Artist & Industry News

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has renewed its global administration deal with the multi-platinum hitmaker Tyler Hubbard (MCA). A prolific songwriter, Hubbard has written 19 No. 1 singles and is the only country artist to achieve four consecutive chart-topping hits both as part of a duo and as a solo act, reaching an impressive career total of 23 No. 1...

Eclipse Music Group has signed rising singer-songwriter Hayden Blount to a publishing deal, adding to the company’s expanding roster. Blount is represented by Wild Child Music, a Nashville-based management company that entered into a strategic partnership with Eclipse Music Group last year. A native of Savannah, Tennessee, Blount has a catalog of songs that are steeped in the real-life grit...

Back Blocks Music has signed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Burdick to its hit-making roster of talent for management and publishing. Back Blocks is an artist development and publishing company based in Nashville that champions creatives and builds careers from the ground up. The Vancouver, WA native moved to Nashville this year after being discovered via TikTok Live by Back Blocks...

Colter Wall has announced an additional run of dates on his upcoming Memories and Empties Tour. Promoted by Live Nation and FPC Live, the run of newly added dates start on Thursday, February 12 at Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland, TX, with additional stops in El Paso, San Diego, Indianapolis, and more before wrapping Saturday, March 14 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit,...

Rising Country/Americana group The Jack Wharff Band have announced their headlining From The Hills To The Holler Tour. The 13-date trek marks the band’s debut headline run and will kick off in Madison, WI, on January 21 before continuing to cities including Minneapolis, MN; Athens, GA; Knoxville, TN; and more, concluding in Columbus, OH, on February 21. Presale tickets are...

In the latest move in the expansion of the Warner Records Group, Cris Lacy has been named Chair & President of the newly rebranded Warner Records Nashville, formerly known as Warner Music Nashville. Former Warner Music Nashville Co-Chair & Co-President Gregg Nadel will be taking on a new leadership role within Warner Music Group, with details to be announced shortly....

The Country Music Association has announced Country Music legend Vince Gill as the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Gill will accept the honor during “The 59th Annual CMA Awards,” following a special tribute performance. “The 59th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 19 on ABC and next day on Hulu. “Vince embodies...

Sony Music Publishing has announced the appointment of Michael Young as Chief Information Officer. Based in Nashville, Young will report to Sony Music Publishing’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Kelly. In his new role, Young will lead the company’s technology strategy and its ongoing transformation initiatives to advance growth, scalability and efficiency on behalf of SMP songwriters and catalogs worldwide. He...

Touted as “one of Nashville’s favorite music venues” (The Tennessean), The Listening Room is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a landmark show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on March 3, 2026. The event will include performances by HARDY, Blessing Offor, Jo Dee Messina, Mitchell Tenpenny, Phil Barton, Brian Davis, J.T. Harding, Matt Jenkins, Wendell Mobley, James...

BMI gathered Tyler Hubbard alongside other creatives and industry professionals to celebrate the artist's #1 hits “Back Then Right Now” and “Park” at the new Moto Moda on Thursday (November 6). “Park,” the second single from his latest album Strong, marks his fourth consecutive hit as a solo artist and 23rd career #1. Hosted by BMI and ASCAP, the celebration...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has signed a global publishing deal with emerging singer-songwriter Brendan Walter. In 2024, Walter released his seven-track debut project, I don’t know what I’m doing yet, and has since followed it with his sophomore release, Disappearing Days, out today. “Brendan is a rare artist whose songs feel fresh yet instantly familiar," shares Spencer Nohe, VP,...

Blue Harbor Music welcomes the signing of acclaimed songwriters Meg McRee and Ben Chapman to its growing publishing roster. Founded in April 2024 by veteran music publisher Steve Markland, Blue Harbor Music continues to strengthen its mission of cultivating exceptional songwriting talent and fostering authentic artist development. “I’m beyond excited to be working with the dynamic and passionate crew at...

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will host a Songwriter Session with singer-songwriter HARDY on Saturday, Dec. 6. During Songwriter Sessions at the museum, accomplished songwriters behind classic and current hits visit the museum each week, sharing stories and songs. The program will take place at noon in the museum’s CMA Theater and is included with museum admission...

MCA is excited to announce the signing of country rock band 49 Winchester to be released on the Lucille Records imprint. On Friday, the band will share their first taste of new music since teaming up with Grammy-winning producer and MCA Chief Creative Officer Dave Cobb: a powerful cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” Fans can pre-save the track HERE. Inspired...

SMACK is celebrating a milestone year, remaining a defining force on Music Row, fueled by wins that showcase both artistic achievement and a thriving company culture. In the past 12 months, 17 of their 25 writers have charted on the country charts and all 25 have landed a major label cut or release, underscoring both the depth of its talent...

On Saturday, November 1, Hudson Westbrook headlined a benefit concert in his hometown of Stephenville, TX, donating $100,000 to the Erath County Junior Livestock Association. The show took place at Tarleton State University’s EECU Event Center, where all proceeds went toward rebuilding livestock facilities where local chapters of FFA and 4-H exhibit their animals. “These funds are going to rebuild...

Gaining traction as one of country music’s fastest-rising artists, acclaimed Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and performer Kaitlin Butts will unveil her new Yeehaw Sessions EP on November 14, 2025. It notably marks the celebrated rising star's debut under her recently minted deal with Republic Records. "From releasing my album over a year ago as an independent artist, to having a viral song, to now signing...

Carrie Underwood has become the highest RIAA Certified female country artist of all time with over 95 million units (22.5 million albums and 72.5 million singles) in the US alone across solo titles and collaborations. “Accomplishments like this are more than I would have ever dared to dream of when I was starting out,” says Underwood. “I owe everything to...

The Country Music Association (CMA) today announced a significant investment for mental health resources, reaffirming its multi-year commitment to the well-being of music industry professionals. As part of this ongoing effort, CMA has made a $3 million donation to Belmont University to support the launch of the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment, a pioneering initiative designed to address the...

After concluding his 2025 I’m The Problem Tour in September, which left Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dubbing him “one of the hottest artists of the century” and AZ Central opining “he’s a commanding presence,” 19x Billboard Music Award winner Morgan Wallen is running it back, today announcing his Still The Problem Tour 2026. Pre-sale registration for Still The Problem Tour is open...

Get After It Media, home to The Heartland Network, Retro TV, The Family Channel, The Action Channel, and Rev’n, officially planted its flag in Music City this week. With new offices and studios in Marathon Village, the broadcast media company is officially calling Nashville its new home base. The city was on hand to welcome the 90-million household strong media company with a proclamation...

Rising singer-songwriter Abbie Callahan has signed with WME for global representation across all areas. A magnetic live performer and introspective storyteller, Callahan is quickly establishing herself as one of Nashville’s most promising new voices. In 2025, she made her debut at CMA Fest, Bonnaroo, and AMERICANAFEST, marking a breakout year that showcased her genre-blending sound and undeniable stage presence. “I...

By Design, a Nashville-based modern music company, announces its global partnership with BMG, the fourth largest music company in the world, following the company's recent launch under the leadership of industry experts Josh Bailey, Jeremy Holley, Rod Riley and Josh Thompson. The partnership will include worldwide distribution, label services, joint label signings and a co-investment strategy across catalog acquisitions via...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has announced a strategic joint partnership with Perfect Game Creative (PGC), a music publishing, management, and A&R consulting company founded and led by longtime A&R executive Jessi Vaughn Stevenson. After an impactful decade at Warner Chappell, where she most recently served as Vice President, A&R and Digital, Stevenson is launching Perfect Game Creative, ushering in...