Josh Miller Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Josh Miller

Josh Miller has moved into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Morgan Wallen‘s “20 Cigarettes” and Tucker Wetmore’s “3, 2, 1” push the songwriter to No. 10 this week.

Riley Green remains at No. 1 for the sixth consecutive week with his solo-penned Ella Langley duet “Don’t Mind If I Do.” Blake Pendergrass remains at No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Ain’t A Bad Life,” “Heart Of Stone,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case” and “Wish You Well.”

Charlie Handsome (No. 3), Chase McGill (No. 4) and Wallen (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.

Hudson Westbrook Announces New EP ‘Exclusive’

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Hudson Westbrook. Photo: Ian Noh

Hudson Westbrook is kicking off the New Year with the release of his new EP, Exclusive, on Jan. 23.

The fast-rising Texas star has offered fans a taste of the new EP with “If He Wanted To,” out now. Penned by Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Beau Bailey and Neil Medley, “If He Wanted To” will be featured on Exclusive alongside recently released fan favorite “Pretty Privilege” and never before heard tracks like “Exclusive,” “LMWYL” and “Lovin’ On Me.”

Youtube video

Westbrook’s top 15-and-rising debut single “House Again” continues to soar at country radio, earning over 900 million global career streams in under 18 months. On Nov. 1, Westbrook returned home to headline a benefit in Stephenville, Texas, raising over $100,000 for the Erath County Junior Livestock Association. Before the event, he was surprised by River House Artists / Warner Music Nashville staff alongside his co-writers, with two plaques, a Gold certification for breakout smash “5 To 9,” and a Platinum plaque for his debut single “House Again.”

Westbrook is currently headlining his “Texas Forever Fall Tour” nationwide, and was recently announced as an opener on Morgan Wallen’s 2026 “Still The Problem Tour.”

Exclusive Track List:
1. “Exclusive” (Hudson Westbrook, Neil Medley, Lukas Scott, Ryan Beaver)
2. “LMWYL” (Hudson Westbrook, Neil Medley, Jesse Frasure)
3. “Lovin’ On Me” (Hudson Westbrook, Neil Medley, Beau Bailey, Lukas Scott)
4. “If He Wanted To” (Hudson Westbrook, Reid Haughton, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver)
5. “Pretty Privilege” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Beau Bailey)

Graham Barham Sells Out Nashville Headline Show At Basement East

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Photo: Josh Erb

Graham Barham brought his headline “OIL MONEY TOUR” to Nashville’s Basement East on Saturday night (Nov. 15).

Barham was surprised on stage by his parents with a RIAA Gold certification for his single “WHISKEY WHISKEY.”

“I believe in myself, and I appreciate you all for believing in me too,” Barham shared with the room. “Let me tell you something, there were people in this town who told me it would never work. And here I am playing a sold-out show in Nashville tonight. I hope in your life you get to come in contact with people who have believed in me the way my family, my team, and all of you have.”

He surprised the crowd with Tyler Hubbard for their duet “WHISKEY RAIN.”

The tour will continue Nov. 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana and runs through January 2026.

Graham Barham & Tyler Hubbard. Photo: Josh Erb

Pictured (L-R): Disruptor Records’ Sam Lockhart, Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Berry Barham, Graham Barham, Camille Barham, The PRNT Co.’s Dillon Goldberg. Photo: Josh Erb

Photo: Josh Erb

Lainey Wilson, Zach Top Among Country Thunder Arizona 2026 Headliners

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Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, Brooks & Dunn and Gavin Adcock are set to headline next year’s Country Thunder Arizona 2026, taking place April 9-12 in Florence, Arizona.

The festival weekend’s 30th year at Canyon Moon Ranch will also feature performances from Waylon Wyatt, Ian Munsick, Lonestar, Scotty McCreery, Jackson Dean, George Birge, Dasha, Billy Dean & Collin Raye, Lanie Gardner, Austin Snell, Lauren Watkins, Annie Bosko, The Wilder Blue and many more. Fans can lock in tickets for just $20 down with monthly payments leading up to the show, and tickets and premium packages are available here.

Festival-goers will once again enjoy rides, carnival games, and food and beverage options, in addition to elements of the experience inspired by Country Thunder CEO and President Troy Vollhoffer’s childhood awe and wonder of the Circus. The Country Thunder Arizona grounds host a myriad of other vendors, including new ink and custom hat trimming. The Copperhead Stage spotlights rising artists, while the Songwriter Showcase introduces the writers behind the Main Stage’s biggest smashes. Line dancing competitions and dance parties will also keep campers moving in the Electric Thunder attraction well into the night.

