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How UTA Nashville’s Curt Motley & Nick Barnes Are Building Their Artists’ Careers Beyond Music


UTA's Curt Motley and Nick Barnes talk country music's surge, Toby Keith and more. The agents rep Megan Moroney, Brandon Lake and others.

Eric Church, Tyler Hubbard, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker and Lainey Wilson were among those who feted Keith, an oilfield worker-turned-musician known for his steely determination; burly, commanding voice; and top-flight, often witty songwriting that fueled many of his 20 No. The duo packaged the concert and worked with Keith’s longtime manager, TK Kimbrell; the late artist’s family members; Universal Music Group Nashville; the label’s newly launched Sing Me Back Home Productions film/TV division; and Thinkfactory and its CEO, Adam Reed. UTA’s Nashville team has simultaneously fostered the success of a crop of country newcomers that includes Megan Moroney(“Tennessee Orange”), Dylan Gossett (“Coal”), Brittney Spencer(“Bigger Than the Song”), Chayce Beckham(“23”), HunterGirl(“Ain’t About You”), Ian Munsick(“Long Live Cowgirls”) and Oliver Anthony(the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Rich Men North of Richmond”).

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