The Country Music Association has revealed six promotions and one new hire across multiple departments.

Michael Farris has been elevated to Vice President, Business Strategy and Insights, previously serving as Senior Director, Business Strategy and Insights. In his new role, Farris will spearhead CMA’s strategic growth through data, technology, and company-wide collaboration to enhance processes, innovation, and organizational growth. He will also helm insights, ticketing, and data architecture teams to align revenue efforts through shared planning and resources to drive greater impact for CMA’s mission. Before joining CMA in 2018, Farris led the Strategic Consulting and Research team at The Aspire Group. Farris reports to Emily Evans, Senior Vice President, Business Strategy and Operations.

“Michael made an immediate impact when he joined CMA in 2018 and has exponentially grown the depth and breadth of that impact through his strategic vision, drive for innovation, and cross-functional leadership,” says Evans. “His guidance of our Insights, Ticketing, and Data Architecture teams has driven measurable, meaningful results, and his dexterity to support high priority, cross-functional initiatives beyond his official scope has generated countless improvements across the entire organization. It’s exciting to think about all the opportunities Michael could open for CMA in his new role.”

Kate Watson has been promoted to Senior Director, Industry Relations, previously serving as Director, Industry Relations. Watson oversees CMA’s industry relations and membership strategy, including industry partnerships, community building, talent relations, and workforce development. She also drives membership engagement and events and creates artist and industry experiences at all major CMA events. Prior to joining CMA in 2018, Watson was in the talent buying and live entertainment sector with Klein’s Entertainment. She also was a member of CMA EDU and held an internship at CMA. Watson reports to Tiffany Kerns, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy.

“Kate has grown into an incredible leader within CMA, bringing curiosity, commitment, and a constant drive to pour back into our industry,” shares Kerns. “From strengthening CMA EDU, to guiding our Touring Mentorship and Women’s Leadership Academy initiatives, she continues to find meaningful ways to bolster professional development across the community. She plays a vital role in ensuring our members see themselves reflected in our events, maximizing their participation and making every experience more impactful. I am thrilled to celebrate her promotion and can’t wait to see the ways she will continue shaping the future of our industry.”

Jeff Leet has been upped to Director, Brand Integrity, previously serving as Senior Graphic Designer. Leet is the art director for all CMA branded properties, including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, CMA Country Christmas, industry awards, and membership, creating a visual identity and holding creative standards across events and initiatives. He leads digital, print, and merchandise design, manages creative vendors and staff, and collaborates with internal teams and television partners to create brand consistency. Leet held previous graphic design roles with All Elite Wrestling, MP&F Strategic Communications and CMT before joining CMA in 2023. Leet reports to Amanda Eckard, Senior Director, Creative and Content.

“Jeff has elevated CMA’s visual identity to new heights, strengthening the brand and presenting a cohesive look across the organization’s properties,” adds Eckard. “He’s the consummate team player, constantly expanding his knowledge and advancing CMA’s overall content strategy. This promotion is so well deserved and ensures the integrity of CMA’s brand will continue to be preserved for years to come.”

Additional company promotions include Lindsey Morrison to Senior Manager, Community Engagement for the CMA Foundation, Richard Xiong to Insights Senior Analyst, and Kennedy Strickler to Communications Project Manager. CMA has also added Mary Spaulding as Content Production Manager.

The third annual Toy Store hosted by The Store, a free-referral based grocery store co-founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, will take place in early December.

The holiday event allows parents currently supported by The Store facing food insecurity to shop for gifts for their children, free of charge and wrapped with love. A number of actors and actresses in town last week for Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas Event” were on hand to help stuff hundreds of stockings to be given out during the Toy Store.

Due to the growing hunger crisis and generous community donations, The Store has been able to serve more than 2,000 families with food this year, an amount double from previous years, and the need for toys and supplies is even greater this year. The Store continues to partner with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to support some of the toys needed for younger children, but thousands of items are still needed to make the event successful.

A donation drive has launched to help, and contributions can be made in three ways: purchasing items from The Toy Wishlist, donating financially at thestore.org or volunteering your time. Toys may also be purchased and dropped off unwrapped at The Store by Nov. 25.

Michael Bryan has exited his position as Global Head/Country Music at Apple Music after five years with the company.

Bryan joined as Head/Apple Music Country in 2020. At Apple, he was promoted to Dir./Editorial Operations & Audio Production in 2022 and Global Head/Country Music last year.

Prior to Apple Music, Bryan served as Talent Agent/Artist Development Lead at CAA for three years. Additionally, he spent time as iHeartRadio/Nashville SVP/Programming and WSIX PD, as well as stops in Orlando, Norfolk and New Orleans.

He shared the news on his LinkedIn, stating in part, “Today is my last day at Apple. Nearly six years. Three roles. Four managers. One extraordinary chapter I’ve chosen to close at its peak.”

Bryan can be reached here.

Robert Deaton Inducted Into North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

Robert Deaton was recently inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame alongside Luke Combs, Clyde Mattocks, David Childers, Hattie “Chatty Hattie” Leeper and Dexter Romweber.

“I love being from North Carolina,” Deaton shared from the stage. “It made me who I am today. I’m so honored to be going in with this amazing group of creative people, especially my buddy Luke Combs. I’d also like to do a shoutout, even though he’s not able to be here, to Eric Church. He’s a Tar Heel, a member of this Hall of Fame (2015), and he was influential in me being here tonight.”

 

Cobblestone Road Taps Mike Kraski As General Manager

Cobblestone Road Entertainment has tapped Mike Kraski as the company’s General Manager.

“This opportunity is a dream come true for me,” shares Kraski. “Not only do Casey and Laura understand the music business, they’ve lived it. Their purity of intent to help artists realize their hopes and dreams is nothing less than inspiring, and I take very seriously their vision for this company.”

“When we formed Cobblestone Road Entertainment, we were very specific about the qualities we wanted in our staff like leadership, experience, proven track record and esteem,” adds Co-Founders Casey Barile and Laura Turner-Barile. “Mike filled all of those qualities and more. We’re excited about the foundation we’re building, and thrilled to have Mike in the driver’s seat orchestrating all of the great things to come.”

 

CRB/CRS Now Accepting Applications for the Rusty Walker Scholarship Program

The Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) are now accepting applications for the 2026 Rusty Walker Scholarship Program until Nov. 12. Interested parties may apply here.

Eligibility for the Rusty Walker Scholarship is limited to full-time radio station employees who will be attending CRS for the first time. Three scholarship recipients will be selected and will receive complimentary registration, hotel, and airfare for CRS 2026

 

Craig Morgan Performs National Anthem At Bengals vs. Steelers Game

Craig Morgan recently performed the national anthem during Thursday night’s Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers matchup at Paycor Stadium.

Morgan has amassed nearly 2.5 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard. His memoir, God, Family, Country, is available now.

 

Rock City Worship Signs With Capitol Christian Music Group

Rock City Worship has signed with Capitol Christian Music Group.

“Rock City Worship brings a fresh worship expression and a compelling mission,” says Garrett Davis, Vice President of A&R for Capitol CMG. “We are excited about this new partnership and to reach, inspire and serve people with their music.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to join the Capitol CMG family,” adds Pastor Chad Fisher of Rock City Church. “Our prayer is that Rock City Worship’s music will reach far beyond our church walls and inspire people everywhere to encounter the power of Jesus.”

 

Alex Miller Visits RFD-TV

Alex Miller visited RFD-TV studios recently as a part of their “Countdown To The FFA Convention.”

Miller discussed his time in FFA, his experience earning the American FFA Degree for Excellence in 2023 and his new single.

 

Olivia Harms Signs With She Laughs Media

Olivia Harms has signed with She Laughs Media ahead of her national television debut on The Road. The show premiered yesterday (Oct. 19) on CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.

 

Amazon Music To Feature Brandon Lake On Songline Docu-performance Series

Amazon Music will feature Brandon Lake for the next Songline performance. The audio release of the docu-performance series is set for Oct. 29 and will feature nine reimagined versions of his songs including “Honey In The Rock,” “King of Hearts,” “That’s Who I Praise,” “When A Cowboy Prays,” “Gratitude,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” “Too Good Not To Believe,” “Daddy’s DNA” and “I Know A Name.”

“I hope fans can see a bit of my songwriting process that happens before a song ever reaches a stage or a stream,” shares Lake. “It felt really special to be able to pull back the curtain with Songline and show not only how songs are made, but their impact on fans and the artists and songwriters that wrote them.”