Eric Church To Celebrate Chief’s Grand Opening With 19-Show Residency

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Eric Church has announced his plans to kick off the grand opening of Chief’s, his new downtown Nashville restaurant and live music venue, with a 19-show “Eric Church: To Beat The Devil” residency at The Neon Steeple in Chief’s beginning April 5.

Together with Founder & CEO of Adventurous Journey (AJ)’s Capital Partners Ben Weprin, Church intentionally designed his six-story establishment to accommodate a two-story live music venue when renovating the 19,350 square foot building. Named The Neon Steeple, the venue is aimed in part to house intimate pop-up shows from the artist.

“These shows at Chief’s will be one of a kind, only for Chief’s and with some songs that will only ever be performed during these shows,” he shares. “It’s the most unique show I’ll probably ever do, and I’m excited to enjoy this chapter of what Chief’s will be.”

Tickets will first be offered to premium “Church Choir” members via a sign-up system beginning today (March 12). However, signing up for the presale will not guarantee every premium member access to the sale, and receiving access will not guarantee tickets. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and are non-transferable. They will be available for pickup at the venue box office the evening of the show immediately prior to entering the venue. A portion of proceeds from every ticket benefits Church’s nonprofit organization, Chief Cares.

For more information, click here.

Fallon Nell Rises To VP/Booking At Outback Presents

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Fallon Nell

Fallon Nell has been promoted to Vice President of Booking at Outback Presents.

Nell previously served as Senior Booking Manager at Outback Presents after returning to the company in 2023. She began her career as the company’s first intern before becoming a promoter representative in Outback’s comedy department. Nell relocated to Atlanta as a liaison for Outback in the opening of a new venture, before making the transition to artist management as a day-to-day manager and tour marketing director at Alliance Artists (now Red Light Management Atlanta) for Styx and the company’s developing artists.

Her passion for new talent led Nell to form Brothers Management, where she worked with developing artists and provided management consulting services for independent managers. She also served as the Coordinator of Live Events for the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, overseeing the university’s showcase program. Pollstar named Nell a 2024 Women of Live honoree.

“Fallon is the embodiment of compassion and benevolence,” says Outback Presents President Michael Smardak. “She is a wonderful wife to Robert and a nurturing mother to Jackson. She is honest, hardworking and has earned the respect of her peers. Her character and compassion are exemplary and inspiring, and we are extremely proud of her achievements. We are grateful to have her as a valued colleague and friend.”

Industry Ink: Perkins Publicity, Dan Dugmore, IBMA

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Perkins Publicity Rebrands To PERK PR & Creative Agency

Perkins Publicity, founded in 2019 by Trevor Perkins, has rebranded as PERK PR & Creative Agency.

“The rebrand comes with the evolving need of the creative agency. Over the past five years of operation, we’ve found ourselves in multiple aspects of artists career,” shares Perkins, “With a modern and a creative outlook, the rebrand of the company brings us to the level to support each client in any aspect of their career.”

The firm’s current client roster includes Ashley Anne, Becca Bowen, David Morris, Caleb Seth, Camille Parker, Logan Michael, Cody Cozz, Dylan Jakobsen, Halie, Jagger Whitaker, Mark Robert Cash, Michael James, Robert Bacon, Sheyna Gee, Thomas Goforth, Daniel Jeffers, Lil Skinny, Timmy McKeever, Tracielynn, and Caryna Dixon. PERK’s staff also includes Carissa Jakobsen as Director of Publicity.

 

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Features Dan Dugmore

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Associate Director of Editorial Michael McCall, Andrea Zonn, Bergen White, Richard Bennett, Jim Horn, Dan Dugmore, Billy Sanford, Lloyd Green and Mickey Raphael. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The County Music Hall of Fame and Museum has featured multi-instrumentalist Dan Dugmore in the latest installment of its “Nashville Cats” interview series. The series spotlights musicians and session singers who have played roles in support of artists in the recording studio or on tour.

Dugmore is a renowned pedal steel guitarist. After being inspired by Rusty Young and buying his first steel guitar, he became the go-to pedal steel player for Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and many other Los Angeles stars. Dugmore then moved to Nashville in 1990 and began working with Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless and Randy Travis.

 

IBMA Reveals 2024 Graduating Class Of Leadership Bluegrass

IBMA 2024 Graduating Class

The International Bluegrass Music Association has revealed the 2024 graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass. The three-day program includes interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents and instill enthusiasm for the future of bluegrass. This was the 23rd year of the program, totaling the alumni count to 560. This year’s program was hosted at Belmont University and lead by Jeff Westerinen and Maria Nadauld.

