Ben Hall, Vice President Of Development at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted seven staffers to leadership positions within the museum’s creative, development, education, museum services and facilities, operations and sustainability teams.

Ben Hall has been promoted to Vice President, Development, and joining the museum’s senior staff team are Paul Kingsbury as Senior Director of Editorial and Interpretation, Luke Wiget as Senior Director of Creative, and Leigh Anne Wise as Senior Director of Facilities, Operations and Sustainability.

A 14-year museum veteran, Hall most recently served as Senior Director of Development. He oversees diverse fundraising initiatives consisting of the museum’s annual fund, major gifts program, planned giving, corporate philanthropy and sponsorships, government contributions, membership and special campaigns. He also manages Country Music Hall of Fame member relations. Hall received a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Nashville School of Law.

In his new role, Kingsbury will manage editorial staff and the development of written content for the museum’s website, exhibits, public programs, publications, educational materials and online offerings. He has written extensively about country music, writing or co-authoring Woodstock: Three Days That Rocked the World, The Grand Ole Opry History of Country Music and Hatch Show Print: The History of a Great American Poster Shop. He also served as the Editor-In-Chief for the museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music, and Co-Editor for the museum’s pictorial history Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America. Before his promotion, Kingsbury served as Managing Editor for the museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University.

In Wiget’s new role, he will guide the museum’s creative and project management teams responsible for producing exhibits, books, videos, education materials, marketing collateral and social media content. He joined the museum in 2016 and, prior to his promotion, served as Director of Creative Content. Wiget holds a bachelor’s degree in English from San Jose State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from The New School.

In her new role, Wise will oversee facilities maintenance, building projects, building operations including security, housekeeping and event set up, as well as sustainability initiatives. A 38-year museum veteran, Wise first joined the museum as a tour guide, moving to accounting and then operations. Her most recent position was Executive Director of Operations and Sustainability. A native of Middle Tennessee, Wise attended Middle Tennessee State University and Aquinas College.

In other changes at the museum, Sam Farahmand has also been promoted to Associate Director of Creative Content, Sydney Gilbert has been named Director of Creative Project Management, and Aaron Helvig has been named Associate Director of Music Programs.

Willie Jones and RVSHVD are teaming up for a co-headlining “Sticks And Swamps Tour,” kicking off March 30 in Macon, Georgia. Renee Blair will open on all dates.

The six-date tour will run throughout the southeast, wrapping in Nashville at the Exit/In on April 21. Tickets are on sale Friday (Feb. 17).

Jones most recently released “Them Girls Do,” and is currently writing and recording the follow up to his debut album Right Now, which featured his single “American Dream.” Named one of the 12 Black Artists Shaping Country Music’s Future by USA Today, the rising artist serves as an ambassador for Ford Motor Company and has performed at festivals Stagecoach, CMA Fest, Lollapalooza, and more.

RVSHVD (pronounced Ra-Shad) started making music ten years ago. While listening to rap beats as a young teen, the self-taught R&B singer realized a new talent for songwriting and jumped genres after hearing “Sweet Thing” by Keith Urban. He signed with Penthouse South/Sumerian Records, and has built a following of 1.3 million fans on TikTok and is approaching a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Currently, he has over 100 million streams across all platforms which includes his most recent release “Hit Different.”

Sticks And Swamps Tour:
3/30/23 – Macon, GA – Hargray Capitol Theatre
3/31/23 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
4/1/23 – Tifton, GA – Terminal South
4/6/23 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl at Center Stage
4/7/23 – Rome, GA – Peaches
4/21/23 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In

Jo Dee Messina is hitting the road tomorrow (Feb. 17) on her new “Heads Carolina, Tails California Tour.”

The nationwide tour kicks off in Greensboro, North Carolina and will visit 45+ markets through November with stops in Green Bay, Raleigh, Chicago, Atlantic City, Charlotte, and more. The cross-country trek is an ode to Messina’s debut 1996 platinum smash, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and in tribute to the nostalgic theme, she is using retro artwork from her original photo shoot for tour ads and limited-edition merchandise.

“It seems crazy that we’ve never toured under the ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ banner before. We are so excited to bring people songs that they know, stories we will share and, yes, new music!” shares Messina.

