Industry Ink: Tyler Childers And Robert Earl Keen, Justin Moore, Craig Alvin, Bill Whyte

Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers Join Forces on Upcoming Dates

Pictured: Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen

Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers have teamed up to play a series of upcoming shows in Texas in July. The renowned Americana artist and the 2018 Americana Emerging Artist of the Year became fast friends upon meeting at the Americana Awards in Nashville, leading to the decision to join one another on tour. Additional dates are in the works.

“Sliced bread and free whiskey ain’t got nothing on Tyler Childers,” Keen said. “However, in my humble opinion, all three go together like the sun and moon and stars.”

“By my lights, Robert Earl Keen is bigger than Texas and gooder than best,” Childers added. “It’s an honor to share a stage with Mr. Keen, and blessed assurance that he’s willing to do so.”

Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers tour dates:
July 3: Corpus Christi, TX @ America Bank Center
July 4: Kerrville, TX @ Robert Earl Keen’s 4th on The River – Louise Hays Park (with fireworks)
July 5: Galveston, TX -@ The Grand 1894 Opera House

Justin Moore Visits Air Force Base

Justin Moore with military personnel. Photo: Cody Villalobos

Justin Moore recently visited a USO Tour stop at Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas, Nevada. His current single, “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” honors military, veterans, police officers, nurses, teachers, firefighters and more.

FREETOWN Music Group Adds Grammy Award-Winning Engineer Craig Alvin to Roster

Craig Alvin

FREETOWN Music Group has announced the signing of Grammy-winning engineer Craig Alvin to its roster. Alvin is celebrating his recent Grammy wins for his engineering contribution to Kacey Musgraves’ critically-acclaimed album Golden Hour.

Most recently, Alvin has worked with Kathleen Edwards, Hanson, Brett Eldredge, Little Big Town, Colin Elmore and many more. For more information about Alvin’s work, visit craigalvin.com.

Bill Whyte signed to Billy Blue Publishing

Pictured (L-R, back row): Ed Leonard, President of Daywind Records; Rick Shelton, VP of Publishing; Joe Dan Cornett, Creative Director, Billy Blue Publishing; Jerry Salley, Head of Creative and A&R Director, Billy Blue and Billy Jam Records; (L-R, front row): Kathy Morgan Whyte, Bill Whyte

Billy Blue Publishing has signed Bill Whyte to the recently-formed publishing company, which serves bluegrass and Americana writers.

“Bill Whyte has been one of my favorite co-writers for a lot of years now,” said Jerry Salley, Creative and A&R Director, Billy Blue Records. “As a producer, I have recorded several of his songs on multiple artists I work with. I am so excited to work with him as part of our Billy Blue family and look forward to a wonderful working relationship.”

Originally from Missouri, Whyte is a songwriter, comedian, radio announcer, performer and more. He’s recorded two comedy song albums, Off The Wall and Leave Em’ Laughin’ and his songwriting credits include “Safe Haven” by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family, Joe Nichols’ “Crickets,” “Retired” by Ray Stevens, “Goin’ Ugly Early” by Cledus T. Judd, “Snowed In Christmas” by Linda Davis, and many more.

Whyte has won a CMA Award for Best Large Market Radio Personality, and was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2012. He is currently on air at WSM Radio in Nashville. Whyte has led country morning radio shows at WUBE Cincinnati, WMIL Milwaukee, WFMS Indianapolis and WSM-FM and WSM-AM in Nashville.

“I’m extremely excited to be part of the talented group of songwriters and creative folks at Billy Blue Publishing,” Whyte says. “My thanks to my great talented friend Jerry Salley for his help bringing me into this fold that truly does feel like family. My career has been blessed with success in radio, comedy and songwriting and I am looking very forward to what lies ahead with Billy Blue.”