MusicRow Weekly (CMA Awards, News, Charts, More…)

/by

The latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly covers a busy week in Nashville, from the announcement of the 60th annual CMA Awards nominees to a number of new artist and songwriter deals. The week’s news also includes a familiar face returning to the CMA Awards stage, along with several songwriters and artists making moves with new publishing and label partnerships. Click here to see the full edition.

The final nominees for the 60th annual CMA Awards have been revealed, with Ella Langley leading the way with nine nominations, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year. She joins Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson in the category. Miranda Lambert follows with seven nominations, while Kacey Musgraves and Ben West each earned five. Johnson, Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. received four nominations each, while Dave Clauss, Combs and Lainey Wilson earned three apiece.

The 2026 CMA Awards nominee class also includes 13 first-time nominees: Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James and West.

Wilson will also return to host The 60th Annual CMA Awards. The 12-time CMA Award winner will take on hosting duties for the third consecutive year and will serve as solo host for the second year in a row.

Elsewhere in the industry, George Birge has signed with Black River Entertainment. Joybeth Taylor has extended her worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Verse 2 Music, with TAYCAN Entertainment joining as a creative partner. Justin Dukes has signed his first-ever publishing deal with Reservoir, while Matt Koziol has inked with Casual Records. Katlin Owen has also signed a joint-venture publishing deal with Brian Kelley’s Song Hunter Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen takes the No. 1 spot with “Been By Now.” 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.

Megan Moroney To ‘Flip The Switch’ On The Opry Barn For 18th Annual Opry Goes Pink Event

/by

Megan Moroney will perform at the Opry’s 18th Annual “Opry Goes Pink” event Oct. 27 and flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night to support the fight against breast cancer.

The Opry is once again joining forces with Susan G. Komen for the special evening, which will also include performances from Mandy Barnett, Mackenzie Carpenter, Deana Carter and more. The show is also presented by Humana, and supported by Vanderbilt Health and Lane Boots.

Beginning now, when fans order tickets, $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen to support patient care services, education, and advocacy for the breast cancer community. Tickets are available at opry.com.

Industry Ink: Shania Twain, Big Loud Texas, Warren Zeiders, Blake Whiten, NSAI, FEMco, More

/by

Shania Twain & Zedd Give ‘You’re Still The One’ A Sweet Reimagining For Candy Crush’s Music Season

Shania Twain and Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Zedd have given “You’re Still The One” a sugary reworking for Candy Crush’s Music Season 2026. The mobile game kicks off its annual Music Season in-game event with a dancefloor-ready reimagining of the song, and the track sets the pace to an interactive music video that transports fans to Candy Country.

Fans can head to candyroadhouse.com to enter. Six lucky winners can score a VIP trip to meet Shania Twain or Zedd on tour, and fans can also get their hands on signed bandanas and one-of-a-kind pieces straight out of the music video itself.

“Bringing ‘You’re Still The One’ back with Zedd, and building this special world with Candy Crush for fans to play in, felt like the perfect way to give the song new life. It feels exactly right,” says Twain.

 

Big Loud Texas Hosts Listening Room Cafe Takeover

Pictured (L-R): Jamison Eddleman, Lizzy Rector (Publishing Director, Big Loud Texas), Waylon Payne, Alex Lambert, Brendon Anthony (VP, Big Loud Texas), Miranda Lambert (Co-Founder, Big Loud Texas), Jon Randall (Co-Founder, Big Loud Texas), Coleman Jennings, Julianna Rankin, Karleigh Schmidt and Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Big Loud Texas took over The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville earlier this week for the first-ever “Big Loud Texas Takeover,” a special two-part writers round that included artists and writers on the Big Loud Texas roster. The evening lineup included Alex Lambert, Coleman Jennings, Jake Worthington, Jamison Eddleman, Julianna Rankin, Karleigh Schmidt and Waylon Payne.

 

Warren Zeiders Performs New Heartbreak Anthem On ‘America’s Got Talent’

Youtube video

Warren Zeiders performed his latest single “Overrated” for the first time on the America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals on Sept. 8. Written by Zeiders, Evan Blair, Sean Douglas and Jesse Fink, and featuring country singer-songwriter Bellah Mae, “Overrated” channels the rush of not being able to find closure after a fling that should be in the rearview. The song embraces every layer of toxicity that draws you back to a stormy relationship, refusing to pay attention to the warning signs or bystander advice. The song is the fifth and final track previewing Zeiders’ third studio album No Brakes, due out Sept. 25.

