Mitchell Tenpenny wins wave of accolades, announces new album due September
Pictured (LR, front row): Sony Music Nashville’s Bri Berkhout, Courtney Beebe, Emily Butler, Helena Akhtar, Lexi Stringer, Emmie Reitzug, Randy Goodman, Nathan Thomas, Meghan Reich, Lauren Wilson, Alison Mingino, Liz Cost and Candice Surrency; (L-R, back row): Sony Music Nashville’s Caryl Atwood, Lauren Thomas, Houston Gaither, Mitchell Tenpenny, Meg Kehoe, Nicole Marinake, Nicole Hunt, Jess Keifer, Alaina Vehec and Megan Vande Pol.
Riser House/Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville recently held a celebration for Mitchell Tenpenny to commemorate him reaching one billion streams, as well as his first triple platinum plaque presentation. The private party took place at Nashville’s Nightscape entertainment and event venue.
Over the course of his career, Tenpenny has amassed over 1.3 billion on-demand streams, and his first-ever single, “Drunk Me,” has now amassed nearly 580 million on-demand streams worldwide. The singer-songwriter also won a gold plaque for his debut album, tell all my secretsand a gold plaque for her current single “Truth About You”.
During the event, Tenpenny announced that he will be releasing a 20-track album on September 16 titled It’s the heavy. Tenpenny co-wrote all the songs for the upcoming project and produced it alongside Jordan M. Schmidt.
“I hope the fans are as excited as I am that this music will be released soon,” Tenpenny shares. “I’ve spent an awful lot of time writing during the pandemic and sharing bits and pieces of what I’ve been working on along the way. The fans really showed up for me by giving me feedback on what they liked. Their direction helped shape this album and stretched me as a songwriter and artist.
Scott and Sandi Borchetta award $150,000 grant to Music Health Alliance
Pictured (L-R): Sandi Borchetta of Big Machine Label, Shelia Shipley Biddy of Music Health Alliance, Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Label, Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance. Photo: Nick Rau
Founder/Chairman/CEO of Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta and his wife sandi, who serves as executive vice president of creative at BMLG, awarded a $150,000 grant to the Nashville-based Music Health Alliance. Their contribution was issued through their Music Has Value fund, which was established in 2015 to provide financial support to organizations that support those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and enjoy music.
“For more than 30 years, Scott and Sandi Borchetta have had a profound impact on Nashville and the music industry through their leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic efforts,” says Music Health Alliance Founder and CEO . Tatum Allsep. “We are overwhelmed by their generous contribution today through their Music Has Value fund. This grant will greatly help us in our mission to heal music.
“Access to health care is something that every human being deserves and the work the Music Health Alliance is doing to help those working in music access medicine, mental health resources or even relief from COVID- 19, is simply heroic,” the Borchettas add. “In order for those who work in the music industry to create and produce their best work, they must be healthy and healthy. We are proud to know that this Music Has Value grant will provide health care to so many people in our music community.
Barbara Mandrell celebrates 50 years in the Opry family
Pictured (LR): Janelle Arthur, CeCe Winans, Carrie Underwood, Barbara Mandrell, Linda Davis,
Suzy Bogguss, Jeannie Seely. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim
Grand Ole Opry famous member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Barbara Mandrel on its 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry family with two shows this past weekend (July 20). The three-time ACM/CMA Entertainer and four-time ACM/CMA Singer of the Year was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on July 29, 1972.
Opry member Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis, Jeannie Seely, Janelle Arthur, Mandy Barnettand Connie Smith honored the legend who was present with his family and friends.
“Everyone talks about Barbara’s beauty. But, as beautiful as she is, she is just as beautiful inside. Along with all those other things we love about her, she’s always worn her faith on her sleeve. She let us know that you can love the Lord AND uplift a little…devil,” Underwood explained before welcoming Mandrell onstage. “She has been such an inspiration to me and so many others who stand on the shoulders of great female artists like her. It is especially fitting to honor her tonight in this sacred place that is so dear to us all. both.
“There are so many amazing, extremely talented women who have played for us tonight and said so many amazing things about me…they know I love them. And the Opry…God knows I love the Opry,” Mandrell shared. “My last show when I retired in 1997, I chose my home to do my final performance and this was it.”
A 9-time People’s Choice Award winner, Mandrell released “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in April 1981 as the lead single from her album. Barbara Mandrell Live. The song reached No. 1 on July 4 of that year and helped propel it Live album to be certified Gold by the RIAA and helped her win the 1981 CMA Entertainer of the Year.
The Watershed Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with a busy weekend
Kane Brown at Watershed Festival 2022. Photo: Courtesy of The GreenRoom
The Watershed Music And Camping Festival welcomed a sold-out crowd last weekend, with over 25,000 fans attending the festival’s tenth anniversary celebration. The three-day event kicked off with sets of Chase Rice, Jessie James Decker, Runaway June, Hailey Whitters, Callista Clark and more. The evening ended with a lively performance by Morgan Wallen.
Saturday’s festivities continued with a stacked lineup of Jordan Davis, Dylan Scott, Jameson Rodgers, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammock. Miranda Lambert ended the evening with a stacked solo show.
Sunday closed the weekend with performances by Jake Owen, Michael Ray, Lauren Alaina, LOCASH and Tentilled Artsheadliner follow-up Kane Brown.
PLA Media expands to California market
matt williams
PLA Media has expanded its staff in Los Angeles as a member of the management team matt williams made the transition to the west coast. Williams began his tenure at the PLA office in Nashville.
Williams is an award-winning graphic designer, web designer, writer and consultant. With over a decade of experience, he has established an eclectic portfolio working with clients across a wide range of industries including entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, technology, nonprofits and more. He has worked in agency and corporate settings, as well as freelancing, working closely with everyone from project managers and CEOs to talent managers and musicians.
As a graphic designer and web designer, Williams is a leader in brand design and aesthetics. Clients include the Tina Turner Museum, Waste Tech Solutions, All Things Tudor, and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. In this role, he creates logos, websites and branding for a plethora of PLA clientele.
“At PLA, we are delighted to continue our professional relationship with our creative designer, Matt Williams. Having a branch in this crucial market brings a broader perspective and strengthens our ability to attract and serve our diverse and growing customer base,” explains Pam LewisFounder and President of PLA Media.
