Hollywood & Mind To Host Inaugural On Location Event In Nashville

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Pictured (clockwise): Ashley Gorley, Ashley McBryde, Chase McDaniel and GAYLE

Entertainment industry mental health coalition Hollywood & Mind will host the inaugural Hollywood & Mind On Location event on Oct. 22 at Anzie Blue and The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville. The day long program will feature Ashley Gorley, singer-songwriters Ashley McBryde, Chase McDaniel, Gayle, Maggie Rose, Sam Williams, Stella Prince, Madeline Edwards, Summer Joy and an array of music industry executives.

Among the conversations will be “Visual Storytelling and Mental Health” hosted by YouTube’s Head of Industry and Label Relations, Nashville’s Margaret Hart, featuring McBryde, her manager John Peets, and Warner Music Nashville’s SVP, Creative Director Mike Dupree. Gorley is on deck to host a fireside chat, while McDaniel will lead “Writers Room <> Therapy Session” alongside Rose and Edwards.

“Nashville is the songwriting capital of the world, and our team has been on the ground immersing in the community to better understand both the unique challenges to their wellbeing and various ways they’re using their voices to elevate mental health out in the culture,” says Cathy Applefeld Olson, Founder and CEO of Hollywood & Mind. “The big heart and collaborative nature of this city’s artistic alliance make Nashville the perfect place to debut our ‘On Location’ tour and we’ve created a program whose impact will resonate long after October 22.”

Leslie Fram, Founder and CEO of FEMco, will host a conversation with Williams and Gayle. The Executive Roundtable will include Katie Kerkhover, SVP, A&R, North America, BMG/BBR Music Group, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Co-Founder and CEO of The CORE Entertainment, Brittany Schaffer, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, Katrina Gay, Executive Director of NAMI Tennessee and Beth Barcus, Co-Executive Director and Porter at Porter’s Call. The whole day will kick off with a Songwriters Workshop with Joy and Prince, and the event will culminate with a reception at Anzie Blue.

The full schedule and tickets to Hollywood & Mind On Location In Nashville are available here.

Sponsor partners for the event include The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation, The FRESH Program, UTA Foundation, Anzie Blue, FEMco, Love You Three and happy coffee.

BMG Elevates Matt Vieira To Senior Director Promotion, Western US

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Matt Vieira. Photo: Kevin Grace

BMG has elevated Matt Vieira to Senior Director Promotion, Western US.

While continuing to fulfill the role of Western US promotion for Stoney Creek Records, Viera will also add duties of Western US CHR, Hot AC and AC promotions across all BMG imprints, reporting to SVP, CHR, Hot AC and AC Promotion, BMG Lee Leipsner.

“Matt is a vital part of BMG’s success and so deserving of this promotion,” says Leipsner. “He is versatile, well respected, and has a vast knowledge of music from all genres which makes him ideal for this increased role in CHR, Hot AC and AC. His relationships are second to none and I know Matt will play a key role in our campaigns moving forward. Our company believes in the impact/reach of radio; so, elevating our efforts across multiple formats with Matt is ideal.”

Based in Sacramento, California, Vieira has logged nearly three decades of experience in the industry. He has aided in campaigns for nine No. 1s for Jelly Roll across the country and rock charts and the last four No. 1s for Parmalee. Before BBR Music Group/BMG, Vieira logged more than a decade at CBS Radio in promotions, marketing and music director roles at the organization.

Vieira can be reached here.

The Creekers Ink With Warner Music Nashville & Warner Records

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Photo: Madelyn Ormond

Blugrass-country band The Creekers have signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records.

Formed in Leslie County, Kentucky, The Creekers are a six-piece group, comprised of Tanner Horton (vocals, lead guitar), Allen Hacker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jagger Bowling (bass, vocals), Ashton Bowling (cajon), Scott Sutton (banjo, vocals) and Anna Blanton (fiddle).

The band released their debut album Pour Me In The Creek last year, followed by their 2025 EP River Rat. Off the EP, their track “Tennessee” reached the top five on Spotify’s Viral 50-USA chart, staying there for multiple weeks over the summer. The Creekers are expected to release more music soon.

Drake White Unveils 2025 ‘Benefit For The Brain’ Lineup

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Drake White.

Drake White has unveiled the lineup for this year’s “Benefit For The Brain.”

