Pictured (L-R): Corey Neal & Jon Ekker

Entertainment merchandising company Futureshirts has appointed former COO Corey Neal to CEO, effective Jan. 11. Former Founder and CEO Jon Ekker will now be Chairman of the company.

Based in Nashville, Futureshirts offers product development, touring and on-site, e-commerce and retail licensing services. They serve a full range of clients from all different music genres, as well as comedy performers. Notable clients include Journey, Kane Brown, Bert Kreischer, Foreigner, Sam Hunt, Laufey, Carly Pearce, TobyMac and many more.

Neal first started his career at Futureshirts in 2008, coming on as an Account Executive. After three years in the position, he was promoted to COO in 2011.

“I am truly honored and excited about the opportunity to step into this role,” Neal says. “Over the past 16 years I have had the privilege of experiencing the evolution of Futureshirts, and I look forward to building upon the impressive foundation that Jon has established. I am thankful for our incredible team, and I look forward to maintaining the outstanding service our clients expect.”

Since opening Futureshirts 28 years ago, Ekker has been leading the charge in pioneering merchandising. With the slogan “merch made easy,” the company has provided a reliable and easy experience for their clients, and the fans.

“I’m incredibly proud of all that we have been able to achieve over the last 28 years and all that I am confident Futureshirts will achieve in the years to come. From our humble beginnings in Billings, Montana in 1996, we set out to provide our clients with an easy and reliable merchandising experience and that remains our primary focus as we move forward,” Ekker explains.

“For the last 16-years, Corey has lived and breathed the ‘Futureshirts way’ and is the perfect person to actively support and grow our vision and legacy in the years to come,” Ekker adds. “His tenure in the business, trusted relationships, and vision for the future partnered with our deeply committed team, will poise Futureshirts to provide a world class experience to our clients and fans. Our tremendous team and clients, old and new, have made my last 28 years at the helm of Futureshirts a joy and privilege and I am excited to continue forward as Chairman.”

Center Photo (L-R): Matt Cottingham, Alexa Morris (WCM), Spencer Nohe (WCM), Anna Kolander (Activist), Matt Maher (Activist), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Caitlin Stone Jasper (Activist), Brittney Spencer. Photo: Gina Di Maio

Rising singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

“Signing my first publishing deal in my 10th year of living in Nashville has to be the biggest cliche and I wear it like a badge of honor.. haha! As an artist, building out the publishing piece of my career with thoughtful, innovative, and capable partners feels both vital and creatively igniting. Warner Chappell has already played such a hand in projects that I’m really proud to have made and been a part of, which makes me all the happier to officially partner together in this next chapter of my musical journey,” shares Spencer.

Spencer has already accumulated millions of streams with her single “Sober & Skinny,” which the singer release independently in 2021. She has been on the stage with Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Reba, Bobby Weir, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and more, and is set to release her debut album My Stupid Life on Jan. 19 via Elektra.

Of the deal, Ben Vaughn, President and CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville, says “Brittney is the type of person who, when you first meet her, leaves a lasting impression. And then, when you hear her voice and experience the insightful way she writes songs—wow! We’re very proud that she has placed her trust in our team and look forward to supporting her on her journey.”

“Brittney is a one-in-a-million talent making a major impact in country music and beyond. She is an incredible songwriter and artist who carries herself with humility, kindness, and joy. We are grateful that she chose Warner Chappell to partner with in this next chapter of her career,” shares Spencer Nohe, Senior Director, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Hardy. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Hardy will hit the road on his 15-date “Quit!! Tour” this summer, kicking off May 30 in Rogers, Arkansas and running through July 27. Kip Moore, Travis Denning, Ella Langley and Stephen Wilson Jr. will join him at amphitheaters and arenas across North America on the headlining trek.

The tour makes stops in St. Louis, Toronto, Charlotte, Cincinnati and more. Tickets for the dates go on sale Jan. 19, with select fan presales starting Jan. 16. For more information, click here.

The run is named for the Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock heavy-hitter’s new track “Quit!!,” an autobiographical and referential spoken word track that recaps his journey and is out today. Calling back to his infamous 2022 ACM Honors speech accepting his first-ever ACM Songwriter of the Year award, “Quit!!” continues to push the boundaries wide on his genreless and wide-reaching appeal.

“Thank you for inspiring me to be great,” Hardy says. “I guess sometimes holding a grudge is a good thing.”

