Last week, the Academy of Country Music welcomed UMG Nashville’s Tucker Wetmore to its headquarters in Nashville, where the breakout newcomer treated staff to a performance of his single “Wind Up Missin’ You,” and previewed forthcoming music from the ACM Red Barrel Lounge Stage. Seen hoping we wind up missing are (l-r) ACM’s Director of Industry Relations & Awards Haley Montgomery, EVP/Chief Business Officer Gil Beverly; Wetmore; ACM’s Chief of Staff/VP of Industry Relations & Awards Tommy Moore and UMG Nashville’s Chair/CEO Cindy Mabe.
Peep the full performance here.
Photo: Courtesy of ACM
The ACM and BMI Nashville recently teamed for a showcase celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Music City.
The intimate gathering, held at the Nashville offices of Warner Chappell on 10/10, featured performances by MORIAH, Alejandro Sierra, Ana Cristina Cash, and Matt Castillo, who closed the program with acoustic versions of his Texas Country Radio #1 tracks, “Corazon,” “Te Necesito” and “Go Get Her,” ahead of his still-untitled forthcoming project, which arrives in 2025.
The program was co-hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders alongside Marushka Media and Hispanic Entertainment Alliance founder Jackie Martinez Marushka, who said “I can’t thank Shannon, BMI, and the ACM enough for opening doors for these artists to share their music, voice and culture. Thank you, Warner Chappell, for making your showcase space available for such a special event, as it’s so important to highlight Hispanic voices in country music, and there’s no better time for it than Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Pictured Top Row [l-to-r]: Shannon Sanders (BMI), Jackie Martinez Marushka (Marushka Media, Hispanic Entertainment Alliance), Fletcher Foster (F2 Entertainment Group), Kortney Toney (ACM);
Bottom Row [L-R]: Alejandro Sierra, Ana Cristina Cash, MORIAH, Matt Castillo
Big Machine Records has inked Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd, who's penned hits for the likes of Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Lady A, Morgan Wallen, Conner Smith and Breland, among others.
“Ryan has been part of our extended Big Machine family for quite some time as he’s been a significant writer and contributor to our publishing company, Big Machine Music,” Big Machine Label Group Chairman/CEO Scott Borchetta said. “Adding his recorded artistry to the Big Machine Records roster is truly an honor.”
Hurd has accumulated more than 1b on-demand career streams, collected multiple award nominations and scored several #1s. His debut album, Pelago, reached the Top 5 of Spotify’s most-streamed country albums.
“I’m beyond excited to welcome Ryan Hurd to the Big Machine Records family,” Big Machine Records EVP/General Manager Kris Lamb added. “This is more than just a milestone—it’s a full-circle moment.”
Hurd’s latest single and first for Big Machine, “This Party Sucks,” arrives 10/25, while a full-length project is expected in 2025.
Pictured in the back row trying to duck us are (l-r) Big Machine Records’ Erik Powell, Lamb and songwriter/producer Aaron Eshuis; front row (l-r) Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Borchetta, Hurd and Big Machine Label Group’s Megan Joyce.
UMG Nashville has scooped up rising brother duo Crowe Boys for a deal that will launch with the 11/8 release of their label debut “Let Me Feel Alone.”
The New Orleans-bred duo of Ocie and Wes Crowe have established themselves as tireless road warriors, having grown up playing in a family band. The siblings carved out a niche at the junction of country, Americana and alternative with their self-released 2022 album Good Days and have been on tour pretty much constantly since.
UMGN chair and CEO Cindy Mabe said “When I first heard Crowe Boys, I knew I had to work with them. The emotional connection between brothers Ocie and Wes and the life they have lived pours from their souls, their harmonies, and their lyrics to create something so powerful that you know they are here to heal people. I'm incredibly moved and honored to have them join our UMGN family.”
The C3 Management clients will join David Shaw for a run of dates starting at Tipitina’s in New Orleans on 10/31 before ending 2024 with a handful of solo dates. They’ll start 2025 by teaming with Morgan Wade for a run that starts 1/29 at Washington, D.C.’s 9:30 Club.
Pictured (l-to-r): C3 Management’s Drew Carey, Ocie Crowe, UMGN’s Cindy Mabe, C3 Management’s Morgan Young, Wes Crowe.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has partnered with One4 Entertainment’s Brian Wright to sign breakthrough singer-songwriter Sadie Bass to a global publishing deal.
