Industry Ink: ‘Shucked,’ MuttNation, Lorrie Morgan, Make-A-Wish, LeFevre Quartet

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Country Music Hall of Fame Hosts Panel Exploring Origins Of Shucked

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Writer-Editor Angela Stefano Zimmer with Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, Robert Horn and Mike Bosner. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation and performance exploring the creation of Shucked and its success as a Broadway musical ahead of the musical’s stop at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The program included a panel discussion with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, who wrote the musical’s lyrics and music, producer Mike Bosner and Robert Horn, who wrote the musical’s book. Clark and McAnally also performed at the event.

Shucked opened in Salt Lake City in late 2022, moved to Broadway in early 2023 and began a national tour in October of this year. In 2023, Shucked earned nine Tony Awards nominations, and actor Alex Newell, who plays Lulu, won Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

 

Miranda Lamberts’s MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief For Rescues Fund Donates $250,000 To Hurricane Recovery

Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief for Rescues Fund donated $250,000 to help 32 animal shelters and organizations across multiple states that were impacted by the recent hurricanes.

“Helene hit the week before our Music for Mutts benefit concert, and it only seemed right to use the event to help with hurricane recovery efforts. Then Milton came right behind it—packing a devastating one-two punch,” says Lambert. “Thankfully, and thanks to all the animal loving supporters who’ve made donations to our MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief for Rescues Fund, we were able to quickly get help where it was needed most. We know this will be a very long recovery and we’re committed to helping our four-legged friends and the people who care for them get back on their feet.”

 

Lorrie Morgan Inks With PLA Media

Lorrie Morgan

Lorrie Morgan has signed with PLA Media for publicity representation. Morgan recently released a new album on Cleopatra Records, Dead Girl Walking, and marked her 40th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in July. She continues her “Ruby Anniversary Tour” through June 2025.

 

The Imaginaries Sign With ECE, Harmony Artists & BBK Booking

The Imaginaries have signed with ECE Touring, a division of EastCoast Entertainment, as well as Harmony Artists and BBK Booking for representation in all areas of live touring.

The duo will be releasing their tribute song and video for “Carry Me, Carry On (Veterans’ Song)” on Nov. 8, honoring the sacrifices and the enduring pride Veterans instill in the nation. In conjunction with the release, The Imaginaries will be partnering with Guitars For Vets to raise awareness and funds for their organization, which provides at-risk veterans impacted by PTSD and other service-related trauma with a 10-week structured guitar instruction program.

 

Southwest Airlines & Bluebird Cafe’ Host Night Of Songs For Make-A-Wish

Photo: Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines and the Bluebird Cafe hosted a Night of Songs for Make-A-Wish last weekend featuring special performances from songwriters Deric Ruttan and Emily Earle. One of the highlights of the evening was a moving performance of “Carried Me with You” by Tarin, a former cancer patient whose wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 

LeFevre Quartet Signs With Daywind Records

LeFevre Quartet

Southern gospel group LeFevre Quartet has signed with Daywind Records. The LeFevre Quartet previously released four albums under the New Day Records banner, garnering multiple award nominations and No. 1 singles. The partnership with Daywind Records was made official at the 2024 National Quartet Convention, where LeFevre Quartet also celebrated their nomination for the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Album of the Year for Nobody Like Jesus.

Sawyer Brown’s Documentary ‘Get Me To The Stage On Time’ Out Now

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Sawyer Brown. Photo: Michael Gomez

Get Me To The Stage On Time, the documentary on the story of Sawyer Brown‘s four-decade career and their place in country music, is out on streaming platforms now, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Google Play.

The film premiered at the Nashville Film Festival in 2023, and was directed by lead singer Mark Miller’s daughter Madison Miller and produced by Blake Shelton. Shelton was interviewed about the band in the documentary, which also features exclusive interviews with Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley and many more. From the band’s beginnings on Star Search, to touring with Parton and Kenny Rogers, to recording its new album Desperado Troubadours with Shelton, Sawyer Brown pulls back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of the band’s 40-year career in the documentary.