Alongside White, Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Kassi Ashton and more special guests to be announced will take the Ryman Auditorium stage on Nov. 17. Tickets are on sale now.

In 2019, White endured a stroke on stage that later led to a Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) diagnosis that required seven brain surgeries. The event raises money for mental wellness for military and veterans, especially PTSD, brain health in children and adolescents and innovative approaches to stroke recovery and neurological treatment. White’s non-profit The Benefit For The Brain will donate and disperse proceeds from the show to select charity organizations. The inaugural installment sold out the Ryman and raised over $253,000.

White will then headline his “Keep It Movin’ Tour” this fall before joining Green’s 2026 Cowboy As It Gets Tour.

Eric Church Extends ‘Free The Machine Tour’ Into 2026 With 24 New Shows

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Eric Church. Photo: Robby Klein

Eric Church is expanding his “Free The Machine Tour” into 2026 with 24 new dates, kicking off Jan. 22-23 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

New stops on the tour for 2026 include Toronto, Buffalo, Kansas City, Tulsa, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte and more through April 11. He will be joined across varying dates by special guests Kashus Culpepper, Caylee Hammack, Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Stephen Wilson Jr. and 49 Winchester. 

Tickets to all shows are available to the general public beginning Oct. 3. Premium members of the Church Choir will have early access to tickets through the pre-sale beginning Sept. 29. A registration pre-sale via Seated, available to non-premium Church Choir members and the general public, kicks off Sept. 30.

Church’s 2025 run resumes tomorrow in Green Bay with special guests Marcus King Band.

Newly Announced “2026 Free the Machine Tour” Markets, Venues and Special Guests:
Jan. 22 || Washington, D.C. || The Anthem || Caylee Hammack
Jan. 23 || Washington, D.C. || The Anthem || Caylee Hammack
Feb. 5 || Omaha, Neb. || CHI Health Center || Ella Langley
Feb. 6 || Sioux Falls, S.D. || Denny Sanford PREMIER Center || Ella Langley
Feb. 7 || St. Paul, Minn. || Grand Casino Arena || Ella Langley
Feb. 12 || Toronto, ON || Scotiabank Arena || Ella Langley
Feb. 13 || Buffalo, N.Y. || KeyBank Center || Ella Langley
Feb. 14 || Albany, N.Y. || MVP Arena || Ella Langley
Feb. 19 || North Little Rock, Ark. || Simmons Bank Arena || 49 Winchester
Feb. 20 || Kansas City, Mo. || T-Mobile Center || 49 Winchester
Feb. 21 || St. Louis, Mo. || Enterprise Center || 49 Winchester
Feb. 26 || Tulsa, Okla. || BOK Center || Stephen Wilson Jr.
Feb. 27 || Fort Worth, Texas || Dickies Arena || Stephen Wilson Jr.
Feb. 28 || Austin, Texas || Moody Center || Stephen Wilson Jr.
Mar. 5 || Knoxville, Tenn. || Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center || 49 Winchester
Mar. 6 || Greensboro, N.C. || First Horizon Coliseum || 49 Winchester
Mar. 7 || North Charleston, S.C. || North Charleston Coliseum || 49 Winchester
Mar. 19 || Birmingham, Ala. || Legacy Arena at the BJCC || 49 Winchester
Mar. 20 || Atlanta, Ga. || State Farm Arena || 49 Winchester
Mar. 27 || Hollywood, Fla. || Hard Rock Live || Kashus Culpepper
Apr. 3 || Greenville, S.C. || Bon Secours Wellness Arena || Ashley McBryde
Apr. 4 || Charlotte, N.C. || Spectrum Center || Ashley McBryde
Apr. 10 || Jacksonville, Fla. || VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena || Ashley McBryde
Apr. 11 || Tampa, Fla. || Benchmark International Arena || Ashley McBryde

Early Bill Anderson Albums Now Available Digitally For First Time

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Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson fans can now get five of the albums from his catalog on streaming and digital platforms.

Wild Weekend (1968), If It’s All The Same To You with Jan Howard (1970), Always Remember (1971), Ladies Choice (1979), and Nashville Mirrors (1980) are now all available digitally from the legendary singer-songwriter. Anderson’s vast catalog continues to be digitalized after nearly seven decades writing and recording hits.

