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.”
Sara Bares Signs With Warner Chappell Music
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, Sara Bares, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn and Guy Moot. Photo: Grace Hartrick
Multi-genre songwriter Sara Bares has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
The Nashville-based creator graduated from Belmont University in 2022 with a double major in songwriting and music business. During her time at Belmont, she was the inaugural songwriting intern at Nicolle Galyon’s record label and publishing house, Songs & Daughters, as well as the 2021 winner of the Grammy U Songwriting Competition with her song “Not Built To Fly.” Bares was also featured in the 2022 ASCAP Showcase.
She is a session vocalist who specializes in acoustic guitar, vocal arrangements, harmonies and co-production. Known for her poetic lyricism and fresh melodies, Bares has collaborated with Leah Mason, Simon Jonasson, Oliver Frid, Tanner Adell, Ashley Kutcher and Camille Parker, among others.
“I knew from the very first moment I heard one of Sara’s songs that I had to work with her,” says Bethany Mako, Manager, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “Her signature sound will have a great impact on Nashville and the music industry as a whole. Above all else, she’s just an incredible person to know and work with. I’m beyond grateful to be a part of her journey!”
Curb Records Elevates Craig Powers & Lori Hartigan
/by Liza AndersonCurb Records has elevated Craig Powers to SVP, Media and Lori Hartigan to National Director, Media.
“As we celebrate our 60th year in business, I am thrilled to see our company continue to grow. With the strengthening of our team, Curb Records is poised for a productive future,” shares Mike Curb, Curb Records Chairman.
Powers joined Curb in 2020. Previously serving as VP, Media, he will continue to oversee mainstream/crossover radio success for artists such as Sarah Reeves, Natalie Grant, Wyn Starks and For King + Country.
Hartigan has been with Curb Records for 10 years, working with developing artists like Dylan Scott. She was instrumental in his success at radio and other media platforms, and served the past eight years as Director, West Coast promotion. In her elevated role, Hartigan will renew her commitment to artist development as well as oversee a secondary promotion team for the entire Curb roster.
“I’d like to thank our chairman, Mike Curb, for his confidence in me. I’m so grateful to be working with all of our artists and team members at Curb Records. Lori has years of experience in our industry and is well known for her work in country promotion. I’m thrilled for her to join our media team, bringing her knowledge and expertise to all Curb artists and all formats,” says Powers.
“It’s been an honor to work with Curb’s talented country artists. I’m especially proud of having worked with Dylan Scott from day one and experiencing his growth along the way. I’m looking forward to working with all Curb artists in my new role,” says Hartigan.
Additionally, Todd Thomas will pivot to Director, West Coast Promotion for the label. Thomas has been with Curb since 2013, working in in-house booking and development before joining the promotion team in his previous role in 2019.
The company has also hired Bailey White as Director, Southwest Promotion, working with Scott, Brice, Ellis and Hart, among others. White comes to Curb following three years with Black River Entertainment’s promotion team and over ten years in the country entertainment world. She will report to SVP, Promotion RJ Meacham, rounding out the team that includes Mike Rogers, Allyson Gelnett, Samantha DePrez and Brian Day.
“I am thrilled to welcome Bailey to our country promotion team!” Meacham shares. “With her exceptional relationships and dedication to the job, I know she’ll play an integral role moving the needle for our artists and music with country radio. Additionally, I have full confidence in Todd Thomas as he pivots to the west coast, where he already has strong relationships throughout the region. Together, we’re poised for success and continued growth!”
Music Executive Kidnapped Outside Of Nashville’s SoHo House
/by contributorA female music executive was kidnapped and robbed after leaving a meeting at Nashville’s SoHo House last week just before 8 p.m.
Sources share that the two robbers came up behind the woman as she was getting into her car. They both pointed guns at her head as they instructed her to get into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
The victim was using her AirPods to talk on the phone with her friend when the kidnapping occurred. Luckily, he heard her scream and phoned another mutual friend to call the police, as he was out of the country.
After demanding her cell phone, the robbers looked up banks in the area, and made her drive to three different ATMs. Though she explained that she only had credit cards, they made her try to get cash out and were unsuccessful.
Next, they had her contact a friend to ask for money. Before meeting the friend, the kidnappers made the woman drive back to SoHo House. One robber got into a dark-colored sedan and followed the victim’s car to meet the friend, who had called the police to help arrange a set-up.
Once the robber in the car saw the police, he grabbed the woman’s keys, opened the door and ran to the other robber’s sedan. Because the victim’s car was idling and doesn’t require a key to drive after its started, she floored it towards West End where the police were waiting. The suspects took off with her phone and wallet.
The victim, while shaken, is physically okay, though her family members have received threats via text message following the kidnapping.
Police are now looking for the robbers, who the victim describes as Black men in their 20s wearing black clothing and masks.
Those with any information about the kidnapping and robbery can call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. You can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.
Cannery Hall Taps Andrew Hall As Senior Talent Buyer
/by Liza AndersonAndrew Hall. Photo: Sara Kiesling
Following its reopening last month, Cannery Hall has tapped Andrew Hall as Senior Talent Buyer.
In this role, Hall will help curate the Nashville independent music venue’s lineup of artists across genres. He joins Cannery Hall’s current Talent Buyer Tyler Key, and together they will lead all efforts and partnerships with artists for the space’s three stages: The Mainstage, The Mil and Row One Stage.
Hall brings a wealth of knowledge to Cannery Hall, having been the buyer for various nationwide venues throughout the Southeast. He recently finished a five-year tenure at True Grit Talent Agency, which was acquired by WME. With experience in buying at a local level, he was also the in-house buyer at 3rd and Lindsley Nashville for the last few years.
“Andrew is well known and connected throughout Nashville and the music industry all over the country,” says Brent Hyams, General Manager at Cannery Hall. “He’s got a great ear for emerging talent and will build partnerships with artists, agencies, labels and management companies to ensure Cannery Hall has the most exciting shows in Nashville.”
“I’ve been coming to shows in this building as long as I’ve been in Nashville. It’s enchanting, there is something truly special about preserving a piece of music history,” adds Hall. “It’s an honor to contribute to the independent music scene in Nashville and develop acts from the ground up. We will have the ability to do just that—grow a band from small to medium to large crowds—and that’s important to us. It’s humbling to be able to contribute to a historic venue like this. Bands considered icons and artists who are just breaking through have played here over many decades. We plan to grow that list of performers, write new history and contribute to the live music culture that fans of this building love.”
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.