EMPIRE Nashville & American Dogwood Host CMA After Party

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EMPIRE Nashville Team. Photo: Becca Mitchell

EMPIRE Nashville and Shaboozey‘s American Dogwood hosted their CMA After Party on Wednesday night (Nov. 19).

Attendees included Ne-Yo, BigXthaPlug, Russell Dickerson, Randy Houser, Tay Keith, Melanie Fiona, Kevin Powers, Jake Banfield, Don Louis, Sophia Scott, CeCe, Josh Tatofi, Dawson Anderson, Johnny Manziel, Shaboozey’s managers Jared Cotter (Range Media Partners) and Abas Pauti (American Dogwood), and Ghazi (EMPIRE Founder/CEO).

Abas Pauti & Jared Cotter. Photo: Becca Mitchell

BigXthaPlug, Ne-Yo, & Shaboozey. Photo: Becca Mitchell

CeCe. Photo: Becca Mitchell

Dawson Anderson & Don Louis. Photo: Becca Mitchell

Eric Hurt & Josh Tatofi. Photo: Becca Mitchell

Ghazi & Sophia Scott. Photo: Becca Mitchell

Photo: Becca Mitchell

Tay Keith. Photo: Becca Mitchell

WME Hosts CMA Awards After Party

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Shapiro (WME Group President & Managing Partner), Zach Top and Jay Williams (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office). Photo: Eli Greiss for WME

WME hosted its annual CMA Awards After Party at Fifth + Broadway’s Sixty Vines and One More Cocktail Club in Nashville last night (Nov. 19), with Morgan Stanley Global Sports + Entertainment as the presenting sponsor of the event.

The agency celebrated clients taking home trophies for Entertainer, Album, Female, Duo, Group and New Artist of the Year. WME’s Lainey Wilson took home awards for Album, Female and Entertainer of the Year, on top of her hosting duties.

Icons Brooks & Dunn won Duo of the Year, marking their 20th CMA Award and extending their record as the most-awarded artist in CMA history. Zach Top and The Red Clay Strays earned their first CMA Awards, winning New Artist and Vocal Group of the Year, respectively.

Guests celebrated the evening with handcrafted cocktails and enjoyed wood-fired pizzas, elaborate charcuterie grazing tables, seafood and a vast selection of small plates.

Pictured (L-R): Kanan Vitolo (WME Agent), Drew Nix (The Red Clay Strays), Brandon Coleman (The Red Clay Strays), Cody Payne (All For One Management), Alex Collignon (WME Agent), Jay Williams (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office), Zach Rishel (The Red Clay Strays) and Sevans Henderson (The Red Clay Strays). Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME

Pictured (L-R): Christian Muirhead (WME Co-Chairman), Coran Capshaw (Founder, Red Light Management), Joey Lee (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office) and Becky Gardenhire (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office). Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME

Pictured (L-R): Braeden Rountree (WME Agent), Carrie Murphy (WME Agent), Tucker Wetmore and Jay Williams (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office). Photo: Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for WME

Pictured (L-R): Lara Christie (WME Agent), Chris Hrovat (WME Agent), Kaitlin Butts, Mae Estes, Mark Noel (Triple 8 MGMT) and Becky Gardenhire (Co-Head, WME Nashville Office). Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME

Pictured (L-R): Emily Crews (Big Loud), Rakiyah Marshall (Founder/CEO Back Blocks Music), Ashley Cooke and Carrie Murphy (WME). Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Vince Gill & Carly Pearce Share Disc Of The Day

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Vince Gill & Carly Pearce

Fall is in the air, and so is a gust of new country sounds.

Vince Gill and Carly Pearce lead the way with ballads that share this week’s Disc of the Day award. Cali Tucker is our DISCovery Award winner.

But be sure and also check out this week’s offerings from Randy Houser, Ne-Yo, Priscilla Block and Emily Ann Roberts. They also have something to say that you’ll want to hear.

CARLY PEARCE / “Dream Come True”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Emily Weisband/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producers: Ben West, Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– She has it all, except for love. Pearce delivers the aching lyric with throaty, emotional force. This is country music royalty at work.

EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Come Home To You”
Writers: Jim McCormick/Makayla Parry/Michael Wayne Wilkes; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Heartache on the hoof. Sad country music is always in fashion, and this is a pluperfect example of just how aching it can be. This woman is gem.

RANDY HOUSER / “Back In The Bottle”
Writer: Randy Houser; Producers: Blake Chancey, Randy Houser; Label: Magnolia Music Group
– This mighty voice stopped the show at this week’s BMI Awards. Houser’s ferocious vocal attack lights a fire under this propulsive drinking song as his new single. Play and become a believer—he’s one of country’s true treasures.

