Rendering of The Pinnacle
The forthcoming live music venue in the Nashville Yards mixed-use district will be known as The Pinnacle, effective immediately. The 4,500-capacity music venue is set to open in early 2025.
The entertainment theater is named after Pinnacle Financial Partners, who entered into an agreement with Southwest Value Partners and AEG, joint venture partners and co-developers of the Nashville Yards. This makes Pinnacle the official bank of the music venue and marks its first naming rights partnership in the company’s history.
Rendering of The Pinnacle
Pinnacle, a Founding Partner of Nashville Yards, opened its initial retail presence at the development in 2022. Later this year, the company will move into its new corporate headquarters and open a full-service branch in the project’s first multi-tenant office building, known as the Pinnacle Tower.
“This partnership represents Pinnacle’s deep investment in elevating Nashville’s creative community and will further our reputation as one of the world’s best music banks,” shares Andy Moats, Pinnacle’s Director of Music, Entertainment & Sports. “The Pinnacle will be an international symbol that shows the music community how the arts and business should work together. Our music banking team will be directly across the street from the venue—visiting artists will be able to see us from the green room balcony. And we’ll be sharing the Nashville Yards campus with AEG Presents and CAA, making this a new epicenter for the business side of Music City.”
The Pinnacle will be operated by AEG Presents, and is being developed with an appreciation for Nashville’s musical legacy. The 88,000-square-foot, indoor venue will include a lifter floor for enhanced sightlines, a horseshoe balcony with rail-side standing, VIP seating, first-come-first-served bleachers on the balcony level, production capability for live streaming and televised events and more.
Development plans for the Nashville Yards district
Nashville Yards is a developing, 19-acre project located in the heart of downtown Nashville. When complete, the project will be a walkable, urban community featuring high-end hospitality offerings, including the 591-room luxury Grand Hyatt Nashville and the newly renovated Union Station Nashville Yards, retail and restaurant options, The Pinnacle concert venue and other entertainment offerings.
“We are so very pleased to extend the excellence of all we are building at Nashville Yards into a deeper association with one of the most outstanding banking and financial services companies in the country,” says Cary Mack, Managing Partner, Southwest Value Partners. “Pinnacle’s extensive music and entertainment business offerings make them the perfect partner for our world class music venue, which we are very proud to name The Pinnacle.”
“We’ve been looking forward to the opening of this venue since the Nashville Yards project was first launched eight years ago,” shares Rick Mueller, President, North America, AEG Presents. “The naming rights partnership with Pinnacle—a brand with deep ties to the music community—brings us that much closer to the moment when we first swing the doors open and welcome fans and artists to Nashville’s newest music venue. It’s an exciting time for AEG Presents, and we’re honored to expand our presence in a city with one of the most thriving musical communities on the planet. Stay tuned for more from The Pinnacle.”
Weekly Register: Megan Moroney Claims Top Debut On Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonPhoto: CeCe Dawson
Megan Moroney‘s “No Caller ID” claims the top debut on the country streaming songs chart this week, landing at No. 10 with 7.4 million streams, according to Luminate data.
The chart’s top five stays the same this week, as Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” maintains its No. 1 position with 18 million new streams, adding to 449 million ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” continues at No. 2 with 12 million streams, adding to 1.191 billion ATD, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” follows at No. 3 with 12 million new streams, adding to 1.168 billion ATD. Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” bides at No. 4 with 11 million streams, adding to 579 million ATD, and Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll‘s “Wild Ones” persists at No. 5 with 9.9 million new streams, adding to 142 million ATD.
The top country albums also remain the same this week with Wallen’s One Thing At A Time at the top, collecting 63K in total consumption (1.7K album only/79 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled album comes in at No. 2 once again with 38K (2.2K album only/47 million song streams), while Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album rests at No. 3 with 35K (434 album only/45 million song streams). Bryan’s American Heartbreak holds No. 4 with 27K (867 album only/34 million song streams), and Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) takes No. 5 with 21K (4.2K album only/21 million song streams).
