TAPE ROOM MUSIC ELEVATES CAROLINE HODSON TO VICE PRESIDENT, A&R

Independent publishing standout Tape Room Music has promoted Caroline Hodson to Vice President, A&R, elevated from Director, A&R.
 
“Caroline is one of the best young executives in our business,” shares Tape Room Music COO and President, Business Affairs Blain Rhodes. “She is a fierce champion of songwriters and the ultimate teammate. She has been vital in the success of our writers and entirely deserving of this promotion.”
 
“Tape Room is home to me. I’ve grown up with this team and our writers since they took a chance on me on day one,” shares Hodson. “I’m so proud that we’ve maintained a culture of consistent success paired with consistent personal support; our roster is truly like a family. Grateful to keep the train going and see where the tracks take us next.”
 
A graduate of Belmont University, Hodson joined Tape Room Music as an intern in 2020 and has advanced through the company’s A&R department, reflecting her dedication to songwriter development.
 
During her time at Tape Room, Hodson has worked closely with the company’s roster of songwriters to develop and facilitate creative opportunities and contributed to its continued success – including amassing 60 No. 1 songs – and supported founder Ashley Gorley in his songwriting and creative endeavors. She also manages the creative and marketing efforts for the label arm of the company, Tape Room Records, supporting artists and implementing release strategies.
 
Kicking off the year with three back-to-back No. 1s by mid-January, Tape Room Music currently has 14 singles in the top 50 at country radio, further solidifying its reputation for country chart prominence.

Photo Credit: Paul Wesolowski

About Tape Room Music
Tape Room Music is an independent music publishing company founded by Songwriters Hall of Fame member Ashley Gorley, where writers have celebrated 60 No. 1 songs. Recent chart-toppers include Blake Shelton’s “Stay Country or Die Tryin’,” HARDY’s “Favorite Country Song” and Megan Moroney’s “6 Months Later.” Building on a landmark 2025 that delivered six No. 1 singles at Country radio, topping Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs and Hot Country Songs chart with BigXThaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman’s “All The Way,” and 13 songs on Billboard’s Year-End Hot Country Songs chart, the company continues its momentum in 2026. Tape Room Music writers consistently expand their abilities, spreading their talents across writing, producing and performing. More at TapeRoom.com or follow along on Instagram @TapeRoomMusic.

CLARK MIMS TEDESCO JOINS MORRIS HIGHAM MANAGEMENT AS VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING

Reinforcing its position as a dominant force in artist development and industry innovation, Morris Higham Management (MHM) today announced the strategic expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Clark Mims Tedesco as Vice President, Marketing.
 
Tedesco joins the esteemed firm following a distinguished 13-year tenure at Warner Records Nashville, where she was instrumental in driving marketing and strategy for MHM flagship client Kenny Chesney. Her expertise was pivotal in the success of his 2020 album Here And Now and 2024’s BORN, delivering not only commercial but also cultural reach. Beyond her work with Chesney, Tedesco led campaigns for Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Dan + Shay, Hudson Westbrook, Ingrid Andress and many others during her time at WRN.
 
“As long as I’ve been in the music industry, I’ve held deep respect for Morris Higham Management’s ability to set the gold standard for artist representation,” shares Tedesco. “Having worked alongside them on multiple landmark releases, joining this team is a full-circle moment. I am honored to contribute to MHM’s legacy of excellence and look forward to raising the bar for our artists.”
 
“Clark is a strategist who understands the nuance of building authentic, lasting connections between artists and their global audiences,” said Kyle Quigley, General Manager of Morris Higham Management. “Her leadership and relentless drive for innovation make her a vital addition as we continue to evolve at MHM.”
 
A seasoned professional with a unique background, Tedesco previously spent nearly a decade within New York City’s Broadway community. This foundation in high-stakes storytelling informs her current approach: a balance of collaborative spirit and fierce competitiveness aimed at upholding the traditions of the format while aggressively pushing its creative and commercial boundaries.
 
At Morris Higham, Tedesco will lead the development of sophisticated, tailor-made marketing ecosystems for the company’s diverse and world-class roster, including Chesney (HEY NOW Records), Old Dominion (Sony), Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, Dailey & Vincent, Greylan James (Nashville Harbor Records), Kinsley (MCA) and Brad Tursi (Sony).
 
For more information, visit www.MorrisHigham.com.

Photo Courtesy of Tedesco Pictures

Messina Touring Group Elevates Rachel Powers to Vice President

Messina Touring Group (MTG) has elevated Rachel Powers from Vice President of Marketing to Vice President, reflecting her expanding role within the company and her continued impact on the live entertainment industry.
 
“It’s an absolute honor to continue growing with a company known for its unwavering commitment to artists, always putting them and their best interests first,” shares Powers. “I’m fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented professionals in the business, many of whom have helped pave the way for me. It’s been a privilege to support some of the best artists and their incredible teams. I’m especially grateful to Louis for his mentorship and for believing in me – this opportunity means the world.”
 
In addition to prior responsibilities of co-leading the marketing department and overseeing tour marketing for Blake Shelton, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band, this new role expands Powers’ focus beyond marketing to include broader oversight and more deeply involved in high-level decision-making, cross-functional leadership and driving overall growth for the business
 
Powers has been a driving force behind some of country music’s most successful tours. Since 2017, she has overseen tour marketing for Shelton, from his Doing It to Country Songs Tour to his upcoming 2026 Live in Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum.
 
She leads marketing for Church’s highly anticipated Free the Machine Tour launching this weekend, following her work on his The Gather Again Tour, which sold over 860,000 tickets, grossed $100 million, and earned Top Country Tour at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards and Church’s record-breaking Double Down Tour in 2019, which sold more than 770,000 tickets, grossed nearly $72 million and made history as the first solo headliner at Nissan Stadium.
 
Her contributions have been widely recognized throughout the industry. She has been named to Billboard’s Country Power Players list (2024, 2025) and Women in Music Executive list (2023, 2025). She was selected for the second cohort of the Country Music Association’s Women’s Leadership Academy, recognized as an inaugural honoree on Pollstar’s Impact: NextGen list in 2019, and invited to join the first class of the American Express Women in Music Leadership Academy.

Photo Credit: Chris Zebo