Artist & Industry News

Diamond-certified artist Thomas Rhett celebrates his 25th career No. 1 with “Ain’t A Bad Life” ft. Jordan Davis. Rhett co-wrote the track with Ashley Gorley, Blake Pendergrass, John Byron and Mark Trussell. This achievement stands out not only for its sheer volume, but for the remarkable speed and consistency with which he’s dominated the charts in the 14 years since...

On the heels of launching his self-curated SiriusXM Channel, Morgan Wallen Radio, with an intimate show at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee last week, Morgan Wallen officially returned to the road last night, April 10, performing at U.S. Bank Stadium to a sold-out crowd on night one of his 2026 'Still The Problem Tour.' The RIAA’s highest-certified country artist of all time made...

McCoy Moore will make his Grand Ole Opry debut May 26, just days after the release of his debut album Sunshine State. “All I really know to say is thank you. Thank you to everyone who makes playing country music for a living possible for me every day,” Moore shared. “It will never be lost on me how blessed I am....

Independent publisher Big Loud Publishing has announced the promotion of song champion Michael Giangreco to President of A&R, effective immediately. “I am grateful to the partners (Seth, Craig and Joey) for their support and guidance. It's an honor to continue building the legacy of Big Loud Publishing,” Giangreco shares. “When I interned over 10 years ago, I was inspired to...

TMWRK has signed Dylan Gossett for management. Gossett’s team now includes Andrew McInnes, Paddy Scace and Sydney Clarke at TMWRK. “We could not be happier to be working with Dylan,” says Andrew McInnes, CEO and founder of TMWRK. “We have been fans go a few years now and are very excited for his very bright future.”

Dylan Marlowe has formed a new group, 80 Acres, with his band members Christian Strahley, Ethan Leak, David Medlin and John Frisch. While touring Marlowe’s country set, they found themselves slipping in covers of bands like Fall Out Boy and Blink-182 - music that influenced them since their earliest days. Later on, Marlowe, adopting a free-flowing creative approach, penned track, “Least...

A first-of-its-kind country music getaway is coming to the beaches of Cabo San Lucas this Labor Day Weekend. Country Splash, the first multi-day country music festival ever held directly on the beach in Cabo, will debut September 4–6 with headlining performances from Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore and Diplo. The lineup also features Cameron Whitcomb, Dasha, LOCASH, Zach John...

Today, April 6, Cody Johnson has released a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Footlights." As an avid Haggard fan, Cody has paid tribute to him numerous times, acknowledging that he was one of his biggest musical influences. “Merle was a poet,” shares Cody. “When I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm frustrated, and everything in between, he has sung the soundtrack...

Today, April 6, Justin Moore achieved his 14th career No. 1 single with "Time's Ticking." From his latest album, This Is My Dirt, the track was written by Moore alongside celebrated songwriters Will Bundy, Randy Montana and Jeremy Stover, and marks Moore’s second No. 1 song off the 2024 record. “It’s beyond exciting, and humbling, to celebrate our 14th number...

Blue Harbor Music is celebrating its two-year anniversary, marking a period of growth and and meaningful impact in Nashville and beyond. Founded with a mission to cultivate unique voices and build a forward-thinking catalog, Blue Harbor Music has quickly established itself as an influential presence on Music Row. In just two years, the company has built a roster of 10...

As Morgan Wallen readies his return to the road with his upcoming 23-date Still The Problem Tour, the RIAA’s highest-certified country artist of all time partnered with SiriusXM for a 16-song, intimate show to a crowd of nearly 4,000 SiriusXM subscribers and industry professionals at The Pinnacle in Nashville, TN. The show commemorated the launch of his new exclusive year-round channel, Morgan...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has signed a global publishing deal with ERNEST. Known as one of Nashville’s most prolific creators, he has penned 13 No. 1 hits and his third full-length album, DEEP BLUE, is set for release this summer. A GRAMMY, ACM, CMA Award nominee, and two-time Variety Hitmakers honoree, ERNEST continues to shape the sound of modern...

