10 country artists have been named as part of Spotify’s 2024 Artists-To-Watch list. The full list includes 90 artists across nine genres, including country, pop, R&B and more.
The country artists selected for 2024 are Anne Wilson, Dylan Gossett, Graham Barham, Lauren Watkins, Mackenzie Carpenter, Matt Schuster, Michael Warren, Owen Riegling, Sam Barber and Wyatt Flores.
Wilson broke into the scene after a video of her singing “What a Beautiful Name” at her brother’s funeral went viral. Shortly after she released her debut song “My Jesus,” which went on to become a Gold-certified No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, and was named ASCAP’s 2022 Christian Music Awards Song of the Year. Now partnered with UMG Nashville, Wilson is getting ready to release her next album.
Gossett caught the attention of listeners after sharing his versions of “Ophelia” by The Lumineers and “A Life Where We Work Out” by Flatland Cavalry. His single “Coal” shot Gossett into the scene after gaining over 21 million Spotify streams, and debuting No. 24 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart, leading to him becoming the flagship artist for Big Loud Texas.
“Preachers Need People” gave Barham viral success, eventually leading him to sign a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music. Since, he has released his debut EP North of Hell and recently signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records.
Nashville native Watkins caught the attention of hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon quickly after college, leading to her publishing and record deals. Watkins has already performed at several big festivals across the country, including Carolina Country Fest, CMA Fest, Faster Horses and more.
Carpenter has been drawing listeners in with her spunky and honest style. With songs like “Can’t Nobody,” “Huntin’ Season” and “Jesus I’m Jealous,” the Big Machine Label Group artist has been named in many spotlight lists, including CMT’s Next Women of Country.
Warner Music Nashville signee Schuster used his country-rock style with songs “Tell Me Tennessee” and “Last Fall.” Since gaining over 140 million streams, he has been out on the road with Kameron Marlowe, Dylan Scott, Ashley Cooke and Brantley Gilbert.
Warren spent the first decade of his career in Los Angeles, playing over 200 shows a year and earning songwriting credits for Akon, Jennifer Lopez and more. Since moving to Nashville and getting back to his southern roots, he released his EP What’s Country To You, which has appeared on Spotify and Apple’s biggest playlists.
Riegling came onto the scene after winning the 2022 Emerging Artists Showcase at Boots & Hearts festival. After releasing a single through Universal Music Canada as part of winning the contest, the label was so impressed with the singer that they signed him to a record deal.
Barber first fell in love with music after picking up his grandfather’s guitar at 16. After releasing his debut single “Drowning,” he has drawn in over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and has reached No. 1 globally in UK, AUS, IRE and more.
With influences such as Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell, Flores has a true gift for honest storytelling with a gritty country sound. With songs such as “Travelin’ Kid,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Break My Bones,” he has drawn listeners in instantly, gaining millions of streams and signing with Island Records.
Chase Bryant To Release The First Of Five EPs Set For 2024 This Month
/by Lorie HollabaughChase Bryant is gearing up for the release of his new EP Summerville on Jan. 19. This will be the first of five EPs he plans to release over the next year.
Co-written with collaborators including Tommy Lee James, Ryan Beaver and Joe Clemmons, Bryant produced and played every instrument on the new six-track EP. Named after his wife’s hometown of Summerville, South Carolina, the project’s coastal inspiration is evident across the six songs, including “She Used To Be,” “Over You By Now” and “She’s Just Like That.” Last month, Bryant shared the EP’s lead single, “I Still Do.”
Each of the five project boasts a unique sound to represent a different chapter in his life and was recorded in a different location to showcase his evolution as a creator. Each EP is named after the town where it was written and inspired by. The next EP Ashland City, out April 12, is named in honor of the town north of Nashville where Bryant penned it. Cayo del Grullo, coming July 19, is named after a favorite Texas vacation spot from his childhood. Clio, out Oct. 11, was cut in a cabin in rural Alabama and Avery Park, coming Jan. 10, 2025, is a nod to his old home outside of Brentwood, Tennessee.
“I’m never not writing, or tinkering in my studio,” says Bryant. “It’s most days of my life. I felt strongly that we couldn’t sit on this body of work forever. We all collectively wanted to get the music out, and thankfully found a way to spread it all out over this year.”
