Pictured (L-R): Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kempin/Getty Images For Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. Ashley McBryde. Photo: Alive Coverage.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival packed The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee celebrating its ninth year with a sold-out event this past weekend (Sept. 23-24). Across three stages, two days and thousands of fans, the music and arts festival put on a knock-out show with performances from Zach Bryan, Ashley McBryde, The Black Crowes and so many more.

During the festival, fans filled the farm from stage to stage, selling out the event for the second time in Pilgrimage Festival history.

“We were absolutely blown away by the performances we witnessed this weekend and are grateful to all the artists for making this a really special year. We want to thank the fans for being here and for their enthusiasm and passion for this festival. They show up ready to have a great time and their energy is one of the reasons we can attract such top tier talent,” shared festival producers Michael Whelan, Better Than Ezra’s frontman Kevin Griffin and W. Brandt Wood.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Alive Coverage

Highlights from Saturday (Sept. 23) included comedian and podcaster Theo Von joining Better Than Ezra on stage to gift the iconic Pilgrimage Festival Gibson Guitar to a lucky fan in the crowd, which has become a festival tradition, as well as a hometown performance from rising Nashville artist Hailey Whitters and a memorable moment from headliner The Lumineers, who rocked-out from their very own satellite stage. The Black Crowes, Yola and The Head And The Heart closed out the first night.

Additionally, Franklin Fun Farm captivated guests with high-flying aerialist acts on the first day.

On Sunday ( Sept. 24), the Midnight Sun stage was filled with fans by 3 p.m. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats kicked things off in the afternoon. The fun continued when Griffin joined Tigirlily Gold for a fun performance of their top-40 hit song “Shoot Tequila” that he co-wrote with the duo.

More major moments included Dierks Bentley’s pop-up at Charlie Worsham’s set for “Things I Can’t Control.” Nashville-based producer/songwriter of The Cadillac Three, Jaren Johnson and country artist Ian Munsick also made appearances in Worsham’s set.

Charlie Worsham & Dierks Bentley. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

Sunday night headliner Zach Bryan continued the party with stellar guests, starting off with an appearance from The War And Treaty, who also graced the Midnight Sun stage earlier in the day, to perform their collaboration “Hey Driver.” Noah Kahan hit the stage with Bryan to perform their song “Sarah’s Place” from Bryan’s surprise EP Boys Of Faith.

The Lumineers and Bryan both returned for an encore Sunday night for their never-performed recent duet “Spotless.” Bryan even stopped the show to bring a fan on stage to sing and play guitar during his popular hit “Heading South.”

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival has established itself as a leader in the music and arts festival business. Beyond the music, the festival creates a space for community to join together and celebrate. Football fanatics were able to watch their teams live on LED screens at The Beer Hall, and Makers Village provided attendees with a place to peruse and shop.

The War And Treaty. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

The 2022 CMA Touring Awards Winners at the 2022 CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 30, 2023. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

The Country Music Association has announced expansive changes to its CMA Touring Awards, which recognize behind-the-scenes members of the country music touring community.

New this year, the 2023 CMA Touring Awards will add five categories to its current 15 categories. CMA members will soon have the opportunity to vote for Crew, Backline Technician, Stage Manager, Support Services Company and Unsung Hero of the Year. Additionally, a CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award is determined each year by CMA’s Board of Directors.

“So often, those within our hard-working touring community are the unsung heroes of our business,” says Jay Williams, WME Nashville Partner/Co-Head and CMA Awards & Recognition Committee Chair. “As CMA honors excellence within the genre throughout the year, we recognize the Touring Personnel category of CMA’s membership is the second largest within the organization. I’m thrilled that our Board has unanimously made the decision to expand our support with the addition of these new categories and processes.”

New CMA Touring Awards Categories:

• Crew of the Year – This award honors the entire crew of a country music tour that executed a multi-city run of shows during the eligibility period. The award recognizes the crew that has consistently demonstrated outstanding professionalism, skills, teamwork, hospitality, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of their work. The crew has raised the bar to the level that others aspire to reach by delivering unforgettable live music experiences. This award is not necessarily for the team supporting the biggest or top selling tour of the year, but for the crew that has clearly demonstrated the most heart and spirit on the road, making the biggest overall contribution to elevating country Music.
• Backline Technician of the Year – This award goes to a Backline Technician who has demonstrated technical proficiency in ensuring exceptional musician and/or artist support on a country tour during the eligibility period.
• Stage Manager of the Year – This award goes to a Stage Manager who has been instrumental in organizing and executing a country tour during the eligibility period.
• Support Services Company of the Year – This award goes to a Support Services Company that has maintained high professional standards and delivered creative and innovative ideas through their services provided to a country tour during the eligibility period. This may include video, lighting, merchandise, security, sound equipment leasing, transportation, catering, staging, and other touring support services companies.
• Unsung Hero of the Year – This award goes to a Touring Professional who has made invaluable contributions behind the scenes and served as a vital part of a country tour during the eligibility period. The recipient of this award has gone above and beyond their assigned duties and has worked tirelessly to elevate the overall experience for everyone on the tour. Individuals who are eligible to be nominated in the other CMA Touring Award categories are not eligible to be nominated for this award category.

