ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music, hosted the 15th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center earlier this month.
The week-long residential program hosted 30 musically talented individuals with the rare genetic condition Williams syndrome by providing music enrichment through performance and education.
Campers got to go behind-the-scenes in the country music community and participate in exclusive opportunities with some of Nashville’s most acclaimed musicians and rising talent.
Campers began the week by co-writing a song called “Find the Sunshine” with Ross Copperman, Russell Dickerson and J.T. Harding, which they performed lived at the Grand Ole Opry alongside newcomer Alex Hall.
Other artists who joined the campers throughout the week included Post Malone, Dasha, Jordan Davis, Caylee Hammack, Tiera Kennedy and Conner Smith.
“Hosting this camp is truly the highlight of the year for everyone involved, including the campers and those volunteering and doing the research,” Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives executive director, and Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives senior manager and music camp lead, said in a joint statement. “This camp allows our partners at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to conduct important research on Williams syndrome, all while providing campers with an experience they'll never forget. The artists, songwriters and venues in Nashville who donate their time to this amazing summer camp are the ones who make this research and fulfilling experience for campers possible, and we thank them for their positive energy and excitement.”
Other highlights included Smith playing songs and holding a casual Q&A with campers at the Bluebird Cafe and Hammack joining campers for a night of karaoke at Loser’s Bar and Grill, where Post Malone and ERNEST were the surprise guests.
ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the camp, in addition to providing scholarships for several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service. Read more about the ACM Lifting Lives program here and watch the Grand Ole Opry event below.
Capitol Christian Music Group has made two significant staff changes, with Walter Thomas rising to VP of Artist Development at Motown Gospel and TAMLA Records and Alexandria "Dria" Dollar joining the company as Senior Director of A&R for the latter two imprints.
Previously the Director of Artist Development for CCMG, Thomas will now oversee development of the company's artist roster as well as associated marketing initiatives. He will report to CCMG Co-Presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy.
Before CCMG, Thomas was CEO of Agency 22 Music & Entertainment, where he managed artists such as Maverick City Music and Smokie Norful.
"These iconic labels have a legacy of inspiring and uplifting music, and I am committed to continuing this tradition by developing the next generation of extraordinary artists," Thomas said. "I am equally thrilled to welcome Alexandria Dollar as our new Senior Director of A&R. Alexandria's innovative approach and keen ear for talent are unmatched, and I am confident that together we will elevate our artists to new heights."
Dollar, herself a two-time GRAMMY winner, was previously the Director of A&R for Atlanta-based Reach Records, where she worked with stars such as Lecrae, For King + Country, Kirk Franklin and Chloe x Halle.
Independent country artist Drew Baldridge has inked with UTA for representation in all areas.
The signing follows the singer/songwriter’s first Top 15 on country radio with his RIAA gold-certified hit, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” which arrived via Baldridge’s self-funded Lyric Ridge Records and has garnered 1b social media impressions and streams globally RTD.
More recently, Baldridge performed at CMA Fest and will perform headline and festival dates throughout the end of the year, including his 3rd Annual BIG Baldridge and Bonfire Festival.
“I am thrilled to be working with UTA and their talented team,” said Baldridge. “Their passion and expertise align perfectly with my vision for my music and creative ventures. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
“We are wildly impressed with how Baldridge has independently grown touring, radio and festival audiences and are thrilled to welcome him to the UTA family,” said UTA Partner and Nashville Co-Head Matthew Morgan.
Inked to Sony Music Publishing, Baldridge has also penned tracks for the likes of Bailey Zimmerman, LOCASH and Chase Matthew, among others. His longtime team consists of SMP’s Rusty Gaston, business manager Becky Harrisof Huskin-Harris Business Management and attorney Jeff Biederman of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Pictured above wondering who dare to claim us as their own are (l-r) UTA’s Lance Roberts and Nick Barnes; Baldridge; UTA’s Matthew Morgan and Zach Hartley.
Big Loud/Back Blocks Music's Ashley Cooke is celebrating her first #1 song at country radio, “your place.” Written by Cooke, Jordan Minton and Mark Trussell, the track is only the second single from a female artist to reach the top spot at country radio this year. “your place” also earned Cooke her first-ever CMT Music Award win for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year.
Cooke is currently on the road with Jordan Davis as part of his DAMN GOOD TIME TOUR. She's been wooing her fans at each stop with live renditions of songs taken from her sophomore album, shot in the dark. Watch the "your place" video below while we, quite literally, take a shot in the dark.