 

Blake Whiten Celebrates Gold For Breakout Hit ‘Rollin’ Stone’

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Bolton (Warner Records, VP, A&R), Benny Negrin (Enchntmnt, Co-CEO), Alix Negrin (Enchntmnt, COO), Tom Corson (Warner Music Group, COO/Warner Records Group, Co-Chairman,COO), Blake Whiten, Aaron Bay-Schuck (Warner Records Group, Co-Chairman/CEO), Reid Daroff (Enchntmnt, Co-CEO) and John Turpin (Enchntmnt, Head of Talent). Photo: Pavel Suslov

Blake Whiten was surprised by his team at Warner Records with a Gold plaque commemorating the RIAA certification of his debut single “Rollin’ Stone.” Released in October 2024, the song helped launch Whiten and has notched more than 140M streams. The plaque presentation took place as Whiten brought his “Something To Say Tour” to the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and the honor arrives amid a string of career milestones for Whiten, who recently earned his first entry on Billboard‘s Hot 100 with “Bet On That” and was named Billboard‘s August Up & Comer. This past weekend, “Bet On That” reached No.1 on SiriusXM The Highway.

NSAI’s Bart Herbison & Chris DeStefano Attend AI Summit At Vatican

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nashville Songwriters (@nsaiofficial)

NSAI’s Bart Herbison (Executive Director) and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano (NSAI Board Member) recently concluded a global AI summit at the Vatican featuring Creator-friendly AI companies, church officials, and multiple organizations. Nashville Songwriters Association International represented songwriters and creators who are suffering from companies illegally training on their copyrighted works. DeStefano gave the closing remarks at the summit and performed his song “Something in the Water.”

 

FEMco & Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel Partner For New Monthly Music Series

FEMco, the platform founded by veteran music industry exec Leslie Fram to champion women in music, and Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel have partnered on a new recurring showcase dedicated to bringing female artists to the heart of downtown Nashville. The series launches with a lineup including an in-depth conversation with Jo Dee Messina, followed by performances by artists Kylie Frey, Ruby Amanfu and Shelly Fairchild. “FEMcountry at Parton’s Live” takes place on the third Tuesday of every month at Parton’s Live, the hotel’s live entertainment venue. Open to the public, the monthly series will feature a curated lineup of emerging and established female artists and songwriters, with apparel and lifestyle brand Natural Life serving as Presenting Sponsor. Tickets are available now through the SongTeller Hotel website here.

 

Olivia Wolf Inks With Soundly/Thirty Tigers

Olivia Wolf has signed with Soundly Music/Thirty Tigers and will release her sophomore album Snake Of Diamonds on Jan. 22. The debut single “Drag It Back,” an anthem of appetite and ambition, released today alongside a fiery video filmed in Joshua Tree. Next week, Wolf will perform as part of the official showcase that kicks off opening night of AmericanaFest on September 15 at 3rd & Lindsley, alongside Melissa Etheridge, Amy Grant, Maggie Rose and Aubrey Sellers. On Sept. 16, Wolf will perform at the Celebration of John Prine’s 80th Birthday at City Winery, hosted by Brandi Carlile alongside Allison Russell, Sean McConnell, Tré Burt, Emily Scott Robinson and others.

 

Bee Smith Signs With Thornton Cline Music

Bee Smith & Thornton Cline

British country singer- songwriter Bee Smith has signed an exclusive transatlantic publishing agreement with Thornton Cline Music, the Nashville-based publishing company founded by Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and publisher Thornton Cline. Smith has earned recognition from organizations including the International Singer- Songwriters Association, Josie Music Awards and World Songwriting Awards. In 2025, she was named International Female Songwriter of the Year by ISSA, and across 2025 and 2026, received nine Josie Music Awards nominations across songwriting, vocal performance, song, vocal collaboration and fan-voted categories.

“We are pleased to sign such a brilliant lyricist and songwriter as Bee Smith. You don’t see writers this talented everyday,” says Thornton Cline, CEO Clinetel Music/Thornton Cline Music.

 

Nashville Airport Moves Forward To Rename Airport In Honor Of Dolly Parton

/by

Dolly Parton.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has voted unanimously, 6-0, to begin the process of renaming the airport in honor of Dolly Parton.

“While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” they shared in a statement.

“This vote represents the first step in a multifaceted process. In the coming months, we anticipate having more definitive plans to share regarding the next steps and implementation.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community and Dolly’s fans around the world. We look forward to sharing additional details as plans are finalized.”

The intention to rename the airport was first put into action by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

Porter’s Call Celebrates 25 Years, Honors Amy Grant

/by

Amy Grant accepts the Founder’s Award. Photo: Parker & Co Creative House

Porter’s Call celebrated 25 years at its annual fundraiser, Evening of Stories, presented by The Cook Family Foundation, on Sept. 1 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The evening gathered the music community for stories and performances, raising $860,427. Proceeds support Porter’s Call and its mission to provide free and confidential care for recording artists and their partners.

