MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures a moment of both celebration and transition across the country music industry, with major honors, key executive shifts, and notable signings shaping the landscape. Click here to see the full edition.

The biggest headline arrives with the announcement of this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. Songwriter Paul Overstreet, bluegrass pioneers The Stanley Brothers, and global country superstar Tim McGraw will be formally inducted later this year, recognizing decades of influence that have helped define the genre’s past and present.

Warner Records Nashville has undertaken a set of leadership promotions. Patrick Sabatini steps into an expanded role as Executive Vice President overseeing operations and business and legal affairs, while Kristen Williams and Victoria Mason take on EVP roles in radio partnerships and marketing, respectively. The label also elevated Brooke Hardesty and Rohan Kohli to SVP roles, and welcomed Austin Jenkins to its A&R leadership.

The Orchard has appointed Heather Vassar as Senior Vice President in Nashville, and Range Media Partners elevated Cam Lutz to Partner.

On the publishing front, ERNEST has signed a global deal with Warner Chappell Music. Additional artist development news includes Jacob Hackworth’s signing with MCA in collaboration with Goat Island Sound, as well as Mack Geiger joining RECORDS Nashville and Columbia Records. Big Loud Texas Publishing continues to expand its roster, with Julianna Rankin signing a publishing deal alongside Sony Music Publishing.

UTA named Brandi Brammer and Elisa Vazzana as Partners, while The Core Entertainment added Sarah Pfeiffer as Head of Marketing and Gabriella Pulley as Chief of Staff. HEY NOW Records made multiple hires across promotion and streaming, including Brooke Diaz as Vice President of Promotion, and Bill Lubitz and Jane Staszak as National Directors for the West and East Coasts, and Anna Scott Welch has joined as Director of Streaming.

The Press House appointed Alyssa Beach as its Nashville Director. FBMM also recognized internal growth, promoting Shelley Grayson and Chris Trump to Associate Business Manager roles.

The Academy of Country Music revealed its ACM Radio Award winners, highlighting excellence across markets of all sizes. Chris Carr & Company led the Major Market On-Air category, while B-Dub earned top national honors in both daily and weekly categories. Stations such as KSCS-FM in Dallas and WUBE-FM in Cincinnati were among those recognized.

The week also brought somber news with the passing of acclaimed bluegrass artist and songwriter Ronnie Bowman, who died at 64 following a motorcycle accident.

Finally, industry movement included the departure of Chandra LaPlume from Sandbox Entertainment after five years.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Tucker Wetmore takes the No. 1 spot with “Brunette.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Madison Hahnen
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