Pictured (L-R): Carla Denham, Chief External Relations Officer; Rodney Crowell, recording artist; Urban; Tatum Allsep, Founder & Chief Executive Officer; and Shelia Shipley Biddy, COO & Certified Senior Advisor. Photo: Brennon Williamson
Before heading out on the Australian leg of “The Speed of Now Tour,” Keith Urban visited a handful of Nashville-based charities, presenting each with donations to recognize their work.
Urban poses with Nashville Food Project Staff and Volunteers. Photo: Brennon Williamson
The contributions included $50,000 to both The Nashville Food Project, which brings people together to provide food in order to alleviate hunger across the city, and Thistle Farms, which provides healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. The Music Health Alliance, who provides advocacy and access to life-saving healthcare resources for music professionals, received $100,000. An Urban family donation of $50,000 was also made to Vanderbilt Breast Cancer Research.
“Keith Urban’s contribution and passion for Music Health Alliance helps our organization, and the people who work tirelessly on our behalf, to provide funds for life-saving healthcare advocacy and resources that serve vulnerable music makers facing healthcare challenges,” says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder and CEO of Music Alliance. “He’s always supported our community and for that we are so appreciative.”
Urban poses with Thistle Farms Staff. Photo: Brennon Williamson
“This gift from Keith Urban will help so many of our neighbors get the food they want and need,” The Nashville Food Project’s CEO C.J. Sentell adds. “With this generous donation, we can share more than 15,000 meals and provide seeds, tools, and supplies for 100 families to grow their own food in 2023. We are grateful to Keith Urban and others like him who make this work possible every day!”
“We are overcome with gratitude at this gift from Mr. Urban, which will help Thistle Farms light the way for even more women survivors of commercial sex trafficking and exploitation,” Tasha Kennard, CEO of Thistle Farms, shares. “25 years ago, we pioneered a unique two-year residential program in Nashville which incorporates free, trauma-informed care and a supportive community while providing meaningful employment. This gift paves the way for the next woman on the streets who is searching for a way home to find the love and safety she deserves.”
“I have a deep-seated respect and feeling of gratitude for the work that all of these organizations do to make people’s lives more manageable,” Urban explains. “Their commitment to community, what they do for Nashville, and for others across the country, is not only inspiring, but it shows how much we can accomplish when working together.”
The donations are the result of Urban’s participation in this year’s Cantor Charity Day, during which he raised the monies donated by Cantor on his behalf. To date, Charity Day has raised over $192 million for charitable causes around the world, and since its inception the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund has raised and distributed over $369 million.
Keith Urban Donates $250K To Nashville-Based Charities Ahead Of The Holidays
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Carla Denham, Chief External Relations Officer; Rodney Crowell, recording artist; Urban; Tatum Allsep, Founder & Chief Executive Officer; and Shelia Shipley Biddy, COO & Certified Senior Advisor. Photo: Brennon Williamson
Before heading out on the Australian leg of “The Speed of Now Tour,” Keith Urban visited a handful of Nashville-based charities, presenting each with donations to recognize their work.
Urban poses with Nashville Food Project Staff and Volunteers. Photo: Brennon Williamson
The contributions included $50,000 to both The Nashville Food Project, which brings people together to provide food in order to alleviate hunger across the city, and Thistle Farms, which provides healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. The Music Health Alliance, who provides advocacy and access to life-saving healthcare resources for music professionals, received $100,000. An Urban family donation of $50,000 was also made to Vanderbilt Breast Cancer Research.
“Keith Urban’s contribution and passion for Music Health Alliance helps our organization, and the people who work tirelessly on our behalf, to provide funds for life-saving healthcare advocacy and resources that serve vulnerable music makers facing healthcare challenges,” says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder and CEO of Music Alliance. “He’s always supported our community and for that we are so appreciative.”
Urban poses with Thistle Farms Staff. Photo: Brennon Williamson
“This gift from Keith Urban will help so many of our neighbors get the food they want and need,” The Nashville Food Project’s CEO C.J. Sentell adds. “With this generous donation, we can share more than 15,000 meals and provide seeds, tools, and supplies for 100 families to grow their own food in 2023. We are grateful to Keith Urban and others like him who make this work possible every day!”
