Toby Keith has acquired bait and tackle brand Luck E Strike.

Endorsed by National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famer Jimmy Houston and operated by sporting goods industry vets Jeff Williams (General Manager) and Todd Hempen (Operations Manager), the company is relaunching this summer with a new focus on its traditional American made division in Greenwood, Arkansas, while maintaining the current assortments sold nationwide, as well as a new slogan: “An American Original Since 1970.”

“They’ve got a lot of history,” Keith says. “It’s actually one of the earliest fishing brands that is universally stocked in national retailers. This team is so good and the brand and product speak for themselves. Through the years Luck E Strike has sold hundreds of SKUs nationally at major retailers. Unfortunately, that business has dwindled some but we’re going to build that back up, add some rod-and-reel combos, apparel, fishing tools, and tackle systems. We will put this brand back at the level it deserves.”

In the bass fishing world Luck E Strike is well known for tackle kits, hand-crafted crank baits and its Redman Spinner Bait. The latter was designed by Houston, who used it successfully for decades and led to his two 1st Place Finishes at the Bassmaster Classic. Trading in its prior yellow and black packaging, the Redman Spinner will be the first lure to lead the company’s new red, white and blue packaged product line in the coming months.

Houston, the host of the 46-year running Jimmy Houston Outdoors television show, is the company’s biggest brand ambassador.

“In addition to being one of the best singers and songwriters, Toby Keith is an incredible patriot,” Houston said. “Tying those two together in an American lure company known for making outstanding bass and crappie lures at great prices is so exciting. As his friend, I’m happy seeing the fire in his eyes over this company. It’s a big deal for the fishing industry as a whole to have him involved and bringing this brand back to where it ought to be.”

Singer-songwriter Jay Allen has signed with ONErpm Nashville.

ONErpm will also handle distribution for Allen’s new music, including his next single, “Jello Shot,” co-written with his longtime producer Micah Wilshire and Cory Batten. The rowdy single will be released June 16 on all platforms, followed by a video premiering June 30.

The Iowa native and former Voice contestant has recently been featured on ABC’s World News Tonight, PeopleTV, and in People and Forbes magazines, among others. He was selected as a Highway Find on Sirius XM in 2017 with his song “Sounds Good to Me,” and won the 2022 Country Now Award as Favorite Competition Contestant.

Allen was also presented with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiving Award in 2019. After seeing his mother suffer from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s, Allen wrote the moving tribute, “Blank Stares.” A video of him performing the song with his mother went viral, with over 500 million views. His mother has since passed, but Allen continues to tour the country as an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, and the song has gone on to raise over $100 million to help fight the disease.

“After years of fighting against Alzheimer’s, I feel like it’s finally time to start having fun, and I believe it’s what my mother would want as well,” he says. “It’s awesome how God works and connects you with the right people at the right time. Emmanuel Zunz and Tim Wipperman are like big brothers to me, along with the rest of the talented and hard-working team.” Allen adds enthusiastically, “This is going to be a blast, and I’m pumped to show everyone what we’ve been working on.”

“Jay Allen is one of the most driven, focused and versatile talents we’ve signed,” says Wipperman, Managing Director of ONErpm Nashville. “He has that rare capability to believably sing a tender ballad about his mom, then switch to a rockin’, bootie-shaking dance song and kick butt. We’re stoked to have him.”

Allen is performing with a full band on Sunday, June 11, at 6 p.m. on the Hard Rock stage during CMA Music Fest week in Nashville.

Tenille Townes Releases ‘Train Track Worktapes’ Documentary 

Tenille Townes celebrated the premiere of Train Track Worktapes: The Documentary on Monday (May 21) with team members from Sony Music Nashville, WME and ShopKeeper Management at the WME Nashville office. The documentary recounts the writing and recording of Train Track Worktapes, Townes’ recently released five-song project. She created the EP during a 15-day charity train trip across southern Canada in the winter of 2022.

Jordyn Shellhart Celebrates Debut Album ‘Primose’

Jordyn Shellhart shared a toast to her debut album, Primrose, with Warner Music Nashville and the Center of Excellence following a Nashville “Day of Service “on Friday (May 19).

