Photo Credit: Jason Kempin // Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group
NASHVILLE, TN (February 25, 2022) – Wrapping Country Radio Seminar (CRS) week on a high note, Big Machine Label Group showcased eight of its superstars and in-demand newcomers today at the Omni hotel in downtown Nashville. The signature luncheon welcomes Country radio and industry executives, treating them to performances earlier this afternoon (2/25) from the eclectic roster of talent – LADY A, CARLY PEARCE, RILEY GREEN, CALLISTA CLARK, JACKSON DEAN, TIERA KENNEDY, CONNER SMITH and LACI KAYE BOOTH.
BMLG Chairman and CEO SCOTT BORCHETTA invited the room to explore new music and celebrate career milestones they helped create alongside imprint leaders JIMMY HARNEN (BMLG Records President/CEO), GEORGE BRINER (The Valory Music Co. President) and CLAY HUNNICUTT (Big Machine Records GM).
One of the newest members of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2022, LACI KAYE BOOTH kicked things off with a captivating cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” While fans nationwide may have come to know and love her unique “dreamy Country” sound on the American Idol stage, the Nashville-by-way-of-Texas newcomer reintroduces herself with her debut self-titled collection out now via BMLG Records/19 Recordings.
Rising singer/songwriter CONNER SMITH turned it up a notch with an energetic performance of his new single “Learn From It” featured on his recent release DIDN’T GO TOO FAR (The Valory Music Co.). Landing on prestigious Artists to Watch lists Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and more, the Nashville native is currently on the road for select dates with Ryan Hurd, followed by a summer run on Thomas Rhett’s BRING THE BAR TO YOU TOUR.
Emerging as one of the most exciting voices in the format, TIERA KENNEDY performed standout track on her self-titled EP, “Found It In You.” Named an artist to watch by CMT, MusicRow, Pandora and more, Tiera Kennedy is set to appear on some of the year’s biggest festivals, beginning in March at C2C Festival in Ireland and the United Kingdom followed by Tortuga Music Festival (4/9), Country Jam (6/23), Faster Horses Festival (7/22), Country Fan Fest (7/29) and Windy City Smokeout (8/5).
Hard-charging newcomer JACKSON DEAN performed his debut single at Country radio “Don’t Come Lookin’,” the stomping track which has been featured on Netflix’s The Ice Road Soundtrack and Paramount Network’s Yellowstone. Known for his gritty style of Country, Jackson’s debut album GREENBROKE is due March 11 via Big Machine Records.
The only Country artist in Billboard’s annual “21 Under 21” list and the youngest member ever named to CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2022, Big Machine Records’ CALLISTA CLARK premiered two songs, garnering excitement for the release of new music with her performance of “Gave It Back Broken” and empowering “Brave Girl.”
Chart-topping singer/songwriter RILEY GREEN treated the audience to a performance of his first No. 1 at Country radio “There Was This Girl” along with PLATINUM-certified, crowd favorite “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” from DIFFERENT ‘ROUND HERE (BMLG Records). The ACM Award-winning hitmaker joins Luke Bryan’s RAISED UP RIGHT TOUR this summer in the US before heading to Canada for shows with Luke Combs.
Reigning CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year CARLY PEARCE performed three standouts from her critically-acclaimed album 29: WRITTEN IN STONE including “29,” “What He Didn’t Do” and current Top-15-and-rising duet with Ashley McBryde “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” earning her multiple standing ovations. The pair are set to perform on the ACM Awards Monday, March 7 airing live on Amazon Prime where Carly will also vie for Female Artist, Album, Music Event and Video of the Year.
MULIT-PLATINUM band LADY A closed the show with No. 1 hits “Champagne Night” and “What If I Never Get Over You” as well as the tear-jerking “Worship What I Hate” and current single “What A Song Can Do,” the latter serving as the title track of their 8th studio album, out now via BMLG Records. Garnering multiple standing ovations throughout their set, Lady A is currently nominated for ACM Awards Group of the Year.