“We are overcome with gratitude at this gift from Mr. Urban, which will help Thistle Farms light the way for even more women survivors of commercial sex trafficking and exploitation,” Tasha Kennard, CEO of Thistle Farms, shares. “25 years ago, we pioneered a unique two-year residential program in Nashville which incorporates free, trauma-informed care and a supportive community while providing meaningful employment. This gift paves the way for the next woman on the streets who is searching for a way home to find the love and safety she deserves.”
“I have a deep-seated respect and feeling of gratitude for the work that all of these organizations do to make people’s lives more manageable,” Urban explains. “Their commitment to community, what they do for Nashville, and for others across the country, is not only inspiring, but it shows how much we can accomplish when working together.”
The donations are the result of Urban’s participation in this year’s Cantor Charity Day, during which he raised the monies donated by Cantor on his behalf. To date, Charity Day has raised over $192 million for charitable causes around the world, and since its inception the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund has raised and distributed over $369 million.
Final Voting For 65th Annual Grammy Awards Open Now
/by Lydia FarthingThe final round of voting for the 65th Grammy Awards, which determines this year’s winners, is open now until Jan. 4. Recording Academy voting members can cast their ballots here.
A historic total of 16,741 eligible entries were submitted for Grammy consideration this year with music professionals across all genres and disciplines participating in the voting process. Among the nominees are a wide range of musical genres, including dance/electronic, R&B, rap, pop, American roots, Latin and rock. Additionally, nearly half of this year’s nominees are women and more than half are people of color.
For more information about the voting process, key dates, an overview of this year’s new categories and more, visit RecordingAcademy.com. For a complete list of nominees across all 91 categories at the 65th Grammy Awards, click here. To see a list of Nashville nominees, click here.
The 65th Grammy Awards will air live on Sunday, Feb. 5 on CBS and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.
Maddie & Tae Extend ‘All Song No Static Tour’ Into Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughMaddie & Tae. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Maddie & Tae will continue their headlining “All Song No Static Tour” into spring 2023 with stops in 12 additional markets, including Omaha, Detroit, Kansas, and more through April 8. Tickets for the new dates are on sale now.
The duo are wrapping a year that included the release of their two-part collection–Through The Madness Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, a CMT Music Award for Group/Duo Video of the Year, ACM and CMA Duo of the Year nominations, and more.
They are also gearing up to ring in the New Year with an appearance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023, performing two songs from Disneyland Resort on Saturday, Dec. 31.
Parmalee Slates ‘Take My Name Tour’ For Early 2023
/by Lorie HollabaughParmalee. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Parmalee is kicking off 2023 with their headlining “Take My Name Tour.”
The 11-date run launches in Champagne, Illinois on Feb. 2, and will visit St. Louis, Green Bay, Minneapolis, and more before wrapping April 22 in West Chester, Ohio. Tickets are available for general sale on Friday (Dec. 16).
Following a successful 2022, which included a No. 1 hit with their Platinum-certified single “Take My Name” and scoring their first American Music Award nomination, the band is excited to gear up for another year of touring nationwide.
“We’ve really been looking forward to this headlining tour! Everything we’ve built over the past couple years has been for this tour and for our fans,” the group’s Matt Thomas shares. “‘Take My Name’ has such a huge connection with folks and with all the love everyone has shown the song, we decided to name this tour run after it.”
Parmalee has taken three singles to No. 1, including 2019’s “Just The Way,” which has amassed over 500 million streams and scored an iHeart Award nomination for “Country Song of the Year.” Their new single, “Girl In Mine,” is impacting country radio now.
ACM LEVel Up Program Announces New 2023 Group Of Rising Industry Leaders
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program has announced its 2023 cohort’s members on Tuesday (Dec. 13). They also celebrated the inaugural 2022 cohort’s completion of the first year of the two-year professional development program.
