CMA is bringing the C2C: Country to Country Festival, including its acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series in London, as well as the CMA Presents Introducing Nashville lineup back overseas in March.

Serving as the official kickoff leading into C2C, the CMA Songwriters Series show on March 7 will feature performances by Colbie Caillat, Lauren Alaina, Stephen Wilson Jr., Charlie Worsham and special guests. A fan-favorite event celebrating the festival’s opening, the CMA Songwriters Series has sold out once again.

CMA’s international touring series, Introducing Nashville, returns to the main stage of C2C for the third year in a row. The 2024 lineups will include performances by Karley Scott Collins, Greylan James, Conner Smith and Lauren Watkins during the festival’s opening set at RTM Stage in Rotterdam on March 2, Verti Music Hall in Berlin on March 3, The O2 in London March 8, SSE Arena in Belfast March 9, and Ovo Hydro in Glasglow on March 10.

In addition to C2C, Introducing Nashville will also travel to the Nordics with a stop at Kollektivet Livet in Stockholm on March 4 and Lille Sal at the Konserthus in Oslo on March 5.

“It is always an honor to be able to provide artists with the incredible opportunity of being included on the C2C mainstage through our Introducing Nashville lineup, as is providing these artists with their international debut performances,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “Each year, we are especially amazed at the excitement from U.K. fans for our CMA Songwriters Series, and seeing it sell out again sends such a message of support for our genre. We are grateful to C2C for their continued partnership and support as well as music lovers in these territories for helping us grow country music.”

See below for each date’s Introducing Nashville lineup:
March 2 at RTM Stage in Rotterdam for C2C: Karley Scott Collins, Greylan James, Lauren Watkins
March 3 at Verti Music Hall in Berlin for C2C: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins
March 4 at Kollektivet Livet in Stockholm: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins
March 5 at Lille Sal at the Konserthus in Oslo: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins
March 8 at The O2 in London for C2C: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins
March 9 at SSE Arena in Belfast for C2C: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins
March 10 at Ovo Hydro in Glasglow for C2C: Karley Scott Collins, Conner Smith, Lauren Watkins

Pictured (L-R): Joe Gillen (BMG), Katie Kerkhover (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG), Haven Madison,
Thomas Coesfeld (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Elissa Felman (19 Recordings) and Peter Strickland (BMG). Photo: Terry Wyatt for Getty

American Idol season 21 contestant Haven Madison has signed with 19 Recordings/BMG.

“I had the privilege of working at companies where Faith Hill and Taylor Swift began their careers,” says BMG Nashville President Jon Loba. “While Haven Madison is not a country artist, she has the same spirit and clarity Faith and Taylor had about what their vision was for their careers, along with a razor sharpness about who they were and what they wanted to say to the world. We can’t wait for everyone to hear Haven’s music and see her evolution over the last year.”

Growing up on the road, touring the country with her father Jason Roy, the lead singer of the Christian band Building429, Madison has always had a passion for music. Performing in her church choir, she also began writing and recording in her spare time, and as a high schooler, even wrote and sang on Building429’s song “Different.”

Competing on ABC’s American Idol last year and making it to the final Top 8, she performed her own originals like the wistful “Fifteen” and heartfelt “Still Need You” that she wrote about her brother’s fight against depression and suicide, earning instant praise from the judges—including guest judge Ed Sheeran—throughout her run on the show.

Having released music independently since 2020, Madison’s discography includes tracks “Already Gone” and “Therapy” as well as an EP, All The Things I Didn’t Say.

“Haven Madison is an artist with not only an immense amount of raw talent as a songwriter and a vocalist; but, she is also an artist with true artistic vision. Watching her grow from the young singer who auditioned for Idol into such a powerful artist ready for her big moment has been so exciting. I can’t wait for her fans to hear what she’s been creating since the show,” says 19 Recordings’ Senior Vice President of Music Elissa Felman.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid, and I couldn’t be more excited to have 19 Recordings / BMG beside me as I continue to share my art and passion with the world,” says Madison.

