The Neal Agency Adds Michelle Bower As President, Strategic Partnerships

With 15 years of experience leading brand development and brokering innovative partnerships for products and artists alike, Michelle Bower joins The Neal Agency (TNA) as President, Strategic Partnerships.
 
“The entire Neal Agency team exudes passion, energy and excellence when it comes to representing our roster of artists and building a company culture that fosters creativity and empowerment,” Bower shares. “It’s an honor to join such a well-respected group of individuals in the industry to usher in a new era of innovative partnerships and successes for our notable and emerging clients."
 
TNA co-head and founder Austin Neal adds, “We are excited to have Michelle join our team as the President of Strategic Partnerships. Her deep industry knowledge and proven ability to build meaningful relationships will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and create new opportunities for clients. We look forward to the impact she will make in shaping the future of the agency.”
 
Over the course of her career, Bower has been responsible for the creation and execution of integrated communications strategies for a diverse roster of brands, spanning Premium & Luxury Spirits, Fashion & Beauty, Jewelry, Consumer Packaged Goods, Tech and Corporate Communications verticals. 
 
With extensive leadership experience managing teams, ensuring revenue growth and maximum awareness, Bower most recently served as Associate Senior Vice President at LaForce, leading campaigns for Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Madewell, YSL Beauty, Motorola and Tinder. Prior to joining LaForce, Bower held leadership roles at Jonesworks, Dittoe Public Relations and Fleishman-Hillard. 
 
After spending a decade in New York City, Bower now resides in Nashville, and proudly hails from Indiana.
 
TNA is a boutique entertainment and talent agency representing emerging artists to record-breaking talents. In this role, Bower will drive brand partnerships for the agency’s artist roster. Congratulate Bower at Michelle@TheNealAgency.com. 

Michelle Bower | Photo Credit: Kristina Moss

The Neal Agency Signs Preston Cooper for Booking

When 22 year old Preston Cooper was first discovered in 2023 by the Warren Brothers’ Brad and Brett Warren while playing a corporate gig with them at a Holiday Inn in his home state of Ohio, the brothers took him under their wing, instantly recognizing the potential in Cooper’s soulful and blues-inspired vocals. Plugging into his relationship with The Neal Agency, Brett Warren connected Cooper with TNA, ultimately leading him to sign with the agency for booking.
 
Recalling the process that led Cooper to sign with TNA, general manager of TNA Ryan Beuschel recalls, “Brett called me in the summer of 2024 and was adamant he found someone special I needed to hear. Anytime Brett calls, you listen. His track record speaks for itself. Ernest, Mitchell Tenpenny, among others. He played me the music they recorded with Preston, and I was blown away.” 
 
“When Preston came to visit our office, I was instantly struck by how genuine and kind he is. I had the thought beforehand, ‘how can I help this guy achieve his goals?’ Within seconds of him playing his first song, I realized he’s walking around with another superpower – his voice,” recalls Brian Carothers, agent at TNA. “Preston singing while strumming an acoustic guitar is stop you-in-your-tracks talent. I know I speak for everyone at The Neal Agency when I say we are beyond grateful to be on his team, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to support his touring career.” 
 
“Its such an honor to see my name on The Neal Agency’s roster,” Cooper shares. “I came to town hoping to work with good people and that’s exactly what I found at The Neal Agency. Brian, Ryan, Austin and that entire team are rockstars.”
 
With a vocal so expressive it builds into jaw-dropping eruptions of power and emotion, Cooper represents the start of a new generation in Country Rock. The biggest voice to ever hail from the tiny town of Fredericktown, Ohio, Cooper is a potent force of nature, drawing comparisons to icons like Chris Stapleton and Bob Seger.
 
Cooper first picked up a guitar as a high school freshman. He joined the US Postal Service after graduation and found local fame as “The Singing Mailman” – walking up to 14 miles each day while belting out raw, raspy vocal runs, then clocking out to perform across the region. 
 
With his debut album, Toledo Talkin’, releasing May 30, the first chapter of this generational talent’s story unfolds. With 12 incendiary tracks – all but three co-written by the no-frills newcomer – Toledo Talkin’ was recorded with an old-school, full-band process, lashed together with sheer vocal intensity miles different from the Music Row norm.
 
The album wields a mix of raw, organic Country and edgy Alt Rock, as evidenced on his show-stopping debut track “Weak,” emotive “One More Place I’ve Never Been,” shot of nostalgia “Numbers On A Mailbox,” and highway rocker “One For The Road.” Preston is currently on tour as direct support for Kameron Marlowe’s  Keepin’ The Lights On Tour and will join Riley Green this summer on select dates of the Damn Country Music Tour. 
 
