Russell Dickerson performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
CMA Fest 2026 officially kicked off yesterday (June 4), showcasing rising and in-demand talent all around downtown.
CeCe kicked things off yesterday with the national anthem performance at Chevy Riverfront Stage, before Russell Dickerson, Ty Myers, Ashley Cooke, Cooper Alan, ERNEST, Stephen Wilson Jr., Redferrin, Vincent Mason and Shane Smith & The Saints all took the stage for their own sets.
Over at the Chevy Vibes Stage, fans were treated to performances from MORIAH, Chase McDaniel, Karley Scott Collins, Kelsey Hart, Walker Montgomery, Graham Barham, Brooke Lee and Colt Ford. The Dr. Pepper Amp Stage was taken over by The Jack Wharff Band, Kaylee Bell, Cody Hibbard, Pecos and the Rooftops, Willow Avalon, Drake Milligan, Shaylen and Travis Bolt.
Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion perform onstage at Spotify House at CMA Fest 2026 – Day 1 at Ole Red on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Spotify
The Kruse Brothers, Tyce Delk, Just Jayne, Brad Cox, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Alexandra Kay, Julia Cole, Stella Lefty and Bryan Andrews all lit up the Good Molecules Reverb Stage infront of Bridgestone Arena, while Sterling Ezra, The Wilder Blue, Ashley Kutcher, Sons of Habit, BODHI, Gannon Fremin & CCREV, LANCO, Hayden Coffman and ROME all sang on the new Wrangler Remix Stage.
Inside Fan Fair X, Russell Dickerson was featured as the Artist of the Day on the CMA Close Up Stage, with additional appearances from The Red Clay Strays, Melissa Etheridge, Gretchen Wilson, John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass and Parker Welling. The Spotlight Stage featured performances from 2’Live Bre, Austin Mackay, Bre Kennedy, Gary Frost, Kelsi Mayne, Kingswood, Parker Graye, Sadie Bass and Sammy Arriaga.
In other places around the area, Ole Red brought back the famous Spotify House, with performances from Jon Pardi, Laci Kaye Booth, Zach John King, Emily Ann Roberts, Corey Kent, Jason Aldean, Koe Wetzel, Kameron Marlowe, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Old Dominion, Jelly Roll and Two Friends. Just above the main stage was the Fresh Finds Rooftop, where fans discovered rising artists Austin Michael, Belle Frantz, Schmitty, Lily Meola, Max Alan and Tyce Delk.
Carter Faith performs onstage during SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition at Chief’s on Broadway on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Over at Chief’s SiriusXM’s The Highway hosted its Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition. Appearances included Jelly Roll, Russell Dickerson, Jon Pardi, Ashley Cooke, The Band Perry, Carter Faith, Stella Lefty, Koe Wetzel, Gretchen Wilson, Brandon Wisham, Zach John King, Cooper Alan, Julia Cole, Emily Ann Roberts and John Morgan.
Category 10 hosted the Billboard‘s Country Live event, with performances from Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Corey Kent, Drew Baldridge, Hunter Hayes, Lanie Gardner, The Band Perry, The Grimm, Ty Myers and The Red Clay Strays. Taking over Ryman Auditorium’s plaza stage was BMI’s annual BMI Block Party. Performers included Kat Luna, Robyn Ottolini, Tyce Delk and Trippp.
Kelsea Ballerini and SoFi held the finale of its Amplify Your Ambitions Contest at Analog at Hutton Hotel. Finalists Karen Hardy, Shantania and The Kentucky Gentleman took the stage to perform live in front of a judging panel that included Ballerini, SoFi Chief of Financial Empowerment Vivian Tu and Shane McAnally. Hardy emerged as the winner, and Ballerini did a surprise performance to wrap the event.
Gretchen Wilson and Melissa Etheridge performs at the CMA Close Up Stage in Fan Fair X on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Chase McDaniel performs at the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Courtesy of SoFi
The Jack Wharff Band performs at the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.
Alexandra Kay performs at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Willow Avalon at the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Brandon Coleman and Andrew Bishop of The Red Clay Strays perform at Billboard Country Live held at Category 10 on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Courtesy of Billboard
Caiden Wallace, Conner Moye, & Faith Hopkins at a Stem & Concord event. Photo: Madison Rensing
JUST IN: Florida Georgia Line Inks With The Core Entertainment
/by John Nix ArledgePictured L-R: Chief Zaruk, Tyler Hubbard, Simon Tikhman, Brian Kelley; Photo: Courtesy of The Core Entertainment
Multi-Platinum duo Florida Georgia Line have signed with The Core Entertainment for management. The duo, made up of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, will be represented by The Core Entertainment co-founders and CEOs Simon Tikhman and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk.