Summerville EP Track Listing:
1. “I Still Do” (Chase Bryant, Ryan Beaver, Joe Clemmons)
2. “Over You By Now” (Bryant, Neil Medley)
3. “Don’t Forget About Me” (Bryant, Tommy Lee James)
4. “She’s Just Like That” (Bryant, Medley, Paul Sikes)
5. “Used To Be” (Bryant, Luke Preston)
6. “I Hope You Do” (Bryant, Nate Miles, Andrew Stoelzing)
Spotify Reveals 2024 Artists-To-Watch List
/by Madison Hahnen10 country artists have been named as part of Spotify’s 2024 Artists-To-Watch list. The full list includes 90 artists across nine genres, including country, pop, R&B and more.
The country artists selected for 2024 are Anne Wilson, Dylan Gossett, Graham Barham, Lauren Watkins, Mackenzie Carpenter, Matt Schuster, Michael Warren, Owen Riegling, Sam Barber and Wyatt Flores.
Wilson broke into the scene after a video of her singing “What a Beautiful Name” at her brother’s funeral went viral. Shortly after she released her debut song “My Jesus,” which went on to become a Gold-certified No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, and was named ASCAP’s 2022 Christian Music Awards Song of the Year. Now partnered with UMG Nashville, Wilson is getting ready to release her next album.
Gossett caught the attention of listeners after sharing his versions of “Ophelia” by The Lumineers and “A Life Where We Work Out” by Flatland Cavalry. His single “Coal” shot Gossett into the scene after gaining over 21 million Spotify streams, and debuting No. 24 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart, leading to him becoming the flagship artist for Big Loud Texas.
“Preachers Need People” gave Barham viral success, eventually leading him to sign a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music. Since, he has released his debut EP North of Hell and recently signed a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and Disruptor Records.
Nashville native Watkins caught the attention of hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon quickly after college, leading to her publishing and record deals. Watkins has already performed at several big festivals across the country, including Carolina Country Fest, CMA Fest, Faster Horses and more.
Carpenter has been drawing listeners in with her spunky and honest style. With songs like “Can’t Nobody,” “Huntin’ Season” and “Jesus I’m Jealous,” the Big Machine Label Group artist has been named in many spotlight lists, including CMT’s Next Women of Country.
Warner Music Nashville signee Schuster used his country-rock style with songs “Tell Me Tennessee” and “Last Fall.” Since gaining over 140 million streams, he has been out on the road with Kameron Marlowe, Dylan Scott, Ashley Cooke and Brantley Gilbert.
Warren spent the first decade of his career in Los Angeles, playing over 200 shows a year and earning songwriting credits for Akon, Jennifer Lopez and more. Since moving to Nashville and getting back to his southern roots, he released his EP What’s Country To You, which has appeared on Spotify and Apple’s biggest playlists.
Riegling came onto the scene after winning the 2022 Emerging Artists Showcase at Boots & Hearts festival. After releasing a single through Universal Music Canada as part of winning the contest, the label was so impressed with the singer that they signed him to a record deal.
Barber first fell in love with music after picking up his grandfather’s guitar at 16. After releasing his debut single “Drowning,” he has drawn in over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and has reached No. 1 globally in UK, AUS, IRE and more.
With influences such as Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell, Flores has a true gift for honest storytelling with a gritty country sound. With songs such as “Travelin’ Kid,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Break My Bones,” he has drawn listeners in instantly, gaining millions of streams and signing with Island Records.
Hangout Festival Announces 2024 Lineup
/by Madison HahnenHangout Festival has announced its 2024 lineup. Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey and Odesza will headline the three-day festival, taking place May 17-19 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Country acts set to take the stage this year include Jessie Murph, Koe Wetzel, Megan Moroney, Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Alana Springsteen, Jaime Wyatt, Laci Kaye Booth and Tanner Adell. Additional acts across genres include The Chainsmokers, Cage The Elephant, Reneé Rapp, A Day to Remember, Doechii and more.
Festival pass-holders will get to enjoy the three-day weekend with music all day and night, as well as getting to try different beach games at Camp Hangout, access to swim in the Gulf of Mexico and more amenities. VIP and Hangout House tickets are also available for an upgraded experience.
