On 7/16, BMI hosted its Rooftop on the Row series, presented by George Dickel, showcasing performances by BMI acts Ella Langley and Redferrin.
Paired with a panoramic view of the Nashville skyline, the event—currently in its sixth season—kicked off with SAWGOD/Columbia’s Langley, who performed “paint the town blue” and gave a solo rendition of her viral hit “you look like you love me,” as well as unreleased tracks from her debut album, hungover (due 8/2), before being joined by Kameron Marlowe for their latest single “Strangers.”
Warner Music Nashville’s Redferrin closed out the night with a set that included songs off his debut EP, Old No.7, such as “Lose Her for Nothin’,” “Champagne in the Morning” and “Just Like Johnny,” which has garnered 30m+ streams. He also teased the crowd with a string of unreleased songs, including “As Long as There's a Bar.”
BMI's Rooftop on the Row returns 8/13 with headliners Josh Ross and Lauren Watkins. The final event is slated for 9/17, serving as the kickoff to AMERICANAFEST. Since its launch, the showcase has hosted the likes of Morgan Wallen, Billy Strings, The War and Treaty, HARDY, K. Michelle, Riley Green, Maddie & Tae, Mackenzie Carpenterand Dylan Marlowe.
Seen below feeling grateful our flights to Nashville were cancelled are (l-r) BMI’s Claire Dodelin, Josh Tomlinson, Leslie Roberts and Clay Bradley; Langley, Redferrin; BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Mason Hunter and Nina Carter.
Photo credit: Erika Rock
Warner Music Nashville has promoted Torie Mason to SVP, Marketing & Analytics after three years of successfully leading the strategic marketing and analytics teams.
In Mason's new role, she'll merge and rebrand the artist development team into WMN's marketing department. The WMN interactive marketing team will now be digital marketing, as well.
The marketing department now encompasses artist marketing, digital marketing, analytics, brand partnerships, video strategy, and advertising strategy, who will all report to Mason.
"This new structure will allow us to continue to super-serve our artists and their music with more focus and urgency," WMN Co-Chair/Co-President Ben Kline said. "Torie's reputation both inside our building and in the community at large makes her one of the most respected and trusted thought leaders in our industry today. She is the right person to lead these efforts for Warner Music Nashville in an ever-changing marketing landscape."
We're also told she's the right person to send HITS emails into the trash.
Lakeview, the emerging country rock duo consisting of Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, has inked with UTA for exclusive global representation in all areas.
The duo is headed for a breakout year, having garnered 30m+ streams with their single “Home Team.” Their latest release, “Money Where Your Mouth Is” f/Gideon, has surged to the Top 5 on SiriusXM’s Octane channel.
Rooted in metal-core influences seamlessly blended into their country songs, Lakeview is just getting started.
Seen hoping this wouldn’t land in our inbox are (l-r) UTA’s Brian Hill and Kaleb Tooker; Healy and Denaro; UTA’s Alec Vidmar; and Majik Management’s Matt Woodson
Photo credit: Anna Schaeffer
The 60th ACM Awards will return to Frisco, Texas on 5/8/25 for a third consecutive year, streaming live from Ford Center at The Star—the Dallas Cowboys’ world HQ—via Prime Video, globally and exclusively.
16-time ACM-winner Reba McEntire will return to host the milestone anniversary, marking her 18th time at the helm, the most of any artist in ACM history.
“We’re excited to honor and celebrate the legacy of the ACM Awards all year long surrounding the 60th anniversary show returning to Amazon Prime Video next May,” said ACM CEO Damon Whiteside.
He continues, “Reba McEntire has hosted more ACM Awards shows than any other artist in history, and after her triumphant return this year for the 59th show, there is clearly no one better suited to helm this milestone show! Our landmark 50th anniversary show in 2015 marked our debut in Texas, and we’re thrilled to return again to celebrate another major moment in ACM history. We look forward to seeing our industry, artists, and fans celebrate in Frisco, Texas next May for an unforgettable week!”
