Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr has revealed the label group has launched an Americana imprint, Black River Americana, anchored by first signing Carolina Story. The duo, which includes Ben and Emily Roberts, is signed to both Black River Americana and Black River’s publishing roster. They will return to the studio in July to begin work on their debut project for the new imprint.

Kerr states, “Americana music has a long history of celebrating the authenticity of life lived out through music. We are pleased to begin this journey forward as we celebrate, honor and embrace the art form of American Roots Music. Black River’s vision in establishing the studios, publishing house, management, and country and Christian labels has always been to ‘leave this place better than we found it,’ and adding Black River Americana to our label family is a natural next step in Black River Entertainment’s story.”

Ben and Emily Roberts met at Visible Music College in 2007. In 2009, they were married and set out on their first tour. Since then, they’ve played close to 1,000 shows across 43 states, including their home states of Arkansas and South Dakota.

“Every once in a while, you have that moment in the music industry that moves you more than you thought it could,” says Black River Records EVP Rick Froio. “Meeting Carolina Story, and then hearing them sing, was one of those moments. When Ben and Emily Roberts sing together, life just seems to come into focus. Honestly, it’s inspiring. I’m thankful to Christian Barker for introducing Carolina Story to us. It’s amazing the story that can be told when you keep yourself open to musical experiences you didn’t even know you were looking for.”

“From the moment we walked in the doors at Black River, we felt something different. Something special,” says Ben Roberts. “That initial feeling has only grown stronger since becoming a part of the Black River family. It’s just that. One big family. For years, we have been working extremely hard and searching for the right people to come alongside us and our music. We’re so incredibly glad to have found a true family of people who believe in not just our music, but in us as individuals. Black River is a place where we can truly grow and thrive all while being encouraged to be ourselves. It’s a breath of fresh air to be here.”

Sharing the sentiment, Emily Roberts adds, “Ben and I have been searching for a family like BRE for a very long time, and what’s great about this story is that they found us. Our goal has always been to let doors open ‘naturally and organically’ which we haven’t always been so patient in doing, but BRE has been worth the wait. We are thrilled about this partnership and can’t wait to get started!”

Nashville is a town where songwriters are rock stars. Nowhere was that more evident than at Monday’s (June 19) No. 1 party at Nashville venue SOUTH, to celebrate Josh Turner’s fifth chart-topper, “Hometown Girl.” The crowd’s ovation reached a fever pitch when Jody Williams, BMI’s VP, Writer-Publisher Relations, announced that “Hometown Girl” was BMI writer Daniel Tashian’s very first No. 1 song. In BMI tradition, Tashian was given a Epiphone guitar.

“Hometown Girl,” recorded by Josh Turner, was penned by Tashian and ASCAP’s Marc Beeson.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad honored Beeson, who was celebrating his third No. 1 as a songwriter. Beeson has accumulated more than 100 cuts over his career, including songs recorded by Chicago, Martina McBride and Garth Brooks, as well as work on Billy Currington’s recent No. 1 single, “We Are Tonight,” Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade,” and Blake Shelton’s “She’s Got A Way With Words.” He’s earned 10 ASCAP awards for his pop and country songs.

Turner, who recently celebrated his 150th performance on the Grand Ole Opry, thanked the MCA Nashville promotion staff for fighting for the song at radio. In particular, he thanked radio promoter Katie Dean for helping him to reshape his approach to radio.

“Katie and I go back a long ways, and thank you for having the ears to know in the beginning that this song could be a hit. She spearheaded this movement and made it happen just a little bit at a time. She motivated the whole promo staff each week and rallied the support of radio in a pretty remarkable way.

“She also changed my attitude toward promoting the song. For so long I had been in the mindset of battling radio and being in a war with radio to get the song played, but she helped me understand that we were working with radio, so thank you for helping me grow,” he said, before thanking the rest of the label’s radio promotions team.

UMG Nashville CEO Mike Dungan, along with many from the label, wore blue sports jerseys emblazoned with “Hometown Girl,” and crafted by Richards & Southern. He honored the gold-certified, No. 1 hit with the label’s signature “impaler” awards.

“Hometown Girl” producer Kenny Greenberg, who has been on the road for years with artists including Kenny Chesney, produced the track. Greenberg is married to singer-songwriter Ashley Cleveland. Fun fact: In the mid-1970s, Greenberg (then 21), played one of his first sessions in Nashville. He notes that on the same session was dobro player (and now BMI exec) Jody Williams.

Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland honored Beeson, while Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace honored Tashian. The Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms and the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Holly Lane were also on hand to honor Turner, Beeson and Tashian.

Turner was also grateful to the songwriters for penning a song that was at once inspiring and wholesome. “They managed to write something that edified and uplifted women all around the world, all without going to the one chord,” Turner said. “That’s something that has been kind of rare here lately on radio and my female fan base especially thanks you for writing a piece of music that has some depth and some class to it, so thank you for that.”

Pinnacle Bank celebrated the chart-topper with a donation to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. First TN Bank was also on hand to honor the writers and artist.

“When you are a songwriter, you embrace anyone who wants to record a song and you are grateful for that. But there are a handful of people that, in your mind, are kind of iconic with their sound,” said Beeson. “Josh has always been one of those voices to me and I’ve been trying to get a Josh Turner cut since he came to town.

As a songwriter, it’s important for me to acknowledge the MCA promotion team, led by Katie Dean,” Beeson continued. “I called Katie to thank her after the song went No. 1, and she was in such shock that a songwriter actually called her. I think she said that no songwriter had ever called her before. Having been an artist before, I really learned the importance of the promotion team at radio. That’s where the rubber hits the road.”

Nashville label BBR Music Group has appointed Jay Jones as its new VP Publicity, responsible for strategizing and leading national publicity campaigns for BBR Music Group’s roster of artists across imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Red Bow Records, and Wheelhouse Records. He will report directly to Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. BBR Music Group’s former VP, Publicity Natalie Kilgore has exited to pursue other opportunities.

“Jay brings a wealth of experience with an impressive track record,” Loba said. “He’s been a valuable resource in the Nashville music community and we’re excited for him to help lead and contribute to our artist’s career growth and development. Welcome to the BBR family.”

Jones formerly served as Director of Media Relations at CMA. As Director, Jones was responsible for overseeing the organization’s media initiatives and public relations campaigns for CMA, including its television specials, events and the CMA Foundation.

Prior to joining CMA, Jones owned and operated Jay Jones Music, a public relations and marketing company for nine years. There his clients included The Beach Boys, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, 12th and Porter, Capitol Records, and others.

Founded in 1997, BBR Music Group’s original imprint Broken Bow Records features a roster of talented artists including Jason Aldean and Dustin Lynch. Stoney Creek Records boasts a roster which includes Thompson Square, Randy Houser and Parmalee, Lindsay Ell and Adam Craig. Red Bow Records’ artist roster includes Joe Nichols, Craig Campbell, Chase Bryant and Brooke Eden. Wheelhouse Records is BBR Music Group’s newest imprint, anchored by Trace Adkins, Granger Smith and Kristian Bush, as well as Runaway June and Walker McGuire.