This year’s graduating class includes Chelsea Burns, Amanda Cook, Carolyn Eyerly, Sara Gougeon, Karen Celia Heil, Mike Kaiz, Kevin Keating, Anna Kline, Jeff Koontz, Linda Leavitt, Tashi Litch, Helen Lude, Rob McCormac, Amanda McDowell, Mike Mitchell, Seth Mulder, Kody Norris, Liam Purcell, Ariel Rosemberg, Timothy Trudeau, Amanda Webb, Lillian Werbin, Dan Whitener, Alissa Wolf and Cassie Wright.

Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees To Be Announced On Monday

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The 2024 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be announced on Monday, March 18.

Hosted by Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn, the press conference will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The event will also be livestreamed on the CMA’s YouTube channel starting at 10 a.m. CST.

The Country Music Hall of Fame was established by CMA as an institution devoted to recognizing and honoring noteworthy individuals for outstanding contributions to country music. Last year’s inductees included Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless and Bob McDill.

Jason Aldean & Thomas Rhett Set To Headline Coastal Country Jam

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Coastal Country Jam will return to Long Beach, California for the second consecutive year. Festivities begin at Marina Green Park on Saturday, Sept. 21 and carry through Sunday, Sept. 22.

The two-day event will feature some of country music’s biggest stars, including headliners Jason Aldean and Thomas Rhett, Old Dominion and Jon Pardi as well as Ian Munsick, Parmalee, Corey Kent, Priscilla Block, Kassi Ashton, Redferrin, Tayler Holder, Greylan James and DJ Luwiss Lux.

Kicking off at 12 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. each day, Coastal Country Jam will offer attendees interactive activities such as line dancing, art installations, brand activations and a ferris wheel, along with craft food, full bars and merchandise.

Activated Events and Coastal Country Jam Founder Steve Thacher shares, “We are beyond excited to be back in Long Beach for Coastal Country Jam in 2024. Building on the success of the return of Coastal Country Jam in 2023 coupled with another amazing lineup, we are aiming to continue to exceed festival goers’ expectations.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 22, at 12 p.m. CT, with various two-day options such as General Admission, Beach Club and VIP packages. For more information, click here.

Lineup Announced For 32nd Annual Tin Pan South

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The lineup has been announced for the 32nd annual Tin Pan South, taking place April 2-6.

The songwriters festival will take place across familiar Tin Pan South venues like The Lounge at City Winery Nashville, Analog at the Hutton Hotel, The Bluebird Cafe, Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole, Hard Rock Cafe, The Listening Room Cafe, 3rd and Lindsley Nashville, Station Inn and Commodore Grille as well as the festival’s latest venue addition Anzie Blue. The five-day event will feature multi-genre songwriters whose credits include hits recorded by Cody Johnson, Chris Young, Christina Aguilera, Conway Twitty, Bailey Zimmerman, Jason Mraz, Justin Bieber, Lee Ann Womack, Marcus King and more.

To view the full lineup and schedule, click here.

Each show is individually ticketed and on-sale dates vary based on the festival day. Tickets for the April 2 shows will go on sale tomorrow (March 12) at 8 a.m. CT, with sales for the April 3 shows starting at the same time this Wednesday (March 13). Tickets for the April 4 shows will be available this Thursday (March 14) at 8 a.m. CT, and sales for the April 5-6 shows will begin on Monday (March 18) at the same time.

As previously announced, this year’s Tin Pan South programming includes a new Legislative Panel as well as a Songwriter Conversation with Siedah Garrett. The festival has also partnered with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to present a “Poets and Prophets”  program featuring songwriter Jackie DeShannon.

Additionally, Strings For Hope has been selected as the festival charity. The nonprofit organization will receive a donation from a selected show’s ticket sales to assist in its mission of supporting survivors of addiction, human trafficking and domestic violence. Tin Pan South has also elected to purchase handcrafted gifts made by Strings For Hope for all of the performers.

Ashley Gorley Tops This Week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

Multi-award-winning songwriter Ashley Gorley has taken the No. 1 spot on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart for the fifth time this year. Gorley’s co-penned hits on the chart include “World On Fire,” “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “Truck Bed,” “Bulletproof” and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.”

