Artist & Industry News

Whiskey Jam, Nashville's premier original live independent music series, celebrated its 1,000th show last night (Monday, Nov. 25) in downtown Nashville at Whiskey Row, marking over a decade of elevating the best and brightest in country music. Since its inception in January 2011, Whiskey Jam has become a cornerstone of the music industry, fostering the careers of artists who have...

Country superstar Thomas Rhett celebrates yet another milestone as “Beautiful As You” holds the No. 1 Country Radio spot on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, marking his 23rd career No. 1. Produced by Julian Bunetta, Dann Huff, John Ryan and Ammo, “Beautiful As You” is featured on Thomas Rhett's acclaimed seventh studio album ABOUT A WOMAN. Co-written by Thomas Rhett and...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and 1 Track Music have signed a global publishing deal with rising singer-songwriter Dawson Slade. From learning how to play the guitar at just four years old and songwriting as soon as he could read and write, his passion for music runs deep. After moving to Nashville in 2023, he released his debut single “Home in...

J.B. Zielke, working cowboy, award-winning author and Founder of Dusty Vaquero, is proud to announce the debut of Dusty Vaquero Days, a two-day music festival set to take place at the Cam-Plex in Gillette, WY on May 30-31, 2025. In partnership with Gold Towne Music (The Lowdown Drifters, Kellen Smith, Raina Wallace), the event will showcase and celebrate the intersection of music...

Sony Music Nashville artist Corey Kent has spent the fall headlining his international Black Bandana Tour. With sold out stops across the country, the tour will take Kent to the UK in 2025 and, due to demand, the tour has officially been extended into spring 2025 with new dates added. Kent shared news of the tour's extension via social media ahead of wrapping...

Big Loud Records announces today the promotion of Stefanie Carter to SVP, Finance, effective immediately. “Stefanie's leadership is felt throughout the company as she continues to spearhead our in-house finance department that she was foundational to building two years ago,” shares Big Loud COO Austen Adams. “Her expertise has been invaluable to our team, and we are privileged to honor this well-deserved...

On-fire rising country star Josh Ross is sharing a brand-new track, “Movin’ On” out now via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company and UMG Nashville states-side.  With a pointed message of taking the high road post-breakup, Ross penned the song with Chris LaCorte, Jacob Hackworth, Jaxson Free, and Taylor Phillips, produced by Matt Geroux. LISTEN TO “MOVIN’ ON”...

Gravel Road Records, the independent record label co-founded by industry veterans Anthony Martini and Rich Barner, is thrilled to announce the signing of country music sensation Willie Jones. Jones is known for his innovative blend of country, hip-hop, and soul and is recognized for his unique voice and fearless approach to genre-blending. Rolling Stone has hailed him as "The Future...

BMI presented its 2024 BMI Country Awards this evening, honoring the unparalleled career of BMI Icon Award recipient Randy Owen as well as the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. The 72nd annual event also celebrated the top songwriters and music publishers behind this past year’s 50 most-performed songs in Country music. BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill hosted...

Sony Music today announced the appointment of Taylor Lindsey as Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville, beginning January 2025. She will oversee the Company and its creative endeavors as well as Provident Entertainment, one of the world’s leading Christian music companies. Lindsey will be based in Nashville and report to Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group. Ken Robold has been...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Cornman Music have signed a global publishing deal with rising songwriter Trent Wayne. The southern Mississippi native has collaborated with notable songwriters such as Schmitty, Reid Morris, Noah Hudson, Zach John King, Matt Mulhare, Chase McDaniel, Mia Mantia, and Brett James, among many others. “Finding the right publishing home is a journey, and I’m incredibly thankful to...

Last night, rising country music star Payton Smith celebrated the release of his upcoming single, "Camouflage Town," with a high-energy performance at the iconic Losers Bar in Nashville, Tennessee. The venue was packed nearly to capacity, buzzing with excitement as people gathered to catch Smith’s dynamic show. Delivering electrifying performances of fan favorites like "In That Case" and "Like I...

