10 country artists have been named as part of Spotify’s 2024 Artists-To-Watch list. The full list includes 90 artists across nine genres, including country, pop, R&B and more.
The country artists selected for 2024 are Anne Wilson, Dylan Gossett, Graham Barham, Lauren Watkins, Mackenzie Carpenter, Matt Schuster, Michael Warren, Owen Riegling, Sam Barber and Wyatt Flores.
Wilson broke into the scene after a video of her singing “What a Beautiful Name” at her brother’s funeral went viral. Shortly after she released her debut song “My Jesus,” which went on to become a Gold-certified No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, and was named ASCAP’s 2022 Christian Music Awards Song of the Year. Now partnered with UMG Nashville, Wilson is getting ready to release her next album.
Gossett caught the attention of listeners after sharing his versions of “Ophelia” by The Lumineers and “A Life Where We Work Out” by Flatland Cavalry. His single “Coal” shot Gossett into the scene after gaining over 21 million Spotify streams, and debuting No. 24 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart, leading to him becoming the flagship artist for Big Loud Texas.
“Preachers Need People” gave Barham viral success, eventually leading him to sign a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music. Since, he has released his debut EP North of Hell and recently signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records.
Nashville native Watkins caught the attention of hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon quickly after college, leading to her publishing and record deals. Watkins has already performed at several big festivals across the country, including Carolina Country Fest, CMA Fest, Faster Horses and more.
Carpenter has been drawing listeners in with her spunky and honest style. With songs like “Can’t Nobody,” “Huntin’ Season” and “Jesus I’m Jealous,” the Big Machine Label Group artist has been named in many spotlight lists, including CMT’s Next Women of Country.
Warner Music Nashville signee Schuster used his country-rock style with songs “Tell Me Tennessee” and “Last Fall.” Since gaining over 140 million streams, he has been out on the road with Kameron Marlowe, Dylan Scott, Ashley Cooke and Brantley Gilbert.
Warren spent the first decade of his career in Los Angeles, playing over 200 shows a year and earning songwriting credits for Akon, Jennifer Lopez and more. Since moving to Nashville and getting back to his southern roots, he released his EP What’s Country To You, which has appeared on Spotify and Apple’s biggest playlists.
Riegling came onto the scene after winning the 2022 Emerging Artists Showcase at Boots & Hearts festival. After releasing a single through Universal Music Canada as part of winning the contest, the label was so impressed with the singer that they signed him to a record deal.
Barber first fell in love with music after picking up his grandfather’s guitar at 16. After releasing his debut single “Drowning,” he has drawn in over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and has reached No. 1 globally in UK, AUS, IRE and more.
With influences such as Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell, Flores has a true gift for honest storytelling with a gritty country sound. With songs such as “Travelin’ Kid,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Break My Bones,” he has drawn listeners in instantly, gaining millions of streams and signing with Island Records.
Legends Of Music Row Music Festival To Return To Key West
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Legends of Music Row Music Festival will return for its second run April 4-6 at Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Key West, Florida.
This year’s headliners consist of Country Music Hall of Famer Dean Dillon, Brian Kelley, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Jenee Fleenor of the Wood Box Heroes and The War And Treaty. Other artists performing include Tracy Byrd, Ernest, Randy Houser, Craig Morgan, Phil Vassar, Drake Milligan, Ward Davis and Jim “Moose” Brown, with more acts to be announced soon.
The three-night musical event will also feature a VIP ticket experience offering exclusive access to the Kick-Off Party on April 3, Dillon’s Late Night Guitar Pull and special seatings.
“There’s nothing like a live country music show, especially when it’s in such a beautiful environment and intimate venue that allows you to absorb and enjoy the experience. Showcasing country music in a unique, Florida Keys style was the driving force behind Legends Key West,” says Sheryl Steinmeyer, Festival Organizer. “There’s something incredible and magical about what we’re creating here. Country music fans have traditionally been underserved in South Florida and we’re excited to build upon the success of the first Legends festival, bringing in even more amazing and talented artists in 2024.”