Big Machine Label Group Promotes Mike Rittberg & Clay Hunnicutt
/by LB CantrellMike Rittberg & Clay Hunnicutt
Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has elevated Mike Rittberg to COO and Clay Hunnicutt to EVP, Label Operations.
Rittberg rises from his position of BMLG’s EVP, Label Operations, overseeing marketing, streaming and all release initiatives across the label group’s core imprints: Big Machine Records, BMLG Records, The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine John Varvatos Records.
Hunnicutt most recently served as General Manager for the Big Machine Records imprint, which boasts an impressive roster of artists including Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Midland and Jackson Dean, among others. In his new role, he will concentrate on business development, growing the entire label group’s ventures, fostering partnerships and focusing on catalog initiatives, which are critical to company objectives.
Both report to BMLG’s President, Label Operations Andrew Kautz.
“Mike is the consummate professional. He is a mega self-starter, always pushing the boundaries and always seeking solutions. He has become incredibly important to the operations of BMLG and is a great co-pilot for our continued growth,” shares Scott Borchetta, BMLG Chairman & CEO. “Clay has done an exceptional job at elevating the growth and artist development for the Big Machine Records imprint. In his new role, he’s able to take his insights and energies to all of our imprints during this extremely exciting time in our industry.”
“Scott and I have all the confidence in Mike’s strengths to take on a broader role with the BMLG and HYBE America’s Label services initiatives,” adds Kautz. “We’ve seen Clay’s successes with Big Machine Records imprint and know he will flourish as he takes on a broader role and help us achieve our growth goals for 2024 and beyond.”
Round Hill Music Signs Ben Stoll
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Round Hill’s Mike Whelan, Lindsay Will, Ben Stoll and Round Hill’s Taylor Antle
Round Hill Music has signed singer-songwriter Ben Stoll to an exclusive publishing deal.
The Minnesota native grew up listening to country music while hunting, fishing and spending time on the lakes, which led him to develop a love for storytelling. The passion that enabled him to play Division 1 basketball ignited a fire for songwriting. After working in the oil fields of North Dakota, Stoll packed up his Jeep and moved to Music City. He has collaborated with Josh Ross and Chris Young, among others.
“I knew that I wanted to work with Ben and that he’d be a perfect fit at Round Hill the first time we met,” says Round Hill Sr. Director of A&R, Lindsay Will. “His drive and passion for crafting a song is unparalleled and I cannot wait to see what he accomplishes in this new chapter at Round Hill.”
“I feel blessed to be able to work with such a hungry and talented team here at Round Hill,” says Stoll. “From my first meeting with Lindsay, I recognized how creative and driven she was to see her writers succeed. Mike [Whelan], Lindsay and Taylor [Antle] are building something special here and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it!”
Jeannie Seely To Receive SOURCE’s Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Lorie HollabaughJeannie Seely. Photo: Cyndi Hornsby
Jeannie Seely will be honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award at the SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards in August in recognition of her numerous career achievements and significant contributions to the music industry.
Seely joins an elite group of Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, including Walker-Meador (2004), Brenda Lee (2006) and Frances Preston (2010). The annual awards ceremony, presented by Springer Mountain Farms, is set for Aug. 27 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
“The SOURCE Awards have been very special to me since I first heard of them, and it has been a privilege to serve as a co-host all these years. I’ve always been interested in the business behind the music, and therefore have tremendous respect for the women in this organization. To be a recipient of this highest honor with my mentors is beyond my dreams!” says Seely.
“SOURCE is incredibly thankful for Jeannie’s dedication to and support of this organization through the years,” says SOURCE President Kari Barnhart. “Jeannie’s dedication to her music, work as a radio host, long-time membership of the Grand Ole Opry, and willingness to mentor and guide emerging female artists speaks to who she is. She deserves to be celebrated and honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Co-host of the prestigious SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards since 2006, Seely has spearheaded significant efforts to support and enhance women’s music industry roles throughout her decades in the business.
Invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry early in her career, Seely holds the distinction of having more Opry performances than any other artist. Only the third female in country music history to receive a Grammy Award and the first female to regularly host Opry segments, Seely’s numerous awards and accolades—including the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award, a Music City Walk of Fame star and BMI songwriter awards—demonstrate her impact in the music industry. She is also a producer, author, actress and host of her own weekly show on SiriusXM.
Pinnacle Financial Partners Secures Naming Rights Of Nashville Yards Music Venue
/by LB CantrellRendering of The Pinnacle
The forthcoming live music venue in the Nashville Yards mixed-use district will be known as The Pinnacle, effective immediately. The 4,500-capacity music venue is set to open in early 2025.
The entertainment theater is named after Pinnacle Financial Partners, who entered into an agreement with Southwest Value Partners and AEG, joint venture partners and co-developers of the Nashville Yards. This makes Pinnacle the official bank of the music venue and marks its first naming rights partnership in the company’s history.
Rendering of The Pinnacle
Pinnacle, a Founding Partner of Nashville Yards, opened its initial retail presence at the development in 2022. Later this year, the company will move into its new corporate headquarters and open a full-service branch in the project’s first multi-tenant office building, known as the Pinnacle Tower.
“This partnership represents Pinnacle’s deep investment in elevating Nashville’s creative community and will further our reputation as one of the world’s best music banks,” shares Andy Moats, Pinnacle’s Director of Music, Entertainment & Sports. “The Pinnacle will be an international symbol that shows the music community how the arts and business should work together. Our music banking team will be directly across the street from the venue—visiting artists will be able to see us from the green room balcony. And we’ll be sharing the Nashville Yards campus with AEG Presents and CAA, making this a new epicenter for the business side of Music City.”
The Pinnacle will be operated by AEG Presents, and is being developed with an appreciation for Nashville’s musical legacy. The 88,000-square-foot, indoor venue will include a lifter floor for enhanced sightlines, a horseshoe balcony with rail-side standing, VIP seating, first-come-first-served bleachers on the balcony level, production capability for live streaming and televised events and more.
Development plans for the Nashville Yards district
Nashville Yards is a developing, 19-acre project located in the heart of downtown Nashville. When complete, the project will be a walkable, urban community featuring high-end hospitality offerings, including the 591-room luxury Grand Hyatt Nashville and the newly renovated Union Station Nashville Yards, retail and restaurant options, The Pinnacle concert venue and other entertainment offerings.
“We are so very pleased to extend the excellence of all we are building at Nashville Yards into a deeper association with one of the most outstanding banking and financial services companies in the country,” says Cary Mack, Managing Partner, Southwest Value Partners. “Pinnacle’s extensive music and entertainment business offerings make them the perfect partner for our world class music venue, which we are very proud to name The Pinnacle.”
“We’ve been looking forward to the opening of this venue since the Nashville Yards project was first launched eight years ago,” shares Rick Mueller, President, North America, AEG Presents. “The naming rights partnership with Pinnacle—a brand with deep ties to the music community—brings us that much closer to the moment when we first swing the doors open and welcome fans and artists to Nashville’s newest music venue. It’s an exciting time for AEG Presents, and we’re honored to expand our presence in a city with one of the most thriving musical communities on the planet. Stay tuned for more from The Pinnacle.”
Riley Green To Host Two-Day Duckman Jam At Flora-Bama In April
/by Lorie HollabaughRiley Green will return to a place that’s near and dear to his heart for his inaugural Duckman Jam at Flora-Bama in Pensacola, Florida April 12-13.
Green has referenced the famous Flora-Bama stage in a few of his lyrics, and will headline both nights of the event with support from Tracy Lawrence and Jake Worthington on Friday, April 12 as well as Drake White and Ella Langley on Saturday, April 13.
“Flora-Bama has always been a big deal to me. I’ve been going there since I was a young kid, sneaking in on vacation with my family. It’s the first place I ever saw a writer’s round. I remember going down there as a teenager and standing by the stage, hoping to play. It’s pretty exciting to go back and have my own two-day festival there,” shares Green. “Having Tracy Lawrence and Drake White there will make it a really fun weekend.”