For more information, visit www.prestoncoopermusic.com.

McCoy Moore Inks Exclusive Booking and Artist Development Deal with The Neal Agency

A songwriter’s songwriter, having already inked with SMACK and Worktape Music for publishing and TRACK mgmt’s Tracker Johnson for management, McCoy Moore announces the expansion of his team today signing an exclusive booking and artist development deal with The Neal Agency (TNA). 
 
The Lakeland, Florida native moved to Nashville in 2020—just over a year after graduating from high school—to pursue a career in music. Moore spent his first few years in town playing as many writers’ rounds as possible, sharing original music and releasing songs independently. Now, his years of hard work are paying off as he hits the studio with Cornman Music/Warner Chappell’s Will Bundy at the helm and looks ahead to live shows with exclusive booking through The Neal Agency.
 
"I am so excited to work with Austin, Ryan, Evan, and the rest of the TNA family,” 23-year-old Moore enthuses. “When I moved to Nashville from Florida four years ago, I was praying the day would come where I would get to play shows and share the music I love all over the place. This is the best team I could’ve ever hoped for to help further my career.”
 
“The Neal Agency wants to give every artist every possible tool they need and want to be successful because that’s how much we care about our artists,” shares TNA’s Ryan Beuschel of the agency home to Morgan Wallen, HARDY, ERNEST, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman and more. “We’re honored McCoy is joining TNA as he expands his team,” adds TNA’s Evan Kantor.
 
Moore says in conclusion, “I can’t wait to see what all we accomplish together in the years to come, and I couldn’t be more pumped to tour and meet everyone out on the road. I’m very grateful for these opportunities and all of my favorite people that are helping me steer this ship.”
 
Follow online at @mccoymoore. 

L to R: TRACK mgmt’s Tracker Johnson, McCoy Moore, TNA’s Evan Kantor and Ryan Beuschel. 
Photo Courtesy of The Neal Agency

Cheatham County Newcomer Preston James Releases Music Video for "Fences"

With his long hair, blonde scruff and dark eyes, southern rocker Preston James certainly looks the part. But it’s his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics that will convince you he’s come a long way from the clean-cut kid who first plied the boards of Broadway nearly a decade ago. 

Since then, the Cheatham County native—who was offered his first publishing deal at 18—has announced himself to the Row, signing with publishers King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Music and inking a booking deal with The Neal Agency. 

Brian Carothers and Evan Kantor, both agents with The Neal Agency, are firmly in James’s corner. “Preston is sitting on an unbelievable debut EP,” Carothers says. “I’ll never forget the day he played it for everyone here. The excitement in the room was special, and we’re all thrilled to be working with him.” Adds Kantor, “From the moment we all heard the music, we were sold on Preston’s talent. What’s been even more exciting is seeing how incredible his live show is. We are honored to be a part of bringing that to the masses.”

James has steadily been making a name for himself as a singer, songwriter and guitar player at the local honky-tonks, resulting in the opportunity to open for the Brian Setzer Orchestra at the Ryman Auditorium; perform with one of his musical heroes, iconic blues and Americana artist Delbert McClinton; and sit in with the Grammy Award–winning Time Jumpers. He was also invited by John Berry to be a guest on his Songs and Stories television series. 

One listen to his latest single “Fences” [Listen Below], a melodic follow-up to his rowdy debut release, “Deal with the Devil,” proves James, 24, has found his footing as a performer. Clay Bradley, VP of Creative at BMI, the performance rights agency who represents James, is a longtime supporter. “I love Preston James. He is a natural born guitar picker, songwriter and a rising star in the industry who shows a maturity and insight far beyond his years.”

Written by James, Steve Moakler (“Riser”/Dierks Bentley) and Logan Wall (“Hard Days”/Brantley Gilbert), who also produced James’s forthcoming EP with distribution through CMDSHFT, “Fences” is a classic boy chases girl tale with cinematic lyrics:

James notes this one is extra special because it is autobiographical. “I first met Charity (Bowden), my fiancée, at age 15 and we became fast friends but reaching where we are now has been quite the journey.” It took some convincing and several years to become more than friends, and when the relationship evolved, Charity’s father had reservations about her dating a long-haired country singer. But, James explains, “I eventually realized what really mattered, persevered and overcame every fence in front of me because I knew without a doubt that she was the one.”