The lineups for Country Thunder Wisconsin, Country Thunder Florida, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, and Country Thunder Alberta will also be announced in the near future.

Max McNown Releases Surprise EP ‘Both Sides Of The Blade’

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Max McNown surprise-released a five-song EP titled Both Sides of the Blade via Fugitive Recordings on Friday (Nov. 14).

The acoustic project, which he originally teased to fans as a single, explores the push and pull of love, loss and growing up.

“Both Sides of the Blade begins with a cold conversation over coffee in the morning between a couple who’s lost their spark. The song follows a romance gone numb, and its desperate desire to feel something… anything… once again,” he shares.

McNown will embark on his “The Cost of Growing Up Tour” in March, which includes two sold-out nights at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Both Sides of the Blade Track List:
DISC 1
1. Both Sides of the Blade
2. Dream Run Dry
3. 97
4. Window In The Wall
5. From Me To You
DISC 2
1. Fishing Line
2. Willfully Blind
3. Snowman
4. MacBeth
5. Running On Empty

The Chicks & Rascal Flatts To Headline Boots And Hearts 2026

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Boots And Hearts.

The Canadian country music festival Boots and Hearts will return to Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte next August 7–9 with The Chicks and Rascal Flatts set to headline.

Tucker Wetmore, Jessie Murph, Sam Barber, Dasha, Max McNown, Waylon Wyatt, The Jack Wharff Band, Kaitlin Butts, Ashley Cooke, Emily Ann Roberts, Brett Kissel, James Barker Band, Thelma & James, Russell Dickerson and many more will also perform across various stages throughout the festival.

“The Chicks said it best, ‘I’ve sure been down this road before,’ but there’s nothing like the road to Boots. This festival and team have always been dedicated to creating world-class experiences that bring people together, and our new three-day format is the exciting next step in that journey,” shares festival co-founder Eva Dunford. “It’s everything fans love about Boots, only better and more accessible than ever. Every aspect of our festival has been elevated to celebrate the spirit, community and connection that make Boots and Hearts the most unforgettable weekend of the summer.”

The festival is introducing Daisy Duke’s Deck VIP+ at the Main Stage and the Front Porch VIP area, two new VIP ticket options, this year. General ticket sales begin on Friday (Nov. 21).

Muscadine Bloodline Relive Some Mississippi Memories On New Album ‘Longleaf Lo-fi’

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Muscadine Bloodline

Muscadine Bloodline has released a new album Longleaf Lo-fi, via Stancaster Music/Thirty Tigers.

Members Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton surprise-announced the album earlier this month without any details, giving fans the option to purchase a limited-edition vinyl of the new album before it hit streaming. Within 24 hours, all 3,000 copies were completely sold out.

“Longleaf Lo-fi is the most laid-back and real record we’ve ever made. It feels like sitting by a fire on a cool Mississippi night,” explains Muscadine Bloodline. “Every song comes from somewhere on Highway 59 between Meridian and Poplarville, shaped by the towns, the memories, and people along the way. We’re from Alabama, but we spent a lot of our adult years and made some of our best memories in Mississippi, and both of our wives are from there too. So these songs didn’t feel like stories we made up. They felt like memories we already had.

“We left town for a while and recorded the whole album in a cabin on a quail farm in Poplarville. No rush, no fancy studio. Just us, some guitars and time to let the music happen. It’s simple, acoustic led, and we kept it that way on purpose. Longleaf Lo-fi isn’t about being polished. It’s about being present.”

In honor of Veterans Day last week, they released a video for “Peter From Picayune,” a heartfelt portrait of bravery and sacrifice. “Peter From Picayune” follows the release of “My Meridian” which was released last month and also appears on the new album.

Longleaf Lo-fi Track List:
1) “Goose Chase”
2) “Silence”
3) “My Meridian”
4) “Maybe I’ll Say It” (feat. Tenille Townes)
5) “Arsonist”
6) “Right Place, Right Time”
7) “Grace”
8) “Peter From Picayune”
9) “Clairvoyant”
10) “59”
11) “You Will Be Loved”

Dasha Joins Spotify Billions Club

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Dasha. Photo: Adam Budd

Dasha has joined the Spotify Billions Club two years to the day since the release of “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’).”