Pictured (L-R, back row): ACM CEO Damon Whiteside; Jenn Tressler; Nick Coulson; Ellen Ford; Markus Koger; Sabrina Butera; Synnovea Halsel; Chantrel Reynolds; and Jade Sampson, ACM; (L-R, front row): Kaela Allen; Shelby Moran; Mackenzie Cooper; Morgan Kenney; Daniel Killian; Vanna Moua; Kortney Toney; and Tommy Moore, ACM
The ACM LEVel Up Rising Leaders curriculum is designed to empower participants to play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of the country industry into new audiences.
The first year is spent learning from thought leaders across the industry, as well as collaborating to develop a proposed plan to expand country’s reach into new and underrepresented audience segments. The second sees the class implement their plan, working intentionally to shape the future and move the industry forward.
The 2023 LEVel Up cohort is comprised of established young professionals in the industry from record labels, radio stations, podcasts, management groups, and many other industry roles. Participants are typically in the mid stages of their career, primed to benefit from the professional growth and eager to serve as ambassadors for inclusivity and equity within the country industry.
ACM LEVel Up, 2023 Cohort:
ACM LEVel Up, 2022 Cohort, who have just completed the first year of the program:
Forrest Latta, Andrew Davis Promoted At Average Joes Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughAndrew Davis & Forrest Latta. Photo: Julian Mendoza
Average Joes Entertainment has promoted Forrest Latta to President of the label group, while Andrew Davis has been upped to Senior Vice President of Marketing.
An Alabama native, Latta graduated from The University of Georgia’s Music Business program. Following graduation in 2011, he joined the team as a Product Manager and eventually rose to Vice President of A&R, overseeing many of the label’s recent successful signings.
Davis joined Average Joes in 2014 as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for the label group. He eventually broadened his scope of promotional duties to the company’s other media verticals, including film and TV, after being elevated to Vice President of Marketing in 2020.
“As Average Joes continues to expand its footprint in film and television, I can’t think of more capable hands to take the reigns of the music side of the company,” shares Average Joes CEO, Shannon Houchins.
Average Joes Entertainment’s roster includes Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Bryan Martin, Josh Mirenda, Charlie Farley, Sarah Ross, Sam Grow, Austin Tolliver, Lenny Cooper, and Cypress Spring.
Morgan Evans To Co-Headline European ‘Day Drunk Me Tour’ With Mitchell Tenpenny In 2023
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Evans is heading back to Europe next year for his co-headlining “Day Drunk Me Tour” alongside Mitchell Tenpenny.
The five-date run will begin on March 3 in Hamburg, Germany, and wrap on March 8 in Cologne, Germany. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 16.
Following the tour, Evans will head to the C2C Festival, playing three headline shows in Dublin, London and Glasgow.
A few months ago, the singer-songwriter debuted his new single, “Over For You,”on the CMC Rocks Festival stage in Australia. The track is already climbing on the Billboard and Country Aircheck charts.
He’ll wrap 2022’s performances in his home country later this month on Australia’s ABC New Year’s Eve Celebration in Sydney. He returns to the states in late March for Brett Young’s “5 Tour 3 2 1,” playing all 17 dates.
“Day Drunk Me Tour” Dates:
March 3 – Hamburg, Germany – Kent
March 4 – Munich, Germany – Strom
March 5 – Berlin, Germany – Frannz Club
March 7 – Utrect, Netherlands – Cloud Nine
March 8 – Cologne, Germany – Club Volta
Jason B. Jones Upped To VP, Creative At Integrity Music & David C Cook
/by Lydia FarthingJason B. Jones
Award-winning Creative Director Jason B. Jones has been promoted to the newly created role of Vice President, Creative at Integrity Music and David C Cook. In this new position, he will lead a cross-functional team of creatives and marketers to expand the company’s global influence through Integrity Music and David C Cook’s publishing and curriculum arm.
During his time at Integrity Music, Jones has become one of the leading music resources for the global church and has served on the senior leadership team, providing insight and guidance for visual communications and creative services. He joined Integrity Music in 2015 as Senior Director of Visual Communications, where he built an innovative team responsible for growing and supporting a roster of worship and gospel artists. Jones has been credited with a variety of important accomplishments, including a GMA Dove Award and multiple nominations.