Messina also recently announced that her new album, Heads Carolina, Tails California: The Best of Jo Dee Messina, will be released March 10 on Curb Records. The album features 11 of her timeless hits, including “Bye, Bye,” “I’m Alright,” “Lesson In Leavin,’” ”Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and more, and marks Messina’s first-ever vinyl release.

“Heads Carolina, Tails California Tour” Dates:
Feb. 17 – Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 18 – North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Feb. 23 – Grand Rapids, Mich.
Feb. 24 – Green Bay, Wis.
March 25 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
April 14 – Fort Worth, Texas
April 15 – Georgetown, Texas
April 28 – Wichita, Kan.
April 29 – Fort Smith, Ark.
May 13 – Kansas City, Kan.
May 19 – Doswell, Va.
May 20 – Roanoke, Va.
June 9 – Clinton, Iowa
June 10 – Decatur, Ill.
June 16 – Ashland, Neb.
June 17 – Winsted, Minn.
June 23 – Raleigh – N.C.
June 24 – Virginia Beach, Va.
June 29 – Shipshewana, Ind.
June 30 – Central City, Iowa
July 13 – West Salem, Wis.
July 14 – Chicago, Ill.
July 15 – Pierz, Minn.
July 21 – LaGrange, Ga.
July 22 – Cullman, Ala.
July 28 – Kearney, Neb.
July 29 – Mendon, Ill.
Aug. 3 – Wausau, Wis.
Aug. 4 – Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Aug. 11 – Atlantic City, N.J.
Aug. 12 – West Chester, Ohio
Aug. 19 – Calgary, Alberta
Sept. 7 – Carterville, Ill.
Sept. 9 – Savannah, Tenn.
Sept. 14 – Spencer, Iowa
Sept. 22 – Frederick, Md.
Sept. 23 – Mount Vernon, Ky.
Oct. 7 – Hiawassee, Ga.
Oct. 19 – Greenville, S.C.
Oct. 20 – Kissimmee, Fla.
Oct. 21 – Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 3 – Lubbock, Texas
Nov. 4 – Waco, Texas
Nov. 10 – Phoenix, Ariz.
Nov. 11 – Indio, Calif.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Virginia P. Brick, Aura Guadagno, Taylor Baird, Alyssa Hoffman; (L-R, bottom row): Libby Gardner, Megan Clemens, Mackenzie Adkins, Aya Robinson

The Women’s Music Business Association has announced its 2023 Board of Officers, Organizational Chairs and Board of Directors.

Serving on the 2023 board are President Virginia P. Brick (SESAC), Vice President Aura Guadagno (Varnell Enterprises), Treasurer Taylor Baird (Wiles + Taylor & Co.), Secretary Alyssa Hoffman (Manager of Wayland), Events & Education Co-Chairs Libby Gardner (Academy of Country Music) and Megan Clemons (CSM Management), and Marketing & Membership Co-Chairs Mackenzie Adkins (Rhonda & Company) and Aya Robinson (Opry Entertainment Group).

The WMBA Board of Directors will be led by newly-elected Chairwoman Amery Fridenstine (Above Board Consulting) alongside brand new board members Sheree Spoltore (Global Songwriters Connection), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), and Christy Walker-Watkins (The AristoMedia Group/AristoPR). Brandi Simms (MooTV, Moo Creative & The Steel Mill) will continue in an advisory role as Board of Directors Emeritus, and Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, & Norton LLP) will act as Legal Counsel.

WMBA held its first 2023 meeting to kick off the year on Jan. 24 at SESAC in Nashville. Simms was the featured speaker of the evening and shared her career story, the history of WMBA, and what she sees as the organization’s future.

“It is a privilege to follow in the footprints of those who served before me, and I admire the opportunity to lead this organization with a good balance of head and heart in 2023,” shares WMBA President Virginia Brick. “WMBA has built a culture of empowered women who choose to be bold and brilliant innovative leaders paving their own way in the music industry. My vision this year is to create safe spaces for our women to start conversations, migrate ideas, problem solve, impact through service projects, foster creative collaborations within our community of members and alumni while forging partnerships with other organizations and local businesses that align with WMBA’s mission. It’s going to be a fantastic year.”