In addition to these new categories, the balloting process for the 2023 CMA Touring Awards has also been updated. A Nomination Round will take place between Friday, Oct. 6 and Thursday, Oct. 19, allowing eligible CMA Professional voting members in the select categories of membership the opportunity to nominate individuals/companies in all 20 categories while providing a brief explanation for their nomination.

A CMA Touring Awards Nominations Task Force will then review the top 20 nominated individuals/companies in each category and determine the finalists. The task force is comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable in the field of country music touring. A Final Round of voting between Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 28 will allow eligible CMA Professional voting members to cast their vote amongst the top 5 to 8 finalists in each category. CMA members are encouraged to keep an eye on their inbox for balloting information.

The 2023 CMA Touring Awards ceremony is expected to be held in Nashville in early 2024. More details will be announced soon.

Pictured L-R: Kevin Falck, Kanan Vitolo, Ellie, Lily, Powell, HB Riordan, Chris Kappy

The Castellows, a country music trio of sisters, has signed with Make Wake Artists for management and WME for global representation.

Featuring Ellie on acoustic guitar, Powell on banjo and Lily on lead vocals, The Castellows are from a small southern town where they grew up on a farm, honing their classic sound. The women vowed to continue using the family name “Castellow” in honor of their great-grandmother. After a year of posting videos of their rich harmonies online, The Castellows have built a fanbase of more than 1 million followers across multiple social media platforms.

“We are so excited and honored to make this announcement,” say The Castellows. “Both Make Wake and WME have shown that they see our vision for the music we want to create. Everyone on both of these teams is so amazing and we are so excited to take this next step in our careers with them.”

At Make Wake, The Castellows will be working with Chris Kappy as their manager and HB Riordan as their day-to-day.

“When we first met ‘The Girls’ we were blown away with their authenticity, humor, and creativity,” says Kappy. “Even at this stage in their career, they feel like seasoned veterans when they hit the stage. The sound is there, the chops are there, now we can’t wait to get their music to the fan’s ears and let the magic take place. Happy to be a part of the team!”

At WME, the band will be working with Nashville office Co-Head and Partner Joey Lee and agents Kanan Vitolo and Kevin Falck.

“Lily, Powell, and Ellie captivated us with their incredible harmonies and genuine personalities instantly,” their agent team shares. “They are authentically country and bring a fresh sound to the genre. We couldn’t be more excited to have them at WME and work with them as they embark on the next chapter of their career.”

The trio spent the summer writing, recording and touring, including an opening slot with Turnpike Troubadours in early September.

Pictured (L-R): Ed Butler, Tennessee State Representative; Mark Ezell, Tourist Development Commissioner; Dean Dillon; Faith and Hope, Dillon’s sisters. Photo: Courtesy of Adventure Anderson County

Legendary songwriter Dean Dillon has been honored with a new Tennessee Music Pathways marker, which was unveiled at a ceremony on Sept. 22.

Returning home to Rocky Top to celebrate, Dillon joined state and local officials for the unveiling of the marker not far from his hometown of Cherry Bottom.

“I like to think my accomplishments were seeded here as I look back on my days,” said Dillon about the special celebration honoring his legacy.

Dillon has penned dozens of hits, having written or co-written songs for George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and 11 No. 1 hits for George Strait, some of those being “The Chair,” “Nobody in his Right Mind Would’ve Left Her” and “Ocean Front Property.”

After winning a talent contest at Jacksboro High School in Campbell County, he began performing regularly in Knoxville on the Jim Clayton Star Time television show. Dillion graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1973 before hitchhiking his way to Nashville, where he began work as an Opryland performer. He made his first record in 1974, and scored his first chart-topping single in 1979. In 2002, Dillion was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and is a 2013 BMI Icon recipient. The Tennessee native now resides in Colorado.

Michelle Attardi

Big Machine Music has elevated Michelle Attardi to Senior Director, Publishing, effective immediately.

Since joining BMM seven years ago, Attardi has been part of the core creative team representing roster of songwriters and its catalog that has grown to over 14,000 songs and more than 50 No. 1’s across the top 40, country and rock radio charts. Attardi was integral in the signing of Daniel Ross, Matt Roy, Troy Cartwright and Geoff Warburton. She has also secured cuts with Jon Pardi, Lady A, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others.

“Michelle has great ears and a passion for her songwriters. I’m happy to see her take this hard-earned next step in her career at Big Machine Music,” shares BMM’s President Mike Molinar of the promotion.

Named to MusicRow Magazine’s esteemed Next Big Thing industry directory in 2020 and 2023, the Berklee College of Music graduate is currently on the board of Wags and Walks Nashville.

“I’m deeply honored and thankful to be part of Big Machine Music,” shares Attardi. “I have the privilege of working with incredible talent and I’m excited to continue fostering these exceptional songwriters and artists. I’m grateful for the support and mentorship of Scott Borchetta and Mike Molinar and look forward to contributing to the continued success of our publishing roster.

Congratulate Attardi at michelle.attardi@bigmachinemusic.com.