Sony Music Marches In Nashville Pride Parade
Sony Music staff in the Nashville Pride Parade. Photo: Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
Sony Music Entertainment’s Nashville offices joined together Saturday (June 24) to march in the Nashville Pride Parade. Representatives from Sony Music Nashville, Sony Music Publishing, Provident Entertainment and The Orchard marched the parade route down Broadway on behalf of the organizations’ Nashville Equity Taskforce.
Brooke Eden Participates In ABC’s ‘Pride Across America’ In New York
Brooke Eden performed at NY Pride as part of ABC’s Pride Across America segment. During an interview with ABC, Eden spoke on her recently released EP Outlaw Love as well as her marriage to wife Hillary.
“I got to marry my best friend and better half. Getting to do that and it be legal in the United States is amazing,” said Eden. “In country music there’s just not a lot of representation for the LGBTQ+ community, so it was really important for me to be able to show representation and be visible, not just back there but here just like every other country artist is allowed to do with their partner.”
Eden also gave her younger generation of fans advice. “Stand in your truth,” she said. “I know it can be really hard in the world, especially with where we are with a lot of anti-LGBTQ legislation. But when you are yourself it inspires other people to be themselves. I would just say try as hard as you can as long as you feel safe to live in your truth.”
Songs For A Cause Raises $2,5000 For Opry Trust Fund
Pictured (L-R): Tia Sillers, Bryce Leatherwood, Jeannie Seely, Jamie Dailey, Shaun Richardson and Jeffrey East. Photo Courtesy of Morris Higham Management
Morris Higham Management’s songwriter series, Songs for a Cause, returned June 21 to a sold-out house at Nashville’s historic Bluebird Cafe. In total, proceeds from the event tallied to $2,500 benefiting Opry Trust Fund.
The evening featured performances from Grammy, CMA, ACM and Dove Award-winning songwriter Tia Sillers; Grammy, Dove and 35-time IBMA Award-winner Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent; Season 22 Winner of NBC’s The Voice making his Bluebird Cafe debut, Bryce Leatherwood; and songwriter Jeffrey East.
In addition, Grand Ole Opry matriarch and Grammy-winning artist Jeannie Seely surprised the crowd with a song she co-wrote with the late Glen Campbell.
Both Dailey and Seely spoke of their love and respect for the Opry Trust Fund as Dailey is a former board member who worked through the COVID pandemic. Seely spoke of how the Opry Trust Fund helped her when she lost everything during the 2010 flood disaster.
“The Opry is often referred to as a country music family,” said Dan Rogers, Opry Executive Producer & President. “For nearly 60 years, that family has assisted members of the country music community in need through the Opry Trust Fund. With thanks to Opry members Jeannie Seely and Jamie Dailey as well as their friends plus so many others who will assist the Trust Fund this year, that important work is guaranteed to continue.”
Country For A Cause Raises $60,000 For Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
Pictured (L-R): Wes Schmitz, Kathy Ashworth, Marcia Campbell, Charlotte Sneed, Makenzie Phipps, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Jenny Streams, Sherri Forrest and Scott Sexton
Country For A Cause raised $60,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt during their CMA Fest 2023 concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Hosted by country legend T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day, an eclectic group of performers donated their time and talents to raise money for children in health-related crises.
Mark Wills, Wade Hayes, John Conlee, Paulette Carlson, Tim Atwood, Makenzie Phipps, Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Wright, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Terry McBride, Leon Everette, Brandon Davis, Jake Hoot and Jamie O’Neal were among the evening’s performers. The night also included surprises from Alex Miller, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, John Schneider, John McEuen and Charlene Tilton as well as a special tribute to Jeanne Pruett.
Hosts Lang and Sheppard note, “We have always considered it an honor and pleasure to host Country For A Cause. To see it grow into such an incredible event that has helped so many is truly a blessing for us both. It continues to succeed because of the efforts of Scott Sexton and the great board along with so many great friends and artists who have performed and given their time to support such a worthy cause. To say we are thankful is an understatement for all who have worked so hard.”
Jazz In The Park Returns To Hadley Park
Jazz in the Park, the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s summer concert series, kicked off in Hadley Park on May 19 and continued last Friday (June 23) with jazz vocalist and trumpeter Rod McGaha.