Chayce Beckham sits at No. 2 this week with solo-written “23.” The No. 3 spot belongs to Zach Bryan with “I Remember Everything” and “Hey Driver.”

Hunter Phelps (No. 4) and Tracy Chapman (No. 5) round out this week’s top 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Randall King, Aaron Watson & Kevin Fowler Unite For West Texas Fire Relief Concert

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Texas country mavericks Randall King, Aaron Watson and Kevin Fowler are teaming up to help victims of the devastating wildfires that have swept through west Texas with “The Panhandle Boys: West Texas Fire Relief Concert” at the Starlight Ranch in Amarillo on March 24.

The acoustic in-the-round event will allow attendees to experience heartfelt performances in a stripped-down, soulful setting and atmosphere of unity and support for the west Texas communities in need. The trio of artists, each deeply rooted in their love for the Texas Panhandle, have showcased their concern through the swift organization of this benefit, demonstrating the power of solidarity in times of need. Proceeds will benefit The Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund, and tickets are on sale now at PanHandleBoys.com.

“As the news broke about the wildfires raging across the panhandle, the place I was born and raised, I knew we had to do something to help. Amarillo is my hometown,” shares Fowler. “These are my people. I’m so excited to join forces with my fellow panhandle boys, Aaron Watson and Randall King to do what we can to help support all the families affected by these fires and the heroes out there on the front lines.”

“My heart goes out to my homeland,” adds King. “So many families, lives and ways of living have been affected by these fires and I want to do my part to help in the best way I know how. When Kevin reached out for this opportunity, I absolutely had to jump on the chance to help heal the panhandle through the power of music.”

“As devastating as all of this has been, it’s hard to not feel hopeless but for one night, we’re going to do our part to try and bring a smile to people’s faces,” says Watson. “I’m honored to be joining the boys for this incredible benefit and to raise money to try and help these families get back on their feet.”

For those unable to attend the concert but still eager to contribute, donations can be made directly to the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund at PanHandleBoys.com.

Klare Essad Signs With Riser House Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Brandon Perdue and Allison Pilotti; (L-R, front row): Klare Essad and Kirby Smith. Photo: Shannon Bradley

Klare Essad has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Riser House Publishing.

Essad got her start in the Nashville music industry by working in the legal sphere for various record labels. With a longtime passion for songwriting, she became involved with Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) where she was introduced to artist Madeline Edwards. This led to them to collaborate and create “Hold My Horses,” the focus track on Edwards’ debut album Crashlanded.

“We are very pumped to welcome Klare Essad to the Riser House family,” says Kirby Mathews, Riser House Director of Publishing & A&R. “Klare’s talent and dedication are unmatched, and we are excited to officially add her to our roster. She brings strong and creative ideas and lyrics into the room, and it is an honor to work alongside her!”

“I’m thrilled to be working with Riser House,” says Essad. “Kirby, Brandon [Perdue], Allison [Pilotti] and the entire Riser House family have shown me so much support and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together!”

Dusty Black Signs With Stone Country Records & Brown Sellers Brown

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Pictured (L-R): Brown Sellers Brown’s Benny Brown, Dusty Black and Brown Sellers Brown’s April Rider and Jason Sellers. Photo: Courtesy of Brown Sellers Brown Management

Country newcomer Dusty Black has signed with Brown Sellers Brown and Stone Country Records for management and label representation.

Black was formerly the CEO of Black Tie Moving, and decided to make the transition to follow a dream deeply rooted in his family’s musical heritage, as his grandfather, Floyd Black “Junior,” played for Johnny Cash. Born in Texas and raised in Memphis, his shift from the business world to the music stage was spurred by a promise to his late father. To-date, the aspiring artist has racked up over 10 million streams, and has opened for artists including Nelly, Gary LeVox, Jimmie Allen and Lauren Alaina.

“When Barry Williams told me about Dusty Black, I wasn’t looking for another artist, but as soon as I heard Dusty’s voice and his sound, I needed to meet him,” says Brown Sellers Brown Co-Owner Benny Brown. “After I met Dusty, after I got to know him, got to know his work ethic and the successes he’s had, I signed him on the spot.”

“Signing with Stone Country Records and working with Benny Brown is a dream come true,” shares Black. “Benny’s legacy in country music is unparalleled, and to have his belief in me and my music is both humbling and exhilarating. It’s a new chapter where I get to honor my roots and push the boundaries of what I can achieve as an artist. I’m excited to join this team of amazing people and talented artists.”