Folk Alliance International 2025: Wrap Up!

By Lillian Creasy

OM had an amazing time at the Folk Alliance International Convention this past weekend, in Montréal, Quebec! We are already excited and ready for FAI 2026, but if you want to reminisce on the weekend with us, see down below for some of our favorite highlights!

House of Pancakes hosts: Grace Carey-Hill, Erin Anderson, China Kent, Seth Kent

In collaboration with Alright Alright, Olivia Management was proud to host The House of Pancakes Showcase! Two of our very own artists performed at the showcase: Alex Blue and Aaron Lee Tasjan.

Left to right: Jim Flammia, KC Turner, Casey Smith, Erin Anderson, Grace Carey-Hill

Our very own Erin Anderson and Grace Carey-Hill hosted the“Getting The Word Out: Show/Tour Marketing for Independent Artists” panel!

Alex Blue performing at the House of Pancakes Showcase

Packed out house for the “Getting the Word Out” panel

More photos from FAI!

If you’re interested in attending next year or are interested in more information regarding the Folk Alliance International convention, be sure to check out their official website! To keep up to date with Olivia Management follow us on our socials: Instagram, Facebook, X

OM at Folk Alliance International 2025: What To Expect!

by Samantha Van Arsdale

Are you ready for the 2025 Folk Alliance International Conference? We know we are!

In addition to Alright Alright and Olivia Management hosting The House of Pancakes Showcase, our Olivia Management team will also be featured on the panel Getting The Word Out: Show/Tour Marketing for Independent Artists! Here's what to expect!

Erin O. Anderson

Erin Anderson

“One of my favorite parts of attending music conferences is putting together panels that I hope will be helpful to independent musicians. This year for FAI, I am so pumped about the lineup for this panel- some old and dear friends with decades of knowledge about promoting shows, plus our very own Grace Carey-Hill who kicks ass selling out tours for our management clients. It will be fun AND educational. What more could you ask for?” - Erin

Grace Carey-Hill

Grace Carey-Hill

“Excited to be attending FAI and Canada for the first time! I can’t wait to learn from industry professionals, meet new people, and catch up with friends from Nashville and beyond. I’m especially looking forward to helping host our showcases and being part of our tour marketing panel—it’s going to be such a great conversation. Really hoping to help independent artists make their tours even better!” - Grace

For more information and to view the bios of our other partners on the panel—KC Turner, Jim Flammia, and Casey Smith—visit the show information page! Also, check out last week’s blog for an overview of The House of Pancakes Showcase that will feature two of our very own management artists —Aaron Lee Tasjan and Alex Blue!

Josh Radnor Brings "Eulogy II" to Life on Tour

by Julia Reiss

We’re thrilled that our very own Josh Radnor is hitting the road for The Eulogy II Tour! This tour marks an exciting chapter for Josh as he brings his unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and musical talent to audiences across the country, featuring songs from his new album, Eulogy, Vol II.
Visit joshradnor.com to find tour dates and venues near you—don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable live performance!

Eulogy II Album Cover

Behind The Album

In early 2022, Josh Radnor left Los Angeles after a tough breakup and turned to music for healing. With his dog Nelson and a collection of songs, he headed to Nashville, where he created his debut solo double album, Eulogy: Volume I + II. Through this process, he transformed personal heartache into a powerful journey of reflection and growth.

The result is a 23-track folk-Americana collection that blends timeless storytelling with intimate, meditative melodies. Produced by a team of Nashville collaborators, the album combines classic Americana sturdiness with modern twists, drawing comparisons to legendary artists like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Radnor describes the songs as “mini-funerals,” each one honoring and letting go of parts of himself no longer serving him. Vulnerability and introspection are woven into every track, creating a deeply emotional and relatable listening experience.

