Music Biz 2023 is officially wrapped and in the books, following several days of informative panels, sessions and music programming at the JW Marriott Nashville.

Day One featured conversations with songwriter Jenna Andrews and executives from Primary Wave Music, Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), Universal Music, Billboard, and BMAC, who revealed their “Music Industry Action Report Card.” Day One also featured the tracks “#NEXTGEN_NOW;” “Today’s Rage, Tomorrow’s Challenges: Industry Trends & Their Impacts;” “Unlocking New Revenue Streams For Music Publishers;” “Backstage Pass: Analyzing Live Music’s Future” and “Competing For Eyeballs: The +/– Of Short-Form Videos.”

Day Two kicked off with a “Breathwork & Meditation” event with Brandon Holman of Guin Records, followed by a “Record Store Day Town Hall” where attendees got to hear the impact that Record Store Day has had on the industry over the years and celebrate the accomplishments of the most recent RSD events. Nashville Queen obSINity then hosted this year’s Music Biz 2023 brunch featuring Music Biz President Portia Sabin, Keychange’s Andréa DaSilva, TuneCore’s Andreea Gleeson and performances by Tanerélle and San Cha.

Following the brunch, Tuesday afternoon was packed with breakout sessions. JKBX’s Whitney-Gayle Benta and SoundRoyalties’ Alex Heiche headlined the “I Want My Money: Royalty Payments, Catalog Acquisitions & Other Revenue Opportunities” program. SACEM’S Stephane Emeret and Julien Dumon spoke with Thomas Maxwell of IDOL and Abby North of North Music Group for “What Roles Are There For Labels, Publishers & CMOs in the Metaverse?” GoodCopBadCop’s Robby Towns hosted a fireside chat with artist Dave Curry, Michelle Munson of Eluvio, and Nick Osborne of Capital Music Group.

MusicWatch’s Russ Crupnick sat down with Jen Agosta of Discogs and Karlyn King to dissect “Understanding The Modern Record Collector.” Bryn Boughton of Feed.media and Kevin Casini of RME hosted the two-part “Power Of The Indies” session covering the growing independent music market. Tuesday’s keynote session featured Sabin sitting down with Kobalt’s Willard Ahdritz, as well as “Music By The Numbers: A Quantitative Look at the Industry in 2023 So Far,” presented by Rob Jonas of Luminate.

Music Biz 2023 completed its third full day of programming on May 17. Highlights included the tracks “Syncs & Samples: The Ins & Outs of Music Clearances,” DEI programming, “Physical Music Industry,” “Spin Fraud,” DSP workshops, and the ever-popular “Metadata Summit.” Music Biz 2023 ended the day with their second annual Bizzy Awards. Highlighted panels included conversations with leading voices on licensing for Web3 and podcasts, a sampling panel with David Porter and Prince Paul, a conversation between the RIAA and YouTube, and other sessions on topics such as metadata integration and spin fraud.

The final day of Music Biz included a 60-minute session with TIDAL, called “Maximize Your Music Career: TIDAL’s Innovative Approach to Artist Growth and Development,” as well as several other informative panels. For the closing Music Biz 2023 keynote interview, indie singer-songwriter LU KALA, Prescription Songs/Amigo Records’ Jillian Rutstein and TikTok’s Tracy Gardner joined Sabin for “Music Biz LIVE: Leveling the Playing Field of Music Discovery on TikTok.”

Country music hit-maker, author and Army veteran Craig Morgan will launch his headlining “God, Family, Country Tour 2023,” in partnership with Operation Finally Home. Kicking off Sept. 20 in Englewood, NJ, Morgan and special guests The Reeves Brothers will play 13 theater and auditorium dates through the end of October. Tickets and VIP experience packages are on sale beginning this Thursday, May 25.

Following his sold-out tour stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last year, Morgan is excited to bring his fan-favorite “God, Family, Country Tour 2023” back out on the road this fall. With new music anticipated later this year, the Grand Ole Opry member will introduce new tunes to his set, in addition to hits such as “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester” and more.

“I cannot wait to bring the GFC tour back out again this year and share our music with the greatest fans in the world,” says Morgan. “It was truly special performing in intimate venues last year and we just enjoyed it too much to not do another run.”

On Monday, May 29 the Army veteran will perform during the National Memorial Day Parade—the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. His performance will honor and salute the men and women who have sacrificed in service to America. In addition to the live, in-person experience in Washington, D.C., the parade’s television special will be broadcast.

