Zach Bryan
Born in Japan and raised on the flats of Oklahoma, the artist’s nostalgia-evoking songs span across all genres, from singer-songwriter melodies to his recent embrace of alternative rock. Influenced by acclaimed acts like Bon Iver, Otis Redding, Kings of Leon, Gillian Welch, and Jason Isbell, he aims to be a crossroad of musical styles throughout his career. Currently residing on the Eastern coast, his musical journey started after nine years of active duty in the Navy. He released an acoustic album with his naval colleagues in a cozy airbnb in Jacksonville, Florida, leading to offers from major record labels across the country. Despite a brief continuation in the Navy, conflicting thoughts led to an honorable discharge for him to pursue his passion for music.
Transitioning from intimate 1,000-capacity venues to massive 70,000-capacity stadiums, the artist’s ascent as a songwriter has been meteoric. Building an impressive catalog in just four years, it is evident that he is set for a long and prolific career in music. His latest achievement was the release of his third studio album ‘The Great American Bar Scene’ on July 4th, 2024. Currently embarked on his final tour, the Quittin’ Time tour, he continues to captivate audiences with his soul-stirring compositions and captivating performances.
Miranda Lambert
Acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multi-faceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate, and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty, and conviction. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, her music has also won three Grammys and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best of the year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People, and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”
With seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards, and countless Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum sales certifications, she’s conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency and blurred genres with Leon Bridges, Enrique Iglesias, the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Elle King as well as her LGBTQ+ inclusive anthem “Y’All Means All” for Netflix’s “Queer Eye.” She’s taken those standards to become a New York Times bestselling author, and the first and only woman on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection, and her Idyllwind clothing. Driven by her passion for rescue animals, her MuttNation Foundation has raised more than $10 million since inception.
Smokie Norful
With his soulful tenor vocals and an unerring ability to fuse contemporary gospel with hip-hop sensibilities, Smokie Norful is among the brightest lights on the gospel scene. An internationally renowned pastor and educator, Norful found mainstream success in the early 2000s with Need You Now and Nothing Without You, the latter of which won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Since then, he has topped the Billboard charts multiple times and earned a string of awards, including his second Grammy in 2015 for the single “No Greater Love.” I Still Have You, Norful’s seventh studio album, appeared in 2024, featuring the hit single of the same name. The son of an African Methodist Episcopal minister, Norful spent his first 14 years in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he absorbed music ranging from sacred gospel to the secular soul that was popular at the time, and both strains would serve him well when he began his professional singing career. By the age of two he was picking out melodies on piano, by four he was actively playing and singing in his father’s church, and by ten he was a featured artist on a custom album assembled by a regional music director. Although music was his enduring passion, Norful instead opted to study history at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, eventually working as a history instructor for four years before relocating to Chicago in 1998 in order to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary. After his graduation, Norful remained in Chicago as an assistant pastor at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church and stayed active in various church choirs, eventually catching the ear of Joe Anne Brunson, leader of the Thompson Community Choir, who asked him to sing one of his original songs for the choir’s Real album, which essentially launched Norful’s professional singing career. Norful has characterized his music as “urban inspirational,” an apt term that allows him to stretch the boundaries of traditional gospel while remaining true to its purpose. His gold-selling debut solo album, I Need You Now, was released by EMI Gospel and Chordant in 2002. It spent 104 weeks on the Billboard Gospel Albums charts and 38 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The Dove Award-winning live album Limited Edition appeared the following year, paving the way for Norful’s sophomore studio effort, Nothing Without You. Released in 2004, the LP earned Norful a Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album Grammy Award. Norful kept the momentum going with 2006’s Life Changing, which included the gospel radio hits “Celebrate” and “Um Good,” and 2009’s Smokie Norful Live, which featured the Dove Award-winning single “Justified.” Recorded live in Chicago at the Fellowship Baptist Church, Smokie Norful Presents Victory Cathedral Choir was released in 2010 with the star-studded How I Got Over…Songs That Carried Us, featuring Sherri Jones-Moffet, Myron Butler, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Melvin Williams, and Joe Ligon, arriving the following year. The reflective Once in a Lifetime and Forever Yours appeared in 2012 and 2014, respectively, with Nothing Is Impossible, featuring the reggae-tinged title cut, arriving in 2017. The 2020 retrospective Smokie Norful Collection brought Norful’s music into the next decade, and in 2024, he issued his seventh studio long-player, I Still Have You. – Steve Legget & James Christopher Monger, Rovi
Read MoreSam Hunt
Sam Lowry Hunt, born on December 8, 1984, is a renowned American singer and songwriter hailing from Cedartown, Georgia. While initially exploring a career in professional sports during his high school and college years, Hunt shifted his focus to music and signed with MCA Nashville in 2014, marking the beginning of his musical journey. Prior to his remarkable solo career, Hunt made significant contributions to the country music industry by writing hit singles for esteemed artists like Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Billy Currington, and Reba McEntire.