McEntire adds, “I’m thrilled to be coming back to host the 60th ACM Awards on Prime Video. It’s going to be an absolute can’t miss show and I can’t wait to see everybody back in Texas!”
Additional details for this year’s show, including award submissions and voting timeline, nominees, performers, ticket sale details and additional ACM Awards week events, will be announced in the coming months.
Drew Baldridge is riding his independent spirit to new heights on the Country Airplay chart, as "She's Somebody's Daughter" hits #8 to become the highest charting position ever for a self-funded artist on the tally.
Baldridge's music is distributed by Stem, and he says he won't rest until the song has reached #1. "I’m going to speak it into existence,” said Baldridge, pictured with Stem Head of Artist & Label Strategy Alison Junker. “As soon as we’re #1, I want to have the next one ready."
"She's Somebody's Daughter" has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and has garnered more than 1b social media impressions and streams.
Beyond his own music, Baldridge is a Sony Music Publishing-signed songwriter who has written for acts such as Bailey Zimmerman and LOCASH. He also hosts a weekly program on Los Angeles station KKGO on Saturdays and Sundays. We'll try to tune in this weekend between our cryotherapy and IV infusion treatments.
Mallary Birdsong is joining UMG's Bravado as senior director of brand management, where she will be based in Nashville and report to SVP/Head of Brand Management and Artist Relations Brian Schechter.
Birdsong arrives from Make Wake Artists, where as director or merchandise she worked with acts such as Luke Combs, Flatland Cavalry, Niko Moon, Cooper Alan, Josh Abbott Band and Hailey Whitters.
She previously worked at Dallas Fan Fares, BV3 and Futureshirts. Birdsong is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
"Mallary's multifaceted industry experience is exactly what we look for to help bring our artist's vision to life," said Schechter. "I couldn't be happier to welcome her to the team as we continue to build out our presence in Nashville." Added Birdsong, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Bravado team and to grow with a company that is truly in a league of their own."
Red Street Records, founded by Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, has hired industry newcomer Gianna Robinson as its digital content coordinator and promoted Cambria Sojka to creative director. Red Street, home to Chris Lane, Neon Union, Ryan Larkins and Ryan Griffin, among others, has been on the upswing since its 2019 inception.
“I continue to be excited about the growth that’s happening at Red Street," DeMarcus, CEO, said. "Internally it’s been amazing to watch Cambria grow over the last several years and come into her own, equally exciting is adding new, fresh energy to the team with Gianna. It is a very exciting time at Red Street."
Sojka, a California native who has been with the company since the beginning, will serve both the country and Christian rosters. She will also oversee all creative vision and production across the entirety of the label, reporting directly to Red Street Records VP, Streaming & Playlist Strategy Michael Steele.
Meanwhile, Robinson will assist on all things streaming and digital asset production for the country and Christian markets. She plans to tap into her plethora of knowledge in audio engineering, graphic design, photography and content creation in her new role. She will also report directly to Steele.
Pictured hoping their new positions don't include talking to HITS are Sojka (black shirt) and Robinson.
Big Loud Records has upped Stacy Blythe to EVP, Promotions following Patch Culbertson's recent promotion to EVP/general manager. She'll report directly to partners Seth England, Joey Moi and Craig Wiseman.
“Stacy is a day-one believer in Big Loud,” England said. “She is not only a radio expert, but a relationship builder and an investor in people, as well as a trailblazer within the industry at large that helped us build this company from the ground up. Stacy is integral to the success of our organization, and on behalf of all of the partners, we are honored to continue growing with her.”
Blythe, a Pittsburgh native, initially joined the Big Loud team in 2015 and led her promotion team to 24 #1 singles at country radio in just under nine years, including Chris Lane's “Fix" and Post Malone's "I Had Some Help" f/Morgan Wallen.
Previous career stops include Big Machine Label Group (Republic Nashville), Broken Bow Records (Stoney Creek), 1720 Entertainment and Category 5. Meanwhile, we've been added to her "do not reply" list.