Chicago-native McGaha is a longtime favorite of local jazz fans who loves performing for children and has appeared on the NJW Jazz AM series.
This family-friendly concert series builds on the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s mission to enrich lives and build community through their jazz education programs and community performances. Each performance is free to attend, with the next being July 14 featuring saxophonist Cord Martin.
Jobi Riccio Receives John Prine Songwriter Fellowship Award
Jobi Riccio
Nashville singer-songwriter Jobi Riccio has been named the 2023 recipient of the John Prine Songwriter Fellowship Award, created by the Newport Festivals Foundation in partnership with Prine’s family. Riccio recently announced her debut album Whiplash, which will be out in September, and a string of U.S. tour dates. She will also make her Newport Folk Festival debut next month.
“John Prine was such an integral part of the Newport Folk community. It’s an honor to celebrate his legacy by giving a stage to newer artists who show the sparks of truth and the willingness to embrace all aspects of the human condition in their songwriting. It’s clear Jobi embodies much of this spirit which is why we’ve chosen her as the John Prine Fellowship recipient for this year,” says Newport Folk Festival Executive Producer, Jay Sweet.
“John always loved being around other songwriters. Later in his career, he really went out of his way to spotlight and champion the next generation of writers. It’s a real honor that Newport lets us continue that important part of his legacy. I can’t wait to see Jobi at the Fort!” says Prine’s wife, Fiona.
Warner Chappell Music & TurnTable Music Sign Jon Robert Hall
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Ben Johnson, Jon Robert Hall, Warner Chappell’s Katy Wolaver and Chelsea Junker
Warner Chappell Music and TurnTable Music, founded by hitmaker Ben Johnson, have teamed up to sign singer-songwriter Jon Robert Hall to a global publishing deal.
Hall has experience in many spaces within the entertainment industry, from television, film and Broadway to pop and country songwriting as well as his own solo career as an artist.
Hall has worked with a diverse range of artists including Machine Gun Kelly, Kygo, Rosa Linn and more. He most recently provided songwriting support to Morgan Wallen and Hardy on their hit single, “In The Bible,” which debuted in the top 50 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart earlier this year. Other recent collaborators include Johnson, Morgan Evans, Jessie Murph, Alana Springsteen, John Byron, Geoff Warburton, Fraser Churchill, Andrew Cedar, Jake Scott, David Brook, Luke Niccoli and Kevin White.
His acting career consists of roles in the hit television series Glee and Millennials: The Musical as well as films Grease Live! and Sing. Hall also played Fiyero during the national tour of the Broadway sensation Wicked The Musical.
“Jon is a creative force who has worked with songwriters and artists of all levels and across genres. He’s had an illustrious career spanning multiple disciplines, and we’re incredibly excited to work with him alongside our partners at TurnTable Music,” says Katy Wolaver, Warner Chappell Senior Vice President, A&R.
Spencer Nohe, Warner Chappell Senior Director, A&R, adds, “We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to WCM. In both Nashville and Los Angeles, he’s already made an impact among some of the industry’s top acts. I’m grateful for Ben Johnson’s partnership on this deal and looking forward to everything we’re going to accomplish together.”
“I am so unbelievably pumped to be a part of the Warner Chappell family and partner with Ben Johnson at TurnTable Music,” says Hall. “The road has been long and wide to get here, and every win and loss has led to this pinnacle moment. Thanks for believing in me, let’s get to work!”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Tim McGraw Is ‘Eloquently Heartbreaking’ On New Track
/by Robert K OermannTim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Country music is unashamed to wear its heart on its sleeve, and that’s abundantly true in this edition of DISClaimer.
Sam Hunt openly worships the women in his life. Ashley McBryde explores the dark side of her childhood. Elle King sings of loneliness. Drew Holcomb praises friendship. The late Kenny Rogers embraces the sentiments of fatherhood. Most powerful of all is the emotion Todd Tilghman pours into “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” which wins him a DISCovery Award.
Our Disc of the Day is also nakedly emotional. Tim McGraw’s “Hey Whiskey” mourns the damage done. Brilliantly.
DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS / “Find Your People”
Writers: Drew Holcomb/Kevin Scott Rhoads; Producer: Cason Cooley; Label: Magnolia Music/Tone Tree Music
– This guy has been making great music for 20 years. This happy, rhythmic track boasts hearty vocals, chunky beats, acoustic strumming and a lot of cheer. Holcomb sings of the value of friendships while the band sets the mood. Drawn from his just-released Strangers No More album, the celebratory tune is presently at No. 1 on the Americana chart.
SAM HUNT / “Women in My Life”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Ashley Gorley/Josh Osborne; Producers: Zach Crowell/Chris LaCorte/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– This swaying, atmospheric, echoey outing is sung with soft sincerity. He muses how empty his life would be without the women who made him the person he is. The performance is perfect, and the sentiment is superb. His best yet.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Learned to Lie”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Sean McConnell/Nicolette Hayford; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– “Light on in the Kitchen” is still the single, and its parent album The Devil I Know isn’t due until September. But here’s another advance track from it. The lyric takes you down a dark passageway into a dysfunctional childhood while the ballad’s guitar, steel and bass draw out a slow, sad accompaniment. Stunning and powerful.
TIM McGRAW / “Hey Whiskey”
Writers: Brad Hutsell/Joel Hutsell/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Label: Big Machine Records
– Eloquently heartbreaking. He addresses the drink that took his money, drove away a good woman, occupied his life and left him in hell. Sighing steel and brushed percussion hurt with every note. One more reason to eagerly anticipate the release of his new Standing Room Only collection in August.
LORI McKENNA / “The Town in Your Heart”
Writers: Lori McKenna/Jessie Jo Dillon/Dustin Christensen; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: CN Records/Thirty Tigers
– The troubadour takes a strummy, uptempo ride in this ode to two wandering souls who take to the road. She’s fine with traveling, as long she has a home in his heart. The Everly-esque vocal harmonies are a bonus.
KENNY ROGERS / “Catchin’ Grasshoppers”
Writers: Laura McCall Torno/Earl Torno; Producers: Randy Dorman & Kenny Rogers; Label: UMG
– The new Kenny Rogers album Life Is Like a Song is a compilation of previously unreleased tunes. Its first single is a heart-tugging, downbeat ode to fatherhood. He puts aside his busy life to spend time playing outside with his little twins.
HANNAH ELLIS / “Wine Country”
Writers: Hannah Ellis/Clint Lagerberg/Nick Wayne; Producers: Jason Massey/Clint Lagerberg; Label: Curb Records
– It’s a rollicking, romping drinkin’ song. Only this time it’s chardonnay in a solo cup instead of beer. Lotsa fun. Raise your glass and sing along.
RODNEY CROWELL / “You’re Supposed to Be Feeling Good”
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Jeff Tweedy; Label: New West Records
– This song first appeared on the 1977 Emmylou Harris LP Luxury Liner, but Crowell never got around to recording it, himself. Until now. The partnership with Jeff Tweedy on the songwriter’s new The Chicago Sessions album brings him renewed vigor and an utterly fresh audio approach. And this track couldn’t be a better example. It’s kinda twangy and Beatles-y at the same time.
ELLE KING & DIPLO / “Without You”
Writers: Daniel Silberstein/Elle King/Henry Agincourt Allen/Jamison Baken/Sasha Alex Sloan/Thomas Wesley Pentz; Producers: Diplo/King Henry; Label: Columbia
– Rapid, rushed snare beats and a tickling banjo propel this dreamy, airy lovelorn track. Heartache has seldom sounded more inviting.
ASHLEY COOKE / “Shot in the Dark”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Jordan Minton/Emily Weisband/Corey Crowder; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music
– This is the title tune of her album, which drops next month. With 24 tracks, it surely must be the longest debut country collection in history. The song is a splendid introduction, wafting with young romance and twirling in melody. The extremely well written lyric puts you right in that barroom, watching love at first sight occur over tequilas.
