Reliant Talent Team Grows With Hiring Of 5 Experienced Agents

Reliant Talent Agency, a full-service boutique entertainment company based in Nashville that launched in 2021, announced the additions of experienced agents to its team. Agency partners Steve Lassiter, Heath Baumhor and Matt McGuire announced Wednesday the hirings of Ross Brandes, Jordan Burger, Kevin Castleman, Brooke Ivey and Ben Mench-Thurlow.

“With our continued growth, Reliant Talent continues to embrace the future and young executives, ushering in five remarkable agents who will further shape Reliant’s legacy in live music and the entertainment industry.” Steve Lassiter, Reliant Talent president, said in a statement.

With 12 years of experience, Brandes has worked with renowned artists such as Ludacris, Nelly, Flo Rida and TI, and the relationships he has built with artists align with the agency’s mission to support and nurture talent. He can be reached at rbrandes@relianttalent.com.

Burger boasts more than decades of experience and will represent the agency’s talent in the festival circuit. He also brings with him a roster that includes Grammy-nominated Southern Avenue, Carbon Leaf, Read Wanting Blue and American Idol winner Kris Allen. Burger can be reached at jburger@relianttalent.com.

Castleman is also a veteran agent with nearly 20 years in the industry and will spearhead the Christian Music department at the agency. His clients include Chris Renzema and Jordy Searcy as well as comedians Dustin Nickerson and Jonnie W. Castleman can be reached at kcastleman@relianttalent.com.

Ivey was hired to handle corporate and special events. With previous experience at LeoEvents and APA in Nashville, Ivey has booked a variety of artists from celebrity musicians and comedians to inspirational speakers. She was also the first female agent promoted within APA’s office in Nashville and has dedicated herself to empowering women in the music industry. Ivey can be reached at bivey@relianttalent.com.

Berklee College of Music graduate Mench-Thurlow boasts a diverse roster of rock bands and special attractions, including Is For Lovers Festivals, Hawthorne Heights, Anberlin and Emo Orchestra. Throughout his 15 years in the industry, he has stood out “for his innovative, non-traditional booking approach,” skills that allowed him to expand the reach of the acts he works with. Mench-Thurlow can be reached at bmenchthurlow@relianttalent.com.

Reliant Talent’s roster includes Buddy Guy, Travis Tritt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Nelly, Yacht Rock Revue, Rodney Carrington, Van Morrison, Hunter Hayes, Phil Vassar, Richard Marx, Steve Harvey, Everclear, Pam Tillis, Los Lonely Boys and Christone ‘Kingfish” Ingram.