This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures landmark moments, new ventures and leadership shifts across Nashville’s music industry. Click here to see the full edition.

Leo33 breakout artist Zach Top graces the cover of MusicRow’s 2025 Awards issue. The release highlights nominees across 16 categories, from Song of the Year to Entertainer of the Year, with winners set to be announced Sept. 3.

The SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards inducted six more “women behind the music,” including Lori Badgett, Cheryl Harris, Gina Keltner, Pam Russell, Mary Self and Kay West. The evening honored the honorees’ careers while also paying tribute to the late Jeannie Seely, a longtime co-host and cornerstone of the event.

Spotify has tapped Katie Studley as its new Head of Nashville Editorial. Studley most recently served as VP at The Orchard.

A major new imprint has emerged as MCA Nashville and Jessie Jo Dillon launch Gatsby Records, with rising country artist Carter Faith as the first signing. Her debut album Cherry Valley will arrive Oct. 3.

Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee State University has renamed its College of Media and Entertainment in honor of Scott Borchetta, solidifying the Big Machine Label Group founder’s legacy in education and innovation.

At the Academy of Country Music, Taylor Wolf has been promoted to Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives, where she will expand fundraising initiatives and partnerships while overseeing philanthropic programs.

Owen Riegling has signed a U.S. deal with Big Loud Records in partnership with Universal Music Canada, while Emily Ann Roberts has inked with RECORDS/Sony Music Nashville. In publishing, Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed emerging songwriter Aniston Pate, and Levi Hummon has joined Withrow Street Music and CTM Publishing. Additionally, Julia Cole has signed with Broke Records and management firm Neon Coast, marking the label’s first country signing.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Scotty McCreery and Hootie & the Blowfish maintain the No. 1 spot with “Bottle Rockets.” 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.

Curb Records and Los Angeles-based production company MJM Entertainment have released two albums related to the 2024 film REAGAN. The REAGAN: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is out today (Aug. 29), with REAGAN: Songs Inspired by the Film arriving Sept. 26.

Mike Curb, Chairman of Curb Records, says, “We are thrilled to finally be able to release the soundtrack from the motion picture, Reagan. I know Ronald Reagan enjoyed music and particularly was always interested in the relationship between film and music. It is exciting to see a soundtrack album with such great artists as Bob Dylan, B.J. Thomas, Gene Simmons and many others. Mark Joseph has made an excellent film and soundtrack album, and Curb Records is proud to be a part of this great project.”

The project was produced by veteran music and film producer Mark Joseph alongside Vince Emmett, with Tim Cook serving as music supervisor for REAGAN: Songs Inspired By The Film. Joseph adds, “We were so pleased to have an eclectic and amazing group of artists come alongside the project. It was great to partner with Mike Curb and the Curb Records team to bring these collections out.”

The soundtrack features music heard in the film itself, including Bob Dylan performing “Don’t Fence Me In,” Gene Simmons “Stormy Weather,” and Clint Black “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Additional artists on the soundtrack include B.J. Thomas, Scott Stapp, MŌRIAH, Phil Keaggy, The Imaginaries, Robert Davi, Molly Jenson and Love, Lies & Fiction.

The companion album, REAGAN: Songs Inspired by the Film, includes artists Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, The Commodores, Kathie Lee Gifford and Claude Kelly, Gary Cherone, Alabama, Wayne Newton and Sweet Comfort Band.

Old Dominion Celebrates ‘Barbara’ At Surprise Pop-Up Hometown Gig

Old Dominion brought it all back home on Wednesday night with a surprise pop-up show at their very own Nashville watering hole Odie’s, in celebration of the release of their new album, Barbara. The band greeted 700 fans packed into the venue, and after opening with the album cut “Talk Country,” fired into singles “Making Good Time” and “Me Most Nights.” They treated the audience to the live debuts of several Barbara tracks, then shifted gears for a high-energy second half filled with fan-favorite hits including “One Man Band” and “Memory Lane.” They segued from the old hits to the poignant Barbara closer “Goodnight Music City,” their tribute to Nashville, all the city has given them, and the long wild ride of Old Dominion the last decade.

 

Riley Green Performs At Grammy Museum L.A.

Riley Green performed at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Aug. 27 ahead of the release of his album Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), followed by a moderated conversation with Melinda Newman, Executive Editor at Billboard.

 

Tracy Lawrence Showcases New Seasoning On ‘Fox & Friends’

Tracy Lawrence joined FOX & Friends yesterday (Aug. 28) to showcase his brand-new all-natural line of seasonings. The special edition of the show aired live from Edley’s in Donelson, TN, where they spotlighted flavorful dishes and crowd-pleasing meals just in time for Labor Day weekend. The product touts being completely free from MSG, gluten, sugar and non-GMO, and comes in four flavors: creole, garlic and onion salt, seasoning salt and cracked pepper garlic, and is sold in select Scheel’s stores as well as Amazon and Lawrence’s website.

 

Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hosts Listening Room Writers Round

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association hosted a songwriter round Aug. 25 at The Listening Room in Nashville in support of families impacted by the July 4th weekend floods in Central Texas. The evening featured a lineup of Texas Songwriters Hall of Famers and storytellers including Aaron Barker, Jim Collins, Larry Gatlin, Gary Nicholson, Lee Roy Parnell, Liz Rose, Leslie Satcher and Allen Shamblin, who shared songs and stories in the spirit of healing, resilience and community.

 

She Is The Music, FEMco & Anzie Blue Host Showcase

She Is The Music, FEMco and Anzie Blue recently presented a sold-out celebration of female artists featuring a multi-genre musical lineup with Amanda Shires, Brittney Spencer, Cecilia Castleman, Haven Madison, M’Lynn and Queen Anne. The She Is The Music and FEMco series is hosted monthly at Nashville’s only female-owned music venue Anzie Blue, and organized by FEMco’s Leslie Fram and Anzie Blue’s Marcie Allen. The next She Is The Music showcase is scheduled for Oct. 1

 

Matt Bjorke Joins PLA Media As PR Specialist

Veteran media professional Matt Bjorke has joined PLA Media as a Public Relations Specialist. Bjorke was previously Editor and Publisher of Roughstock, one of the longest-running country music news and chart platforms. Under his leadership, Roughstock became a trusted industry resource, breaking artist stories, providing in-depth interviews, and delivering accurate chart data to fans and professionals alike.

“Matt has always been such a support as a journalist,” says Pam Lewis, PLA Media Founder and CEO. “And it’s great to have him on this side of the aisle developing PR/Marketing strategies.”

Lamont Landers has released his searing new single, “America,” a track that offers an unflinching snapshot of life in today’s world and the uncertainty and instability of the American Dream.

“I didn’t want to get too political, but there’s tension everywhere — no matter where you stand. It feels like we’ve hit a boiling point,” Landers explains. “This song is my way of capturing that feeling and turning it into music people can connect with. With this song, I wanted to capture something real—honest, raw, and resonant. It’s a piece of who I am, and I hope it connects with people on a personal level.”

Hailing from Decatur, Alabama, Landers’ viral cover of Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack” earned over half a million views overnight, leading to standout performances on America’s Got Talent and Showtime at the Apollo. His TikTok presence, including a repost by Questlove of his rendition of “Rubber Band Man,” caught the attention of producer Dave Cobb, and ultimately led to a deal with Cobb’s MCA imprint, Lucille.