With the announcement of HEY NOW Records, a streamlined independent label built around the premise of super-serving singularly talented artists, President and Co-Founder Kris Lamb is pleased to announce key promotion executives VP Brooke Diaz, plus National Directors for the West and East Coasts Bill Lubitz and Jane Staszak. The seasoned industry leaders bring decades of hands-on experience from both...

The eighth season of BMI’s Rooftop On The Row® series, presented by George Dickel Whisky, returns on April 21st with headliners Zach John King and Aniston Pate, emceed by Love On The Spectrum’s Tyler White. The exclusive invitation-only event, hosted on the rooftop of BMI's Nashville office, offers industry professionals an exclusive first look at in-demand talent. In addition to...

Manhead has appointed Jennifer Pirch as Vice President of Retail & Licensing, as the company continues to expand its retail and licensing business and prepares to exhibit at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas for the first time. Manhead represents a growing roster of artists including Deftones, Alice In Chains, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and Joan Jett, and is building its...

Sony Music Nashville and Kane Brown are celebrating 10 years of success with a renewed commitment: the multi-platinum-selling artist has signed a new multi-album, worldwide deal with the label, extending their longstanding partnership for years to come. “I’m really excited about my partnership with Sony Music,” says Brown. “We’ve built something special together over the years, and I’ve got so...

On March 17, BMI hosted Ella Langley at their Nashville office for a double #1 party, celebrating “weren’t for the wind” and “Choosin’ Texas.” Langley was reunited with those she co-wrote the tracks with, Johnny Clawson, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor, as more than 400 industry professionals filled the lobby to join in the celebration. Langley, Johnny Clawson...

Triple 8 Management has announced the promotion of Aaron Sawyer from artist manager to partner. Sawyer joined the Triple 8 team in 2023, alongside longtime colleague and artist manager Hannah Boren. Under the Triple 8 banner, Sawyer, Boren and management coordinator Evy Daunic represent Sierra Ferrell, I’m With Her, Julian Lage, Madison Cunningham, Nickel Creek, Vincent Lima, Watkins Family Hour,...

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Jacob Hackworth has released a new single “What Took You So Long” along with announcing the signing of his first major label deal with MCA, in collaboration with Goat Island Sound. Slated to go to radio this spring, the aching ballad was written by Hackworth, Jaxson Free, Steph Jones and Daniel Ross and was inspired by the breakup that was the catalyst...

Today, March 20, Big Loud Texas Publishing and Sony Music Publishing announced the signing of Big Loud Texas artist Julianna Rankin. Alongside the announce, Rankin released her second song via Big Loud Texas “Little Miss Behavin'” produced by Big Loud Texas co-founders, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. “We're thrilled to welcome Julianna to the Big Loud Texas Publishing family,” shares...

TikTok and Apple Music have announced 'Play Full Song', a new music discovery experience which will make it easier than ever for fans to engage with the music that they discover on TikTok, launching exclusively through Apple Music. With the new 'Play Full Song' feature, Apple Music subscribers can now enjoy full-length tracks that they discover on TikTok, without ever leaving...

Yesterday, March 17, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition American Currents: State of the Music. Presented annually, American Currents takes a broad view of the genre over the past year to explore musical developments, artist achievements and notable events, as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff. The exhibit runs...

Creativity, individuality, small batch and responsive, Clint Higham, John Esposito and Kris Lamb announce the formation of HEY NOW Records, a boutique label devoted to recognizing unique talent and identifying the best path of connecting artists with their fans. HEY NOW Records creates a space that recognizes each artist’s story uniquely and develops specific marketing plans that are designed around...

SiriusXM and Morgan Wallen announced today the launch of Morgan Wallen Radio, a new exclusive year-round country music channel debuting April 7th on SiriusXM's channel 64 and on the SiriusXM app. To celebrate the new channel, SiriusXM will host a special intimate live performance by Morgan Wallen at The Pinnacle in Nashville on April 2. Additionally, Morgan Wallen Radio will be available...