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Brandon Morrell
Founder & Host
Music & Sports Entertainment
Industry Broadcast Veteran
Brandon.Morrell40@gmail.com
Allen Price
Singer/Songwriter
The Backstage Pass
Managing Partner/Talent Coordinator
Elyse Saunders
Co-Host
Singer/Songwriter
elysesaunders.com
elyse@elysesaunders.com
Cherish Cranford
Head of Publicity/Public Relations
The Backstage Pass
Cheri Cranford, a transformed country girl was born on Long Island in Stony Brook, New York but at the young age of 12, moved to Nashville with her family which she now considers “home.” Cranford always had a love and appreciation of music but began songwriting and singing in her teenage years and before she knew it, found herself performing at local venues including the stage of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry House and The Bluebird Cafe and with songs on hold by major artists and producers and cuts by numerous independent artists. Cranford has had songs published by top companies including the iconic Acuff Rose and has co-written with hit songwriters including Danny Mayo (“Jesus & Mama,” “Feed Jake,” “Keeper of the Stars”), Danny Wells (“Check Yes or No,” “These Days”), Kris Bergsnes (“A Ring Where A Ring Used To Be,” “Somebody Must Be Praying For Me,”), and Confederate Railroad’s Bill McCorvey.
Roger Barkley Jr
Singer/Songwriter
The Backstage Pass
Managing Graphic & Web Coordinator
An award-winning artist and Musical Evangelist, Roger Barkley Jr. is a talented Graphic Artist, Father, Grandfather, and Husband who excels in various roles. With over 40 years in the Music industry and 25 years in the Design Industry, his attention to detail is unmatched. His music has topped the Christian Charts, won Video of the Year awards, and his designs have been showcased in Washington DC. Explore his impressive works on Barkley Music and Media or listen to his music and get to know the artist behind the name at RogerBarkleyJr.com.
The Backstage Pass Powered By The Sports Guys Podcast
Announces Partnership With Iconic 650 AM WSM
Airs On Sundays, 5:30 AM – 6 AM CST – Can Also Be Heard On Digital Apps Including, iHeart, TuneIn, WSM Mobile App, & WSMradio.com
Allen Price Named Managing Partner & Talent Coordinator
The Backstage Pass will appear on 650 AM WSM on Sundays from 5:30 AM to 6 AM CST and can also be heard on a variety of digital apps including, iHeart, TuneIn, WSM mobile app, and WSMradio.com.
This announcement comes on the heels of the 5-year anniversary of Morrell’s first podcast, The Sports Guys Podcast. Since then, a lot has changed. The show, which he founded and hosts, has seen tremendous growth in the music sector, The Backstage Pass, and has taken on a life of its own growing in leaps and bounds. So much so, that he rebranded as The Backstage Pass Powered by The Sports Guys Podcast back in 2021. It’s evident that people are taking notice upon the recent nominations he has received for the 2024 Josie Music Awards and the 2024 ISSA Awards.
Recently, Morrell announced his partnership with industry veteran Allen Price. Price comes on board as a managing partner and talent coordinator for The Back Stage Pass. Throughout his 30+ year tenure in the music business, Price has learned to wear many hats. Picking up his first guitar at age 15 set him on the path to his musical journey. As a singer/songwriter and former recording artist, he had to learn to manage his own career successfully before proving he could do it for others. Over the last few years, he has worked closely with many local, regional, and national artists in the areas of artist management, A&R, artist development, publishing, promotion, booking, label liaison services, and concert and event coordination. Price was instrumental in the launch of VMG Nashville, an independent record label founded in 2015, headed up by legendary “Hall of Fame” musician Jim Vest, and Nashville producer Buddy Hyatt. He served as Head of A&R/Artist Development for several years. This versatility has allowed Price to develop long-lasting professional relationships and earned him the respect of his peers, other artists, and the industry’s top executives. You can reach Allen Price HERE.
The Backstage Pass was a part of the recent Keith Whitley Celebrity Golf Tournament and Memorial Show last month in Music City where Morrell brodcast live from the festivities.
During The Backstage Pass show, Morrell takes listeners behind the scenes and interviews a mix of rising to established and iconic artists from around the world crossing all genres of music. The Backstage Pass provides an in-depth look into the musicians’ lives – their rise in music as they talk about their careers and share some of their most personal stories about their music, everyday life, life on the road, and life in general. They also broadcast live from events including Country Radio Seminar, CMA Fest, industry events, artist showcases, fairs, and festivals, and they plan to do a lot more of that in the future. Some of the artists that have joined Morrell include Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), B.J. Thomas, Bonnie Tyler, Brett Kissel, Brooke Burke (TV/Fitness Personality, Author, and Actress), Charlene Tilton (Dallas), Collin Raye, Conner Smith, Crystal Gayle, Dean Roland (Collective Soul), Darryl Worley, David Frizzell, Dean Sams (Lonestar), Deborah Allen, Don McLean, Doug Stone, Exile, Frank Ray, Irlene Mandrell, Janelle Arthur, Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister), Jimmy Bowen (Jimmy Bowen & Friends), Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, John Oates (Hall & Oates), John Ford Coley (England Dan & John Ford Coley), John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard), Johnny Lee, Kylie Morgan, Lainey Wilson, Lawrence Gowan (Styx), Lee Brice, Lee Greenwood, Lee Roy Parnell, Linda Davis, Lindsay Ell, Lorrie Morgan, Matt Stell, McBride & the Ride, Mickey Gilley, Neal McCoy, Pam Tillis, Parker McCollum, Randall King, Randy & Mary Travis, Rhonda Vincent, Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys), Sara Evans, Shenandoah, T. Graham Brown, The Swon Brothers, T.G. Sheppard, Terri Clark, Tracy Lawrence, Walker Hayes, Walker Montgomery, and William Lee Golden (The Oak Ridge Boys & Willam Lee Golden and The Goldens).