The music video for “Fences,” produced and directed by Jim Cook, Cookhouse Media, is being released today. Both “Fences” and “Deal with the Devil” are featured on White Trash from Way Back, James’s five-song EP set to debut Oct. 25. Next up off the EP is “Heartbreak’s on You,” due out Sept. 20. Each cut showcases James’s passion for storytelling as he moves effortlessly from small-town love song to hillbilly headbanger, narrating the vagaries of rural life.

Kelly King, president of King Pen Music, says, “As soon as I met Preston, I knew there was something special about him. His old soul way intrigued me, and his work ethic blew me away right off the bat. Once I saw him play live, I knew he was going to introduce a new edge to country music. I am so excited to see how country music embraces him the way he has embraced it all his life.”

PHOTO: Jim Cook for Cookhouse Media

About The Neal Agency:

In addition to Preston James, TNA’s roster includes Aidan Canfield, Anne Wilson, Ashland Craft, Bailey Zimmerman, Cameron Sacky Band, Chase Rice, Cory Asbury, Ella Langley, Ernest, Hardy, Jake Worthington, John Morgan, Josh Ross, Lauren Watkins, McCoy Moore, Morgan Wallen, Nate Smith, Ole 60, Palmer Anthony, Riley Green, Seaforth, Scott Wolverton, Zach John King, along with the entertainment brand Whiskey Jam. 

The Neal Agency Signs Zach John King

With more than five million career streams accumulated across only five singles released so far, Fayetteville, Georgia native Zach John King continues to pave his own path with his genre-bending sound of country, americana and indie rock. As he builds his team and solidifies his footing in Nashville, King announces today his signing with The Neal Agency (TNA) for booking.
 
“I’m incredibly honored to be a part of such a powerhouse team. I feel like the size and intentionality of TNA matches my vision for building an artistic foundation that will last," shares King. "It’s inspiring to see my name amongst some of the biggest artists in the world, and pushes me to work even harder at building my career.”
 
“It was evident from our initial meeting with Zach that the music he’s creating, his drive to succeed and his overall artistic vision are the perfect match for the type of artistry we strive to represent at The Neal Agency,” TNA’s Ryan Beuschel, Evan Kantor and Kolby Vetter share. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Zach and continue building his career."
 
King’s songs carry twist-heavy lyrics, memorable melodies and heartache coming from an artist who considers himself “kinda country” pointing back to small town life and love lost. His personal story and songs have connected with fans, quietly amassing over 3 million views on demos and worktapes on TikTok before his first official release. He’s now slated to release his first EP, Wannabe Cowboy, on May 24 featuring new song, “The Way I See You.” Pre-save the EP HERE.
 
In addition to King, TNA’s roster proudly represents Palmer Anthony, Cory Asbury, Cameron Sacky Band, Aidan Canfield, Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, Preston James, Ella Langley, John Morgan, Chase Rice, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Nate Smith, Morgan Wallen, Ole 60, Lauren Watkins, Anne Wilson, Jake Worthington and Bailey Zimmerman, along with entertainment brand Whiskey Jam. 
 
King’s additional representation includes Matt Reed at Hyphen Media Group for management & artist development, along with Boom Music Group for publishing and CMDSHFT for distribution.
 
For more information on King, follow @ZachJohnKing across social media channels, or visit ZachJohnKing.com.

Zach John King signs with The Neal Agency
Photo IDs from L to R: Hyphen Media Group’s Matt Reed, TNA’s Ryan Beuschel, Zach John King, TNA’s Evan Kantor and TNA’s Kolby Vetter | Photo Credit: Kelly Littlefield

The Neal Agency Expands Into Publishing, Inks Palmer Anthony as First Artist/Writer

Nearly two years after launching The Neal Agency (TNA), third generation booking agent Austin Neal has developed the company into one of Nashville’s leading boutique talent agencies, with a rapidly growing team of 17 employees and 21 clients. Realizing a goal to further develop artists beyond the touring landscape, TNA has expanded their services to include a new publishing arm with Palmer Anthony as its flagship artist, recently signed to a co-publishing venture with Warner Chappell Music.

“I view the ultimate goal for the company truly as a place to develop artists. If we really believe in somebody from the beginning, being able to help them grow in-house, and having every opportunity to help create and build their careers from the ground up is an important aspect of hat,” shares Neal.

Spearheaded by TNA’s Head of Business Development, Ryan Beuschel, the idea to expand the company to encompass publishing was spurred by Anthony himself, after signing with TNA for booking. “Palmer was a great example of being the first person that we did this with because he was signing to the agency, shopping around, and looking into publishing deals, and he was the one that mentioned it'd be really amazing if we could have worked together,” reflects Beuschel.

