Industry veterans Kelli Haywood and Leigh Holt have united to launch Hsquared Management.

Having met originally as executives at Warner Music Nashville, Haywood and Holt have developed a strong bond as female entrepreneurs over the years. Together, they bring more than 25 years of industry experience to their new Nashville-based company.

With a focus on transcending genres, the two have combined the clients from their respective businesses, KCH Entertainment and maddjett, to create a diverse roster consisting of Lauren Daigle, Megan Danielle, Annie F. Downs, Lizzie Morgan, Demi Tebow, David Thomas and Sissy Goff and Carlos Whittaker as well as their latest signee, Capitol Christian Music Group singer-songwriter Riley Clemmons.

“We’ve leaned on each other a lot over the years, so this partnership was a very natural, easy step to take,” shares Haywood. “Neither of us needed to change what we were doing, but it became apparent that we’re even better working together, and that our combined experience and talents would be beneficial to all of our clients.”

“I am excited to launch Hsquared with Kelli because it signifies two strong teams coming together to provide amazing service to our artists and authors,” echoes Holt. “The symbolism of H2 [Hsquared] for hydrogen was meaningful to us because hydrogen is the main ingredient in rocket fuel, which is how we power our artists careers and growth paths. And the number two signifies two strong leaders joining forces, to build a formidable management company that can service the full breadth of the needs our clients have–from brand development, product launches, marketing strategies, touring, record and book deals, merchandise, podcasts, digital and more–we are situated to build for the future.”

During her time at Warner Music Nashville, Haywood worked with artists such as Blake Shelton, Big & Rich, Faith Hill, The Wreckers, Gloriana, Dwight Yoakam and Brett Eldredge across radio promotion and digital media. After rising to VP of Brand Management, she joined Starstruck Management Group as the VP of Marketing and Partnerships in 2013, where she was responsible for creating and expanding revenue streams for the company’s roster of artists. In 2019, Haywood ventured into a new focus in the entertainment space with KCH Entertainment, where she took on management duties for Downs and continued to grow her roster.

Holt left her role as VP of Strategic Partnerships at Warner Music Nashville in 2013 to start maddjett. The company’s roster of clients and projects has included Hunter Hayes breaking the Guinness World Record for playing the most live concerts in 24 hours, Oprah’s “The Life You Want Weekend,” Pepsi MidAmerica, PixMob, Sony Music Nashville, Harper Collins Publishers, the Museum of the Bible and more. In 2015, she launched the artist management arm of maddjett to continue influencing the entertainment industry, including two-time Grammy winner Daigle.

For more information, click here.

Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde are set to host the three-hour primetime CMA Fest concert special.

The special will film during the 51st CMA Fest this week, and air on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC—marking CMA’s 21st consecutive year producing a summer concert television program.

Written by its Executive Producer Robert Deaton and directed by Alan Carter, the CMA Fest special will feature never-before-seen performances and surprise collaborations. More details will be revealed soon.

Country music is alive and well and if you don’t believe it, you missed the opening extravaganza of Lainey Wilson’s “Country’s Cool Again Tour” at Ascend Amphitheater Friday night (May 31).

The weather was perfect as a legion of bell bottom-clad fans made their way to Nashville’s outdoor venue. There were music lovers of all ages ready to hear from the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year.

Wilson chose a bevy of talented, unique artists to support her tour. Ian Munsick and Zach Top had the honor of opening for her on Friday night. Jackson Dean will also serve as support on future dates.

Top, who has been turning heads with a sound that harkens back to the ’90s, kicked the music off with his rising country single, “Sounds Like The Radio.” He grooved through tunes “I Never Lie” and “Bad Luck,” and had no trouble charming the early birds at Ascend Amphitheater. A grin never left his face as he finished up with the romantic “There’s The Sun” and the anthemic “Cold Beer & Country Music.”

Soon after, the sound of lush fiddle lured Munsick out on stage for his set. The singer lit Ascend aflame with his tongue-in-cheek “Barn Burner” before promising it was, “about to get country up in here!”

Munsick’s infectious energy was palpable as he treated the fans to “I See Country” and “Cowboy Killer.” He took on an intimate posture for “Long Haul,” a song that equates a gorgeous picture of the Wyoming native’s home and the winding commitment of a longtime love.

“Country music needs more songs about cowboys, cowgirls, horses, mountains and sagebrush,” he said, sharing that he was dedicated to bringing “the west to the rest.” He continued to rouse the fans with “More Than Me,” “Long Live Cowgirls,” “Heartbreak King” and “Cowshit In The Morning.”

After an extremely impressive medley of Ricky Skaggs‘ “Country Boy,” the Eagles‘ “One of These Nights” and Alabama‘s “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas”—which Munsick used to highlight the talents of his backing band—the singer closed his set with the title track of his last album “White Buffalo” and then the song that took him to town, “Horses Are Faster.”

When it was time for the country queen to come out, Ascend Amphitheater was more than ready.

