Ella Langley Scores A Third Week Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart

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Ella Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley scores a third consecutive week atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with her track, “Be Her.”

Langley co-wrote the song with Jordan Schmidt, Smith Ahnquist and HARDY. It appears on her sophomore album Dandelion.

Langley will join Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Zach Top, Shania Twain and Lainey Wilson for the radio special “Countdown to the ACM Awards” hosted by Dan + Shay ahead of the 61st ACM Awards.

“Be Her” currently sits at No. 6 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 Mediabase chart.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Hudson Westbrook Claims Disc Of The Day

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Hudson Westbrook. Photo: Ian Noh

Country music groups and collaborations vie for our attention today in DISClaimer.

The Red Clay Strays, Midland and 49 Winchester are representing country bands in this week’s column. Our collabs include Russell Dickerson with Fetty Wap, Rodney Crowell with the late Guy Clark, and this week’s DISCovery Award winners ALeeN Rose with Willie Nelson.

The Disc of the Day is “Backwards” by Hudson Westbrook.

Sunday is Mother’s Day. I have four suggestions for the holiday’s soundtrack. Danny Kensy offers “Mama’s Recipe.” Camille Harrison is issuing “I Miss You, Mother.” Alex Miller has “Just a Mom.” Canadian Abigail Lapell has an entire collection with the day’s theme. Her Shadow Child is “an album about motherhood whose nine songs each represent a month of gestation,” or so it says here.

McCOY MOORE / “Not Even Close”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/McCoy Moore/Sam Ellis; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Cervidae Records
– Dishing out compliments to his lover. In his eyes, she’s the ultimate best.

THE RED CLAY STRAYS / “Demons In Your Choir”
Writers: Brandon Coleman/Dakota Coleman/Matthew Coleman; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: RCA Records
– It’s a slow-burn, gospel-flavored anthem with moody, minor-key drama about spiritual deliverance. An absolutely searing lead vocal, righteous piano chords and an uplifting church choir. Somebody say, “Amen.”

ALYSSA MICAELA / “Born In Boots”
Writers: Alyssa Micaela/Olivia Rudeen/Tori Tullier; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– Bouncing and bubbly. She’s a proud cowgirl who chose boots over dolls and never looked back. Innocent fun.

RODNEY CROWELL & GUY CLARK / “Are You One of Us?”
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producers: Rodney Crowell, Steuart Smith; Label: New West Records
– Crowell explores the “us-versus-them” attitudes of today with the late Clark interjecting fatherly wisdom. It starts off with a hushed series of statements underscored by insistent electric guitar, then builds to a rocking crescendo. The whole thing is utterly haunting and poetic. The song (and the previously reviewed “Go Light a Candle”) will appear on Crowell’s long-lost Then Again LP, which drops June 26. I’m buyin’ a copy.

ALeeN ROSE & WILLIE NELSON / “They’re There”
Writers: Amy Lee Nelson/Tina Rose Bridges/Willie Nelson; Producers: ALeeN Rose, Jeff Klein, Matt Hubbard; Label: Luna Wolf
– This duo is comprised of Willie’s daughter, Amy Nelson, and Tina Rose Bridges, who is Leon Russell’s daughter. Their country ballad invokes Amy’s late brother Billy and Tina’s late father, stating that their spirits walk alongside them every day. Willie provides his distinctive guitar as the instrumental solo, then chimes in with a third harmony part. Lovely listening.

MIDLAND / “Shooting Memories With Tequila”
Writers: Joe Clemmons/Mike Walker/Ryan Beaver; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Blue Highway Records
– Give these guys a gold star for singing songs with actual melodies. Breezy heartaches, laced with creamy vocal harmonies and lilting steel guitar characterize this one. Riffs and lyrics in the production lend the track a Latin accent. Wonderfully tuneful and effortlessly engaging. By all means, play it.

JENNY TOLMAN / “Show Pony”
Writers: Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Matt Willis; Producer: Dave Brainard; Label: Old Sol Records
– Tolman gallops a sprightly country rocker around the track at a lickety-split pace. The lyric warns a guy that his gal “ain’t nothin’ but a show pony you been trotting around” and not the thoroughbred he thinks she is.

DON WILLIAMS / “How Can I Miss What I Never Had”
Writer: Bob McDill; Producers: Garth Fundis, Tim Williams; Label: Craft Recordings
– Previously unheard performances by Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams will be issued next month on a collection titled Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes. This one is a sad, resigned ballad about a dead relationship that’s infused with his trademark vocal warmth. Tunesmith McDill was also behind such Don Williams classics as “Amanda,” “It Must Be Love,” “Love Me Tonight” and, unforgettably, “Good Ole Boys Like Me.”

HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Backwards”
Writers: Hudson Westbrook/Lukas Klingensmith/Nicolette Hayford/Reid Haughton; Producers: Lukas Scott, Ryan Youman; Label: River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
– Her leaving turned his world upside down. ACM New Male Vocalist nominee Westbrook delivers the midtempo meditation in a plaintive, expressive, softly aching fashion that’s mighty affecting.

RUSSELL DICKERSON & FETTY WAP / “Boots”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Matt Dragstrem/Russell Dickerson; Producer: none listed; Label: Triple Tigers
– Top showman Dickerson lights up Ascend Amphitheater tomorrow (May 8). Don’t have tickets? Party-on anyhow by listening to his latest, a country-trap mash-up with million-seller Fetty Wap. The bopping singer sees a gal on the dance floor wearing boots and a sundress and is smitten. Beats abound.

49 WINCHESTER / “Slowly”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Isaac Gibson/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: New West Records/Lucille Records/MCA
– I caught these guys on a recent Opry TV broadcast and was stunned by what a tight band they are. From organ sighs to steel-guitar pinpricks, from note-perfect harmony vocals to acoustic ripples and taut drumming, 49 Winchester has it all goin’ on. The band’s latest single is a strummy country toe tapper about moving forward despite feeling like crap. Highly recommended.

KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Middle of Nowhere”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves; Label: Lost Highway
– Shifting time signatures, moaning steel and a male duet harmony vocal characterize the title tune of Musgraves’ new album. Like the rest of the collection, the wafting sound leans back toward her Texas country roots.

ERNEST / “What’s a Little Rain”
Writers: David Garcia/Ernest Keith Smith/Rodney Clawson; Producers: ERNEST, Jacob Durrett; Label: Big Loud Records
– An airy, beach-y production paints this as a watercolor wash while the singer exudes romance and dreamy relaxation. Irresistibly pretty.

Stephen Wilson Jr. Wins ACM Award For Visual Media Of The Year

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Joe Sivick (Missing Piece Group), Alicia Jones (ALJ Management), Haley Montgomery (Academy of Country Music), Stephen Wilson Jr., Patch Culbertson (Big Loud), Brianne Deslippe (Big Loud), Amy Beard (Big Loud) and Nicholas Marquez (Big Loud). (L-R, front row): Shari Roth (Big Loud), Brian Corona (Big Loud), Nate Yetton (Big Loud) and Jordy Dettmer (Range Management)

Stephen Wilson Jr. has been awarded his first ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year for his “Cuckoo” official video, which he co-directed with his longtime creative collaborator Tim Cofield.

Wilson Jr. was surprised with the award by ACM Head of Artist Relations Haley Montgomery at WXPN’s NON-COMMvention yesterday (May 6).

Wilson Jr.’s latest single “Gary” just broke the top 40 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. He recently wrapped the entirely sold-out first leg of his “Gary The Torch Tour” and announced a second leg with added West Coast, Southeast and international dates. In between headline dates, he will support Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Amphitheater and Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Jackson Dean Celebrates Second Chart-Topper ‘Heavens To Betsy’

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Pictured (L-R, back row):Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, River House Artists’ Lynn Oliver Cline, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Jody Williams Songs’ Jody Williams and Little Louder’s Arturo Buenahora. (L-R, front row): Benjy Davis, Luke Dick, Jackson Dean and Driver Williams. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Jackson Dean filled the BMI lobby yesterday (May 5) to celebrate his second ever chart-topper “Heavens To Betsy.”

Emceed by BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, the event honored the artists, songwriters, publishers and industry team members who contributed to the single’s success.

Written by Dean, Benjy Davis and Driver Williams, and produced by Luke Dick, the track appeared on Dean’s sophomore album On The Back Of My Dreams. It marked the first No. 1 for Williams, who was presented with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar to commemorate the moment.

Driver Williams and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, River House Artists’ Lynn Oliver-Cline, Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Jody Williams Songs’ Jody Williams and Little Louder’s Arturo Buenahora each took the microphone to honor the team behind the song.

Each spoke to the track’s storytelling, thanking the team for creating a song that connects on a deeper level with many fans, reflecting on the different ways they’ve seen that connection manifest, both through audience reactions and in their own experiences. In addition, several underscored Jackson’s rare talent, highlighting his strength as a vocalist, songwriter and artist.

Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Dean and collaborators in support of Old Friends Senior Dogs Sanctuary, a Nashville-based organization that finds forever foster homes for senior dogs. The official whiskey sponsor of BMI No. 1 parties, Green River Whiskey, gifted Dean, his co-writers and producer each with a commemorative bottle of single barrel bourbon in honor of their hit.

“When you do great things, write great songs, sing great songs and bring great songs, you make it easy to make great songs in the studio. To see people [on tour] come up to [Jackson] and tell their stories about how much this song means to them from a place of grief and loss–to me that is the real truth, the granular purity of music. To be part of that, I get more grateful everyday,” Dick shared.

Williams shared his gratitude for his teams, friends and family, many of whom were in attendance. He shared that celebrating the moment at BMI felt especially full circle, having grown up around the music business.

“Lastly, I want to thank the songwriting community, and the two streets that grew me up as a music business kid all the way until now,” he shared. “I’ve seen it grow and change for better and worse, but it’s my home. Thank you Music Row–16th and 17th avenue and all the side streets in between. It’s not just the individual people that make up this community. Its quite literally the streets, buildings, sidewalks and parking lots. There’s too many important memories in this little part of town, so thank you Nashville.”

“It’s been an honor to watch the journey of this song and how it has made people feel. It has been a really cool thing to be a part of,” Davis added.

“Thank you for being under this roof for a couple hours with us to celebrate this. It took Driver walking through the door saying ‘Heavens To Betsy boys, what do you think about that?’ and the darkness of Benjy Davis to make it happen,” Dean quipped. “I think we’ve all known since the get that this was going to be a song to speak volumes. Thank you so much to everyone that has made that happen.”

Riley Green Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

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Pictured (L-R): Austen Adams (WCM), Riley Green, Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig), Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (WCM Consultant) and Phil May (WCM). Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Riley Green has renewed his global publishing deal Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville.

The release of his 2019 debut album, Different ‘Round Here, kicked off Green’s career trajectory. The project features 3x Platinum-certified “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and 2x Platinum “There Was This Girl.” In 2020, he was crowned Best New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and was named MusicRow’s Breakout Artist of the Year.

In 2024 he dropped his third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do, which featured collaborations with Luke Bryan and Ella Langley. The collaboration with Langley, “you look like you love me,” took home Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards.

Green has kicked off this year with back-to-back No. 1 hits “Don’t Mind If I Do” featuring Langley and “Worst Way.” “Worst Way” became Green’s sixth career No. 1, and made him the first country music artist to achieve consecutive solo-written No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since Taylor Swift.

“When I was playing bars around northeast Alabama, I thought my career would end up as being a songwriter,” says Green. “Warner Chappell was the first on my team and brought me to Nashville. I’m really excited to continue with them.”

“Riley has a natural gift for storytelling, writing songs that pull on your heartstrings from the very first note,” adds Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “Warner Chappell has been a part of his journey for a while, and we knew we wanted to continue building on this incredible momentum. He is a rare special talent, and our team looks forward to continuing to champion his music on a global scale.”

Green is currently on his 2026 “Cowboy As It Gets Tour,” with scheduled stops in Charlotte, Saratoga Springs, Green Bay and more through August. He will also make festival appearances at Gulf Coast Jam, CMA Fest, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, and more throughout the summer.

He is also up for four ACM Awards this year, including Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.

Bailey Zimmerman Rocks Sold-Out Ascend Amphitheater Show

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Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Masonn1k

Bailey Zimmerman brought his “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” to Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Friday (May 1) and Saturday (May 2).

Newcomer Blake Whiten kicked off the night on Friday with a taste of his recently announced debut album, Something To Say. He performed “Break Me,” “Bet On That” and his breakthrough track, “Rolling Stone.”

Next to take the stage was rising star Hudson Westbrook. He warmed up the crowd with “Painted You Pretty,” “5-9”, “Hello Darlin’” and more. The crowd jumped to their feet for a cover of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” before he wrapped his time with his first No. 1 track, “House Again.”

With the sun set over the Nashville skyline, Zimmerman burst on stage with the “Backup Plan.” He kept the energy high, moving through “Never Comin’ Home,” “Lost” and “Change.”

 

Fans roared as he launched into his first-ever No. 1, “Fall In Love.”

“Nashville, I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’ve been looking forward to this all year,” Zimmerman shared from the stage. “I can’t tell you how much it means to all of us that you showed up and sold out Ascend. I can’t begin to say how much I love y’all, and how much I appreciate the opportunity to get in front of you and sing some of my songs.”