BEN RECTOR / “Wonderful World”
Writers: Ben Rector/Jordy Searcy/Andrew Tufano; Producers: Ben Rector/Andrew Tufano; Label: OK Kid Recordings
– Rector appears at the Let Freedom Sing concert when Music City celebrates the Fourth of July next Tuesday. He’ll be sharing the bill with Brad Paisley and The War & Treaty, so he’ll be bringing his pop/Americana “A” game. The current video by this Nashvillian is an endearing puppet production featuring likenesses of him and his daughter out in gorgeous nature scenery. The track is lilting, sweet and pop-folkie. It’s also an audio delight.
TODD TILGHMAN / “Blood, Sweat & Tears”
Writers: Joe Hanson/Justin Morgan/Victoria Banks; Producers: none listed; Label: Straight Arrow Records
– Wait a second: This dude won on The Voice, but you’ve never heard of him? That might be because production shut down when the COVID pandemic hit and he finished the show remotely. When coach Blake Shelton introduced him on the Opry, Todd wowed me with “Home Wasn’t Built in a Day,” a tender and beautifully sung evocation of home-and-hearth. Now comes this powerful single/video with a gospel lyric exalting, “His blood, my sweat and her tears.” It will make you shout, “Amen.” At age 45, he’s the oldest champ in the show’s history, but this father of eight and former pastor from Mississippi has a heartfelt voice with no age limit. He has released several other fine singles, but so far has no album. Somebody give this gifted guy a break. And a label deal.
Buddy & Julie Miller Slate ‘In The Throes’ For September
/by Lorie HollabaughBuddy and Julie Miller are set to release their new album, In The Throes on Sept. 22 via New West Records.
The 12-song set was produced by Buddy and features guests such as Emmylou Harris, Regina McCrary, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Gurf Morlix and Matt Slocum of Sixpence None the Richer. In The Throes follows their 2019 album Breakdown on 20th Ave. South, their first album in a decade. The soulful collision of dusty country, gospel, blues and R&B came to life during an intensely creative period for Julie. She ended up with more than one hundred songs or fragments of songs —and penned every song on the project with the exception of “Don’t Make Her Cry,” which is a rare co-write between Julie, Bob Dylan and McCrary.
McCrary started the song several years ago, then met with Dylan, who wrote, and rewrote more lyrics. Dylan suggested that Regina give it to Buddy to write the music, who then passed it to Julie, who added more lyrics and set it to music. Featuring a sympathetic lead vocal from Buddy, “Don’t Make Her Cry” is a soft-spoken ode to perseverance and protection.
In the Throes will be available digitally, on CD and standard black vinyl. A limited seaglass blue-colored vinyl edition autographed by Buddy and Julie will be available via independent retailers and is currently available for pre-order.
In The Throes Track Listing:
1. “You’re My Thrill”
2. “In The Throes”
3. “Don’t Make Her Cry”
4. “Niccolo”
5. “I Love You”
6. “The Last Bridge You Will Cross”
7. “The Painkillers Ain’t Workin'”
8. “Tattooed Tear”
9. “I Been Around”
10. “I’ll Never Live It Down”
11. “We’re Leavin'”
12. “Oh Shout”
Linda Bloss-Baum Exits SoundExchange, Joins American University
/by Lorie HollabaughLinda Bloss-Baum
Linda Bloss-Baum is exiting her post of Sr. VP of Government Relations and Public Policy at SoundExchange in Washington, D.C., and is joining the Kogod School of Business at American University.
Bloss-Baum will serve as Assistant Program Director in the Business and Entertainment Program at the university and teach two undergraduate courses as a full-time faculty member, including Protection of the Creative Class in the Digital Age and Introduction to the Entertainment Industry. She joined the Kogod School of Business in 2013 as an adjunct professor, and received AU’s Adjunct Professor of the Year award in 2018.
“We are thrilled to announce that Linda Bloss-Baum will be joining us at the Business and Entertainment Program,” says John Simson, BAE Program Director at the Kogod School of Business. “She is the perfect fit for this unique program.”
In March, Bloss-Baum led a delegation of students to the SXSW conference in Austin for a week-long course in networking and professionalism in the entertainment industries. She has held several senior positions in public policy and government affairs, including at Time Warner, Inc., Warner Music Group and NBC Universal/Universal Music Group.
