Multi-award-winning songstress Tia Sillers has signed a publishing deal with Toby & Molly Music.

Along with Reba McEntire’s new single “I Can’t,” her credits include Alan Jackson’s “That’d Be Alright,” The Chicks’ “There’s Your Trouble,” Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Blue on Black” and Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,” which took home Song of the Year at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards as well as Song of the Year honors from CMA, ACM, NSAI, ASCAP and BMI. Additionally, Sillers and co-writer Mark D. Sanders turned the hit into a New York Times best-selling book.

The triple Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee has also penned work recorded by David Nail, Trisha Yearwood, John Waite, Engelbert Humperdinck, Yolanda Robun, Little River Band, Patti Page, John Pardi, Jennifer Lopez, Bastian Baker, Chris Stapleton, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Vince Gill, Johnny Reid and Victoria Banks.

“I met Tia when I moved to town in 2005, we became instant friends. She has remained a constant mentor since the day we met, so when she called me last fall to tell me she wanted to work with me officially, I was blown away,” recalls Rob Filhart, Co-Founder of Toby & Molly Music. “Clint [Higham] and I are such fans of her songwriting. Her talent is second to none, she will not be outworked and her songs are timeless. We are honored to work with her in this next chapter of her career.”

“Robert is not only one of my closest friends, he’s got the best ears in town,” Sillers shares. “He’s been largely responsible in helping me remain faithful to my craft, and has been a huge supporter of my music. The thought of working with him and Clint has me feeling hopeful about both my future and the songs I will write.”

She plans to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Tape Room Music Family Celebrates No. 1 ‘Bulletproof’

Tape Room Music songwriters Hunter Phelps and Ben Johnson, along with founder Ashley Gorley, celebrated their co-written song “Bulletproof” by Nate Smith reaching No. 1 on the Mediabase Country Airplay chart this week. This is the third No. 1 hit that Phelps, Johnson and Gorley have earned together, joining “New Truck” by Dylan Scott and “Truck Bed” by Hardy.

“Number one songs are always fun to celebrate. This one is extra special, being written entirely within the Tape Room family,” shares Blain Rhodes, President of Tape Room. “Nate [Smith] took this song to another level on his project and continues to crush it on stage every night.”

 

Cody Jinks Becomes Pandora Billionaire

Pandora/SiriusXM’s Johnny Chiang surprised singer-songwriter Cody Jinks with a Pandora Billionaire plaque to commemorate his one billion streams on Pandora last weekend. The plaque, honoring Jinks’ career milestone, was presented in Houston ahead of his set opening for Luke Combs’ “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.”

The accolade comes on the heels of the announcement of Jinks’ latest project, Backside of 30, which is a re-release of his 2012 album 30, and will be out Sept. 27 via Late August Records.

 

John Hiatt’s Career Honored In CMHOFM’s ‘Poets And Prophets’ Program

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured singer-songwriter John Hiatt recently in its in-depth interview series “Poets And Prophets,” which highlights songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. The program was moderated by museum writer-editor Dave Paulson and was accompanied by vintage photos, film and recordings.

Throughout his 50-year career, Hiatt has established himself as one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson among the artists who have covered his soul-stirring songs. The program was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s “Live at the Hall” digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website.

 

Hop On A Cure Awards Duke University Grant For ALS Clinic Study

Hop On A Cure, an advocate in the fight against ALS founded by the Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins, has placed a grant with Duke University’s pilot trial to investigate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of BL-001 probiotic in people with ALS. Having found a direct connection between the gut microbiome and CNS diseases, the goal of the trial is to show the BL-001 probiotic will cause reduction of neuroinflammation, TLR activation, epithelial cell adhesion and production of key metabolites such as nicotinamide intermediates and ketone bodies.

The study is led by Dr. Richard Bedlack, M.D., Ph.D., who will be receiving Hop On A Cure’s inaugural Accelerate a Miracle Project Award at this year’s Harmony for Hope Gala in Atlanta on Sept. 14. The award was created in an effort to further raise awareness for ALS and recognize those making a major impact in the world of ALS research.

“We understand that there is a direct correlation between the microbiome and neurodegenerative disease. Hop On A Cure is excited to partner with Dr. Bedlack and Duke University on this exciting new study,” shares Hop On A Cure’s David Hopkins. “We are grateful for Dr. Bedlack and his commitment to the pursuit of a cure for ALS—a big reason our team has opted to award him our first ever AMP Award this year as well.”

Billy Blue Music has promoted Joe Dan Cornett to Director of Publishing.

Cornett has been with Daywind Music Group, the parent company of Billy Blue Music, for the past 10 years, serving as both Catalog Manager and Creative Director. He has contributed to more than 600 songs recorded since 2016, and has produced multiple No. 1s in both bluegrass and southern gospel. Additionally, Cornett has helped to secure publishing contracts for songwriters like Laura Leigh Jones, Bill Whyte, David Morris, Donna Ulisse, Kristy Cox, John Meador, Mike Richards, Carson Peters, Rick Lang and Caroline Owens.

“Joe Dan has passion and a heart to help songwriters reach their greatest potential success,” says Rick Shelton, Vice President of Daywind Music Publishing. “His character and work ethic have made him an invaluable and much-appreciated member of our team. We are excited to see him guide the Billy Blue crew into the future.”

“I am so grateful for Dottie Leonard Miller, Ed Leonard and Rick Shelton for entrusting me with this new role as Director of Publishing,” shares Cornett. “It’s an honor to serve all our amazing songwriters, and I look forward to what the future holds for Billy Blue Music Publishing.”

BMI has unveiled John Oates as the Troubadour Award recipient of 2024. The accolade recognizes a songwriter who has set the tone for generations of aspiring artists and creatives. As a member of the best-selling rock duo of all time, Hall & Oates, Oates’ impact on music spans across five decades and continues to make waves in Nashville and across the globe.

“John Oates has enriched Nashville and its music scene with his special blend of soulful storytelling and guitar playing,” says BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative, Clay Bradley. “His influence has elevated our community to be more accepting and open to all genres of music. We are proud to honor him as this year’s BMI Troubadour.”

Since moving to Nashville in 2010, Oates has revived his passion for Americana music and released eight self-produced, solo albums including his most recent project Reunion. After curating Bonnaroo SuperJam with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James in 2013, he evolved 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival into a national streaming charity fundraising event called Oates Song Fest 7908.

Since his affiliation with BMI in 1972, Oates has been named a BMI Icon, garnered 10 BMI Awards and 30 BMI Million-Air awards for hits such as “Maneater,” “I Can’t Go For That,” “Out Of Touch,” “Sara Smile,” “She’s Gone” and “You Make My Dreams Come True.” As a member of Hall & Oates, he has scored 10 No. 1 records, over 20 top 40 hits and has recorded 21 albums selling over 80 million copies. These achievements made them the most successful rock duo in history, as well as members of The Songwriters Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Oates will receive the Troubadour Award on Sept. 16 at an invitation-only event. The celebration, sponsored by Dickel, Gibson, WP Global and YETI, will include tribute performances and speeches by special guests during a cocktail reception and dinner. Previous recipients of the award include Billy Gibbons, John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams.