Cody Johnson Partners With Justin Boots

Cody Johnson has partnered with Justin Boots to unveil a curated collection of boots. The Cody Johnson by Justin collection is available at participating retailers and online.

“From the start, Cody wanted to make sure we were creating an all-encompassing collection,” says Shelbi Tidwell, Director Of Product Development for Justin Brands. “He has a genuine appreciation for Western culture and understands what people are looking for in a quality pair of boots. Working alongside him allowed us to create a collection that feels truly authentic to Cody while offering something for everyone.”

 

Record Research Honors Top Country Songwriters At The Bluebird Cafe

Record Research recently honored the 40 top-ranked country songwriters from the past eight decades as listed in the latest Record Research book, Joel Whitburn’s History of Top Country Singles 1944-2025. Ashley Gorley, Melanie Howard )on behalf of Harlan Howard), Rhett Akins, Craig Wiseman, Ben Hayslip, Bill Anderson, Lisa Sutton (on behalf of Glenn Sutton), Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, Martha Moore (on behalf of Hank Cochran), Luke Laird, Dallas Davidson and Nan Kingsley all attended the reception held at The Bluebird Cafe.

Following the reception, The Bluebird Cafe put on a “Bob Kingsley Presents: Celebrating the Classics” show, featuring Craig Wiseman, Luke Laird, Radney Foster and more.

 

Uncle Kracker & J.T. Harding Teach Songwriting Lesson At Lipscomb Elementary School

Uncle Kracker and J.T. Harding recently made a guest appearance at Lipscomb Elementary School to teach a songwriting lesson to a group of fourth grade students in preparation for an upcoming field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Each student was asked to write their own song, with titles including “I Don’t Like Spaghetti,” “One Step at a Time” and “Soccer Stars.” Uncle Kracker and Harding performed their hit track “Smile” for the group.

 

Global Songwriters Connection To Host Holiday Mixer

Global Songwriters Connection will host a holiday mixer on Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m. in the CMA event room (35 Music Square East).

The event will celebrate Dan Harrison, GSC Songwriter of the Year, Dallas Gregory, Publisher of the Year, and Karen Waldrup, GSC Artist Of The Year.

The Jack Wharff Band will release their debut album Coming Home on Dec. 4 via Big Machine Records.

The 14-track project was entirely co-written by vocalist/frontman Jack Wharff, with additional credits from the band’s own Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison and Evan Novoa, as well as Beau Bailey, Mackenzie Carpenter, Neil Medley and more. Production credits across the project include Eddie Spear, Justin Eckerd, Pat Lyons, Brett Truitt and Novoa.

The band has previewed the project with a new track titled “Torn Up Sweater.”

The Jack Wharff Band will wrap their headlining “The High Road Tour” Friday (Nov. 6), before heading overseas to support Dylan Gossett on his “Headed Out Back Tour” across Australia and New Zealand in December.

Coming Home Track List:
1. “25 Hours” (Luke Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, JT Harding)
2. “Washed” (Jack Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
3. “Coming Home” (Luke Wharff, Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison, Evan Novoa, Joe Clemmons)
4. “Torn Up Sweater” (Jack Wharff, Joe Clemmons, Henry, Harrup, Karen Kasowski)
5. “Sunburnt Summer (with Mackenzie Carpenter)” (Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison, Beau Bailey, Mackenzie Carpenter, Brett Truitt)
6. “One Of A Kind” (Jack Wharff)
7. “Burnin’ It Down (Studio Version)” (Jack Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell)
8. “Small Town Heart” (Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, Luke Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
9. “Oklahoma” (Evan Novoa, Jack Wharff)
10. “Lowlife” (Jack Wharff, Neil Medley, Evan Novoa, Joe Clemmons)
11. “Better When I’m Not Around” (Jack Wharff, Luke Wharff, Joe Clemmons)
12. “november air” (Jack Wharff)
13. “Don’t Wake Me Up” (Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
14. “Blue Ridge Skyline” (Jack Wharff)
Tracks 1-3, 8, 10 produced by Eddie Spear
Tracks 4, 7, 9, 11 produced by Justin Eckerd
Tracks 6, 12-14 produced by Pat Lyons
Track 5 produced by Brett Truitt
Track 9 produced by Evan Novoa

Under The Big Sky Festival will return to Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana July 16-18, 2027 with headliners Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves and Nathaniel Rateliff.

Additional performers will include Midland, Paul Cauthen, The Dead South, Sam Barber, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Badger Hound, Cascadel, Cash Muretta, Chloe Gendrow, Denim Gold, Joe Martinez, Nicole Croteau, Radio Ranch, Sterling Drake, Tim Helnore Band and Tomara, among others. In addition to the music, fans can enjoy rodeo, horseback rides, the tattoo barn, a petting zoo and more.

Under The Big Sky is open to fans of all ages with 3-Day GA or VIP passes (21+) available, along with complimentary GA passes with RSVP for children 36″ and under. Festival passes go on sale on Friday (Nov. 6). More ticket information can be found here.

Vincent Mason will kick off his headlining “When You’re Not Around Tour” beginning in February.

Rising artists Jacob Hackworth, Benny G, and Phil Kane will join Mason on select dates of the new tour, which launches Feb. 11 in St. Louis. The 21-date run will include stops in Fort Worth, Charlotte, Denver, and more, including a home state show in Atlanta at the Tabernacle. Tickets go on sale on Friday, (Nov. 6) at vincentmasonmusic.com.

Mason was selected as one of only four country acts for Spotify’s 2026 Artists to Watch program, and reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard‘s Emerging Artists Chart this year, and his duet with Stella Lefty, “Something To Lose,” is currently climbing at country radio and is Top 25 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs Chart. Less than a year after the release of his debut album, There I Go, Mason has surpassed 900 million global career streams and earned Platinum certifications for “Hell Is a Dance Floor” and “Damned If I Do.”

“When You’re Not Around 2027 Tour” Dates:
February 11 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory at The District *
February 12 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre *
February 18 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe #
February 19 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre #
February 20 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! #
March 4 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle (presented by iThink Financial)*
March 5 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore *
March 6 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal *
March 18 – Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom ^
March 19 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center^
April 1 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live #
April 3 – Jacksonville, FL – FIVE #
April 15 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion ^
April 16 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom ^
April 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center ^
April 29 – Fayetteville, AR – Ozark Music Hall #
April 30 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas #
May 1 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store #
May 6 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company ^
May 7 – Charleston, SC – The Refinery ^
May 8 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater ^

Support:
Phil Kane ^
Jacob Hackworth #
Benny G *