“It is such an honor to return to my alma mater as a full-time faculty member and assistant program director to teach and mentor the next generation of leaders in the entertainment industry,” says Bloss-Baum. “The Business and Entertainment Program at Kogod has grown rapidly over the past decade. I look forward to working with John Simson and the Kogod community to foster future growth and opportunities for the program’s exemplary students in the years to come.”
BMI Implements New Customer Service Initiative
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI has launched a new initiative to modernize and enhance the customer service experience for its songwriters, composers and publishers.
The new project will roll out in multiple phases and include the creation of a dedicated customer service team based in BMI’s Nashville office as well as the implementation of new processes and technologies to more effectively manage the high volume of royalty administration inquiries the company receives.
Alison Smith, BMI’s EVP, Chief Distribution & Publisher Relations Officer, will oversee the new initiative, working closely with Mike Steinberg, BMI’s EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer.
“It has always been a priority to address the many administration and royalty questions we receive from our affiliates and offer the guidance and help that is so important to our creative community,” says Smith. “Given the millions of affiliates we serve and the trillions of transactions we now process each year, we’re very excited to take on this new initiative that will accommodate the ever-growing volume of affiliates who require our assistance on a daily basis. By using the latest customer service technologies and strategies, we will be in a much stronger position to respond in the fastest and most effective way possible to the evolving needs of our songwriters, composers and publishers.”
BMI worked with Material, a global strategy and customer experience transformation consultancy, to help define and build its new strategy. Material will serve as an advisor to BMI during the project’s start up period. Phase One of the project includes the hiring of a new customer service team, creating new streamlined and centralized processes, and implementing a new telephony platform. Later phases will include the establishment of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, the building of an affiliate self-service portal and deploying a chat function to better handle incoming calls and questions.
“This is a great solution to help us better manage the many calls that come into our Creative team about royalty systems and processes,” says Steinberg. “By streamlining this process, we can make sure that the inquiries we receive are sent to the right place and that our Creative team can continue to focus on providing creative support and guidance to our incredible roster of affiliates.”
Sara Evans Signs With Melody Place Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Melody Place’s Sanborn McGraw, Leigh Shockey, Sara Evans and One Spark Entertainment’s Craig Dunn
Sara Evans has signed with Nashville-based label Melody Place. She joins the label in partnership with her own imprint, Born to Fly Records.
Earlier this year, Melody Place announced it had re-branded to be more focused on artist-driven projects and career development. Evans plans to return to the studio in October to begin working on new music for 2024, her first album of original material in seven years.
“Throughout her career, Sara Evans has consistently proven why she is one of the most talented and respected entertainers in this business,” says Sanborn McGraw, Melody Place President/General Manager. “Her gift of writing and selecting the best material has given us unexpected hits and beloved country music anthems. Sara and her team share the Melody Place goal of finding outside of the box ways to grow an artist’s global reach. To make this signing and to join forces with Sara and Born to Fly Records is an incredible opportunity we couldn’t be more excited about.”
“As an artist I’m always looking for ways to bring my music to as many fans as possible,” says Evans. “When the Melody Place team approached me about working together and expanding all the things I’d already been doing with my own label – Born To Fly Records, it became clear that they share the same passion and excitement about trying new and innovative things to connect fans with music. I’m so excited to partner with them and get in the studio later this year to record my next studio album of new material!”
As the fifth most-played female artist at country radio in nearly the last two decades with five No. 1 singles include “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place To Start,” “Born to Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” which was certified Platinum, Evans plays close to 100 shows each year across the U.S.
Mark Turcotte Joins Outback Presents As Senior VP Of Marketing
/by Lorie HollabaughMark Turcotte
Mark Turcotte has joined Outback Presents as Senior VP of Marketing.
Turcotte began his career as a professional musician in Syracuse, New York. He transitioned into media full time in 1987 as a promotions and marketing director. He was previously a former Cox Media Group national marketing executive before joining Outback, and brings with him vast experience in the concert/event promotion space.
“This is a landmark moment for Outback Presents,” notes Outback Presents president Mike Smardak. “Mark will be instrumental in fostering success with our artists, managers, agents, venues and brand partners. I’ve known Mark for over 25 years and it has always been a professional goal of mine to find a way to work with him. I’m excited that we’ve found the opportunity and am looking forward to great potential in our future.”
