The Change Agent·cy, Oh Boy Records and Wrangler will present The Black Opry Three Year Anniversary Celebration Honoring Alice Randall on April 25 at the City Winery in Nashville.

Throughout her career, Randall has been one of the few Black female writers on Nashville’s Music Row, and the first to pen a No. 1 hit with Trisha Yearwood’s “XXXs and OOOs.” Her songs have been recorded by multiple generations of country artists, from Yearwood to Glen Campbell, Mo Bandy and Marie Osmond.

As part of its mission to uplift the Black country music community, the Black Opry will honor author and songwriter Randall and the release of her upcoming book My Black Country—out April 9—and the accompanying album My Black Country The Songs of Alice Randall—out April 12 via Oh Boy Records—in this special celebration.

The show will include performances of unreleased tracks from Randall’s catalog, as well as original music from Black Opry Revue performers to celebrate the past, present and future of Black country music. Tickets go on sale Feb. 23 and can be purchased at citywinery.com/nashville. Performers and special guests will be announced soon.

“What better way to commemorate the Black Opry’s third anniversary than to salute the one-and-only Alice Randall—a key figure in Black country music history and a woman who deserves to be honored and heard,” says Black Opry Co-Founder Holly G. “We look forward to welcoming many of our Black Opry Revue touring members to the stage, along with special guests, in what promises to be a night of celebration and love.”

My Black Country The Songs of Alice Randall is an exploration of the history of Black contributions to the country, roots and folk genres, and a poignant reclamation of Randall’s own work depicting powerful Black narratives. Among the artists appearing on the album are Rhiannon Giddens, who interprets “The Ballad Of Sally Anne.”

Of the album, Randall shares, “Because all the singers of my songs had been white, because country has white-washed Black lives out of country space, most of my audience assumed the stars of my songs were all white. I wanted to rescue my Black characters. This album does that; it centers black female creativity, but it welcomes co-creators and allies from a myriad of identities. This is the good harvest: abundant love and beauty for all.”

Dan Dymtrow (Photo: Anna Webber) & Jamie Sudhalter (Photo: Meredith Truax)

Talent management company The Core Entertainment has announced the expansion of its team with the appointment of Dan Dymtrow as General Manager and Jamie Sudhalter as Senior Director of A&R.

“We are so excited to welcome Dan and Jamie to our team at The Core Entertainment. Their enthusiasm, expertise and passion for discovering and developing talent align perfectly with our vision,” shares Co-Founders Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman. “We know they will play integral roles in driving our company into the future and we look forward to achieving new heights together.”

Dymtrow brings over 20 years of management and executive experience. He has worked with global superstars including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Aerosmith, Taylor Swift, Noah Cyrus and more. Dymtrow joins The Core Entertainment team after serving as Executive Manager at Maverick Management and Head of Music at Curio. In this new role, he will be responsible for overseeing all operations, including artist management, content creation, live events and partnerships.

“Throughout my career, guiding artists’ development has been paramount, and supporting the next generation of managers is incredibly important to me,” shares Dymtrow. “I’m excited to be in this GM role alongside respected colleagues like Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman. I’m inspired by their achievements and eager to collaborate closely with them to advance The Core’s objectives for our team and artists.”

With more than a decade of experience, Sudhalter also brings a wealth of knowledge to the company. The Vanderbilt University graduate has worked on projects for Hailee Steinfeld, AJR, Lyn Lapid and BoyWithUke, among others. Sudhalter most recently served as Senior Director of A&R at Mercury Records and signed U.K. artist Mae Stephens, who earned an RIAA Gold certification in January. In her new position, she will play a vital role in identifying new talent to build a strong and diverse roster.

“Simon and Chief are two of the most humble, innovative and well-respected people in the industry. I couldn’t be more grateful to them for taking a chance on me and welcoming me with open arms onto the amazing team they have cultivated,” shares Sudhalter. “Joining this team and their dynamic roster marks a significant milestone in my career, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the company’s mission of fostering artistic growth and development.”

Mitchell Tenpenny Helps Fans Check Off Their Bucket List At Opry

Pictured (L-R): Kristen Ashley/ Red Light Management, Ken Robold/ Sony Music Nashville (SMN) Exec. VP & COO, Mitchell, Jen Way/ SMN Senior VP, Marketing, Christy Garbinski/ Columbia Nashville Specialist, Promotion & Artist Development & Jennifer Tressler/ Opry Entertainment Group Sr. Manager, Artist & Label Strategy. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry

Mitchell Tenpenny recently provided two of his enthusiastic fans at the Grand Ole Opry the opportunity to check an item off of their “bucket list” by extending an invitation to visit the Opry’s backstage.

