Matt Shay Appointed General Manager at Make Wake Artists; Cary Barlowe Signs with Warner Chappell; Abbie Callahan Announces Headline Tour

Matt Shay was announced on 24 June 2026 as the first General Manager of Make Wake Artists, a Nashville‑based artist‑management firm founded by Chris Kappy. Shay will oversee a team of nearly 50 managers who provide in‑house marketing, tour strategy, content planning, merchandise development and other services. In a statement, Shay praised the depth of Make Wake’s staff and the breadth of its offerings, describing the company as a “robust platform for artists to build long‑term careers.”

Kappy, who has built Make Wake into a full‑service operation that includes merchandise, digital, label services, publicity, brand partnerships and writer/producer management, said he had known Shay for five years and that the new hire “understands my vision and respects that I wanted to do things differently.” Kappy added that Shay’s experience challenges conventions and will help the company move forward.

Shay brings more than 30 years of industry experience. He founded ARTIST MGMT and previously served as President of C3 Management, where he managed acts such as The Head And The Heart, Modest Mouse, Mt. Joy, Jack Harlow, Future and The Strokes. Prior to that, he spent a decade at RCA Music Group, rising to Senior Vice President of A&R/Marketing and General Manager of Black Seal. In those roles he worked with Pearl Jam, Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys. Shay’s current roster includes Bella McCormick and Chris Ryan, who will be part of the Make Wake team.

Make Wake’s expansion into a full‑service label division was announced earlier in May 2026. The new division will be led by Alicia Mathews, who will head Marketing and Commercial Partnerships, and will support artists with label‑style services.

In other industry news, Cary Barlowe signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music on 24 June 2026. The announcement was made on Barlowe’s social media, where he thanked the companies for the opportunity.

Abbie Callahan, a singer‑songwriter known for her work on the “The Voice,” announced on 23 June 2026 that she is planning her first headline tour. Callahan’s statement, posted on her official Instagram account, indicated that the tour will begin in the summer and will include a series of headline shows across the United States.

The three announcements reflect a broader trend of artists and managers seeking integrated services that combine traditional management with label‑style support, marketing, and touring infrastructure. Make Wake’s model, which offers a wide range of services under one roof, is positioned to serve artists who want a single partner for multiple aspects of their careers.

Matt Shay’s appointment is expected to strengthen Make Wake’s leadership and expand its capacity to serve a growing roster. The company’s culture, described by Kappy as “one of a kind in this business,” will be reinforced by Shay’s experience in A&R, marketing and artist development.

Cary Barlowe’s new publishing partnership with Warner Chappell and Cornman Music provides him with broader distribution and promotion opportunities for his songwriting catalog. The deal was announced via Barlowe’s verified Twitter account.

Abbie Callahan’s headline tour will mark a significant milestone in her career, as she transitions from supporting roles to headlining her own shows. The tour schedule was released on Callahan’s website, with dates set for July through September.

These developments illustrate the continued evolution of the music industry, where artists, managers and publishers seek strategic alliances to navigate a complex landscape of streaming, touring and brand partnerships.

The current status of each announcement is as follows: Matt Shay has begun his role as General Manager at Make Wake Artists; Cary Barlowe has entered into a publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music; and Abbie Callahan has confirmed a headline tour for the summer of 2026.