Niko Moon Enjoys Triple Platinum “Good Time”

Pictured: Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists surprise Niko Moon with news his debut single “Good Time” earned triple Platinum status. Photo: Corey Miler

Niko Moon recently celebrated his first RIAA triple-Platinum certification for his No. 1 debut single, “Good Time.” Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists presented Moon with the news ahead of his sold-out show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl (Feb. 9).

Moon’s “Ain’t No Better Place Tour” continues this weekend with shows in Missouri and Arkansas.

CMA Hosts Safe Tracks Launch Party

Photo: Courtesy of Safe Tracks

Safe Tracks, a sexual assault prevention bystander intervention training program designed specifically for the music industry, held its official launch party at CMA’s headquarters on Jan. 25. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the bystander intervention training program and grow the Safe Tracks advocate community.

Originally, the Safe Tracks program was the creation of husband-wife duo Haley & Michaels and their two Belmont University interns with the goal of making Nashville the safest place to make music and chase dreams free from sexual harassment and violence. The program was officially adopted by the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) in 2022, and endorsed by the CMA with the support of one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, activist Tarana Burke.

To learn more about Safe Tracks, click here.

Natalie Layne Signs With Centricity Music

Layne also takes a celebratory photo with Centricity Music staff and manager Marcus Rixon

Natalie Layne has signed a worldwide recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music. Layne’s latest independent single, “Love Me Back to Life,” has gained millions of views on socials, where she has 2.8 million likes on her videos. The single follows her 2021 Castles EP and 2020 independent debut Be Human. She has opened for Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin and We the Kingdom, and shared stages at festivals with Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and Crowder.

“I’ve been telling our team for a long time that Natalie was an absolute force of talent and one of the most gifted artists I’ve come across,” says John Mays, Centricity Music’s Senior Vice President, A&R. “At our recent indie artist retreat, we discovered that her level of talent is exceeded only by her heart for God and love for people. We’re fortunate to be able to partner with Natalie and are excited to play our role in getting her music to the world.”

Carter Vintage Guitars To Relocate To Paseo South Gulch

Paseo South Gulch

Nashville guitar store Carter Vintage Guitars has signed a lease for 13,000 square feet encompassing the entire second floor of the revitalized antiques building found within SomeraRoad’s mixed-use district, Paseo South Gulch.

“We’re excited to continue Carter Vintage in the neighborhood where it all began,” shares Ben Montague, CEO of The North American Guitar, which merged with Carter Vintage Guitars in 2022. “Combining the legacy that Walter and Christie Carter built at their legendary location on 8th Avenue with the historic Antiques building next door feels like the perfect match. We want to ensure Carter Vintage remains just as convenient of a stop on 8th Avenue as it always has been, and the additional showroom space will help us to better serve our customers across the globe and the local vintage guitar market that Music City is known and loved for.”

Walter Carter, co-founder of Carter Vintage Guitars, adds, “The historic Antique building has a great vintage vibe, plus the space to accommodate a growing business, which makes it the perfect future home for Carter Vintage Guitars.”

Christie and Walter Carter founded Carter Vintage Guitars in November 2012 with the vision of providing a comfortable place for fine fretted instruments and the people who appreciate them. When the company was founded, both had more than 25 years of experience in the guitar and music industry.

Carly Evans Joins Marathon Music Group

Marathon Music Group’s Carly Evans & Chuck Sweeney at the 2022 Texas Country Music Awards

Carly Evans has joined Marathon Music Group as a booking agent. A veteran radio personality and programmer, Evans has received award nominations from both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association, in addition to capturing the award for Texas Regional Radio Personality of the Year six times. She also carved out a home behind the mic with her podcast, The Troubadour Podcast, which aired on stations in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, South Dakota and Virginia.

Marathon Music Group’s team was also among the nominees for the 2023 Texas Country Music Industry Awards. Owner and CEO Chuck Sweeney is nominated for Artist Manager of the Year and Evans earned a nomination for Texas Country Podcast of the Year for her work alongside Jared “Pete” Gile on The Troubadour Podcast.