Kane Brown will be crowned this year’s Country Champion at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

The multi-Platinum artist recently notched his 11th  country radio No. 1 with “I Can Feel It” and released the follow-up to history-making number “Miles On It” with Marshmello, while visiting various stadiums on his “In The Air Tour.” Brown broke through with his self-titled, double-Platinum debut album in 2016 and became the first artist ever to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. He ruled the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for 13 weeks and scored two of the most-streamed country songs of all time with Diamond-certified “Heaven” and nine-time Platinum “What Ifs (feat. Lauren Alaina).” Additionally, Brown’s 2018 project, Experiment, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, making him the first country act in over 24 years to top the chart with a sophomore album.

He later released Mixtape Vol. 1, which earned him an ACM Award nomination for Album of the Year along with a Video of the Year win in 2021. Brown was named to the TIME100 list that same year. He was then honored with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Champion of Youth Award in 2022, before becoming the first Black artist in history to headline and sell out Boston’s famous Fenway Park in 2023. Brown was also lauded earlier this year with the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 Artist Humanitarian Award.

“Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music,” says Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.”

Brown joins previously-announced 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards honoree Miranda Lambert, who will be presented with the Country Icon Award, and follows Wyonna Judd as the second Country Champion Award recipient.

Hosted by Shania Twain, the ceremony will air live from the Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.

Riley Green Celebrates Triple-Platinum Tune ‘I Wish Grandpas Never Died’

Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment executives recently presented Riley Green with a plaque to commemorate his self-penned, triple-Platinum hit “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.”

 

CMHOFM Hosts Conversation In Partnership With Nashville Fashion Week

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation with multi-Emmy-winning fashion designer Marina Toybina and Head of Wardrobe for Carrie Underwood’s “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” Maria “Poni” Silver, in partnership with Nashville Fashion Week, yesterday (Sept. 4).

Moderated by the museum’s Angela Stefano Zimmer, Toybina and Silver discussed their careers and design processes. Underwood loaned stagewear created by both designers to the museum for display at the event.

 

Invasion Group Opens Nashville Office

Invasion Group, the boutique management company founded by Peter Casperson and Steven Saporta, has opened a Nashville office. Having already established locations in New York and Boston, the company hopes to broaden its influence and foster new opportunities with this space in Music City, led by artist manager Courtney Oertel.

“With Courtney at the helm, we are excited to offer Nashville’s independent artists Invasion’s unique artist development model,” says Casperson. “Her extensive experience in management, marketing and nonprofits makes her the perfect addition to our team.”

 

Kelly Feild Joins Bandit Lites’ ‘Gen8’ Leadership

Bandit Lites Director of Personnel Kelly Feild has taken on additional responsibilities as the second-in-command at the Bandit International Facility in Nashville, and plans to guide projects with a fresh perspective as a part of what the live event company calls “Gen8.”

“A new generation of young, talented people are taking the leadership positions to guide Bandit through the next 30 years,” says Michael T. Strickland, Bandit Lites Chair & Founder. “Kelly and several other younger people are now in the critical roles at Bandit. They follow the established Bandit Standards, but with a point of view and outlook for how to improve every day. The one constant is change, and Kelly is big part of the Gen8 change at Bandit.”

Jeannie Seely has been named the Artist Ambassador and Honorary Chair of Music for Seniors’ “Lighting Up Lives” campaign, a month-long awareness and fundraising effort that aims to highlight the impact of music on the health and happiness of older adults in Tennessee.

The initiative includes two free concerts, “Alison Brazil & Roots of Rhythm” in Nashville and “Pappy Fisher & Friends” in Knoxville, and will culminate in the private, invitation-only musical benefit, “An Evening with Jeannie Seely & Friends,” on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Soho House Nashville. The “Lighting Up Lives” launch follows the appointment of the nonprofit’s new Executive Director Liz Kelly.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the Music for Seniors leadership team as we launch ‘Lighting Up Lives,’ our newest initiative designed to engage new partners and donors, thank our existing supporters and honor the musicians who are the heart of our programming,” says Kelly. “To have someone like Jeannie Seely who knows and appreciates the healing power of music join us in this endeavor is a dream come true and we’re thrilled to have her serve as our Artist Ambassador and Honorary Chair.”

