Industry Ink: CMA Foundation, Billy Edd Wheeler, So Much Moore Media

CMA Foundation Announces $1 Million Partnership

Pictured (L-R): CMA Foundation Chairman Joe Galante, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Martina McBride, Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Candice McQueen, University of Tennessee associate music professor Dr. Johnathan Vest and CMA Director of Community Outreach Tiffany Kerns. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

The CMA Foundation recently announced a $1 million partnership with the state of Tennessee, called Tennessee: State of the Arts, which will increase student access to high-quality music and arts education across the state. Among those attending the introduction of the partnership were five-time CMA Awards winner Martina McBride, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Candice McQueen and University of Tennessee associate music professor Dr. Johnathan Vest. A panel was moderated by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and took place during the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) annual conference at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.

“Jackson” Songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler To Celebrate Book Release

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Billy Edd Wheeler, the composer behind Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson,” as well as Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County,” and “The Reverend Mr. Black,” recorded by The Kingston Trio and later by Johnny Cash, will celebrate the release of his memoir with an upcoming concert at ASCAP’s Nashville office on April 17. The event will take place from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. CT.

Several writers including Jim Lauderdale, Kathy Mattea, Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick, and John Jorgenson will make appearances to celebrate Wheeler’s Hotter Than A Pepper Sprout:A Hillbilly Poet’s Journey From Appalachia to Yale to Writing Hits for Elvis, Johnny Cash & More. The book details not only Wheeler’s success as a songwriter, but his varied career as a poet, Navy pilot, playwright, teacher, painter, novelist, humor writer, and magazine editor.

So Much MOORE Media Adds To Client Roster

Tristan McIntosh. Photo: Jenna Hough Photography

Martha Moore‘s So Much MOORE Media has added American Idol contestant and Nashvillian Tristan McIntosh to its roster for tour press.

Her Season 15 Idol audition video was the second most-watched in the show’s history with 53 million views. She made it to No. 6 before her days in the competition (and the show’s run on Fox) ended in 2016.