News

Nashville, TN (June 30, 2023) – Americana singer/songwriter and recording artist Mark Elliott recently released his new single “Taking You South.” You can listen to the song HERE!

With idyllic lyrics like up here in the north love’s been so unfair, but you’ll forget all about it when we ease on down there, “Taking You South” (co-written with Gabe Burdulis) delivers the story of a love that needs a boost. In an authentic, vintage tenor voice described as “almost too good” by Music Row Magazine‘s Robert Oermann, it feels as though Mark has lived the story several times over.

“You can see the long beards of Spanish moss in the dripping pedal steel parts,” Mark explains. “You can see the placid bayous teeming with life beneath the layered electric parts and the slower grandeur of time and place in the live, cinematic string section.” 

“Taking You South” is the last in a series of eight singles recorded in Nashville during the pandemic.

About Mark Elliott:
Mark Elliott is a thirty-three-year veteran of the Nashville-based singer-songwriter scene, author, blogger, and podcaster. He is also a principal vocalist/guitarist for the Americana band Runaway Home. He has written for some of Nashville’s top publishing houses, including Sony-Tree, Maypop, and Bluewater Music.

Mark’s songs have been recorded by independent and major artists, receiving airplay on radio and TV in the United States and abroad. His songs have hit the Billboard Top Forty Charts, highlighted by  Neal McCoy‘s hit single “Every Man for Himself.” Billboard Magazine called it “a song with rare lyrical and musical edge and the best cut on the album.” Mark is also a winner of the coveted Kerrville New Folk Award.

In addition to releasing nine albums, Mark has a string of 2020-2023 solo singles out, including. “Craziest Thing,” “Watch Out Man,” “On My Way to See You,” “Talk to Yourself” and “Drunk for Nothin’.” He releases his newest single, “Taking You South” on June 30, 2023.  3 Minutes Away Publishing signed Mark as a staff writer in 2021. 

Along with being an accomplished musician, Mark is also an author. Kirkus Reviewsheralded Mark’s current book, “The Sons of Starmount: Memoir of a Ten-year-old Boy” (out in paperback and audiobook), as a “joyful book, permeated with gentle humor that brings to life the exuberance of youth.” Check out Mark’s weekly Substack literary newsletter, Words from the Hollow, and his podcast, Conversations On Cub Creek.

For more information, visit www.markelliottcreative.com and follow Mark on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify.

Nashville, TN (June 26, 2023) – Southern Rock band and Kentucky natives The Josephines are set to headline the “To Hell with the Josephines” show, with support from  Dirty Lover, Boo Ray and Amy Darling, at The Vinyl Lounge in Nashville, TN on July 7, 2023. Tickets are now available for $20 and can be purchased HERE! 

Delivering heartfelt songs with hard rock power, The Josephines embody the ferocious spirit of rebellion that gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s style was described as “music [that] howls and roars and whispers its way ’round heady combinations of bluegrass, hard-bitten country rock, Gothic folk, heavy metal, psychedelia and good old-fashioned barnstormers” by Americana UK.

The Josephines will be debuting new music from an upcoming album, recorded at Sienna Studios in Nashville and produced by Bill Satcher and Brandon Aerts, set to be released this fall. Mixing engineer and Grammy award winner Ryan Hewitt also worked on the album.
The band has previously shared the stage with several acts, including ZZ Top, Black Stone Cherry, The Cadillac Three, ThemDirty Roses and Vince Neil (Motley Crue).

About The Josephines:
Run-down honky-tonks. Lost love. Broken dreams. Empty bottles. This is the stuff of inspiration for Bowling Green, KY band The Josephines – a rowdy quintet of down-home rockers whose raw, rough-around-the-edges music has earned them the title “That MeanLittle Rock Band From Kentucky.” 

The Josephines, made up of Brad Tabor (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Zach Lindsey(lead guitar, vocals), Alex Lindsey (lead guitar, pedal steel, vocals), Lee Williams(bass) and David Page (drums), formed in 2017, taking their name from the street they all once lived on together: Josephine Street.

In 2021, the band released it’s highly anticipated debut studio album, Cocaine or Cowboys, which followed the 2017 EP, Sober Up.

For more information on The Josephines, visit www.thejosephines.net and follow the band on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify.

