Kelsea Ballerini and Jon Pardi are slated to headline Coca-Cola’s Sips & Sounds Summer Festival in Austin, taking place June 29-30.

Additional artists set to take the stage at the Circuit of The Americas infield include Maren Morris, Marcus King, Charles Wesley Godwin, Paul Cauthen, Tanner Usrey, The War and Treaty, charlieonnafriday, Josiah and the Bonnevilles, Devon Gilfillian, Drayton Farley, Myron Elkins, DJ Mel and Sammy Arriaga.

“We are thrilled to return to Austin—the live music capital of the world—to celebrate summer and togetherness with an exciting lineup of musical performances,” says Derek Alexander, VP of Marketing and Commercial Operations at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, the local bottler for The Coca-Cola Company. “Sips & Sounds Summer Festival is our way to connect with fans of the brand and music lovers alike.”

For fans looking to cool off, kick back and explore between sets, Sips & Sounds Summer Festival will offer activations and experiences such as the Coca-Cola Ice House for a refreshing beverage and a Coke Studio footprint for an immersion into the world of Coca-Cola and music. Cinemark Theaters will host a pop-up theater where guests can immerse themselves in the magic of the movies with movie snacks. Fans will also spot the ICEE Igloo, an air-conditioned lounge with various ICEE frozen beverages available for purchase.

Tickets include 2-Day General Admission, 1-Day General Admission, 2-day VIP and 1-Day VIP. General Admission includes entrance, complimentary parking at Circuit of the Americas, and access to exciting fan experiences such as the Coca-Cola Ice House, ICEE Igloo and more. The VIP ticket includes premium benefits including unlimited access to the shaded VIP Lounge with premier viewing deck, VIP viewing area at Main Stage, upgraded restrooms, relaxing seating, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and more.

Kayla Adkins

River House Artists has promoted Kayla Adkins to Creative Director, Publishing.

In this position, Adkins will expand on her previous role of Creative Manager as she continues to develop and manage the publishing roster of new and existing songwriters.

She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)’s recording industry program, and joined River House Artists in 2018. Since then, Adkins has played a crucial part in the career development of the company’s publishing arm and the growth of artists such as Pillbox Patti, Austin Snell, Neil Medley, Zach Seabaugh and Knox. She was recently selected as part of MusicRow‘s N.B.T. Class of 2024.

“Watching Kayla grow as a publisher and become a true advocate for our songwriters over her time at River House has been inspiring,” says Zebb Luster, GM/VP, River House Artists. “She has great creative instincts, incredible working relationships with both our staff and our roster, and she truly cares about the long-term development of our songwriters. The respect she has earned in such a short time with the publishing community speaks for itself.”

“In one of my first classes at MTSU, each student was asked to share what our dream job in the music industry was and why. When it was my turn, I announced to the class that I wanted to be a Creative Director at a publishing company and my dream was to help songwriters make their dreams come true,” says Adkins. “Nine years later, I have been given that opportunity at River House Artists, my home away from home. A huge thanks to Lynn [Oliver-Cline] and Zebb for seeing something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. They have taught me everything that it means to be a champion of songs and their creators, and I am excited to continue working with our genre-bending roster that inspires me daily and for the future of our company as a whole!”

Tennessee Songwriters Week contestant. Photo: Courtesy of Hunter Berry Photography

It’s time for another Tennessee Songwriters Week, the competition series that showcases the talent of songwriters in the Volunteer State. Presented by the Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development, The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Taylor Guitars, this year marks the sixth annual edition of the series.

Throughout late January, over 1,200 songwriters performed at nearly 50 qualifying round venues across the state, including Memphis, Collierville, Jackson, Cookeville, Murfreesboro, Linden, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Bristol and more, for a chance to compete in the 2024 Tennessee Songwriters Week.

Now, select songwriters will move on to one of seven Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases, including at the Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis (Feb. 18), Bijou Theatre in Knoxville (Feb. 19), Songbirds Foundation in Chattanooga (Feb. 20), Ole Red in Gatlinburg (Feb. 21), The Down Home in Johnson City (Feb. 22), Temple Theatre in Portland (Feb. 23) and Franklin Theatre in Franklin (Feb. 24).

Seven finalists, one from each showcase, will earn the opportunity to perform at the iconic Bluebird Cafe during a private event in March with music industry professionals. Finalists will also win a branded commemorative Taylor guitar, a two-night stay in Nashville, a $100 gift card for travel and a one-year NSAI membership.

“Since the inception of the event, we have shared our mission with Tennessee Songwriters Week, to recognize the wealth of talent Tennessee has brought, and continues to bring, to the world,” says Erika Wollam Nichols, COO & General Manager of The Bluebird Cafe. “We are looking forward to this year’s week of music in February, culminating in the finale at The Bluebird in March.”

Judges for this year’s events include musicians, radio show hosts, publishers and Grammy-nominated producers as well as sister duo Tigirlily Gold, singer-songwriter Alex Hall, songwriter Adam Brown, singer-songwriter and producer Anthony Smith, country artist Butch Baker, independent soul artist Talibah Safiya, musician and entrepreneur McKenzii Webster, representatives from The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, CMT and more. Judges consider lyric originality, performance and connection with the audience.

Past showcase winners include bop artist Harzee from Memphis, Chattanooga’s alternative blues and indie singer-songwriter Katrina Barclay, Middle Tennessee’s Jacob Rice and Maura Streppa.

The full lineup has been unveiled for this year’s Boots And Hearts Music Festival, taking place Aug. 8-11 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario.

As previously announced, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and Cody Johnson will headline the festival and perform along with Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney, NeedToBreathe, Nate Smith, Lonestar and Madeline Merlo.

The four-day event will launch with the annual Kick-Off Party on Thursday night (Aug. 8), starring Midland, Lonestar and 2023’s Emerging Artist Showcase winner Shantaia.

On Friday (Aug. 9), Jess Moskaluke and Nate Haller will join Boots And Hearts first-timers Johnson, Brothers Osborne and Moroney on the Main Stage. Chayce Beckham will headline the Front Porch Stage, which will feature Redferrin, Kalsey Kulyk, Buck Twenty and Taylor-Rae.

Matchbox Twenty will also take the Main Stage, marking their only Canadian date for the year, in addition to headliner Rhett, NeedToBreathe, Hunter Brothers and Elyse Saunders on Saturday night (Aug. 10). Jackson Dean will headline the Front Porch Stage that day, with Bryan Martin, Lauren Watkins, Texas King and Alee performing as well.

“The growing popularity of country music not only attracts a wider audience but allows an opportunity for more creativity in curating our artist lineup. It’s important to us to unite fans and create lasting memories with an experience they can’t get any where else,” says Brooke Dunford, Boots And Hearts’ Director of Talent Buying & Business Development. “Continuing with the tradition of creating a unique experience for our fans, we are ecstatic to welcome legendary rock band Matchbox Twenty to our stage. We always strive to curate a lineup that delivers electric energy for both fans and artists, and we’re confident this year’s lineup will do exactly that.”

On Sunday (Aug. 11), Aldean, Pearce, Smith and Merlo will be joined by Alexandra Kay on the Main Stage. The Front Porch Stage will showcase Alana Springsteen, Dillon James, Dayna Reid and Brian John Harwood throughout the day. Canadian group Emerson Drive will then headline that night and play together for the last time before they retire after nearly 30 years.