Tim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein

Tim McGraw has launched Down Home, a new entertainment, media and marketing company headquartered in Nashville.

The company is a collaborative effort between McGraw, his management firm EM.Co, and social content studio Shareability. Tim Staples, Shareability Founder and Down Home Co-Founder, has been named CEO, while EM.Co’s Brian Kaplan, also a Co-Founder, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer.

Down Home will be dedicated to connecting McGraw’s country music audience with Hollywood and brands by producing film, television and digital media focusing on relatable stories that capture the essence and spirit of everyday Americans. The new venture closed an investment and a first-look deal with David Ellison’s Skydance Media to develop film and television projects with the new company as well as channel IP and other material. Ellison will also serve on the Down Home board.

“Country music has always been about storytelling,” says McGraw. “Our stories are honest vignettes of life and family and community. I think there’s a longing for that. For me, that’s Down Home. That’s how I grew up, those are the stories I like to tell, and that’s what I want our company to be about.”

“Tim McGraw is an outstanding artist and entertainer,” says Ellison. “He is truly gifted at telling stories across mediums that deeply connect with the audience and has built an unmatched community of fans around the world. We are thrilled to partner with him, Tim Staples, Brian Kaplan and everyone at Down Home as they have created a dedicated infrastructure to tell stories across film, TV and music, to fulfill a massive demand for authentic, inspiring stories.”

“From 1883 to Friday Night Lights, or songs like ‘Humble and Kind’, Tim McGraw knows how to connect with this audience in a way that can be really powerful for both Hollywood and brands,” adds Staples.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the next chapter in Nashville’s evolution, empowering artists and visionaries to create a new hub for storytelling that combines talent, passion and innovation,” says Kaplan.

Down Home has two scripted series in development with Skydance, with plans for features and animation to follow. The company also plans to establish a social content studio to nurture Nashville’s emerging talent, fostering connections across music, sports, entertainment and brands.

WME has announced the acquisition of Nashville-based music agency Red 11 Music. As part of the transaction, Red 11 Music and their Founder & CEO Jon Folk will officially join WME as Partner. Red 11 agents, staff and clients will now operate under WME.

In just over a decade, Red 11 Music has grown a renowned roster of clients in the Americana genre, including Turnpike Troubadours, Shooter Jennings, Muscadine Bloodline, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and many others.

“We have long-admired Jon and the business he has built with Red 11. Jon and his team have a proven track record of success, and we look forward to working with them to grow the Americana genre even further,” says WME’s Nashville office Co-Heads Becky Gardenhire, Joey Lee and Jay Williams. “We are excited to welcome Red 11’s clients to WME and connect them to our portfolio of industry best assets and capabilities.”

“We’re thrilled to be joining WME and the incredible resources and expertise they bring to the table,” shares Folk. “Our clients can expect even greater levels of service and opportunity in this exciting new chapter.”

Five current Red 11 employees will be joining Folk in the transition to WME, including agent Geoff Turner, coordinators Josh Green, Dan Kuklinski and Jeremy Upton, and agent assistant Lindsey Wines.

2022 Music Accelerator Program at the National Museum of African American Music with RIAA certifications.

Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), Nashville Music Equality, The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Wasserman Music have announced the second annual installment of their Maymester Music Accelerator Program.

Powered by Amazon Music, the program offers Black college students in Tennessee access to music industry leadership, mentorship and career resources. Over the course of three weeks, students will learn about a range of entertainment business aspects from touring and marketing to publishing and public relations.

Confirmed guest artists and speakers include Waka Flocka Flame, Madeline Edwards, Tim Gent, Bryant Taylorr and executives from AEG/Goldenvoice, Live Nation, National Museum of African American Music, Rolling Loud, Tri Star, Warner Music Nashville, Wasserman Music, WNXP and more.

This year’s program expands to include not only Tennessee State University (TSU), but also neighboring Fisk University—the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville and highly ranked historically Black university. BMAC will once again bring in successful executives and artists in the music industry to guest lecture throughout the program. This installment will be sponsored by Primary Wave’s BMAC-James Brown Education Fund. At BMAC’s Music In Action Awards Gala, it was announced that the fund will cover the costs for 30 students to take this elective class for free.

The first Maymester Music Accelerator Program in 2022 placed students in internships across multiple companies, including Wasserman Music, Warner Music Nashville and LVRN. The last class was held at the National Museum of African American Music, where each student was surprised with their very own gold plaque from the RIAA.

