Artist & Industry News

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Warrior Poet Music have signed a global publishing deal with rising singer-songwriter Chandler Brown. Integrating country and alternative styles, he is known for his unique sound that he calls “yallternative.” Today, Brown independently released his long-awaited debut single “Raise My Voice,” produced by hit WCM songwriter Devin Dawson and Jacob Durrett. "It's rare to...

When 22 year old Preston Cooper was first discovered in 2023 by the Warren Brothers’ Brad and Brett Warren while playing a corporate gig with them at a Holiday Inn in his home state of Ohio, the brothers took him under their wing, instantly recognizing the potential in Cooper’s soulful and blues-inspired vocals. Plugging into his relationship with The Neal...

ERNEST has launched DeVille Records, a joint venture with Big Loud Records. The label founded on the old-school values of artist development and creative swagger welcomes GRAMMY-nominated Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford, and Cody Lohden as its first artists. “We're going to build this thing wide and on concrete,” ERNEST says of DeVille Records. “Artist development. Write the songs and do...

Kiley Donohoe has launched independent management company, Greenhouse Management. Touting a roster that includes current ACM-nominated multi-hyphenate ERNEST, burgeoning multi-instrumentalist-turned-singer / songwriter Chandler Walters, as well as rising artist-writers Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford, the rapidly growing company seeks to empower creatives across their artistry, built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and ambition. “It is so important to me...

Seven-time ACM nominee Cody Johnson has added additional metal counts to his official RIAA certifications as #1 award-winning song “’Til You Can’t” reaches FIVE-times Platinum and his CMA Album of the Year Leather is certified GOLD. Cody’s career now boasts 44 RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications---and 9 Billioncareer global streams and four #1 singles. About Cody Johnson: Cody Johnson has...

Nashville-based publicity and creative firm, PERK PR & Creative Agency has added Ali Patton as a publicist to their team. Patton's prior stops include time at The Nashville Briefing and The 615 House, where she managed social media platforms and curated industry news and updates. Most recently, Ali served as an agent assistant at The Neal Agency, providing administrative support...

The Country Music Association announced recipients of the 2025 CMA Triple Play Awards, which honor the songwriters behind some of the genre’s most notable No. 1 hits. This year’s 16 CMA Triple Play Award recipients are Rocky Block, John Byron, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley (two-time recipient), Charlie Handsome (two-time recipient), Jelly Roll, Ben Johnson, Chase McGill, Jordan...

Emerging artist-songwriter Tyler Nance has signed a management deal with Redline Entertainment, an artist management and artist development company based in Nashville. Representing a fresh sound in Country music, Tyler Nance effortlessly pairs captivating lyrics with memorable genre-blending melodies. The Missouri native's debut EP “Wasted Chances” quickly amassed over 4,000,000 streams, and the singer-songwriter shows no signs of slowing down...

Rising country artist Matt Schuster has signed a management deal with Dillon Goldberg of Nashville-based FNGRPRNT. Known for his powerful vocals and emotionally driven songwriting, Schuster continues to gain momentum as one of the genre’s most promising young talents. “Matt is an exceptional talent with the kind of voice and songwriting ability that cuts through,” says Goldberg. “I’m thrilled to...

Last week Big Loud Partner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Craig Wiseman was honored with a Mississippi Country Music Trail Marker. The marker is located in Midtown Green Park in Hattiesburg as part of the Mississippi Country Music Trail which commemorates legends, venues and landmarks that have shaped Mississippi's impact on country music. Wiseman was also presented with a...

Multi-Platinum selling artist Cody Johnson wrapped his first-ever headline dates in Australia and New Zealand over the weekend with sold-out shows. The two-week series of dates began in the United Kingdom with C2C Festival dates in Ireland, Scotland and England. While overseas Cody’s “I’m Gonna Love You” duet with Carrie Underwood reigned at #1 for two weeks, he received seven...

Laci Kaye Booth made her Grand Ole Opry® debut on Saturday, March 29. Stepping into the famed circle for the first time, dressed in vintage Bob Mackie, she performed her new single, “Daddy’s Mugshot,” and a stunning version of “Crazy,” penned by Willie Nelson and popularized by Patsy Cline. "Tonight I felt the full weight of a little girl’s dream...

