NMAAM Launches Black Music Month 2026

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The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has officially launched Black Music Month 2026, a month-long celebration honoring the artists, organizations and communities that have shaped American music. This year’s theme, “The Soundtrack Continues — 250 years in the making. Five years in the telling. Far from finished,” will be celebrated throughout June at NMAAM’s home in downtown Nashville as the museum marks its fifth anniversary as the home of Black Music Month.

The month features more than 15 special events across four genre-focused weeks, including artist talks, new exhibitions, live podcast recordings, film screenings, community events, a music and healing summit, and the first Black Music Executive Toast. Grammy Award-winning artist and producer PJ Morton has been named the 2026 Grand Marshal of Black Music Month. His exhibition, Saturday Night Sunday Morning, opens June 18.

“This is the year everything we have built comes into full view,” says Dr. Dexter D. Evans, Deputy Director of Strategy & Advancement at NMAAM. “Five years ago, we opened our doors and declared that Music Starts Here. This June, we prove it. Living legends in our galleries, emerging artists on our stages, and a community that knows this museum belongs to them.”

The following events will take place throughout the month at the museum:
• We Sound Crazy: Live Studio Audience Taping with George Clinton (June 3). Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and P-Funk founder George Clinton headlines a live taping of the We Sound Crazy podcast.
• BEEN Country: Black Roots and Rhythm (June 5). Returning to CMA Weekend, this year’s program is headlined by Rissi Palmer, founder of Color Me Country Radio and the Color Me Country Artist Fund.
• Swamp Dogg: In Conversation (June 6). The six-decade recording legend joins the museum for an intimate conversation and artifact donation in celebration of his new album; Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife.
• In The Pocket: Guy Davis (June 7). An intimate afternoon with the blues storyteller and son of legendary actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.
• First Note: Black Creators Night (June 13), presented by Wilson Bank & Trust. A celebration of emerging Black creators across music, content, and culture, with a performance by Summer Joy.
• Institutional Summit on Music, Healing & the Future (June 17), presented by HCA Healthcare. A targeted convening of music industry leaders, healthcare innovators, educators, and community organizations, featuring three moderated panels, a live performance lunch with Gabe Baker, participatory sound experiences, and a town hall. The summit also features The Blackbyrds, jazz-funk pioneers and Donald Byrd protégés whose catalog has been sampled by Tupac Shakur, Nas, De La Soul, and generations of hip hop artists, making a historic return to Nashville.
• PJ Morton Exhibition Opening: Saturday Night Sunday Morning (June 18). The landmark exhibition opens on the evening of June 18, followed by an exclusive listening party for Morton’s forthcoming album. On view through September 30.
• Black Music Executive Toast (June 18). The inaugural industry networking event celebrates the executives, managers, attorneys, publicists, and operators driving Black music forward. Featuring a live set by DJ Smoke and the Smoke Show.
• Juneteenth Community Day at NMAAM (June 19). A free daytime celebration across multiple activations including a film screening presented by Nashville Film Festival plus live performances by Halo, a barbershop quartet ensemble, and AfricaNashville.
• Juneteenth615 Pop-Up Museum at Centennial Park (June 19), presented in partnership with Juneteenth615, Nashville Predators, and Nissan. An off-site activation bringing NMAAM into the heart of Nashville’s community spaces.
• FRONT ROW (June 26). NMAAM’s signature artist conversation series returns with a one-night-only honor for a major artist still under wraps. Every ticket includes a one-year NMAAM membership.
• R&B Bingo: Pride Edition (June 27). The museum’s signature interactive series returns with a Pride celebration of LGBTQ+ artists who shaped R&B.
• Soul Food Sundays (Sundays in June). A four-week culinary and cultural series celebrating the food, music, and community traditions that sustain Black culture.

Josh Weathers Signs With UTA

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Pictured (L-R): Adam Hale (One Twenty One Management), Brian Hill (UTA), Josh Weathers, Lauren Holland (UTA) and Alec Vidmar (UTA). Photo: Courtesy of UTA

Josh Weathers has signed with United Talent Agency.

The Fort Worth, Texas native’s latest project Neon Never Fades was released earlier this year, marking his first studio album since 2019. He is currently on his “Life Still Happens Tour,” which includes a string of headlining dates, support slots and festival appearances across the United States and Costa Rica. Later this year, he will tour the United Kingdom in support of Drake Milligan.

Weathers recently secured a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music and is represented by Adam Hale at One Twenty One Management.

In 2025, he was selected as Entertainer of the Year at the annual Texas Country Music Awards.

Weathers and his wife founded an international mission to combat human trafficking and provide refuge for children in India and El Salvador. He also spearheaded efforts to raise over $500,000 for Hill Country flood relief in July 2025.