The event was hosted by Dave Barnes and Melinda Doolittle, and featured performances from Lady A, Natalie Hemby, Ellie Holcomb and Hillary Scott.

Amy Grant was also presented the Founder’s Award for her enduring impact on the music community and longtime support of Porter’s Call.

“Amy Grant is a legend. What an honor to be a part of celebrating her talent, generosity, authenticity, and love last week at Porter’s Call ‘Evening of Stories,’” shared Holcomb. “She embodies the heart of Porter’s Call, being a mentor and trusted friend who often holds space for other artists to feel seen and safe. She lives a wide welcome and has shown so many of us a path to playing songs for the whole world, while remaining grounded in love. Amy is a bright light, and I was honored to share a stage with so many other amazing artists to celebrate the way she shines.”

Porter’s Call was founded in 2001 to support the mental, emotional, and creative well-being of touring recording artists and their partners. The nonprofit offers free and confidential services to artists around the world, including individual support, couples and band sessions, retreats, and workshops designed around the challenges of life on the road and in the public eye.

Amy Grant receives kind words from Porter’s Call founder Al Andrews as he names her this year’s honoree. Photo: Parker & Co Creative House

Amy Grant and artists in attendance join in an all sing finale. Photo: Parker & Co Creative House

Ellie Holcomb. Photo: Parker & Co Creative House

Natalie Hemby. Photo: Parker & Co Creative House

Denitia Embraces Her Love Of Classic Country On Upcoming Project ‘Texas Angel’

/by

Singer-songwriter Denitia will release her fourth studio album, Texas Angel, on Feb. 5. The album’s title track, “Texas Angel,” is out today (Sept. 11).

The title track captures one of the central themes of the album: the realization that loving someone does not always mean you can save them. The song explores the emotional exhaustion that comes from continually trying to fix the person you love, and the moment when self-preservation means finally letting go.

“This one is the age-old tale of being convinced you can fix the one you love,” says Denitia. “All their problems and shortcomings are there for you to pick up after. And there comes a time when you just can’t swoop in and save the day anymore. Your angel wings are all worn out.”

Texas Angel finds the Houston native looking inward, reflecting on the pursuit of happiness and the desire to find a place and a feeling that can truly be called home. On the collection she navigates the highs and lows of love, success, and self-discovery, while looking beyond herself for wisdom from the generations who came before her. Throughout the 14 tracks, she toggles between tender vulnerability and fiery flintiness as she exorcises romantic and professional demons of the past, embraces the simple pleasures of the present, and explores the freedom of an unwritten future.

“I feel like I’d been circling it with my last two records,” Denitia says of the album’s traditional sound. “I kept getting closer and closer and I thought, all right, enough. I’m going to go directly for it. I want to make a classic country record that is inspired by the people that I love in this genre – Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, George Strait.

“This record is me reflecting on the experiences of looking for peace and happiness in love, success and chasing that feeling of belonging,” she continues. “In these songs I’m walking my way through the ups and downs and ultimately taking a good long moment to look for answers in the people that came before me. Finding solace in simplicity. Trying to figure out if I can glean some wisdom from my ancestors, living and beyond.”

Alan Jackson’s ‘Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) – Live’ Out Now

/by

Alan Jackson performs “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” live in Nashville on June 27, 2026. Photo: John Shearer

As Americans take a moment to reflect on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a new live recording of Alan Jackson‘s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” captured at the country icon’s final concert in Nashville is being released by MCA.

The live version of the song will be available to stream and download at 12 a.m. ET Friday, and will be shared nationwide with radio, who have played Jackson’s original versions of the song (included on his album, Drive) every year since the tragic events of September 2001.

Jackson penned the song in October of 2001 with a nation and the world still stunned and reeling from the tragedy, and within two weeks he somewhat reluctantly performed it live for the first time ever in front of a national audience on the 35th annual CMA Awards, having found the words to describe the full spectrum of emotions people had experienced since Sept. 11.

So many radio stations lifted the song from the CMA Awards telecast the next day, that it debuted on the country charts. The live performance and a studio-recorded version were added to Alan’s Drive album to give the public a way of owning the song and as a quicker means of doing so than releasing a physical single. The song was honored at the CMA, ACM and Grammy Awards, where it was nominated as all-genre Song of the Year. Its words have been read into the Congressional Record, Jackson was asked to sing it in New York City on the six-month anniversary of 9/11, during observances at The Pentagon on the one-year anniversary, and at the Kennedy Center for an official event in Washington, DC attended by the president and members of Congress marking the 10th anniversary in 2011.

“I was so nervous about putting it out,” Jackson recalls. “Even after we did, I thought we would perform it for a little while and then it would just go away. I didn’t feel like people would want to keep thinking about that. But ever since, I see people waiting on that song in the crowd…and I know I have to do it for them.”