“My dream since first getting into the business is to help bring joy, through music, comedy and performance, to diverse audiences and to make sure the artists are given the respect and consideration they deserve in marketing their shows,” explains Turcotte. “All my life I’ve been in the business of filling seats, whether in a theater or on a program log. Either way, I’m not satisfied unless there’s a line of people waiting for a seat to open.”
Turcotte begins his new role at Outback Presents’ Nashville headquarters effective July 18. Reach him via email at Mark.Turcotte@outbackpresents.com.
Date Set For The 66th Annual Grammy Awards
/by LB CantrellThe Recording Academy has announced its key dates and deadlines ahead of the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, which will take place Sun, Feb. 4, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
This year’s Grammy nominees will be announced on Fri, Nov. 10, 2023. The 66th Annual Grammy Awards will air live 8:00-11:30 p.m. ET/5:00-8:30 p.m. PT on CBS and will stream on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).
Key dates for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards season are as follows:
Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 15, 2023
Product Eligibility Period
July 17, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023
Online Entry Period
Oct. 11, 2023 – Oct. 20, 2023
First Round Voting
Nov. 10, 2023
Nominees Announced for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards
Dec. 14, 2023 – Jan. 4, 2024
Final Round Voting
Feb. 4, 2024
66th Annual Grammy Awards
UMG Nashville Names Charlene Bryant As Sr. VP, Business Development & Strategy
/by LB CantrellCharlene Bryant. Photo: Thomas Crabtree
Universal Music Group Nashville has appointed Charlene Bryant as its Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy. Bryant brings with her a wealth of experience and track record of success spanning across country, hip-hop and Christian music.
A Canton, Ohio native and Belmont graduate, Bryant joins UMG Nashville after 5 years at the helm of artist management company, Riveter Management, which she founded in 2018. She was named one of Billboard’s Hip-Hop and R&B Power Players in 2020 and 2021, and was part of CMT and mtheory’s inaugural Equal Access Development Program. Acknowledging her leadership in the community, Nashville Business Journal recognized her with the Women in Music City Award in 2018 and 2019.
“Charlene has spent her career in artist development and learning to merge cultures of Christian, R&B, Hip-Hop and Country music,” says UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe. “She’s had success at major labels and independents, as well as success as an entrepreneur. As Universal Nashville is investing deeper to expand our growth in partnering in innovation with entrepreneurs, the independent label sector as well as our sister labels, Charlene is the perfect person to help merge those worlds and cultures to help build the next era of Universal Music Group Nashville. I could not be more excited to have Charlene Bryant help build our vision.”
Industry Ink: Sony, Brooke Eden, Songs For A Cause, More
/by Caela GriffinSony Music Marches In Nashville Pride Parade
Sony Music staff in the Nashville Pride Parade. Photo: Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
Sony Music Entertainment’s Nashville offices joined together Saturday (June 24) to march in the Nashville Pride Parade. Representatives from Sony Music Nashville, Sony Music Publishing, Provident Entertainment and The Orchard marched the parade route down Broadway on behalf of the organizations’ Nashville Equity Taskforce.
Brooke Eden Participates In ABC’s ‘Pride Across America’ In New York
Brooke Eden performed at NY Pride as part of ABC’s Pride Across America segment. During an interview with ABC, Eden spoke on her recently released EP Outlaw Love as well as her marriage to wife Hillary.
“I got to marry my best friend and better half. Getting to do that and it be legal in the United States is amazing,” said Eden. “In country music there’s just not a lot of representation for the LGBTQ+ community, so it was really important for me to be able to show representation and be visible, not just back there but here just like every other country artist is allowed to do with their partner.”
Eden also gave her younger generation of fans advice. “Stand in your truth,” she said. “I know it can be really hard in the world, especially with where we are with a lot of anti-LGBTQ legislation. But when you are yourself it inspires other people to be themselves. I would just say try as hard as you can as long as you feel safe to live in your truth.”
