Artist & Industry News

Performing to just 2,000 fans in an intimate set with tickets claimed in less than a minute upon entry, Morgan Wallen's I'm The Problem album release show at The Roundhouse in London on May 28 rounded out a historic week that saw Wallen attain his first U.K. No. 1 debut on the Official Charts. Playing center-stage in a stripped-back set...

Hundreds of industry professionals and fans alike celebrated Preston Cooper's forthcoming debut album, ’Toledo Talkin’, in Nashville this past Thursday (May 29). The emerging artists’ project is set to drop on August 29.

Big Loud Records has announced the hiring of industry veteran Lauren "LT" Thomas as SVP, Radio Promotion, effective immediately. LT joins Big Loud Records' radio promotion leadership team in tandem with fellow SVP, Radio Promotion, Tyler Waugh, both of whom report to EVP of Radio Promotion, Stacy Blythe. “LT's stellar reputation speaks for itself. The moment she began exploring her...

With a mission to provide trusted legal guidance tailored to the modern music industry, Gutt Law, PLLC has officially launched in Nashville. Founded by seasoned entertainment attorney Rachel Guttmann, the firm brings together a forward-thinking team with deep experience in law, publishing, and creative development—positioning Gutt Law as a strategic partner for clients navigating the evolving entertainment landscape. Rachel Guttmann...

Fresh off the announcement of buzzed-about joint venture Big Loud Texas' expansion to include a publishing arm, Big Loud Texas Publishing, today the growing venture announces the completion of its hub curated to foster creative community in Austin. The Big Loud Texas House is a multi-functional space housed in a historic home built in the late 1800s with interior design...

Today independent label powerhouse Big Loud Records announces the promotion of industry veteran Tyler Waugh to SVP, Radio Promotion effective immediately. “Tyler's leadership, strategic vision and dedication have been instrumental to our continued growth and success,” shares EVP of Radio Promotion, Stacy Blythe. “The deep respect that he earns from the team speaks volumes. We are excited to see the impact...

The Grand Ole Opry, celebrating its 100th anniversary, honored the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with a red carpet parade and what has become a highlight of the year, the special Salute the Troops Opry performance last night. Among the artists who performed were Opry member Craig Morgan, who serves as a Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve; Opry members John Conlee, Dailey & Vincent, Steven Curtis Chapman,...

Reba McEntire has scored the biggest streaming debut of her career with her new single “Trailblazer,” a powerhouse collaboration with Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert. The anthem—celebrating the legacy, grit, and unstoppable spirit of women in country music—garnered an impressive 2.6 million on-demand streams in its first week, marking a new personal best for Reba in the streaming era. Following its...

Peermusic Nashville has appointed Jennifer Hall to Senior Creative Director and has promoted Matt Michiels and Cameron Stutts to Vice President, Creative and Senior Creative Coordinator, respectively, as announced today by Michael Knox, President, Peermusic Nashville. Michael Knox commented: "I couldn’t be happier to welcome Jenny to our creative team and to recognize the hard work of Matt and Cameron with these well-deserved promotions. Jenny is a perfect...

On the heels of his fourth studio album, I'm The Problem, becoming the most-streamed country album of the year so far on Apple, Spotify and Amazon within hours of its release on Friday (May 16), Wallen debuted seven of the albums' tracks live for the first time last night in Gulf Shores, Alabama for his inaugural Sand In My Boots Festival....

Warner Music Nashville announces the hiring of radio promotion veteran Paige Elliott as National Director for the WEA Radio Promotion Team, and the promotion of Kayla Burnett to Manager, Radio for the WMN Team. “It is my extreme pleasure to announce that the Warner Music Nashville radio promotion team has hired one and recently promoted another,” says Senior Vice President of...

Yesterday evening, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition, Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. The evening included special tribute performances of Parton’s songs “Coat of Many Colors” and "The Seeker” by Alison Krauss & Union Station. Parton concluded the evening with remarks of her own. The exhibit focuses on turning points...

Gavin Adcock performed in front of 8,000 fans this past weekend at his back-to-back sold out shows at Nashville’s new music venue, The Pinnacle. “Last time I played in Nashville it was for 500 people at Exit/In, now just over one year later I played for 8,000 over 2 nights at The Pinnacle. It blows my mind,” says Adcock. “They...

“Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last road show.” With those words, Alan Jackson made it official – a touring career that has taken his catalog of true country music from coast-to-coast countless times…crossed Canada from sea-to-sea…and even made its way to such far-reaching places as Australia, Brazil, and Europe…is nearing its...

The Grand Ole Opry, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is tipping its hat to Music City Rodeo, Nashville’s first-ever PRCA Pro Rodeo, with a special Tuesday night rodeo-themed show May 27, featuring performances by Opry member Vince Gill, Moe Bandy, Kaitlin Butts, Wyatt Flores, Marcus King, Lukas Nelson and Jenna Paulette. A number of PRCA rodeo athletes scheduled to participate in the weekend’s competitions will...

Lauren Watkins received the surprise of a lifetime on Friday night (5/16), while on tour with Zach Top. On his Cold Beer and Country Music Tour stop in Indianapolis, Ind., the Big Loud Records songbird was invited back to stage by Top to perform a cover of Barbara Mandrell's “I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool” during his headlining set. After...

Morgan Wallen's highly-anticipated fourth studio album, I'm The Problem, which has already notched three No. 1's at Country radio and six top 10's on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ahead of its release, dropped on Friday, May 16. Wallen already made history with the project, as it became Spotify's most-streamed country album of 2025 so far the day it released. Spanning...

Bryce Leatherwood's love of country music began with listening to the likes of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty in his grandfather’s truck. That love and a passion for performing took him from local stages playing for beer in college to being crowned season 22 champion of “The Voice” just over two years ago. But in many ways that...

West Virginia native Philip Bowen released his latest single “The Wheel" this past Friday. Solo-penned by the emerging artist, the emotive track is steeped in rich songwriting and captures the distressing reality of addiction. Now he's begging for a blessing - from some city on a hill He ain't really tried to change much - I guess he never will See him crawl back...

Sony Music Publishing Nashville announced the renewal of its partnership with Verse 2 Music, led by multi-platinum, award-winning country music superstar Kane Brown and industry veteran Kent Earls. Launched in 2021 as a joint venture with Sony Music Publishing, Verse 2 Music (V2) is dedicated to supporting emerging songwriters and artists. The company represents many of today’s top hitmakers across...

Already known for a roster of premiere talent like country superstar Thomas Rhett, G Major Mgmt is striking a new chord with its expanded team, focused on the changing pulse of music discovery. Led by founder and veteran artist manager Virginia Bunetta, G Major Mgmt announces a series of hires and internal promotions – moves which deepen the agile, forward-facing...

Sony Music Nashville has signed singer-songwriter McCoy Moore in partnership with Cervidae Records. “Days like today make all the time I put into this dream worth it and lights the fire under me all over again,” shared Moore. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Sony Music Nashville, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together as...

Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of Grammy Award- nominated, Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award-winning songwriter Jon Nite. The worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes future works and selection of Nite’s catalog like “Dancing In The Country” by Tyler Hubbard, “Steal My Summer” by Russell Dickerson, Gabby Barrett hits like “Pick Me Up,” “Cowboy...

The Country Music Association and ABC announced that “The 59th Annual CMA Awards” will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19, airing live on ABC at 8/7c. Country Music’s Biggest Night™ will once again shine a spotlight on the genre’s most exceptional talent, honoring outstanding achievements and celebrating excellence across the industry. Details on the show’s host and ticket...