“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) – Live” was recorded in Nashville on June 27 as Jackson performed his career-capping “Last Call: One More for the Road” concert. The concert will air in December as an NBC-TV special, Alan Jackson: The Last Show, and be highlighted on the upcoming album, Alan Jackson: The Last Show One More for the Road – The Finale (Live from Nashville).

BREAKING: BMI Elevates Mason Hunter To VP, Creative Partnerships & Events

/by

Mason Hunter

BMI has promoted Mason Hunter to VP, Creative Partnerships & Events.

Hunter will focus on developing new brand partnerships that support BMI’s business and creative goals, while creating additional revenue opportunities for BMI’s songwriters, composers and publishers. He will also work to strengthen existing partnerships and increase brand visibility.

In addition, Hunter will work closely with BMI Vice President, Creative Clay Bradley, to support Nashville’s songwriting community and help oversee the company’s Nashville Creative team of writer representatives. Hunter is based at BMI’s Nashville office.

“Mason’s leadership, creativity, and deep understanding of BMI’s mission have been instrumental in strengthening our brand partnerships and expanding the opportunities they create for BMI and our affiliates across major festivals and events nationwide,” says Mike Steinberg, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI. “He has a proven ability to build meaningful relationships across the music and business communities, turning strategic collaborations into new revenue streams, greater brand awareness, and valuable experiences for BMI’s creative community. I’m thrilled to congratulate Mason on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to seeing his continued success in this expanded role.”

He most recently served as Assistant Vice President, Creative since 2017. In that role, he developed new partnerships and created additional revenue and performance opportunities for BMI’s music creators. During his time with the company, he has helped build partnerships with Gallagher Insurance, Xperi, Texas Roadhouse, Delta Air Lines, Nissan, INFINITI, Studio Bank, Shure, Diageo, J.P. Morgan and WP Global, among others.

Hunter has also helped develop several major BMI events, including the Rooftop on the Row series and the Ryman & BMI Block Party. He has played an important role in BMI’s long-running partnership with C3 Presents, which has made BMI the only performing rights organization with branded stages at both ACL Fest and Lollapalooza. He also worked with Yeti to launch the BMI/Yeti Day Party at SXSW, organized the Key West Songwriters Festival and other BMI showcases, and helped establish the BMI Troubadour Award and BMI Ambassador Award.

Hunter joined BMI in 2000 and has held several leadership positions in General Licensing and Industry Relations. He worked with major accounts and trade associations in the media and hospitality industries before joining BMI’s Creative department in 2014 as Executive Director, Partnerships and Events. Before BMI, Hunter worked at Deloitte, where he earned his CPA license.

He currently serves on the Texas Heritage Songwriters Advisory Board and has previously served on the boards of the Academy of Country Music, Leadership Music and the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Hunter earned a B.S. in Management and Accounting, graduating cum laude from Lipscomb University.

Wallen Notches His Third No. 1 On The MusicRow Radio Chart This Year

/by

Morgan Wallen; Photo: Spidey Smith

Morgan Wallen notches his third No. 1 of the year on the MusicRow Radio Chart with “Been By Now.”

The track was written by Wallen, Rocky Block, Taylor Phillips, Charlie Handsome, Blake Pendergrass and John Byron.

Wallen notched two CMA Award nominations for Musical Event of the Year. One alongside Ella Langley for “I Can’t Love You Anymore” and one with Hardy, Tim McGraw and Eric Church for “McArthur.”

“Been By Now” currently sits at No. 7 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Riley Green Teams With Dollar General For Coastal Edition Of New Album

/by

Riley Green is partnering with Dollar General for a coastal edition of his upcoming album, That’s Just Me, available on Sept. 18.

Beginning on release day, the new edition will be available at over 16,00o Dollar General locations across the country for $9.95.

“I grew up in a small Alabama town, and places like Dollar General have always been part of communities like the one that raised me,” says Green. “Getting to spend time with the DG team at their Field Leadership Meeting was a reminder of how much pride these folks at DG take in serving small towns every day. I’m excited to partner with Dollar General to offer fans an exclusive cover art of the new CD, and I can’t wait for them to hear the music.”

“At Dollar General, we’re always looking for opportunities to surprise and delight our customers with unique products and exclusive finds,” adds Johanna Blankush, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager at Dollar General. “Our partnership with Riley Green gives us the chance to do just that for both our customers and our employees. We were thrilled to welcome Riley to our field leadership event in downtown Nashville, and we’re excited to offer customers across the country a special coastal edition of his new album.”

Last month, Green surprised Dollar General’s operations leaders with a performance at the company’s annual Field Leadership Meeting Evening of Celebration in Nashville. The performance was part of the newly formed partnership between Green and Dollar General.