With a background in publishing spanning 20 years, Beuschel’s prior experience at Warner Chappell Music as vice president of A&R / strategy made the co-publishing venture a natural fit after introducing Anthony to Warner Chappell Music Nashville President & CEO, Ben Vaughn.

“I met Palmer because of Austin and Ryan, so it's been really cool to watch this partnership come together and to see Palmer build his network throughout town,” shares Vaughn. “Palmer writes some really great songs by himself, but he also was very interested in what he could learn from those that are ahead of him, and we’re excited to open the door for new opportunities to get him in front of experienced writers and watch his career grow.”

Anthony shares in that excitement, stating, “I started in music about five or six years ago, and I was playing shows and was writing stuff just by myself. And I kind of hit a point where I really wanted to grow and learn and I've always entered this country music scene as a fan first. I'm a fan of the writers, a fan of these organizations, and so it's really easy to transition for me to want to co-write more and want to be a part of the scene. I'm still a student, and I’ll probably always be a student. But for me it’s just fun to learn.”

Anthony, an artist out of Texas, growing up primarily in the small Northern California town of Willits, played baseball at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before quickly realizing his passion for songwriting surpassed even his love of the game. After graduation, he moved back to Fort Worth, Texas where he became immersed in the Texas music scene. While honing his entertainment skills, Anthony opened for Riley Green, Randall King, Chase Rice and more.

In addition to Anthony, TNA’s roster proudly represents Cameron Sacky Band, Aidan Canfield, Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, Ella Langley, mike., John Morgan, Chase Rice, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Nate Smith, Morgan Wallen, Lauren Watkins, Anne Wilson, Jake Worthington and Bailey Zimmerman, along with lifestyle brands Stevenson Ranch and Whiskey Jam.

For more information, visit www.TheNealAgency.com.

The Neal Agency and Warner Chappell celebrate co-publishing venture with Palmer Anthony
Top row L to R: Lewis Brisbois’ Austin Wells, Lewis Brisbois’ Matt Cottingham, TNA’s Haley Teske; What’s
Good Projects’ Ryan Kroon | Bottom row L to R: Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako; Warner Chappell’s Ben
Vaughn; Palmer Anthony; TNA’s Ryan Beuschel; TNA’s Austin Neal | Photo Credit: Kelly Littlefield

About Warner Chappell Music:
Warner Chappell Music, the global music publishing company of Warner Music Group, is home to a wide array of legendary songwriters and a rich catalog of contemporary hits and influential standards. With offices in more than 20 countries, Warner Chappell provides deep expertise across a range of creative services and the most innovative opportunities for songwriters and copyright holders. Warner Chappell, which has a history dating back more than 200 years, currently publishes and administers music from A-Lin, Angèle, Anderson .Paak, Apache 207, Ava Max, Aya Nakamura, Bruno Mars, Capital Bra, Celeste, Chris Jeday, CJ, Cole Porter, Dan + Shay, Dave, David Bowie, Duran Duran, El Guincho, Fraser T. Smith, Gamble and Huff, Gene Autry Music Group catalog, George Gershwin, George Michael, Grateful Dead, Jesse & Joy, Justin Tranter, Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry, Kevin Yi, Kool & the Gang, Led Zeppelin, Lin Xi, Lizzo, Madonna, MNEK, Oscar Holter, Pablo Alborán, Pop Smoke, Quincy Jones, Rauw Alejandro, RAYE, Saweetie, Stormzy, Summer Walker, Ta-You Lo, Thomas Rhett, and Tones and I, among many others.

Follow Warner Chappell Music on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Neal Agency Adds Nate Smith to Roster

Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Sony Music Nashville recording artist Nate Smith’s star has continued to rise on the heels of his multi-week No. 1 hit “Whiskey On You” – celebrated by Stereogum as “an enormously satisfying country kiss-off anthem” – and the release of his self-titled debut album earlier this year. 
 
His ability to translate his personal journey scarred by disaster into relatable lyrics that provide comfort to fans instantly captivated The Neal Agency’s (TNA) Adi Sharma and Evan Kantor. After one meeting with Smith, it became clear to Sharma and Kantor that he was the perfect addition to their growing roster. 
 
“We are honored to add Nate to The Neal Agency family. He is a rare talent and is one of those artists it only takes one time to meet and listen to until you immediately fall in love,” share agents Sharma and Kantor. “We could not be more excited to see what the future holds for Nate!” 
 
