Artist & Industry News

North Carolina native Dalton Davis has signed a record deal with MCA/Republic Records. In addition to the signing, Davis released “Cows In The Front Yard" today and is set to drop more new music soon. “This record deal isn’t the finish line - it’s the starting gun. Every song I’ve written up to now and every show I’ve played was just...

Industry executives Perry Avgerinos and Noah Schwartz of Sheesh Management have launched Wahoo Music Festival, which is set to bring a unique blend of live music, community and charitable giving to South Florida. The festival will support cancer research, which carries special meaning to co-founder Noah Schwartz, a cancer survivor, whose journey inspired its mission to make a lasting cultural and...

An All‑Star Salute to 90's Country will bring a who’s‑who of country favorites together on Thursday, February 5, 2026, for a one‑night-only concert event at the Braun Center’s Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama. With over 40 performances planned from artists that have more than 60 No. 1 hits combined, the three‑hour music marathon will deliver a night of 90's...

South Dakota native Kenny Feidler - an artist to watch who’s quietly honed his craft for over a decade while steadily making waves - has released his seventh studio album on Friday, October 17. ‘The Western Tragedy’ is entirely self-written and serves as a culmination of his deep appreciation for the West, the people and places who shaped him and...

On the heels of a recent release, James McCann returned with another new single, “Pick Me Up," which dropped today, Friday, October 17. Produced by Patrick Lyons (Colter Wall, Noeline Hofmann, Leon Majcen), the heartfelt track is steeped in Americana roots, yet infused with rich jazz undertones that lend it a soulful, genre-blurring depth. Listen to “Pick Me Up” here....

The Country Music Association has announced recent promotions and new additions, further enhancing the vital roles across multiple teams and departments. Michael Farris has been promoted to Vice President, Business Strategy and Insights, advancing from his previous role as Senior Director, Business Strategy and Insights. In this elevated position, Farris drives CMA’s strategic growth by leveraging data, technology, and cross-department...

Singer-songwriter Luke Preston has inked a new publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing. “I'm beyond stoked to start working with Big Loud,” shares Preston. “When I got the opportunity to do some writing on the Big Loud Bus a few years back, I felt an immediate kinship with Romie (Adam Romaine), and I'm thrilled to get to work alongside him...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has promoted rising music professional Eric Reid to Jr. Manager, A&R. In his new role, he will focus on identifying and nurturing new talent, pitching songs and creating new opportunities for the publisher’s growing roster. Additionally, he will continue supporting efforts to onboard new songwriters, maintain updated marketing materials and assist with songwriting camps. Reid...

Yesterday, October 19, Tony Brown, June Carter Cash and Kenny Chesney became the 156th, 157th and 158th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as they were formally inducted during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater. Brown, Cash and Chesney received country music’s highest distinction and were honored with heartfelt...

On Friday, October 17, Colter Wall released another track from his forthcoming album. Solo-written from the perspective of an aging rancher in the onset of dementia, the new release “Back to Me” at its core is a love song. Of the new single Wall shares, “Living takes a toll. ‘Back to Me’ is about that, but mostly it’s about loving...

Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, produced in partnership with Live Nation, has unveiled the star-studded lineup for its 13th annual beachfront celebration, returning April 10–12, 2026 to the sandy shores of Fort Lauderdale, FL. The powerhouse lineup will feature headliners Post Malone, Riley Green and Florida favorite Kenny Chesney, who has headlined multiple times, including the inaugural festival in...

The Grand Ole Opry is set to mark the 100th anniversary of its November 28, 1925 inaugural broadcast with two all-star Opry member shows. November 28, 2025 marks exactly 100 years since the evening a single fiddle tune performed by Uncle Jimmy Thompson launched a legacy– more than 200 members, over 15,000 broadcasts, countless stars, millions of fans, and one...

18-year-old American Idol finalist Slater Nalley has inked a major label record deal with Warner Music Nashville / Warner Records in partnership with 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Nalley is also celebrating the news with the release of his debut single, “Foolish Pride." “I’m incredibly excited to release this special song. I’ve performed it for years, and after its debut on American...

Today, October 17, singer-songwriter Leon Majcen released his fourth full-length album in five years, Making A Livin’ (Not a Killin’). A modern-day folk singer in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt and John Prine, Majcen was by Bosnian refugee parents who moved the family to Florida in search of a better life. His father introduced him to outlaw country at...

The Country Music Association welcomed Jake Worthington to its Nashville HQ on Wednesday, October 15 for a Q&A and acoustic performance. The Q&A recapped Worthington’s early connection to country music, the advice he’s learned from working with other artists and musicians, what it’s been like on the road with Jon Pardi and Zach Top, and the stories behind some of...

Yesterday (October 15), singer-songwriter Brock Phillips released his debut song “Something Else," out now via Local Hay Records. Leaning into his melodic sensibilities, Phillips explores a familiar, temporary relationship becoming more permanent. “I went through over 200 songs and narrowed it down to one – "Something Else" as the track to introduce myself with,” shares Phillips. “This is just the beginning!” The song...

Sony Music Publishing Nashville announced today it has entered into a global publishing administration partnership with Sea Gayle Music and Domain Capital Group. The partnership will see SMP providing its global administration services to Sea Gayle’s complete roster and catalog, encompassing songs like “You Should Probably Leave,” “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere,” and more. “We couldn’t be more excited to...

Last week buzzed-about imprint Big Loud Texas, founded by Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall in partnership with Big Loud Records, hosted industry and artist community members for a grand opening celebration of the Big Loud Texas office in the heart of Austin with multi-day programming. The grand opening on Wednesday (October 8) kicked off the celebration which continued through Thursday...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has promoted experienced music executive Christina Wiltshire to VP, A&R. In her new role, she will continue to elevate Nashville’s presence by discovering and fostering top talent, and facilitating local and international collaborations and partnerships. She will be reporting to Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “Feeling incredibly grateful to Austen, Phil, Guy, and Carianne for...

Aimee Graham has launched DGBG Entertainment, an artist and industry services company focusing on project management. “Coordinating and managing the number of live performances I have over my career, project management has become one of my strongest skills,” says Graham. “As time went on, I was being approached by companies, artists, and industry alike asking for my help on a...

BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville is thrilled to announce the signing of MULTI-PLATINUM-selling country artist and 7x #1 powerhouse Brantley Gilbert. Led by Jon Loba, BMG Americas President of Frontline Records, the BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville team joined Gilbert on stage at his Nashville stop of the Tattoos Tour that runs coast-to-coast across North America through February 2026. “I’m fired up...

MCA is proud to announce that country music icon Vince Gill has signed a lifetime record deal with the label, cementing decades of partnership and collaboration. As part of this unprecedented agreement, Vince will release an EP featuring new music every month for the next year, giving fans a consistent stream of original material from one of country music’s most...

Manager Autumn Ledgin officially launches Ledgin Management with flagship artist Tucker Wetmore, tapping Red Light Management as a strategic partner. Ledgin has helped guide Wetmore’s career since 2023, the very start of his rapid ascent. “My experience across different parts of the business made it clear that management is where my passion and strengths belong. I wouldn’t have made this...

Long hailed as one of country music’s most versatile and soulful voices, Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett brings her timeless artistry and exhaustive music knowledge to SiriusXM. Beginning Oct. 5, Barnett will host “Sundays with Mandy” on Willie’s Roadhouse (Channel 61), taking over the weekly show that became must hear country classic programming from her dear friend and mentor...