Pictured (L–R): Jordan Keller (KTAG Law), Dustin Kovacic (KTAG Law), John Hamlin (Switched On Management), Jon Loba (BMG), Ryan Follesé, Rory John Zak, Darin Murphy (CAA), Chris Burrus (CAA), Peter Strickland (BMG) and Ford Pickert (Switched On Management); Not Pictured: JoJamie Hahr (BMG) and Katie Kerkhover (BMG).

Country duo Ryan and Rory has signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

Comprised of Ryan Follesé and Rory John Zak, the pair released the track “Pour Decisions” today (May 24). The tune will be featured on their self-titled debut EP, out July 26.

A Nashville native, Follesé is a chart-topping singer-songwriter and American Music Award (AMA) winner. Zak hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, and is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who has played over 300 shows per year since he was 17. Follesé, son of established songwriters Adrienne and Keith Follesé,  co-wrote all six tracks on the duo’s upcoming debut, including five with his family, while Zak added instrumentals and harmonies to the project.

“Filling a much-needed space in the format, country duo Ryan and Rory are introducing themselves with a fresh sound on ‘Pour Decisions,'” shares JoJamie Hahr, EVP Recorded Music, BMG Nashville. “Ryan Follesé’s award-winning success and masterful songwriting paired with Rory John Zak’s multi-instrumental abilities and relentless passion for delivering captivating performances provides a firm foundation as we lean towards their debut, self-titled EP in July.”

Pictured (L-R, top row): Scott O’Neal & Daryl Evans. (L-R, bottom row): Kristin Starling & Jordyn Hay

SongwritingWith:Soldiers, a nonprofit organization that works with veterans and their families through collaborative songwriting programs, has added new team members and made internal promotions.

The organization welcomes Scott O’Neal as VP of Advancement. A Nashville native and Vanderbilt University graduate, O’Neal has held Director roles at Montgomery Bell Academy and Jewish Foundation of Greater Nashville. He also served as COO for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Daryl Evans has also joined the team as VP of Operations. Evans earned his MBA from University of Alabama, and has since held roles in a diverse array of companies from startups to Fortune 500 companies, focusing on nonprofit leadership. He most recently served as Director of Social Enterprise for Crossroads Campus.

Additionally, the organization’s Kristin Starling has been named President, where she will lead the organization’s growth efforts. Jordyn Hay has been promoted to Program Director.

“Adding these important roles will prepare and position SongwritingWith:Soldiers to do what we are most often asked, ‘How can SW:S deliver more programs and help more veterans?'” shares Starling. “The need remains great, and together we can all do more.”

Blaine Barcus

Blaine Barcus has been tapped to lead Integrity Music as President. He takes the helm from Jonathan Brown, who will step into a new role as the label’s Chief Global Officer.

Barcus most recently served as Senior Vice President of A&R at Provident Entertainment, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, after previous stints at Word Entertainment/Warner Music Group and Creative Trust.

He holds a B.A. in communication from the University of Missouri, and moved to Nashville in 1996 to pursue his dream of working in Christian music. Since then, Barcus has worked as a tour manager, drummer, artist manager and label executive. Over the span of his music career, he has worked directly with artists including Zach Williams, Cain, Third Day, Matt Maher, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West, Building 429, I Am They, David Leonard, Ben Fuller and Seph Schlueter.

“Blaine’s reputation in the Christian music industry for developing and launching artists as well as
shepherding songs to CCLI success is second to none,” says Bill Reeves, CEO of David C Cook, Integrity Music’s parent company. “I’m thrilled to have Blaine join Integrity Music to help expand the label’s opportunities while continuing the great missional work of equipping the church through songs of substance that transform lives.”

“It is truly an honor and blessing to join the amazing team at Integrity Music,” Barcus says.
“Integrity has an incredible legacy of equipping the worldwide church by supporting and serving
worship leaders, artists and songwriters. I hope to play a small part in continuing the Kingdom
impact of this great organization by pouring into the next generation of Christian creatives.”

Starting in 2011, Brown served as Integrity Music’s Vice President/Managing Director until he assumed the position of President in 2017. In this new role, he will expand international partnerships and reach for both Integrity Music and David C Cook.

“Jonathan has led Integrity Music with a strong vision for its missional purpose and global reach,” says Reeves. “It’s that heart for the nations so apparent in his work that I wanted to expand his role to seeking global opportunities for the growth of our music and book publishing business units.”

Pictured (L–R, back row): UMG Nashville’s Lori Christian, Jake Gear, Chelsea Blythe and Interscope Records’ Matt Morris; (L–R, front row): UMG Nashville’s Rob Femia, Music Soup’s Max Motley, UMG Nashville’s Cindy Mabe, Vincent Mason, Champ Management’s Matt Musacchio, Music Soup’s Sean Lewow, Champ Management’s Kyle Marsh and UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris. Photo: Courtesy of UMG Nashville

Newly-signed Interscope Records/UMG Nashville/Music Soup artist Vincent Mason has dropped his debut EP, Can’t Just Be Me.

Pictured (L–R): Interscope Records’ Sam Riback, Matt Morris, Music Soup’s Val Wang, Champ Management’s Kyle Marsh, Music Soup’s Max Motley, Vincent Mason, Champ Management’s Matt Musacchio, Interscope Records’ Brad Krause and Music Soup’s Sean Lewow. Photo: Alex Oh

Entirely penned and co-produced by Mason, Can’t Just Be Me encapsulates his journey to finding love and the fun he’s having along the way. The six-song project includes his breakout single “Hell is a Dance Floor,” which has amassed more than 17 million combined global streams, as well as tracks “Livin’ Proof” and “May Be.”

“This EP is a great representation of everything that’s happened from when I first started writing songs up until now. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to co-produce for the first time alongside Brett Truitt,” Mason explains. “The music sounds exactly how I envisioned and I’m excited to mark this moment in time and have it to look back on one day.

“I’m so grateful to have Interscope, Universal Nashville and Music Soup to help bring our vision to life and keep building on what we’ve started,” he says of his recent signing. “I couldn’t feel better about the team around me, and I’m excited to get to work.”

Earlier this month, Mason inked a worldwide publishing deal with Hang Your Hat Music and Concord Music Publishing, and signed with WME for global representation.

Additionally, Mason plans open for Miranda Lambert in July before supporting Gavin Adcock on the fall leg of his tour. He is also set to perform at CMA Fest, among other summer festivals.

Can’t Just Be Me Track Listing:
1. “May Be” (Vincent Mason, Jared Scott and Brett Truitt)
2. “Hell is a Dance Floor” (Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel)
3. “Livin’ Proof” (Vincent Mason, Forrest Finn, Joe Whelan and Brett Truitt)
4. “Take Too Much” (Vincent Mason and Bobby Hambrick)
5. “Can’t Just Be Me” (Vincent Mason)
6. “Really Don’t Love Me” (Vincent Mason, Forrest Finn and Jack Hummel)