MCA’s ‘Live From Sky Deck’ Returns During CMA Fest

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Little Big Town and Wyatt Flores are among the acts performing at “MCA Presents: Live From Sky Deck,” two full days of live performances, exclusive fan experiences, and special events at Nashville’s Skydeck on Broadway on June 5-6.

This year’s event will showcase talent from across MCA’s roster, celebrating both the label’s chart-topping stars and the next generation of hitmakers. Additional artists on the lineup include Dalton Davis, Deanna Carter, Lamont Landers, Landon Smith, Jacob Hackworth, Travis Denning, Blake Proehl, Presley Barker, Rachael Fahim, Kinsley, Madden Metcalf, and DJ Deerock. Little Big Town’s appearance will mark the group’s only performance during CMA Fest week. Admission to “MCA Presents Live From The Sky Deck” is free for fans who register online here.

On June 6, Miranda Lambert’s Crisco Disco Brunch will offer fans a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by Lambert’s new Country and Disco era. The brunch will feature special guest appearances, curated bites, cocktails and mimosas, music, and exclusive fan moments.

The weekend will also feature appearances and live moments hosted by Katie Atkin from the country podcast Girls In Low Places.

Travis Bolt Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

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Travis Bolt. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry

Travis Bolt made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday (May 29).

“After a decade full of 2 a.m. honkytonk shows and bar room stages, I sure didn’t know what to expect stepping into that circle,” Bolt says. “It was a surreal and humbling experience! Who would’ve thought a Phalba, Texas boy would be standing where legends once stood getting to sing the songs I’ve written about my life.”

Introduced by Charlie Mattos, Bolt performed two songs including his latest single “Never Tried Cocaine,” which is out now featuring Struggle Jennings.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch Travis’s star continue to rise over the past year,” shares Anthony Martini, manager/co-founder of Gravel Road Records. “He’s overcome both personal and professional challenges throughout his journey, so seeing an institution as revered as the Grand Ole Opry embrace him is a testament to his authenticity, talent, and dedication as both a songwriter and performer. To have graced the stages of The Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry, and CMA Fest in little more than a year is an extraordinary accomplishment for any emerging artist. The most exciting part is that Travis is only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s ahead.”

Bolt will take the Dr. Pepper AMP Stage at CMA Fest on Thursday.

Brothers Osborne To Play Free Concert Before Game One Of Stanley Cup Final

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Brothers Osborne is set to headline a free outdoor concert ahead of game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final tonight (June 2) outside Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

The performance will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, shortly before the 8 p.m. matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.The concert is open to the public, and no ticket is required to attend the outdoor show. Portions of the performance will be featured in coverage of the Stanley Cup Final game broadcast on ABC, ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports.

This year, Brothers Osborne marked the 10-year anniversary of their breakthrough debut album Pawn Shop, celebrating the record that introduced their signature sound and launched a decade of success. As they honor that milestone, the duo looks to the future, with new music expected later this year.

Stem Elevates Alison Junker & Chris Allen [Exclusive]

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Alison Junker & Chris Allen. Photo: Courtesy of Stem

Stem has elevated Alison Junker and Chris Allen to Vice President, Artist & Label Relations.

With a focus on Nashville, Junker has helped lead Stem’s continued expansion across country, Americana and Christian music.

Prior to joining Stem, Junker served as a Manager for Artist & Label Partnerships at Spotify. During her time with the company, she worked on initiatives for Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Kacey Musgraves and Zach Bryan, among many others, and helped lead the third annual Spotify House activation during CMA Fest.

In his role, Allen will continue to expand Stem’s footprint across rock, alternative and emerging internet-driven scenes.

Allen joined Stem with more than 20 years of experience across artist management, digital audience development, publishing and A&R with experience at The Collective, ONErpm and more.

“Alison and Chris embody the artist-first mentality that defines Stem,” says Bobby Davin, SVP of Artist & Label Relations. “They’ve each built deep trust within their respective communities while helping artists navigate growth on their own terms. These promotions reflect both their leadership internally and the impact they continue to have across the independent music landscape.”

The Archives Nashville Returns For Third Annual Artist Closet Sale At CMA Fest

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The Archives Nashville, a digital archiving and storage company specializing in musicians’ wardrobes, will host its third annual Artist Closet Sale this week during CMA Fest June 4-7, providing fans an exclusive opportunity to shop their favorite artists’ closets.

The Artist Closet Sale will be held at Fan Fair X in Nashville’s Music City Center from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, and fans will have the chance to browse and purchase wardrobe items from a star-studded lineup including Ashley McBryde, Bailey Zimmerman, Ella Langley, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, The Band Perry, Tucker Wetmore, Wynonna Judd and more.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale will support the CMA Foundation’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality music education and equip educators with the resources needed to sustain thriving programs.