Smith adds, “I couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with the best agents in the game. They have a real plan for me, and it’s gonna absolutely change my life and career. The Neal Agency is family, and the craziest part is that we’ve already worked together earlier on, so this is a real full circle moment for all of us! I’m grateful, and extremely lucky to have the best of the best in live entertainment!” 
 
In addition to TNA, Smith is represented by The Core Entertainment for artist management. The Core Entertainment’s Simon Tikhman and Chief Zaruk shared their enthusiasm in Smith’s growing team. “We are excited to work with Adi and the Neal Agency. What the Neal Agency has built in such a short time is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their artists. The future is very bright for their partnership with Nate Smith.”
 
Smith’s journey to Music City began with loss in 2018, when all of his belongings were destroyed in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through Paradise, California. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned back to music for comfort, using a loaned guitar to co-write a song called “One of These Days.” Caught between bittersweet nostalgia and his rock-solid belief the community would rebuild, the song embodied everything Smith was feeling – and everything he loved about music. 
 
After returning to Nashville, the singer-songwriter began unveiling a new round of music which puts that inspirational mission front-and-center – and features an edgy-organic sound unlike anything else in the format.
 
As his current single “World On Fire” remains in the top 40 and climbing on country radio, Smith has embarked on Thomas Rhett’s Home Team Tour ‘23 and will support Cole Swindell on select dates of his Twelve Tour this fall. Having previously opened for Morgan Wallen at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium last April, Smith will once again support Wallen on Nov. 16, 2023 at The Moody Center in Austin, TX. 
 
In addition to Smith, TNA’s roster proudly represents Palmer Anthony, Cameron Sacky Band, Aidan Canfield, Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, Ella Langley, mike., John Morgan, Chase Rice, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Morgan Wallen, Lauren Watkins, Anne Wilson, Jake Worthington and Bailey Zimmerman, along with lifestyle brands Stevenson Ranch and Whiskey Jam. 

Nate Smith | Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato

About Nate Smith:
Featuring a mix of gritty backwoods soul, rock ‘n’ roll swagger and velvet-thunder vocals, Nate Smith’s personal journey inspired him to be a beacon of country-music hope, an inspirational mission he puts front-and-center. A California native, former worship leader, and lifelong music lover, Smith approaches that mission with a background as eclectic as it gets. Learning guitar at 13, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and Bob Seger were among those informing his powerful, fire-from-within vocals, while Michael Jackson made him crave the spotlight and Nirvana gave his sound a jagged edge. In 2018, Smith lost everything he owned in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through Paradise, California, now known as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned back to music, hoping that it would help comfort himself and others. Help it did, inspiring a month-long road trip across the U.S. to Music City, writing music and playing dive bars along the way. 
 
Since making it to Nashville, the singer’s “powerhouse tenor” has become “perhaps country music’s fastest-rising beloved voice” (The Tennessean). He’s made a huge splash with songs such as his Platinum-certified multi-week No. 1 hit “Whiskey On You,” which was lauded as the “breakup song of the summer” by Country Now and “an enormously satisfying country kiss-off anthem” by Stereogum. “Whiskey On You” amassed over 7.5 million total global on-demand streams in its first week, reaching No. 10 on the Country On-Demand Streaming Chart. The smash hit has racked up over 320 million total global on-demand streams to date. Nate released his debut, self-titled album along with the deluxe version on April 28. The hefty 26-song project hit #6 on Billboard’s Country album charts and #30 on the Billboard Top 200. His latest single off the album, “World On Fire,” is impacting country radio now. The CMT Awards and ACM Awards nominee is currently on tour with Thomas Rhett and will hit the road with Cole Swindell this fall. Nate is managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman with The Core Entertainment.

The Neal Agency Signs Aidan Canfield

When Aidan Canfield arrived in January with his debut album We’re Young, Alright, the singer-songwriter hailing from Pleasantville, New York – who penned all 12 of the project’s tracks by himself – moved to Nashville to be as close to Country music as possible. Attracting third generation country music booking agent and artist advocate Austin Neal due to his unique sound and storytelling, Canfield has officially signed with The Neal Agency (TNA). 
 
"The second I stepped into The Neal office, it felt like a family,” shares Canfield. “Everybody there sees it as more than a job and they are all truly passionate about each artist. I couldn't be more excited to build my career with such great people around me at The Neal Agency!”
 
