Naomi Cooke Johnson Joins Fusion Music Roster

Naomi Cooke Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of Hot Schatz PR

Naomi Cooke Johnson has signed with Fusion Music for management.

Prior to pursuing her solo career, Johnson spent seven years with her former band, Runaway June where she co-wrote the band’s Gold-certified top 10 hit, “Buy My Own Drinks,” and received nominations from ACM and CMT.

“We have been fans of Naomi throughout her career and are excited to work with her as she steps forward into her new musical journey,” says Daniel Miller, Managing Partner, Fusion Music.

Johnson is also represented by Joey Lee and Adi Sharma at WME, Jess Rosen  at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Mike Vaden at Vaden Group.

In association with Red Light Management, Fusion Music also represents Martina McBride, Riley Green and Lily Rose.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Ushers In Six New Members At 52nd Anniversary Gala

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Cates, Board Chair of NaSHOF; inductees David Malloy, Gary Nicholson, Hillary Lindsey and Steve Wariner; Mark Ford, Executive Director of NaSHOF

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) welcomed six new members into its ranks on Sunday night (Oct. 30) at the organization’s 52nd Anniversary Gala. The musical contributions of the Class of 2022 were celebrated through star-studded performances at Nashville’s Music City Center.

The Class of 2022 includes Hillary Lindsey and Gary Nicholson in the songwriter category; David Malloy in the veteran songwriter category; Shania Twain in the songwriter/artist category and Steve Wariner in the veteran songwriter/artist category. Additionally, the late Chips Moman was inducted into the Hall’s new Legacy category, designed specifically to honor NaSHOF-worthy candidates who are deceased.

The Issacs with Sharon Vaughn

“Tonight we are celebrating the legacies of six extraordinary songwriters and bestowing upon them one of the nation’s highest songwriting honors—induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” Sarah Cates, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation noted. “I always look forward to this evening when the industry can gather to share in this moment with our inductees, their families and friends. And I’m not alone in anticipating this event. This year, we have one of our largest audiences ever, all here to applaud these exemplary songwriters.”

Award-winning artists The Isaacs kicked off the evening by honoring Twain with a medley of her song-of-the-year hits “Forever And For Always” and “You’re Still The One.” Though Twain was unable to attend, she sent a video thanking NaSHOF for the honor, noting that songwriting had gotten her through many hard times. NaSHOF 2019 inductee Sharon Vaughn presented Twain and also spoke on her behalf.

NaSHOF 2021 inductee Rhett Akins took the stage to honor Malloy, reprising his own 1998 recording of “Drivin’ My Life Away,” originally popularized by Eddie Rabbitt. NaSHOF 2015 inductee and longtime co-writer Even Stevens presented him.

NaSHOF 2005 inductee Vince Gill was joined on stage by Delbert McClinton, Shawn Camp and Michael Rhodes to perform “One More Last Chance” in honor of Nicholson. NaSHOF 2003 inductee Rodney Crowell presented him.

Garth Brooks. Photo: Moser Photography

The late Chips Moman was presented by NaSHOF Board member, industry journalist and longtime MusicRow contributor Robert K. Oermann. The legendary Clint Black performed Moman’s standard, “Luckenbach, Texas.”

Superstars Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban joined forces to perform a medley of Lindsey’s song of the year hits “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” NaSHOF 2008 inductee Matraca Berg presented her.

Closing the night’s festivities, NaSHOF 2011 inductee Garth Brooks offered his rendition of “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven” to honor Wariner. NaSHOF 1975 inductee Bill Anderson presented him.

The evening also featured a medley of “Coal Miner’s Daughter and “If My Heart Had Windows” performed by award-winning songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall in a special memorial tribute to NaSHOF inductees Loretta Lynn and Dallas Frazier.

Gary Nicholson. Photo: Moser Photography

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Jaron Boyer Signs With Wide Open Music Publishing

Jaron Boyer and Victoria Goodvin (Wide Open Publishing)

Jaron Boyer has signed a publishing deal with Wide Open Music.

Boyer has written songs for artists including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt, Clay Walker and Rascal Flatts. He has penned four No. 1s, including “Hell Of A Night” (Dustin Lynch), “Somewhere On A Beach” (Dierks Bentley), “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley) and “Girl Like You” (Jason Aldean).

The 2016 SESAC Country Song of the Year award-winner’s latest cut, “Mind On You” (George Birge), was most-added at country radio upon its release earlier this month.

“I could not think of a better addition to our already talented roster than Jaron Boyer. He’s an incredible songwriter and human and we’re grateful to team up with him on the next chapter of his career,” shares VP/GM of Wide Open Music, Victoria Goodvin.

“I wanted to sign Jaron the moment I met him,” adds Steve Williams, President of Wide Open Publishing. “He was extremely humble, he was very professional and he had a huge desire to be even more successful. What more could anyone ask for? We are so blessed to have him become part of our family.”

“I’m so excited to be signing with Wide Open. Blessed to have the opportunity to work with Ash Bowers and Wide Open VP/General Manager Victoria Goodvin on a daily basis. God is good,” says Boyer.

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