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Currently on tour celebrating their 40th anniversary, including a Canadian run with Shenandoah, the band will play a special show at the Ryman Auditorium in February.

ASCAP Hosts Workshops For Emerging Country & Christian Songwriters

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The 2024 ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop In Honor of Garth Brooks. Pictured (back row): Duane Hobson, John Frank, Jacob Arthur, Scott Voelkerding, Ryan Boey, Mark Taylor and Aaron Pollock; (front row): Elizabeth Makris, Carly Zimmerman, Corey Crowder, Sarah Marsolek and Emma Place

ASCAP Nashville recently hosted its annual songwriting workshops, in partnership with The ASCAP Foundation. Designed to support the development and education of Music City’s songwriting community, the workshops give emerging writers the chance to learn from some of the industry’s top hitmakers.

The 2024 ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop. Pictured (in person): Bethany Froelich, Kristian Gulino, David Spencer, Eitan Snyder and Michael Giordano; (virtual, top row): Nikki O’Neill, Johnson Eustache and Breanna Dickerson; (virtual, middle row): Debra Gussin, Melanie Krisfalusi and Stephane Parages; (virtual, bottom row): Kimmer Vaughn, Angelica Wilshire and Dee Dee Blankenship

The ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop In Honor of Garth Brooks took place Oct. 23–24. Led by songwriter Corey Crowder, the sessions brought 10 writers together to discuss the craft of songwriting, song structure and creative collaboration, while giving them an overview of the industry.

The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop united 13 creators on Oct. 25. Led by songwriter and producer David Spencer, the hybrid session focused on the foundation of creativity and the art of collaboration as well as the songwriting and production skills that can take tunes to the next level.

Jelly Roll Nabs Sixth Consecutive No. 1 At Country Radio

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Jelly Roll has earned his sixth consecutive No. 1 at country radio with “I Am Not Okay.” The tune sits at the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay chart.

Co-written by the artist, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley and Casey Brown, the track is featured on Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken album, and served as the official lead single. The song is also No. 1 at Canadian country radio, top 10 at Hot AC, top 20 at Top 40 and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Thank you to country radio, the team and the label for taking the first single from the Beautifully Broken album to No. 1,” he shared with Billboard. “And to everyone who has supported this song along the way. I believe in the power that music has to connect with people, and being able to see the response out on the road touring and seeing and hearing from people about this song, it’s been unreal. I want to thank the other co-writers, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley and Casey Brown, for creating something that is incredible and that I am so proud of. Thank you to the fans for believing in the music and for being a part of this—for calling the stations and asking to hear it. If you had told me before that I would have six consecutive No. 1s at country radio, I wouldn’t have believed you. Thank you for continuing to shine a light on therapeutic music.”

Jelly Roll is currently nominated for three CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. He is also on his “Beautifully Broken Tour,” which will end with a homecoming show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 26.

Weekly Register: Kelsea Ballerini Arrives At No. 1 On Country Albums Chart

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Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Kelsea Ballerini‘s Patterns premieres at No. 1 on the country albums chart with 54K in total consumption (35K album only/24 million song streams), according to Luminate data.

Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time continues at No. 2 with 46K (590 album only/59 million song streams), while Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken is bumped down to No. 3 with 39K (11K album only/34 million song streams). Post Malone‘s F-1 Trillion shifts to No. 4 with 34K (2K album only/40 million song streams), and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album descends to No. 5 with 30K (397 album only/39 million song streams).

The top five lack movement on the country streaming songs chart, as Wallen’s “Love Somebody” holds the No. 1 slot with 19 million new streams, adding to 50 million ATD. Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” takes No. 2 again with 17 million streams, adding to 862 million ATD, followed by Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” at No. 3 with 14 million new streams, adding to 762 million ATD. Zach Bryan‘s “Pink Skies” sits at No. 4 with 11 million streams, adding to 409 million ATD, while Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies” lies at No. 5 with 10 million new streams, adding to 258 million ATD.

Reliant Talent Agency Opens New Office, Adds & Promotes Staff

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Pictured: (L–R, top row): Garry Buck, Ron Kaplan and Keith Richards; (L–R, bottom row): Cole Speed, Kailey Edgerton and Robert Baugh

Reliant Talent Agency has moved its headquarters to a new office at Broadwest (1610 West End Avenue, Suite 120, Nashville, Tennessee) as part of its continued growth. The new space will allow for the agency to increase operations as it furthers its mission of creating live event experiences.

The company has also announced a series of additions and promotions.

With over a decade of industry experience and a notable four-year tenure as a leader in the Paradigm (now Wasserman) Festival department, Keith Richards joins Reliant’s growing Festival department.

“I couldn’t be more excited to dive back into the festival world alongside the incredible team at Reliant” says Richards. “Their dedication to developing and sustaining long-lasting artist careers matches my own passion for creating unforgettable experiences at music festivals across North America. I’m incredibly grateful to Steve [Lassiter], Heath [Baumhor] and Matt [McGuire] for this opportunity, and I’m eager to contribute to the remarkable growth Reliant has achieved over the past three years.”

Additionally, Reliant has promoted Ron Kaplan and Garry Buck to Executive Vice Presidents. Kailey Edgerton, Cole Speed and Robert Baugh have risen from Coordinators to Agents.

Edgerton will continue her work in the Fairs and Festivals department, leveraging her extensive background in live entertainment. Speed, after beginning his career at Reliant following his graduation from Belmont University, will now manage clubs and theaters in the mid-south territory, with a focus on expanding the Texas country roster. He also works with Kody West, Kyle Park, Coffey Anderson and Tyler Reese Tritt. Baugh, having developed his expertise through roles at WME and touring with Alan Jackson, will aid in the growth of the country roster at Reliant. Baugh works with Danielle Bradbery, Everette, Tiera Kennedy and Brian Kelley.

Luke Combs & Opry Entertainment Group Open Category 10 [See Inside]

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Luke Combs poses at new entertainment complex Category 10. Photo: Catherine Powell

Category 10, the Luke Combs-inspired entertainment complex, is now open. The opening of the four-story, 67,000-square-foot venue was celebrated Friday night (Nov. 1) with a private concert for Combs’ Bootlegger fans, which included a concert from the man himself.

“Welcome to Category 10! Thank you for being here,” Combs shared on-stage. “This is a dream come true, and I am excited to share it with y’all. This is a fan first venue with a little something for everybody.”

Inside Category 10. Photo: Courtesy of Opry Entertainment Group

The celebration continued all weekend with live music from up-and-coming artists and DJs. Inside Hurricane Hall, guests experienced the debut of “The Light Show,” an immersive, custom-designed light feature that punctuated the main room of the venue. At select times, “The Light Show” will be paired with synchronized routines by Category 10’s new dance team.

With six interior bars, three stages, a retail area and four entertainment experiences inside the venue, attendees have plenty of room to enjoy Combs-inspired dishes and signature cocktails. Additionally, a 7,000-square-foot rooftop will open as part of the venue in early 2025.

The journey into Category 10 begins with The Honky-Tonk, a two-story room capturing Nashville’s honky-tonk charm, complete with bars, a retail shop and a main stage for live music. Nearby, Hurricane Hall brings downtown’s largest dance floor and concert stage, where up to 1,500 guests can enjoy line-dancing and live shows. For a more intimate vibe, The Still, a bourbon lounge on the second floor, welcomes Combs’ Bootleggers Fan Club, songwriters and bourbon enthusiasts with a carefully curated selection of spirits.

