Artist & Industry News

Young Guns Publishing has signed an exclusive publishing deal with singer, songwriter and producer Jake Puliti. “I’m so amped to be a part of Young Guns Publishing. This partnership represents years of dedication, growth, faith, and a true belief in the power of songwriting,” shares Puliti. “I’m so blessed for the opportunity to evolve alongside such an incredible team.” “Jake...

Universal Music Group (UMG), in partnership with UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, its entertainment driven hospitality venture, announced the opening of two new UMusic Shop locations in New York and London, dedicated to reimagining the fan experience. Each UMusic Shop offers exclusive custom collections and pieces inspired by UMG’s iconic artists, songwriters and legendary labels, providing fans with new dedicated locations...

Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Tooth & Nail Publishing, have signed rising artist Max McNown to a global publishing agreement. Max McNown is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who has quickly emerged as one of country music’s most compelling new artists. His breakout single “A Lot More Free” became a viral success, topping TikTok's Breakthrough US chart, reaching #1 on...

Today Sony Music Publishing announced the promotion of Jeff Smarr to Senior Vice President, Global Copyright, effective immediately. Based out of SMP’s Nashville office, Jeff will continue to report to EVP, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy. In this elevated position, Jeff will take on a greater role across strategic initiatives and high-profile deal and acquisition integrations. He will continue to oversee...

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will offer pay-what-you-want admission for Nashville area residents beginning Thursday, Jan. 1, through Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Providing an opportunity for locals to explore the museum and the history of country music, pay-what-you-want admission will apply to those living in Nashville-Davidson and its bordering counties — Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and...

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville, in partnership with The Core Entertainment, has signed a global co-publishing deal with emerging singer-songwriter Madison Kozak. The rising talent has co-written across an impressive slate of releases including Tucker Wetmore’s “Give Her the World”, Hannah McFarland’s “Foolin’ (feat. Chase Rice),” as well as three songs on Abbey Cone’s Greener. “Madison is a rare talent with a...

After the release of their recent single "After Midnight," Nate Smith and Tyler Hubbard greeted fans during a surprise pop-up at Mel’s Drive-In on Second Avenue in Nashville. Guests were served custom “After Midnight” pancakes, took selfies and got the chance to chat with both artists. Mel’s Drive-In, known for its classic diner fare with a modern twist, provided the...

After teasing a book containing a letter from his dad during an interview with Apple Music’s Kelleigh Bannen earlier this year, Morgan Wallen announced today the limited-edition I’m The Problem CD zine in reference will be available to fans beginning December 19. Pre-order now HERE. The limited edition, 100-page, glossy-cover zine includes interviews with Wallen – as well as producer Joey Moi, producer/songwriter Charlie Handsome,...

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has again achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the museum field’s high profile, peer-based validation of an institution’s operations and impact. This is the museum’s fourth consecutive accreditation since gaining the designation in 1987. Only about 500 museums have achieved accreditation four times. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums,...

The Grand Ole Opry is set to mark the 100th anniversary of its November 28, 1925 inaugural broadcast with a global livestream of its two star-packed evening shows. Tune in to watch the celebration live from the Grand Ole Opry stage on Facebook, X,Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Tickets for both shows are on sale on Opry.com. November 28, 2025 will mark...

The Country Music Association has announced nominees for the 2025 CMA Touring Awards presented by STRAUSS, which highlights vital behind-the-scenes members of the Country Music touring industry. Final Round voting for the 2025 CMA Touring Awards opens Monday, Dec. 1 and closes Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6pm CT. The 20th celebration of the CMA Touring Awards will be hosted by...

The Country Music Association awarded Big Machine Label Group Founder, Chairman, and CEO Scott Borchetta the 2025 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence ahead of “The 59th Annual CMA Awards.” Borchetta was surprised with the industry honor on the red carpet by three-time 2025 CMA Award winner and Big Machine Label Group/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment artist Riley Green. “Scott...

Iowa native Ruari Brownell will unveil his debut EP ‘Pretty Little Thing’ tomorrow, Friday, November 21. Unable to be defined by just one genre, his music always holds a country undertone, but threads in the grit of rock and the soul of blues, creating a sound that is unmistakably his own. Growing his fan base from the ground up, Brownell...

BMI presented its 2025 BMI Country Awards on November 18, honoring the prolific career of BMI Icon Award recipient Clint Black, as well as the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. The 73rd 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...

The Country Music Association has announced Chris Willman, Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic at Variety, as a recipient of the 2025 CMA Media Achievement Award. Willman received the honor Tuesday, Nov. 18 when CMA Awards nominees and performers Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. surprised him during Variety’s CMA Awards Interview Lounge presented by Duke Cannon at Anzie Blue....

Sony Music Nashville (SMN) celebrated another banner year with a post-CMA Awards celebration at Category 10 in downtown Nashville. Brooks & Dunn took home their record-extending 16th trophy for Vocal Duo of the Year, cementing their status as the most decorated artist in CMA history and the most wins in the category. Luke Combs opened the evening’s broadcast with his No....

Last night at “The 59th Annual CMA Awards," Brooks & Dunn reached a milestone unmatched in the history of the Country Music Association. With their 16th win for “Vocal Duo of the Year,” the iconic pair brought their career total to 20 CMA Awards, officially becoming the most-awarded artists in CMA history. The historic achievement is the latest benchmark in...

Red Bull Jukebox made its highly anticipated return to Nashville on Saturday (November 15) with its unique live music experience that gives the audience control of the setlist, including how artists reimagine favorite tunes and which special guests step into the spotlight. The next generation of country stars lit up the stage: Treaty Oak Revival, Ashley Cooke, Kashus Culpepper, Carter...

Yesterday (November 17), Concord, in partnership with the CMA Foundation, hosted its Second Annual Country Awards Week Challenge. The event brought together industry professionals from across the country music community for a friendly competition in support of the CMA Foundation’s mission to transform students’ lives through music education. Nine teams joined Concord at Play Playground in Nashville to compete in...

Tonight, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum celebrated the opening of its next major exhibition Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising. The evening included special performances by: Jason Isbell performing "Kodachrome," "Wild Horses" and "You Better Move On." Bettye LaVette performing "Choices," backed by Spooner Oldham. Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn performing "I’m Your Puppet." Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm...

Graham Barham brought his headline 'OIL MONEY TOUR' to Nashville’s Basement East Saturday (November 15) for a sold-out show, welcoming surprise guest Tyler Hubbard. He was surprised with an unexpected presentation of a celebratory plaque for "WHISKEY WHISKEY" being certified Gold. Barham was stunned as his parents, Berry and Camille, came onstage to share the news. Overwhelmed with emotion, Barham thanked...

Over the last few years, recording artist Benjamin Tod has been prolific with both his long-running group, Lost Dog Street Band, and solo projects, but with a recent announcement that he and his wife - and Lost Dog bandmate - Ashley Mae are expecting their first child, the touring side of things will look a little different in 2026. And...

Tape Room Music has signed Kentucky-born country artist Connor Hicks in an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue growing into the artist I’ve always wanted to be,” shares Hicks. “My goal has always been to create music that feels real, and I’m thrilled to do that alongside a team like Tape Room that is...

Mercury Records has appointed Jackson Weingart its Vice President, Marketing & Digital Strategy. In this role, Weingart will leverage his dynamic experience to devise, enact and execute 360-degree campaigns tailored to each respective artist. Jackson hit the ground running by spearheading the release of 2025 CMA New Male Artist Of The Year nominee Tucker Wetmore’s gold-certified acclaimed full-length album, What...