“Sadie’s unique background, unstoppable determination, and God-given talent sets her up for surefire success," SMP Nashville VP, Creative Tom Luteran said. "I am inspired by her drive to win every day."
SMP Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston added, “Sadie’s artistry is captivating – her songs and performances demand attention. We are excited for the big future she has ahead.”
Bass, who relocated to Nashville in 2020 to focus on her career, has been writing and recording new music for release in 2025 but has a single called “Camo” f/Styles Haury arriving (Friday) 10/18. Until then, enjoy this photo of (l-r) manager Emma Kyes, Luteran, Bass, Wright and Gaston looking relieved we weren't allowed inside.
UMG Nashville veteran Damon Moberly has been promoted to senior VP of promotion, a position he’ll assume immediately.
Moberly, who’s been with the label group for more than a quarter-century, most recently served as SVP and head of radio promo for Mercury Records Nashville. During his tenure, he helped launch Shania Twain’s 20x platinum Come on Over, as well as working special projects such as the breakout Soggy Bottom Boys hit “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow” from the soundtrack to the acclaimed 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He also helped guide #1 successes like Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee album and the Jon Bon Jovi - Jennifer Nettles collaboration “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
Addressing his new role, Moberly said “I’ve been fortunate to call Mercury Records Nashville my only label home for the past 26 years. I’m honored to now work with all the UMG Nashville imprints and artists alongside the best promotion pros in the business. Thanks to Cindy Mabe for this opportunity.”
UMGN chair & CEO Mabe added “Damon is such a champion of great artists and songs. His passion for music and his skillset of building people and teams makes him the perfect person to lead our promotion team to new depths. I’m honored to have Damon in this new role.”
HITS, meanwhile, is still angling for a delivery of some of that Nashville hot chicken.
Industry vet Jennie Smythe has quite a story to tell and she’s planning to do that in her memoir, which Resolve Editions will publish early next year.
Smythe, founder and CEO of Girlilla Marketing, will share stories of breaking boundaries with her 16-year-old company, which handles clients such as Dead & Company, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Blondie and Brooke Shields, as well as more personal tales of her battle with breast cancer.
In addition to her personal endeavors, the Northern Arizona alumna is president of the CMA board of directors, as well as on the boards of the CMA Foundation (past chairperson) and Music Health Alliance.
Becky Nesbitt, publisher of Resolve Editions, a division of Forefront Books, said “From the moment I met Jennie, I knew it was a perfect match. Her journey to the top of the industry is a testament to her grit, determination, and resilience through both wins and losses. Her story will undoubtedly inspire readers everywhere.”
Smythe added, “I have learned so many things from so many smart people, some of whom are no longer with us and I want to honor them by passing on what they taught me. I hope that I can make you think, laugh and see your own story in mine, because we are all connected, online and offline.”
We at HITS know that our Todd Hensley would enjoy devouring this tome – if he’d ever learned to read, that is.]
Pictured in signing photo (l-to-r): Jennifer Gingerich (Forefront Books), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing), Becky Nesbitt (Forefront Books)
Carly Pearce has extended her publishing partnership with BMG in association with Altadena, the music company founded by Pearce's late producer and collaborator, busbee, and LEO33’s Daniel Lee. Pearce has been part of the BMG family for more than a decade and her career in country music continues to flourish.
"Carly’s strength, determination and writing skills are as fierce as her work ethic," BMG Nashville’s VP, Publishing Chris Oglesby said. "We are honored to continue this journey with her and Altadena.”
Pearce kicked off her Hummingbird World Tour this month in support of her latest album, hummingbird, which marks her debut as a co-producer and includes the Grammy-nominated “we don’t fight anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton and “truck on fire." Pearce released a video for the latter on Monday (10/14), her first since winning the CMT Award for Collaborative Video of the Year for “we don’t fight anymore" in April. Directed by Alexa Campbell, the visual revolves around a revenge fantasy aimed at a cheating ex.
Pictured wishing they could get revenge on us for merely existing are (l-r) Lee, Starstruck Entertainment's Mike Blong, BMG's Camryn Clark, BMG's Patricia Wittmer, Pearce, Oglesby, Altadena's Jess Busbee, BMG's Amy Scott and attorney David Crow.
