The Country Music Association has revealed its latest Women’s Leadership Academy class.

Featuring 16 female leaders in country music, this year’s class includes Michelle Attardi (Senior Creative Director, Big Machine Music), Jackie Augustus (Lead of Country & Folk Artists Partnerships, Spotify), Lydia Schultz Cahill (Senior Director Creative Services, SESAC), Elice Cuff (Senior Director of Media Relations, BMI Nashville), Lindsey Feinstein (Account Director, Girlilla Marketing), Katie Germano (Agent, CAA), Beth Hamilton (Agent/Partner, WME), Betsy Lee (Business Manager, FBMM), Kelly Littlefield (Director of HR & Operations, The Neal Agency), Anna Pittman (Vice President of Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Jeanette Porcello (Senior Manager of A&R, Downtown Artist and Label Services), Shana Melissa Saunders (Product Manager, Universal Music Group Nashville), Grace Schoper (Manager, Dennis Entertainment), Casey Thomas (Vice President of Marketing & Commercial Partnerships, Monument Records), Jess Tomlins (Project Manager & Day-to-Day Manager, Neon Coast) and Emily Wright (Agent of Music Brand Partnerships, United Talent Agency).

The professional development program, now in its third year, will kick off on Aug. 5. For 12 weeks, the program will include educational sessions, bi-monthly group coaching and more. Designed to advance the professional growth of participants, members will be equipped with integral leadership skills and create a supportive community in the industry.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming this group of women to our WLA class,” shares Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “Now in our third year, I am continuously amazed and inspired by the women that we are able to engage with through this program, and this year is no different. I am also especially excited to welcome new executive coaches this year and have no doubt that these women will walk away empowered and more prepared for the impactful careers that lie ahead of them.”

Participants will begin the program by setting personal goals before joining collaborative group sessions led by Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. Gamble and Provonchee empower female leaders in both their personal and professional lives, and have an array of experience in developing, leading and evaluating leadership development initiatives.

The curriculum will address key topics including personal branding, career mobility, DEI, conflict navigation, self-advocacy and negotiation, self-promotion and influence, as well as increasing confidence to maximize leadership impact and career success. Cohort members will also be mentored by established program alumni and industry experts.

Singer-songwriter Dillon James has released his debut EP, River Black, via UMG Nashville/Buena Vista Recordings/19 Recordings

The five autobiographical songs take listeners through a hard-hitting account of the California-born artist’s journey from reckless to revival. Inspiration for the EP’s title track struck James in the form of a dream, while songs like “Call Me Up” and “My Shadow” incorporate true-to-life detail from his past. The previously-released “Walking Man” rounds out the track list on a fiery-yet-faithful note.

Born and raised in Bakersfield, James picked up a guitar for the first time at the age of 10. First drawn to classic rock, his tastes diversified to the likes of City And Colour, Glen Campbell, Jeff Buckley, George Strait and Bob Dylan by the time he began writing his own music as a teen. Inspired by the local sounds of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, James developed the vocals and powerful storytelling that would define his sound.

After winning several singer-songwriter competitions and a brief stint working as an actor in Los Angeles, he entered a turbulent period of substance abuse and homelessness. During this painful time, he realized that if he could heal himself and achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a singer-songwriter, he could become a living testament to others as well, and later moved to Nashville to write and record his music.

“This EP represents how far I’ve come, and my new life after my past,” shares Dillon. “There have been ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and these songs tell those stories. I’m grateful that, through my music, I can share my testimony with anyone who might relate and need to hear that they aren’t alone.”

River Black Track List:
1. “River Black” (Jason Gantt, Dillon James, Dan Alley)*
2. “Had Enough” (Luke Preston, Ben Goldsmith, Tucker Beathard)#
3. “Call Me Up” (Dillon James, Joe Clemmons, Jonathan Smith)^
4. “My Shadow” (Dillon James, Marty James, Matthew Joseph Geroux, Frank Romano)^
5. “Walking Man” (Paul Sikes, Paul Wrock, Dillon James)$

* = produced by Paul DiGiovanni
# = produced by Matt Geroux
^ = produced by Paul Sikes
$ = produced by Paul DiGiovanni and Paul Sikes

Big Loud Records has added Lisa Smoot to its award-winning promotion staff. Effective immediately, she joins as Director, Secondary Promotion.

