Classically-trained violinist Kristin Wilkinson will be featured in the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum’s in-depth interview series, “Nashville Cats” on Saturday, Nov. 16 in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Wilkinson grew up in Philadelphia and Ocean City, New Jersey, and began her music training at an early age, studying through her high school years with one of the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra’s violinists. She later parlayed that experience into playing fiddle in the pioneering all-women bluegrass band Buffalo Gals. One of her first big breaks in country music came when she had the opportunity to arrange strings for Alabama, with whom she collaborated on several albums.

One of Nashville’s most in-demand string arrangers, Wilkinson has accumulated hundreds of credits on country, rock and pop projects since the 1980s. She has contributed to recordings for Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Trisha Yearwood and Country Music Hall of Fame member Willie Nelson. For live performances, she has worked with Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor and Chris Stapleton. In 2024, she collaborated with Greta Van Fleet to arrange the overture for the band’s world tour.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart employed Wilkinson to arrange strings on his albums and for special events, including his 2019 residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for composing the score to the film All the Pretty Horses (2000) alongside Stuart and Larry Paxton. Wilkinson has also done an extensive amount of work for TV, including arrangements for the CMA awards, the annual CMA Country Christmas television special and CMT’s Artists of the Year events.

The interview will be moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and will be illustrated with vintage photos, film and recordings. “Nashville Cats” is included with museum admission and free to museum members, but seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance.

The Grand Ole Opry is gearing up for its big 99th birthday celebration with three nights of Opry shows plus daytime and evening special events on Oct. 10-13.

Performers helping celebrate the occasion will be Opry members Dailey & Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Lorrie Morgan and Rhonda Vincent, along with Riley Green, Chapel Hart, Gretchen Wilson and the Opry debut of singer/actress Katharine McPhee.

Fans are also invited to the Opry Plaza for free live music and family-friendly activities, presented by Country Financial, to celebrate the Opry’s birthday on Friday (Oct. 11) evening and all-day Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 12-13).

Ticketed events during the weekend also include a Karaoke Fundraiser with Chapel Hart in Studio A on Friday night following the Opry show, with proceeds supporting the Opry Trust Fund, which offers financial assistance to those in the country industry during times of crisis or emergency.

There will also be a Rhett Akins Birthday Tailgate Party in Studio A on Saturday at 2 p.m. The songwriter will perform some of his No. 1 hits along with fan-favorite country classics. Attendees can enjoy birthday cake and join in on the Opry’s 99th birthday festivities. Ticket add-ons and packages are available at Opry.com.

The Opry’s 99th Birthday Week celebration will conclude on Sunday (Oct. 13) with the third annual Opry Community Day, where Tennessee locals can enjoy the Opry’s backstage tour free of charge. Guests will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at where country’s biggest stars and legends create history each week. Complimentary tours will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a valid Tennessee state ID. Guests can also enjoy live music, food and drinks and family-friendly fun on the Opry Plaza.

Pictured (L–R): Tommy Robinson, Brooke Nixon, Brady Brock, Katie Keller and Meg Barron. Photo: Scott Schleiff

New West Records has announced four promotions and a new staff hire. Tommy Robinson has been elevated to General Manager & Vice President of Sales, while Brady Brock takes the role of Senior Vice President of Media & Reissues Producer. Katie Keller has been promoted to Vice President of Project Management, and Meg Barron steps into the role of Director of A&R and Publishing. Additionally, Brooke Nixon has joined the label as Vice President of Digital Marketing.

“Since 2011, Tommy has shown a steadfast dedication and solid work ethic to consistently support our artists, partners, and colleagues. A very well deserved promotion,” says John Allen, New West Records President. Of Brock, Allen adds, “Brady is a top flight publicist and astute reissue producer. For the past eight years he has been an indispensable part of our team at New West. I look forward to even more growth with Brady in the mix.”

Speaking of Keller, Allen notes, “Over the years, Katie has shown great skill and efficiency with the ever increasing demands of project management on album campaigns, label branding and event planning, while overseeing the various digital marketing and design needs of all our artists and the New West label.” He also praises Barron saying, “From her early days as an intern here until now, Meg has been a devoted advocate for New West’s artists. Her ear for new music is excellent. Meg is simply rad.”

Nixon previously held the position of Director of Streaming at The Valory Music Co, a division of the Big Machine Label Group, for a decade. “We are all very excited for Brooke to join our team. Her skill set, dedication, and enthusiasm are a perfect fit and she’s hitting the ground running,” says Allen.

The Academy of Country Music has opened the membership window for new applicants and renewals as the organization looks forward to the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards.

The application period is open today (Oct. 1) through Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 a.m. Applicants must submit a form online during this time in order to gain or retain voting privileges for the 60th ACM Awards in 2025. Along with voting eligibility, membership benefits include early ticket access to ACM events, discounts on partner events, data insights, educational and networking events and more.

“The upcoming year for the Academy of Country Music is sure to be one of the most exciting and important in the Academy’s history with the landmark 60th ACM Awards and celebrations surrounding and celebrating the 60th all year long. This will also mark sixty years of our members influencing, impacting, and steering the future of Country Music,” says Annie Ortmeier, Chair of the ACM Membership Committee. “On behalf of the ACM Membership Committee, I can’t wait to see what the next year brings, and I hope this membership class will be the most engaged, excited, and diverse membership class yet.”

Members will also gain access to an impressive programming and development lineup which includes exclusive events, panels and initiatives along with the quarterly magazine Tempo. The Academy invites applicants to join the organization in its commitment towards creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in the country music industry. ACM will kick off an awareness campaign sporting the tagline “The Academy is Me” in the weeks ahead.

You can apply for a membership with the Academy of Country Music online, at the ACM Membership platform: https://www.acmcountry.com/become-a-member.

Zach Siegal-Eisman. Photo: Annie Noelker

Big Loud Rock has added Zach Siegal-Eisman as VP of Digital & Viral Marketing.

Reporting directly to President Greg Thompson and SVP Lloyd Norman, Siegal-Eisman will oversee the imprint’s digital marketing strategy and execution as well as artist growth and the digital presence of both upcoming and catalog record releases. His digital marketing experience, rooted in social media and digital activations, dates back to his high school years. Siegal-Eisman has elevated the social media presence of various brands and entertainers, including Syracuse University women’s basketball and tennis teams, while developing a music discovery site focused on emerging artists.

In 2017, he joined Artist Network Management as a Junior Manager for Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome and Rome Ramirez. Spearheading the company’s recording and marketing budgets for their joint label venture with The Orchard, Five Music Inc., eventually led him to the role of Account Manager at social media agency Crowd Surf in 2019, where he rose to Senior Account Manager and later VP of Marketing. There, Siegal-Eisman worked on projects for Nickelback, John Fogerty, Jeff Dunham, Warner Chappell Music, Universal Music Group, Classic Motown, The Temptations, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller Band, Neil Diamond, Iron Maiden and more.

Earlier this year, Siegal-Eisman launched Amplify Legacy, a marketing consultancy centered around audience growth and digital partnerships, where he worked with clients like Immediate Family, Songfluencer and Exploration, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Zach to the Big Loud Rock family. His passion for music, dedication to building community and vision for expanding our artists’ reach bring the right energy at the perfect time,” says Thompson. “We’re excited to see the impact he’ll make!”

“I am thrilled to join the Big Loud Rock team, where the passion, dedication and collaboration of Greg Thompson, Lloyd Norman and the entire team have been pivotal in the growth of the label and its impressive, diverse roster of artists,” shares Siegal-Eisman. “I look forward to focusing on innovative digital marketing strategies that will help our artists forge authentic connections with their fans.”