The festival’s Earn-A-Ticket program, first launched in 2023, will return again this year. The program saw over 75 volunteers collect over 3,000 pounds of trash across four beaches. In exchange for their time and generosity, volunteers received festival tickets and additional prizes. Details for the 2024 program will be announced soon.
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. CST.
Luke Ericson Named Chief Operating Officer At Gibson Brands
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Ericson. Photo: Courtesy of Gibson
Luke Ericson has been appointed to the permanent role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Gibson Brands, reporting to Cesar Gueikian, President & CEO.
Acting as Interim COO since May 2023, Ericson has played a key part in reorganizing the business with the creation of the COO office around manufacturing, planning and supply chain as well as enterprise solutions, globally.
“I am excited to confirm Luke as our permanent Chief Operating Officer,” says Gueikian. “Luke’s overall experience as an operations expert, successfully serving in multiple leadership roles, uniquely positions him to drive operational excellence for Gibson. I have full confidence in Luke’s ability to lead our office of the COO, and Gibson, into the future.”
Hailing from Australia, Ericson has lived in the U.S. for the last decade. He studied economics and finance at the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier in his career, he worked as a turnaround and restructuring consultant in Australia, and has worked extensively across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Ericson joined Gibson from the global private equity firm KKR, where he served as Operating Partner. During his time at the firm, he worked closely with the management teams at KKR Investments to develop and execute growth strategies. Ericson also held interim executive roles at KKR-owned companies. Before joining KKR, he was a management consultant with AlixPartners, where he helped consumer and retail clients improve profitability through operational improvement programs.
City National Bank’s Martha Henderson To Retire
/by LB CantrellMartha Henderson
Longtime leader at City National Bank, Martha Henderson, will retire from her position as Vice Chairman of Entertainment Banking on Feb. 2. She has served the entertainment industry for more than 40 years at the bank.
“Since our founding in 1954, City National has had an unparalleled history of support for the entertainment industry, which is personified by Martha Henderson,” says Kelly Coffey, CEO of City National Entertainment. “Martha is an institution at City National and I am grateful for her extraordinary service—her decades of leadership and the profound impact she has had are felt throughout the organization.”
Henderson joined City National in 1983 from Wells Fargo, where she launched her career in its private bank unit serving the entertainment industry. When she joined CNB, she was just one of 16 colleagues on the Entertainment Banking team.
Named Head of the Business in 1989, CNB’s team serving the entertainment industry has grown substantially under Henderson’s leadership. According to CNB, the bank now provides financial expertise to more than 90% of entertainment business managers, more than half of all Broadway shows, more than 80% of the country music industry in Nashville and some of the biggest names in the sports and Latin entertainment industries.
Henderson led the strategic expansion of Entertainment Banking into New York, as well as the opening of the bank’s first offices in Atlanta and on Music Row in Nashville in 2011, and most recently, in Miami in 2019. Her impact and influence has made her widely recognized as one of the most powerful executives in the entertainment industry.
“Martha leaves a legacy of City National leaders poised to move the business and industry forward thanks to her long-standing commitment to colleague development and client-focus,” says Howard Hammond, CEO of City National Bank. “As she prepared for retirement over the last several years, Martha invested herself in ensuring the continuing Entertainment Banking leadership team is well prepared to support our clients. Those leaders include JaHan Wang, Executive Vice President of Entertainment Banking—we are fortunate to continue to benefit from his deep experience.”
“I deeply appreciate my decades-long career at City National, and the meaningful and rewarding relationships I have built here and across the entertainment industry,” shares Henderson. “Among the career highlights I am most proud of is the opportunity I had to grow and develop the next generation of leadership at the bank to continue our focus on serving clients. I’m confident City National’s unwavering dedication to the industry will only grow.”
Governor Bill Lee Introduces ELVIS Act For Likeness, Voice & Image Protection
/by LB CantrellAt a press conference at Studio A in Nashville on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced bicameral legislation alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) regarding concerns about creators’ voice, image and likeness rights.
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act updates Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law, making it the first state in the nation to preserve individual voice, image and likeness against irresponsible and unethical artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of deepfakes and audio cloning. The ELVIS Act seeks to protect the future of Tennessee creators from the harmful misuse of technology on some online platforms, such as computer-generated recordings that resemble artists’ voices or deepfake videos.