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Nashville, TN (June 23, 2023) –  Indie-Pop singer/songwriter Marion Shaina recently released her new single “Skinny Dipping.”  You can listen to the song HERE!

With carefree and inviting lyrics like let yourself come alive, this could be our lives, maybe, doesn’t have to hurt, baby, “Skinny Dipping” will undoubtably make a splash with listeners this summer season.
“Skinny Dipping is a song about emotional intimacy,” Marion explains. “It’s about that moment, at the beginning of something new, when you approach your partner with a list of what ifs and, instead of meeting you with fear, they meet you with reassurance. It’s about diving in. It’s about believing in hope, not only because you want to, but because you feel safe enough to. For me, physical vulnerability and emotional vulnerability go hand-in-hand. I think this song really reflects that – and it’s a fun, poppy summer bop!”

Nashville, TN (June 16, 2023) – Pop/Funk singer, songwriter and recording artist Becky Crosby recently released her new single “Love Like Medicine.” You can listen to the song HERE!

With angsty lyrics like and I know better than to believe what I see on TV, ‘cause ghosts aren’t real, they’re not here to haunt me, “Love Like Medicine” describes a somber, yet relatable love story that many listeners will empathize with. You can watch the official music video HERE!

“Love Like Medicine is my favorite song that I have written so far,” Becky explains. “Lyrically, it’s a slightly darker take on a love song, but musically it keeps up a funky upbeat feel. I am so happy with how this song came out and am so excited to share it with everyone!”

About Becky Crosby:
Becky Crosby, is a 23 year old pop/funk artist hailing from Montclair, New Jersey. Backed by a band of exceptionally talented musicians, she captivates audiences throughout the Tri-State area with her fun and energetic performances. Drawing inspiration from her extensive background in jazz, classical, and contemporary music, Crosby’s compositions possess a distinct and eclectic blend of genres.

Having recently completed her studies in Jazz at Purchase College, Becky Crosby now wholeheartedly dedicates herself to her music career. Her musical influences encompass a range of renowned artists, such as Paramore, P!nk, The 1975, Miley Cyrus, and Silk Sonic. Skillfully incorporating elements from various genres, including rock, pop, jazz, funk, and R&B, she crafts a sound that is uniquely her own.

For more information, visit www.beckycrosby.com and follow Becky on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.

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Nashville, TN (June 16, 2023) – Country music singer/songwriter and recording artist Sam Ferrara is back with a new single and she is serving up some sass! You can listen to “Waiter” HERE!

With feisty lyrics like she’s the best thing, you deserve to lose, no she’s never been a waiter, so don’t think she’ll wait on you, Sam’s newest single is a gritty and inspiring anthem, delivering a message about female empowerment. Just like Sam always says to her audience…“You don’t wait for no man!”

“Waiter is a strong, spicy and upbeat bop that tells the world you are not waiting around for someone that can’t commit,” Sam explains. “We all have that person (or thing) and you just need to carry on with your life without them.”

About Sam Ferrara:
As the kid who would listen to classical music on NPR from the age of 8, Sam Ferrara has made music a part of her life ever since. Beginning with her voice and piano, she quickly realized she had a knack for instruments and learned the clarinet, alto saxophone, and her favorite, bass clarinet – just to name a few.

Finding her stride in the band room, the pieces of Sam’s story helped her develop into the musician she is today. Graduating with a degree from Hofstra University in Music Education, she was immediately drawn to songwriting thanks to her visit to Nashville and the inspiration of Hunter Hayes.

Since 2014, Sam’s pursuit of being a strong and whole-hearted storyteller never stopped. Developing her craft as a solo artist and traveling to Nashville for years really helped Sam find her path to songwriting. In 2017, she made the move to Nashville to live out her dream. In addition to being a singer/songwriter, Sam was a Middle School band teacher, passing on the passion of music to others. She is ready to continue to inspire others with her story.

Audiences see the influence of Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert in Sam’s storytelling, but she adds a theatrical twist to her live performances with her energy matching Carrie Underwood‘s.

Looking to shatter glass ceilings in the industry, Sam has been experimenting with woodwind instruments in her music. Her sound is rooted in modernized country music, with an added flair of jazz, rock, acoustic and more. 
 

