The Country Music Association welcomed its CMA EDU Class of 2026-2027 to Nashville for the 13th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit, held Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22 at CMA’s headquarters and locations across Nashville.

Over three immersive days, students participated in hands-on professional development, behind-the-scenes industry education, and conversations with artists, executives and CMA EDU alumni across multiple sectors of the Country Music business. This year’s class is made up of 34 students representing 24 universities across the country.

“CMA EDU is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the long-term strength of the Country Music industry,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “When we created this program, the vision was to bring students and industry professionals together in one place, and to give emerging leaders access to the people, perspectives and relationships that can shape an entire career. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision continue to grow, with hundreds of alumni now working throughout the music industry. We hope every student leaves with new knowledge, genuine connections and the confidence to begin building a career of their own.”

On Monday, students were welcomed by CMA EDU alum Kate Watson (CMA Senior Director, Industry Relations) and Grace Martins (CMA Manager, Industry Relations), who introduced the class to the program before visiting Rock Nashville for a behind-the-scenes.

On Tuesday, Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO) opened the day with remarks, followed by a session led by Kerns. Students then heard from HARDY and members of his team, including Troy “Tracker” Johnson (Founder & Artist Manager, TRACK mgmt), Taylor Watson (Tour Manager) and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency), during an artist team panel moderated by Madi White (CMA Manager, Integrated Marketing). The conversation explored how management, touring and tour marketing work together to support an artist’s career.

The afternoon continued with a management panel hosted by Sandbox Entertainment featuring Madison Moll (Digital Manager, Sandbox Entertainment Group), Lucia Kaminsky (President, Sandbox Entertainment Group) and Keith Bunn (Digital Director, Sandbox Entertainment Group) and moderated by Jordan Maynard (CMA Coordinator, Marketing). Students also heard directly from CMA EDU alumni working across the business, including Jackson Kiger (A&R Manager, Sony Music Publishing), Claire Martin (Agent Assistant, THE TEAM) and Landon Collins (A&R Analytics Manager, MCA). The day concluded with a writers round featuring Gloria Anderson, Caleb Mitchell and Braydon Watts.

Wednesday opened with a keynote conversation featuring Troy Tomlinson (Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville). Students then participated in professional development opportunities including headshots, a Q&A with Kerns, and one-on-one conversations with Watson and Martins. The Summit concluded with a special “Live at CMA” conversation and performance from rising artist Stella Lefty, moderated by CMA EDU student Jade Blatter.

Applications for 2027-2028 program open Aug. 4. More information can be found here.

Max McNown will release his third studio album, Leave On A Light, on Sept. 25 via Fugitive Recordings.

McNown worked closely with longtime collaborator and producer Jamie Kenney and co-writers like Julian Bunetta on the 17-track LP.

“In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” says McNown. “They’re a tribute to my wife and my family, the people who care about who I am outside of music and give me a place of peace and unconditional love to come home to.”

McNown is currently amidst his “The Summer Vacation Tour” with upcoming dates in Delaware, Massachusetts, Illinois and more.

Leave On A Light Track List:
1. “Overdose (Slow Down)”
2. “First Born Daughter”
3. “Done For”
4. “Something to Someone”
5. “Selah’s Song”
6. “World Change Me”
7. “Famous to You”
8. “Same, Same Sun”
9. “Isn’t That Love?”
10. “Heart You Didn’t Break”
11. “Comets”
12. “Make my Peace”
13. “Standstill (My My My)”
14. “Greatest Audience of All”
15. “The Way She Says Goodbye”
16. “Space For You”
17. “The Room”

The nominees have been revealed for the 2026 IBMA Industry & Momentum Awards, set to take place on Oct. 22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in non-performing industry categories and honor the individuals who help advance bluegrass music and support its artists. The 2026 IBMA Industry Award nominees for Writer of the Year include Paul Burch, John Curtis Goad, Derek Halsey, Garret K. Woodward, and Gary Reid. The Songwriter of the Year nominees are Mark “Brink” Brinkman, Chris Jones, Rick Lang and Tim Stafford.

The IBMA Momentum Awards recognize artists and industry professionals in the early stages of their bluegrass music careers. In addition to honoring emerging talent, the awards also include recognition for a mentor whose guidance has had a significant and positive impact on upcoming artists and industry professionals. The Momentum Awards ceremony will take place on Oct. 21 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The 2026 IBMA Momentum Award nominees for Band Of The Year include The Creekers, ShadowGrass, Remedy Tree,  The Cody Sisters and Under the Rocks. Vocalist of the Year nominees include Adam Miller, Lydia Hamby, Morgan Brake, Akulina Shamanov, and Ellie Hakanson. A full list of this year’s nominees can be found here.

Attendance at both events is included with registration for the IBMA Business Conference, which also provides access to a full lineup of programming at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Registration is now open.

Kane Brown Teams With Coleman For New Signature Collection

Kane Brown has partnered with Coleman for the limited-edition Coleman x Kane Brown Collection, the debut release from the brand’s first-ever music partnership. Inspired by Brown’s life on tour, love for the outdoors, and favorite summer traditions, the collection features a custom Steel-Belted Hard Cooler, Soft Cooler Sling, and Stainless-Steel Tumbler, with a Snap ‘N Go™ Hard Collapsible Cooler arriving later this year. The limited-edition collection offers fans a collectible take on outdoor essentials featuring Kane-inspired design details and his signature “KB” branding.

A longtime outdoorsman, Brown has incorporated Coleman products into both his personal life and professional life on the road. The collaboration builds on Coleman’s sponsorship of “The High Road Tour,” where Coleman gear traveled alongside Brown and his crew helping power the moments between performances. As Coleman’s official ambassador, Brown will influence product development and activations while introducing the brand to new audiences across music, culture, and lifestyle.

 

Brantley Gilbert Previews ‘Sins Of The Father’ At Listening Event

Brantley Gilbert gathered with his industry friends and his label BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville earlier this month for an album listening event for his album Sins Of The Father, which is out today (July 24).

 

The War And Treaty Premiere Tiny Desk Concert

The War And Treaty have unveiled their Tiny Desk Concert on NPR Music. Recorded live at NPR Music Headquarters in Washington, DC, the husband-and-wife team of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter performed fan favorites including “Are You Ready to Love Me?,” “Down to the River,” “Five More Minutes,” “Don’t Say Goodbye,”“Shouldn’t Have,” and “High Heels,” the latter three of which are among the highlights of their new album, The Story of Michael and Tanya, available now via Atlantic Outpost.

 

Hannah Harper Gets Cheesy With New Sargento Partnership

Hannah Harper and Sargento, the family-owned cheese company, have formed a year-long partnership making Sargento the exclusive cheese sponsor of her national “String Cheese Tour.” Throughout the tour, fans can look forward to special Sargento experiences, including ticket giveaways, exclusive content and merch, and other surprises along the way.

Inspired by Harper’s viral original song, “String Cheese,” which celebrates the beautifully messy and meaningful moments of everyday parenting, Sargento reached out and gifted Harper a variety of Sargento String Cheese favorites. What began as an authentic connection between a longtime fan of the brand and a family-owned company has grown into the year-long partnership.