Presale tickets are available for Green’s fan club members today (Jan. 30), with tickets going on sale to the general public this Friday (Feb. 2). For more information, click here.
The announcement comes ahead of his “Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tour.” Starting in February, the tour will visit arenas across the nation.
BMI Promotes MaryAnn Keen To Director, Creative In Nashville Office
/by LB CantrellMaryAnn Keen. Photo: Nathan Zucker
BMI has elevated MaryAnn Keen to Director, Creative in Nashville. In her new role, Keen will continue to generate unique opportunities for affiliates while offering guidance to songwriters as they navigate their careers in Music City.
Keen joined BMI in 2016, and has been instrumental in identifying and signing new talent while advocating for songwriters as BMI Nashville’s Creative, Associate Director. She plays a large part in coordinating events for BMI such as the Key West Songwriters Festival, Belmont’s Catalog Cast and No. 1 parties.
She also works with emerging songwriters such as Heath Warren, Brett Tyler, Tiera Kennedy, Rocky Block, Mackenzie Carpenter and many more. Keen will continue to report to BMI’s Leslie Roberts, AVP of Creative Nashville.
Keen, a Belmont University grad, is a co-founder of the young entertainment professionals networking group YEP Nashville, and was recently named to MusicRow‘s 2024 N.B.T. Industry Directory list.
Luke Combs To Open Category 10 Entertainment Venue In Downtown Nashville
/by Liza AndersonRendering of Category 10 Exterior
Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group have revealed more details about their multi-level entertainment venue in downtown Nashville, including its name: Category 10. Inspired by Combs’ chart-topping debut “Hurricane,” Category 10 is set to open in phases this summer.
Rendering of The Main Stage
The expansive honky-tonk experience celebrates Combs as a significant force who took country music by storm. “The Category 10 name symbolizes the sheer, undeniable power of Luke’s voice, songwriting and career, and just like Luke, this venue will be an off-the-charts experience unlike anything else downtown,” says Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties.
Located at 120 2nd Ave. N., Category 10 aims to be the largest and most versatile entertainment complex in Nashville’s downtown entertainment district, totaling 67,000 square feet, with three interior floors, a rooftop and an indoor/outdoor capacity of approximately 3,000. The venue features five entertainment experiences that are influenced by the hitmaker’s music and passions.
Rendering of The Still
The Honky-Tonk experience will consist of a street-level authentic honky-tonk with live music. The Main Stage will be the largest dance floor and stage in downtown Nashville, fully equipped for 1,500-person capacity ticketed concert events. With themed bars and a large beer selection, the space will also host line dance lessons. The Sports Bar will have an extensive selection of major sports playing year-round. Inspired his songwriting, The Still is designed for Combs’ Bootleggers Fan Club, bourbon aficionados, songwriters and music lovers from all walks of life. This space will feature a variety of bourbon and performances by famous and up-and-coming singer-songwriters in an intimate setting. Lastly, The Eye is set to include the largest outdoor deck on Broadway with a 7,000-square-foot rooftop and unobstructed views of the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium.
The core of Category 10 will be its concert-quality acoustics and live music programming throughout the venue. Lineups will be curated by the Opry Entertainment team with a special emphasis on up-and-coming talent.
“Cat 10 is going to be a place that artists of all levels want to play downtown,” says Combs. “We are building a spot where we can put on a high-level touring act show one night and a songwriter showcase the next. There isn’t anything like this venue, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Rendering of The Sports Bar
Rendering of The Eye Exterior
Brothers Osborne To Perform At Nashville Symphony Fashion Show
/by Lorie HollabaughBrothers Osborne. Photo: Katie Krauss
Brothers Osborne will perform at the 2024 Nashville Symphony Fashion Show on April 23 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The Grammy-winning artists will take the stage at the Nashville Symphony’s annual spring fundraiser, presented by Gus Mayer, following a runway show of the Fall/Winter 2024 collection of Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung.