Some highlights in Sam’s career include performing at Madison Square Garden, Barclay Center, off-broadway at Symphony Space, The Cutting Room, The Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room and The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, TX. She has shared the stage with many talented artists, opening for Kalie Shore, Honey Countryand Lauren Davidson. Sam also traveled to Europe in 2010 and 2012 to perform.
 Her debut album “Piece of Me,” set to be released on July 28th, examines the ups and down’s in Sam’s life over the last 8 years. This is only the beginning of what is to come for Sam’s story.

You can follow Sam on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Spotify.

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Nashville, TN (June 16, 2023) – Country music singer/songwriter and recording artist Kristine Kabbes recently released her new single “Beer Bottle Microphone.” You can listen to the song HERE!

With fun-loving and rowdy lyrics like it’s been a long week, she needs a long neck, that drink in her hand helps her to forget, “Beer Bottle Microphone” will have listeners boot-scootin’ on the dance floor. Kristine’s powerful, storytelling vocals and energetic performances combine her traditional country music sound with the band’s rocking guitar hooks to create their own distinctive Midwest sound.

“Dave McAfee (drums) and Dave Smith (guitar) of Toby Keith’s Easy Money Bandhelped produce and write this song,” Kristine explains. “My husband and bass player, Mike Dittmer, came to me with this song idea about a beer bottle microphone because we see this all the time at our shows. I thought it was a great idea and sat down with it. I had an idea for the melody and a verse and chorus, but it wasn’t finished – I wasn’t sure how to end the story. So, we brought it to our co-write with McAfee and Smith and they were what it needed! We finished the story and completed the song. As we went along with the recording process, we just kept tweaking and fine tuning until we got what you hear now. We are thrilled with the final product!”

About Kristine Kabbes:
Kristine Kabbes grew up roaming the farm land of Aurora, Indiana. At a very young age, Kristine’s parents encouraged her love of both music and a country lifestyle. Like many great singers, Kristine got her start singing hymns in the church choir. Her success as a young child in the church choir prompted her to explore different artistic expressions such as local theatre groups, show choir and musical dramaturgy around the Greater Cincinnati area. By the time Kristine became a teenager, she was the desired performer of the National Anthem at air shows, festivals and other events in the Tri-State area. 

Kristine attended Columbia College in Chicago where she studied Music Business and Vocal Performance and graduated with Honors. While at Columbia, she commissioned the band Strange on Display as session players for the recording of her solo album. Kristine was so impressed by the raw talent of the band that she invited them to be her exclusive backing band for live performances. In Strange on Display Kristine found mutual passion and support. She also found her now husband and bass player, Michael Dittmer.

When tragedy took the life of Kristine’s good friend and drummer, she and the band decided to take a short break to grieve and later came together and unified as The Skallywags. The rising popularity of the band led them to move to Nashville, Tennessee. They fell in love with Music City and have been based out of the city ever since. 

In 2020, they rebranded; transforming The Skallywags into the solo artist, Kristine Kabbes. While Kristine is recognized as a solo artist, she still utilizes The Skallywags as her backup band during live performances. Kristine keeps busy touring, writing and working on various recording projects. She has shared the stage with many artists including Carly Pearce, The Cadillac Three, Parmalee, Diamond Rio, Casey James, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Lorrie Morgan, Collin Raye and Bret Michaels.

When Kristine is not working she spends her time outdoors, hiking with her dog, and spending time with family and close friends. You will always find wine in her refrigerator, boots in her closet and music in her heart. 

For more information, visit www.kristinekabbes.com and follow Kristine on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
 

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Nashville, TN (June 6, 2023) – Electronic Dance recording artist, producer and published children’s author, Kim Cameron, recently released her newest album called “Influencers.” The 12-track album features producers and songwriters from across the globe, who all share a passion for dance music.

Track Listing:
1. I Had Too Much to Dream
2. Come to My Rescue
3. I Love You More
4. Running Past the Line (Sax Diva)
5. Shake It Up (Darick Dds Spears)
6. Home
7. See Me
8. Just In Time (Justine Blazer)
9. Now and Forever
10. Shake It Up – Club Mix (Darick Dds Spears, Kevin Rockhill)
11. Just In Time – Club Mix (Terry Hunter, Justine Blazer)
12. Just In Time – Radio Mix (Terry Hunter, Justine Blazer)

“Influencers” is filled with upbeat tunes that will have fans dancing along for hours. “I Love You More” has already proven to be a fan-favorite, with over 32K streams on Spotify.

