Marcus King Band. Photo: Fletcher Moore

The Marcus King Family Reunion wrapped Sunday night (Aug. 25) at CCNB Amphitheater in Simpsonville, South Carolina, capping a successful two-day event.

Sierra Farrell. Photo: Fletcher Moore

The two-day event made its return for the first time since the pandemic and it was the first time it has been based in South Carolina, near King’s hometown of Greenville. The first day featured a lineup including Band of Horses, Nikki Lane, Ethan Regan, Darby Wilcox, Britti and a headline performance from King with the Marcus King Band.

The final day featured performances from The Avett Brothers, Sierra Ferrell, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Kashus Culpepper, Barrett and an all-star Marshall Tucker Band-themed set with Marcus King & Friends. The band performed with original Marshall Tucker Band member Paul T Riddle on drums, and his father Marvin King, with songs including “Searchin’ for a Rainbow” featuring Kashus Culpepper, “Fire on the Mountain” featuring Lane, “Take the Highway” with Ferrell and a rousing closing ensemble performance of “Can’t You See,” featuring Culpepper, Regan, Lane, Wilcox and Ferrell.

Marcus King Band & Kashus Culpepper during Marshall Tucker Band tribute set. Photo: Fletcher Moore

“When I was growing up in South Carolina, once a year we’d pack the family car up and head up to my great grandparents home for some front porch pickin,’ covered dishes, lots of love and plenty of leftovers,” King recalled. “This is where I learned about the joy music could bring and how it’s a powerful force that brings us together! Want to bring that same joy to you folks this year with the return of The annual Marcus King Band family reunion. We are back and bigger than ever!”

Drew Baldridge

Drew Baldridge has made history by becoming the first self-released artist to reach No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his hit “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” surpassing the 2017 mark held by Aaron Watson.

“I’m overwhelmed and incredibly honored that ‘She’s Somebody’s Daughter’ has reached No. 1. on country radio,” he says. “I wrote this song six years ago and though I always dreamed we would get to this point, it felt so far away. In my heart, I knew ‘Daughter’ was special, and just needed the right team to help me share it with country radio and fans everywhere. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me and believed in me over the years. This is truly the best day.”

The Gold-certified track has also garnered over 1.1 billion streams across streaming and social media platforms and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Baldridge, with fans cheering him on, has pioneered a new path to No. 1 and helped inspire a generation of independent artists to do the same. He recently added new tour dates to his “Drew Baldridge Live” journey, which will run through the end of the year.

Entry way of Audacy Nashville Sound Space. Photo: Parker Young

Audacy is set to open its seventh broadcast sound space in Nashville inside the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway.

Katie & Company space. Photo: Parker Young

On Sept. 5, the Audacy Nashville Sound Space will open with an exclusive event and ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring country star Thomas Rhett. It will also serve as the new home of Katie & Company, Audacy’s nationally syndicated country show hosted by the 2024 ACM National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year winner Katie Neal.

Highlighting Audacy’s commitment to the country music format and to the artist, label, management and songwriter communities in Nashville, the studio’s launch follows Audacy’s expansion of Katie & Company to 37 Audacy-owned and partner affiliate stations. The show has amassed 2.7 million listeners each week, on top of Audacy’s 20 owned and operated country brands reaching nearly 14 million listeners per month.

With a state-of-the-art production facility with sets for interviews, photography and private performances, the opening of the Audacy Nashville Sound Space also extends the strategic partnership between Audacy and Hard Rock International. The partnership began in 2021 and now includes three venues in New York, Miami and Nashville. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will enable Audacy to welcome artists for interviews and intimate performances in one stop.

Fireside chat space. Photo: Parker Young

“A permanent presence in Music City continues to elevate Audacy’s commitment to Country music and live events,” says Jeff Sottolano, Chief Programming Officer, Audacy. “The proximity of a professional studio coupled with an intimate performance venue and the singular talent of Katie Neal as a host and interviewer enables us to produce exclusive experiences for listeners and simultaneously, a seamless transition for artists to move between the studio and stage. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will be the heartbeat of our Country music format.”

“Hard Rock’s partnership with Audacy has provided a truly incredible platform for world-class artists to grace Hard Rock stages across the country, and we’re thrilled to be launching the Audacy Nashville Sound Space in Nashville to further our reach,” adds Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “This opportunity also reinforces Hard Rock’s continued commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the Country music community as we expand our entertainment offerings at all of our properties around the globe.”

Green room space. Photo: Parker Young

Performance space. Photo: Parker Young