Big Loud Records has upped Patch Culbertson to EVP/GM. Effective immediately, he becomes the company's first-ever EVP and will empower a new class of leaders who will report directly to Big Loud partners Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman.
Culbertson first joined Big Loud Records as VP of A&R in 2017, rising to SVP/GM in 2021. In his new role, he continues to oversee day-to-day operations, strategizing on commercial tactics and helping to expand the creative development of the roster.
“Patch has been a critical part of Big Loud's success for over seven years now,” said England. “He's a brilliant strategist with an unmatched ability to process information and make sound decisions.”
“I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of our roster and staff these past seven years,” added Culbertson. “A special thank you to Seth, Joey, Craig, and [Big Loud COO] Austen [Adams] for their support and leadership.”
“What sets Patch apart as a GM is that he – like all of us at Big Loud – continues to keep songs first,” Moi says. “We're grateful for his continued leadership.”
Previously, Culbertson spent eight years at Republic, rising to Director of A&R. He played a key role in signing and developing acts like Aminé, Florida Georgia Line, SoMo and The Naked and Famous. He also spearheaded releases from Colbie Caillatand Florence + the Machine, along with soundtracks from Ted, Safe Haven, Snow White and the Huntsman and more.
Photo credit: Brayln Kelly Smith
Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor has teamed with Sony Music Publishing Nashville for a new global administration deal, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the group's song "Wagon Wheel." That Secor co-write later became a smash hit in the hands of Darius Rucker and has been certified for 16m U.S. sales by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Secor has also written songs from Molly Tuttle's last two albums as well as co-writing the musical Hooten Holler, which premiered in 2022.
Meanwhile, Old Crow Medicine Show is celebrating its own 25th anniversary this year and is touring heavily in support of their latest LP, Jubilee, which won the GRAMMY for Best Folk Album. The group will also continue its annual New Year's Eve run at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
"Ketch Secor is more than a ‘fiddler in an old-time string band'—he’s a brilliant storyteller," said SMP Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. "He writes songs that tell the tales of the rural American spirit."
Added Secor, "I’m mighty proud to be joining Rusty Gaston and the hardworking, fun-loving Sony Music Publishing family. Since its earliest days on Music Row as historic Acuff-Rose, Sony Music Publishing has become the steward of Country’s most iconic catalog. What an honor to bring my collection of songs past, present and future to these esteemed ranks."
Anthony Martini and Rich Barner have partnered on a new Nashville-based record label and management firm called Gravel Road. The fast-growing roster includes Compton Cowboys, Randy Savvy, Justbrandon and producer Scattered Brains (Yelawolf, Struggle Jennings, Jelly Roll), among others.
Martini, who’s worked with Tyga, Jelly Roll, Killer Mike and Lil Dicky early in their careers, previously owned Commission Records and served as CEO of Royalty Exchange. He soon realized he needed to be back in management and Gravel Road was born.
"I've always been drawn to artists who take the road less traveled, and that is the significance of the Gravel Road,” Martini said. “We partner with artists who don't follow someone else's path but want to blaze their own."
Barner, meanwhile, has worked with top talent across multiple verticals. His film company, Global Pictures Media, has produced films starring actors like Robert DeNiro, Keanu Reeves and Woody Harrelson. His fragrance company was recently honored by the New You Awards with "Best Innovation in Fragrance" for ASH by Ashley Benson.
Together, they plan to provide artists with the "flexibility and freedom of an indie and resources and muscle of a major." Pictured is Barner with the beard and Martini. That reminds us, it's 5 o'clock somewhere.
Spotify House is returning to CMA Fest. Taking over downtown Nashville for the fifth year, the three-day country music showcase takes place at the Ole Red venue and features more than 40 performers from 6/6-8.
Presented by Spotify’s Nashville team and flagship Hot Country playlist, the weekend’s mainstage lineup includes acts like Ashley McBryde, Avery Anna, BRELAND, Cole Swindell, Dylan Gossett, Jordan Davis, Koe Wetzel, Lady A, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Old Dominion, Parker McCollum, Tucker Wetmore and Tyler Hubbard, among many others. Lily Rose and Cassie DiLaura will also serve as hosts for all three days.
Additionally, country singer/songwriter Wyatt Flores will take the mainstage for the first time after debuting at Fresh Finds Rooftop last year, joining other rising stars like Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and Dasha. More surprise acts are to be announced.
“It’s hard to believe that we are about to celebrate our fifth year bringing Spotify House to CMA Fest in June,” said Jackie Augustus, lead, country & folk, artist partnerships at Spotify. “We feel so privileged to have been able to present the many incredible artists who have graced our stages, and we are excited to once again bring our playlists to life and showcase some of the best and brightest in country music today.”
Spotify House will be open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis and runs from 10am-2am daily.
Check out the full schedule below.
SMP Nashville and CAM Creative have inked Ryan Larkins to a global publishing deal.
