Artist & Industry News

GRAMMY-nominated songwriter turned artist EvanJoseph has released his new single, “Forever Home,” this Friday, January 30. While the song may seem like an easy listen, it holds deep emotional weight for the Texas native and stands as one of his most meaningful releases to date. Close my eyes and pray that I see those gates With angels right behind you I know...

Big Loud Records has announced the appointment of Jamie Younger as Vice President of Marketing, further strengthening the label's executive leadership as it continues to break new artists, dominate the charts and expand its impact across country music and beyond. In her new role, Younger will oversee marketing strategy and execution for select artists on Big LoudRecords' incredible roster, leading...

Prominent rising star Hudson Westbrook is the latest artist to grace the stage at Common Country in New York City. The crowd celebrated his new EP, Exclusive, with a 60-minute set featuring some of his biggest hits as well as songs from the new project. Located at 344 3rd Ave, Common Country leads the evolution of country nightlife in New...

The Grand Ole Opry is offering Tennessee residents $10 tickets for this weekend's shows (January 30 and January 31). There is a maximum of eight $10 tickets per transaction, and the billing zip code must be in Tennessee to redeem this pricing. Tickets are available for purchase online at opry.com.

“'Working & Drinking' is a song for the working man. It’s about long days, longer nights, and the year of my life I spent chasing a paycheck and the bottom of a glass. It’s about the way you tell yourself you’re doing fine while everything you care about is waiting on you. There’s no lesson, just an honest look at...

Sony Music Publishing (SMP) Nashville and Domain Capital Group have partnered to acquire Miranda Lambert's catalog. The deal encompasses her complete back catalog of songs. Alongside this news, Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Domain have signed a go-forward publishing deal with Lambert covering future works, extending Sony Music Publishing's longstanding partnership with the artist, which originally began in 2003. A...

On Thursday, January 22, ERNEST kicked off his Live From The South Tour in Jackson Hole, WY at the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar before stopping in Salt Lake City, UT and Reno, NV over the weekend. The Live From The South Tour is set to hit Boston, New York, Houston and more before wrapping in April. The singer-songwriter has...

Announced today, soul-country singer-songwriter Alex Lamberthas joined buzzed-about imprint Big Loud Texas. Lambert's first offering is one of intent and identity with “Shoot Me Down,” out now. “It's literally been a perfect fit signing with Big Loud Texas,” shares Alex. “With Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall leading the Texas imprint, it makes for a true artist-first team. It's been an...

On February 24, the Grand Ole Opry will once again bring legendary performers, A-list artists, and the stars of tomorrow to its stage as it honors Ronnie Milsap’s 50thOpry anniversary and welcomes a new wave of talent as the Opry NextStage class of 2026. Performers that night include Opry members Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Mark Wills, and more....

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Troubadour Advisory Council, comprising talented and dedicated young leaders in the Nashville community, has named its 2026 members as well as its leadership team. The leadership team includes: Zach Farnum, Chair (Owner, 117 Entertainment) Elizabeth Lombardi, Vice Chair (Executive, Business Affairs, Music, Creative Artists Agency) Brenden Oliver, Vice Chair (Director of Awards...

This year’s Crash My Playa experience, hosted by Luke Bryan, was held January 15-18 2026 in Riviera Maya, Mexico. “I cannot thank these fans enough for their support because they have helped us build this event over the last 11 years,” said Bryan. “It could not happen without them and it could not happen without my artist friends who keep showing up...

Songwriter and producer King Henry has inked with The Core Entertainment for management. Henry has worked across a wide range of genres with artists including Beyoncé, Diplo, LANY, Maroon 5, Sasha Alex Sloan, The Weeknd and more. “We’ve long admired Henry’s ability to move seamlessly across genres while staying true to his voice as a writer and producer,” says Simon...

BMI returned to The Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN, last night (1/20) for the 2026 launch of its monthly series, BMI Acoustic Lounge. The showcase hosted BMI/Electric Feel Entertainment songwriters KC Bruner, Eddie And The Getaway, Thomas Edwards and Ricky Manning who traded songs while sharing the stories behind them. Sponsored by Dogfish Head and Shure, the evening was hosted...

Only three full weeks into the New Year, Tape Room Music has dominated the Country Airplay charts, earning three back-to-back chart-toppers and marking the publishing company’s 60th No. 1 hit since its establishment in 2011 with “Favorite Country Song.” The occasion is exceptionally special for Beau Bailey, as “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” (Blake Shelton) and “Favorite Country Song” (HARDY)...

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” has been certified RIAA Double Diamond with over 20 million units sold - the first country song ever to reach this milestone. Of the achievement, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier shares, “Chris Stapleton’s undeniable vocal grit and storytelling have connected deeply - driving chart successes, earning major awards, and most importantly, resonating with fans. RIAA...

The Grand Ole Opry will once again celebrate Opry member Dolly Parton with its annual Opry Goes Dolly show on January 17 at the Grand Ole Opry House. The fourth annual Opry Goes Dolly will celebrate Dolly’s 80th birthday by highlighting songs from her iconic 1980s era plus other classics from her legendary catalogue. Opry Goes Dolly will feature Opry members and special guest artists performing their...

Big Loud Records has appointed Stacy Blythe and Jordan Pettit as Co-Presidents. Blythe, who joined Big Loud Records in 2015 and has proved integral in building the history-making powerhouse label from ground zero to goliath-status, transitions from her current role as EVP of Promotion, effective immediately. Pettit is set to transition from his role as Vice President of Artist &...

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has unveiled the lineup for the New Faces of Country Music® Show at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2026. This year’s showcase will feature performances by Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick, and Josh Ross. For more than five decades, the New Faces of Country Music® Show has been a cornerstone event of...

GRAMMY®-nominated multi-instrumental singer-songwriter Chandler Walters hosted the First Annual Walters Western Christmas in partnership with Barstool Nashville on December 11. All proceeds from the show benefitted The USO and The Independence Fund while a simultaneous toy drive collected gifts for military families via the USO's Holly Jolly Holiday Program. Donations are open now through the end of December at the following link....

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville has signed a global publishing deal with acclaimed singer-songwriter Margo Price. A leading voice of modern country & Americana music, her latest project, Hard Headed Woman, just recently earned two GRAMMY nominations: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Love Me Like You Used To” with WCM’s Tyler Childers. “It’s an honor...

After recently becoming Billboard's Top Artist of 2025 and entering Spotify's coveted Billions Club with three singles – “Whiskey Glasses,” “I Had Some Help” with Post Malone and “Last Night” – surpassing one billion streams on the platform, Morgan Wallen has become RIAA's highest certified Country artist of all time. With 239.5 million certified singles (solo + collaborations) and 26 million...

Back Blocks Music, the artist development and publishing company based in Nashville, has announced several key staffing changes as part of its growth. Elizabeth Cook has been promoted to Creative Director as the team expands with two strategic new hires. Megan Clemens joins the team as Director of Digital Marketing as Laine Lonero steps into the role of Marketing Coordinator. The...

This weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum hosted a Songwriter Session with singer-songwriter HARDY in the museum’s CMA Theater. HARDY wrote his Top 10 country hits “Truck Bed,” “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson, and “Wait in the Truck,” a collaboration with Lainey Wilson. He also wrote Dierks Bentley’s “Beers on Me,” Florida Georgia Line’s...

Jelly Roll was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry during a surprise moment on his interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, the #1 podcast in the world across all platforms. Rogan surprised Jelly Roll with a video message from his mentor and friend - Opry member Craig Morgan - inviting him to join the Opry family. An official induction date...