MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of the MusicRow Weekly recaps several notable moves across the country music and live entertainment industries, including leadership changes, new business ventures, management signings and career milestones. Click here to see the full edition.

Dusty Miller has joined Big Loud Records as President of Catalog Acquisitions. Elsewhere, the live entertainment industry gathered in Nashville as IEBA celebrated its 2026 Honors & Awards on Tuesday (Oct. 6) at The Pinnacle Nashville, closing out the organization’s sold-out 56th Annual Conference. Gene Simmons received IEBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a touring career spanning more than five decades, while Chubby Checker and legendary promoter Gil Cunningham were inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame. The evening also featured the organization’s annual Industry Awards, which recognize outstanding work across venues, talent buying, agencies, promotion, festivals, fairs and other areas of the live business.

The Country Music Association has also announced several promotions across its teams and departments. Michelle Kirk has been promoted to Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, while Sydnie Hickey has been elevated to Director of Lifecycle Marketing and Reuben Schwartz to Director of Business Intelligence. Ansley Carlson has been promoted to Account Executive, Brand Partnerships and Katie Karl has moved up to Senior Manager, Ticketing.

In the management space, Halie Hampton Mosley has joined Breit Group as Chief Operating Officer. Meanwhile, Floating Leaf Entertainment, founded by Jeb Hurt, has joined Red Light Management, bringing its roster, which includes Koe Wetzel, Kolby Cooper, Fox & Vead and others, to the company. DEK Of Hearts has also signed with Red Light Management, while Ashley Cooke has inked a management deal with The Familie.

Several companies are continuing to expand their teams. River House Artists has announced additions and promotions across its publishing, records and recently launched The House management divisions. Alyssa Lawson joins as Manager of Digital Marketing & Artist Development, while TC Courtney has been named Director of A&R. Sydney Riley has been promoted to Manager, Creative Services, and Lyndsay Kash has moved to the publishing division as Publishing Coordinator. JJ Garcia joins as Digital & Artist Development Coordinator, with Ian Camaione coming aboard as Management and A&R Coordinator. Kyle Adams has moved into a full-time Graphic Designer role, while Taylor Robinson joins as Office Manager/Executive Assistant.

New ventures are also taking shape across the artist and label landscape. Thomas Rhett and Blue Highway Records have launched Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records, while HARDY has launched mockingbird RECORDS, a country sister label to his previously announced rock imprint, CROW RECORDS, under Big Loud Records. Triplet brother trio TRIPPP serves as the new label’s flagship signing. Lee Thomas Miller has also signed with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Perfect Game Creative.

The week also brings a notable retirement announcement, as longtime writer, editor and curator Michael McCall prepares to retire from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. On the artist front, Wade Forster recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Riley Green takes the No. 1 spot with “Think As You Drunk.” 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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