The move follows their surprise reunion at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Thursday night (June 4). Hubbard and Kelley reunited onstage performing “Round Here” and their breakout hit “Cruise.”
Florida Georgia Line’s catalog of hits that includes “Round Here,” “Stay,” “This Is How We Roll,” “Dirt,” “H.O.L.Y.,” “Simple” and “Long Live.” The duo went on hiatus in 2022, with both Hubbard and Kelley releasing solo music.
In joining The Core Entertainment, Florida Georgia Line joins a roster that includes Dan + Shay, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Cameron Whitcomb, Nickelback and more.
RIAA Honors Garth Brooks With Artist of a Lifetime
/by Lauryn SinkGarth Brooks. Photo: Ben Krebs
The RIAA recently honored Garth Brooks with the first-ever Artist of a Lifetime award. Brooks is the only artist in history to earn 10 Diamond album certifications.
“They say that gratefulness is the seed of happiness, and I am grateful every single day to have been given this shot,” Brooks shared. “A lot of people get the shot. But Bob Doyle told me early on that getting the shot wasn’t going to be the hard part. The hard part was going to be hanging on to it. I can’t thank God and the people enough for my life and the career I have been so lucky to have.”
He played a medley of his own hits and songs that have inspired his career along the way from James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind” and “Fire and Rain” into “The River,” Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page” leading to “The Thunder Rolls.” The showman wrapped his acoustic set with George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning” into his own classic hit “Friends in Low Places,” which had the room on their feet and singing along.
The event also recognized Disney Music Group President Ken Bunt, and US Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) for their work on music policy such as the NO FAKES Act.
Bunt received the Label Executive of the Year. Reflecting on his career he said, “I’m just thrilled to do what I do and help make human connections. I think that’s the thing that I love most about music, [it] really connects people.”
Pictured (L-R): RIAA SVP Artist & Industry Relations Jackie Jones, Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens, Garth Brooks, RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. Photo: Ben Krebs
Ken Bunt. Photo: Daniel Swartz
MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly brought another busy stretch of milestones, promotions, signings and industry celebrations across Music City, highlighted by the Country Music Association’s annual CMA Touring Awards. Click here to see the full edition.
On Tuesday evening (June 2), CMA gathered the touring community at The Pinnacle in Nashville to recognize the professionals who keep country music’s biggest tours running smoothly. Hosted by Keith Urban for the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony honored excellence across 20 categories and celebrated the behind-the-scenes talent that powers the live music industry.
Lainey Wilson‘s “Whirlwind World Tour” team emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, earning six individual awards, including honors for Backline Technician, Stage Manager, Front of House Engineer, Tour Video Director, Monitor Engineer and Tour Manager of the Year. Wilson’s touring team also claimed the night’s top distinction, Crew of the Year.
Several notable industry leaders were also recognized, including Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment, who was named Manager of the Year; Becky Gardenhire of WME, who received Talent Agent of the Year; and Olivia Hanceri of OH Creative, who earned Publicist of the Year honors. Luke Combs band member Kurt Ozan was recognized as Touring Musician of the Year. The CMA additionally presented legendary agent and manager Jim Halsey with the Lifetime Touring Achievement Award, while CMA CEO Sarah Trahern closed the evening by surprising Urban with the prestigious CMA Founding President’s Award.
Elsewhere across the industry, Black River Entertainment announced the promotion of Grace Watson to Vice President, Commercial Partnerships & Digital. Stem elevated both Alison Junker and Chris Allen to Vice President, Artist & Label Relations, while The Ryan Seacrest Foundation expanded and strengthened its leadership team. Katie Klochany was promoted to Director of Engagement and Creative, Laura Crawford advanced to Director of Entertainment Relations, and Daniel Skirpan joined as Director of Engineering and Innovation. The organization also welcomed Megan Wordsworth as Talent Coordinator and Charlotte Torquato as Program Coordinator.
Industry news included IEBA naming Lauren Tingle as its new Director of Marketing & Communications.
On the representation front, Belles signed with WME for worldwide representation, while Josh Weathers joined the roster at UTA. Carson Peters secured a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and Caleb King signed with RECORDS Nashville and Provident Entertainment. Meanwhile, Kinsley inked a deal with MCA.
