Ella Langley Performs Live For SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series In Denver

Ella Langley took the stage on Tuesday night for a special SiriusXM performance at The Grizzly Rose in Denver, Colorado presented by REESE’S as part of SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series.

Langley’s exclusive full performance will air on SiriusXM’s The Highway on Friday (Oct. 9) at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on the SiriusXM app.

 

Miranda Lambert & Team Celebrate ‘Crisco’ Release

Miranda Lambert and her team recently celebrated her new album, Crisco, at her Nashville release show. Lambert was the first artist to perform at Nashville’s brand new venue, The Truth.

 

FEMcountry Unveils Lineup For October Show At Parton’s Live

FEMcountry at Parton’s Live will feature Rissi Palmer, Abbey Cone and Corrina in its October showcase. The event is set for Oct. 20 and tickets are on sale now.

FEMcountry at Parton’s Live takes place on the third Tuesday of every month, highlighting rising female singer-songwriters. Additional shows are scheduled for Nov. 17 and Dec. 15 with lineups to be announced at a later date.

 

Maddox Batson Reaches One Million YouTube Subscribers

Maddox Batson was recently surprised with a YouTube Gold Creator Award for surpassing 1 million subscribers on the platform.

“I started posting videos on YouTube because I loved making music and sharing it with people, so hitting a million subscribers is pretty crazy to think about,” shares Batson. “To be surprised with the plaque by Lyor Cohen with YouTube made it even more special. I’m really grateful to everyone who has been watching, listening and showing up for me from those first videos to where we are now. And we’re just getting started.”

 

Jennifer Bohler Named Professor Of Practice In Music Business At Auburn University

Jennifer Bohler has been named Professor of Practice in Music Business at Auburn University. She can be reached here.

Bohler has been an instructor since 2019. In recent years she has helped the University’s Music Department develop and launch its Music Business Minor and has taught several music business courses. The minor is part of the department’s Commercial Music Major program.

 

Jim VanCleve Inducted Into National Fiddler Hall Of Fame

Jim VanCleve was recently inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame. A Sarasota, Florida, native raised in Canton, North Carolina, VanCleve was introduced to music by his father and grandfather. By 16, he was a member of Lou Reid & Carolina and at 18 he joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. He later helped establish Mountain Heart in 1998 and The Appalachian Road Show in 2018.

“To receive this honor back home in the North Carolina mountains, with Appalachian Road Show and my family beside me, meant the world to me. Being there with Sam Bush, and then having Stuart Duncan walk out to present the award, I can’t imagine anything being more meaningful,” says VanCleve. “Having two of my biggest heroes there and getting to make music together in that moment made an already special night absolutely magical. I’m so grateful to the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, my family, my bandmates and everyone who has encouraged me along the way. This music has given me a wonderful life, and Sunday night is something I’ll carry with me forever.”

 

American Blonde Performs On ‘Today In Nashville’

American Blonde recently stopped by Today In Nashville to perform “Undertaker” from their recently-released DELTA HOME EP.

Matthew West is extending his “Jesus Is King Tour” into spring.

The 18 new shows bring the tour date total to 35 cities, and the spring run begins April 8 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and continues through early May with shows in Fort Myers, Cincinnati, Richmond, Jersey City, and more, including a newly-announced April 25 show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.

“One of the most meaningful parts of this tour has been hearing crowds sing these songs night after night,” shares West. “These songs were written to point us to Jesus — the One who is seated on the throne, the One who is worthy of it all. I can’t wait to keep singing these new songs with you and share the message of Jesus Is King with even more people.”

Named after West’s 14th studio album, Jesus Is King, released on Sept. 25, the tour brings the record’s message to audiences across the country. West wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs around a central question: Who is Jesus, really? Each track fills in the blank, as he explores faith, failure, forgiveness, unanswered questions, surrender and hope. The album opens with its title track and returns to it in a closing reprise, a declaration West comes back to after wrestling with what it means to let go of control. He also released the Jesus Is King short film, letting listeners into the heart of the album, available on YouTube now.

West will also bring Jesus Is King to TBN tonight (Oct. 7,) for A Night of Worship with Matthew West, a special worship program airing at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. CT as part of TBN’s Worship Takeover week leading into the GMA Dove Awards.

“Jesus Is King Tour” Spring Dates:
April 8, 2027 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. at Palmetto Pointe Church
April 9, 2027 in Lexington, S.C. at Mt. Horeb Church
April 10, 2027 in Roanoke, Va. at Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
April 11, 2027 in Birmingham, Ala. at Wright Center at Samford University
April 15, 2027 in Jacksonville, Fla. at Westside Baptist Church
April 16, 2027 in Longwood (Orlando), Fla. at Northland Church
April 18, 2027 in Fort Myers, Fla. at First Assembly of God
April 22, 2027 in Cartersville (Atlanta), Ga. at The Church at Liberty Square Cartersville
April 23, 2027 in Cincinnati, Ohio at Princeton Pike Church of God
April 24, 2027 in Charlotte, N.C. at First Baptist Charlotte
April 25, 2027 in Nashville, Tenn. at Ryman Auditorium
April 29, 2027 in Richmond, Va. at Liberation Church
April 30, 2027 in Reading, Pa. at Santander Performing Arts Center
May 1, 2027 in Jersey City, NY at Loew’s Jersey Theatre *Onsale Oct. 13
May 2, 2027 in Williamsville (Buffalo), N.Y. at Eastern Hills Church
May 6, 2027 in Ballwin (St. Louis), Mo. at First Free Church
May 7, 2027 in Knoxville, Tenn. at Knoxville Civic Auditorium
May 8, 2027 in Raleigh, N.C. at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Koe Wetzel and Parker McCollum are reuniting this year for some Christmas music and mischief on the “Naughty or Nice Tour,” a co-headlining tour across Texas this December.

The first iteration of the holiday tour in seven years, the outing kicks off Dec. 2 at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, with stops through Houston, Corpus Christi and Round Rock before wrapping Dec. 10 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. Jackson Wendell and Logan Jahnke will support on the new shows.

Fans can access the artist pre-sale beginning today, (Oct. 7) through Oct. 8 using the password NAUGHTY. Promoter and local pre-sales begin tomorrow (Oct. 8,) and general on-sale begins Friday (Oct. 9).

“Koe and I did this tour for the first time way back in 2017 when we were still just some kids with a dream,” says McCollum. “Proud to say we’ve both come a long way since then, and getting to bring this back after some years off is really special. Looking forward to us both being back in Texas again, and I’ll do my best to keep Koe from gettin’ too rowdy.”

“It’s been a long time coming for us to run it back with this tour,” adds Wetzel. “It felt right to end the year in Texas and make it a party.”

The “Naughty or Nice Tour” is also partnering with Fandiem to give fans an opportunity to support causes championed by Wetzel and McCollum. Fans who donate to Koe’s Kids and/or The Ruger Fund will be entered for a chance to win a grand prize flyaway package to the Dec. 10 show at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth.

“Naughty or Nice Tour” Dates:
December 2 — Helotes, TX — Floore’s Country Store
December 3 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
December 4 — Corpus Christi, TX — Concrete Street Amphitheater
December 5 — Round Rock, TX — Round Rock Amp
December 10 — Fort Worth, TX — Billy Bob’s Texas

IEBA celebrated its honorees Tuesday night (Oct. 6) during its 2026 Honors & Awards at The Pinnacle Nashville, closing out the organization’s sold-out 56th Annual Conference.

Hosted by comedian Derrick Stroup, the evening recognized excellence across the live entertainment industry, honored Gene Simmons with IEBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a touring career spanning more than five decades and his enduring impact on live entertainment, and welcomed Chubby Checker and legendary promoter Gil Cunningham into the IEBA Hall of Fame.

The program also celebrated the professionals working behind the scenes at IEBA’s annual Industry Awards, voted on by the association’s membership, recognizing outstanding achievement among venues, talent buyers, agents, promoters, festivals, fairs and other leaders throughout the business.

The ceremony introduced the Barbara “Mother” Hubbard Mentorship Award as well, named in honor of longtime industry leader and IEBA Hall of Fame member Barbara Hubbard. The award recognizes the essential role mentorship plays in developing future generations of live entertainment professionals and honors Hubbard’s extraordinary legacy of opening doors, sharing knowledge and helping young people build careers in the industry.

“Tonight represents what IEBA is all about—the people who make live entertainment happen,” says Brian Wagner, Executive Director of IEBA. “From legendary artists and industry pioneers whose careers have helped shape our business to the professionals doing exceptional work in venues, agencies, festivals, fairs and markets around the world today, this year’s honorees represent both the history and the future of live entertainment. It was especially meaningful to celebrate them together here in Nashville as we closed an incredible 56th Annual Conference.”

IEBA also officially unveiled its new Hall of Fame exhibit Sunday during the organization’s 56th Annual Conference at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, bringing together six decades of IEBA history and the people who helped build and shape the modern live entertainment industry. IEBA members, Hall of Fame inductees, past presidents, board members and industry leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Grand Foyer to formally open the exhibit. The new installation begins with IEBA’s founding in 1970, and traces the evolution of the live entertainment business decade by decade, from the independent promoters, agents and talent buyers who built regional touring circuits, to the rise of national touring, the concert boom, an increasingly global business, the emergence of the experience economy, and today’s interconnected live entertainment marketplace.

The exhibit highlights generations of IEBA Hall of Fame members whose influence can be seen across every corner of the business. Early industry pioneers including Bette Kaye, Buddy Lee, Dave Douds, Dick Blake, Harry “Hap” Peebles, Don Romeo and Henry Ade helped establish the relationships and business practices upon which the touring industry grew. Later generations represented in the exhibit include influential agents, promoters, talent buyers and execs including George Moffett, Tony Conway, Billy Deaton, Ron Baird, Jack McFadden, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard, Bonnie Brosious, Chuck Morris, Alex Hodges, Louis Messina, Rod Essig, Erv Woolsey, Mike Smardak and Paul Moore, among others.

IEBA Industry Award Winners:
Club of the Year: The Pinnacle Nashville
Casino of the Year: Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
Theater of the Year: ACL Live
Arena of the Year: Madison Square Garden
Amphitheater of the Year: The Gorge Amphitheatre
Fair/Expo of the Year: Minnesota State Fair
Festival of the Year: Bourbon & Beyond
Club Buyer of the Year: Sonia Grover, First Avenue
Casino Buyer of the Year: Drew Dixon, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
Corporate Buyer of the Year: EastCoast Entertainment
International Buyer of the Year: Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment
Fair/Expo Buyer of the Year: Lisa Sexton, OC Fair
Festival Buyer of the Year: Tom Hoppa, Danny Wimmer Presents
Venue Executive of the Year: David Kells, Bridgestone Arena
Young Professional of the Year: Spencer Zubrow, Pinnacle Entertainment
Music & Entertainment Industry Educator of the Year: Ed Traversari, Point Park University
Boutique Agency Agent of the Year: Heath Baumhor, Reliant Talent
Major Agency Agent of the Year: Becky Gardenhire, WME
Promoter of the Year: Rich Schaefer, AEG Presents

Activist Artists Management has added Mak Symmonds and Chelsea Fodero as Artist Managers.

Symmonds brings nearly a decade of experience across artist management, marketing and career development. Most recently, she served as Director of Marketing at SMACK, leading strategy across the company’s management, label and publishing divisions. Before that, Symmonds served as Day-to-Day Manager for Chris Tomlin, Patrick Droney and Redferrin.

“Mak is the kind of person who instantly puts people at ease,” shares Matt Maher, Founding Partner at Activist Artists Management. “She brings experience, curiosity, a deep love of music, and a collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves approach that’s exactly how we like to work at Activist. She understands how to build meaningful, long-term careers for artists, and we’re excited to have her bring that perspective to our team.”

“I’ve always believed some of the best careers are built on real relationships with artists, with fans and with the communities they serve,” says Symmonds. “Over the years, the moments I’m proudest of are the ones where an artist creates something that lasts, on stage and off, and that’s exactly the work I’m excited to keep doing. Activist builds for the long haul, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join a team that cares this deeply about artists.”

Fodero joins Activist with more than 15 years of experience in artist management, touring and day-to-day operations. Most recently, she served as Day-to-Day Manager for USHER, helping oversee his sold-out Past Present Future World Tour, as well as creative, styling, merchandising and brand partnerships, including collaborations with Ralph Lauren, Baccarat, MLB, the Atlanta Braves and Selfridges. She previously worked with GRAMMY Award-winning Producer of the Year Andrew Watt, Alicia Keys and Mac Miller.

“Chelsea has worked at the highest levels of the business and knows firsthand what it takes to manage the day-to-day of a global artist career,” says Bernie Cahill, Founding Partner at Activist Artists Management. “She’s thoughtful, relentless about the details, and deeply committed to the artists she works with. We’re thrilled to have her join Activist and excited for what she’ll bring to the team.”

“I’ve spent my career in not only the day-to-day logistics but also the large scale operations of every aspect of an artist’s career, and I’ve learned that the biggest moments, whether it’s a sold-out tour, a GRAMMY stage or a global campaign, are built on hundreds of small decisions made well,” adds Fodero. “Activist has a reputation for putting artists first and thinking long-term, and that’s the kind of management I believe in. I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned to this team and help artists build careers that are as sustainable as they are ambitious.”

Fodero is based in New York, while Symmonds is based in Nashville and Los Angeles.