Corey Kent Hit “Wild As Her” Certified Platinum

Corey Kent recently celebrated his single “Wild As Her” reaching an RIAA Platinum certification with his teams from Sony Music Nashville, Triple 8 Management, and Combustion Music. Kent released “Wild As Her” on March 4, 2022, shortly before signing with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Imprint.

For his rock-infused country sound, Kent draws inspiration from The Eagles, Keith Richards, Turnpike Troubadours and more. He has two albums out now—From The West LP and ‘21—both released via Combustion Music. With headlining and festival credits logged, Kent has been the supporting act for artists including Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Chase Rice, and more over the years.

 

Nashville Briefing Celebrates 30 Under 30 Honorees

The Nashville Briefing held its 30 Under 30 Celebration for some of the most powerful people in Nashville under age 30. Attendees ranging from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to successful young artists and executives joined the party at The 8th Room on Feb. 15. The music industry newsletter, in its third year of publication, presented this night alongside Stem.

“Last week we gathered many leaders in Nashville’s music industry to celebrate the next generation in the business, shine a spotlight on them and build community,” says Zak Kuhn, founder & CEO of The Nashville Briefing. “Three years in, being included on our 30 UNDER 30 list has already had so many benefits from networking, to creating new opportunities, to being more visible in the industry. We’ve built a community of honorees that […] continue supporting each other’s careers. I also want to thank Stem for all they are doing in Nashville and for being an amazing partner to the next generation.”

Some notable attendees included John Oates (Hall & Oates), Judah Akers (Judah & The Lion), Yelawolf, Copeland Isaacson (Head of Artist Partnerships – YouTube Nashville), Blake McDaniel (Agent, CAA), Spencer Crandall, Johnny Cloherty, (CEO, Songfluencer) Carla Turi (Editor, Spotify), Roxy King (A&R Director, Universal Music Publishing Group), Zach Farnum (117 Entertainment), Andre Herd (Director of A&R, APG), Rocky Block (songwriter, Big Loud) and duo Temecula Road (Warner Music Nashville).

 

 

AIMP Hosts “Things You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know” Panel

The Association of Independent Music Publishers Nashville Chapter hosted a panel, “Things You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know,” on Feb. 17. This panel, moderated by Trina Smith-Dort (Owner, Me Gusta Music), tackled the collection of publishing royalties and the protections of copyright insurance.

Brent Daughrity (Partner, Anderson Benson) and Grayson Stepehens (Sr. Director of Royalties & Finance, Big Machine Label Group) were the event’s featured panelists.

AIMP, whose primary focus is to educate and inform music publishers about the most current industry trends and practices, hosted this event at the CMA offices in Nashville.

 

CMHOF Opens New Dick Curless Legacy Exhibit

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the new exhibit, “Dick Curless: Hard Traveling Man From Maine,” this weekend with a special performance and discussion program.

This exhibit traces the life and legacy Dick Curless, including his hit song “A Tombstone Every Mile” and through his final album, Traveling Through. “Dick Curless: Hard Traveling Man From Maine” features instruments, stage wear, and personal artifacts courtesy of the Curless family and is open through January 2024.

As the featured speakers for the evening, co-curator of the exhibit, Peter Guralnick, was joined by his son, Jake Guralnick, who produced Curless’ final album. The night also saw a tribute to Curless performed by Chuck Mead of BR549. Both the discussion and performance were filmed and will be available for streaming on the museum’s website.

Canyon Star TV has launched its new streaming platform featuring classic movies, documentaries, musical programs and thousands of hours worth of wholesome family entertainment.

Exclusive content includes Cheri Lucas (The Dog Expert), Victory Road with Lee Benton and thirty-nine episodes of The Joey Canyon Show, along with new music performances and over 25 original television shows that will soon begin production. Canyon Star TV also offers documentaries on Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, ABBA and The Beatles, cooking shows including Paula Dean’s Positively Paula, Justin Wilson Cajun Cookin’, Jill’s Inspiration Kitchen and Cookin’ with Butter as well as shows such as Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, Shotgun Red Variety Show, My Life My Songs with Jimmy Fortune, TruCountry with Heather Myles, Today’s Nashville and more.

As part of Canyon Star TV’s free streaming platform, viewers will also have access to live music videos, kids programming, talk shows, outdoor living and a growing amount of new faith-based programming.

“A little over five years ago, I had the vision of creating a streaming wholesome family network,” shares Joey Canyon, Owner & Co-Founder of Canyon Star TV. “A safe haven where parents could watch television with the whole family without fear of questionable language, improper sexual situations, horror, gore or violence. On Jan. 27 of 2023, Canyon Star TV became a global reality, and a true blessing for me and Kelly Kantz, my Co-Founder and President. We will continue to provide the very best in quality family entertainment.”

“After years of discussing and planning Canyon Star TV with the Owner and Founder Joey Canyon, I am beyond excited to see all of our hard work come to fruition,” says Kantz. “With the help of the wonderful producers and programmers, we have added fantastic programming and will continue to grow the outlet moving forward. I am very excited to share wonderful family-friendly programming with the world.”

Samantha Steele has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Triple 8 Management.

In her new role, she will help lead a team of 30 managers, marketing, radio and partnership professionals and oversee operations, promote positive company culture and vision, and create solutions for internal communications and growth potential for both employees and clients.