Several artists also celebrated major career moments on iconic stages. Travis Bolt made his Grand Ole Opry debut on May 29. The same evening, DEK of Hearts also made its Grand Ole Opry debut.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen takes the No. 1 spot with “Don’t We.” 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.
Jason Scott & The High Heat Slate New Album For September
/by Lauryn SinkJason Scott & The High Heat will release their new album, Play Boy, on Sept. 18 via Leo33.
Produced by Scott and Taylor Johnson at Lunar Manor in Oklahoma City and Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, the 14-track project was written by Scott, alongside Scott Emeryck, Bob DiPiero, Daniel Tashien, Driver Williams and more. Much of the project’s writing is inspired by Scott’s spiritual background and eventual crisis of faith after growing up in a Pentecostal home and spending years as a preacher in-training.
The band will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on June 11 before heading out on a run opening for Morgan Wallen on his “Still The Problem Tour.” Scott & The High Heat will then play a slew of festivals this Summer, including Bourbon & Beyond, Born & Raised, Peacemaker, FloydFest and The Long Road, among others.
Play Boy Track List
1. “Fast As I Can Crawl” (Jason Scott, Scott Emeryck, Trent Tomlinson)
2. “Shit Show” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
3. “Too Good, Too Bad” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
4. “Highway Robbery” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
5. “Roll Me All The Way” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
6. “Willie, Waylon & Waltzes” (Jason Scott, Bob DiPiero, Daniel Tashien)
7. “Goodbye Moon” (Jason Scott)
8. “All This Pain” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
9. “What Do You Know About Love” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
10. “Cowboy Cold Beer” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
11. “When Love Tries To Hurt You” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson, Chad Copelin)
12. “How To Get Away With Murder” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
13. “Fastest Fool In Town” (Jason Scott, Driver Williams, Jason Nix)
14. “If Heaven Had A Honky Tonk” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
Fort Nash Debuts The Fort By Fort Nash Ultimate Country Lifestyle Clubhouse
/by Lorie HollabaughDasha. Photo: Ray Aley
Fort Nash launched The Fort by Fort Nash this week, a five-day, invite-only country lifestyle and culture clubhouse where Nashville’s finest music, food, fashion, creative culture and live storytelling collide.
To kick off Music City’s biggest week, The Fort by Fort Nash’s kickoff party featured performances from Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Mason Ramsey, VAVO and Gareth, with Logan Crosby hosting the festivities. Through digital series, artist interviews, music discovery, and more, Fort Nash has become a voice for all things Southern lifestyle in music and beyond, and the brand is bringing that cultural movement to life with The Fort by Fort Nash, redefining modern country lifestyle for a new generation.
Guests also enjoyed a portrait studio, Yeehaw Caviar, a wellness bar, premium grab bags, catering by Craig’s, and a mechanical bull courtesy of Orinda. Orinda kept the party going with a takeover performance featuring Eric Van Houten, David J, Nic D and Connor Price before SEV took over to end the night with a high-energy DJ set.
Highlights from the night included Josh Ross joining attendees for a celebratory shot ski moment set to his music; Cooke serenading the Cowboy Cannoli’s Caviar Cowboy on stage with her song “baby blues”; Dasha taking a spin on the mechanical bull, and more.
“We are incredibly excited to launch The Fort by Fort Nash,” says Chris Ruediger. “This immersive experience is designed to bring our community together while creating meaningful cultural and digital impact. We know this marks the beginning of a long-standing experience that will continue to grow and evolve for years to come.”
The Fort by Fort Nash will run throughout CMA Fest weekend June 3- 7 and feature special programming that highlights country culture, including rethought Southern food, gamified tailgate challenges, sports‑style podcasts, wellness moments, surprise performances, and creator‑led micro‑moments shared across social platforms. Fort Nash will wrap its week with Faith at The Fort on Sunday, (June 7.) The event will include a live worship service with performances from Ben Fuller, Belle Franz, Jamie MacDonald, Jordan Rowe, Rebecca Brunner, Christian Hohn and Iveth Luna, and alongside prayer led by Cam J and a sermon fromCrosspoint Church College Pastor Nate Farley.