Stay connected with Josh Radnor and keep up with all the latest updates, music, and tour announcements by following him on social media! Check out his pages below and join the journey:

Our Very Own Erin Anderson Selected as a GrammyU Mentor

by Faith Harting

Erin O. Anderson is the Founder, CEO, and Artist Manager here at Olivia Management and we are beyond proud to share that she has been chosen as a 2024-2025 GrammyU Mentor!

“I am a Grammy member that has been selected to mentor a college student interested in the music business. The Grammy's pair us together and this is the second time I've done it and I love it” - Erin O. Anderson

GrammyU provides aspiring professionals with the tools and opportunities needed to launch their careers in music. “As a vital part of the Recording Academy’s mission, GRAMMY U is dedicated to fostering the next generation of music talent and ensuring a thriving cultural heritage for the recorded arts. GRAMMY U is the future of music! GRAMMY U has been a leading gateway to the music industry for college students entering the music industry.” The Grammy U mentorship program pairs up Music Industry Professionals with emerging creative professionals/students wanting to pursue a career in music for 1-on-1 sessions. "This is a first step to expanding their professional network and learning tips & tricks of the trade from the pros working on their craft 24/7.”

Erin has such a wealth of knowledge and is an honor to learn from as an intern. Her achievements continue to elevate those around her, and we can't wait to watch her continue to make a lasting mark on the future of music!


Musicians right here on the OM team!

By Lexi Ann Staebler

In our lovely Olivia Management Office, we not only manage talented artists, but we are proudly home to several musical artists on our very own team! Six of our devoted team members are also musicians— spanning from songwriters, to artists and multi-instrumentalists!

Two new singles by our team members were released this past week… go check em out on your favorite platforms to stream music!

Grace Carey-Hill

“Low” on all streaming platforms out now by Grace Carey-Hill

Grace Carey-Hill’s “Low” takes a spin on the struggle of mental health, pairing it with an eerie and catchy pop beat. Carey-Hill’s angelic voice is both beautiful and haunting, with an ear candy sing-a-long chorus.

Maddy Hicks

“Hall of Shame” on all streaming platforms by Maddy Hicks

Maddy Hick’s “Hall of Shame” is going to be your next favorite classic scream to pop song. If you like Olivia Rodrigo or Sabrina Carpenter, you’ll love this one! Get in your car, turn the windows down and the volume up on this banger.

Make sure to be on the look out for our team’s future releases as we wish them much success on their musical journeys!

Big Release Weekend for OM

by Faith Harting

Here at Olivia Management, we have had a big week with two releases! We couldn't be more thrilled to share the incredible music from our talented artists Alex Blue and Josh Radnor.

Alex Blue release her EP “Day Job: Pretty in Pop” on October 11th! It is such a fun and honest EP. Click to image below to give it a listen!

Josh Radnor released his new single “Don’t Get Sick This is America” on October 11th. Josh writes “Topics Covered: Health care, poverty, racism, sexism (get psyched!) Oh, and because this is the internet and tone tends to get misread or lost entirely, I mean the opposite of everything I say in the song.” Go give it a listen!

We are so proud of these artists and hope you love their new music as much as we do!

The Positives and Negatives of AI in the Music Industry

by Tyler Prondzinski

The big talk in the past month or so (or basically the past year ever since ChatGPT came out) has been AI and the perceived negative effects it has on many sectors of society. We’ll be talking about some of the positives and negatives about it surrounding its use in the music industry.

Positive: Billy Joel comes back with an AI Music Video

Early last month, Billy Joel released a new song called “Turn the Lights Back On,” a fantastic song from someone who has released little material over the past thirty years. The music video for the song was filmed but assisted with AI. They had a stand in actor dress up like Billy Joel in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and 90’s, and then ran it through a groundbreaking AI program that has been used by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Juice Wrld. The AI program transformed the actor’s face into three scarily accurate depictions of a younger Billy Joel. It was genius idea given the meaning of the song and the years that have past.

Positive: Tennessee Enacts the ELVIS Act

Just a couple of weeks ago, the state of Tennessee just enacted a law concerning the “protections for songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals' voice from the misuse of artificial intelligence,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office. This is a big step, making Tennessee the first state in the nation to enact legislation like this, though these concerns have been brewing for the past year. On a side note, I find it clever that they decided to name it the ELVIS act, standing for “Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security.”

Negative: Deepfakes

In the past few months, companies have been sprouting up specializing in creating AI models of the voices of pop stars and celebrities. Legal battles have ensued, one of the most notable taking place in the UK. Britain based cite Jammable currently has over 3000 AI models of famous people, but it was left with no choice but to take down the models of Drake and Amy Winehouse after getting a cease and desist in the mail from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The question of creating fake AI models of artists is surrounded by various ethical, moral, and legal issues. Feeding AI software copyrighted material to create a model likely violates federal copyright law and will soon be challenged in the courts. Since the model doesn’t have the limits humans have, these models have the potential to take away revenue from these artists by generating unlimited amounts of material.

Negative: AI and TikTok

The relationship between TikTok and AI is a never ending cycle. Someone creates a cover of Elvis singing some modern pop song using AI and it makes its way to social media platforms and TikTok, where it goes viral and causes more users to check out the service. Universal Music recently made the news for pulling their artist’s music from TikTok, mainly because of a lack of agreement on a licensing deal for their artist’s songs. But the elephant in the room that isn’t getting mentioned is Universal’s fight against AI, which was another component of why this deal went sour. Most artists are not getting paid for the use of their name, image, and likeness in these AI generated songs, and TikTok is proliferated with them.

Ending Thoughts

A few days ago during a podcast, Roger Daltrey of the Who said this about AI: “It’s going to destroy the music industry if we’re not careful.” I think these words are words to the wise. Some guardrails have to be put into place before things get too out of hand and the music industry suffers the same lost revenue it did in the days of pirating and the beginning of streaming. AI does have some creative benefits but like anything, it is a tool to be used sparingly.

House of Pancake Showcase at Folk Alliance International!

By Tyler Prondzinski

As a Nashville-based folk and Americana artist management company, here's what we think about great folk-americana artists! We are curating a special event at Folk Aliance this Friday night with House of Pancakes. Here is a synopsis of all the great music that will be played!

Stacy Antonel

An idiosyncratic artist with a background in classical piano, Stacy Antonel makes jazzy, country-leaning, clever Americana that feels both vintage and hyper-modern at the same time. Her latest release, Always the Outsider feels like an elegant relic from a bygone era, other times it’s a glimpse into the distant, mystical future of country music.

Stephanie Sammons

Stephanie Sammons is a Folk-leaning, Americana singer-songwriter who splits her time between Dallas and Nashville music scenes. Stephanie has studied extensively under Grammy-nominated singer-songwriters Mary Gauthier, Emily Saliers (Grammy winner), Beth Nielsen Chapman, Gretchen Peters, Jonatha Brooke (critically acclaimed), Verlon Thompson, and Suzy Bogguss. Her first full-length album, produced by Mary Bragg at Sound Emporium Studio B in Nashville, is set for release in May of 2024. 

Evan Boyer

Up-and-coming Americana artist Evan Boyer is not a polished, perfect singer-songwriter plucked from the glossy pages of a music magazine: He’s the genuine article, making real and relatable music from the rough fodder of personal experience. Approaching songwriting with a healthy dose of humanity, he draws inspiration from the raw edges of his own, admittedly flawed existence, offering the world a unique brand of country-leaning Americana that is down-to-earth, authentic, and emotionally compelling. This month he dropped the single “Home to You” from his forthcoming album, The Devil in Me, which is due to be released May 3.

