirit of my colleagues, clients and industry friends for jumping in to make sure these families truly have a Christmas to remember. Safe Haven does tremendous work throughout the year, and we are honored to play a small part in that as we close the year.”

Hundreds of gifts have been purchased and wrapped for distribution later this week. Last year’s donations consisted of bicycles, toys, clothing, daily essentials and more.

Safe Haven assists families who, due to various circumstances, are unable to afford gifts for their loved ones. Each year, the organization creates a wish list for every family in hopes that volunteers will contribute their time and resources to help fulfill these wishes. Safe Haven is still accepting monetary contributions.