Dillon Carmichael Honored With FFA Blue Jacket

The National FFA Organization recognized country music artist Dillion Carmichael for his contributions to the agricultural community.

In a recent mini-documentary, The Blue Jacket, Carmichael received an FFA Blue Jacket as an honor, following the loss of his family’s home. As the official dress of the FFA, the corduroy jacket symbolizes faith, honor and pride for those serving their communities. A second jacket is rarely given out, yet after leveraging his musical career to advocate for local farmers, the FFA made an exception for Carmichael at last year’s National FFA Convention.

TapeSlate Launches Production & Photo Studio In Franklin

Full-service production collective TapeSlate Productions have unveiled their full-production and photo studio located at 1106 Harpeth Industrial Ct. in Franklin, Tennessee. Led by partners Bryson Sams, Porter Edwards and Dean Sams, TapeSlate’s services include creative, production and post production.

“We have specifically specialized in creating content for musicians, who are inherently creatives just like us, but express their art through a different medium,” explains Bryson. “I think these collaborations are imperative, and we work closely with our clients to help express their music through the visual medium.”

Recently TapeSlate partnered with the acclaimed chart-topping country band Lonestar for the music video for their latest single, “You Make Loving Fun.”

Elizabeth Dewey Joins IBMA As Administrative Manager

Elizabeth Dewey has joined The International Bluegrass Music Association as Administrative Manager.

The Belmont University graduate began working with IBMA as an intern in 2021 and has continued to support IBMA staff, including onsite assistance at both the World of Bluegrass in 2023 as well as the IBMA Holiday Benefit Concert.

“I am thrilled to be joining the IBMA staff as Administrative Manager. My prior involvement with the organization has been fulfilling and meaningful, and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue working with such a wonderful team,” says Dewey. “I look forward to serving the bluegrass community through this important work.”

Spotify has launched the latest of their “Written By” playlists with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress.

Andress’ playlist includes songs she has penned and released herself, including hits “More Hearts Than Mine,” “Lady Like,” “Wishful Drinking” (feat. Sam Hunt), “Feel Like This” and “The Stranger,” as well as cuts she’s garnered by others such as “Boys” (Charli XCX), “Girl in the Mirror” (Bebe Rexha), “In Too Deep” (Why Don’t We), “Conflicted” (Halestorm), “No Saint” (Lauren Jenkins) and more.

The playlist totals 59 songs, crossing country, pop and rock genres. Andress’ playlist joins the ranks of other “Written By” lists for Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Murda Beats, Meghan Trainor, Sia and more. Spotify curates “Written By” lists to helps songwriters reach to new audiences, strengthen relationships with current fans and maximize discoverability on the platform by allowing listeners to hear career-spanning works.

“Written By Ingrid Andress” is available here.

iHeartMedia has announced the Daytime Village lineup for the 2024 iHeartCountry Festival, presented by Capital One, on May 4 in Austin, Texas.

The free event will feature performances by Riley Green, Chris Lane, Walker Hayes, Ashley Cooke, Chase Matthew and Kelsey Hart as well as interactive experiences by iHeartRadio’s brand partners from 12:30-4:30 p.m. CT at the Dell Technologies Plaza of Moody Center.  

Now in its eleventh year, the 2024 lineup for the iHeartCountry Festival includes Green, Hayes, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, Lady A, Ashley McBryde and Brothers Osborne. The festival will once again be hosted by iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated top on-air country personality Bobby Bones.

iHeartMedia’s country music radio stations will broadcast the event live in their local markets and on iHeartRadio.com on May 4 at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the main stage are on sale now. For more information, click here.

Hatch Show Print is celebrating its 145th anniversary today (April 12).

Hatch Show Print was founded by brothers Charles and Herbert Hatch in 1879. The shop’s unique posters served as the leading advertising method for Southern Entertainment. The shop produced posters for many Grand Ole Opry members, including Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and more. They also served music stars Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Bessie Smith, among others. Thousands of posters and billboard-sized advertisements were printed for traveling vaudeville and minstrel shows, circuses and carnivals across the country. In 1992, Hatch Show Print became property of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHOFM).

The company continues to create prints today, averaging between 700-900 designs a year. Recent clients consist of Gillian Welch, Guns N’ Roses, Willie Nelson, Yola, the NFL, Taschen Books, the U.S. Postal Service and more.

CMHOFM visitors can tour the Hatch Show Print shop for an inside look at poster creation and the history of the company as well as hand print their very own poster.

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has elected Brian Sexton and Keri Floyd Kelly to its Board of Directors. They will serve a three-year term that commenced March 8, 2024.

Sexton brings a wealth of experience in community development and as the Metro Council Liaison for Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Known for his dedication to improving education, workforce development and affordable housing, he founded Creatives Day and co-created the Music Business Accelerator at Tennessee State University.

Kelly is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Nissan Americas. Bringing a broad scope of experience from finance to human resources, her strategic approach to DEI makes her an invaluable asset to the NMAAM board.

Additionally, the museum has welcomed Joseph Page and Jacolby Robinson as new board interns. Their tenure started on March 3 and will last for one year.

Page, Special Projects Manager for the Sycamore Institute, brings a background in political organizing and policy research. Robinson, an Assistant Vice President and Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank, leads teams to provide top-notch financial services.

“We are delighted to welcome our new board members and board interns to the National Museum of African American Music family,” says Executive Director, Dion Brown. “Their diverse backgrounds and wealth of expertise will undoubtedly enrich our organization and help us continue advancing our mission.”