𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐁𝐑 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 , 𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍 , 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐦

𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐁𝐑 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 , 𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍 , 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐦

NASHVILLE, TN — Just days after graduating high school — remotely, via FaceTime, while competing in the American Idol Season 23 finale — 18-year-old country newcomer Slater Nalley has taken a major step forward in his budding music career by officially signing a representation deal with Play It Again Music, the powerhouse Nashville company founded by hit songwriter Dallas Davidson, a close friend and longtime collaborator of Luke Bryan.

Nalley, who earned national attention with his soul-stirring original song “Traces of You” — a heartfelt tribute to a teacher’s son who passed away — quickly became a fan favorite on Idol, ultimately placing in the Top 5. His combination of raw emotion, Southern charm, and storytelling ability positioned him as one of the breakout artists of the season. Now, with industry veterans in his corner, Nalley’s journey is just beginning — and country music is watching closely.

“This is more than a business deal,” said Dallas Davidson, whose songwriting credits include some of country’s biggest modern hits. “Slater has that rare, unshaped brilliance. He’s got the voice, the soul, and a point of view that’s refreshing and honest. I haven’t been this excited about a young artist in a long time.”

💬 ‘He’s What Country Music Needs Right Now’

Play It Again Music (PIA) isn’t just betting on Nalley’s vocal chops — they’re investing in his future as a long-term storyteller, capable of connecting with audiences on a deeply human level. Davidson and his team at PIA have helped launch and shape careers behind the scenes, often with a keen ear for timeless country voices.

“Slater has something that can’t be taught,” Davidson added. “He writes from a place of truth. That’s what country is supposed to be.”

For Nalley, whose Southern roots and musical sensibilities mirror legends like Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton, the opportunity to work with such a respected team is nothing short of surreal.

“I’m beyond honored to be part of the Play It Again family,” Nalley shared. “From the moment they reached out, I felt seen — not just as a singer, but as a writer, an artist, and a human. I’m more inspired than ever to create music that speaks to people’s hearts.”

🎓 From High School Grad to Nashville Hopeful

In a story that feels almost too cinematic to be real, Nalley wrapped up his high school diploma while still in Los Angeles filming for American Idol. His graduation took place via FaceTime, moments before he stepped into a full dress rehearsal for the finale. That kind of balancing act speaks to the maturity and drive he’s already displayed — something industry insiders say sets him apart.

Though “Traces of You” was released through 19 Recordings, the label that often works with Idol contestants, it remains uncertain whether Nalley will continue down that path or pursue a new label deal. Regardless, his partnership with PIA suggests bigger plans are underway.

🧡 Fans Rally: ‘He’s Not Just a Contestant — He’s a Movement’

Across social media, the announcement of Nalley’s signing sparked a wave of celebration. Fans from Idol have flooded platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok with clips of his performances and heartfelt messages.

“He’s not just another Idol singer — he’s an artist,” one fan posted on X. “Traces of You still gives me chills every time.”
“Slater Nalley writes songs that mean something,” another wrote on Facebook. “The kid’s going places — this is just the start.”
One user shared his audition clip, adding, “He made us cry on day one. We knew he was special then, and now the world does too.”

🎶 What’s Next for Nalley

With Play It Again now guiding his career, Nalley is expected to head back into the studio soon to work on original material that reflects his values: faith, family, small-town roots, and emotional depth. While a full album isn’t confirmed yet, sources close to the team say several songs are already in development — with co-writing sessions on the horizon.

“I want to make music that lasts,” Nalley said. “Songs that sound like home, that say something real. I’m not here for flash — I’m here for heart.”

🌟 The Journey Begins

Slater Nalley’s rise from a high school senior in Atlanta to the American Idol stage — and now to Nashville’s professional music circles — feels like the start of something big. With the support of Play It Again Music and the influence of artists like Luke Bryan around him, Nalley’s foundation is strong.

“This moment feels like a door opening,” he said. “I’m walking through it with gratitude, ready to work, and ready to sing my story.”

As fans and industry professionals alike keep their eyes on what comes next, one thing is clear: country music’s next chapter just found a new voice worth listening to.