“I wanted to create an album where every track stood on it’s own, but creatively fit together,” Kim explains. “I also wanted to include all of the music makers and artists who have influenced my journey along the way.”

About Kim Cameron:
Kim Cameron is a high-energy, two-time Top 20 Billboard chart-topping singer/songwriter with a deep house sound. She began her career on KAKE TV as a small-town reporter in Kansas and Nebraska, after DJ’ing on KRNU and KHAT-FM radio. With a journalism degree (B.A.) in hand, she moved to the Washington, DC area and wrote for the Smithsonian Institution and the National Examiner until moving to Miami Beach.

Kim is a proven lyricist, with a catalog of over 500 songs. She has released 10 albums, hit Billboard charts 4 times, as well as music charts across the USA and Europe (CMJ, AAA, DJ Times, FMQB). She has been awarded Best Female Emerging Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Live Performance, Silver Medal, Global Music Awards, Semi-Finalists Song of the Year, Best Dance Song, and Winner of American Songwriting award – just to name a few. 

Her music is signed across the globe to several agencies including Muzika In Store(Croatia), PC Music (Canada), 35 Grad (Germany), KD Digital (S. Korea), Leyi Digital (China), and distributed worldwide under the UK’s Label Worx. In addition, Kim’s songs have been placed in a variety of TV and films (Hulu, Amazon, VOD, Bravo, CMTV, Fox, MTV, Discovery, Disney, MUN2). Kim has also directed and produced over 25 music videos, receiving 20+ awards from international film festivals around the world.

While on tour in the Caribbean, Kim met a 12-year-old who had a fascination with octopi. Aa a true believer in inspiring and nurturing kids, this brief encounter inspired the creation of Mr. Octopus, a children’s record, featuring an 8-year-old who performs on several of Kim’s children’s songs. “I can relate to the 2^nd and 3^rd graders sometimes better than adults. I guess I never really grew up.” 

After completing the song, she felt inspired to turn it into a story. The book Seaper Powers, In Search for Bleu Jay’s Treasure began a series, now 5 books strong in hard back, ebook and audio. Kim plans to release a 6th book in 2023.

In 2019, Kim wrote and produced her first short film, released on Amazon, called Carpe Musicam. She was the executive producer for SeemaTV’s ‘This is Kim,’ a documentary which is currently airing. She has also written a musical screenplay, awarded by the New York Screenplay, and the Amsterdam Film Festival after being workshopped in London’s Theater District.  

In addition, Kim directed, produced, and wrote the screenplays and film scores for an award winning Seaper Powers: In Search of Bleu Jay’s Treasure, an 88-minute, 2D animated feature film, and the sequel Seaper Powers Mystery of the Blue Pearls, a 65-minute 2D animated feature. Both are now distributed worldwide under Multivisionaire, Toonz TV for Russia and Beijing Alosha for China. Each film has earned over 35 film festival awards including Best Animated Feature, Best Film Score, Best Script and Best Trailer. “Kids need an outlet to feel adventure in stories again. These films were not designed for adults, but rather kids who love exploring the mysteries of the ocean and those who love dare to dream big.” 

Kim is currently the CEO & President of Side FX Partners, LLC, and entertainment label based in Miami Beach. 
 

For more information, visit www.kimcameronmusic.com and follow Kim on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.

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Nashville, TN (May 12, 2023) – Alternative Pop singer/songwriter and recording artist Zhaklina recently released her newest single called “Game Over.” You can listen to the song HERE!

With powerful lyrics like loved you more than you deserved, loved me less than I am worth, Zhaklina uses her beautiful vocals to deliver a compelling message within “Game Over.”

“Game Over was a true collaboration between myself, Nashville based post-hardcore band Hollow Wake and a good friend of ours,” Zhaklina explains. “We all connected on the concept of battling shame and our varying stories of emotional, sexual, spiritual and physical abuse that have caused deep wounds in our lives. Shame only has power over us if we choose to give it that power. It’s when we realize that the power comes from us, our God-given free will, that the game is over. Shame never stood a chance and that is the most empowering message I think anyone could ever receive.”

