Industry Ink: Women's Leadership Academy, FEMcountry, Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Bill & Gloria Gaither

Members from all five CMA Women’s Leadership Academy classes gathered to recognize…

CMA Women’s Leadership Academy Celebrates Tiffany Kerns

Members from all five CMA Women’s Leadership Academy classes recently gathered to recognize WLA Founder Tiffany Kerns and thank her for her years of work with CMA and the program. Kerns’ leadership and mentorship have helped support the careers of many women in the music industry while creating a strong and lasting community among WLA members.

FEMcountry Debuts At Parton's Live At SongTeller Hotel

Pictured (L-R): Kylie Frey, Jo Dee Messina, Ruby Amanfu and Shelly Fairchild. Photo: Laura Estabridis

FEMco, the women-focused music platform founded by longtime industry executive Leslie Fram , has partnered with Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel to launch FEMcountry at Parton’s Live, presented by Natural Life. The series opened earlier this week with a conversation featuring two-time Grammy-nominated artist Jo Dee Messina , followed by acoustic performances from Kylie Frey, Ruby Amanfu and Shelly Fairchild .

The event also featured a songwriter round that paid tribute to Parton, with Fairchild performing “Jolene,” Frey singing “9 to 5” and Amanfu performing “Why.” The event marked the first official songwriter round held at the venue. The next FEMcountry at Parton’s Live is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Ashley Cooke Performs On ' Live With Kelly & Mark'

Ashley Cooke makes debut performance on Live with Kelly & Mark . Photo: Matt Leddo

On Monday (Sept. 21), Ashley Cooke appeared on Live with Kelly & Mark to perform her rising single “baby blues.” Co-host Kelly Ripa joined the theme by wearing baby blue. “baby blues” continues to gain momentum, with the song surpassing 63 million global streams.

Cooke recently kicked off her headlining tour , with upcoming dates in Maine, Connecticut, Illinois and more.

Braxton Keith Partners With Tru Western For New Cologne

Braxton Keith has partnered with Tru Western to launch Leather Vintage Label No. 5 Canyon Echoes, the latest addition to the brand’s fragrance collection. Inspired by an 889-mile journey through West Texas, including the Big Bend region and Chihuahuan Desert, the cologne features notes of Desert Acacia, Cactus Water and Amberwood.

“West Texas will always be home to me, and it’s a big part of who I am and the music I make,” says Keith. “That’s what made working with Tru Western on Canyon Echoes feel like such a natural fit. The brand celebrates the West in a way that feels authentic to where I come from, and this fragrance captures the landscape and spirit of a place that means a lot to me.”

Bill & Gloria Gaither Celebrate The New Gaither Homecoming Video At The Franklin Theatre

Bill and Gloria Gaither address the audience at the You Are Loved premiere

Bill and Gloria Gaither gathered with longtime friends, artists and music industry leaders Monday night (Sept. 21) at Franklin Theatre for the premiere of You Are Loved: A Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither . The new Gaither Homecoming concert film and companion album, featuring songs written by the award-winning duo, released today (Sept. 25).

The evening included a welcome from the Gaithers before the screening and brought together many artists connected to their Homecoming legacy, including Larry Gatlin, Jason Crabb, David Phelps, Jimmy Fortune, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Janet Paschal, Angela Primm , members of the Gaither Vocal Band and T. Graham Brown , along with industry leaders such as Capitol Christian Music Group President Brad O’Donnell and Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo .