PHILADELPHIA, PA – August 26, 2024 – Audacy prepares to unveil the Company’s seventh broadcast sound space, the Audacy Nashville Sound Space, located in the historic building of the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, September 5.
The Studio will launch with an exclusive grand opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Country music superstar Thomas Rhett. It will also serve as the new home of “Katie & Company,” Audacy’s nationally syndicated Country show, hosted by Katie Neal, winner of the 2024 ACM National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year award.
Underscoring Audacy’s commitment to the Country music format and to the artist, label, management and songwriter communities in Nashville, the Studio’s launch follows Audacy’s expansion of “Katie & Company” to 37 Audacy-owned and partner affiliate stations. With the show surpassing 2.7 million listeners each week, Neal’s daily interviews with the nation’s top Country artists have become industry-leading moments for fans and coveted opportunities for Audacy’s advertising partners. Audacy’s 20 owned and operated Country brands reach nearly 14 million listeners per month.
Transformed into a state-of-the-art production facility with sets for interviews, photography and private performances, the launch of the Audacy Nashville Sound Space extends the strategic partnership between Audacy and Hard Rock International (HRI), one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in 70 countries spanning 309 locations that include owned/licensed or managed hotels, casinos, Rock Shops®, live performance venues and cafes. The partnership between Audacy and HRI began in 2021 and now includes three venues - New York, Miami and Nashville.
The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will deliver fresh, vibrant energy to Music City while maintaining the integrity of the original building at its core. With its proximity to The Reverb, Hard Rock Nashville’s private performance and meeting space, the setup will enable Audacy to welcome artists for interviews and intimate performances in one stop.
“A permanent presence in Music City continues to elevate Audacy’s commitment to Country music and live events,” said Jeff Sottolano, Chief Programming Officer, Audacy. “The proximity of a professional studio coupled with an intimate performance venue and the singular talent of Katie Neal as a host and interviewer enables us to produce exclusive experiences for listeners and simultaneously, a seamless transition for artists to move between the studio and stage. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will be the heartbeat of our Country music format.”
“Hard Rock’s partnership with Audacy has provided a truly incredible platform for world-class artists to grace Hard Rock stages across the country, and we’re thrilled to be launching the Audacy Nashville Sound Space in Nashville to further our reach,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “This opportunity also reinforces Hard Rock’s continued commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the Country music community as we expand our entertainment offerings at all of our properties around the globe.”
Click here for photos of the Nashville Sound Space, including Audacy’s Totally Private concert series held earlier this year with Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and more.
About Audacy
Audacy, Inc. is a leading scaled, multi-platform audio content and entertainment company that connects with 200 million consumers. Powered by its exclusive, premium audio content that includes unrivaled leadership positions in news and sports radio, Audacy operates one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcasting groups, a rapidly growing direct-to-consumer digital audio platform, multiple audio networks, a major event business and a leading, award-winning podcast studio and network. Learn more at www.audacyinc.com, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Hard Rock®
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 309 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. Its Unity by Hard Rock™ global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties around the world. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 88,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock Hotels has been honored by J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for five consecutive years, and among the top Upper Upscale Hotels four times in five years. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021 and has since been honored fourfold. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World's Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming and Entertainment Industry. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB-) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