The event will be hosted by Storme Warren, who will also conduct charity auctions during each evening’s intermission. Exclusive items will be up for bid benefitting Adaptive Sports Center, a therapeutic recreation program for those with disabilities as well as a local, to-be-named charity.
For ticket information, click here.
Hardy’s ‘Becoming The Crow’ Takes Viewers Behind The Scenes Of A Breakout Year
/by Madison HahnenFive-time ACM award winner Hardy is set to release his new short film, Becoming The Crow, tonight (Jan. 11) at 8 p.m. EST. The film will be available via YouTube, and there will be a sold-out screening at Nashville’s Green Hills Cinema.
The 22-minute film, directed by Justin Clough, follows Hardy through two days in his monumental 2023. The first day spotlights his album release shows in Los Angeles on Jan. 23, where he played both The Troubadour and The Roxy in one single night. The second part follows him on Oct. 26, where he kicked off a sold-out three-night run at The Municipal Auditorium right here in Music City.
Becoming The Crow includes interviews with Hardy, his band and touring mates, frequent producing collaborators Joey Moi and David Garcia, CEO/Co-Founder of Big Loud Seth England, manager Troy “Tracker” Johnson and more.
After releasing The Mockingbird & The Crow in early 2023, Hardy has added over four billion career streams, and has dominated his own lane fusing country and rock music. More Hardy news is expected to be revealed soon.
Jelly Roll, Post Malone, More Among Lineup For 2024 ‘Reportin’ For Duty’ Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughThe second annual “Reportin’ For Duty” benefit show is set for Feb. 17 at Humble Baron At Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Last February, friends of the late Leslie Jordan came together to honor his life of service with a heartfelt evening of performances benefitting EB Research Partnership (EBRP), an organization close to Jordan’s heart that is dedicated to funding research to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). The tradition continues next month with 100% of concert proceeds going to EBRP to fund innovative and life-saving research projects.
This year’s “Reportin’ For Duty” event will feature intimate performances from Post Malone, EBRP Co-Founder Eddie Vedder, The War And Treaty, Jelly Roll, Jake Wesley Rogers and Dan Spencer.
Over the last decade, EBRP has made remarkable strides, including helping to accelerate the first two EB treatments approved by the FDA in 2023. Founded in 2010 by a group of dedicated parents along with Jill and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, EB Research Partnership is the largest nonprofit funding research aimed at finding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa. EB is a life-threatening genetic skin disorder that affects children from birth. Children with EB are often called “Butterfly Children,” lacking critical proteins that bind the skin together. With skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wings, they experience constant pain, severe blisters, disfigurement and internal and external wounds that may never heal. EBRP’s goal is to cure EB by 2030 and create a blueprint that can impact thousands of other rare diseases.
Purchase tickets for “Reportin’ For Duty” or donate to the cause here.
Kidd G Kicks Off New Year With Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Allison Jones, Big Machine Label Group; Mike Bachta, Hard 8 Working Group; Kidd G; Matthew Morgan, United Talent Agency; Athena Puharic, BMLG. Photo: Nick Rau for Big Machine Label Group
Kidd G kicked off his New Year by making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday, Jan. 5.
Kidd G performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Nick Rau for Big Machine Label Group
The Valory Music Co./Geffen Records signee was the Opry’s first artist debut of 2024. The rising star has surpassed 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, and his tracks have seen radio play across the globe, reaching new peaks on playlists including Amazon Music’s Country Heat (peaked at No. 2) and Spotify’s Hot Country (peaked at No. 3).
In 2021, Kidd G released his major label debut, Down Home Boy, which generated over 41 million streams on Spotify. His new EP, If We Were a Love Song, is out now on all platforms.