Ashley Cooke. Photo: Ray Aley
Josh Ross
Photo: Ray Aley
Photo: Mandy Smith
She Is The Music & Lovenoise Celebrate Women In Music With Showcase
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Back Row, L-R): 2’Live Bre, Elsie, Kyleigh, Ten Smith, Kylan Boykin, Lou Grimes, Lovenoise and Pynk Beard. (Front Row, L-R): Anale Boykin, Alona Boykin, Marcie Allen and Nytere Boykin. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Anzie Blue
She Is The Music and Lovenoise hosted a multi-genre lineup of female artists Wednesday night (June 3). The event was held at Nashville’s Anzie Blue.
The lineup featured The BoykinZ, Elsie, Ten Smith and Kyleigh. 2’Live Bre and Pynk Beard joined as surprise guests. The evening was sponsored by Chao’s Nail Bar.
This marked the first collaborative event with Lovenoise. More information on She Is The Music events can be found here.
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Elsie, Kyleigh, Ten Smith, Kylan Boykin and Lou Grimes (Lovenoise). (Front Row, L-R): Anale Boykin, Alona Boykin and Nytere Boykin. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Anzie Blue
Pictured (L-R): Kevin Vo (Chao Nail Bar), Stella Prince, Marcie Allen (Anzie Blue) and Ken Vo (Chao Nail Bar). Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Anzie Blue
New Documentary Explores Story Behind Nashville’s Contemporary Christian Music Scene
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Michael Passons (Avalon), Crystal Lewis, Jennifer Knapp, Nate Cole and Chanel Haynes. Photo: Chrissy Yoder
A new documentary, Safe for the Whole Family: How to Make a Christian Superstar, is spotlighting the untold story behind Nashville’s Contemporary Christian Music boom.
The new film examines the rise of CCM from a faith-based subgenre into a billion-dollar business, and the personal cost paid by many of the artists at the center of it. Directed by filmmaker Jason Ikeler in his feature directorial debut, the documentary is set to bring one of the music industry’s most complicated eras back into focus as it follows three CCM artists as they revisit the industry that launched and sometimes rejected them. Through first-hand accounts from Jennifer Knapp, Michael Passons (Avalon) and Nikki Leonti, the film explores how artists operating inside the Christian music system were often expected to embody strict evangelical ideals, both onstage and off.
Marketed throughout the 90’s and early 2000s as a “safe” alternative to mainstream pop, CCM became deeply intertwined with Nashville’s music business infrastructure, building a powerful ecosystem of labels, radio networks, bookstores, touring circuits, and media outlets. Safe for the Whole Family reveals what happened to the artists who stepped outside the industry’s strict moral expectations, whether they were deemed “sexually impure,” accused of living a “homosexual lifestyle,” spoke out politically, or questioned the systems around them.
The documentary includes interviews with CCM and faith-adjacent artists including Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Crystal Lewis, Derek Webb (Caedmon’s Call), Nate Cole (Plus One), Chanel Haynes (Trin-i-Tee 5:7) and Semler, whose stories trace the complicated legacy of an industry that helped define evangelical culture at the turn of the millennium.
“CCM wasn’t just a genre – it was an industry built largely out of Nashville,” says Ikeler. “The film looks at what happens when faith, fame, and commerce become inseparable, and what it costs the people inside that system.”
Brent Cobb Releases ‘Live a Song, Write a Memory, Vol. 1’
/by Lorie HollabaughBrent Cobb is pulling the curtain back on the songwriting that has defined his career on his new acoustic album Live a Song, Write a Memory, Vol. 1, out today (June 5).
Recorded at Capricorn Studios, the self-produced album captures every performance live and in a single take, and spans songs from across his catalog, including selections from the Grammy-nominated Shine on Rainy Day, fan favorites from Providence Canyon and No Place Left to Leave, and cuts made famous by other artists. Songs like “Come Home Soon” and “Country Bound” revisit defining moments in Cobb’s journey, while outside cuts like “Tailgate Blues” recorded by Luke Bryan and “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” by Whiskey Myers are brought back to the writer’s chair where they began. The unreleased title track rounds out the collection, with Cobb singing from the perspective of someone who knows the best songs are earned through experience.
“In the early days when I started writing in Nashville, I always liked the sound of the work tapes better than I liked the studio recordings of my songs,” Cobb says. “I’ve wanted to make an acoustic album like this for a long time, and I look forward to releasing more of these throughout my career.”
Cobb will join The Red Clay Strays and Ty Myers at arenas and amphitheaters across the country, including Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Bridgestone Arena.