His debut studio album, Montevallo, propelled him to stardom by shattering chart records and producing a series of chart-topping singles. The album’s lead single, ‘Leave the Night On’, showcased Hunt’s talent as it climbed the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts simultaneously, a feat not achieved in over two decades in the country music scene. Hunt further solidified his place in the industry by achieving four number-one hits on the Country Airplay chart from a debut album, a remarkable accomplishment for a solo male artist.
Embraced by fans and critics alike, Hunt has garnered acclaim for his innovative approach to blending genres, infusing elements of R&B and pop into his music’s production and songwriting. His unique style has earned him prestigious accolades, including an American Music Award and a CMT Music Award, in addition to nominations for Billboard Music Awards and Grammy Awards. With his undeniable talent and genre-defying sound, Sam Hunt continues to captivate audiences worldwide, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in the contemporary country music landscape.
Alice In Chains
Alice in Chains epitomized the solemn, heavy Seattle sound of the 1990s, standing apart from the grunge hordes due to their heavy metal roots. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley, both with backgrounds in metal bands, formed Alice in Chains in 1987. Their debut album, Facelift, released in 1990 before Nirvana’s mainstream breakthrough, showcased a sound that blended heavy Seattle rock with a slick radio-ready edge. Alice in Chains’ versatility was evident as they transitioned from rock hits like ‘Man in the Box’ to acoustic-based songs such as ‘No Excuses’ and ‘I Stay Away.’ The band faced internal tensions during their peak, notably due to Staley’s drug addictions, impacting their trajectory in the late ’90s.
The roots of Alice in Chains trace back to Sleze, a Seattle hair metal band where Layne Staley was the lead singer. After Sleze transitioned to Alice N Chains in 1986, Staley met Cantrell at a party, leading to the formation of the band. Despite initial band reshuffles, Alice in Chains quickly gained attention in the Seattle scene and earned a record deal with Columbia in 1989. Their debut album, Facelift, and subsequent hits like ‘Man in the Box’ propelled them into the mainstream. Progressing into the early ’90s, the band’s acoustic EP and prominent presence in the Singles soundtrack solidified their position in the grunge era alongside bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden.
Dirt, Alice in Chains’ second album, solidified their place as one of the leading grunge acts of the early ’90s, with hits like ‘Would?’ and ‘Rooster’ dominating the charts. Despite commercial success, internal struggles plagued the band, leading to lineup changes and personal battles with addiction, particularly affecting Staley. The band’s hiatus in the mid-’90s saw individual projects and collaborations, but they reunited for sporadic performances and releases. Staley’s tragic death in 2002 marked the end of an era for Alice in Chains, eventually leading to their resurgence with new vocalist William DuVall and successful albums like Black Gives Way to Blue and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, reaffirming their place in modern rock.
Lee Brice
Lee Brice is not just a successful country artist but a multi-talented individual who excels in various ventures. When he is not captivating audiences in arenas or working on new music, Lee is expanding his horizons by creating new brands like American Born whiskey. Despite his busy schedule, Lee prioritizes spending quality time with his wife Sara, two young boys, and baby daughter, emphasizing his strong family values. With an impressive track record of over 1.8 billion on-demand streams and three billion spins on Pandora, Lee Brice stands out as a powerhouse in the music industry. His undeniable talent has earned him a place in the coveted "Billionaires Club" on Pandora, a rare achievement only attained by a select few.
Lee Brice’s accolades speak volumes about his musical prowess and industry recognition. As one of the most-played country artists on Pandora, he has solidified his position as a top-tier performer. With Grammy and CMA nominations, as well as double ACM awards under his belt, Lee Brice continues to set new standards of excellence. His chart-topping hits including "A Woman Like You," "Hard To Love," and "I Drive Your Truck" have resonated with audiences worldwide, showcasing his songwriting genius. Not only has Lee’s music topped the charts, but it has also been embraced by legendary artists like Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney. His captivating performances on renowned TV shows further illustrate his widespread appeal and influence in the music industry.
Queen
Queen is a legendary British rock band that was founded in London in 1970 by the iconic Freddie Mercury on lead vocals and piano, Brian May on guitar and vocals, Roger Taylor on drums and vocals, and later joined by John Deacon on bass. Initially influenced by progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, Queen transitioned into more mainstream styles like arena rock and pop rock. Before the formation of Queen, May and Taylor played together in Smile, encouraged by Mercury who later joined the band and suggested the name ‘Queen’. Deacon joined shortly after, and the band released their self-titled debut album in 1973. Their breakthrough came with the albums ‘Queen II’ in 1974, ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ and ‘A Night at the Opera’ in 1975, featuring the iconic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Queen’s 1977 album ‘News of the World’ solidified their status with hits like ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are the Champions’. By the early 1980s, Queen became one of the biggest stadium rock bands globally.
Queen’s success continued with chart-toppers like ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ in 1980 and the best-selling ‘Greatest Hits’ album in 1981. Their extraordinary performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert remains a milestone in rock history. Despite Mercury’s private battle with AIDS, Queen released albums like ‘The Miracle’ in 1989 and ‘Innuendo’ in 1991. Mercury’s public revelation of his illness in 1991 shocked the world, and his unfortunate passing from bronchopneumonia due to AIDS marked a turning point for the band. ‘Made in Heaven’, released in 1995, featured Mercury’s vocals, and the band continued with sporadic appearances. Queen’s influence on popular culture has been immense, with record sales exceeding 250 million worldwide. Their accolades include the Brit Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, solidifying their legendary status in music history.
Ellie Goulding
To date Ellie Goulding has celebrated 10 platinum singles, three #1 albums, two BRIT Awards, a GRAMMY Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination. She has sold over 27 million albums and 218 million singles, amass 43 billion streams worldwide. Ellie is also one of the most streamed female artists on Spotify with over 8 billion streams. With over 50 million followers combined on her social platforms, she also earned YouTube’s Diamond Award with 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 6.8 billion views globally.
Alongside her incredible music career, Ellie Goulding is a long-standing activist and philanthropist who uses her platform to engage young people with global issues. In 2017, Goulding was awarded the UN’s New Voices Award, and in recognition of her wider activism became a goodwill ambassador for UN Environment. Earlier this year, Goulding also became a TIME100 Impact Award winner and shortly after, announced her ambassadorship with the WWF.
Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers’ new single “Waffle House” is out now via Republic Records, launching a new era for the band’s latest full-length record The Album, executive produced by Jon Bellion [Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Halsey]. The Album is set for release on Friday, May 12th. Kicking off 2023, the band received their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 30th, 2023.
“Sucker,” the 5x-Platinum single, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming the first #1 for the band and the first #1 debut from a group this century. The band went on to release Chasing Happiness, an Amazon Original film documenting the brothers’ rise and return to music, before going on to deliver their third #1 album with the arrival of their Platinum-selling Happiness Begins (Republic Records).