Chase Bryant To Release The First Of Five EPs Set For 2024 This Month
/by Lorie HollabaughChase Bryant is gearing up for the release of his new EP Summerville on Jan. 19. This will be the first of five EPs he plans to release over the next year.
Co-written with collaborators including Tommy Lee James, Ryan Beaver and Joe Clemmons, Bryant produced and played every instrument on the new six-track EP. Named after his wife’s hometown of Summerville, South Carolina, the project’s coastal inspiration is evident across the six songs, including “She Used To Be,” “Over You By Now” and “She’s Just Like That.” Last month, Bryant shared the EP’s lead single, “I Still Do.”
Each of the five project boasts a unique sound to represent a different chapter in his life and was recorded in a different location to showcase his evolution as a creator. Each EP is named after the town where it was written and inspired by. The next EP Ashland City, out April 12, is named in honor of the town north of Nashville where Bryant penned it. Cayo del Grullo, coming July 19, is named after a favorite Texas vacation spot from his childhood. Clio, out Oct. 11, was cut in a cabin in rural Alabama and Avery Park, coming Jan. 10, 2025, is a nod to his old home outside of Brentwood, Tennessee.
“I’m never not writing, or tinkering in my studio,” says Bryant. “It’s most days of my life. I felt strongly that we couldn’t sit on this body of work forever. We all collectively wanted to get the music out, and thankfully found a way to spread it all out over this year.”
Summerville EP Track Listing:
1. “I Still Do” (Chase Bryant, Ryan Beaver, Joe Clemmons)
2. “Over You By Now” (Bryant, Neil Medley)
3. “Don’t Forget About Me” (Bryant, Tommy Lee James)
4. “She’s Just Like That” (Bryant, Medley, Paul Sikes)
5. “Used To Be” (Bryant, Luke Preston)
6. “I Hope You Do” (Bryant, Nate Miles, Andrew Stoelzing)
Spotify Reveals 2024 Artists-To-Watch List
/by Madison Hahnen10 country artists have been named as part of Spotify’s 2024 Artists-To-Watch list. The full list includes 90 artists across nine genres, including country, pop, R&B and more.
The country artists selected for 2024 are Anne Wilson, Dylan Gossett, Graham Barham, Lauren Watkins, Mackenzie Carpenter, Matt Schuster, Michael Warren, Owen Riegling, Sam Barber and Wyatt Flores.
Wilson broke into the scene after a video of her singing “What a Beautiful Name” at her brother’s funeral went viral. Shortly after she released her debut song “My Jesus,” which went on to become a Gold-certified No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, and was named ASCAP’s 2022 Christian Music Awards Song of the Year. Now partnered with UMG Nashville, Wilson is getting ready to release her next album.
Gossett caught the attention of listeners after sharing his versions of “Ophelia” by The Lumineers and “A Life Where We Work Out” by Flatland Cavalry. His single “Coal” shot Gossett into the scene after gaining over 21 million Spotify streams, and debuting No. 24 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart, leading to him becoming the flagship artist for Big Loud Texas.
“Preachers Need People” gave Barham viral success, eventually leading him to sign a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music. Since, he has released his debut EP North of Hell and recently signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records.
Nashville native Watkins caught the attention of hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon quickly after college, leading to her publishing and record deals. Watkins has already performed at several big festivals across the country, including Carolina Country Fest, CMA Fest, Faster Horses and more.
Carpenter has been drawing listeners in with her spunky and honest style. With songs like “Can’t Nobody,” “Huntin’ Season” and “Jesus I’m Jealous,” the Big Machine Label Group artist has been named in many spotlight lists, including CMT’s Next Women of Country.
Warner Music Nashville signee Schuster used his country-rock style with songs “Tell Me Tennessee” and “Last Fall.” Since gaining over 140 million streams, he has been out on the road with Kameron Marlowe, Dylan Scott, Ashley Cooke and Brantley Gilbert.
