Ron Wynn has been a friend, an ally, and someone I respect for years, since my beginning in Nashville. That’s what makes this honor so much grander for me. Thank you to Ron and to the Nashville Scene for honoring Color Me Country Radio w/ Rissi Palmer, I’m so grateful. You can check out the entire piece HERE.

Thank you so much to the Tennessean, especially Matthew Leimkuehler, for asking me to reflect on the last year in Country music. Hallowed Sounds includes pieces from Mickey Guyton, Allison Russell, Willie Jones, Darius Rucker, and more. I'm honored to be included in those voices. You can read the essay in full HERE. 

I had the privilege of interviewing the fabulous Jennifer Hudson about her starring role as Aretha Franklin in the biopic Respect for CMT Hot 20 Countdown… check it out!!!

Words cannot even express what an honor this is!!! Thank you to Rolling Stone for including me in this list of Changemakers. You can read all about it HERE. 

When I became an independent artist 11 years ago, it took me a moment to get over the idea that I was going to be “saved”, that a record company/manager/agent/publisher was going to swoop in, take the art I was making, and elevate it to the next level. It was a total let down when my white knight never arrived, when I realized that no one was coming to save me. What did happen was I discovered other avenues to market and brand myself that were rewarding and lucrative…all while maintaining ownership of my product. In other words…I learned to save myself.  

Seeds came from my belief that the new music business model will evolve from the need for a “middle man” (i.e. a record label, booking agents, etc.), to artists choosing and creating their own destinies, partnering with larger entities only when they’ve reached the limits of their own power. Artists will learn the various alternate routes directly from the music industry professionals who are doing this work every day. When you give the knowledge directly to the people, they will be able to do for themselves, thus demystifying the process.  

Seeds is a monthly, 90 minute presentation, hosted by yours truly, where music business professionals from the publishing, distribution, management, and booking agent world will speak directly to artists about the how to of getting their music exposed. There will be time for Q&A as well as an opportunity to present your work directly to industry professionals for evaluation and constructive critique.

The first event on Sunday, June 27 at 4pm et/3pm et, will feature my dear friend and first publisher, Debbie Z and her partner Tara Shannon. Their company, The Syndicut, is a unique development program for artists and writers looking to advance their skills and establish themselves. With a special focus on education, The Syndicut empowers music creators in becoming successful entrepreneurs making a sustainable living in music. Their program acts as an incubator with continuous skill development through one-on-one personalized coaching while providing additional opportunities through the publishing company, Syndicut Music Publishing, and sister label Willow Sound Records. You can register for this event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/150372180239

A huge thank you to the Raleigh News & Observer for choosing me as Tar Heel of the Month!!! Check the article out HERE. 

Thank you to PBS NewsHour, Gretchen Frazee, & Amna Nawaz for telling our stories with such care. You can see the news piece HERE and read the accompanying article HERE. 

Thank you for Sounds Like Nashville and Cillea Houghton for this really special piece on Rainey Day and Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund. You can check it out HERE. 

I'm so excited to be working with CMT's Hot 20 Countdown as a Special Correspondent. My first assignment was speaking with rising star Tenille Arts about her emotional Opry performance and how she’s on her way to making her biggest dream come true! Check it out!!!