“It’s extremely rare to find an artist like Aidan,” says Neal, who initially introduced Canfield’s music to his team at The Neal Agency in an A&R meeting four months ago. “He has a distinctive sound, an entire album of one-way writes, and an honesty and dedication that comes across when you hear him. Our team immediately and unanimously agreed we had to pursue signing him. We're honored to add him to our roster for representation at TNA." 
 
Canfield’s artistry infuses a unique combination of Rock and Country influences from the sounds that he grew up on – a little bit of Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen, a little bit of Kenny Chesney meets Zach Bryan. His heartfelt lyrics and melodies have struck a chord of relatability he’s witnessed on the road on support dates with Riley Green and, most recently, the Cameron Sacky Band.
 
Featured in country music YouTuber and critic Grady Smith’s “Best Music Under the Radar of 2023,” Canfield’s growing popularity has also led to his first CMA Fest performance on the Hard Rock Stage set for Sunday, June 11.
 
In addition to Canfield, TNA’s roster proudly represents Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, mike., John Morgan, Chase Rice, Josh Ross, Seaforth, Morgan Wallen, Lauren Watkins and Bailey Zimmerman, along with lifestyle brand Stevenson Ranch. 
 
Canfield’s additional representation includes Justine Avila with The Moonshot Group for management, James Dail at Wiatr & Associates for business management and Elliot Groffman at Carroll, Guido, Groffman, Cohen, Bar & Karalian, LLP for legal.
 
For more information on Canfield, follow @aidan.canfield on Instagram and @aidan_canfield on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Macy Ray

Austin Neal Opens The Neal Agency; 8 Artists on Initial Roster

AUSTIN NEAL LAUNCHES THE NEAL AGENCY

Boutique Artist Booking Firm Opens with Focus on Client Development
with Morgan Wallen, Chase Rice, Ashland Craft, Riley Green, HARDY + More

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Third generation country music booking agent and artist advocate Austin Neal is pleased to announce the official opening of The Neal Agency. Designed to be a smaller, more artist-focused organization, the eight-act company, which is based in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood in Nashville, is committed to creating touring plans that embody and build upon each artist’s individuality.

“I hope to have an agency that’s reflective of the kinds of relationships with my artists that I have with the people I’m starting this agency with,” Neal says. “I truly care about each person and the vision of what that artist wants to build. Beyond long careers and relationships, it’s a way to make a community of people through touring.”

With an initial roster that includes Ashland Craft, ERNEST, Riley Green, HARDY, John Morgan, Chase Rice, Seaforth and Morgan Wallen, The Neal Agency represents diversity and artists committed to staking their own claim. Each client has both a distinctive voice and a persona that stands out in today’s crowded marketplace.

With Green recently wrapping up a sold-out arena tour of the Southeast, and Wallen kicking off his first sold out arena and amphitheater headlining Dangerous Tour this month, Neal and his team are creating opportunities to fit the artist’s career. Having worked with most signings from the earliest phases of their time as an artist, they’re also invested in creating an agency where the artists support each other.

“I have always wanted and tried to be super-strategic in how I’ve attempted to tour our artists,” Neal explains. “It’s about being very focused on the next step to get to the next step. This smaller roster allows us to be hyper-focused on the people we’ve signed.

“Riley Green from Jacksonville, Alabama is the new age Tim McGraw, while HARDY is a songwriter who comes from another place. ERNEST is one of the most entertaining people I’ve ever met, Seaforth are both musical and hilarious, Chase Rice with his Head Down, Eyes Up brand understands the audience and Ashland Craft is such a free spirit and such a great vocalist. John Morgan is so dynamic and definitely an artist to watch in 2022. It’s an honor to work with all of them.”

With a management background from working with both Big & Rich and Bruce Kalmick while he was at Triple 8, Neal returned to the agency business at his father Kevin Neal’s urging. Never intending to run his own company – “I like booking dates, mentoring young agents and building up developing artists” – he is ready to follow in the footsteps of his Grandfather Bob, who managed Elvis and then opened the original Neal Agency in Nashville in the mid-60s after stints in Memphis and California booking Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Sonny James and Jerry Lee Lewis.

“My father grew up in this business with his father. He learned not just how to make deals, set up tours and build careers, but a wonderful sense of ethics and how to spot real talent. He did that with Jason, FGL and Morgan, and carried on the family tradition.

“My grandfather, who was a disc jockey, concert promoter and owned a record store understood recognizing talent, then helping the artists realize their potential. He brought people together, and that’s something I hope the new Neal Agency will do, too.”