Live a Song, Write a Memory, Vol. 1 Track List:
1. “Live a Song, Write a Memory”
2. “Mill Creek (Story)”
3. “Bar, Guitar, and a Honky Tonk Crowd”
4. “Country Bound”
5. “Come Home Soon”
6. “If I Don’t See Ya”
7. “Shine On Rainy Day”
8. “Tailgate Blues”
9. “Livin’ It (Story)”
CMA Fest Day One: Fans Flock To Downtown For CMA Fest 2026 Kick Off
/by Madison HahnenRussell Dickerson performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
CMA Fest 2026 officially kicked off yesterday (June 4), showcasing rising and in-demand talent all around downtown.
CeCe kicked things off yesterday with the national anthem performance at Chevy Riverfront Stage, before Russell Dickerson, Ty Myers, Ashley Cooke, Cooper Alan, ERNEST, Stephen Wilson Jr., Redferrin, Vincent Mason and Shane Smith & The Saints all took the stage for their own sets.
Over at the Chevy Vibes Stage, fans were treated to performances from MORIAH, Chase McDaniel, Karley Scott Collins, Kelsey Hart, Walker Montgomery, Graham Barham, Brooke Lee and Colt Ford. The Dr. Pepper Amp Stage was taken over by The Jack Wharff Band, Kaylee Bell, Cody Hibbard, Pecos and the Rooftops, Willow Avalon, Drake Milligan, Shaylen and Travis Bolt.
Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion perform onstage at Spotify House at CMA Fest 2026 – Day 1 at Ole Red on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Spotify
The Kruse Brothers, Tyce Delk, Just Jayne, Brad Cox, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Alexandra Kay, Julia Cole, Stella Lefty and Bryan Andrews all lit up the Good Molecules Reverb Stage infront of Bridgestone Arena, while Sterling Ezra, The Wilder Blue, Ashley Kutcher, Sons of Habit, BODHI, Gannon Fremin & CCREV, LANCO, Hayden Coffman and ROME all sang on the new Wrangler Remix Stage.
Inside Fan Fair X, Russell Dickerson was featured as the Artist of the Day on the CMA Close Up Stage, with additional appearances from The Red Clay Strays, Melissa Etheridge, Gretchen Wilson, John Morgan, Blake Pendergrass and Parker Welling. The Spotlight Stage featured performances from 2’Live Bre, Austin Mackay, Bre Kennedy, Gary Frost, Kelsi Mayne, Kingswood, Parker Graye, Sadie Bass and Sammy Arriaga.
In other places around the area, Ole Red brought back the famous Spotify House, with performances from Jon Pardi, Laci Kaye Booth, Zach John King, Emily Ann Roberts, Corey Kent, Jason Aldean, Koe Wetzel, Kameron Marlowe, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Old Dominion, Jelly Roll and Two Friends. Just above the main stage was the Fresh Finds Rooftop, where fans discovered rising artists Austin Michael, Belle Frantz, Schmitty, Lily Meola, Max Alan and Tyce Delk.
Carter Faith performs onstage during SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition at Chief’s on Broadway on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Over at Chief’s SiriusXM’s The Highway hosted its Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition. Appearances included Jelly Roll, Russell Dickerson, Jon Pardi, Ashley Cooke, The Band Perry, Carter Faith, Stella Lefty, Koe Wetzel, Gretchen Wilson, Brandon Wisham, Zach John King, Cooper Alan, Julia Cole, Emily Ann Roberts and John Morgan.
Category 10 hosted the Billboard‘s Country Live event, with performances from Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Corey Kent, Drew Baldridge, Hunter Hayes, Lanie Gardner, The Band Perry, The Grimm, Ty Myers and The Red Clay Strays. Taking over Ryman Auditorium’s plaza stage was BMI’s annual BMI Block Party. Performers included Kat Luna, Robyn Ottolini, Tyce Delk and Trippp.
Kelsea Ballerini and SoFi held the finale of its Amplify Your Ambitions Contest at Analog at Hutton Hotel. Finalists Karen Hardy, Shantania and The Kentucky Gentleman took the stage to perform live in front of a judging panel that included Ballerini, SoFi Chief of Financial Empowerment Vivian Tu and Shane McAnally. Hardy emerged as the winner, and Ballerini did a surprise performance to wrap the event.
Gretchen Wilson and Melissa Etheridge performs at the CMA Close Up Stage in Fan Fair X on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Chase McDaniel performs at the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Courtesy of SoFi
The Jack Wharff Band performs at the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.