Zimmerman kept the set moving with “Comin’ In Cold” and “Get To Gettin’ Gone.” He welcomed surprise guest Chandler Walters to the stage to duet on “Fix’n To Break,” and then took a moment to speak of his close relationship with his late grandfather ahead of “Chevy Silverado.”

Zimmerman slowed it down with a section of love songs, moving through “Before You” and “Never Leave.” He held the crowd with fan-favorite “Holy Smokes,” “Just Believe” and “Ashes.”

He made his way to the B-stage before inviting Whiten to join for “Holding On,” a track Whiten wrote alongside Austin Shawn. Zimmerman surprised the crowd with a sing-along of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”

After “All The Way,” his collaboration with BigXThaPlug,” he made his way back to the main stage for a run of “New To Country,” “Religiously” and “Where It Ends.”

Flashlights lit up the amphitheater as he ended the night with “Rock and a Hard Place.”

Zimmerman will continue his “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” on May 27 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

BMI Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of Key West Songwriters Festival

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The Brummies. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

The 30th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, brought five days of sunshine and storytelling to the island last week (April 29 – May 3).

The festival offered more than 80 shows across five days with over 250 BMI multi-genre creators participating.

ERNEST. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Early highlights included Wednesday’s “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party” at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa hosted by Storme Warren with performances by DJ Smoke, The Brummies and Jeffrey Steele. Steele dedicated his hit “What Hurts The Most” to the late Ronnie Bowman, a beloved festival regular since 2017. Following the festival’s launch, fans sold-out the Key West Theater for a distinguished lineup featuring Ashley Cooke, Thomas Edwards, Aaron Raitiere, Tyler Reeve and James Slater.

The momentum carried into Thursday with multiple rounds hosted poolside at several island venues, including The Marker Resort and La Concha Hotel, where Bryan Frazier, Kurtis John and Casey Levasseur performed. The Blue Flamingo Resort hosted Marti Frederiksen, Jack Ingram and Trent Tomlinson. Fans gathered at Blue Heaven for the annual Bluebird Presents Liz Rose &

Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Friends, where she was joined by Gloria Anderson, Phil Barton, Johnny Clawson, Mags Duval, Jack Ingram, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Summer Overstreet, Peytan Porter, Abbey Rowe and Paul Sikes. The day concluded at sunset with an intimate acoustic performance by Ashley Cooke at Lunara Live: Waterfront.

Friday featured performances from Mark Collie, Hayden Blount, Rob Hatch, Jim McCormick, Chord Overstreet, Hannah McFarland, Bob DiPiero, HARDY, Lee Thomas Miller, Bobby Pinson and more. That night, the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and Texas Music office presented the San Carlos Institute with Gloria Anderson, Jack Ingram, Robert Earl Keen, Lori McKenna, Bruce Robison, Liz Rose and Larry Joe Taylor.

Ashley Cooke. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

On Saturday, BMI and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association celebrated the festival’s 30th anniversary with a VIP reception where Charlie Bauer, the founder of the event, was presented with the BMI Ambassador award. BMI’s Clay Bradley and Mason Hunter as well as past award recipients Storme Warren and Xperi’s Joe D’Angelo alongside FRLA’s Carl Dover, praised Bauer’s significant impact on the songwriting community. Following his 2019 festival debut, ERNEST headlined the annual block party at Main Stage on Duval Street, with direct support from Ashley Cooke and Cody Lohden.

The final day brought attendees together for gospel music with “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Hall on Sunday, featuring BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Chuck Cannon, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Megan Linville, Danny Myrick, Tommy Sims and DJ Smoke.

Marti Frederiksen, Jack Ingram and Trent Tomlinson. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

HARDY and Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Ella Langley Stays Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ella Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley has claimed the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Her own tracks “Be Her,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Broken,” “Butterfly Season,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “girl you’re taking home,” “Last Call For Us,” “Loving Life Again,” “Low Lights,” “Somethin’ Simple,” “We Know Us,” and “You & Me Time” give her her second consecutive week at No. 1.

Joybeth Taylor remains at No. 2 with “Broken,” “Butterfly Season,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “Empty Words,” “girl you’re taking home,” “Last Call For Us,” “Low Lights,” “Somethin’ Simple,” “Speaking Terms,” “We Know Us,” and “You & Me Time.” Luke Combs stays at No. 3 with “Days Like These,” “Rethink Some Things” and “Sleepless In A Hotel Room.”