“Tennessee State University is fortunate to have these music-related companies participating in our Maymester course. They bring deep content and wide contacts. From the beginning of this partnership, we identified a mutual goal, which is to provide real-world opportunities for students who otherwise might be under-represented in the music industry,” says Dr. Mark Crawford, TSU Commercial Music Program Coordinator.

BMAC Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, says of this year’s program, “While many have put the down the protest signs and lower the urgency around racial and social justice, Black Music Action Coalition is doubling down on our commitment to creating sustainable pipeline programs and providing real access for the next generation of music executives and artists, that have historically been denied access to the level of exposure and training that our music accelerator program provides. We were intentional about Tennessee State University being the hub for this program and with Nashville being such an important part of the music industry, it’s imperative that we are building programs like this right here down the street from Music Row. This year we expanded the music accelerator program to include Fisk University and the goal is to eventually have students from all 107 HBCUs to participate in this program annually.”

“What the Black Music Action Coalition is doing to bridge the racial gap in the music business is invaluable work,” says Gary Bushrod, Amazon Music Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “As an HBCU graduate myself, I am extremely proud and energized by what the Music Accelerator Program is creating for students at Tennessee State and Fisk University.”

Pictured (L-R): Ryman Hospitality Properties’ Colin Reed and Rozene and Dion Pride pose with Charley Pride statue. Photo: Catherine Powell

The Charley Pride statue was unveiled on the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk yesterday (April 13), with Pride’s beloved wife of over 60 years Rozene and son Dion Pride on hand for the special day.

The bronze likeness was added to the permanent outdoor exhibition on the venue grounds and was created by artist Ben Watts, the talent behind the existing three statues. Visitors can find Pride standing at the northwest corner of the building near the driveway on Fifth Avenue next to the statues of Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe. A likeness of Little Jimmy Dickens stands atop the Ryman’s main steps facing Fourth Avenue as well.

“Charley Pride broke barriers and defied stereotypes, becoming one of the most successful and beloved country music artists of all time,” said Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman, at the unveiling. “The Ryman Icon Walk honors not only his contributions and the groundwork he laid for countless other artists in country music, but also to the Ryman, where he performed many times throughout his career. Charley’s influence will always be felt throughout the entire Nashville community, and his addition to the Ryman Icon Walk is our way of paying tribute to his incredible talent and enduring legacy.”

“He has often been called the Jackie Robinson of country music,” Rozene shared with the crowd. “The only difference was Jackie Robinson was picked for the role. Pride picked country music because he loved it and that was his life.”

“He loved his fans – in fact, his fans drove him,” added Dion. “All of you drove him. You are the reason why he was the success he was. Everything he did was for you.”

St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville has announced the musical guests scheduled to appear during the upcoming 2023 race week festivities. From the Health & Fitness Expo, along the course and to the race finish line at Nissan Stadium, the lineup will showcase all forms of music for the participants, guests and spectators to celebrate race week in Music City, taking place April 22-23 with registration still available.

More music and running are woven throughout the fabric of Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville as the event will showcase some of the finest singer-songwriters throughout the weekend. Earlier this year, Runaway June was confirmed as the 2023 Encore Entertainment for the post-race concert on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the finish line near Victory Way outside of Nissan Stadium.

Nashville has long been a favorite stop on the running series tour, welcoming global visitors amidst a strong hometown contingent who know how to have a good time. Participants will experience everything that Music City has to offer, including a legendary running tour of Nashville’s most famous locations such as Broadway, Music Row, The Gulch, 12 South, Nissan Stadium, and much more.

In addition, PGMG recording artists Greg Pratt and Angie Rey will add their country talents to the post-race Encore Entertainment festivities. Pratt and his band will perform from 7:30 until 10:30 a.m, and Rey and her band will take the stage from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Rey will also sing the National Anthem at both start lines on race day with the 5K/10K at 6:25 a.m. and the marathon and half marathon at 7:15 a.m.

The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock Running Series Nashville Health & Fitness Expo will be held at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium and the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Special performances by Music City talents such as Jillian Cardarelli, Golden West, Lance Carpenter, Joe Noto, and Adam Warner will highlight the music stage at the free and open-to-the-public expo on Thursday, April 20 as well as Friday, April 21.