Eric Paslay Advocates For Music Education
Eric Paslay and Sen. Bob Corker. Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for NAMM
EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay traveled to Washington, D.C. this week on behalf of the CMA Foundation to participate in the NAMM Music Education Advocacy Fly-in. During the trip, Paslay met with legislators including Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Jim Cooper, Senator Bob Corker, and Congressman Chuck Fleischman to relay his own experiences with music education and express his dedication to keeping arts education programs thriving.
Paslay addressed participants of the Fly-in at the CMA/NAMM/VH1 Congressional Reception for Music Education and also attended the TurnAround Arts Artist Reception where he joined in an impromptu jam session with blues musicians Keb Mo and jazz musician Bernie Williams. The annual event advances NAMM’s core advocacy theme: music education and legislation that advances access to music education for all children.
Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $13.6 million to support sustainable music education initiatives across the country.
Cody Johnson Plans New Album, Gotta Be Me
Rising country artist Cody Johnson is scheduled to release a new full-length studio album, Gotta Be Me, on August 5. In the last 18 months, his music has been streamed 60 million times and sold 400,000 tracks. Since 2014, the Texas musician has played over 250 cities and sold more than 500,000 tickets. His prior album, Cowboy Like Me, debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s country album chart in January 2014. Since its release, Johnson’s music has surpassed $1 million in sales. Gotta Be Me is available for pre-order at iTunes.
Clark Manson Partners With ORCA Coolers
Pictured (L-R): Nick Fulton, Pat Doyle, manager Pete Olson, Clark Manson, Kelsey Canan, Ashleigh Walker, Regina Pasconi, Grace Santschi, Whit Gammon
Country artist Clark Manson has teamed up with Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA) for an endorsement of ORCA Coolers, a leading brand in the industry. Clark tours nationally, heading festivals as well as opening for acts like Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley and Chase Rice. He is an Ohio native, where ORCA products are manufactured.
“We are very excited to have Clark as our newest Pro Staff member here at ORCA,” said Ashleigh Walker, VP of Marketing for ORCA Coolers. “Being a Nashville-based company we feel that Clark’s fan base and our customer base are basically one in the same, so this will be a great partnership for both of us.”
Clark’s new single is “Track 9.” He is exclusively represented by William Morris Endeavor and recording an album this month with producer Luke Wooten. He is sponsored by Jägermeister and was the 2015 TouchTunes Breakout Band winner.
Hannah Ellis Performs For National Police Week
.@hannahgreyellis performs “Officer Down” at #NationalPoliceWeek. Full video: https://t.co/u1SsytF0o8 pic.twitter.com/dzfBFLPmDa
— Sean Moody (@SeanMoodyWKYT) May 16, 2016
Word MusicPublishing/Wordcountry songwriter Hannah Ellis sang her poignant song “Officer Down” during National Police Week held at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 15. The song, written by Ellis and co-writers Steven Dale Jones and Justin Ebach, is a tribute to her cousin Daniel Ellis who was killed in the line of duty in Richmond, Kentucky, last year. Daniel Ellis and 251 other officers were honored by having their name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“Being asked to sing at the Fallen Peace Officers Memorial service is an honor in and of itself, but especially considering what my family has been through this past year with losing our own officer, it is something I will never forget,” says Ellis, a former contestant on The Voice. “Having the opportunity to sing a song that’s so personal to me and feel it resonate with so many people who have similar stories was a very moving experience.”