NE-YO / “Simple Things”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Motown
– If you are wondering what this Grammy-winning, Platinum-selling R&B star was doing at the CMA Awards, here’s your answer. Ne-Yo (Shaffer Chimere Smith) applies his lustrous, fluttery tenor voice to a super catchy romance tune with a terrific acoustic track. He totally crushes it. Country? You bet.

LUKE COMBS & BIGXTHAPLUG / “Pray Hard”
Writers: Bandplay/Dave Cohen/Jon Robert Hall/Krishon Gaines/Luke Combs/Mark Nilan Jr/Nick Monson/Tony Coles/Xavier Landum; Producers: Bandplay, Dave Cohen, Mark Nilan Jr, Nick Monson, Tony Coles; Label: UnitedMasters
– It’s about faith and perseverance. Like most country-rap collaborations, it’s quite repetitive.

PAUL KENNERLEY / “Born to Run”
Writer: Paul Kennerley; Producer: Paul Kennerley; Label: PK
– Songwriting legend Kennerley has released a 30-track compilation of his demos. This tune was a hit for Emmylou in 1982, and it’s fascinating to hear the acoustic, strummy, raw, rootsy version that she would have learned it from. On this album, you’ll listen to “Hillbilly Rock,” “Have Mercy,” “Cry Myself to Sleep,” “Heaven Only Knows,” “Give a Little Love” and other hit tunes with fresh ears. This whole project is a keeper.

NICKELBACK & SHENANDOAH / “Church on the Cumberland Road”
Writers: Bob Di Piero/Dennis Robbins/John Scott Sherrill; Producer: Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– This rocks. The two bands merge nicely, thanks largely to Nickelback’s genuine commitment to a country sound. As unlikely as it seems, this collab works splendidly.

TUCKER WETMORE / “Brunette”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase McGill/Chris LaCorte/Josh Miller; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: MCA
– His “3,2,1” single continues to climb, and now he’s issuing a cowboy-themed video to promote this new bopper. He’s through with Southern blonde heartbreakers and is out to find a brunette from north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Castle in the Sky”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/Gigi Rich/Hallie Hertrick/Paul Wrock; Producer: Hallie Hertrick; Label: Neon Holler
– Shaky fiddling and snappy handclaps underscore this uptempo reflection on the afterlife. They’ve done better.

GAVIN ADCOCK / “Perfect Man”
Writers: Colton Venner/Gavin Adcock/Jack Hummel/Rhett Akins; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Drowsy musing in search of a hook.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Things You Didn’t See”
Writers: Brandon Paddock/Martin Johnson/Priscilla Block; Producer: Dave Cohen, David Garcia; Label: MCA
– “Everybody’s got a hurting heart they’re hiding underneath.” I have come to expect nothing but emotional Truth from this talented artist, and she has never let me down. This tuneful, insightful, autobiographical single is one more reason to love her.

LACOSTA TUCKER / “Woman Behind the Wheel”
Writers: Cathy Majeski/Stephony E. Smith/Sunny Russ; Producer: Roger Ball; Label: LT
– Women make the world go ‘round, says LaCosta in this midtempo ditty. Twangy retro guitars back the stacked vocal harmonies. Tanya’s sister is best known for a string of charters back in the ‘70s, including “Get on My Love Train.”

CALI TUCKER / “Last Name”
Writers: Cali Tucker/Derek Robertson/G’harah “PK” Deg/Tricia Battani; Producer: G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze; Label: Mother Tucker Music
– LaCosta’s daughter and Tanya’s niece also has a new single. It’s a languidly paced pop-leaning tune of reclaiming her independence. Like her better-known family members, she’s a strong and assured vocalist.

VINCE GILL / “Secondhand Smoke”
Writers: Derrick Southerland/Vince Gill; Producer: Vince Gill; Label: MCA Nashville
– This legend is in the midst of a monthly series of autobiographical EPs that chronicle his journey from Oklahoma. The series is titled 50 Years From Home. The title tune of the second EP recalls his late father with enormous heart and deep love. There is no finer living country-music artist. Nor one more beloved.

MCA Celebrates CMA Awards With After Party

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Pictured (L-R): Brian Wright (ONE4), Monte Lipman (Founder, REPUBLIC) George Strait, Sir Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group), Vince Gill, Stephanie Wright (EVP/Head of A&R, MCA) and Mike Harris (President & CEO, MCA). Photo: Chris Hollo

MCA celebrated the 59th Annual CMA Awards with artists, staff and industry friends at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville last night (Nov. 19).