Inside Category 10. Photo: Courtesy of Opry Entertainment Group

Rising to the third floor, the 5 Leaf Clover Sports Bar features screens and a real-time ticker for sports fans, offering lounge-style seating and a lively atmosphere. Opening in 2025, The Eye will crown the experience with Nashville’s largest outdoor rooftop deck, a 7,000-square-foot space with sweeping views of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium.

Category 10 is owned and operated by Opry Entertainment Group, a division of Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP), and designed in partnership with design and innovation firm, Journey. The entertainment venue is located at 120 Second Avenue North in Nashville.

Inside Category 10. Photo: Courtesy of Opry Entertainment Group

Inside Category 10. Photo: Courtesy of Opry Entertainment Group

Luke Combs performs at Category 10. Photo: Catherine Powell

Luke Combs performs at Category 10. Photo: Catherine Powell

Autobus & Ryan Aviation Group Host Inaugural Hangar Party

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Pictured (L–R): Jeremy Maul, Nate Smith and Dan Ryan. Photo: Nicholas Tavares

Industry members gathered at a private hangar at Nashville International Airport to celebrate the official launch of Autobus, Jeremy Maul‘s new boutique tour bus venture in partnership with Prevost, and welcome Dan Ryan‘s Ryan Aviation Group to Music City.

X3-45 VIP Entertainer tour bus model. Photo: Nicholas Tavares

During the event, Maul presented a model of his luxury X3-45 VIP Entertainer tour bus, and Ryan’s team brought in a Gulfstream G-IV SP jet, one of the first to be fully equipped with the newest Starlink technology.

Guests were provided with craft cocktails and culinary treats courtesy of The Electric Jane and its new private membership club, which is currently expanding to include a cigar lounge. ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner and CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Nate Smith rounded out the night by performing his hits “World On Fire” and “Whiskey On You,” among other tunes.

“I am just blown away that all you people have showed up here today. This is insane,” expressed Ryan to attendees. “We’re not here to sell anything, just to put a vibe together, meet people and have a good time. We’re here to say thank you, thank you for welcoming us to Nashville. We strive to make people feel special. We put our heart into it. And we don’t care about all the stuff that goes into the lax and luxury—we pay attention to it, but if you’re not putting your heart in it and not making people feel special, then we’re not doing our job.”

Gulfstream G-IV SP jet. Photo: Nicholas Tavares

“This event stemmed from a little vision that Dan and I had on our morning runs of bringing two companies together in Nashville,” shared Maul. “Both of us moved here from California a few years ago and have synergies between us, and we want to bring good people together.”

Sam Barber’s Expansive Debut LP ‘Restless Mind’ Out Now

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Sam Barber. Photo: Outlaw Foundry

Singer-songwriter Sam Barber has released his debut album, Restless Mind, via Lockeland Springs/Atlantic Records.

Included on the 28-track set is Barber’s Platinum “Straight and Narrow,” the song that introduced his raw vocal growl in 2023. The album also features collaborations with Avery Anna and Lily Fitts, and plenty of stinging lyrical reflection. In October Barber released the dusky anthem “Thought of You,” a heartbroken tune co-written with chart-topping songwriter Amy Allen. Other early album releases include the plaintive “S.O.B.” and “Streetlight,” plus “Better Year” and a rollicking cover of Tyler Childers’ “Jersey Giant.”

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“This album means so incredibly much to me. It’s a culmination of the past couple of years making music. I’ve spent almost every single day that I wasn’t on the road making this album. I wanted to be able to tie everything together, even down to the cover art, which is the outside of the building that I originally posted tons of my videos from,” explains Barber.

“The title track ‘Restless Mind’ is my favorite on the album, but ‘V’ is a really special song to me since it’s about my sister and me growing up. I was even able to surprise her and sing it to her for the first time at her wedding just a few days ago! My hope is that everyone can find at least one song that means something special to them. Thanks to everyone from the bottom of my heart for the crazy amount of support so far. Can’t wait to hear what you think.”