“I’m honored to support Music for Seniors and its mission to enrich the lives of older adults through music,” shares Seely. “They provide so many free, important programs that promote health and happiness that are made possible by generous donors and volunteers. I invite you to become part of the Music for Seniors family and help us celebrate ‘Lighting Up Lives.’”

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Reservoir Media, Inc. has signed songwriter and producer Travis Heidelman to his first-ever publishing deal that includes his full catalog and future works.

The Los Angeles-based creator began honing his writing and production skills at a young age. After connecting with rising country artist Dasha, he co-wrote and produced her viral tune “Austin,” which reached No. 18 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart and No. 3 on its Hot Country Songs chart. The country-pop track has continued to climb MediaBase’s Top 40 and Country Airplay charts as well as Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart while rising overseas, claiming top-five slots on U.K. and German charts in addition to a three-week reign at No. 1 on the Dutch Nationale Airplay Top 50.

Tied to a line dancing trend started by Dasha on TikTok, “Austin” has generated over one million creations on the platform with over 10 billion views. It has also accumulated over 490 million streams on Spotify. Heidelman also co-wrote and produced two other songs off her 2024 album, What Happens Now?, called “Even Cowboys Cry” and “Share This City.”

Additionally, he has collaborated with Annie Schindel, Arden Jones, Claire Rosinkranz, Taylor Bickett, Whitney Phillips, Noah Floersch, Rollo, Greyson Chance and Jimmy Robbins, among others, and landed sync placements on popular television networks like TLC and Bravo.

“Travis has demonstrated what a keen sense he has for pushing the boundaries of country music while still delivering hits. We are proud to bring his multi-genre talent to Reservoir and connect him with other creators across our roster, while also supporting his ongoing success as a songwriter and producer,” says John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative.

“Reservoir has shown unparalleled passion and initiative, which every person I’ve met at the company embodies,” shares Heidelman. “They came in swinging and delivered on all of their promises, which is exactly what I seek in a new partner.”

WHY&HOW Founder & CEO Bruce Kalmick has launched a new independent record label, Wyatt Road Records, in partnership with Firebird, who will provide distribution and label services.

Its roster already consists of independent band Whiskey Myers, who signed a distribution deal with the label, as well as Angel White and Southall, among other acts set to join soon. Day-to-day operations will be overseen by industry veteran Laura Bender in Nashville.

Wyatt Road Records aims to focus on creators in the contemporary western rock & roll space, with a holistic approach to artist development fueling every project. The label also hopes to build an artist-first environment beyond the development side and is committed to creating deals where artists realize robust royalty payouts exceeding industry averages. Signees will have the opportunity to profit share in streaming royalties once they’ve hit certain milestones and the majority will retain ownership in their masters.

“The current label system is broken, where shareholders matter more than the artists and the music they put out into the world. This conflict of interests has effectively removed the essential work needed to truly develop artists and cultivate new acts,” expresses Kalmick. “With a pioneering approach and forward-thinking partnership with Firebird, we are able to put the artists first every step of the way. We are excited to work hand-in-hand with artists to ensure they not only experience commercial success, but also stay true to their artistry.”

“Firebird is excited to expand our relationship with Bruce Kalmick by partnering on Wyatt Road Records, building on our established collaboration via WHY&HOW/Red Light Management/Firebird Music on the artist management front,” says Kenny Weagly, VP/Head of Artist & Label Services, Firebird. “This allows us a greater opportunity to apply our complimentary artist-first mentality, global distribution, recorded-music muscle and wide array of internal resources via Firebird Label Services. Wyatt Road serves as another example of Firebird partnering with respected industry creatives to better grow artist and writer careers within their genres of expertise, in this case the contemporary sound of western rock & roll.”