Joining the all-star lineup for the Symphony Fashion Show are emcees Kelleigh Bannen and Colson Horton. Singer-songwriter Bannen hosts The Kelleigh Bannen Show and Today’s Country Radio on Apple Music. Colson is an art director and multi-faceted stylist. Bannen and Horton are also the co-founders of the Preservation Society of Nashville.
“For 19 years, the Symphony Fashion Show has brought together an eclectic and talented group of designers, artists, musicians, and philanthropists to support the Nashville Symphony’s work in the community,” says Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Our 2024 co-chairs, Tracy Frist and Emily Humphreys, are planning yet another spectacular evening for the Nashville community. Brothers Osborne, Prabal Gurung, Kelleigh and Colson join an esteemed list of artists who have graced the Symphony Fashion Show stage in support of the Nashville Symphony’s music education programs across Middle Tennessee. We’re grateful to them for sharing their time and talents, and we can’t wait to see them take the runway on April 23.”
“This is a full circle moment for us,” adds John Osborne of Brothers Osborne. “We both got our starts playing double bass in our high school orchestra and now we’re getting to play at the Schermerhorn with the Nashville Symphony. Not the route that our teachers intended but we got there eventually! This is gonna be a blast.”
Patrons packages for the Symphony Fashion Show are on sale now at nashvillesymphony.org/
Dalton Dover To Release Cover Songs EP
/by Madison HahnenRising country singer Dalton Dover will release a collection of cover songs, Take Me Home: Covers EP, on Feb. 9. The UMG Nashville/Mercury Records artist will pay tribute to his roots and celebrate the songs that drew him to the genre.
The Georgia native has been surrounded by country music his whole life. His grandfather initially sparked his interest by introducing him to country singers spanning across generations. Since breaking into the scene with his debut radio single “Giving Up On That,” the singer has earned accolades from Pandora, Amazon Music, CMT and more.
“I grew up in a musical family, where we’d sing at church and then go home and keep singing,” shares Dover. “My grandpa would put on his favorite records, and I’d listen to the stories. Seeing my own life in those lyrics is what made me fall in love with country music, and I can’t think of a better way to honor that than sharing these songs.”
Dover has already given listeners a taste of the project with his rendition of John Denver‘s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The recording of the famous track won Dover MusicRow’s Disc of the Day award.
In addition to the EP, Dover is also gearing up for his first ever headlining tour, kicking off on Feb. 23. He will also be supporting Larry Fleet on “The Earned It Tour.”
Dover is signed with United Talent Agency for worldwide booking representation in all areas. He is published by Sony Music Publishing Nashville in partnership with Droptine Music Publishing.
Dalton Dover Tour Dates:
Jan. 29-Feb. 1 – Boots on the Beach – Punta Canta, Dominican Republic
Feb. 13 – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, TN
Feb. 15 – ETSU Martin Center for the Arts* – Johnson City, TN
Feb. 16 – The Ritz* – Raleigh, NC
Feb. 17 – Tabernacle* – Atlanta, GA
Feb. 29 – Iron City Bham* – Birmingham, AL
March 1 – The Fillmore Charlotte* – Charlotte, NC
March 2 – The National* – Richmond, VA
March 14 – Jannus Live* – St. Petersburg, FL
March 15 – The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon* – Fort Myers, FL
March 16 – Clewiston Sugar Festival – Clewiston, FL
April 5 – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX
April 6 – The Lot – Mansfield, TX
April 11 – 40 Watt Club – Athens, GA
April 12 – The Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN
April 13 – The Open Chord – Knoxville, TN
April 20 – Coast City Country – Vancouver, Canada
April 26 – Terminal South – Tifton, GA
April 28 – Capitol Theatre – Macon, GA
June 20-22 – Country Jam – Mack, CO
June 28 – Country Fest 2024 – Cadott, WI
July 4 – I-105 Country Freedom Fest – Quarryville, PA
*Supporting Larry Fleet