About Zhaklina:
Zhaklina, originally from New York and of Albanian, Irish and Greek descent, is an Independent, Alternative Pop artist. After graduating college, Zhaklina tied for first place in the 2015 singing competition “The Audition,” with Hudson Valley, NY radio station K104.7. She went on to perform at KFEST that year, meeting several record executives and gaining the confidence to pursue her dream of making music her career.

After several years of development and feeling as though her genre was difficult to put into one category, she decided to label her music as Alternative Pop. Soulful power with an edgy approach, her music insists on authentic connection and meaningful experiences. She is notorious for her captivating vocals, poetically emotive lyricism, and inspiring messages of mental well-being. Her faith is her driving force and she continues to encourage others to live from a place of knowing they are deeply loved.

In 2019, Zhaklina began releasing a series of EPs called “17 Reasons Why,” dedicated to mental health awareness. With “Gossip Queen” being her most popular song yet, and “Tattooed Roses” not too far behind, she has developed a space for her audience to feel seen. She has been published and interviewed by several media platforms, including Medium, BuzzMusic, Authority Magazine, Broadway World, K104.7 and more.

Zhaklina has contributed portions of her music revenue to various mental health organizations including (but not limited to) To Write Love On Her Arms, NoStigmas and Project Semicolon. Her convictions for suicide prevention lead her to continued involvement in volunteering efforts and events that are fighting to make a difference and help those who need it. She began hosting Mental Health Songwriter Nights in 2022, raising $2,000 for mental health organizations.

Zhaklina believes in the beauty of sharing our stories and strengths to remind people that they are not alone. A rose, a symbol of classic beauty and strength, is her visual expression of her message. Music is how she shares it.

For more information, visit www.zhaklina.com and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify and TikTok.

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Nashville, TN (April 18, 2023) – Southern rocker Brandon Blackburn recently released a country cover of Skid Row‘s 1989 hit song “I Remember You.” You can listen to the single HERE!

With his new release, Brandon wanted to go back to his rock ‘n’ roll roots and record one of his childhood favorites.  “I always wanted to be a rockstar growing up,” Brandon shares. Taking inspiration from Justin Moore’s 2019 cover of “Home Sweet Home” (Motley Crue), Brandon put his own country spin on the heavy metal classic “I Remember You.”

“My hope is that this version of song kind of bridges a gap,” Brandon explains. ” I hope itreaches a younger generation of people who might not know the song, or much about that era of music, while also appealing to the older, rock-oriented crowd. This is a song they’ve heard and loved for decades.”

The song, written by band members Rachel Bolan and Dave Sabo, was the third single released from Skid Row’s self-titled debut album and reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100chart. The success of the single lead to Bon Jovi signing the band to his publishing company, subsequently bringing them on tour.

About Brandon Blackburn:
Brandon Blackburn has loved music for as long as he can remember. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he and his family moved all around the country during his childhood while his father attended medical school. “My father played guitar growing up and was really into the 80’s hair metal. He definitely gave me the passion I have for music and the love for that era of music definitely got passed down to me.” 

After getting his first guitar as a Christmas present in third grade, Brandon’s father taught him the basic chords. Before long, he had mastered their favorite song – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Heavily influenced by classic 80s rock music, along with artists like Eric Church, Nelly and Matchbox 20, Brandon has cultivated his own unique sound by combining modern country with a hint of alternative rock.

In 2016, Brandon graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis on finance and risk management. He credits his college years for giving him the confidence to perform on stage. “I would go out on Wednesday nights, get liquored up, and hit karaoke night. That’s where I found the nerve, I guess you would say, to start singing in front of other people.”

“I’m a jokester, so I’m always giving corny toasts and engaging with the crowd by making them laugh, making them drink, etc. I absolutely love taking requests and no request is too out there. At my shows, I’ll go from Bon Jovi and Alan Jackson to Prince and Slipknot…I’ve even busted out some SpongeBob SquarePants a time or two!”

Over the last four years, Brandon has been performing at local bars all over the gulf coast and, most recently, the entire southeast.  In 2021, he was awarded the honor of “Best Country Performer” by Lagniappe Magazine, a Mobile-based magazine that focuses on South Alabama. 

In July of 2022, Brandon finished writing his first original song and released “472” on September 21st. The single received rave reviews from both listeners and press and currently has over 15K streams on Spotify.

You can follow Brandon on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.

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