Christian music icon Michael W. Smith welcomed the artists, songwriters, music industry folk and legislative leaders gathered at the press conference. He shared, “As a working artist and songwriter, I know how vital it is to build a creative environment that protects the work and individuality of future generations of dreamers. While I am grateful for existing tools that have helped me craft both my music and my message, even more personal gifts and attributes have a right to be protected from digital manipulations. I’m honored to be here today as a voice supporting the ELVIS Act to protect my fellow musicians today and in the future.”
Governor Lee said, “From Beale Street to Broadway and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”
Other attendees supporting today’s update to Tennessee’s Right of Publicity law include artists, songwriters, producers and engineers such as Ruby Amanfu, Steve Cropper, Tom Douglas, Lindsay Ell, Matt Maher, Jamie Moore, Ari Morris, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (Royal Studios), Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gebre Waddell, Matthew West and Lainey Wilson.
Artist and songwriter advocacy organizations have come out in support of the ELVIS Act, including NSAI, NMPA, RIAA, the Recording Academy, A2IM, Artist Rights Alliance, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.
Of the piece of legislature, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison says, “The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) resulted in fake recordings that are not authorized by the artist and is wrong, period. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) applauds Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Jack Johnson and Rep. William Lamberth for introducing legislation that adds the word ‘voice’ to the existing law—making it crystal clear that unauthorized AI-generated fake recordings are subject to legal action in the state of Tennessee. This is an important step in what will be an ongoing challenge to regulate generative AI music creations.”
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite adds, “AI deepfakes and voice cloning threaten the integrity of all music. It makes sense that Tennessee state would pioneer these important policies which will bolster and protect the entire industry. Music creators face enough forces working to devalue their work—technology that steals their voice and likeness should not be one of them.”
Notably, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier also released a statement earlier today in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act). The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) also aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.
Gabby Barrett Reveals Track List For Upcoming New Project ‘Chapter & Verse’
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Robby Klein
Gabby Barrett has unveiled the track list for her upcoming sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, due out Feb. 2.
Co-produced by Barrett alongside Ros
Barrett co-wrote nine of the album’s 14 songs, and collaborated with Miranda Lambert and Hillary Lindsey on “You’re My Texas,” a full-hearted love letter to the Lone Star State and all its idyllic beauty. The trio mined inspiration from Barrett’s personal ties to the state—her husband Cade Foehner was born and raised in east Texas—and Lambert’s own east Texas upbringing for the dreamlike track.
“When I think of Texas, I think of my husband and raising our babies in this beautiful state that we’re proud to call home,” shares Barrett. “It was my first time really meeting Miranda while writing this song, and I’m thankful that we could bond over our love for Texas. I always enjoy writing with Hillary too, so it was a great group of ladies to be in the room with. This one just fell out naturally, and I love everything about it.”
Chapter & Verse also includes previously released “Glory Days,” her current Top 20 single, as well as “Cowboy Back” and “Growin’ Up Raising You,” in addition to standouts like “Dance Like No One’s Watching.” The new project offers an up-close portrait of Barrett’s experience as a wife and mother of two, with her third baby on the way, and the album’s title refers to the chapters and verses within each book of the Bible, as well as the still-unfolding chapters in her marriage, family, career and overall journey through life.
Chapter & Verse Track List:
1. “The Chapter” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
2. “Cowboy Back” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Jesse Frasure)
3. “Dance Like No One’s Watching” (Emily Weisband, James McNair, Luke Combs)
4. “Glory Days” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
5. “Had It All” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “Hard To Read” (Gabby Barrett, Josh Thompson, Jon Nite)
7. “Growin’ Up Raising You” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Zach Kale, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Off The Highway” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
9. “You’re My Texas” (Gabby Barrett, Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey)
10. “Jesus On A Train” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
11. “Grow Apart” (Emily Weisband, Lydia Vaughan, Sam Bergeson)
12. “God, Money & Love” (Lori McKenna, Corey Crowder, Phil Barton)
13. “All Of My Life” (Jon Nite, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Miller)
14. “The Verse: Doxology (Amen) (Feat. Phil Wickham)” (Phil Wickham, Thomas Ken, Louis Bourgeois)
RIAA Releases Statement Supporting No AI Fraud Act
/by Lorie HollabaughRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier has released a statement in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act).