Many of the label’s artists were featured in performances, special collaborations and appearances throughout the 59th Annual Country Music Awards including Vince Gill (Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award), Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and more.

Attendees included Gill, George Strait, Tucker Wetmore, Little Big Town, Brothers Osborne and more with integrated moments from Bud Light, Justin Boots, Meta, Raising Canes, Red Bull and Victrola.

Pictured (L-R): Rob Femia (COO/EVP Business & Legal Affairs, MCA), Jessie Jo Dillon (MCA Song Buddy), Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Tucker Wetmore, Carter Faith, Priscilla Block, Kassi Ashton, Kimberly Schlapman, Tyler Hubbard, Katie McCartney (EVP/GM, MCA), TJ Osborne, Dalton Davis and John Osborne. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MCA

Pictured (L-R): Avery Lipman (Founder, REPUBLIC), Boyd Muir (COO, Universal Music Group), Dave Cobb (Chief Creative Officer, MCA), Jessie Jo Dillon (MCA Song Buddy), Monte Lipman (Founder, REPUBLIC), Sir Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group), Mike Harris (President & CEO, MCA) and Katie McCartney (EVP/GM, MCA). Photo: Chris Hollo

Pictured (L-R): George Strait, Sir Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group) and Vince Gill. Photo: Chris Hollo

Pictured (L-R): Dave Cobb (Chief Creative Officer, MCA), Jessie Jo Dillon (MCA Song Buddy), Billy Bob Thornton and Carter Faith. Photo: Chris Hollo

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Hubbard, John Osborne, Madden Metcalf and Jon Pardi. Photo: Chris Hollo

Sony Music Nashville Hosts CMA After Party At Category 10

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Sony Music Nashville staff and artists. Photo: Alexander Wieland

Sony Music Nashville celebrated the CMA Awards last night with a celebration at Category 10 in downtown Nashville.

Brooks & Dunn took home their record-extending 16th trophy for Vocal Duo of the Year, cementing their status as the most decorated artist in CMA history and the most wins in the category.

Luke Combs opened the evening’s broadcast with his No. 1 hit “Back In The Saddle” and later joined BigXthaPlug for their collaboration “Pray Hard.” Megan Moroney performed her viral track “6 Months Later” and Old Dominion celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their debut with a medley that included “Break Up With Him,” “Memory Lane,” “One Man Band,” “Hotel Key” and “Snapback.”

Mitchell Tenpenny, Luke Combs, Ian Harrison, Emily Ann Roberts, McCoy Moore, Tigirlily Gold , Kat Luna, Kameron Marlowe, Kayley Green, Benny G, Zach John King, Graham Barham and more attended the event.

Pictured (L-R): Ian Harrison, Emily Ann Roberts, McCoy Moore, Tigirlily Gold (Krista Slaubaugh and Kendra Olson), SMN Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey, SMN President and COO Ken Robold, Kat Luna, Kameron Marlowe, Kayley Green, Benny G, Zach John King, Graham Barham. Photo: Alexander Wieland

Pictured (L-R): SMN President and COO Ken Robold, Mitchell Tenpenny, SMN Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey. Photo: Alexander Wieland

Pictured (L-R): SMN Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey, Luke Combs, SMN President and COO Ken Robold. Photo: Alexander Wieland

Pictured (L-R): SMN President and COO Ken Robold, Columbia Records President Jenifer Mallory, SMN Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey, Columbia Records Chairman and CEO Ron Perry. Photo: Alexander Wieland

BMLG Hosts CMA After Party Celebrating Wins

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Preston Cooper, Chase McDaniel, Greylan James, Brett Young, Riley Green, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Lady A’s Dave Haywood, The Band Perry’s Johnny Costello, The Jack Wharff Band’s Garrett Howell, Cole Goodwin, Lillian Hepler, Noah Hicks. (L-R, front row): Shaylen, RaeLynn, Scott Borchetta, Sandi Borchetta, The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, Mackenzie Carpenter, Mae Estes. Photo: Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group

Big Machine Label Group hosted its annual CMA after party last night (Nov. 19) at The Bell Tower celebrating the label’s wins.

During the 59th Annual CMA Awards, Riley Green took home Song, Single and Music Video of the Year for “you look like you love me” alongside Ella Langley. He also took the stage for a performance of his double-Platinum hit “Worst Way.” In addition, BMLG artists Lady A and The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry presented Female Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively.

Scott Borchetta was surprised on the red carpet prior to the show by Green, who presented him with the ​​CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence.