Wilson’s set started with the crank of an apricot-colored pickup truck that sat center stage, surrounded by cactus and wheatgrass. On the radio dial of the truck came Barbara Mandrell‘s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.” After a verse, her band joined in for a hair-raising start to an exciting show. The crowd roared when Wilson appeared standing on the hood of the truck.

The soon-to-be Opry member got her set started with her electrifying new single “Hang Tight Honey.” She transitioned into “Straight Up Sideways” and “Smell Like Smoke” before playing fan-favorite tune “Dirty Looks.”

Wilson returned to the truck hood to address the crowd. She spoke about her wild ride before singing an unreleased song, “Good Horses.” The truck turned and Wilson moved down to sit on the tailgate. It was the perfect place to sing her very first hit, “Things A Man Oughta Know.” “Y’all know this one!” she hollered. “Help a sister out.”

Wilson returned to center stage to bring out her first surprise guest of the night, Wynonna Judd, who she called her “country music mama.” The two sang their version of Tom Petty‘s “Refugee,” which is included on the anticipated Petty Country album due out in a few weeks.

In one of the night’s highlights, Wilson got in the cab of the truck to sing her explosive “Heart Like A Truck.” Cameras inside the cab captured the singer, showing that all-too-familiar feeling of belting the emotional song to your dashboard. She came out to center stage for the beloved high note, and the big screens showed young girls in the crowd grasping each other’s hands and singing along with her.

“Tonight let’s be proud of where we’re from and get fired up about where we’re going,” Wilson shared before singing “Live Off.” After playing another new song, “Bell Bottoms Up,” in honor of the opening of hew new bar with the same name, she paused for an important moment in the show.

The 32-year-old sought out a woman she could crown “Cowgirl of the Night.” Upon finding one, she brought the young lady to the front where she had her repeat a mantra of self-love. The words resonated through the crowd, and women could be seen wiping tears from their eyes and hugging their friends as Wilson shared life-giving words. She sustained the moment by singing “Atta Girl.”

After getting the crowd dancing with another No. 1 hit, “Watermelon Moonshine,” Wilson welcomed out another special guest. ’90s country great Terri Clark appeared and the two performed Clark’s “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” which appears on her new duets project.

Wilson further proved her country credentials with a fun medley of Hank Williams‘ “Hey, Good Lookin’,” Loretta Lynn‘s “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” Johnny Paycheck‘s “Take This Job and Shove It,” Randy Travis‘ “Forever and Ever, Amen,” Reba McEntire‘s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” Miranda Lambert‘s “Kerosene” and Alan Jackson‘s “Gone Country.” She transitioned that into her own “Country’s Cool Again.”

During another highlight, Wilson showed her gratitude to the hit collaborations she’s been apart of, singing a few acoustic verses of her and Cole Swindell‘s “Never Say Never,” Hardy‘s “Wait In The Truck” and Jelly Roll‘s “Save Me.” She sounded incredible on each, showing just how much she brings when she’s given a seat at the table.

As she was wrapping up her set, Wilson sang a new song “Four By Four By You,” and then closed with a thunderous “Kaw-Liga” instrumental that birthed her “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”

The exciting show even got a cinematic finish, with credits that named Wilson’s management, band and crew. Barbara Mandrell came back on the radio dial to sing us home.

Wilson’s “Country’s Cool Again Tour” will head to New Jersey after CMA Fest. Click here to see tour dates.

Morgan Wallen‘s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen, developed in partnership with TC Restaurant Group, will open tomorrow (June 1) at 11 a.m. in downtown Nashville.

The six-story venue is adjacent to the historic Ryman Auditorium just off of Broadway. Approximately 30,000 square feet, it includes three live music stages, six bars and an open-air rooftop. The space also features a gift shop with exclusive Wallen merchandise offerings as well as a homage to his favorite Tennessee team.

Curated by the artist and Chef Tomasz Wosiak, TC Restaurant Group’s Vice President of Culinary Development, the menu consists of southern dishes, bar bites and a few family-favorite recipes from Wallen’s mother.

“We’re thrilled to welcome our first guests on Saturday, June 1, to This Bar leading into CMA Fest,” says Grant Burlingame, TC Restaurant Group’s Vice President of Operations. “This venue has been a labor of love for us and Morgan. His fans and music lovers alike will love the experiences they will find at This Bar. We’re proud to open its doors.”

The opening follows news that the country star’s recent three-night stint at Nissan Stadium contributed to a record-setting weekend of hotel bookings in Nashville, according to information shared by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). 75,000 hotel rooms were sold from May 3–4, the most in the city’s history.

“Morgan Wallen is one of the most sought after stars in the music industry, and we are thrilled that he has trusted us to deliver a concept that will bring him closer to his fans, hold fast to his roots and enshrine his name among an exclusive group of artists who can claim international stardom with a lower Broadway destination fans all over the world seek out,” says Adam Hesler, TC Restaurant Group’s President.