A five-time ACM Award winner and two-time CMA Award winner, Hardy has also won three CMA Triple Play Awards, was named the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and is a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. He has penned 13 No. 1s including his own two-time Platinum No. 1 “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson; the chart-topping, Platinum Dierks Bentley and Breland collaboration “Beers On Me” and the double Platinum duet “Wait In The Truck” featuring Lainey Wilson. He also commanded the rock radio charts with “Jack” and top five single “Sold Out.”

“Quit!!” Tour Dates:
May 30 – Rogers, Ark. – Walmart AMP ♠*◎
May 31 – St. Louis, Mo. – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ♠*◎
June 1 – Noblesville, Ind. – Ruoff Music Center ♠*◎
June 6 – Toronto, Ont. – Budweiser Stage ♠*◎
June 7 – Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Broadview Stage at SPAC ♠*◎
June 8 – Buffalo, N.Y. – Darien Lake Amphitheater ♠*
June 14 – Charlotte, N.C. – PNC Music Pavilion ♠*✭
June 15 – Raleigh, N.C. – Coastal Credit Union Music Park ♠*✭
June 20 – Holmdel, N.J. – PNC Bank Arts Center ♠*✭
June 21 – Mansfield, Mass. – Xfinity Center ♠*✭
June 22 – Gilford, N.H. – BankNH Pavilion ♠*✭
June 27 – Camden, N.J. – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion ♠*✭
June 28 – Bristow, Va. – Jiffy Lube Live ♠*✭
July 25 – Cincinnati, Ohio – Riverbend Music Center ♠*
July 27 – Tinley Park, Ill. – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ♠*

♠ Kip Moore
* Travis Denning
✭ Ella Langley
◎ Stephen Wilson Jr.

Jelly Roll. Photo: Ashley Osborn

On Wednesday (Jan. 10), breakout star Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) testified before Congress at a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing and urged lawmakers to pass legislation against the supply and distribution of fentanyl.

“I’m guessing most of you didn’t have ‘Jelly Roll testifies at Senate Banking Committee’ on your ’24 bingo card,” said Committee Chair Sherrod Brown. “But few speak and sing as eloquently, as openly, as—shall we say—viscerally about addiction as Mr. DeFord,” he continued. “There’s a reason why Americans flock to his music and his concerts. He has a connection with people based on shared pain, shared challenges, shared hope.”

Jelly Roll spoke in support of the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a sanctions and anti-money laundering bill to help combat the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting opioid traffickers devastating American communities. The legislation passed in the Senate last July but has yet to make it through the House. Jelly Roll urged lawmakers to usher it further.

“At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl,” shared the Grammy nominee. “I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music, that they seek solace in music and hope that their experiences won’t befall others.

“These people crave reassurance that their elected officials actually care more about human life than they do about ideology and partisanship,” he added. Jelly Roll noted that he has no political alliance, as his right to vote has been restricted as a result of his criminal history, and later discussed his time as drug dealer and personal situations where he has witnessed addiction.

“I was a part of the problem. I am here now standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution.”

Darren Elrod & James Rueger

Christian music executive Darren Elrod has been promoted to President of independent label Fair Trade Services (FTS). The label has also promoted James Rueger to Chief Creative Officer, and both executives will report to Founder & CEO Jeff Moseley.

Fair Trade Services is home to multi-Platinum and Gold-selling artists including MercyMe, Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Micah Tyler, Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy, The Afters and more.

Elrod joined the FTS team three years ago as COO. With more than 20 years in the industry, he served as COO at Provident Label Group prior to FTS. In his expanded role, Elrod will oversee all aspects of business, financial and marketing matters while continuing to manage day-to-day activities.

“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited about the future,” says Elrod. “We have such an incredible roster of artists at Fair Trade Services and this company exists to serve these artists well. I look forward to continuing this work with Jeff, James and the rest of the team.”

Rueger has been with FTS since 2005. He initially joined as A&R Manager, leading to his previous role of Sr. VP of A&R. Now as Chief Creative Officer, Rueger will oversee all A&R aspects and creative-related objectives for both recorded music and music publishing businesses.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to spend 19 years at Fair Trade Services working alongside and advocating for our gifted, passionate artists and songwriters,” Rueger says. “They are incredible music makers, and I’m as excited as I’ve ever been to continue the journey with them.”

“Darren and James have consistently exhibited excellence in their respective areas of responsibility for our company,” says Moseley. “This is public recognition of what our artists and managers have already known. They—along with our amazing team—have continued to deliver for our roster of artists for many years. Their promotions are well-deserved and strengthen Fair Trade Services for the years ahead.”