Pictured (L-R, back row): Tom Luteran, Kenley Flynn, Aubrey Rupe, Synnovea Halsel and Dale Bobo. (L-R, front row): Josh Van Valkenburg, Lindsay Rimes and Rusty Gaston.

Lindsay Rimes has renewed his worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

A native of Surry Hills, Australia, Rimes’ songs have been recorded by Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Phillip Phillips, Dylan Scott, LoCash, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Rich, Canaan Smith and The Shires. He co-penned Kane Brown‘s quadruple Platinum single “Heaven,” which reached No.1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart and collected over a billion total streams.

Rimes has had success across other genres as well, with contributions on Troye Sivan‘s 2014 EP TRXYE, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as Kylie Minogue‘s 2018 album Golden, which entered the charts at No. 1 in the U.K and Australia.

Rimes recently co-wrote and produced Nate Smith’s “Whiskey on You,” which scored two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

“Lindsay’s star has been steadily rising over the last few years, and it’s been amazing to watch him succeed and grow creatively beyond genres,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville EVP, Creative Josh Van Valkenburg. “He’s a very important member of our Sony team, and we are elated to continue our partnership with him.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about continuing my journey with the Sony family,” says Rimes. “I consider Josh and Rusty and the whole team to be simply the best at what they do.”

Rissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles

American Masters and Firelight Media announced the second season of the documentary short series In the Making. The premiere episode will feature Grammy-nominated country artist and radio host, Rissi Palmer.

The new season focuses on nine artists across a variety of disciplines, whose work explores and influences American culture. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Audra McDonald will host the broadcast premiere of American Masters: In the Making, and the documentary short film, Rissi Palmer: Still Here.

Palmer is one of only five African American women to ever hit the Billboard charts in the history of country music. In 2007, Palmer became the first Black woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987. She has dealt with obstacles in pursuing her career yet continues to create a spotlight for herself, other Black women, and women of color.

“No one becomes an ‘American Master’ overnight, and the idea behind In the Making is to take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists who are on their way to becoming masters in their field,” says Michael Kantor, Executive Producer for American Masters.

In Rissi Palmer: Still Here, director Dilsey Davis focuses on Palmer’s work on her upcoming new album while managing her family life and one of her busiest professional years in a decade. She hosts her own radio show, Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, on Apple Music Country. It is part of her work to change beliefs about people of color’s present and past involvements in country music.

In addition, Palmer has released three critically acclaimed albums independently. She also garnered two Grammy nominations in the Best Children’s Music Album category. Palmer is also Governor of the Recording Academy Nashville chapter and correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 countdown.

Rissi Palmer: Still Here premieres Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m. est / 8 p.m. cst on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS App. The film is a production of Firelight Media and Café con Leche Media, in association with American Masters Pictures and Black Public Media.

John Esposito. Photo: Eric Brown

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research has named Warner Music Nashville Chairman Emeritus John “Espo” Esposito the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the organization, according to Billboard.

The announcement comes as the organization continues to rebuild following the embezzlement scandal concerning former Executive VP & GM Melissa Goodwin, who was found to have embezzled four million dollars from the music industry charity.

Esposito’s initial term will be for two years. He succeeds Universal Music Group General Counsel and Executive VP Jeffrey Harleston, who will now serve as Executive Chairman. Esposito, who departed his role as Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville at the end of 2022, has served as a T.J. Martell Foundation trustee since 2006, but has supported the organization since 1997.

“We got the double whammy of the COVID pandemic and somebody being a bad actor,” says Esposito to Billboard. “I felt qualified with my knowledge of the organization and passion for them to do what I could to help get us back on track.”

Esposito and T. J. Martell CEO Lynn-Anne Huck noted that safeguards have been put in place, including a 28-page policies and procedures manual for financial transactions, to ensure more transparency in the future. “If you go to our website, you’re going to find more information than almost any other nonprofit. We are absolutely transparent with everything,” Huck tells Billboard.

The organization has also reported they are cutting down on the number of events held each year and are considering creating marathon teams to raise money for T.J. Martell, as well as increasing planned giving by individuals and estates in addition to increasing branding and sponsorship possibilities. By relying less on staffed events, Esposito and Huck hope to keep personnel numbers lower. In 2019, T.J. Martell had 25 full-time employees, but is now down to only three. They will reportedly hire more staffers as needed.

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by record executive Tony Martell in 1975 following the death of his son, T.J., from leukemia. the foundation holds multiple annual charity events and campaigns with the music communities in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami and more. They have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants and helped secure more than one billion dollars in research funding.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston and Relative Music Group’s Caroline Bouldin. (L-R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy and Relative Music Group’s Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Sarah Kohrt

Relative Music Group has signed songwriter Smith Ahnquist in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

With a focus on publishing and artist development, Relative Music Group represents an array of songwriters, including Michael Hardy who is also a partner in the company.

Originally from Danville, Kentucky, Ahnquist moved to Nashville in 2006 and earned a degree in music business from Belmont University. He has since garnered cuts with artists such as Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Hardy, Jameson Rogers, Justin Moore, Lainey Wilson and Matt Stell.

“I’ve always thought Smith was a great writer, and an even greater person. His attitude and presence in the room is so positive and contagious. I’ve been writing with him for years and have truly written some of my favorite songs with him. We have big plans for Smith and can’t wait to see the run he’s going to have in the future!,” shares Hardy.

“I’m so excited to be partnering with Relative Music. I’ve always admired their ability to make sure songs get heard. I’m looking forward to joining their close knit team,” says Ahnquist.