“I still can’t wrap my head around this. ‘Austin’ changed my life, and now just two years after I put it out on my own – it’s officially hit a billion streams on Spotify. Knowing that the only solo female country artist to do that before me is Taylor Swift, someone who’s inspired me from day one, feels completely surreal,” she shares. “All I’ve ever wanted is to make music that helps people feel like the strongest, most badass version of themselves. ‘Austin’ was written in pure rage, but it somehow turned into this beautiful source of community and empowerment. I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I have the best team, the best family and friends, and now a billion streams on my first breakout song… that’s the juiciest cherry on top.”

Over the past two years she has played stages including Stagecoach, Austin City Limits, CMA Fest and the CMT Awards. She sold out her first headlining world tour and performed on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The track became one of the most-streamed country songs of the 2024 and won the Female Song of 2024 at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

59th Annual CMA Awards Presenters, Special Guests Revealed

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CMA has revealed the performers and special guests for the upcoming 59th Annual CMA Awards on Wednewsday night (Nov. 19).

Presenters and special guests for “country music’s biggest night” include Lady A; Alison Brown; actress Jessica Capshaw; Billy Ray Cyrus; Lauren Daigle; Jordan Davis; actress Elizabeth Hurley; Cody Johnson; comedian Bert Kreischer; Brandon Lake; Ella Langley; Banjoist and comedian Steve Martin; comedian/actress Leanne Morgan; Ne-Yo; actor Chris O’Donnell; Kimberly Perry; LeAnn Rimes; actor Alan Ritchson; Good Morning America anchor Lara Spencer; Landman star and musician Billy Bob Thornton; actress Grace Van Patten; Gretchen Wilson; and Bailey Zimmerman.

Keith Urban and Little Big Town have been added to the star-studded list of performers for Wednesday night’s show, joining  previously-announced performers Kelsea Ballerini, BigXthaPlug, Brandi Carlile,Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Patty Loveless, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson and StephenWilson Jr.

CMA Awards Backstage Live, a second screen experience hosted by Lauren Alaina and HaleyyBaylee live on CMA’s TikTok channel (@countrymusicassociation), will take viewers behind-the-scenes at Bridgestone Arena during the CMA Awards broadcast. CMA will go live multiple times on TikTok starting at the red carpet and wrapping up after the last trophy is handed out, featuring interviews with artists and celebrities, real-time reactions from winners, and all the action during the show.

Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the live broadcast airs from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville from 7-10 p.m. CT on ABC, with next-day viewing available on Hulu.

MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures a surge of industry activity across Nashville, with major award nominations, executive appointments, management updates and much more. Click here to read the full edition.

The nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards have been revealed, marking the beginning of another high-profile awards season. Artists and creators across genres will be celebrated when the ceremony returns to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, 2026.

Cris Lacy has been named Chair & President of the newly-rebranded Warner Records Nashville, ushering in a new chapter for the label as it aligns more closely with the global Warner Records structure. Additionally, Warner Records Group has elevated longtime leader Gregg Nadel to President of A&R.

At Sony Music Publishing, Michael Young has been appointed Chief Information Officer and the company has elevated Dee Hale to SVP, Film & TV Administration.

MCA Nashville has announced key promotions, elevating Tatiana Angulo and Taylor Viegut as the label continues to strengthen its internal ranks.

On the management front, multi-Platinum duo Dan + Shay have signed a new management deal with Core Entertainment, marking an exciting new phase in their career and touring strategy.

A major honor has been announced for one of country music’s most respected figures as Vince Gill will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his exceptional artistry, influence and enduring impact on the genre.

In publishing and creative news, BMI has promoted three members of its Nashville creative team, while Warner Chappell Music Nashville has renewed Tyler Hubbard’s global administration deal, further extending a long-standing partnership. By Design has revealed a new global publishing partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

ASCAP has unveiled the winners of the 2025 Christian Music Awards, honoring the genre’s top songwriters and publishers.

Several artists celebrated career milestones this week as well. Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor made his Grand Ole Opry debut, while rising artist Hannah McFarland also stepped into the Opry circle for the first time, marking a pair of unforgettable nights at the historic venue.

Publishing signings continued with Brendan Walter, who has officially inked with Warner Chappell Music Nashville. EMPIRE has expanded its Nashville presence by adding two new team members. Meanwhile, Big Machine Label Group has confirmed a new round of hires and promotions across departments, reinforcing its growing footprint.

Rounding out the week’s moves, Cole Brown has joined Creative Nation as Publishing, Management & Records A&R, and Ashley Nite has joined Kobalt.

This week’s edition also features a conversation with G Major Mgmt’s Virginia Bunetta

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. HARDY takes the No. 1 spot with “Favorite Country Song.” 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.