The 2018 CMA Broadcast Award Winners were announced Monday (Oct. 15). Jason Aldean personally congratulated the broadcast award winners, who will be honored during the CMA Awards on Nov. 14, which will air live from Nashville. The awards show will be hosted again this year by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year

National
Lon Helton, Country Countdown USA, Westwood One

Major Market
Bud Ford, Jerry Broadway, Kelly Rebal, Gregory Paul Ford, Tom Wall, Becca Walls–Bud and Broadway, WIL/St. Louis

Large Market
Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, Kevin Freeman–Jim, Deb & Kevin, WFMS/Indianapolis

Medium Market
Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, Daniel Wyatt–Ken, Kelley and Daniel, WUSY/Chattanooga

Small Market
Steve Waters, Jessica Cash–Steve and Jessica Mornings, WFLS/Fredericksburg, VA

CMA Radio Station Of The Year
Major Market: KKBQ/Houston
Large Market: WUBE/Cincinnati
Medium Market: WUSY/Chattanooga
Small Market: KTTS/Springfield, MO

Tim McGraw released his first new solo music in two years on Thursday (Oct. 4), with the unveiling of “Neon Church,” via Columbia Nashville/McGraw Music. “Neon Church” was penned by Ben Goldsmith, Ross Ellis Lipsey and Ben Stennis and co-produced by McGraw with Byron Gallimore, and marks the lead single from McGraw’s upcoming album, set for release in 2019.

“There’s not a misplaced word in ‘Neon Church,’” explained McGraw in a release from the label.

McGraw has also released a second track, “Thought About You,” penned by The Warren Brothers and Lee Miller, and co-produced by McGraw with Gallimore.

“I love that there are no rules anymore and I can give fans more music at once. I really felt that both these songs were ready to be heard and will absolutely give a sense of where I’m going with my next project. They’re meaningful to me and show the diversity of what I’ve been working on musically,” said McGraw who has most recently spent two years touring with his wife Faith Hill on the Soul2Soul Tour in support of their first-ever album together, The Rest Of Our Life.

“Tim had such a vision for the sound and shape of this new music. ‘Neon Church’ is an anthem from the first note and is so unique sonically,” said Gallimore.  Together as co-producers, McGraw and Gallimore have sold over 50 million records.

McGraw also stopped by SiriusXM’s The Highway to discuss the new music with Storme Warren.

“This album, we had so much fun in the studio and we had such great songs and such great tones and sounds, and we had such an idea of what we wanted to do when we went in there that I would say 98 percent of these vocals were tracking-day vocals. We went in, cut them and just kept everything that we recorded while we were singing… I spent a lot of time learning the songs, I really wanted to have a-what’s the word I’m looking for?-first approach passion to it. That’s what I really wanted, and boy we got it. I flew in from the road a couple of times and flew in from the road one time and went in the studio, slept on the couch for three or four days and cut these records. Gosh, we really were excited when we got through with it. I mean you can even hear on my vocal, you can hear the snare drum sound bleeding through my vocals sometimes because we were writing all in the studio. I think it makes an even bigger sound, we wanted it to be a big wave coming at you.” -Tim McGraw in an interview airing Friday, October 5 at 7:30 a.m. ET on SiriusXM channel 56.

Reviver Entertainment Group has added Jim Malito as VP/Promotion for a newly-created position, working with both the Reviver and 1608 promotion staffs. Malito will report to Sr. VP Bob Reeves.

“When an industry pro like Jim Malito becomes available, just as our label is celebrating explosive growth, you grab him immediately,” says Reeves. “He’s going to be an excellent addition to our promotion team.”

Malito adds, “I’m excited to join Reviver, work with their talented roster and staff and contribute to their already successful business model.”

Malito spent 10 years at BBR Music Group, most recently as Dir. National Promotion for Broken Bow Records. Reviver Records’ roster includes Michael Tyler, David Lee Murphy, Tenille Arts, Aaron Goodvin, Haley and Michaels, Kayla Adams, Blackjack Billy, Little Anthony. Reviver Label Services/1608 Promotion includes Josh Gracin and Whitney Woerz.

Reach Malito at [email protected].

Universal Music Group Nashville has named Royce Risser Executive Vice President of Promotion for the label group, comprised of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, Mercury Nashville and MCA Nashville.

Previously Senior Vice President of Promotion, Risser will continue to oversee promotion initiatives for UMG Nashville’s artist roster which includes Alan Jackson, Adam Hambrick, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Caylee Hammack, CB30, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Langston, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Travis Denning, Tyminski and Vince Gill.

Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO Universal Music Group Nashville, says, “Royce rides herd on four major label imprints, while landing all the planes, ensuring that each of the singles and the artists receive the best effort possible, and remaining focused on the big picture job that always goes farther than #1 on the charts. Yet he saves just enough energy to occasionally push people into bushes. I am proud of Royce, honored to work beside him, and happy to announce this promotion.”

Risser, a southern California native, was recruited to play football and attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and his master’s degree. He joined MCA Records in 1991 as an intern before being hired full-time as a promotion assistant. Through the years, Risser climbed the ranks as the Director of Northeast Regional Promotion, Director of National Promotion, and Vice President of Promotion before assuming the role of SVP of Promotion for UMG Nashville in 2007. During his time at UMG, Risser has been a part of over 160 No. 1 singles to date.

Risser shares, “I am always so proud to tell people that UMG has been my only home now for 27 years. I really do still get up in the morning and can’t wait to get to the office to be around wonderful friends and unbelievable artistry. I am also so proud of what this team has accomplished and I’m looking forward to many more years of working with the best in this business. Go Team UMG!”