The Boot News Roundup: Brandy Clark Signs With Big Machine Music + More

Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.

Singer and hit songwriter Brandy Clark has inked a deal with the major publishing house Big Machine Music. Clark's new partnership with the organization is a "co-publishing" arrangement with Clark's All BC Music, and, according to a press release, will allow the newly formed duo to "discover, sign and develop songwriters." “I’m incredibly excited to join Big Machine Music,” Clark says in a statement. “Their enthusiasm and commitment to great songs and songwriters is the perfect formula for this joint venture, and I look forward to working together to cultivate new talent.”

Vince Gill and John Prine are among the Class of 2019 nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, according to the Associated Press. Nashville hitmaker Dean Dillon, responsible for country classics such as "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Easy Come, Easy Go," is also nominated, in the non-performing category, along with "Harper Valley PTA" writer Tom T. Hall. Voting is currently underway among members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the selected inductees will formally enter the Hall of Fame at its 50th annual Induction & Awards Gala on June 13, 2019.

According to People, Thomas Rhett is country music's sexiest star. The "Life Changes" singer posted about the honor on Instagram, saying that it felt "like winning a high school superlative." "Thank you @People for this," Rhett continued. "Our family group text today was hilarious but brutal." People's Sexiest Man Alive issue hits newsstands on Nov. 9, with actor Idris Elba gracing the cover.

Organizers of the Ohio music festival Jamboree in the Hills have cancelled the 2019 event. Fans were notified of the festival's "hiatus" by a post to its website, which pointed to an issue with the Jamboree's venue; however, according to Taste of Country, there's some speculation that festival promoter Live Nation isn't exactly thrilled with the Belmont County venue's bring-your-own-alcohol policy, which cuts into concessions sales. The festival has been an Ohio staple since 1971.

Jason Aldean will be the featured speaker at the  Country Radio Seminar 2019. The keynote address, set for Feb. 15 at 3PM CT, is titled "Overcoming Obstacles," and will share Aldean's journey from a childhood dreamer to one of country music's biggest artists, including a discussion of his experience during the tragic shooting as he performed at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in 2017. Country Radio Seminar is set for Feb. 13-15 at the Omni Nashville hotel.

Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban are set to headline the fifth annual Country LakeShake in Chicago, Ill., in 2019. Lambert's set will feature an appearance by her band the Pistol Annies, and will close out a day of all-female performers. Set for June 21-23 at Chicago's Huntington Bank Pavilion, the festival will also feature appearances from Clint Black, Maren Morris, Granger Smith, Lindsay Ell and Lauren Alaina. Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 16.

Adam Wakefield will soon release his first full-length album. Titled Gods & Ghosts, the 12-song effort from the The Voice alum features tracks all written or co-written by Wakefield, who also produced the record alongside Scotty Murray. It includes three previously release singles, including "As Good as It Gets" and "Cheap Whiskey and Bad Cocaine." “I picked 12 of my best songs, called up three of my favorite musicians, and recorded the album I have been waiting my whole life for,” Wakefield says in a statement. “This is the first time I’ve had complete freedom to record the songs I wanted, in whatever way I wanted. The process was scary, but so rewarding." The album is set for release on Nov. 30 via Average Joes Entertainment.