The Country Music Association (CMA), in partnership with independent executive search firm Buffkin Baker, has opened applications in search for CMA’s next Chief Executive Officer. In January, it was announced that current CEO Sarah Trahern would retire at the end of 2026, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary tenure leading one of the most influential organizations in the Country Music industry. Under the leadership of a...
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville has announced the signing of singer-songwriter Mary Kutter, who released a new single, “Bed of Roses," today. Before stepping fully into her own voice as an artist, Kutter steadily focused on songwriting, with her work appearing on major-label releases and charting records by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith and Zach John King. The Kentucky raised and Nashville based artist...
Yesterday, February 10, Corey Kent celebrated the success of his second No. 1 single, “This Heart.” Hosted by BMI and SESAC and emceed by BMI’s Mason Hunter, the celebration reunited Kent with his collaborators, including songwriters Thomas Archer, Jacob Hackworth, Blake Bollinger, Michael Tyler and producer Chris Farren. Producer Chris Farren said of his work with Kent, “There’s like a...
The annual Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI announced the first details behind its landmark 30th anniversary, scheduled for April 29 through May 3, 2026. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents will welcome more than 200 BMI multi-genre creatives to the island, where Nashville charisma meets Key West charm. Multi-day offerings for free shows as well as ticketed shows at...
Back Blocks Music, a Nashville-based artist development, management and publishing company, has announced the addition of Kirby Mathews as VP of Publishing. The company has earned a reputation for championing creatives and building long-lasting careers from the ground up and Mathews appointment furthers their recent organizational growth initiatives and reaffirms their commitment to creativity and innovation for its talented roster...
Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has renewed its global publishing deal with GRAMMY award-winning trailblazer Liz Rose. A masterful hitmaker, Rose made history in 2019 as one of the first two songwriters appointed to the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) Board of Directors and was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. She has penned hits for...
Generous patrons on last week’s sold-out Country Music Cruise 2026 raised almost $58,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s nonprofit mission of preserving the history of country music and making it broadly accessible to a global audience. Two acoustic guitars were autographed by artists performing on this year’s cruise and sold during a live auction prior to Josh...
Music Health Alliance (MHA), the nonprofit dedicated to providing advocacy and access to healthcare and mental health for the music industry, has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development and announced several staff promotions across its advocacy and healthcare navigation team. In this role, Hayes will lead the growth of MHA’s fundraising and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial...
Today ERN's Cadillac Music has announced three new hires – Dane Schmidt, Senior Director of A&R; Jordan Marcus, Creative Coordinator/Executive Assistant; and Jude Warren, A&R/Executive Assistant. ERN's Cadillac Music was founded by triple threat talent ERNEST in partnership with Big Loud Publishing in 2023. “Everybody on the team at Cadillac feels like family,” shares founder ERNEST. “I have known Dane for...
Kentucky singer-songwriter Tyler Booth has signed with Jamey Johnson’s Big Gassed Records in a joint venture with Average Joes Entertainment and has finalized a management agreement with The Erv Woolsey Company. Booth, known for his baritone voice and traditional country sound with a modern twist, will release new music very soon. “I feel like I embody all the Appalachia,” says...