Alexandra Kay performs at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Willow Avalon at the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Brandon Coleman and Andrew Bishop of The Red Clay Strays perform at Billboard Country Live held at Category 10 on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Courtesy of Billboard
Caiden Wallace, Conner Moye, & Faith Hopkins at a Stem & Concord event. Photo: Madison Rensing
Industry Ink: Randy Travis, Priscilla Block, CRS360
/by Lorie HollabaughRandy Travis Cuts The Ribbon On His Newly-Dedicated Room At The Nashville Palace
Photo: Maddie Ormand / Warner Records Nashville
Randy Travis officially cut the ribbon on the newly dedicated Randy Travis Room at The Nashville Palace earlier this week at a celebration which also marked the 40th Anniversary of the release of his groundbreaking debut album, Storms of Life. The evening brought together longtime band members, rising country artists, and established performers who paid tribute to Travis by performing many of his greatest hits throughout the night.
The newly unveiled front room features photos spanning Travis’s legendary career alongside a one-of-a-kind large-format vinyl record artwork honoring his legacy. The space will serve as a lasting tribute to Travis and celebrate the bond between Randy and The Nashville Palace, where his journey to stardom first began. The evening marked a deeply full-circle moment for Randy, who had previously worked at the Nashville Place as a cook and dishwasher in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Randy Travis Honored With Randy Travis Day In Tennessee
Pictured (L-R): Kyle Lehning, Paul Overstreet, Tony Gottlieb and Randy Travis. Photo: Rick Murray
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the City of Hendersonville, and Sumner County Tourism unveiled a Tennessee Music Pathways Marker outside Moby Dicky’s Restaurant, the former site of Morningstar Sound Studio, honoring the studio’s contribution to Tennessee music history. June 2 marked 40 years to the day since Randy Travis’s debut album, Storms of Life, was recorded at Morningstar and released. To celebrate the occasion, Governor Bill Lee declared it Randy Travis Day, and the waterfront location was officially dedicated as Point Amen. The former recording studio served as the birthplace of 25 No. 1 hits and countless other recordings by some of country music’s most iconic artists, including Randy Travis, Dan Seals, Anne Murray, George Jones, and more, including “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Bop,” two of the most played songs of the 1980s.
In addition to Randy Travis and his wife Mary, Morningstar Sound Studio co-founders Kyle Lehning and Tony Gottlieb, members of the Dan Seals family, Warner Records Nashville Chair and President Cris Lacy, local and state government officials, tourism leaders, and members of the music community gathered for the celebration and dedication ceremony. Lauded songwriter Paul Overstreet performed the massive hit he co-wrote with the late Don Schlitz, which Travis made famous, “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
Priscilla Block Celebrates Wordle VIPs (Very Important Players) For Wordle’s 5th Birthday
To honor five years of Wordle, New York Times Games is bringing fans VIP (Very Important Player) access. New York Times Games and musicians on tour are offering VIP access to music fans nationwide with five summer concerts, in honor of five years by Priscilla Block, Nat and Alex Wolff, Young the Giant and Passion Pit, artists who have been solving alongside fans for the past five years.
Each artist is releasing a unique bonus Wordle puzzle (and hint) for fans using the Create Your Wordle Puzzle feature. Select solvers who submit their answers will receive VIP concert tickets, artist merch, and more at venues across the country. NYT Games is also launching two special anniversary badges, including the first-ever multi-day challenge badge which can be earned by solving five consecutive puzzles from June 15–19, in the lead-up to Wordle’s 5th birthday on June 19.
CRS360 Explores Why Human Connection Remains Country Radio’s Greatest Superpower
Country Radio Seminar’s CRS360 webinar series has released its latest installment, “The Human Connection: Country Radio’s Superpower,” now available on demand. Moderated by CRS Research Committee Co-Chairs Clay Hunnicutt and Justin Chase, the session features insights from Kevin Cassidy and Hal Rood of Strategic Solutions Research. Serving as a targeted follow-up to the perceptual study presented during CRS 2026 in March, the webinar dives deeper into country listeners’ passionate feelings surrounding the role of live, human on-air personalities in country radio. Findings reveal that relatability, companionship, and authenticity continue to resonate strongly with listeners, while AI-generated voices and music curation received significant pushback from the surveyed audience. The discussion will further explore why the human connection remains one of radio’s most powerful differentiators, extending beyond air talent to playlist curation, imaging, and overall station identity.
“Country radio has always thrived on connection and companionship,” says RJ Curtis, CRS/CRB Executive Director. “This CRS360 conversation will reinforce just how important authentic human voices remain in building trust, loyalty, and emotional connection with listeners.”