“The No AI Fraud Act is a meaningful step towards building a safe, responsible and ethical AI ecosystem, and the RIAA applauds Representatives [María Elvira] Salazar, [Madeleine] Dean, [Nathaniel] Moran, [Joe] Morelle, and [Rob] Wittman for leading in this important area. To be clear, we embrace the use of AI to offer artists and fans new creative tools that support human creativity. But putting in place guardrails like the No AI FRAUD Act is a necessary step to protect individual rights, preserve and promote the creative arts, and ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of generative AI. As decades of innovation have shown, when Congress establishes strong IP rights that foster market-led solutions, it results in both driving innovation and supporting human expression and partnerships that create American culture,” states Glazier.
The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Salazar (R-FL-27), Dean (D-PA-4), Moran (R-TX-1), Morelle (D-NY-25) and Wittman (R-VA-1) aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.
The No AI Fraud Act builds on the Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe Act (No Fakes Act) discussion draft released by Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis.
Notably, RIAA joined other artist and songwriter advocacy groups such as NSAI, NMPA, the Recording Academy and more to support the ELVIS Act that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced on Wednesday (Jan. 10) alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44). The ELVIS Act seeks to bring similar protections to creators regarding their individual voice, image and likeness.
‘Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman’ Series To Kick Off June 13
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman,” the annual concert series presented by Springer Mountain Farms, will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this summer for its 30th year on Thursdays starting June 13 through July 25.
The series will kick off with Del McCoury Band, followed by Steep Canyon Rangers with Lindsay Lou, The Earls of Leicester, Della Mae with Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Dailey & Vincent, leading up to the final night with a performance from Country Music Hall of Fame Member Ricky Skaggs.
Season passes include all six shows and are on sale now for both renewing and new passholders. Single tickets go on sale Feb. 23. For more information, click here. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a 6 p.m. pre-show “Pickin’ on the Plaza” event, sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms and Farm Bureau Health Plans, on the Ryman’s PNC Plaza. The event will feature live music from local bluegrass artists and bands presented by WSM Radio.
“Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman” was first introduced in 1994, after the venue underwent renovation and reopened its doors after sitting vacant for nearly two decades following the Grand Ole Opry’s relocation. The first of what would become the annual series featured Bill Monroe and Alison Krauss. Now 30 years later, the Ryman continues to celebrate the bluegrass contributions to music history and honors Monroe’s legacy with a life-size statue on site, unveiled in 2017.
Endurance Music Group Elevates Lauren Funk To VP Of Publishing
/by Liza AndersonLauren Funk. Photo: Ed Rode
Endurance Music Group (EMG) has elevated Lauren Funk to newly created position of Vice President of Publishing, effective immediately.
Funk joined EMG from Big Yellow Dog Music, where she spent seven years on the creative team working with Grammy winners Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Josh Kear, Daniel Tashian and more. She began her tenure as an intern in 2014, and was hired as Creative Manager upon graduation from Belmont University. In the following years, she secured cuts with artists including Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Dustin Lynch and more. In 2022, Funk was a member of the inaugural class of the CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy, a professional development program and group coaching experience for high-performing women in the country music industry.
Since joining EMG in 2021, she has been instrumental in the signing and/or retention of award-winning, multi-Platinum songwriter Jordan Schmidt, hit songwriter Scooter Carusoe and acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer Jake Rose. She will continue to manage the company’s relationships with its roster of hitmakers, including Records artist Matt Stell, songwriters and producers Seth Alley and Paul Sikes, among others, while identifying and signing promising new talent.
“I’m so proud to work with Lauren. It has been incredible to witness her growth as a creative leader and experience the impact she has made on the writers and artists at Endurance over the past couple of years. Her passion for the song and the songwriter is vital for the health of our creative industry, and we are lucky to have her on our team,” says Michael Martin, EMG President.
“The last two years at Endurance Music Group have been nothing short of amazing, and I am thrilled to take on this new role. I am so proud to work alongside our songwriters and creative team, who inspire me every day,” Funk adds. “I am beyond thankful to Michael Martin for his leadership, passion, and encouragement. I know 2024 is going to be our best year yet!”