Underscore Works has added two team members to its Nashville-based office. Jamie Ernst has come on board as Artist Manager / Director of Marketing and Jordin Wentworth as Associate Manager.

Ernst joins Underscore Works from Average Joes Entertainment, where she held various positions over the past 13 years, including day-to-day management responsibilities for Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Brantley Gilbert and others, as well as marketing efforts for the Average Joes’ label roster. She is a Nashville native and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Ernst brings her long-time client Sister Hazel to Underscore Works’ roster, which also includes Priscilla Block, Dalton Dover, Warren Zeiders, Logan Mize and Dipper.

Wentworth, a New York native, joins the company after holding prior positions as an Office Manager for attorney Bruce Phillips and Project Manager at Clearbox Rights, where she primarily worked with the catalog of music publisher Mojo Music and Media. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo.

“Jamie and Jordin have hit the ground running, providing a great level of service to the Underscore Works roster,” says Charly Salvatore, Founder of Underscore Works. “As the company’s first employees, they have set the bar high and helped define a team-first culture.”

Kane & Katelyn Brown Celebrate Chart-Topping Success Of “Thank God”

Kane Brown and wife Katelyn celebrated their No. 1 multi-Platinum selling hit, “Thank God” with songwriters, industry members, friends and family at the Brown’s home in Nashville on June 21. The CMT award-winning duet marks the ninth No. 1 single for Kane, and Katelyn’s first chart-topper.

 

Morgan Wade’s “Wilder Days” Shines With Gold Certification At Dave & Buster’s Celebration

Morgan Wade‘sdebut single “Wilder Days” has been certified Gold. Wade was surprised with the news at Dave & Buster’s last week. Executives and staff from Sony Music Nashville and WME, plus members of Wade’s band and road team, joined her at the celebration ahead of her debut performance at Bonnaroo.

Wade recently announced her new album Psychopath will be released Aug. 25.

 

SESAC Takes Over The Bluebird Cafe

SESAC’s monthly songwriter series at the Bluebird Cafe took place on Tuesday (June 20). This extra special round included hit after hit from Jordan Harvey, Allison Veltz Cruz and Michael Whitworth.

Additionally, Harvey brought in friends and collaborators including Seaforth, Andy Albert (ASCAP), and James McNair (BMI), who each performed a special guest song throughout the evening.

 

Jim Mayo Receives Doctor Of Business Admin Degree From Trevecca

Veteran tour manager Jim Mayo (Josh Turner, Jo Dee Messina, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery) has been awarded a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.

While recovering from serious injuries sustained in the Josh Turner crew bus crash in September 2019, Mayo continued his studies in between physical therapy sessions needed for him to relearn to walk and perform basic functions.

“All of the credit for my recovery and this degree goes to my lovely wife Catherine Mayo and daughters Lauren, Megan, and Adrianne. I will never be back to normal, but I continue to heal and recover,” he shares.

 

Randall Fowler Inks With Reviver Entertainment & Clay Myers

Randall Fowler has signed an exclusive publishing and recording agreement with Reviver Entertainment in partnership with Nashville industry veteran Clay Myers. Reviver Records recently released Fowler’s first song on the label, “Other Side Of A Heartbreak,” which he co-wrote with songwriter Clay Mills.

 

Five Times August Signs With Baste Records

Five Times August has signed a record deal with Music Row-based Baste Records. The brainchild of singer-songwriter Brad Skistimas, Five Times August has joined forces on the new single, “Ain’t No Rock and Roll” with former Offspring drummer Pete Parada.

“We are thrilled to welcome Five Times August to the Baste Records family,” says Matthew Azrieli, CEO at Baste Records. “Brad Skistimas has a unique ability to craft music that reflects today’s societal issues that resonates deeply with listeners, and we are honored to support and amplify his artistic vision. We believe that this partnership will lead to extraordinary musical experiences and open up new horizons for Five Times August.”

Nashville songwriter Emily Shackelton, whose credits include “What He Didn’t Do” and “Every Little Thing,” spoke on behalf of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) today (June 21) in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.

Shackelton is also a member of NSAI’s Board of Directors. At the hearing, she addressed Chairman Darrell Edward Issa and Henry C. “Hank” Johnson. Read her full statement below.

Thank you, Chairman Issa and ranking member Johnson.

My name is Emily Shackelton, and I am proud to sit on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Songwriters Assn. International, or NSAI, along with 26 more world-class songwriters who guide the organization.

With 100 global chapters, NSAI was founded in 1967. Our first advocacy effort was to get songwriters’ names on records. In recent years we’ve adopted the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act, were instrumental in the creation and adoption of the Music Modernization Act and the Mechanical Licensing Collective, and were participants in several Copyright Royalty Board proceedings — including Phonorecord III and IV — which will produce billions in new mechanical royalties over the next five years. We also own and operate Nashville’s iconic music venue, The Bluebird Cafe.

As a professional songwriter hailing from the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota, my income depends on getting an artist to not only record my song, but also make it a hit radio single. I do not share in their ticket, merchandise or brand revenues. Most of the writers who came before me made much of their income on album cuts, a source of royalty revenue that’s almost meaningless in a world of streaming. I worry about the generation of writers who follow me. So, I am glad the IP Subcommittee is paying attention to the music industry and to American songwriters.

On my way to DC, a soldier asked about my guitar. I explained what I do, and admitted it felt pretty insignificant compared to her sacrifice. She smiled and told me country music is what got her through both her tours of duty overseas away from her babies. I am so grateful I get to write songs that have the power to resonate with people no matter what they’re going through. And I’m grateful for your partnership. Please remember NSAI’s motto as you navigate the evolving music landscape: “It All Begins With A Song.”

Thank you.