Teen country singer-songwriter Ty Myers has inked a deal with RECORDS Nashville/Columbia ahead of the release of his next single, “Let ‘Em Talk." Managed by Starstruck Entertainment's Narvel Blackstock, the 17-year-old Austin native started gaining traction with his debut single, "Tie That Binds," which has racked up more than 6.5m streams on Spotify alone. His follow-up single, "Drinkin' Alone," just crossed the 13m mark on the streaming platform.
“It’s not often you meet a proper singer/songwriter at the tender age of 17 who writes, sings, plays guitar and performs like Ty Myers,” RECORDS CEO Barry Weiss said. “Simply put, this is what the music business is all about. We’re wildly excited at RECORDS Nashville to have signed him with our colleagues at Columbia Records.”
Myers is currently on the road following standout set supporting Willie Nelson. His stacked itinerary includes several headlining shows as well as various dates with Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Band, Cody Johnson and Josh Meloy.
Pictured wondering why HITS has to weasel its way into everything are (l-r) RECORDS’ Andrew Saltman, RECORDS Nashville’s Josh Easler and Joe Fisher, Columbia's Jenifer Mallory, Myers, Columbia's Julian Swirsky and Joe Gallo, Weiss, Blackstock and RECORDS’ David Enriquez.
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has announced his 10th annual Crash My Playa.
The ACM-nominated, all-inclusive Caribbean concert vacation will take place from 1/15-18 next year at the Moon Palace Cancún,
Bryan will headline for two nights, along with the return of Jason Aldean for the third time, and Kane Brown, who will make his Crash My Playa debut. The star-studded lineup also includes Bailey Zimmerman, Dustin Lynch, Dylan Scott, Elle King, Jackson Dean, Nate Smith, Dasha, Ella Langley, Tucker Wetmore and DJ Rock.
“This is one of those pinch me moments. The 10-year anniversary of a festival that I got to create along with the Playa Luna team,” said Luke Bryan. "To get to celebrate in the most beautiful setting with the most incredible Playa crashers, along with the most incredible artists – it doesn’t get much better.”
“Reaching the ten-year milestone for Crash My Playa is a testament to the incredible community of fans and artists who come together each year,” added Brett Keber, Partner at Playa Luna.
General on sale begins 6/28 at 3pm EDT, while previous attendees will have early access starting at 11am and fan club members can purchase pre-sale packages at 2pm. For tickets and more info, click here.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed a global deal with Clint Black to administer a majority of the songs from his catalog, including hits like “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Like the Rain,” "Summer's Comin'," “Nothin’ but the Taillights” and more.
Since his 1989 debut with Killin’ Time, the Grammy-winning Grand Ole Opry member has sold 20m+ records, garnered more than 22 #1 hits and over 30 Top 10 hits. He’s also earned multiple CMA, AMA and ACM Awards, including the 2023 ACM Honors Poet’s Award, as well as nearly two dozen U.S. and Canada gold and platinum awards.
“I have great respect for Rusty and the entire team at Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and I am excited to move forward on all things past, present and future,” said Black.
“Clint Black is without a doubt a country music icon, whose songs carved a unique path and propelled country into what it is today. We look forward to working with Clint and his team to extend his creative influence even further,” added SMPN CEO Rusty Gaston.
Earlier this year, Black embarked on his 2024 Killin’ Time – The 35th Anniversary World Tour, performing his triple-platinum album live from start to finish for the first time ever in concert.
Seen hoping this picture wouldn't land in our inbox are (l-r) Collective Artist Management’s Brinson Strickland; SMP’s Cam Caldwell, Tom Luteran and Aubrey Landon; Black; SMP’s Gaston and Dale Bobo; and UTA’s Cass Scripps.
Sony Music Nashville has promoted Lauren “LT” Thomas to SVP of promotion.
Previously VP of Columbia promo, Thomas will now oversee both RCA and Columbia imprints, reporting to EVP of promotion Steve Hodges.
“For the past nine years I have watched LT grow and develop into a strong team leader and industry power player,” said Hodges. “I’m very proud to see her rise with this well-deserved promotion to Senior Vice President as she continues to step up and help the overall Sony national representation while continuing to lead the Columbia team.”
Since joining SMN in 2009, Thomas has scored nearly 80 #1 records. Over the past two years, she led Columbia Nashville’s promo efforts with an all-female staff, achieving #1s with Old Dominion, Megan Moroney, Mitchell Tenpenny and multiple chart-toppers from Luke Combs. Most recently, Thomas and team landed Combs his 18th consecutive #1.
Thomas also contributed to SMN's success with Nate Smith, Corey Kent and Moroney hitting #1 on the country charts within five months. Prior to SMN, Thomas spent five years at KMLE-FM in Phoenix.