Mary Bragg

Praised by the World Café for her “refined, sumptuously melancholy take on Southern storytelling,” Bragg’s been exploring love and its complications for much of her career now, wrestling with longing, desire, heartbreak, and insecurity across a string of widely lauded albums. NPR dubbed her breakout 2017 release, Lucky Strike, one of the year’s best, while her 2019 follow-up, Violets as Camouflage, earned similar raves, with the Nashville Scene calling it “magnificent” and Rolling Stone hailing its mix of “classic country twang and “gentle chamber-pop.” Her latest album came out in 2022 to more critical acclaim.

Remi Goode

     Remi Goode is a trained classical guitarist and choral singer turned alternative folk/pop singer-songwriter. When she first decided to put her voice and guitar together and write original music, she quickly developed a style that highlights her careful classical sensibilities, pure vocal quality, and the distinctive sound of a nylon-string guitar. She writes with blunt honesty and introspection, searching for the root of the dynamics within a relationship or a deeper understanding of her own self-conception. Although Remi’s analysis of herself and others is often unforgiving, her songs always contain a qualifying aspect of emotional ambiguity—an expression of both grief and acceptance at having to navigate a world that isn’t black or white. 

Helena Hallberg

Helena Hallberg is a Swiss/Swedish performer, songwriter and actor based in Nashville, TN. A passionate polyglot, multi-instrumentalist and producer, she often brings her four native languages into her work."No matter whether it's musical theatre, folk, pop or jazz, Helena Hallberg is like a Swiss Army Knife made in Sweden: Versatile and flawless" (Ticketcorner Magazine). In March 2024, Hallberg will release her debut album EPITHET. Recorded at the iconic Power Station at BerkleeNYC in New York City and recorded by an all-female production team comprising of Hallberg, Mary Bragg, and Gloria Kaba, EPITHET promises to be a musical journey like no other.

Paula Boggs

Hailing from Seattle, Paula Boggs blends jazz and Americana, touring and releasing a steady stream of music since 2010.“Boggs makes...urban, jazzy music...within the structures of...folk, bluegrass, and...blues...[s]he calls... “soulgrass,” and reminds me a little of Gil Scott-Heron, if only for the razor-intensity of her words...in a croony-rich street voice...evocative and easy to like” (Dave Good, San Diego Reader).

Nathan K

Hailing from Michigan, his songs are sad, but not without hope. They are hopeful, but not overly optimistic. They are specific, but strangely relatable. Honest, but not abrasive. He is shy, but long winded – the stories behind the songs are often longer than the songs themselves. “A curious mix of sadness and joy, haunting in the sense that it lingers but not completely morose or scary. A nostalgic and poignant amalgamation of fondness and love and regret, something crushing yet life affirming” (Wake The Deaf).

Emma Butterworth

Chicago songwriter Emma Butterworth is carving a niche for herself in the American indie scene with her uniquely soulful brand of indie-leaning folk rock. A keen storyteller and careful lyricist, she cuts straight to the heart of life’s big questions, examining moments of love, loss, growth, and self-acceptance with characteristic wit and wisdom. Her cheeky stage presence reveals a curious mind and a penchant for deeply melancholic songs, while her lush vocals have been compared to iconic acts like Brandi Carlile and The Head and the Heart. There’s a casual power when Butterworth sings that feels both practiced and raw: agile, occasionally vulnerable, but always sure—hers is a voice you’d follow in an emergency. The root of that strength lies in her own, joyful sense of self, which infuses even her most somber ballads with a buoyant, silver-lined charm. Or, as explained in the eponymous track from her recently released album, Fool’s Gold: “People say I’m lost without sweet words from a man, / but I never had trouble knowing just who I am.” 

Jay Gavin

Jay writes and sings songs for fans of real county music and is making a name for his catchy hooks, foot-stomping, autobiographical, everyman songs and good timin’ live shows. The Nashville Songwriters Ass. Intl. named Jay Gavin a writer that’s “One to Watch” in June 2023. At home in Canada, Jay loves hosting regular song circles bringing together the local and touring songwriting community.