“This is a long overdue move as Lisa has been a day one Big Loud partner,” shares newly-promoted EVP, Promotion Stacy Blythe. “Her passion and positive attitude are contagious, and we are thrilled to have her on our team!”

Smoot joins Big Loud after nearly 20 years with Jerry Duncan Promotions, where she rose from Promotions Coordinator to Vice President of the company. In 2023, she was honored with the CRS / Country Aircheck Award for Independent Promotion Executive of the Year.

“No words can describe my excitement about officially joining the Big Loud family,” says Smoot. “I remember when Seth [England] and Craig [Wiseman] brought Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley to our office at Jerry Duncan Promotions 12 years ago and listening to ‘Cruise’ to consider for promotion in secondary markets. Big Loud has always thought outside the box and is constantly reinventing how things are done. I am honored, humbled, and privileged to be offered this opportunity to work under the guidance of Seth, Stacy, [Big Loud VP of Promotion] Tyler [Waugh], and the entire promotion team as I dive head-first into a new journey where every day is a chance to redefine success.”

Reach Smoot at lisa@bigloud.com.

CMHOFM & Luke Combs Host Writers Round In Support Of New Exhibit

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Luke Combs hosted a sold-out writers round in support of the new exhibit, “Luke Combs: The Man I Am,” yesterday (July 11).

During the event, Combs was joined by Drew Parker, Ray Fulcher, James McNair and Rob Williford. The four performed songs they have written together and shared the stories behind them. The round was filmed and will premiere as part of the museum’s “Live At The Hall” digital series this fall.

 

Chris LeDoux’s ‘This Cowboy’s Hat’ Goes Platinum

Friends and family of late cowboy and singer-songwriter Chris LeDoux gathered to celebrate the Platinum certification of his song “This Cowboy’s Hat” as well as the debut of its official music video at Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville.

Joined by RIAA’s Jackie Jones and UMG Nashville’s Lori Christian, Ned LeDoux accepted the plaque commemorating the achievement on his father’s behalf. The venue’s staff donned “Just LeDoux It” shirts as the crowd celebrated LeDoux’s life and legacy and watched the music video on a big screen together.

 

ACM Lifting Lives, SENSE Theatre & More Partner For Autism Research Program

ACM Lifting Lives recently hosted its annual SENSE Theatre ACM Lifting Lives 2024 Summer Camp in partnership with SENSE Theatre, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Vanderbilt University Department of Theatre. The two-week program is designed to improve the social and emotional functions of those on the spectrum through theatrical intervention.

13 youth participants with autism spectrum disorder gathered in Nashille to join counselors as they rehearsed for the program’s finale—two public performances of Hats—which took place June 28–29 at Vanderbilt University’s Langford Auditorium. Participants were also treated to a surprise, acoustic performance from The Band Loula.

 

The Archives Nashville’s Inaugural Artist Tag Sale Raises $31K For CMA Foundation

The Archives Nashville’s inaugural Artist Tag Sale raised $31,102.21 for the CMA Foundation during this year’s CMA Fest. The sale featured wardrobe items from country stars, including Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, Tiera Kennedy, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll and Bailey Zimmerman.

“We were excited to bring this unique shopping experience to CMA Fest and support the CMA Foundation’s incredible work,” shares Tiffany Gifford, Founder of The Archives Nashville. “Fans got the chance to own a piece of their favorite artists’ wardrobe while contributing to a cause that nurtures the next generation of musicians and educators, and we are already brainstorming ways to turn this into an even bigger event next year.”

Round Hill Music has signed songwriter and producer Brandon Day to an exclusive publishing deal.

After playing in rock bands, the North Carolina native decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting, and has since penned tunes recorded by Brantley Gilbert, Randall King, Granger Smith and Eli Young Band. Day has also worked with Gilbert on the production side as well as the Plain White T’s, Austin Burke and Steven Lee Olsen.

“I’ve been a fan of Brandon for years and am so excited that we get to work together in his new chapter at RHM,” says Round Hill Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He’s the full package as a songwriter; he can write, sing and fully-produce an unbelievable track. Not to mention, he has the most incredible work ethic and is a joy to be around.”

“I’m so proud to be a new addition to Round Hill’s growing roster,” shares Day. “It is truly such a blessing finding people who believe in what I can do in the writing room. I couldn’t be more excited to have such a stellar team working my songs, and to see what we can accomplish in the coming future.”