Warren spent the first decade of his career in Los Angeles, playing over 200 shows a year and earning songwriting credits for Akon, Jennifer Lopez and more. Since moving to Nashville and getting back to his southern roots, he released his EP What’s Country To You, which has appeared on Spotify and Apple’s biggest playlists.
Riegling came onto the scene after winning the 2022 Emerging Artists Showcase at Boots & Hearts festival. After releasing a single through Universal Music Canada as part of winning the contest, the label was so impressed with the singer that they signed him to a record deal.
Barber first fell in love with music after picking up his grandfather’s guitar at 16. After releasing his debut single “Drowning,” he has drawn in over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and has reached No. 1 globally in UK, AUS, IRE and more.
With influences such as Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell, Flores has a true gift for honest storytelling with a gritty country sound. With songs such as “Travelin’ Kid,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Break My Bones,” he has drawn listeners in instantly, gaining millions of streams and signing with Island Records.
Hangout Festival Announces 2024 Lineup
/by Madison HahnenHangout Festival has announced its 2024 lineup. Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey and Odesza will headline the three-day festival, taking place May 17-19 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Country acts set to take the stage this year include Jessie Murph, Koe Wetzel, Megan Moroney, Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Alana Springsteen, Jaime Wyatt, Laci Kaye Booth and Tanner Adell. Additional acts across genres include The Chainsmokers, Cage The Elephant, Reneé Rapp, A Day to Remember, Doechii and more.
Festival pass-holders will get to enjoy the three-day weekend with music all day and night, as well as getting to try different beach games at Camp Hangout, access to swim in the Gulf of Mexico and more amenities. VIP and Hangout House tickets are also available for an upgraded experience.
The festival’s Earn-A-Ticket program, first launched in 2023, will return again this year. The program saw over 75 volunteers collect over 3,000 pounds of trash across four beaches. In exchange for their time and generosity, volunteers received festival tickets and additional prizes. Details for the 2024 program will be announced soon.
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. CST.
Luke Ericson Named Chief Operating Officer At Gibson Brands
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Ericson. Photo: Courtesy of Gibson
Luke Ericson has been appointed to the permanent role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Gibson Brands, reporting to Cesar Gueikian, President & CEO.
Acting as Interim COO since May 2023, Ericson has played a key part in reorganizing the business with the creation of the COO office around manufacturing, planning and supply chain as well as enterprise solutions, globally.
“I am excited to confirm Luke as our permanent Chief Operating Officer,” says Gueikian. “Luke’s overall experience as an operations expert, successfully serving in multiple leadership roles, uniquely positions him to drive operational excellence for Gibson. I have full confidence in Luke’s ability to lead our office of the COO, and Gibson, into the future.”
Hailing from Australia, Ericson has lived in the U.S. for the last decade. He studied economics and finance at the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier in his career, he worked as a turnaround and restructuring consultant in Australia, and has worked extensively across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Ericson joined Gibson from the global private equity firm KKR, where he served as Operating Partner. During his time at the firm, he worked closely with the management teams at KKR Investments to develop and execute growth strategies. Ericson also held interim executive roles at KKR-owned companies. Before joining KKR, he was a management consultant with AlixPartners, where he helped consumer and retail clients improve profitability through operational improvement programs.
City National Bank’s Martha Henderson To Retire
/by LB CantrellMartha Henderson
Longtime leader at City National Bank, Martha Henderson, will retire from her position as Vice Chairman of Entertainment Banking on Feb. 2. She has served the entertainment industry for more than 40 years at the bank.
“Since our founding in 1954, City National has had an unparalleled history of support for the entertainment industry, which is personified by Martha Henderson,” says Kelly Coffey, CEO of City National Entertainment. “Martha is an institution at City National and I am grateful for her extraordinary service—her decades of leadership and the profound impact she has had are felt throughout the organization.”
