Pictured (L-R): Allison Moorer, Brad Henton, Paige Maillet, Jon Freeman and Kayleigh Shoemaker. Photos: Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has made a series of staff additions and promotions.

Jon Freeman and Allison Moorer have joined the staff as Writer-Editors in the Museum Services department. Staff promotions include Brad Henton to Senior Director of Culinary, Event and Museum Sales; Paige Maillet to Director of Guest Experience and Kayleigh Shoemaker to Director of Public Programs.

In their roles as Writer-Editors, Freeman and Moorer will contribute to exhibitions, museum publications, public programs, online offerings, social media channels and other educational initiatives that interpret and illuminate the genre and explore the broad and ever-evolving narratives of its history and its contributions to culture.

Freeman is a Nashville-based writer and editor who most recently spent seven years working for Rolling Stone helping oversee the publication’s Rolling Stone Country online section. Freeman’s media career began with the Nashville trade publication MusicRow, and in 2012, he joined the staff of Country Weekly magazine as an Editor, where he remained through the company’s rebrand to Nash Country Weekly. A graduate of Auburn University, Freeman’s writing has appeared in Spin, NPR Music, the Nashville Scene and Vinyl Me Please, in addition to Rolling Stone.

Moorer is a singer-songwriter, producer and author who has released 10 albums and published two memoirs, Blood and I Dream He Talks to Me. She has been nominated for an Academy Award, as well as awards from the Grammys, Americana Music Association and Academy of Country Music. Moorer’s work has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, American Songwriter, Guernica, No Depression, Literary Hub and The Bitter Southerner. She also received the Hall-Waters Prize for Excellence in Southern Writing in 2020 and the Alabama Library Association’s Authors Award in 2022. Moorer holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The New School.

In his new role of Senior Director of Culinary, Event and Museum Sales, Henton will continue to lead the museum sales and reservations department in overseeing daily admissions to the museum, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B. He will also take on new areas of responsibility including CMA Theater concerts and operations, private event sales and services, as well as food and beverage operations and events hosted by the museum, including its annual Medallion Ceremony. Henton joined the museum in 2004, and most recently served as Director of Museum Sales and Guest Experience. Henton has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama.

Maillet oversees all aspects of the visitor experience for the museum, Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B tours and CMA Theater shows, as well as other publicly ticketed events and programs. Her oversight includes box office sales, information and membership desks, greeters, tour guides and ushers. During her nine-year tenure with the museum, Maillet has served in many positions, most recently as Associate Director of Guest Relations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Texas Christian University.

In her new role, Shoemaker will develop and oversee the museum’s programs, working with staff writers, editors and historians to present over 200 programs annually including interviews and performances with renowned session musicians and songwriters, exhibit-related programs with content experts, and more. She joined the museum in 2017, and most recently served as Senior Public Programs Manager. Shoemaker previously worked with NSAI, Agency for the Performing Arts and Bluewater Music. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University’s recording industry program with a concentration in music business.

Pictured (L-R): Anna Thiel (Eclipse Music, Creative Coordinator), Kurt Locher (Eclipse Music Group, Founder/Partner), Penny Gattis (Eclipse Music Group, Partner), John Owen Bradley (Electric Feel, Country A&R) Jackson Nance, Austin Rosen (Electric Feel, CEO). Photo: Courtesy of Evolution PR

Singer-songwriter Jackson Nance has signed a global publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group and Electric Feel Publishing.

“Jackson is a rare talent and a triple threat,” says Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group. “His vocals, guitar playing and writing seamlessly transcend genres while remaining uniquely his own. Partnering with Electric Feel on this was an organic fit, and I’m eager to witness the extraordinary journey ahead with this dream team in place.”

The Mississippi native has been immersed in music since he was 10 years old. He has been paving his path in music city for seven years now, working with some of the industry’s most established mentors. Nance has had cuts with Brennan Story, Chase Rice and Halle. He has also performed with Ricky Staggs, Jeffrey Steele, Delbert McClinton and Jamey Johnson, among others.

“From the second I met Jackson, I knew he had IT,” shares John Bradley, Country A&R, Electric Feel Publishing. “He is a rare talent that effortlessly writes in any genre and conquers any challenge thrown his way. Jackson seamlessly fits into the culture Electric Feel is building in Nashville, and it couldn’t be more perfect to partner with my friends at Eclipse Music Group.”

“I feel blessed to be part of Eclipse Music and Electric Feel.  These days it’s hard to do anything but smile when thinking about my future! Praise God,” adds Nance.

Toby Keith will receive an honorary degree at the University of Oklahoma (OU)’s Commencement. His daughter, Krystal Keith, will stand in for the late singer to receive the honor during the ceremony this Saturday (May 11) at Lloyd Noble Center.

The country star first learned he was receiving the accolade last year, and was honored and happy to be acknowledged by the university that he loved and sent his children to for their education.

“He loved OU! His passion started as far back as when he was 12 [or] 13 years old, and [he] worked in the stadium selling Cokes just so he could see the games,” recalls Krystal. “For as long as I can remember, he took us to every bowl game no matter what his work schedule was. And he was on the sidelines of nearly all the different OU sporting events. He bled crimson and cream.”

Educator, economist and activist Barbara Ann Posey Jones, Love’s Travel Stops Founder Tom E. Love and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient David Proctor will also receive honorary degrees from OU this year. Love and Jones will be honored during a ceremony scheduled for this Friday (May 10).

“Through their exceptional talents, transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to serving others, each of this year’s honorary degree recipients has left an indelible mark on the world,” says Joseph Harroz Jr., OU President. “Their profound dedication has touched countless lives, and we take great pride in conferring the university’s highest honor upon them.”

Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

Lainey Wilson will share her new album, Whirlwind, on Aug. 23 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

Produced by Jay Joyce, Whirlwind aims to give fans an honest look into the multi-Platinum artist’s life and journey around the world. The collection brings together a mix of sonically united songs that span across genres while remaining true to Wilson’s western roots. Throughout the project, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter sought to create narratives and storylines that capture the essence of life’s highs, lows and everything in between.

“I am so excited to finally announce Whirlwind. This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon,” says Wilson. “This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”

She recently notched her seventh No. 1 at country radio with “Wildflowers And Wild Horses,” and announced her new bar set to open in downtown Nashville. In addition to being nominated for multiple honors, Wilson will take the ACM Awards stage to perform next week before kicking off her “Country’s Cool Again Tour” at the end of the month.