Prior to Integrity, Jones spent 17 years working with other labels and artists in similar capacities, including TobyMac, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Michael W. Smith, and Kari Jobe. Before immersing himself in Christian music, he worked as Creative Director for Tyemill, a Seattle-based tech company, where he focused on user interface design and execution for e-commerce. In 2005, he co-founded Otterball, an internationally award-winning design agency focused on branding and web marketing for recording artists.
“Jason has a unique ability to create at the highest level and translate that creativity into wide-reaching, meaningful impact,” shares Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music. “Over the past six years, I’ve personally seen Jason’s care and intentionality in the way he leads others. I have no doubt that in this next season of his career he will continue to foster a culture of imagination and elevate the overall ministry of David C Cook and Integrity Music.”
“I am humbled and excited to work alongside this expanded team, and thankful for the opportunity to help innovate and grow our ministries,” Jones adds. “I’m eager to dive into this new role and ready to further cultivate a culture of market-leading creative development.”
River House Artists Adds Trey Lewis To Artist Roster
/by Lydia FarthingLynn Oliver-Cline & Trey Lewis. Photo: Emma Golden
River House Artists has signed country artist Trey Lewis to an exclusive record deal. River House will oversee label responsibilities for Lewis as he works toward a full-length project expected in 2023.
The River House partnership follows the success of seven single releases in 2022, including “My Ex Came Over,” “Single Again” and “How Bout We Don’t.” Partly due to his mega-viral hit “Dicked Down in Dallas,” Lewis has racked up over 300 million global career streams across releases.
The Birmingham, Alabama native has proved he’s more than a TikTok gone viral, notching 40 shows as direct support for Kid Rock. After playing for crowds across the country for the past 10 years, the rising singer-songwriter performed nearly 90 shows this year alone.
The deal fills out Lewis’ artist team as River House joins forces with his publishing partner Sony Music Publishing, booking agency WME, and Big Friendly Productions for management.
“I have been a fan of Trey’s for a long time! We have kept in touch over the years and he was ready to decide on a partner for the next chapter of his career,” shares Lynn Oliver-Cline, founder of River House Artists. “I love working with DIY artists at this level who have already built an amazing internal team and have a very loyal fan base. RHA and his publishers at Sony Music are helping him make the best choices that will help him make the most out of his debut record. I objectively believe it will show everyone he is a true artist, the real deal…and we are having fun!”
“I am excited to join the River House family. Their experience and shared vision has made me glad that I waited for the right deal, not the first deal,” adds Lewis. “I’ve been writing non-stop over the last two years and have so many amazing songs that I can’t wait to share with my fans.”
Ryan Griffin Inks Deal With Red Street Publishing
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R, front row): Dan Crockett (Chairman/Owner), Ryan Griffin, and Jay DeMarcus (Owner/CEO); (L-R, back row): Alex Valentine (General Manager), Landon Dirickson (General Counsel), Kelly King (Senior Director of A&R and Publishing), and Harrison Sokoloff (Director of Publishing and A&R).
Red Street Country’s Ryan Griffin has signed a deal with the company’s publishing arm, Red Street Publishing. Launched in October 2022, Red Street Publishing is led by Kelly King, Senior Director of A&R and Publishing, and Harrison Sokoloff, Director of Publishing and A&R.
A a co-writer on Kelsea Ballerini’s No. 1 hit ‘“Dibs,” Griffin emerged as an artist on the rise in 2022, clinching the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown with his song “Salt, Lime, & Tequila.” The singer-songwriter first signed a record deal with Red Street Country in January of 2022, making him the first signing to the country division’s roster.
“Everyone at Red Street Country has really championed me as an artist so signing with Red Street Publishing just seemed like a great next step,” Griffin expresses.”Songwriting has always been a real passion of mine and I’m thrilled to be working with an organization that really values songwriters and their creativity.”
“Ryan Griffin immediately felt like a natural fit since we were already working so closely with him on the label side,” King adds. “We were fans of his writing first for a very long time and I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with him on the publishing side.”
Griffin recently wrapped up his “Slow Down Sunrise Tour,” and released the holiday favorite “Little Saint Nick,” produced by and featuring country star and Red Street Records Founder Jay DeMarcus.