Big Loud Records has welcomed Appalachian country-folk singer Charles Wesley Godwin to its roster. The Morgantown, West Virginia native draws his influence from the likes of Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Ryan Bingham, Willie Nelson and Chris Knight. His previously released albums, Seneca and How the Mighty Fall, put his love for country-folk front and center.
“I first heard about Charles last year from my brother Eric [England]; fatefully, the timing aligned perfectly with when our company was exploring endeavors in alternative genres, branching out into Americana, indie, folk, roots, and more,” Big Loud Partner/CEO Seth England shared. “I was blown away immediately by Charles' undeniable talent, grit, songwriting ability, and distinct perspective; it truly sets him apart. Big Loud is excited to stand proudly with him and his team as we launch a new chapter for our company and bring this body of music to the world.”
Arthur Penhallow Jr. of True Grit Management, who manages Godwin alongside Reed Turner, added, "The most important thing to Charles was finding a partner who would fully support his artistic vision. Big Loud is clearly committed to that and their passion for Charles' music is unmatched. We look forward to working with them during this exciting next phase of his career.”
Godwin is looking ahead to a massive tour this year, which is packed with headline club show dates in addition to support slots on tours with Zach Bryan and Cody Jinks. Find the dates here.
Seen in the back row getting ready to karate chop their way out of HITS’ reach are Eric England (VP of Insights & Analytics, Big Loud), Patch Culbertson (GM/SVP, Big Loud), Joey Moi (Partner/President of A&R, Big Loud), Jeff Tanner (VP of Business Affairs, Big Loud), Stacy Blythe (SVP of Radio Promotion, Big Loud), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), and Nate Yetton (VP of A&R, Big Loud Records).
In the front row are Penhallow Jr., Samantha Godwin, Charles Wesley Godwin, Turner and Seth England.
Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks will be the hosts of the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards on 5/11 in Dallas. It will be Brooks’ rookie outing as an awards show host; Parton hosted the ACMs last year.
The show will stream live on Prime Video.
“There is no host pairing more appropriate than music’s most iconic global superstars, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks,” said Academy of Country Music CEO and ACM Awards Executive Producer Damon Whiteside. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this legendary pair together for the first time ever as ‘Country Music’s Party of the Year’ heads to the Dallas Cowboys world headquarters.”
“While I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with him throughout the years, I can’t believe we’ve never had the chance to work together,” Parton said. “In addition to getting to see all this great new talent in country music, I am excited to have the chance to premiere the lead single from my upcoming rock album on the show.”
Brooks added: “Anyone with Dolly Parton makes a fantastic couple.”
The 58th ACM Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Raj Kapoor, Barry Adelman, and Fonda Anita serving as executive producers.
Pigasus/Songs & Daughters/Big Loud’s Hailey Whitters has made her morning TV debut on the third hour of NBC’s TODAY with her breakout hit, “Everything She Ain’t.”
The Iowa-born, Nashville-based country star also recently made her late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with the now gold-certified single, which is currently climbing the charts and hit the Top 25 this week at Country radio.
Currently on her Rasied headlining tour in support of her new album, Whitters will hit the road later this year with Shania Twain, Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley. Additionally, she’s slated to perform at major fests like Bourbon & Beyond, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Country Thunder, Two Step Inn Festival, Winstock Festival, Country Jam and more.
Peep her tour dates here and watch her perform “Everything She Ain’t” below.
Railbird Music Festival has revealed its full schedule ahead of the two-day event at the Red Mile in Lexington, Ky. The show will run from 6/3-4 with performances beginning at 1:30pm on Saturday, followed by 12:45pm on Sunday.
With headlining sets by Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, the fest will also feature performances by Weezer, Marcus Mumford, Whiskey Myers, Sheryl Crow and Molly Tuttle, among others, across three stages.
For more info, click here.
ONErpm Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Jesslee, whose debut single “Unmeet You” premiered on Monday (March 27). The proud Italiano first turned heads (and chairs) during a 2018 episode of NBC’s The Voice. She ultimately joined Blake Shelton’s team and soon relocated to Nashville. She appeared on Apple Music’s Country Hot Tracks for 45 consecutive weeks and has found her home at ONErpm. “Unmeet You” was written with her manager Steve Virginia (Black Label Nash Entertainment Group) and The Swoon Brothers, fellow Voice alums.
“Jesslee is a phenomenal singer,” Tim Wipperman, managing director for ONErpm Nashville, said. “Her powerful vocals are unparalleled, coupled with the fact that she is one of the best new writers in town.”
ONErpm’s A&R Director of County Music Ryan Cunningham added, “The responses and comments from her fans are filled with touching stories about how she makes a difference in so many lives. This is exactly what music is supposed to do.”
Jesslee will spend the rest of 2023 on the road and working on new music. She’s already shared the stage with Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown and Wynonna Judd, among others.
Seen in the front row wishing anybody but HITS was making this announcement are Virginia, Jesslee and Wipperman. In the back row are Alex McGinnis (ONErpm), Cunningham, Ricky L Vinson (Black Label Nash Entertainment Group) and Lisa Vinson (Black Label Nash).
Our hearts go out to the entire Nashville community as it absorbs the shattering news of a deadly shooting at The Covenant School that claimed the lives of six people, including three children. We're thinking of our extended music-world family today and sending love and light their way.
Turnpike Troubadours, Whiskey Myers and Gary Allan are set to headline the third annual Born & Raised Music Festival.
Presented by AEG and Patriot Auto Group, the festival returns to the Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds in Oklahoma and expands to three days this year.
Taking place from 9/14-9/16, the festival features more than 40 acts across its lineup, including Ryan Bingham, Randy Rogers Band, Lukas Nelson & POTR, Randy Houser, Flatland Cavalry, Read Southall Band, William Clark Green, Wade Bowen, Reckless Kelly and more.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being born and raised on the red dirt in this part of the country, and that’s exactly what our festival celebrates – the roots, the heritage, and the music that define us,” said festival founder/vp/general manager, Dave Geincke.
Tickets for the weekend start at $169.00 and will be available for pre-sale on 3/28 and to the public on 3/31. For more info and package options, click here.
Born & Raised Music Festival made its debut in 2021 with performances from the likes of Cody Jinks, Zach Bryan, ZZ Top, Parker McCollum, Jack Ingram and more.
To celebrate the arrival of her highly anticipated new album, Proof of Life, on 4/28, Joy Oladokun will perform a album release show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on 5/12 with special guests FANCY and Mon Rovia.
Arriving via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic, the 13-track set—which features previously released tracks like “We’re All Gonna Die” f/Noah Kahan and “Keeping the Light On,” among others—follows her 2021 major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, which garnered critical acclaim. The album’s 16-track Deluxe version will arrive on 4/28.
“This album is evidence of how I live,” said Oladokun. “I started making music because I wasn’t hearing from the ‘everyday human being’ on the radio. I hope this resonates with anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day.”
Additionally, Oladokun will join John Mayer and Noah Kahan on their respective sold-out tours this spring and summer. She’s previously joined the likes of Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, My Morning Jacket, Pink Sweat$, Leon Bridges and Manchester Orchestra on the road.
Pre-sale tickets for the album release will be available on 3/29 with general on-sale to follow on 3/31 here.
