Artist & Industry News

FNGRPRNT has signed rising artist Big Mo, who also joins Independent Artist Group for worldwide representation, working with agents Joshua Rittenhouse and Kyle Carter. Focused on developing culturally relevant artists beyond country alone, FNGRPRNT’s roster also includes Graham Barham, Adrien Nunez and Matt Schuster. Raised in Augusta, Georgia, Big Mo blends country and rap into a sound rooted in the...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has renewed its global publishing deal with Riley Green. This comes on the heels of a standout year for Green, who took home Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year for his hit collaboration with Ella Langley, “you look like you love me,” at the 2025 CMA Awards. Green is also up for four...

The annual Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI celebrated its 30th anniversary this past week, hosting more than 250 creatives across various genres and offering more than 80 shows in five days. The Key West Songwriters Festival has served as a place of discovery since its inception as BMI continues to nurture and maintain relationships with music creators at every...

On Friday, May 1, New Mexico-born troubadour Tyce Delk dropped his latest release “Mind If I Smoke," which was penned by Dan Alley, Drake Milligan and Neil Medley. “I've been trying to expand my catalog of songs to experiences that maybe I'm not going through, but listeners can relate to," shares Delk. "When I heard 'Mind If I Smoke' for the first...

Today, April 29, Big Machine Records announces the signing of Country and Americana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Naomi Carman. “From the moment I met Naomi, I felt I’d met a timeless artist,” said Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Borchetta. “Her depth and knowledge of her craft, her deep understanding of the roots of Country, Rockabilly and Rock ’n’ Roll,...

BMG and Concord have announced a definitive agreement to combine their businesses. Operating under the BMG name, the combined company will bring together two highly complementary businesses to establish a scaled, global company delivering superior service to artists, songwriters, and partners – firmly grounded in an independent, artist-first model. The combination comes amid significant transformation in the global music market,...

Jacob Hackworth officially made his Country radio debut with his single “What Took You So Long,” which he co-wrote with Jaxson Free, Steph Jones and Daniel Ross. The singer-songwriter came face to face with a record-breaking 96 adds on impact and 131 total first week stations, marking the highest one-week total for a new artist’s debut single at Country radio. “This is one of...

Avery Anna has been named the 2026 New Female Artist of the Year Winner by the Academy of Country Music, joining the ranks of recent winners Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson. The first-time nominee was presented with the trophy by fellow country breakout and frequent collaborator Sam Barber on Sunday, April 26, following her performance at the Lone...

Rolling Stone has promoted Joseph Hudak to Deputy Editor and Head of Country. In his new role, he will oversee the magazine’s country music coverage across various platforms, as well as expand Rolling Stone‘s presence in Nashville. Hudak has been at Rolling Stone for over a decade and also hosts their Nashville Now podcast, amongst performing various other tasks. “For more than a...

Today, April 24, Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen dropped “I Can’t Love You Anymore”, a new single that Langley co-wrote alongside Austin Goodloe and Joybeth Taylor. Fans were surprised with the news of the collaboration this past weekend, during a stop on Wallen’s ‘Still The Problem Tour,’ when Langley surprised the crowd in her home state of Alabama with a...

As country music continues to evolve, so does its creators. Among them, Blake Pendergrass stands out - his steady rise and undeniable success have quickly made him one of the genre’s most talked-about songwriters. Since becoming Back Blocks Music flagship songwriter in 2021, the North Carolina native has notched 5 No. 1 songs, celebrated his first CMA Triple Play Award,...

Miranda Lambert has announced she will release future music with MCA, marking a new chapter in her decorated recording career. One of the most influential and enduring voices in country music, Lambert’s decision to align her next phase with a Nashville-based label reflects a continued commitment to the creative community and roots that have long shaped her artistry. With MCA,...