In the wake of Happiness Begins, the band garnered a bevy of awards, including three trophies in the categories of “Top Duo/Group,” “Top Radio Songs Artist,” and “Top Radio Song” for “Sucker” at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, a 2019 MTV VMA for “Best Pop Video,” “Best Duo/Group” at the 2020 iHeart Music Awards, and two Teen Choice Awards, including the prestigious “Decade Award.” They also picked up American Music Awards nominations, a coveted Grammy nomination, and more. Jonas Brothers teamed up with Marshmello for “Leave Before You Love Me,” claiming a Top 10 spot at Top 40 radio for six weeks and tallying millions of streams and views.
Fugees
The Fugees, an American hip hop trio formed in 1990 in South Orange, New Jersey, consists of Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and Lauryn Hill. Known for their innovative fusion of reggae, R&B, funk, and hip hop, the group avoided gangsta rap, establishing themselves as influential alternative hip hop artists. The Fugees incorporated elements of Haitian Creole in their music and were pioneers in using live instrumentation in hip hop performances.
Signing with Ruffhouse Records in 1993, The Fugees released their debut album ‘Blunted on Reality’ in 1994, blending political hip hop, jazz, and neo soul. Their second album ‘The Score’ in 1996 propelled them to the top of the music scene, achieving platinum status and spawning hit singles like ‘Ready or Not’ and ‘Killing Me Softly’. Despite internal conflicts leading to their disbandment, The Fugees have reunited for special performances and tours, cementing their legacy as one of the best-selling and most acclaimed hip hop groups of all time.
Djo
[Artist Name] is a highly talented and renowned artist in the music industry. Their unique style and mesmerizing performances have captivated audiences worldwide. With a career spanning over several decades, [Artist Name] has established themselves as a true legend in the music world.
Born with a natural gift for music, [Artist Name] began their journey at a young age and quickly rose to stardom with hit after hit that resonated with fans on a deep emotional level. Their songs are a blend of raw emotion, powerful lyrics, and soulful melodies that touch the hearts of listeners across generations.
Beyond their musical talents, [Artist Name] is also celebrated for their philanthropic efforts and pushing boundaries in the industry. Their influence goes beyond the music scene, inspiring aspiring artists to pursue their dreams fearlessly. [Artist Name] continues to innovate and evolve, leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape for years to come.
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an iconic American country music band that has captivated audiences worldwide with their harmonious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Formed in 1999, the band consists of lead vocalist Gary LeVox, bass guitarist Jay DeMarcus, and guitarist Joe Don Rooney. Rascal Flatts has released numerous chart-topping hits, including ‘Bless the Broken Road,’ ‘What Hurts the Most,’ and ‘My Wish,’ earning them multiple awards and accolades throughout their illustrious career. Their music resonates with fans of all ages, blending traditional country sounds with modern influences to create a unique and timeless sound that defines the essence of country music.
Known for their powerful live performances and undeniable stage presence, Rascal Flatts has sold out arenas and stadiums around the world, solidifying their status as one of the most influential and beloved country music acts of all time. Their music transcends boundaries and connects people from all walks of life through the universal language of music. With a discography that spans over two decades, Rascal Flatts continues to inspire and uplift listeners with their soulful ballads and energetic anthems that speak to the complexities of love, life, and resilience. From intimate acoustic sets to electrifying stadium shows, Rascal Flatts delivers an unforgettable musical experience that leaves a lasting impact on all who have the privilege of witnessing their artistry.
Beyond their musical accomplishments, Rascal Flatts is also known for their philanthropic efforts and support of various charitable organizations. The band members are actively involved in giving back to their community and using their platform to raise awareness for important causes. Whether through benefit concerts, charity events, or partnerships with organizations dedicated to making a positive impact, Rascal Flatts continues to use their influence for good and inspire others to do the same. As they continue to evolve and innovate in the ever-changing music industry, Rascal Flatts remains a beacon of talent, passion, and authenticity, representing the best of what country music has to offer.