Randy Montana (No. 4) and Chase McGill (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

BREAKING: Bill Macky Joins Quartz Hill Music Group

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Bill Macky.

Bill Macky has joined Quartz Hill Music Group as Senior Vice President of Promotion & Marketing, effective immediately. In his new role, he will lead radio strategy for both the Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records roster of artists.

Macky brings over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry to the role. He joins Quartz Hill after 13 years as the Vice President of Promotion at Black River Entertainment. During his time at Black River, he helped Kelsea Ballerini earn seven No. 1 hits, as well as working alongside Chris Young.

His other previous career stops include MCA Nashville, Sony Nashville and several independent record labels. Before label work, Macky spent 16 years in radio at WDSY-Pittsburgh, KSON-San Diego, KRTY-San Jose, KNCI-Sacramento and KUZZ-Bakersfield.

“My thanks to Benny [Brown], Paul [Brown], Jason [Sellers], and Ash [Bowers] and their entire staff for this opportunity and their belief in me,” says Macky. “We’re going to build something great! Quartz Hill Music Group has an outstanding roster of artists with so much potential! I’m looking forward to helping them bring these incredible artists to Country Radio and their fans. Let’s GO!!”

“I am excited to have Bill joining our Quartz Hill Music Group family! He’s worked with some of the best of the best in Nashville and has had great success at each step in his career,” adds says QHMG Founder/President Benny Brown. As our QHMG family continues to grow, Bill will be an important part of our efforts to help our artists achieve their dreams!”

Macky will report directly to Benny Brown, Paul Brown, Sellers and Bowers. He can be reached here.

Additionally, VP, Promotion Will Robinson and Dir. Promotion April Rider have exited the company after six years.

Robinson began his career at WQYK/WRBQ in Tampa, WNEW in New York, and WCAT in Harrisburg before going into the label system. As a regional, he worked with RPM, IRS, and Reviver, before rising to Vice President at Quartz Hill Records. He can be reached here.

Rider has previous career stops as managing partner at RPM Entertainment, General Manager at Stoney Creek Records and VP of Promotion at Curb Records. She can be reached here.

MusicRow Weekly (InCharge, News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures a moment of both momentum and reflection across the country and broader music industry, with major announcements, career milestones and the remembrance of influential figures shaping the headlines. Click here to see the full edition.

MusicRow Magazine has unveiled the 2026 edition of its flagship print directory, InCharge. Long regarded as an essential resource within Nashville’s music business ecosystem, the annual guide continues to spotlight the executives steering the industry forward. This year’s volume features 384 profiles, offering not only contact information but also in-depth career biographies and detailed affiliations across boards and organizations.

Award season is also beginning to take shape. The Country Music Association has confirmed that the 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18, broadcasting on ABC with streaming availability on Hulu the following day. Alongside the date announcement, CMA released its full ballot schedule and key timelines for its Broadcast Awards, Touring Awards, International Awards and Industry Honors.

On the executive front, Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has appointed Allison Jones as Executive Vice President of A&R. Elsewhere in media, Joseph Hudak has been promoted to Deputy Editor and Head of Country at Rolling Stone.

The artist community saw a mix of celebration and new beginnings this week. Avery Anna has been named ACM New Female Artist of the Year. Owen Riegling stepped into one of country music’s most revered circles with his Grand Ole Opry debut, while Naomi Carman and Sam Drysdale each marked new chapters by signing with Big Machine Records and ONErpm Nashville, respectively.

The industry also gathered to honor excellence at the Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held April 28 at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The sold-out event recognized a diverse and accomplished class, including Dann Huff, Dolly Parton—who received the Industry Icon Award—George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Boylan (Producer Award), Keith Urban, Leland Sklar, Michael McDonald and the late Nicky Hopkins.

Amid these forward-looking moments, the week also brought somber news with the passing of two respected figures. Country music outlaw David Allan Coe died at age 86, leaving behind a legacy defined by his distinctive voice and songwriting. Known for hits such as “The Ride” and “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” Coe also penned songs recorded by icons including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Tammy Wynette. His songwriting contributions also include “Take This Job and Shove It” and “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)”. Additionally, industry veteran Cliff Downs passed away at 72 following a battle with cancer. His multifaceted career as an artist, composer, producer and publisher earned him deep respect across the business.

This week’s edition also features a conversation with FlyteVu’s Laura Hutfless.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Ella Langley remains in the No. 1 spot with “Be Her.” 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.