Photo Credit: Rusty Gaston, Briana Calhoun, David Hawkins, Kix Brooks, Cam Caldwell / Amy Allmand
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn signs rising singer-songwriter Briana Calhoun to a global publishing agreement.
Today, Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with country music’s Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, announced signing emerging singer-songwriter Briana Calhoun to a global publishing agreement.
Briana Calhoun has already built a strong reputation within the songwriting community, having collaborated and shared stages with the likes of Don Cook, Terri Clark, David Lee Murphy, Randy Houser, Dallas Davidson, Steve Wariner, Bob DiPiero, Tim Nichols, Rafe Van Hoy, Marv Green, Brett Tyler, and Greg Barnhill.
In addition to her songwriting career, Briana is Executive Director and Founder of Hope On the Inside, alongside partner and President Kix of Brooks & Dunn. Hope On the Inside (HOTI) is a nonprofit founded in 2023. Having been an inmate herself, Calhoun has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to dedicate her career to empowering others within the correctional system.
Now, joined by country superstar Kix Brooks and a growing collective of artists, HOTI is set to expand its outreach, using art, education, and entertainment to inspire change across communities. Calhoun also plans to release two songs relative to her story and Hope On the Inside’s mission in August: the aptly named “Hope On the Inside,” and a rodeo track called “Bustin’ Out.”
While making music for HOTI’s mission is near and dear to her heart, Calhoun also plans to release an acoustic album later this year, weaving her storytelling and experience into a blend of country, roots, pop, and R&B. When she isn’t hosting and performing in writer’s rounds inside correctional facilities or overseeing fundraising events for her charity, Calhoun plans to perform at festivals and featured shows across the country.
“I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to do what I love for a living. I had all but given up on my dream of becoming a songwriter and shifted my focus to growing Hope On the Inside. But with that came an outpouring of love and support from the Nashville community, and I think people began to notice,” said Calhoun.
“I’m living proof that walking in-purpose can lead to your dream. I’m so grateful to everyone who has joined me on this journey and I’m especially grateful to Kix for believing in me and pushing me to use my gifts for good, and for Rusty [Gaston] for giving me this opportunity and encouraging me along the way.”
“Really looking forward to working with Briana on this collaboration with Sony,” adds Brooks. “I’ve been writing songs there for almost my entire career, and I’m confident it’s going to be a great home for her, too. She’s not just writing really good and unique songs, she’s also changing lives with the work she’s doing to help inmates through her nonprofit. I’m proud to be associated with her, and I have no doubt she’s got a great future with the music she’s got coming. Congratulations, Briana!”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston concluded, “We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Kix to support Briana’s journey. She’s making an incredible impact as both a songwriter and as a champion for her community, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.”
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