WME acquires True Grit Talent Agency, furthering its presence in Texas with a roster including Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin, Whitey Morgan, Ward Davis, and Dexter and the Moonrocks.
WME has announced the acquisition of True Grit, a talent agency based in Austin with a roster including Cody Jinks (pictured), Dexter and the Moonrocks, Whitey Morgan, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Ward Davis.
Additionally, True Grit agents Mike Krug, Carrie Creasey, and Shelby Vanek have joined WME and will continue to work out of Austin. Arthur Penhallow continues as True Grit Management with clients including Charles Wesley Godwin, Whitey Morgan, Erin Viancourt, and Coleman Jennings.
Mike Krug’s clientele includes Cody Jinks, Dexter and the Moonrocks, and Whitey Morgan and the 78s. Krug’s assistant, Lair Reina, has also joined WME. Vanek’s roster includes Ward Davis, Bart Crow, and Charles Wesley Godwin, while Creasey brings client Mitchell Ferguson.
“We are very excited that what we do caught the eye of a company like WME,” says Krug. “We are proud of all we have built here in Austin and know that joining WME will create exponentially more opportunities for our clients.”
“We’ve long admired the business and roster that True Grit has developed, and we are excited to bring their artists and the team into the WME family and expand WME’s footprint in Austin,” adds Jay Williams, WME Partner and Nashville office co-head.
WME’s acquisitions of Red 11 and True Grit this year have expanded the agency’s presence in Texas and the American Roots music genre. Other 2023 highlights include WME’s representation at top country music festivals, including all three headliners at Stagecoach — Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Chris Stapleton — and clients winning the most categories at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association (CMA) Awards multiple successive years. WME clients represented over 60% of all headliners at country music festivals in 2022.