“We want strong interconnectedness among everyone at Triple 8, and a working environment where people feel supported, inspired and that they’re never alone. Sam has a great history successfully managing and marketing artists and projects,” shares CEO/Founder George Couri. “This, when combined with caring for others, the company, and for the work we provide our clients, makes her, as COO, an important person to help us reinforce these core values. Life is short. In our time here, if we take care of people, they will take care of us, and everyone wins. Sam understands this better than anyone.”

Steele got her start in the music industry in 2008 via street team management and marketing before becoming General Manager at Good Time Inc. in 2010. Good Time was later acquired by Triple 8 Management in 2017. Under Steele’s management, Drew Holcomb sold over 350,000 albums and was dubbed “One of Americana’s Most Popular Stars” by Rolling Stone. Steele has also worked with Ellie Holcomb for her entire solo career, during which time Holcomb sold more than 300,000 records and published four books, the first being awarded the ECPA Bronze Award for sales of over 100,000 units. In total, Holcomb has sold more than 300,000 books under Steele’s guidance.

Additionally, Steele co-founded and produced the Moon River Music Festival alongside Drew Holcomb and Triple 8’s Executive Partner, Paul Steele. Since its inception, the event has grown into a 12,000-capacity festival in Chattanooga and is now partnered with Live Nation/C3 Presents while supporting the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Continually paying it forward through the years, Steele has served multiple non-profits through financial donations and community service. With a primary focus of aiding children, Steele has contributed her efforts toward such organizations as IJM, Compassion International, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, St. Jude, Outdoor Chattanooga, Mercy Multiplied, Last Minute Toy Store and American Red Cross.

“Sam Steele is a diamond,” notes client Drew Holcomb. “She has the rare capacity to effectively dream and execute a vision for her clients, while maintaining kindness and humanity in the process. Her promotion to COO is the least surprising news I have heard in years. I’m very proud to have Sam in my corner.”

Congratulate Steele at Sam@Triple8Mgmt.com.

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is back for its third annual race on Aug. 4 through 6, 2023. Organizers have added a few elements to the event this year, including a Saturday night race under the lights of downtown Nashville and an earlier start time on Sunday for the NTT IndyCar Series weekend.

Tickets for the annual IndyCar race and festival are on sale now at the Music City Grand Prix website.

The Saturday night race will showcase the new SRO GR Cup and the returning SRO GT America Series, featuring super car manufacturers Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche and more.

After a late afternoon start time the first two years, race executives and IndyCar worked together with NBC to move the green flag for the NTT IndyCar Series Sunday race start time to 11:30 a.m. CT so fans will enjoy cooler temperatures and a full day of thrilling race action.

“We are thrilled to bring back one of Nashville’s premier sporting events this summer,” says Jason Rittenberry,  President & COO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “We listened to our fans and have made some exciting changes that will enhance the overall festival experience. This will be our best race yet.”

Three-Day Ticket Packages, Clubs and Suites are now available for the third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.  Fans can choose their optimal grandstand seat to watch as the drivers compete in the 80-lap, 2.1-mile, 11-turn course which goes around Nissan Stadium, over the Cumberland River and curves around downtown Nashville.  The event will feature live music each day and culminate with a headline concert Friday and Saturday night.

Due to popular demand, the NetJets Club RPM presented by Flatrock Motorclub tickets, will accommodate more guests in 2023.  Located on Turn three, it has dynamic views, air conditioning and all-day premium food and beverages. Club RPM has sold out quickly in the past.  A limited number of tickets are available now during the initial ticket on-sale.  In addition, the event has added Turn Nine Club, a new experience with views of the most action-packed corner and its own private grandstand, an air-conditioned tent area with all-inclusive food and beverages featuring Edley’s Bar-B-Que and Pancho and Lefty’s Cantina.

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 2023 Tickets Options:

Club Packages:

• Three-day Club RPM – $2,850 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food and premium open bar)
• Three-day East Club – $1,449 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer and wine)
• Three-day Turn Nine Club – $849 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer and wine)

Grandstand and General Admission:

• Three-day Grandstand – $219
• Three-day Premium Grandstand – $229 (with chairbacks)
• Three-day General Admission – $139

This article also appears in MusicRow‘s sister publication, The Sports Credential.

Charles Esten surprised fans by announcing “One Good Move,” the first single off his independent debut album, while live on CBS’s The Talk. The single, releasing March 3, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the artist-songwriter and actor, a decade after arriving in Nashville.

“One Good Move,” co-written by Esten with Sam Bacicoff, Zarni deVette and Elise Hayes, is a power ballad describing a misspent youth with a good pay off thanks to “one good move.” Esten dedicates this song to Patty, his college sweetheart and wife of 31 years. With production by Marshall Altman, the country and rock track puts Esten’s vocal prowess at the center of a rhythm section, guitar, and piano blend to capture the essence of true love.

Esten is widely known for his roles on ABC/CMT’s Nashville and Netflix’s Outer Banks. Off screen, he has dedicated to writing and performing in Music City and around the world. With more than 155 Grand Ole Opry appearances and multiple tours in his rearview, Esten has racked up millions of streams during his career and is a Guinness World Records title holder for the “most consecutive weeks to release an original digital single by a music act,” after delivering 54 original songs once a week for 54 straight weeks.

This week, Esten celebrated the third season of Outer Banks with its red carpet premiere, the Poguelandia immersive experience, and a beach cleanup collaboration with Surfrider Foundation before an appearance at the Sun Valley Film Festival. The new season premieres Feb. 23.