A special episode highlighting music news from February 2024, featuring host Charlie Peacock and a panel of experts, Tracy Gershon, Rissi Palmer, and Swagg R’Celious.
RISSI PALMER is a much-admired singer-songwriter who debuted on the country music charts with “Country Girl” and “Hold On To Me” in 2007. She has performed at the White House and at New York’s prestigious Lincoln Center and famed Apollo Theater, and has made multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. She’s been featured in notable media outlets including the Associated Press, Ebony, Essence, The New York Times, Newsweek, NPR’s All Things Considered, People, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone magazine, where she was included in their 2021 list of Future 25. She has also appeared on ABC News Live, Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, PBS Newshour, America’s News Nation, and many others. 2024 marks Rissi’s fourth season of Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer(Apple Music). This milestone is not only a testament to the show’s success but also a celebration of diversity and inclusion within the country music genre. Color Me Country with Rissi Palmerairs every other Saturday on Apple Music Country at 12 p.m. EST. Rissi is also a special correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown.
SWAGG R’CELIOUS holds a bachelor of music degree from LaGrange College and is active as an adjunct professor, producer, vocalist, and songwriter who’s making an innovative mark on the music industry. The Sony/ATV-signed producer/writer has had career-defining opportunities to work with artists, writers, and producers such as: H.E.R., Kehlani Baby Face, American Authors, Wale, Alicia Keys, Neyo, Brandy, Zhavia Ward, Cash Cash, K. Michelle, Elle Varner, Tiara Thomas, Livre, Kery James, Busta Rhymes, Coko of SWV, B.O.B, Dawn Richard, and many more. Respected beyond the genres of hip-hop and R & B music, his beginnings were rooted in the church and have evolved across cultural and academic lines. Swagg is an ever-evolving producer who enjoys speaking about his experiences and passion for music in workshops settings at the Berklee School of Music, Seoul Music Institute’s Summer Music Program, LaGrange College, and at NYU’s The Steinhardt School, where Swagg serves on the prestigious songwriting faculty.
TRACY GERSHON is an iconic entertainment industry and business leader with over 20 years of experience developing and executing visionary music and entertainment strategies. Tracy is an expert in the nurturing and development of influential talent as an A&R and music publishing executive, and excels as an artist manager. Her achievements include the signing of award-winning artists, such as Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves, while providing guidance and coaching to support the careers of many other artists, including Brandi Carlile, Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, Gretchen Wilson, The Wreckers, Faith Hill, Big & Rich, Lori McKenna, and many more. As a passionate community activist, one of Tracy’s proudest accomplishments is the cofounding of Change The Conversation, a coalition addressing gender bias within the music industry. The group fosters a community of female executives and artists, showcases rising female talent, and has hosted special events with groundbreaking singers Wanda Jackson and Reba McEntire. Tracy is also a founding board member of Nashville Music Equality, whose mission is to create an anti-racist environment in the Nashville music industry. She has also served her community as an active and dedicated NARAS (Grammy) board member for over 20 years, serving four terms on the board of governors and currently serving as a national trustee.
“Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by Raed Gilliam Mixed by Mark Owens Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci
