Jon Langston Makes Opry Debut, Earns Gold Treatment
Pictured (L-R): Jon Langston with UMG Nashville EVP & COO Mike Harris. Photo: Chris Hollo
32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville artist Jon Langston made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Feb. 22. Along the way, he delivered an array of performances, including his upcoming single, “Back Words,” and fan favorite “Forever Girl.”
During the show, Langston was surprised backstage with a plaque commemorating “Forever Girl” being certified Gold by the RIAA.
The song was the first song Langston ever wrote, kicking off a career that has seen the Georgia native sell out shows across the country and tally more than 500 million total streams.
Langston will release “Back Words” this Friday (Feb. 25).
Eli Young Band Join The Pandora Billionaires Club
Pictured: (L-R:) Ashley Sidoti (Vice President Promotion & Digital, The Valory Music Co.); George Briner (President, The Valory Music Co.); Jen Danielson (Head of Country Programming, Pandora); Alina Thompson (Senior Manager, Artist Marketing & Industry Relations, Pandora); James Young; Mike Eli; Chris Thompson; Jon Jones; Beville Dunkerley (Head of Country Music, Pandora); Bekah Digby (Streaming Manager; Big Machine Label Group); George Couri (Owner, Triple 8 Management). Photo: Chris Hollo
Following their Grand Ole Opry performance on Feb. 22, Eli Young Band were surprised with a Pandora Billionaire Plaque, commemorating over 2 billion streams on the platform.
With this milestone, the band has been added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires Radio.
“Sometimes these moments sneak up on you and refill the gas tank,” reflected lead singer Mike Eli. “We love to play music and when something like this comes along and reminds you that people are listening, it just feels so good. The first and last time someone will call us billionaires!”
Last week, the band delivered their new single “Love Talking” to country radio. The band will return to the road for their 51-city “Love Talking Tour.” For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.
Priscilla Block Celebrates First RIAA Certification For “Just About Over You”
Pictured (L-R): David Friedman, VP Promotion UMG Nashville; Buzz Brainard, Host Music Row Happy Hour on SiriusXM’s The Highway; Priscilla Block; J.R. Schumann, Sr. Director Music Programming SiriusXM; Jackie Jones, VP Artist & Industry Relations RIAA. Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Nashville
Priscilla Block was surprised with some happy news on Friday (Feb. 18) while joining SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard for The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour.
While in the studio, RIAA’s Jackie Jones popped in to the live broadcast, saying, “I am here to do one of my favorite things–to give an artist their very first certification. I’d like to congratulate you on your first Gold record!”
Jones presented Priscilla with Gold plaque for Block’s hit debut single “Just About Over You.”
“I’m at a loss for words!” shared a stunned Block. “This is because of [my family, friends, supporters, and fans]. [This is] my first certified gold single! Thank y’all for keeping music alive and continuing to buy and stream my music and letting me have a dang career doing what I love!”
Earlier this week, Block was also awarded the Breakout Artist of the Year award at MusicRow‘s 20th annual CountryBreakout Awards. Block earned the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart than any other debut artist last year.
Dustin Collins Inks With New Vision, New Revolution
Pictured (L-R:) Mike Kraski, Dustin Collins, Jeff Solima. Photo: Adkins Publicity
Dustin Collins has signed with New Vision Artist Management’s Mike Kraski and New Revolution Entertainment’s Jeff Solima.
Collins recently announced his forthcoming album, Working Man, which was produced by Buddy Cannon and Bill McDermott. The project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment. A portion of proceeds from the project will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment and enables them to re-enter society.
Kraski began his career in sales and distribution at CBS Records, eventually making his way to Sony Music Nashville where he worked with Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Montgomery Gentry, and more. He was eventually elevated to executive VP and General Manager for the Nashville division. In 2003, Kraski left Sony to open Equity Records. Since 2007, he has worked in artist management, consulting and music publishing at Tenacity Management and at M-Pact Music Group, recently partnering with artist manager John Dorris to launch New Vision Artist Management.
Solima, whose career started at Music Matters, managed Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker, as well as opened the multi-award-winning Hitsquad Promotions in 1993. In 2006, he co-founded New Revolution, and in 2008, he co-founded Bigger Picture Promotions, which became the No. 5 record label in 18 months. Clients that have included Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Martina McBride, Lee Brice, Gloriana, Uncle Kracker, Jesse James Decker, and more.
“It’s truly amazing to get to work with some of the best that Nashville has to offer. Management wise, Mike has helped me achieve everything I’ve wanted to on my new project and going forward to radio, you can’t help but to be impressed with Jeff’s track record of success and professionalism,” shares Collins.
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