The Band Perry took the stage during the after party to perform “Chainsaw,” “Better Dig Two,” and their 2011 CMA Single and Song of the Year “If I Die Young.” Big Machine Label Group artists including Riley Green, The Band Perry, Brett Young, Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, RaeLynn, Mackenzie Carpenter, Chase McDaniel, Greylan James, Mae Estes, Preston Cooper, The Jack Wharff Band’s Garrett Howell, Noah Hicks, Cole Goodwin, Shaylen and Lillian Hepler were in attendance at the event.

Pictured (L-R): Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, Mae Estes, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, The Band Perry’s Johnny Costello, The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, Brett Young, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus. Photo: Katie Kauss

Pictured (L-R): BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Sandi Borchetta. Photo: Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group

Warner Records Nashville Celebrates CMA Win

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Pictured (L-R): Aaron Bay-Schuck (Co-Chairman/CEO, Warner Records Group), Cody Johnson, Cris Lacy (Chair & President, Warner Records Nashville), Tom Corson (Co-Chairman/COO, Warner Records Group).

Warner Records Nashville celebrated Cody Johnson’s first Male Vocalist of the Year win last night (Nov. 19) at the CMA Awards in Nashville. The achievement followed WRN’s annual luncheon which featured a lineup of The Band Loula, The Creekers, Braxton Keith, Hudson Westbrook and Gavin Adcock.

Pictured (L-R): The Creekers, Cris Lacy (Chair & President, Warner Records Nashville), Aaron Bay-Schuck (Co-Chairman/CEO, Warner Records Group), Tom Corson (Co-Chairman/COO, Warner Records Group), Hudson Westbrook, The Band Loula, Braxton Keith, Gavin Adcock.

John Huelsman Elevated To President Of Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company, Becky Harris To CEO

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John Huelsman & Becky Harris

Business management firm Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company has elevated John Huelsman to President, and Founder Becky Harris has been promoted to CEO.

“I’m so excited to hand John the reins as President,” shares Harris. “He has always bent over backwards to help our clients and shares my vision of a family atmosphere where we treat all clients as part of that family. I know he will take the firm to new levels and continue to grow the brand I’m so proud of.”

“I’ve had the privilege of learning from Becky over the past decade and am dedicated to upholding and further developing the vision she set forth, one that I share,” adds Huelsman. “She invested tremendous effort over the years to build this company from the ground up, and I fully recognize the weight of my new responsibility, but I’m eager to lead this team that I deeply
trust and genuinely enjoy.”

Harris and Huelsman were both recently named to Billboard‘s 2025 Top Business Managers List. This inclusion marked Huelsman’s first time with the honor.

CAA Hosts 2025 CMA Awards Watch Party

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CAA 2025 CMA Watch Party Group Photo. Photo: Danielle Piazza

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its 2025 CAA CMA Awards Viewing party at Blanco in Nashville last night (Nov. 19).

Braden Milford, William Dyer, Howie Nuchow, Ella Fernandez, Wyatt Flores, Meredith Jones Long, Jacob Lapidus and Rick Roskin. Photo: Danielle Piazza

Live Nation’s Omar Al-Joulani and CAA’s Rick Roskin and Jeff Krones. Photo: Danielle Piazza

Wyatt Flores, Jacob Lapidus and Kashus Culpepper. Photo: Danielle Piazza

Muscadine Bloodline Announce 2026 ‘Longleaf Lo-fi Tour’

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Muscadine Bloodline

Muscadine Bloodline will kick off the New Year on their just-announced 2026 “Longleaf Lo-fi Tour” which launches in January.

Beginning Jan. 9 in Durham, North Carolina, the tour will also visit Charleston, Birmingham, Beaumont, San Antonio and more through Mar. 7. The tour is named after the band’s new album, which arrived digitally after Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton surprise-announced the album last month without any details, offering fans the option to purchase a limited-edition vinyl before it hit streaming.

Since their debut a decade ago, Muscadine Bloodline has notched a radio hit with “10-90,” earned a Platinum single, “Porch Swing Angel,” made their Grand Ole Opry debut, and performed sold-out headline shows across the country while also touring with Lainey Wilson this year on her “Whirlwind World Tour.”

1/9 – Durham, NC – The Carolina Theatre of Durham
1/10 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
1/23 – Hattiesburg, MS – Hattiesburg Saenger Theater
1/24 – Rome, GA – Forum River Center
2/6 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre
2/7 – Augusta, GA – William B. Bell Auditorium
3/6 – Beaumont, TX – Jefferson Theatre
3/7 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre