Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Rhett Atkins

The Valory Music Co Signs Thomas Akins

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:18:36 +0000

The Valory Music Co proudly announced their new signing of Thomas Akins to their artist roster today. The Georgia native is the son of songwriter Rhett Akins. He was a student in 2010 at the Lipcomb University in Nashville, Tennessee and signed his first EMI publishing deal. He wrote the Jason Aldean track “I Ain’t Ready To Quit” on his mega-hit “My Kinda Party” album.

“I honestly can’t believe all of this is finally here! I am so pumped to be working with The Valory Music Company!” said Thomas. “There is no doubt in my mind that Scott Borchetta and his staff are the most caring, family-oriented, hardest working team in the business. It truly is an honor to be labelmates with Brantley, Justin and Reba.”

Thomas is currently working on his debut album for the label, and he’ll join Brantley Gilbert out on the road on select dates.

Craig Morgan is a “Good Ole Boy”

Lydia Picknell — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:29:10 +0000

Craig Morgan is set to release his first single on his new label, Black River Entertainment, this month. Titled “Good Ole Boy,” will be shipped out to radio on June 21st. Described as a country love song, the single was co-written by Rhett Atkins, Ben Hayslip and Dallas Davidson.

Craig signed with Black River Entertainment in April after amicably splitting from his label home of three years, BNA.

His album will be released sometime early 2012.

Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood to be part of Billboard Country Music Summit

Lydia Picknell — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:47:41 +0000

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood are just two of the country music stars added to the guest speaker line-up for the 2011 Billboard Country Music Summit in Nashville, Tennessee June 6th & 7th. Underwood will host an hour’s question and answer segment with the media and fans on her rise to fame since finishing first on American Idol, and she is expected to discuss the past, present, and future of her superstar career in both music and film. Aldean is the keynote artist development case study and will be part of the speaker list on how he’s come from bars and honky tonks to arena-ready touring this year. Kevin Neal, the president of Buddy Lee Attractions, Chris Parr, manager of Spalding Entertainment, Rick Shedd, the Vice-President of Operations for Broken Bow Records and Clarence Spalding of Spalding Entertainment will also join the discussion.

Kenny Chesney will also be part of a rare hour-long question and answer segment with Ray Waddell, the Executive Director of Content & Programming For Touring & Live Entertainment for Billboard. Chesney is expected to discuss his success and his insight on how his career has developed and what musical projects he is focusing on in the near future. Chesney had taken 2010 off from touring and has had a huge come-back with his Goin’ Coastal tour in 2011.

Other country artists participating in various discussions include Charlie Daniels, Rhett Atkins, Dallas Davidson, Tom Gossin of Gloriana, Joe Nichols. Kellie Pickler is the host of the cocktail reception closing the two-day event.

For more information, and to register for the Billboard Country Music Summit, see the official site HERE.