Jessi Alexander has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Perfect Game Creative. This deal marks Alexander as the flagship signing for Perfect Game Creative, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson's newly formed company. Alexander has penned 10 No. 1 hits throughout her career, including Luke Combs’ “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” and Morgan Wallen’s “Don’t Think Jesus.” “So...

Today, Corey Kent dropped his latest release, “Wannabe,” a stripped-down, deeply personal track that signals the sonic direction of his next chapter. Listen to the song here. “‘Wannabe' was the first song we wrote for the new record, and as soon as we finished it, we knew it represented the sound we were chasing for this project," shares Kent. "It’s...

On the heels of being nominated for ACM New Male Artist of the Year at this year's ACM Awards, singer-songwriter Vincent Mason dropped a new single, “Don't Ask Me," today, April 17. After a standout set at CMC Rocks in Australia and international dates supporting Jordan Davis, he's now stepping back into his own spotlight with a run of headlining...

Today, April 17, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Burdick released his eagerly awaited debut single, “I Get The Picture,” available now via Back Blocks Music. Burdick co-wrote the track alongside Ricky Manning and Nick Bailey. "Once we had the title, we decided to go all in on the metaphor and tried to write in as many details as we could think...

Jody Williams Songs has promoted Tenasie Courtright to Director, Creative & A&R. Formerly Creative Director at the company, Courtright took on added duties by performing hands-on A&R for JWS writer-artists Emily Ann Roberts, Ashley McBryde, Harper O’Neill and Peytan Porter. Additionally, Jonah Gordon has joined as Manager, Sync & A&R. Gordon comes to JWS from the sync department of Big Yellow Dog...

Russell Dickerson brought the music industry together at BMI's Nashville lobby yesterday, April 15, to celebrate his sixth career and multi-week chart topper, "Happen to Me." The Triple Tigers artist was reunited with his cowriters Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte and producer Josh Kerr and nods were given to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” writer Robert Hazard and...

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) celebrated the 2026 AIMP Nashville Country Awards Tuesday evening at the Analog at the Hutton Hotel. Hosted by radio veteran Storme Warren, the intimate, nominee-only gathering honored the past year's biggest hits written and promoted solely by Nashville's independent publishing companies and their songwriters. “Congratulations to all of this year’s AIMP award winners....

Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Ace High Music, have announced the signing of Jake Saghi to a global publishing agreement. Colorado native Jake Saghi is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer who is quickly becoming a sought-after collaborator in Nashville’s country music scene. He has worked with a wide range of talent including Kidd G, Redferrin, Dom Ellis, Cassadee Pope, Abby Anderson, Rodney Atkins, Lakeview, Sacha and more. Saghi’s credits include Redferrin’s “Jack and Diet Coke,”  and “Hey Mom I Made It”...

Fresh off the day-of announce sell out of his Stars for Second Harvest benefit concert this June, ERNEST doubled down on his commitment to the community, raising over $207,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank at the third annual ERNvitational Golf Tournament yesterday, April 13. Attended by Zach Top, Vince Gill, Tracy Lawrence, HARDY, Glenny Balls, and more, local organizations and...

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will feature celebrated songwriter Ashley Gorley in an upcoming program for its in-depth interview series Poets and Prophets, which features songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. Gorley is one of three 2026 honorees chosen by the museum and the program will take place Saturday, May 30, at 2:30 pm...

Today, April 14, music industry trailblazer Cindy Mabe has announced the launch of Joan of Arc Music, a comprehensive entertainment company dedicated to preserving the legacy of country music while championing its future through artist development, label services, publishing, management, TV/film production, next generation technologies and philanthropic impact. Joan of Arc Music protects artistry, cultivates innovation and builds long-lasting careers...

Chris Blair, Owner and Founder of The Listening Room, has announced that Chase Armstrong will be returning to the venue as Director of Sales & Marketing. As part of the leadership team, he will oversee sales and marketing efforts to protect and elevate one of Nashville’s most respected live music brands. “I’m excited to return to The Listening Room and...