On the eve of 1/29, Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman’s The Core Entertainment hosted its inaugural Grammy Week kickoff party at L.A.’s The Peppermint Club.

Featuring performances by Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Dillon James, Clever and Anna Graves, plus an introduction to their newly signed trio, Just Jayne, the event wrapped with a plaque presented to Smith for his seventh week atop the Country Airplay chart with “World on Fire.”

Last year, Smith held two of the 20 #1 songs on the Country Airplay chart with “Whiskey on You” and “World on Fire,” the latter of which also hit #1 at Country radio in the U.S. and Canada.

Among the attendees were Avril Lavigne, Joel Madden, Raine Maida, Erin Foster, Sara Foster,Rich Paul, BMG’s Tom Scherer, BBR’s Jon Loba and UMG’s Boyd Muir.

Seen wondering who keeps track of the guest list are (l-r) Zaruk, HITS’ Todd Hensley and Tikhman.
Photo credit: Getty

(l-r) The Core Manager Mackenzie Schrambach, The Core Entertainment President Tracy Martin, UMGN’s Josh Ross, Spotify’s Miller Guth, HITS' Nicole Ghapgharan, Create Music Group’s Anna Antoniadis and The Core's Tikhman.

(l-r) Zaruk, Martin, Smith, The Core Manager Taylor Manns, Tikhman and The Core GM Dan Dymtrow.
Photo credit: Alanna McCardle