“We’ve been blown away by the response that’s allowed us to raise over $62,000 thus far in support of the CMA Foundation’s important work, and we’re so thankful to all of these artists for being so generous with their incredible items,” shares The Archives founder and longtime celebrity stylist Tiffany Gifford. “It’s an honor to give fans a chance to own a piece of their favorite artists’ wardrobe while contributing to a cause that nurtures the next generation of musicians and educators.”

With the vast wardrobe musicians acquire over the years, Gifford realized there were no viable wardrobe archiving solutions, so she created The Archives to help clients not only store their wardrobe safely and securely, but to offer a digital solution to keep all things organized, searchable and accessible to her clients and their respective teams. The Archives takes inventory and photos of the wardrobe to be archived, giving teams the option to store pieces in their facilities or integrate their system into current storage locations. RFID tracking technology programmed into each piece allows for tracking movement of each garment with the online inventory showing all pieces and their location while allowing movement as needed.

Marissa R. Moss Joins Rolling Stone As Senior Writer

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Marissa R. Moss. Photo: Khaki Bedford

Marissa R. Moss has joined Rolling Stone as Senior Writer.

Moss has been a regular contributor to the magazine since 2008 and in 2014 helped launch Rolling Stone Country, the title’s country music vertical. The New York native and 15-year resident of Nashville will report to Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone Deputy Editor and Head of Country.

“There’s no better place to cover country music right now, or with a bigger investment in what matters in Nashville and the South, than Rolling Stone,” Moss shares. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the team, where I’ll get to work with the best editors and writers in the business — not to mention Joe Hudak, who has carefully edited my stories as a freelancer for over a decade. I can’t wait to bring readers work that explores the artists who are shaping the culture, the trends driving it, and investigative reports that hold the industry accountable.”

“When we launched Rolling Stone Country in June 2014, we did so with Marissa’s byline as a contributor. Since then, she’s been responsible for some of our most important stories, including a seismic 2018 feature on sexual misconduct in country radio, definitive profiles of Sturgill Simpson and Sierra Ferrell, and a Musicians on Musicians conversation between Miley Cyrus and Mickey Guyton. I could not be more excited about what Marissa will bring to Rolling Stone as Senior Writer,” Hudak adds.

Moss is the author of the 2022 book Her Country: How Women in Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be and the forthcoming I’ve Been a Bad, Bad Girl, which she will release next year.

 

Ann Sowell Joins Quartz Hill Music Group

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Ann Sowell

Ann Sowell has joined Quartz Hill Music Group as Associate Publicist. She will report to Vice President of Publicity Natalie Kilgore.

A recent graduate of Lipscomb University, Sowell gained public relations experience through internships with McNeely Brockman Public Relations and FINN Partners. She contributed to integrated communications campaigns by helping develop storytelling strategies and supporting media outreach for Tractor Supply Company, Dippin’ Dots, and Jack Daniel’s.

“Ann may be young, but she’s already racked up an impressive list of accomplishments and worked with some of the most respected public relations agencies in the business. We’re beyond thrilled for her to join our team. I know she’ll hit the ground running,” says Kilgore.

“I am so excited to begin working with Quartz Hill Music Group. They have an incredibly talented roster of artists. I can’t wait to grow and get creative with the best team,” adds Sowell.

Sowell can be reached here.

Black River Entertainment Elevates Grace Watson

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Grace Watson. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Black River Entertainment has promoted Grace Watson to Vice President, Commercial Partnerships & Digital.

“We hired Grace three years ago and she has been a fantastic addition to BRE.  She is a great leader who has the best relationships with our revenue partners, artist managers and The Orchard. Grace has earned this promotion!” says Black River Entertainment Executive Vice President Rick Froio.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity from Gordon and Rick to step into this role and continue building impactful relationships and sales initiatives for our artists and label across the commercial and digital space,” says Watson.

A Kansas City, Watson moved to Nashville to complete her Music Business and Audio Engineering degree at Belmont University. She joined Black River Entertainment in 2023 and has worked on Kelsea Ballerini’s first No. 1 top country album, PATTERNS, and Mount Pleasant, as well as Chris Young’s first Black River Entertainment album, I Didn’t Come Here To Leave.

Before Black River, Watson worked at Universal Music Group/Capitol CMG, supporting artists such as NF, Lauren Daigle, Amy Grant, Jon Foreman and Chris Tomlin. Over the past 10 years, she has helped drive projects that reached the top of multiple Billboard charts, including the Billboard 200, top 40, country, R&B/hip-hop, Christian and Gospel albums charts.

Watson can be reached here.