Toria Richings

Toria is an Americana singer-songwriter, having spent the last few years recording and releasing music, fine-tuning her own sound, her songs have a soulful and modern edge with a strong country influence. Toria writes from the heart and promises to take your soul on an emotional journey with love laughter and tears!!

Alright Alright

Husband and wife Seth and China Kent of Alright Alright create orchestral folk for the open-minded and poetry for the broken-hearted.  Though their songs often bear a deep sense of tradition, Alright Alright aren’t afraid to experiment with boundaries, testing the limits of genre and expectations for content. From southern industrial towns to street signs to abandoned cars on I-70, there is a sense of rootedness that lends depth and dimension to their songwriting. These songs are as real as your kitchen table. Yet there’s also a striking vulnerability present, an openness and willingness to connect that draws fans from around the world to reach out and feel held by their music.

Robby Hecht

Robby Hecht has been captivating audiences as a touring singer-songwriter for over two decades, combining quietly impactful songwriting reminiscent of Tom Waits or Jim Croce with the graceful vocal resonance of James Taylor. With a remarkable blend of insightful lyricism, memorable melodies, and a voice that carries both strength and tenderness, his music resonates with audiences from all walks of life.

Artist Spotlight: Derek Webb

by Jacob Welsch

From getting his start in Texas-based folk/rock band, Caedmon’s Call, to then ruffling political & spiritual feathers alike during his nearly 20-year solo career, there is not much our very own Derek Webb hasn’t done. Derek has always been vocal about his work and his vision, and has recently made way with his highly anticipated upcoming album “The Jesus Hypothesis.”

Derek is not one to stop there. Through his journey of creating and putting together this upcoming project, he has decided to take his fans on a voyage of emotion, storytelling, and exploration of beliefs through his intimate house show tour across America.

You may be asking yourself, “So what exactly is a house show tour and how does that even work?” Here’s what happened;

We reached out to some of Derek’s biggest fans across the country in hubs. We planned dates, ticketing, cities, weekends, hosts, and venues. From a weekend in the midwest, to a weekend in Texas, to the pacific northwest, and even in Missouri, Derek is surely hitting a home near you soon. After the logistics, the rest is in the hands of the people who love him most, getting the chance to hear these stellar stories and songs in such an intimate setting. If you’re interested in learning more about how to host Derek in your home, read here!

A few of his upcoming stops within the next few months include Atlanta, Huntsville, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Chicago, and more! Check out all dates here!

Get ready for the house tour with all things Derek on Spotify:

We at Olivia Management cannot thank Derek’s fans enough who have not only opened so many homes to share these beautiful stories, but have also poured so much back into these stories to share for years to come. Do not miss the next leg of Derek’s house show tour now through the Spring season!

Jill Andrews Fall Tour!

By Anna Sampson

From her days fronting lauded Americana group, the Everbodyfields, to her successful solo career as a writer and performer, Jill Andrews’ music has taken her far from her East Tennessee home. She has collaborated and shared the stage with countless celebrated artists including the Avett Brothers, Langhorne Slim, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, and the Secret Sisters, and her music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife, Nashville, Wynonna Earp and This Is Us.

Featuring emotional melodies, intimate storytelling, and vocals that soar even at a whisper, Andrews’ third studio album, Thirties, is a deviation, it resists contemplating the big, loud questions of the world, and rather, invites listeners to look inward, keeping us closer to home than ever before. Along with a full-colour, hard-cover companion book, Thirties released in early 2020. During quarantine, Andrews’ combed through her songwriting catalog and dug up treasures she had written as far back as 2013.

She released both the Vultures and Ellen EPs in 2021, celebrating her darker side and folk song writing roots respectively.

Jill has most recently released an EP of songs, recorded in Nashville’s Parthenon in June of 2022. Titled “Jill Andrews (The Parthenon Sessions)”, listen above!

