Pictured left to right: Anthony Smith, Chris Young, Brinley Addington, Becky Harris Photo Credit: Marc Rucker

No matter how big Nashville grows, as with all Music City connections, it’s still a very small town.  Successful business manager BECKY HARRIS, hit songwriter ANTHONY SMITH (“Tomorrow”) and RCA recording artist CHRIS YOUNG have teamed up to create ARIST CONCEPTS, a production and artist development company fostering up-and-coming talent in the music industry.  While all three partners will work to seek out top new talent, Smith will spearhead the search for music. Smith has produced acts in the past, however this will be Young’s first time to serve as co-producer. Harris has been tapped to handle the bookkeeping and business management for Artist Concepts.

After a lengthy search for fresh new talent, Artist Concepts’ new signing is Belmont alumnus and singer/songwriter BRINLEY ADDINGTON. Smith is currently accepting song submissions for the project at artistconcepts@yahoo.com. The team plans to take Addington into the studio within the next month to produce several sides to pitch to Nashville record labels with a showcase to be scheduled in the near future. Thanks to Harris’ introduction to veteran publisher Lisa Johnson, Addington has already signed a publishing contract with Razor & Tie. “We are very happy to have Brinley Addington in our Razor and Tie family and we are excited that he has the opportunity to work with such creatively talented pros as Anthony Smith and Chris Young,” shared Johnson.

Addington already has a busy schedule, recently opening several shows for Young, and has been added to the list of talent for the Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise setting sail this fall.  Find more information on Addington and to check out video clips and music samples, visit www.brinleyaddington.com and follow the singer on Twitter @Brinley_.

Chris Young debuted his brand new video “NEON” exclusively to his fans on Wednesday, May 8.  Young  followed up his video debut with a live chat with his fans!

RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young continues his feverish support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases, by offering up a one-of-a-kind handmade quilt designed and produced by his grandmother, “Nanny.”

May’s quilt, which highlights many of the songs Chris has recorded across his three albums, is available for bidding via the Forum on Chris Young’s official website. Bids can be made on the Chris Chatter Forum on his website. A new quilt, handmade by “Nanny,” will be offered each month with all monies donated to St. Jude.

“I think it’s really cool that Nanny has taken up the cause to help raise money for these incredible St. Jude kids who are fighting for their lives,” said Young. “I hope my fans will check out her handmade quilts each month and consider making a bid to help support St. Jude.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital’s research has helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the institution opened to almost 80 percent today. It is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, and no family ever pays St. Jude for care. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.