NPR’s “most accomplished and consistently great artist in contemporary country music” Miranda Lambert continues the creative streak around her latest critically acclaimed album, Postcards from Texas, with the release of a humorous new lyric video for fan-favorite track “Armadillo.” The video, a colorful celebration of Lambert’s signature blend of humor and raw Texas spirit, was created by cutting-edge artist Ceci Mulia who expands...

The Country Music Association has revealed Country Music icon George Strait as the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Strait will accept the honor during “The 58th Annual CMA Awards,” following a star-studded performance by several artists who deeply admire Strait. “The 58th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 20 on ABC. “There...

Rising songstress Ashley Anne will release her highly anticipated sophomore EP, "call me when you land", on November 15th. Following her critically-acclaimed debut, “dear dolly," this new collection of songs delves into the vulnerability and evolution of relationships. Through her trademark narrative style, Anne brings listeners along on a journey from uncertainty and self-doubt to the transformative experience of finding...

Songwriter-artist Dan Marshall has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Jonas Group Publishing (JGP). The Virginia native, a lifelong country and classic rock fan, began his music journey learning piano at age 12. He taught himself how to play guitar at 18 and started sharing his own, self-written material in 2021.  In 2023 Marshall wrote and released his first official...

Warner Music Nashville has signed rising artist Braxton Keith. He has released his major-label debut song, “Fall This Way,” which will be featured on his upcoming EP, Blue, set to release on December 6. The Texas native splits his time between San Antonio and Nashville. He learned how to play piano from his grandmother and grew up singing family-friendly tunes...

Noah Kahan released a Canadian-exclusive 7-inch vinyl single of his hit song "Northern Attitude" as a tribute to Canadian fans today. The limited-edition vinyl (4,000 copies) includes the original version plus a B-side of the song with Hozier. Two versions are available: a direct-to-consumer Ruby Red Vinyl and a Retail Black Ice Vinyl available via Mercury Records/Republic Records/Universal Music Canada....

Ten-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley looks at No. 1’s a little differently these days as he notches his record-extending 80th No. 1 with this week’s “I Am Not Okay,” recorded and co-written by Jelly Roll along with Tape Room writers Taylor Phillips and Casey Brown. To commemorate the milestone, Gorley wanted to look beyond the celebrations that traditionally accompany a No. 1 chart hit and use...

Josh Gicker, a Nashville-based creative director, has launched Living Life Films. Focused on creating visually and emotionally resonant music videos, short-form documentaries and commercials, Gicker has worked with Alan Jackson, Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Warner Music Nashville, Big Loud Records and many more. “I’ve been pursuing a calling on my heart to tell stories since I was just a kid,...

Drew Baldridge is celebrating another significant milestone following his first No. 1 single at country radio. His new track, “Tough People,” has been named the No. 1 most-added song at country radio this week. This marks Baldridge’s debut single with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records in partnership with his own Lyric Ridge Records, showcasing a remarkable impact in his first...

Emerging singer-songwriter Andy Buckner, a seasoned award winning multi-instrumentalist who blends honkytonk and gritty cowboy seclusion, has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Dream 3 Publishing and Kobalt. Buckner’s music embodies a balance of party anthems and instantly relatable heartache healers. Growing up on a burley tobacco farm & cattle ranch deep in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, Buckner...

Today, CCMA winner and singer-songwriter, Owen Riegling, hailing from Mildmay in Southwestern Ontario, release Bruce County (From The Beginning, an expanded version of debut EP out today via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, with physical formats available including CD and limited signed vinyl. The deluxe EP features eleven tracks recorded in Nashville and produced by Brad Hill...

Today, Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records singer/songwriter Megan Moroney kicks off the holiday season with Blue Christmas …duh — a surprise EP featuring two all-new original songs and a heart-melting rendition of the timeless holiday classic “Blue Christmas.” Go here to check out Blue Christmas …duh now. With its title nodding to the signature color for Moroney’s blockbuster sophomore album Am...