For the past few weeks, Jill Andrews has been on the road with Clem Snide on their fall 2022 US tour! Sadly this is one of the last two shows that they have left on this leg of the tour, if you find yourself in Lexington, Kentucky tonight, October 19, they’re heading to the Burl, get your tickets here!

The Jill Andrews and Clem Snide tour is wrapping up at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley tomorrow, October 20! Make sure you don’t miss it, get your tickets here!

Excitingly, Jill Andrews is hitting the road once again in the UK in just two short weeks! Get your tickets here as well!

Stay up to date with news from Jill on her socials!

The Sewing Club Releases New Single, "I Like to Break Things"

By Anna Sampson

The Sewing Club is a four piece bedroom rock band based in Nashville, TN! They have just released their new single, “I Like to Break Things.”

The Sewing Club, four piece band made up of Hannah McElroy (lead singer/writer), Stephen Meaux (Electric Guitar), Will Harris, (Bass Guitar), and Zach McCoy (Drums), create a sound that is reminiscent of sparkly 90’s rock and grunge with hints of punk and Nashville indie influences. They began as a band in the basements of their college homes in Nashville, Tennessee. The Sewing Club now call Nashville home, and continue to spread their sound through all of the southern regions and beyond!

Following their September 9 release of “I Like to Break Things,” The Sewing Club released their music video for the song on September 16! The dreamy lights and colors of this video create a beautiful aura to what seems like would be a dark damp basement, in any other setting! Confirming the speculation of this band liking to break things… in some scenes the video depicts some of the band members smashing various objects.

Recording in Stephen’s garage, bedroom, or in the hills of Hartsville, TN at Polychrome Ranch, they have stayed true to their DIY Rock roots. The Sewing. Club has also released singles “Trying,” “Clarity,” and “My Dad Wants You Dead” with Jared Corder of *Repeat Repeat. The band continues to write and record at The Ranch, working hard on their debut EP that is set to release soon.

Check out more of their music below!

Come see The Sewing Club play “I Like To Break Things” and more at the East Room on Thursday, September 29!!

Jill Andrews "The Parthenon Sessions" Review

By Luke McMahon

For over one hundred years, the Parthenon has stood proudly in Centennial Park as one of Nashville's most popular attractions. One hundred years means this building has witnessed millions of little moments. It has been a place for nervous first dates or the silent walk of a couple that has been together for 50 years, a place for locals and tourists alike to come and gaze at the impossibly green grass and walk through the extraordinary building. From all kinds of gatherings, breakups, and proposals, the Parthenon has arguably seen it all. But I can only imagine how this old building must have felt when it was swelled by the musical stylings of Olivia Management's very own Jill Andrews in her recently debuted "Parthenon sessions."

Presented by the Centennial Park Conservancy and containing 5 of Jill's original tunes, the Parthenon sessions offered the perfect environment for Andrews' unforgettable artistry, "tailored to the unique 5-second reverb of the building's 42-foot tall ceilings." If there is a "right way" to enjoy Jill Andrews' music, this is that way. Accompanied and surrounded by a variety of string players throughout each song makes the experience not only sonically beautiful but visually stunning. Seeing the exposed instruments that culminate to produce such a unique raw sound, paired with Andrews’ soulful voice and thoughtful lyrics makes for a memorable performance.

One performance, in particular, stood out to me as it captured so perfectly the magic that makes Jill, well, Jill. Performing her song "Sorry Now," from her 2020 Album, Thirties, accompanied by a quartet of string instruments, Andrews drifted through the sound system on my TV, allowing it to feel as though my living room ceiling was 42 feet high. It is a special thing to witness a musician in such a stripped environment, it is even more special to see them absolutely crush it. Andrews doesn’t need much to shine.

The Parthenon sessions are a masterful way to showcase artists and the most authentic parts of their talent. Do yourself a favor and check it out. You can stream Jill's Session via YouTube or wherever you like to get your tunes!

Be sure to see Jill Andrews on tour this fall! Grab your tickets here!