Songs For A Cause Raises $2,5000 For Opry Trust Fund
Pictured (L-R): Tia Sillers, Bryce Leatherwood, Jeannie Seely, Jamie Dailey, Shaun Richardson and Jeffrey East. Photo Courtesy of Morris Higham Management
Morris Higham Management’s songwriter series, Songs for a Cause, returned June 21 to a sold-out house at Nashville’s historic Bluebird Cafe. In total, proceeds from the event tallied to $2,500 benefiting Opry Trust Fund.
The evening featured performances from Grammy, CMA, ACM and Dove Award-winning songwriter Tia Sillers; Grammy, Dove and 35-time IBMA Award-winner Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent; Season 22 Winner of NBC’s The Voice making his Bluebird Cafe debut, Bryce Leatherwood; and songwriter Jeffrey East.
In addition, Grand Ole Opry matriarch and Grammy-winning artist Jeannie Seely surprised the crowd with a song she co-wrote with the late Glen Campbell.
Both Dailey and Seely spoke of their love and respect for the Opry Trust Fund as Dailey is a former board member who worked through the COVID pandemic. Seely spoke of how the Opry Trust Fund helped her when she lost everything during the 2010 flood disaster.
“The Opry is often referred to as a country music family,” said Dan Rogers, Opry Executive Producer & President. “For nearly 60 years, that family has assisted members of the country music community in need through the Opry Trust Fund. With thanks to Opry members Jeannie Seely and Jamie Dailey as well as their friends plus so many others who will assist the Trust Fund this year, that important work is guaranteed to continue.”
Country For A Cause Raises $60,000 For Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital
Pictured (L-R): Wes Schmitz, Kathy Ashworth, Marcia Campbell, Charlotte Sneed, Makenzie Phipps, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Jenny Streams, Sherri Forrest and Scott Sexton
Country For A Cause raised $60,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt during their CMA Fest 2023 concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Hosted by country legend T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day, an eclectic group of performers donated their time and talents to raise money for children in health-related crises.
Mark Wills, Wade Hayes, John Conlee, Paulette Carlson, Tim Atwood, Makenzie Phipps, Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Wright, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Terry McBride, Leon Everette, Brandon Davis, Jake Hoot and Jamie O’Neal were among the evening’s performers. The night also included surprises from Alex Miller, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Seely, John Schneider, John McEuen and Charlene Tilton as well as a special tribute to Jeanne Pruett.
Hosts Lang and Sheppard note, “We have always considered it an honor and pleasure to host Country For A Cause. To see it grow into such an incredible event that has helped so many is truly a blessing for us both. It continues to succeed because of the efforts of Scott Sexton and the great board along with so many great friends and artists who have performed and given their time to support such a worthy cause. To say we are thankful is an understatement for all who have worked so hard.”
Jazz In The Park Returns To Hadley Park
Jazz in the Park, the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s summer concert series, kicked off in Hadley Park on May 19 and continued last Friday (June 23) with jazz vocalist and trumpeter Rod McGaha.
Chicago-native McGaha is a longtime favorite of local jazz fans who loves performing for children and has appeared on the NJW Jazz AM series.
This family-friendly concert series builds on the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s mission to enrich lives and build community through their jazz education programs and community performances. Each performance is free to attend, with the next being July 14 featuring saxophonist Cord Martin.
Jobi Riccio Receives John Prine Songwriter Fellowship Award
Jobi Riccio
Nashville singer-songwriter Jobi Riccio has been named the 2023 recipient of the John Prine Songwriter Fellowship Award, created by the Newport Festivals Foundation in partnership with Prine’s family. Riccio recently announced her debut album Whiplash, which will be out in September, and a string of U.S. tour dates. She will also make her Newport Folk Festival debut next month.
“John Prine was such an integral part of the Newport Folk community. It’s an honor to celebrate his legacy by giving a stage to newer artists who show the sparks of truth and the willingness to embrace all aspects of the human condition in their songwriting. It’s clear Jobi embodies much of this spirit which is why we’ve chosen her as the John Prine Fellowship recipient for this year,” says Newport Folk Festival Executive Producer, Jay Sweet.
“John always loved being around other songwriters. Later in his career, he really went out of his way to spotlight and champion the next generation of writers. It’s a real honor that Newport lets us continue that important part of his legacy. I can’t wait to see Jobi at the Fort!” says Prine’s wife, Fiona.