In celebration of four decades of hits, John Anderson has released 40 Years and Still Swingin’. The new two-disc album revisits the songs that speak straight to his creative artistry and commitment to the genre.

The 40-song album includes several previously unreleased tracks as well as fresh new takes of his biggest hits, including “Seminole Wind,” “Black Sheep,” “Money in the Bank,” “Straight Tequila Night,” “Swingin,'” and “Wild and Blue.”

(Top Row L-R): Gable Bradley, Nick Wayne, Hannah Ellis, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, 641 and Catie Offerman. Bottom Row, (L-R): Brinley Addington, Whiskey Jam’s Ward Guenther and Troy Cartwright.

On Monday, March 4, BMI joined forces with Whiskey Jam’s Ward Guenther to host a special BMI edition of the country music showcase series held in Winner’s Bar & Grill.

Guenther and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen remarked on BMI and Whiskey Jam’s longstanding histories together, including Keen’s memory of attending the first ever Whiskey Jam in 2011. The night featured performances from BMI writers Gable Bradley, Brinley Addington, Ryan Garrett, Hannah Ellis, Nick Wayne, Catie Offerman, Troy Cartwright and 641. Offerman is to be featured in Whiskey Jam’s upcoming vinyl project, due to release soon.

Jason Aldean will be honored with the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award, and has been named as a performer for the upcoming 54th Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Artist of the Decade Award is presented to an outstanding country music artist or duo/group who has dominated country music over the decade, via radio success, digital media, sales and streaming, distinguishing events, touring, TV appearances and artistic merit.

Only five other artists have received the honor, including Marty Robbins (1969), Loretta Lynn (1979), Alabama (1988), Garth Brooks (1998) and George Strait (2008).

This Award was renamed the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award after Clark passed away in 2012, in recognition of his many years as the ACM Awards producer and early host.

“On behalf of our Special Awards Committee, our Board of Directors and Academy staff, we extend our congratulations to Jason and his entire team on this landmark career achievement,” said Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We look forward to celebrating Jason’s remarkable career at our 54th annual awards in Las Vegas.”

“This is probably one of the coolest awards I’ve ever been given,” said Aldean. “My heroes are on this list, something I can’t really even wrap my head around being part of. But, man I’m proud to be getting it – it’s for everyone who stuck with us and supported us through the years.”

The 54th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Pictured: Troy Tomlinson, Bruce Scavuzzo, Danny Nozell, Dolly Parton, Martin Bandier, Brian Monaco. Photo: Michael Kovac

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed a deal to represent the catalog of singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.

The agreement includes songs from across Parton’s entire career, including “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “Love Is Like A Butterfly” and “Two Doors Down” as well as newly-written compositions. It covers North America and territories not covered by existing sub-publishing arrangements.

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier said, “Dolly Parton is a true musical icon and we are unbelievably excited to get the chance to work with her again. Her importance, influence and legacy as a recording artist is recognized the world over, but more than anything she stands out as an exceptional songwriter with a peerless catalog of songs, which we are honored to represent.”

Parton said, “I am very excited to be working with Sony/ATV. They know my catalog and they know me. Get ready, you’re going to be hearing a lot more from me!”

Dolly Parton’s manager Danny Nozell, CEO of CTK Management, said, “With so many years of Dolly’s career being under Sony, we feel this is a great home for Dolly’s publishing administration and we’re looking forward to the partnership.”

Growing up in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she started writing songs as a child and made her performing debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as a teen. Her first success, however, was as a songwriter; two songs she wrote with her uncle Bill Owens became Top 10 hits for country singer Bill Phillips.

Parton’s own first hit as a recording artist soon followed, beginning a run of success that has included 25 Billboard country No. 1 hits, more than 50 Top 10 country songs and 44 Top 10 country albums. Many of her hits were self-composed, including the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “9 to 5,” “Joshua,” “Jolene,” “Love Is Like A Butterfly,” “The Bargain Store,” “Two Doors Down,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” Her classic song “I Will Always Love You” reached No. 1 on two separate occasions for Parton before being recorded by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard. Houston’s version became the biggest-selling single by a female artist of all time as it topped charts around the world, including 14 weeks at No. 1 in the United States.

She has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, which also honored her with the Johnny Mercer Award, given to an individual songwriter or songwriting team for having established a history of outstanding creative works. Most recently, she became the first country artist to be named MusiCares Person of the Year, with a star-studded celebration during Grammy Week in Los Angeles, as well as a tribute performance during the televised Grammy ceremony, which included Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.

CCM band Building 429 will release its next single, “Fear No More,” on the newly-formed 3rd Wave Music on April 5. The single will be distributed via The Fuel Music to digital and streaming outlets.

The band recently parted ways with former label home Provident Label Group/Sony Music and developed 3rd Wave Music in partnership with Vasquez Entertainment. The new structure will allow the band to do multi-song releases, offering more music to fans, more often.

Building 429 includes vocalist Jason Roy, drummer Michael Anderson, guitarist Jesse Garcia and bassist Aaron Branch.

“It’s been an honor to walk side by side with Building 429 over the last 15 years. In partnership with The Fuel Music, I’m thrilled to see what this next season holds for the band’s music and ministry,” says Gabriel Vasquez, owner and president of Vasquez Entertainment. “The team that has come together around this new endeavor is beyond stellar and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie in approaching artist development and releasing music in a new way.”

“Fuel is really excited to partner with Building 429 and Vasquez Entertainment on the launch of 3rd Wave Music,” says Tony Patoto, The Fuel Music founder and CEO. “Building 429 is a highly-sought-after band whose music is brilliant, and Fuel is thrilled to be able to serve their vision and goals and make some history with them.”

The Fuel Music & Management was founded in 2008 as a Nashville-based artist management and solutions company for independent music distribution.

Building 429 released their debut album in 2004. In 2012, the band issued “Where I Belong,” which remained at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs charts for 15 weeks. It was later certified Gold by the RIAA. The band has also earned two BMI Song of the Year honors for “Where I Belong” and “Glory Defined.”