A promising newcomer in the country music scene, Larkins has already penned with the likes of Tony Lane, Tom Douglas, Lee Thomas Miller, Craig Wiseman, Tim Nichols, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip and Country Hall of Famer Bill Anderson. He also co-wrote Bill Anderson’s Grammy-nominated “Someday It’ll All Make Sense” f/Dolly Parton.
More recently, he saw chart success for his work on Cody Johnson’s “The Painter,” which hit #1 on the Country Airplay chart and secured him his first ACM Award nom for Song of the Year.
Additionally, Larkins has expanded his team and inked with Huskins-Harris for business management and McClanahan Management for artist management. Earlier this year, he dropped his debut EP, Meet Ryan Larkins, via Red Street Records.
“From the moment I first met Ryan, it was obvious he had the heart of a true American storyteller,” said SMP Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “It has been amazing to watch him celebrate his first #1 single and now his first major award nomination, and we look forward to many more of his successes in the future.”
“Rusty Gaston and his team share the vision, as do Trisha McClanahan and Becky Harris, of how special Ryan Larkins is and we are watching it come to fruition together,” added CAM Creative founder Carole-Ann Mobley.
“Rusty, Aubrey [Landon] and team have been huge champions of mine. I am so excited to see what the future holds. I am so excited to partner with Trisha McClanahan. Her success, experience and belief in me and my music left me with no doubt she was the right person for me. Carole-Ann has believed in me from the beginning and I’m so thankful to continue to work with her,” said Larkins.
Seen actively ignoring our emails are (l-r) back row: Morgan Barnes, Harris, McClanahan, Gaston; front row: Mobley, Larkins and Landon.
Amazon Music has dropped three new live recordings from the performances at the 59th ACM Awards.
Available exclusively on Amazon Music, fans can now listen to Kane Brown’s rendition of Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind,” Thomas Rhett’s new single “Beautiful as You” and New Male Artist of the Year Nate Smith’s duet with Avril Lavigne of his single “Bulletproof.”
“Being from Georgia, this song has always meant a lot to me,” said Brown. “It’s one of my favorite moments to perform for my fans each night during the In the Air Tour, and I knew I wanted to perform it on the ACM Awards.”
“I’m so excited to be able to debut this song on the ACM Awards. It’s been one of my favorite songs ever since we wrote it and it’s something sonically a little different from me. So, it’s just a great introduction to the new music and album that’s coming and kind of sets up the vibe for the next season of my career, and especially our live show,” added Rhett.
In addition to Brown, Rhett, Smith and Lavigne, the ACM Awards also featured duets from Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, as well as Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, plus more performances Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Tigirlily Gold, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and this year’s host, Reba McEntire.
The 59th ACM Awards are now streaming on Prime Video. Watch the full rebroadcast here and check out the Official ACM Awards playlist here.
Dolly Parton is going orchestral with a new concert franchise, Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony, which will launch 3/20/2025 with the Nashville Symphony in Music City. From there, it will be performed on tour by local orchestras around the world.
Described as a "symphonic storytelling experience" exploring the many "threads" of Parton's legendary life and career, the show will boast "new and innovative orchestrations" of her hit songs. Parton will narrate the experience via screens, although it's unknown if she will be physically present for any of the performances.
"I’m just so excited to share my songs and the stories behind them in this beautiful new way," said Parton of the show, which she is co-producing with Schirmer Theatrical and Sony Music Publishing. "Threads: My Songs in Symphony is like a journey through the heartstrings of my life. I hope we can take it far and wide to symphony orchestras everywhere!"
“Bringing the genius, music, life and legacy of Dolly Parton to symphonic audiences is an honor for us,” added Schirmer Theatrical President Robert Thompson. "Audiences will hear for the first time Dolly’s songs performed by orchestras worldwide in this innovative symphonic storytelling experience."
The ever-busy Parton can currently be heard guesting on Blessing Offor's “Somebody’s Child" and will sit for a special conversation 6/6 at the CMA Fest's Fan Fair X. She will also release her next children's book, Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, 10/1 through Penguin Young Readers.
And if that's not enough, Parton just introduced a new line of donuts with Krispy Kreme featuring the flavors Dolly Dazzler, Peachy Keen Cobbler, Banana Puddin' Pie and Chocolate Creme Pie.
If you need us in the meantime, we'll be tucking into a plate of crispy fried chicken at the Dollywood location of Aunt Granny's Restaurant.
The 59th ACM Awards, which aired live on 5/16 from Frisco, Tex., is now available to stream on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Chris Stapleton dominated the night with four wins, including Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Higher (Mercury Nashville), and brought out Dua Lipa for a duet of “Think I’m in Love With You.”
Meanwhile, Broken Bow’s Lainey Wilson was named Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and took home Music Event of the Year with Jelly Roll for "Save Me."
Other highlights included performances from Kane Brown, Jelly, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Thomas Rhett, Tigirlily Gold and Wilson, among others, as well as duets from Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne, plus more.
Catch the 59th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, streaming now on Prime Video.
