Keith Urban Surprises Tour Manager At Touring Career Workshop With Sam ‘Old Skool’ Harden Award

Keith Urban surprised Chuck Hull, his tour manager of more than two decades, at the Touring Career Workshop in Nashville this week, presenting him with the Sam “Old Skool” Harden Award. Named for the late Sam Harden, a beloved lighting designer and technician at Bandit Lites, the award is given to an industry leader who dedicates their time and energy to mentoring and teaching those just starting their careers.

 

Warner Chappell Music Hosts Third Annual Opry Songwriting Camp

Warner Chappell Music Nashville recently held its third annual songwriting camp at the Grand Ole Opry house, bringing together emerging writers and top artists for a creative experience in Nashville’s iconic music space.

 

Rodney Atkins Teams With American Red Cross To Encourage Blood Donation

Rodney Atkins partnered with the American Red Cross of Tennessee to share a valuable message about the importance of blood donation. Alongside American Red Cross of Tennessee CEO Joel Sullivan, Atkins donated his own blood to support maintaining the blood supply as Hurricane Helene, which ravaged the east coast in September, caused thousands of lifesaving blood donations to go uncollected.

“The opportunity to donate blood is such an easy way to make a really big difference, especially after the devastating storms we’ve seen recently; it’s a lifeline for those in need,” shares Atkins. “When disaster strikes, every drop counts, and this is a way to truly make a difference in saving lives and helping communities that have lost so much. The work the American Red Cross does across the globe is absolutely incredible and I want to help spread awareness of how easy and important it is to donate.”

 

Mental Health Charities Raise Over 150K At Celebrity Pickleball Tourney

Fund Recovery, Change Your Brain Foundation, and Generation of Impact hosted a celebrity pickleball tournament at the Nashville Fairgrounds on Nov. 2. Over 250 celebrities and local Nashville residents competed in teams of two in a robin-style pickleball tournament. Featured attendees and players included Jessie James and Eric Decker, Jason Wahler, Shawn Johnson East, Andrew East, Golden Tate, JT Hodges, Chuck Wicks, Caroline Bryan, Hannah Brown, Mike Wolfe, Kasi Rosa Wicks, Jana Kramer, Carlos Whitaker and many more. The event raised over $150,000, which will go towards comprehensive assessments, brain scans, diagnosis, treatment plans, scholarships, prevention, education and mental health services.

Alexandra Kay is launching her new “Cupid’s A Cowgirl Tour” on Feb. 23 in Jacksonville, Florida with special guest Logan Crosby.

The new tour will be her first headline trek after her 40-date arena tour with Jelly Roll, which wraps Nov. 26 at Bridgestone in Nashville. She’ll visit Birmingham, Tulsa, Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, Chicago, Detroit and more on the new tour. It will wrap April 6 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tickets are available now.

Kay has amassed over six million followers on social media and racked up 300 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music through independent releases. She has collaborated with Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Jelly Roll, Randy Travis and more. Her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known spent multiple weeks on the Country iTunes charts, and the singer-songwriter also had a single with Jelly Roll on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie.

The Nashville Symphony Association and Symphony Ball 2024 Co-Chairs Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal have revealed that country music legend Randy Travis and former Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito will be the co-recipients of the 2024 Nashville Symphony Harmony Award.

An annual award from the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Symphony Ball, we are thrilled to recognize two remarkable figures in Nashville’s music community,” share Bradshaw and Deal. “Each in his own way, Randy Travis and John Esposito have revolutionized and reinvigorated country music, and their talents are matched only by their commitment to raising up the next generation of music makers.”

“Randy Travis is one of the most important and influential performers in country music history,” adds Nashville Symphony CEO and President Alan D. Valentine. “His immense musical legacy, personal resilience, and heart for philanthropy all embody the spirit of the Harmony Award. Through the Randy Travis Foundation, he has worked to provide music education and enrichment opportunities for at-risk youth while raising awareness about stroke and aphasia.

“John Esposito has dedicated his life to music, from his earliest days as an avid fan and performer to his transformative leadership of Warner Music Nashville, turning it into the country music powerhouse it is today,” he continues. “The Nashville music community owes him an immeasurable debt, and we are honored to recognize his contributions.”

A huge influence of country’s neotraditional movement of the 1980s and ’90s, Travis has recorded more than 20 albums, earning more than 50 hit singles and 23 No. 1s around the globe, including “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Three Wooden Crosses” and more. Over the longevity of his career, he has collected seven Grammys, six CMA Awards and 11 ACM Awards, along with many other honors. A severe stroke in 2013 left Travis physically limited and largely ended his performing career, but years of physical therapy have allowed him to return to the stage in a different capacity.

“My passion for music brought me to Nashville and my love for Nashville kept me here — they are my lifeline,” says Travis. “The opportunities and challenges found in music changed my direction in life in such a positive way. I’m honored to receive the Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony, joining them in sharing our passions of today to create avenues in music for our generations of tomorrow.”

Esposito spent his college days playing in bands and DJing for the campus radio station, before moving into the business side of the industry for an illustrious career. His previous roles include COO of former entertainment retail chain The Wiz, executive roles at Polygram and Island Def Jam, and most recently serving as CEO/Chairman of Warner Music Nashville for 15 years before moving into a Chairman Emeritus role in 2022, and retiring from there in 2023. While at Warner Music Nashville, Esposito had a huge hand in the success Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, Ashley McBryde and more.

Esposito has also served as past Chairman of the CMA’s board of directors, Governor of the board of the Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter and executive committee board member of the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. Since 2023, he has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the T.J. Martell Foundation.

“Music saved my life and then became my life,” shares Esposito. “It was music education that gave me my voice. I am honored to be chosen for the Harmony Award and proud to be part of a fun night that will raise funds that help music education.”

Travis and Esposito will be honored during the 40th annual Symphony Ball on Dec. 14 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. Tickets are available now.

The Symphony Ball is one of the Nashville Symphony’s annual signature fundraisers. Since its creation in 1985, the event has raised over $12 million for the Symphony, backing the organization’s mission of inspiring and engaging a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences.

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Marty Stuart.