Industry Ink: Kenny Chesney, Waylon Wyatt, CMHOFM, Cumulus, More

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Kenny Chesney Makes William Morrow’s 100 Impactful Books of the Century List

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Allister Ann

Kenny Chesney’s Heart, Life, Music has made William Morrow’s 100 Impactful Books of the Century List.

“I had no idea so many people would see their own journey in mine, live some moments that are hard to believe happen,” Chesney shares. “Kind of like being in this list alongside so many incredible books. This was definitely something I would’ve never guessed or imagined, but am so honored for all the people in the book who made this story something worth reading.”

 

Waylon Wyatt’s ‘Jailbreak (ft. Bayker Blankenship)’ Earns RIAA Gold Certification

Pictured (L-R): Anna Kellam, Yitzi Peetluk, Marc Caceres, Waylon Wyatt, Bayker Blankenship and Jarrid Bell. Photo: Darcy Goss

Last week during CMC Rocks in Australia, Bayker Blankenship surprised Waylon Wyatt on stage to present him with a plaque for their collaboration “Jailbreak.” The song is officially RIAA-Gold certified and marks Waylon’s second Gold certification following his song “Arkansas Diamond.”

Wyatt is slated to join Sam Barber for select dates this year. He is also scheduled to appear at Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.

 

CMHOFM Celebrates Opening Of ‘Kalup Linzy: Chronicles. Interludes. Testaments’

Kalup Linzy & Daniel Lonow. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Haley Gallery celebrated the opening of “Kalup Linzy: Chronicles. Interludes. Testaments,” an art exhibition showcasing new works by video and performance artist Kalup Linzy. Linzy performed during the opening event.

The exhibition is guest-curated by Paul Barrett. It is free and open to the public through May 7.

 

5th Annual Texas Independence Jam Raises $360,000 For Cook Children’s Medical Center

Photo: Courtesy of Cumulus Media

The fifth Annual Texas Independence Jam guitar pull at Billy Bob’s Texas raised $360,000 for Cook Children’s Medical Center. This year’s lineup included Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Hudson Westbrook, Corey Kent, Gary LeVox, Turnpike Troubadours, Justin Moore, Dylan Scott, Tucker Wetmore and Ashley Cooke, who entertained the sold-out crowd over three sets.

“Our Texas Independence Jam ’26 was one for the books. We had more Texas stars than ever, and you could feel the energy of a sold-out Billy Bob’s Texas everywhere you turned. And to raise over $350,000 in donations to Cook Children’s Medical Center during the show was unbelievable,” says Mike Preston, Program Director for New Country 96.3 and 99.5 The Wolf.

 

CDX Nashville Unveils 2026 Star Airplay & Artist Award Winners

Photo: Courtesy of CDX Nashville

CDX Nashville unveiled the winners of the 2026 CDX Star Airplay & Artist Awards at its annual CDX Meet & Greet on March 17 at The Listening Room.

“These awards represent the heartbeat of our format,” says Joe Kelly, President of CDX Nashville. “For 35 years, CDX has been about relationships—between artists and radio, between songs and audiences. Celebrating this milestone alongside the people who make this business work every day made this year especially meaningful.”

Marshalls of the Revolution took home Label of the Year. Station of the Year was awarded to KFAV. Melissa Frost nabbed Programmer of the Year. Tyson Leaman was named Breakout Artist of the Year. Male Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year went to Ira Dean and Ashley Ryan, respectively. Due West earned Group of the Year.

Lauryn Sink
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