Barber’s “Restless Mind T0ur” is now underway, and he will continue crisscrossing the nation before wrapping the tour Dec. 7 at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Restless Mind Track List:
1. “Man You Raised”
2. “Cold, Dark Place”
3. “Thought of You”
4. “G-PA”
5. “Restless Mind (feat. Avery Anna)”
6. “Due Time”
7. “Better Year”
8. “Long Way To Go”
9. “Bet On My Ghost”
10. “Will You Be There”
11. “76”
12. “Jersey Giant”
13. “Down The Road”
14. “S.O.B.”
15. “Evil Place”
16. “Gambler”
17. “Morning Time”
18. “Indigo (feat. Avery Anna)”
19. “Different Kind of Pain”
20. “Streetlight”
21. “Never Mine”
22. “V”
23. “Stopped in Hell (feat. Lily Fitts)”
24. “Stay The Night”
25. “Straight and Narrow”
26. “Home Ain’t Far”
27. “Let Me Down”
28. “You Know I Know”

Ella Langley Crushes Two Sold-Out Nights At Exit/In

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Ella Langley performing at Exit/In in Nashville. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Fans packed into Exit/In on both Thursday (Oct. 31) and Friday (Nov. 1) night for two sold-out shows from breakout country star Ella Langley.

On Halloween evening, Langley was joined by Carter Faith and Madeline Edwards. Faith and Meg McRee supported her on Friday night.

When Langley hit the stage, she got the Friday crowd pumped with single “Paint The Town Blue” before thrilling them with “Country Boy’s Dream Girl” and “Nicotine.” It was clear she was ready to celebrate her first headlining tour stop in Nashville from her charming interactions with the crowd and the energy in her performance.

Meg McRee, Carter Faith, Ella Langley and Maggie Antone performing at Exit/In in Nashville. Photo: Caylee Robillard

“I’ve been dreaming of this shit my whole life,” Langley said at one point before she and her band took a shot out of a “drinking horn.”

Langley encouraged the room to get rowdy, covering Gretchen Wilson‘s “Here For The Party” with verve. She brought McRee back out to perform “I Blame The Bar” from her 2024 album Hungover, which the two co-wrote with Chris LaCorte and Joybeth Taylor.

The fans that gathered to see Langley completely bought-in to the Alabama native’s charisma, wit and talent. The gals in the crowd pumped their fists to “Better Be Tough,” pointing up at Langley while she sang “you ain’t seen crazy ’til you seen me all pissed off comin’ down your street.” They showed the same enthusiasm for “Girl Who Drank Wine,” a creative triumph from her Hungover record.

Langley took a few moments throughout the show to share her gratitude for the journey she’s been on since arriving in town in 2019. “I wouldn’t be here without the people who believed in me,” she said, encouraging any artists in the room to find their tribe. She then played “If You Have To,” her first breakout song, for her OG fans.

The singer-songwriter commanded the room with an acoustic guitar on “Cowgirl Don’t Cry” and “Girl You’re Taking Home.” She then brought McRee, Faith and Maggie Antone out for a spirited sing-along of “Cowboy Friends,” which made for one of the night’s highlights.

After the Exit/In audience showed Langley some love with their volume on her newly-released “Weren’t For The Wind,” they turned it up to 10 when it came time for her smash hit “You Look Like You Love Me,” which hit the top of the MusicRow Radio Chart that morning and is well on its way on Billboard and Mediabase charts.

Langley delivered both the sung and spoken parts of the tune like a pro, all through a glittering grin. A fun treat for attendees, she shared the original second verse of “You Look Like You Love Me” that was in place before Riley Green added his part to the hit.

With a smile and a wink, Langley left the stage only to return for an encore.

She will continue “The Hungover Tour,” all of which sold out in 24 hours, on Nov. 7 and 8 in Texas. She will also support Cody Johnson’s “Leather Tour” on Nov. 9 in Arlington, Texas.