Henderson joined City National in 1983 from Wells Fargo, where she launched her career in its private bank unit serving the entertainment industry. When she joined CNB, she was just one of 16 colleagues on the Entertainment Banking team.
Named Head of the Business in 1989, CNB’s team serving the entertainment industry has grown substantially under Henderson’s leadership. According to CNB, the bank now provides financial expertise to more than 90% of entertainment business managers, more than half of all Broadway shows, more than 80% of the country music industry in Nashville and some of the biggest names in the sports and Latin entertainment industries.
Henderson led the strategic expansion of Entertainment Banking into New York, as well as the opening of the bank’s first offices in Atlanta and on Music Row in Nashville in 2011, and most recently, in Miami in 2019. Her impact and influence has made her widely recognized as one of the most powerful executives in the entertainment industry.
“Martha leaves a legacy of City National leaders poised to move the business and industry forward thanks to her long-standing commitment to colleague development and client-focus,” says Howard Hammond, CEO of City National Bank. “As she prepared for retirement over the last several years, Martha invested herself in ensuring the continuing Entertainment Banking leadership team is well prepared to support our clients. Those leaders include JaHan Wang, Executive Vice President of Entertainment Banking—we are fortunate to continue to benefit from his deep experience.”
“I deeply appreciate my decades-long career at City National, and the meaningful and rewarding relationships I have built here and across the entertainment industry,” shares Henderson. “Among the career highlights I am most proud of is the opportunity I had to grow and develop the next generation of leadership at the bank to continue our focus on serving clients. I’m confident City National’s unwavering dedication to the industry will only grow.”
Governor Bill Lee Introduces ELVIS Act For Likeness, Voice & Image Protection
/by LB CantrellAt a press conference at Studio A in Nashville on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced bicameral legislation alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) regarding concerns about creators’ voice, image and likeness rights.
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act updates Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law, making it the first state in the nation to preserve individual voice, image and likeness against irresponsible and unethical artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of deepfakes and audio cloning. The ELVIS Act seeks to protect the future of Tennessee creators from the harmful misuse of technology on some online platforms, such as computer-generated recordings that resemble artists’ voices or deepfake videos.
Christian music icon Michael W. Smith welcomed the artists, songwriters, music industry folk and legislative leaders gathered at the press conference. He shared, “As a working artist and songwriter, I know how vital it is to build a creative environment that protects the work and individuality of future generations of dreamers. While I am grateful for existing tools that have helped me craft both my music and my message, even more personal gifts and attributes have a right to be protected from digital manipulations. I’m honored to be here today as a voice supporting the ELVIS Act to protect my fellow musicians today and in the future.”
Governor Lee said, “From Beale Street to Broadway and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”
Other attendees supporting today’s update to Tennessee’s Right of Publicity law include artists, songwriters, producers and engineers such as Ruby Amanfu, Steve Cropper, Tom Douglas, Lindsay Ell, Matt Maher, Jamie Moore, Ari Morris, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (Royal Studios), Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gebre Waddell, Matthew West and Lainey Wilson.
Artist and songwriter advocacy organizations have come out in support of the ELVIS Act, including NSAI, NMPA, RIAA, the Recording Academy, A2IM, Artist Rights Alliance, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.
Of the piece of legislature, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison says, “The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) resulted in fake recordings that are not authorized by the artist and is wrong, period. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) applauds Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Jack Johnson and Rep. William Lamberth for introducing legislation that adds the word ‘voice’ to the existing law—making it crystal clear that unauthorized AI-generated fake recordings are subject to legal action in the state of Tennessee. This is an important step in what will be an ongoing challenge to regulate generative AI music creations.”
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite adds, “AI deepfakes and voice cloning threaten the integrity of all music. It makes sense that Tennessee state would pioneer these important policies which will bolster and protect the entire industry. Music creators face enough forces working to devalue their work—technology that steals their voice and likeness should not be one of them.”
Notably, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier also released a statement earlier today in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act). The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) also aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.