BILLBOARD COUNTRY POWER PLAYERS & COUNTRY LIVE IN CONCERT JELLY ROLL, NATE SMITH, BAILEY ZIMMERMAN AND MORE

Hello – Last night, Tuesday, June 6, Billboard hosted for the first time ever Country Live in Concert, featuring headliner Jelly Roll and opening act Nate Smith at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to the weeks sold out events, Billboard hosted the Country Power Players cocktail party to celebrate the honorees on its annual list of top executives in the Nashville music community, as well as herald several artists who are making tremendous strides. Featured award winners and presenters included: 

Jelly Roll, Breakthrough award, presented by ERNEST  

Bailey Zimmerman, Rookie of the Year award, presented by HARDY  

Ashley McBryde, Ground breaker award, presented by Terri Clark  

Rusty Gaston (CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville) Executive of the Year, presented by Melinda Newman (Billboard Executive Editor, West Coast & Nashville) 

Ashley McBryde in her acceptance speech to those who have supported her: 

“Thank you for seeing me as a positive instead of seeing me as defiant. This is a reminder to bet on yourself. Betting on yourself is the right move. Betting on yourself gets you here. Betting on yourself gets you a GRAMMY.” 

Nate Smith received a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd. 

Jelly Roll onstage to his fans:  

“Tonight, I won Billboard’s Breakthrough artist award. Being the breakthrough artist of the year is only right if you bring light to other breakthrough artists along the way.”    

“I make real music, for real people, with real problems.” 

Jelly Roll