CRAIG MORGAN’S “GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY TOUR 2023”
In Partnership With Operation Finally Home*
9/20 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
9/21 – Rutland, VT – Paramount Theatre
9/22 – Concord, NH – Chubb Theatre
9/23 – Tysons, VA – Capital One Hall
9/24 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
10/12 – Tyler, TX – UT Tyler Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center**
10/15 – Orange, TX – Lutcher Theater**
10/19 – Effingham, IL – Effingham Performance Center
10/20 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
10/21 – Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Theater
10/22 – Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center
10/26 – Auburn, AL – Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center**
10/27 – Henderson, TN – Williams Auditorium
*Dates subject to change, please check  for the latest information.
**These shows will go on sale at a later date. Please check the venue website for specific dates.

Reservoir has signed outlaw country singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen to a publishing deal through its joint venture with One Riot.

The deal includes his full catalog, including the recent single “Rain On My Mind” with Diplo featuring Cauthen and Sierra Ferrell, as well as Cauthen’s single “Hometeam,” plus future works.

Known for his outlaw country gospel-infused style, Cauthen’s voice earned him the nickname “Big Velvet,” taken from a song title on his album Room 41. He launched his music career as one half of the Americana indie folk-rock duo Sons of Fathers with David Beck, releasing a self-titled album in 2011, followed by Burning Days in 2013.

Cauthen went on to focus on his solo career and released his debut album, My Gospel, in 2016. In 2018, Cauthen released an EP entitled Have Mercy and made his Grand Ole Opry debut. He released two additional solo albums, Room 41 (2019) and Country Coming Down (2022), with Room 41 reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Heatseeker Albums chart.

“Paul’s firecracker talent, deeply soulful voice, and exceptional storytelling all contribute something really refreshing to modern country music and to our Reservoir/One Riot family,” says Reservoir Executive Vice President John Ozier. “We look forward to helping share his unique music with audiences everywhere.”

One Riot President Amy Patton adds, “Paul is a magnetic writer and performer who is disrupting and reshaping the country genre. He can break your heart in one moment and take you to the party with the next. He’s a trailblazer and a showman, and we could not be more grateful and excited to be on this journey with him.”

“I’m very excited to be partnering with One Riot Music and Reservoir,” says Cauthen. “From the first meetings it was clear that we share the same vision of putting creativity above everything else.”

A Song & A Prayer, a new collection of inspirational devotions co-authored by Loretta Lynn just before her passing, will be released on May 23 from Worthy Books.

Lynn’s final offering is a collection of prayers combined with song lyrics inspired by her songwriting sessions with fellow hit songwriter and co-author, ordained minister Dr. Kim McLean. McLean is a Dove award-winning singer-songwriter who has had songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack and others. Through A Song & A Prayer, readers of all faiths and walks of life will have the opportunity to bask in a month’s worth of spiritual encouragement from Lynn’s own resilient faith.

“Originally slated to come out in December, mom worked all summer to complete this book. It was so important to her because she had never devoted an entire book to her faith. Mom was always open about her faith but it was a deeply personal matter to her, one in which we knew at the core was the most important thing in her life. Her passing has made this project all the more special to us and we know her fans will feel the same way,” says Lynn’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell.

“My writing sessions with Loretta were inspired by our friendship and faith,” says McLean. “She always told me we need to ‘write it the way we say it,’ and these are the things she felt were important to say. It is a capstone project, and a culmination of her wholehearted, unapologetic love of God, of people, and of life. We were similar in many ways and connected on a soul level, but her fans know that’s the only way Loretta ever connected – heart to heart. We laughed all the time when we wrote, sometimes argued, then laughed again. This book came about so naturally. Loretta said this project was special to her, and I’m honored to be her collaborator and friend. She was such an inspiration.”

Morris Higham Management has signed Grammy-winning duo Dailey & Vincent.

The Grand Ole Opry members have toured across the globe and played iconic stages including the Ryman Auditorium and Carnegie Hall, sharing their love of bluegrass and country across the Southeast with their own Dailey & Vincent’s American Made Music Festivals.

Dailey & Vincent’s most recent live CD, Dailey & Vincent Alive, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and remained at the top position for over 15 weeks. The pair’s first-ever Christmas album, Dailey & Vincent: The Sounds of Christmas debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Holiday Chart, the only country, bluegrass and gospel act in the Top Ten. In 2022 they released Let’s Sing Some Country on BMG Nashville, and are currently on season six of their national television series, The Dailey & Vincent Show on RFD TV.

“The first thing we look for when signing an artist is the quality of the music. When I heard ‘Let’s Sing Some Country,’ I knew we wanted to work with Jamie and Darrin,” says Morris Higham’s Clint Higham. “Great songs, great voices and world-class musicians. The team and I are really excited to be working with Dailey & Vincent as they begin the next chapter of their award-winning career.”

“We are beyond excited to sign with Morris Higham Management. We are looking forward to working with our new managers Clint Higham, Robert Filhart and the entire team as we move forward into the future with these incredible people and professionals,” says Dailey & Vincent.