Keith Anderson Inks Exclusive Deal With Kinkead Entertainment

Award-winning artist Keith Anderson has signed with Nashville-based agency Kinkead Entertainment for exclusive booking representation.

Anderson, who is currently touring throughout North America, is known for “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” “I Still Miss You,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name” and more. Notably, he co-wrote the No. 1 single, “Lost In This Moment,” for Big & Rich as well as the Grammy-nominated “Beer Run” for Garth Brooks and George Jones.

Anderson is managed exclusively by The Holland Group.

William Clark Green Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

William Clark Green recently achieved a career milestone by making his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.

Green’s performance included the song “Anymore” from Baker Hotel, which hit No. 1 on Texas country radio just four days before his debut. He also featured “My Mother,” from his 2018 album Herbert Island, in a Mothers’ Day tribute to his mother and his wife, who attended with their 10-month-old son.

The Flint, Texas native emerged from Lubbock’s college bar scene and has carved out his own space with underdog anthems featuring witty, vivid characters. Green recently announced summer tour dates, and plans to announce his fall tour soon.

WMG Donates 300 Volunteer Hours Around Nashville 

More than 100 employees from Warner Music Nashville, Warner Chappell Music, Warner Chappell Production Music and Warner Music Group’s Center of Excellence for U.S. Shared Services served the local community on Friday (May 19) during the third annual Nashville “Day of Service.”

The six service projects, coordinated alongside Hands On Nashville, addressed impact areas such as the environment, education, health and wellness, hunger and homelessness as well as crisis intervention. Nonprofit partners included Friends of Shelby Park, Room in the Inn, Monroe Harding, Sexual Assault Center, Project C.U.R.E. and Strings For Hope.

Employees congregated at the Warner Music Nashville office on Music Row after volunteering over 300 hours to share their experiences over lunch, including specialty beverages from Nash Taps.

Charley Crockett Performs For CMHOF Exclusive Event

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a special evening performance featuring acclaimed recording artist Charley Crockett as a thanks to its Honor Society members. Crockett is currently featured as part of the museum’s annual exhibition, “American Currents: State of the Music,” which explores significant music and events that helped shape the previous year in country music.

Members of the Honor Society consist of donors who give a thousand dollars or more annually to the museum, providing meaningful support for the museum’s award-winning exhibits, education programs and the preservation of the museum collection. These members also receive exclusive invitations to events including the annual induction ceremony for the new Hall of Fame class.

Nashville’s fourth annual “Hometown to Hometown” event from Save The Music and SongFarm.org is set for Monday, June 5 at City Winery.

This year’s event will honor CMT’s Leslie Fram, Mickey Guyton and Trisha Yearwood for their contributions to the music industry and their passion for music education.

Hosted by CMT Hot 20 Countdown’s Cody Alan and Rissi Palmer, the annual fundraiser will feature special acoustic performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Madeline Edwards, Caylee Hammack, Karyn Rochelle, Leslie Satcher and Brittney Spencer, with appearances by Tracy Gershon (President, TG Management & Consultants; Co-Founder, Northern Light Music), Cindy Mabe (Chair & CEO, Universal Music Group Nashville), Melinda Newman (Executive Editor, West Coast & Nashville, Billboard), and Julie Williams (Artist, CMT Next Women of Country and Black Opry).

All funds raised from this year’s “Hometown to Hometown” event will support music technology programs in under-resourced high schools in Nashville, Georgia and Texas, helping impact the lives of thousands of students.

“Since Save The Music first teamed up with Ross Copperman and SongFarm.org in 2019, the Nashville songwriter community has funded nine music education programs through this annual event, reaching thousands of students from North Carolina to Nashville to Texas to Washington State. This year’s event is going to be the biggest and best ever as we celebrate an all-female roster of songwriters, executives and artists.  We’re incredibly grateful to Leslie, Mickey, Trisha and all of this year’s performers for empowering young people to reach their full potential through the power of making music,” says Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music.

For the past 25 years, Save The Music has donated over $70 million in instruments and music technology equipment to over 2,500 public schools nationwide. With the support of sponsors and donors, including CMT, Gibson Gives, MAXISIQ and MTV Entertainment Studios, “Hometown to Hometown” continues to make a significant impact on music education in the area.