Range Publishing & Big Machine Celebrate No. 1 Hit “Back Then Right Now”

Range Publishing and Big Machine recently honored Geoff Warburton and his No. 1 hit with Tyler Hubbard, “Back Then Right Now.” The track, written by Warburton, Jessie Jo Dillon, Hubbard, David Garcia and produced by Jordan Smith, marks Range Publishing’s inaugural No. 1 hit on country radio.

 

 

Flat River Band Signs With ASCAP & Moves Catalog

The Flat River Band has signed with ASCAP and moved their catalog. The news comes as the group gears up for their performance at this year’s CMA Fest at the Hard Rock Stage on Sunday, June 9, shortly before they release their new vinyl record, God Bless the Radio, on June 28.

 

 

Anna-Sophie Mertens Honored With CMA Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award

The Country Music Association awarded Anna-Sophie Mertens with the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award during the Highways Festival in London on Saturday, May 18.

The award, presented Brett Young during the CMA Reception at Highways Festival, honors outstanding achievements made by an individual who has made important contributions to the live music industry by building live audiences for Country Music outside of the United States.

Mertens is the Vice President of Touring for Live Nation U.K. and has worked to bring talent to the forefront of the U.K. live music industry. Mertens established the first ever Country & Americana Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London, was named “Tomorrow’s New Boss” at ILMC’s 2019 Arthur Awards, was featured on Billboard’s 2019 International Power Players List and was nominated for International Promoter of the Year in 2023’s Pollstar Awards. In 2020, Mertens joined the CMA Board of Directors and has served on their U.K. Task Force since 2018.

 

 

PLA Media Adds Abby Turner As Publicity & Social Media Coordinator

PLA Media has hired Abby Turner as Publicity and Social Media Coordinator. Turner joins the team with valuable industry experience at Arcade Management, Average Joe’s Entertainment and Neon Coast.

“Abby possesses a work ethic and integrity too rarely seen these days. I would venture to say that she is an old soul,” remarks PLA Media President Pam Lewis.

“The opportunity to join PLA Media was something I was thrilled to jump at,” explains Turner. “To gain experience at a company with an extensive history in the music industry is the perfect place to grow my career.”

 

 

Ashleigh Graham Signs With Pinecastle Records

Bluegrass artist Ashleigh Graham has signed with Pinecastle Records and released her debut single, “Bless Your Little Heart,” to commemorate the announcement. The track, produced by Stephen Burwell, features musicians such as Eli Johnston, John Meador and Kameron Keller.

“‘Bless Your Little Heart’ was just an idea on a blank page in my song book. It had been there at least a couple of years without any lyrics. I had heard that saying so many times from people who loved to gossip,” explains Graham. “In 2020, I wanted to write a fun song that would make me and my audience laugh, so I leafed through my book and found the empty page. In 2021, I finally finished it by developing the melody and adding the chorus. There are about 5 extra verses of fun that can be enjoyed during live performances.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering free admission for local kids and discounted admission for up to two accompanying adults, as well as increased daily programs for families this summer.

Museum visitors can explore, discover and create all summer at family-friendly programs and activities. Young explorer and sensory kits, scavenger hunts, coloring pages and gallery interactives are always available, and the museum will also offer drop-in programming and workshops for diverse family audiences throughout the week.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, increased daily programming and workshops for families will include:

• Mondays and Tuesdays, all day – Take-home kits are available to inspire visitors to make instruments out of repurposed materials such as spoons, rubber bands, plastic eggs and more.
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon – The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo will offer budding musicians a chance to try new and familiar instruments in a drop-in setting.
• Thursdays through Sundays, 10 to Noon – Attendees will explore, discover and create arts and crafts related to museum artifacts and exhibitions in a drop-in setting.
• Saturdays, 1 to 2 p.m. – Visitors can express themselves through music, dance or art in drop-in and workshop-based programs. Attendees can explore line dancing, create a friendship bracelet, learn to play ukulele and more.
• June 24 – 29, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow animation and an ever-changing set tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City during String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry. Visitors will experience this exciting true story through nearly 100 puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift.

The free and discounted admission for Tennessee children ages 18 and under will apply to those living in Davidson and its bordering counties – Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson. Proof of residency is required, and visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance on the museum’s website. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Timed tickets are available for museum entry between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with a limited number of museum admission tickets available each day.

Craig Campbell has added players to his 10th Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge, taking place on June 4 at 6th & Peabody in downtown Nashville. All proceeds will benefit The Kenny Campbell Foundation.

Colbie Caillat and returning player Jerrod Niemann will join one of 16 teams to challenge the event founder and 2023 winner. Hosted by Holly Stocks and Bigg Vinny, the free and open-to-the-public event will start at 11 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., concluding with a concert starring Craig.

Fans can place bids to compete on one of the teams alongside other competitors Jay Allen, Lewis Brice, Mindy Campbell, Julia Cole, Travis Collins, Katie Dempsey, Tayler Holder, “Singing Barber” Noah Peters, Colton and Zach Swon of The Swon Brothers, Bryan White, Kinni Campbell and Preslee Campbell. Additionally, a limited number of VIP Ticket Packages are still available. The package includes a group meet-and-greet photo with all of the celebrity participants, two drink tickets, an event swag bag and premium view of the tournament.

For more information, click here.

Drummer Marcus Finnie will kick off this year’s expanded, five-month “Jazz in the Park” summer series from The Nashville Jazz Workshop on May 30.

The free community event returns to the Hadley Park Bandshell in Nashville from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., after a successful first season that attracted hundreds of music lovers last summer.

“This year is going to be amazing and because of last year’s success, we are expanding from three to five shows. We were so pleased that this series was well received by many community members, friends and neighbors,” says Mary Grissom, Executive Director of The Nashville Jazz Workshop. “Whether you are a jazz aficionado or new to the genre, this is a great way to enjoy the summer nights in Nashville with friends and family.”

The “Jazz in the Park” summer concert series is free and open to the public due to the generous support of well-known jazz educator Jamey Aebersold and series media partner, The Tennessee Tribune. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, or enjoy the bench seating throughout the park. For more than 20 years, the Nashville Jazz Workshop has hosted more than 500 concerts and community events in Music City. The organization serves as a community center for the preservation and enjoyment of jazz music, with a commitment to supporting local musicians and encouraging new jazz listeners.

Finnie, who will kick this year’s series off on May 30, is a a well-regarded drummer who has recorded, toured and shared the stage with artists spanning various genres. His collaborators include Kirk Whalum, Donna Summer, Kurt Elling and many more. June 27’s event will feature Giovanni Rodriguez, a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger and educator. He is the dynamic bandleader of the Music City Latin Orchestra.

Featured on July 25 will be Hollie Hammel, a vocal savant with an extensive background in music theory and aural skills. Hammel is a sought-after singer who has lent her talents to a wide variety of projects that span many genres. Emmanuel Echem will perform on Aug. 29. The versatile trumpeter, composer and arranger’s musical journey has led him to collaborate with a diverse range of artists like Eric Church, Joss Stone, Kirk Franklin and Lauren Daigle, to name a few.

The series will end on Sept. 26 with a performance from Andrew Golden, a driving force behind a vibrant jazz/funk ensemble that originated as a weekly residency in East Nashville. Golden draws inspiration from funk, soul, jazz and electronic influences, to reflect the beauty of everyday moments.