Before Mitchell’s performance, the fans and members of his record label, surprised him with a Gold plaque for hit song “Bucket List.” He recently released “Breaking My Heart,” as the follow up to his top 10 hit single “We Got History,” and is hitting the road this year with Luke Combs on the “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” and Jordan Davis’ “The Damn Good Time Tour.”

RaeLynn Partners With Heroes Vodka For Upcoming Tour

RaeLynn

RaeLynn has announced a new tour partnership with Heroes Vodka for her upcoming nationwide tour. With a shared commitment to honor and support veterans and first responders, the collaboration promises an unforgettable show experience.

First bottled on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2011, (11/11/11) Heroes Vodka is 100% American corn grain distilled at Buffalo Trace, and supports veterans with every bottle sold. Heroes Vodka embodies the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines our nation’s heroes by promising a portion of every purchase to organizations that support veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families.

“Teaming up with RaeLynn for her nationwide tour is a remarkable opportunity to amplify our shared commitment to honoring our veterans, first responders and their families. Her dedication to our mission is palpable, especially considering her family’s service and her husband’s service. Together, alongside our giveback partners like Team RWB, The Nightstalkers, and the Legion, we’re poised to make a meaningful impact while providing fans with an unforgettable experience,” says Travis McVey, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and founder of Heroes Vodka.

Tyler Joe Miller Signs Global Distribution Deal With The Orchard

Tyler Joe Miller. Photo: Ryan Nolan

Canadian country artist Tyler Joe Miller and The Orchard have entered a new global distribution agreement. To mark the occasion, Miller has announced the release of his new single, “Broken Man” on March 1. Written by Miller, Reid Isbell and Blake Bollinger, the ballad is produced by Danick Dupelle.

In January, Miller was announced as the first signing to the newly-formed management division of Republic Live, RLive. This month, his Spillin’ My Truth EP received a 2024 JUNO Award nomination for Country Album of Year.

Country Music Hall of Fame Hosts Book Talk With Steve Fishell On Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Steve Fishell and Museum Writer-Editor Dave Paulson. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Author, musician and producer Steve Fishell recently participated in a book talk at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, exploring the life and career of famed pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons. Fishell discussed his 2022 book Buddy Emmons: Steel Guitar Icon, which draws on in-depth interviews and autobiographical writings from Emmons.

Fishell was also recognized at the event for his charitable support of the museum. In 2013, he donated proceeds and future royalties from the album The Big E: Salute to Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons to the museum in honor of Emmons’s late wife Peggy. Fishell produced the tribute album, and to date, the gift has netted nearly $100,000 in support of the nonprofit museum’s educational mission. Fishell also presented the museum with a copy of Emmons’ memoirs, which were used in the writing of the book.

A pedal steel guitarist himself, Fishell has recorded and performed with Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris for 40 years and has also recorded with Eric Church, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. Additionally, he has produced No. 1 singles for Radney Foster and Pam Tillis. Fishell’s book talk was moderated by the museum’s writer-editor Dave Paulson.

Multi-Platinum artist Dylan Scott has announced his new deluxe album Livin’ My Best Life (Still), out March 29 via Curb Records.

The project will feature six new tracks in addition to cemented fan favorites “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “I’ll Be A Bartender” and “Boys Back Home.” The release comes following the success of Livin’ My Best Life in 2022. Filled with odes to the singer’s Louisiana roots filled with dirt roads, farm fires, barstools and church pews, the album features a star-studded lineup of writers such as Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett and more.

“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” from the initial album release, recently impacted country radio and received 51 first-week adds. Fans are also eager for “What He’ll Never Have” off the deluxe project, as Scott first teased the track on TikTok in December 2022. Listeners instantly took note of the singers country drawl and lyrics to his wife, and the pre-save link to the track already has over 40,000 pre-saves.

Pictured (L-R): Penny Gattis, Rob Hatch, Anna Thiel and Kurt Locher

Award-winning songwriter Rob Hatch has signed with Eclipse Music Group.

His credits include songs recorded by Megan Moroney, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Randy Houser and more. Hatch has written three No. 1s, and was named SESAC Songwriter of the Year and won ACM Single of the Year for Lee Brice’s double-Platinum smash “I Don’t Dance.”

“We are thrilled to have Rob join the Eclipse Music family. Rob’s decades of songwriting experience along with the talent and energy he brings into sessions is a major asset and big advantage,” says Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group. “We are privileged to partner with Rob on the next chapter in his songwriting career.”

“I could not be more excited to be here at Eclipse with Kurt [Locher], Penny, Anna [Thiel] and the gang,” says Hatch. “The team atmosphere, the hustle, the brainstorming, the hits and the writers that they have makes this place feel like home and exactly the place that I wanted to be.”