Morrell’s podcast can also be found weeknights on KKTC 6 PM-7 PM MST and on the internet station www.high tide country.net reaching 21k viewers per month and over 250k viewers per year.
To learn more about The Backstage Pass Powered by The Sports Guys Podcast, visit their Website, Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, Spotify, and YouTube. You can also find “The Sports Guys” on iHeart Radio & Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Our Sponsors
Brandon Morrell and co-host Elyse Saunders at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas at Brantley Gilbert Meet and Greet May 11, 2024!
What Others Are Saying
Morrell reflects, “This has been a wild ride and loads of fun. I think that anything you do in life requires hard work and dedication. Music and sports are so interrelated in that a musician must work on their craft every day just as an athlete does on the field in their respective sport and I love having the opportunity to bring these two worlds together for everyone to enjoy! My long-term vision is to expand on what we have worked so hard to build so far and to eventually go into syndication and television.”
Although Morrell hosts The Sports Guys Podcast shows solo, he co-hosts The Backstage Pass with Nashville-based, Wisconsin native, singer/songwriter, and business partner, Kirstie Kraus. “Kirstie is warm and genuine,” adds Morrell, “The people love her. She adds charisma and a different perspective to each interview as both an artist and a female, and I could not think of a better business partner and “side-kick” to have to ride shotgun with me on this journey!”
During The Backstage Pass show, the dynamic duo, Morrell and Kraus take listeners behind the scenes and interview a mix of rising to established and iconic artists from around the world crossing all genres of music. The Backstage Pass provides an in-depth look into the musicians’ lives – their rise in music as they talk about their careers and share some of their most personal stories about their music, everyday life, life on the road, and life in general. They also broadcast live from events including Country Radio Seminar, CMA Fest, industry events, artist showcases, fairs, and festivals, and they plan to do a lot more of that in the future. Some of the artists that have joined Morrell and Kraus include Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), B.J. Thomas, Bonnie Tyler, Brett Kissel, Brooke Burke (TV/Fitness Personality, Author, and Actress), Charlene Tilton (Dallas), Collin Raye, Crystal Gayle, Dean Roland (Collective Soul), Darryl Worley, David Frizzell, Dean Sams (Lonestar), Deborah Allen, Don McLean, Doug Stone, Exile, Frank Ray, Irlene Mandrell, Janelle Arthur, Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister), Jimmy Bowen (Jimmy Bowen & Friends), Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, John Oates (Hall & Oates), John Ford Coley (England Dan & John Ford Coley), John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard), Johnny Lee, Kylie Morgan, Lainey Wilson, Lawrence Gowan (Styx), Lee Brice, Lee Greenwood, Lee Roy Parnell, Linda Davis, Lindsay Ell, Lorrie Morgan, Matt Stell, McBride & the Ride, Mickey Gilley, Neal McCoy, Pam Tillis, Parker McCollum, Randall King, Randy & Mary Travis, Rhonda Vincent, Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys), Sara Evans, Shenandoah, T. Graham Brown, The Swon Brothers, T.G. Sheppard, Terri Clark, Tracy Lawrence, Walker Hayes, Walker Montgomery, and William Lee Golden (The Oak Ridge Boys & Willam Lee Golden and The Goldens).
The Sports Guys Podcast covers sports on state, regional, and national levels with many of the biggest names in the sports industry. Guests have included Bill Brown (Houston Astros Hall of Fame Announcer), Brad Sham (Dallas Cowboys Play-By-Play Announcer), Casey Stern (Veteran Broadcaster/Host, Unfiltered podcast, formerly MLB Network Radio), CJ Nitkowski (MLB Analyst Texas Rangers TV/MLB Network Radio/Loud Outs Podcast), Freddie Coleman (ESPN Radio), Greg Lucas (former Houston Astros and Texas Rangers Broadcaster), Kyle Turley (former American Football Offensive Tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League), Marc Vandermeer (Houston Texans Play-By-Play Announcer), Mike Hoss (Voice of the Saints, WWL Radio), Mike Stanton (Houston Astros Broadcaster/MLB Network Radio), Robert Flores (Host, MLB Network/NHL Network, and formerly with ESPN TV), Sarah Spain (Reporter, ESPN and SportsCenter), Sean Salisbury (Host, The Sean Salisbury Show on KBME, Sportstalk 790, iHeart Radio/Houston, Texas), and Taylor McGregor (Field Reporter, Chicago Cubs, and ESPN).
Morrell’s podcast can be found on the internet station www.hightidecountry.net reaching 21k viewers per month and over 250k viewers per year. To learn more about The Backstage Pass Powered by The Sports Guys Podcast, visit their Website, Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, Spotify, and YouTube. You can also find “The Sports Guys” on iHeart Radio & Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
Brandon and the Backstage Pass Team is also syndicated in Taos, New Mexico on KKTC True Country 99.9 from 6:30 pm-7 pm Monday through Friday.
Brandon and the Backstage Pass Team are proud to announce they have reached over 250k listeners in 2023 on High Tide Country.net.
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Cheri Cranford
cheri@splashpublicity.com
615-473-6837