Industry Ink: Jo Walker-Meador, Cold River Records, Silverado Records, Miranda Lambert

Industry Leaders Gather To Celebrate Jo Walker-Meador

Pictured (L-R): Michelle Walker (Jo’s daughter), Judy Turner (Leadership Music), Mary Ann McCready (Flood Bumstead McCready McCarthy), Jo Walker-Meador, Tinti Moffat (TJ Martell), Sarah Trahern (CMA), Ree Buchanan (Wrensong), Pamela Davis Needham (Native Entertainment Group). Photo:  CMA

A group of Nashville music industry power players met recently to celebrate the birthday of Jo Walker-Meador. Representatives from Leadership Music, T.J. Martell, CMA, Wrensong, Native Entertainment Group, and Flood Bumstead McCready McCarthy joined to celebrate Walker-Meador, who served as executive director for the CMA from 1962-1991.

One year before she took the helm at the CMA, full-time country radio stations numbered fewer than 100 nationwide. By 1995 there were nearly 2,400 such stations.

Cold River Records Signs Maggie Baugh

Pictured (L-R): Cold River’s VP/Radio Promotion Jim Dandy, President Pete O’Heeron, Maggie Baugh and SVP/Radio Promotion John Ettinger.

Cold River Records recently signed Placer Creek Music Publishing writer, Maggie Baugh, to its artist roster. Cold River’s President, Pete O’Heeron, made the announcement during the label’s pre-CRS party at the Omni Hotel.

The 16-year-old multi-instrumentalist (guitar and fiddle) and singer/songwriter has played fiddle onstage with Neal McCoy and Charlie Daniels Band and has opened for Neal McCoy, Craig Morgan, Phil Vassar, Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Mark Chesnutt, Drake White, Old Dominion, Claire Dunn and fellow label mate, Drew Baldridge.

Cold River Records plans to launch Baugh in 2018 after she completes high school.

Silverado Records Signs David Adam Byrnes

David Adam Byrnes with VP/A&R Aaron Chesling. Photo: Hunter Berry

Silverado Records has signed Arkansas native David Adam Byrnes. Byrnes has released two previous studio albums and tours extensively. He’s opened for Hank Williams Jr., Chris Young, Thompson Square and many others. He was a featured act at 2016’s Nationals Final Rodeo at the Mirage in Las Vegas, alongside now label mate, Joe Diffie. 

Byrnes is represented by Arlis Albritton and Tayler Bock of Full On Management.

Miranda Lambert Supports Women Creators Scholarship At Belmont University For Second Year

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Becky Fluke

Proceeds earned from Miranda Lambert‘s recent sold-out club show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Jan. 24 will help fund the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Scholarship at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business for a second year. The purpose of the fund is to provide a scholarship to an outstanding female student who is majoring in music business, songwriting or entertainment industry studies.

“I am so happy to continue supporting this scholarship fund for Women Creators at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business,” said Lambert. “To be able to assist women in a meaningful way means the world to me.”

Doug Howard, dean of the Curb College, said, “We are grateful and humbled by the continued generous support given by Miranda Lambert to the women songwriters and artists at the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. The level of participation and excitement displayed by our students in connection with this scholarship has been overwhelming, and this year’s gift is once again evidence of Miranda’s firm commitment to inspire and empower the next generation of female creators and entertainment industry leaders.”

Applications are now open for the 2017-18 scholarship. Candidates must complete an online application and submit an original song. A Curb College selection committee will review the applications, and a group of finalists will be sent to Lambert review. Award notification is anticipated to occur in late spring.