21-year-old rising Country artist Tyler Nance released another heart-rending track, “Whiskey Me or the Pain,” on Friday. On the heels of his debut EP Wasted Chances amassing over 4M streams, this is the emerging artist's third new single, which will be a part of his forthcoming project dropping later this spring. Hooking listeners with its raw opening line, this song delivers authenticity and first-rate songwriting,...

BMI’s Grammy-winning artist Lainey Wilson – who is currently nominated for seven ACM Awards including “Entertainer of the Year” - marked a significant milestone in her career yesterday (3/27) at the historic Bradley’s Barn, by celebrating her latest No. One chart toppers “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” and “4x4xU.” More than 200 music industry guests gathered at the iconic location to celebrate. The...

Zach John King has announced that he will be dropping an upcoming EP, Slow Down, on May 23. Pre-save the project HERE. Produced by Ryan Wilson, the six-song EP will introduce fans to King’s trailblazing sound, combining elements of country, indie rock, and striking, honest lyrics. Featuring King’s signature emotional vocals, the emerging artist’s passion will emanate throughout the EP as he also co-wrote all...

Maddox Batson made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday, March 26, performing two songs from his recently released EP First Dance. In between performing “I Don’t Like You Anymore” and “It Was You,” the 15-year-old rising country artist shared, “Performing here at the Opry tonight means more to me than anything. I want to give a shout out to all...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville in collaboration with Group Projects Music have signed global publishing deals with rising Nashville-based songwriters Olivia DaPonte and Chris McKenna. DaPonte is known for her versatile storytelling across every genre, from heartfelt country ballads to upbeat pop-infused tracks. McKenna is quickly gaining recognition for his authenticity and impactful wordplay, excelling in every aspect of the...

Corey Kent and members of his team at Sony Music Nashville recently celebrated multiple milestones in the artist's career; one billion career streams as well as having his #1 song “Wild As Her” be certified 3x platinum by the RIAA. Watch the special moment HERE. At the gathering, Kent addressed everyone in the room, sharing, “I know it takes a lot of people to...

Yesterday, Tucker Wetmore was joined by members of his team and other industry professionals to celebrate his first #1, “Wind Up Missin’ You.” The celebration reunited Wetmore with co-writer Thomas Archer (BMI) and co-writer/producer Chris LaCorte (SESAC), as the group commemorated Archer’s fifth and LaCorte’s third #1. Showcasing Wetmore’s ability to blend contemporary edge with storytelling, “Wind Up Missin’ You”...

Breakout Texas country artist Hudson Westbrook debuted across country radio yesterday with the #2 most added single of the week “House Again,” impacting airwaves nationwide with 50 first-week stations. “Hearing my songs on the radio is something I hope I never get used to,” Westbrook says. “Having ‘House Again’ played on car radios, in stores, and people’s homes all around...

The Country Music Association gathered at the prestigious Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, today, to reveal the 2025 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame – Tony Brown, June Carter Cash and Kenny Chesney. Brown will be inducted in the Non-Performer category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the Songwriter and...

Concord, the world’s leading independent music company, has added Stem Distribution to its portfolio of subsidiaries. Stem, the platform designed by musicians for musicians, providing personalized distribution, digital strategy, data-driven insights, playlisting, and more for independent artists and labels, will continue to be operated as a separate division within Concord Label Group, led by its existing CEO Milana Lewis and...

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo inducted country music superstar Luke Bryan as the 11th inductee into the Star Trail of Fame in a special ceremony held on Sunday afternoon. The event took place at the Star Trail of Fame Wall in NRG Center, where Bryan was honored and celebrated by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Chairman of the...

Rising country singer-songwriter Cole Phillips has signed with WME for global representation in all areas. Born and raised in Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, Phillips has quickly made a name for himself with his gritty storytelling, raw authenticity and powerhouse vocals. Influenced by country legends like Hank Williams Jr. and David Allan Coe, as well as red dirt and rock icons including...