Pictured (L-R): WMBA 2023 Board of Officers and Chairs at the annual Wonder Woman Awards: Virginia P. Brick (President), Taylor Baird (Treasurer), Aura Guadagno (Vice President), Mackenzie Adkins (Marketing & Membership Co- Chair), Aya Robinson (Marketing & Membership Co-Chair), Megan Clemens (Events & Education Co-Chair), Alyssa Hoffman (Secretary). Not Pictured: Libby Gardner (Events & Education Co- Chair). Photo: Kalob Adair

The Nashville-based Women’s Music Business Association celebrated the 2023 WMBA Wonder Woman Awards last Tuesday night (Dec. 5).

The evening honored standout members and alumni dedicated to WMBA’s mission of supporting women in the music industry, inspiring empowerment and fostering community and was hosted by Nashville’s Anzie Blue – the only women-owned music venue in Music City.

Ellen Mundy Ford, Manager, Syndicated & Secondary Promotions, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville with her Warrior Award. Photo: Courtesy of Mundy Ford

The award winners included Ellen Mundy Ford, Manager, Syndicated & Secondary Promotions, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. She took home the Warrior Award as a “woman of extraordinary strength, a true warrior who continues to persevere in times of adversity.” Michelle Barnett Wichern, Executive Assistant to CEO/Agent, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, was awarded Rookie of The Year. This award is given to a “rising-star” leaving “an indelible mark on WMBA.”

Taylor Weatherby, Editor for Grammy.com/Digital Media Content, The Recording Academy, received the Unsung Hero Award as “a woman who humbly dominates behind-the-scenes in her career and extracurriculars” and “may fly under the radar but serves as a silent hero.” Adrea Castiano, CEO of Adrea Castiano, was given the Entertainer Award, which is given to “a singer and/or songwriter who is a force of nature” and “a luminary in WMBA and the entire music industry.”

Rhonda Forlaw Adkins, Founder of Rhonda & Company, took home the MAC Award as “a genuine advocate of women … using her platform to inspire, champion, and empower women for good both within and beyond the WMBA community.”

Entertainer Award recipient Adrea Castiano with Geoffrey Saunders. Photo: John Joseph

The night’s most illustrious honor went to the organization’s active President, Virginia P. Brick, Licensing Department Customer Service Representative at SESAC Music Group, who was named the 2023 Wonder Woman as an “exceptional member of WMBA who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the organization,” and whose “unwavering commitment and substantial investment of time and energy have significantly expanded and enhanced WMBA’s impact.”

Standout moments included a surprise visit from many of Ford’s out-of-state friends and family who showed up minutes before she accepted the Warrior Award, and mom-to-be, artist Carolyn Miller and Entertainer Award recipient Castiano brought unforgettable energy as the night’s WWA performers. All awards were chosen by WMBA officers with the distinguished Wonder Woman award voted on by WMBA members.

Created and led by women, the membership organization is now celebrating 24 years of connecting women and making a difference, as it continues building networks that help more women thrive in music each year.

CMT has announced the new class of CMT Listen Up talent for the 2024 initiative, which recognizes country music up-and-comers across CMT platforms.

The 2024 members are Alana Springsteen, Angie K, Anne Wilson, Carter Faith, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chayce Beckham, Dylan Marlowe, Ella Langley, Fancy Hagood, Jake Worthington, Jordyn Shellhart, RVSHVD, The Castellows and Wyatt Flores.

The year-long campaign provides full cross-brand support for their music and videos across CMT and CMT Music, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, CMT.com and CMT social media platforms as well as opportunities across the Paramount Media Networks brand portfolio with live events, the Paramount Times Square NYC Billboard and more.

“There’s a new era in country music and these exciting new artists are finding audiences through their exceptional storytelling and staying authentic to their own individual journeys. They are providing the soundtrack to our lives with appreciation for their roots and dedication to country music,” shares Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music & Talent, CMT. “We’re proud to work alongside this new group of rising artists and amplify their stories and music across all CMT platforms this year. Welcome CMT’s Listen Up Class of 2024!”

Since 2011, CMT Listen Up has introduced new talent to the brand’s fan base and helped launch the careers of many country sensations. Notable alumni include Ashley McBryde, Bailey Zimmerman, Breland, Brittney Spencer, Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Madeline Edwards, Maren Morris, Morgan Wade, The War And Treaty, Thomas Rhett, Yola and Zach Bryan, among others.