Earlier this year, the Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member celebrated 64 years as the longest-serving member of the Grand Ole Opry and in April, the Tennessee Songwriters Association International honored Anderson with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In fall of 2024, Anderson was honored with the Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement Award by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame.

Anderson’s collaborations with the newer generation of Nashville tunesmiths resulted in hits like “Wish You Were Here,” the Grammy-nominated “Two Teardrops,” Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot Of Things Different,” Vince Gill’s “Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn),” and two CMA Song Of The Year trophies for “Whiskey Lullaby,” with Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and George Strait’s “Give It Away” in 2005 and 2007, respectfully.  He continues to write today with recent cuts like Brad Paisley’s “Dying To See Her.”

Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, More To Honor Anne Murray At Grand Ole Opry

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The Grand Ole Opry is set to host “The Music of My Life: An All-Star Tribute to Anne Murray” Oct. 27. Tickets are on sale now.

The lineup includes Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, k.d. lang, Kathy Mattea, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Shenandoah, The Gatlin Brothers, Collin Raye, Natalie Grant, Michelle Wright, Victoria Shaw and more to be announced. Additional appearances include Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz, Brenda Lee and Randy Travis.

Murray’s career has spanned more than five decades, earning over one billion global streams and selling over 55 million albums worldwide. One of only four female solo artists to win the CMA’s Album of the Year award between 1967 and 1990, Murray became a trailblazer for women in pop, country and adult contemporary music. She has been recognized with four Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, three CMA Awards, and a record-breaking 26 JUNOs. A Companion of the Order of Canada, Murray is honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Nashville’s Walkway of Stars, and Canada’s Walk of Fame as well as inductions into multiple Halls of Fame in both the U.S. and Canada

BREAKING: NSAI Crowns 2025 Nashville Songwriter Awards Winners [Full List]

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Songwriters, industry members and music fans gathered at the Ryman Auditorium this evening (Sept. 23) for NSAI’s eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, presented by City National Bank.

Along with a night full of moving performances, the event celebrated winners in the Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year categories, among others, including the coveted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” honors.

Josh Phillips earned Song of the Year for his solo-penned “Dirt Cheap,” recorded by Cody Johnson. Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year, and Matthew West took home Songwriter-Artist of the Year.

The evening also saw NSAI present the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award to country legends Alabama, while icon Brenda Lee received the NSAI President’s Keystone Award.

The Legendary Song award—which honors a song that has achieved timeless status—went to Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

“City National Bank is proud to celebrate the craft and impact of songwriters through our ongoing partnership with The Nashville Songwriter Awards,” share Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Senior Vice Presidents, Entertainment & Sports Banking Nashville, City National Bank. “These awards recognize the artistry and creative storytelling that help bring music to life and inspire audiences around the world.”

Click here to read more about the evening.

The full list of winners for the eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards is below:

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Dirt Cheap” Written by Josh Phillips

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley

SONGWRITER-ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Matthew West

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others.
ALABAMA

NSAI PRESIDENT’S KEYSTONE AWARD
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters, chosen by the current NSAI President.
Brenda Lee

LEGENDARY SONG
“I Will Always Love You” Written by Dolly Parton

“10 SONGS I WISH I’D WRITTEN” AWARDS
Each year, the highly-coveted ‘10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards’ are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the Top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40, and/or Rock genres between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter.

“4X4XU”
Written by: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
(recorded by: Lainey Wilson)

“Espresso”
Written by: Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, Steph Jones
(recorded by: Sabrina Carpenter)

“I Had Some Help”
Written by: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jonathan Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen feat. Post Malone)

“I Never Lie”
Written by: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
(recorded by: Zach Top)

“I’m Gonna Love You”
Written by: Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens
(recorded by: Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood)

“Lies Lies Lies”
Written by: Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins
(recorded by: Morgan Wallen)

“One Bad Habit”
Written by: Marc Beeson, Aaron Eshuis, Tony Lane
(recorded by: Tim McGraw)

“She’s Somebody’s Daughter (Reimagined)”
Written by: Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Jimmy Yeary
(recorded by: Drew Baldridge)

“Texas”
Written by: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
(recorded by: Blake Shelton)

“You Look Like You Love Me”
Written by: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
(recorded by: Ella Langley feat. Riley Green)

Healing Appalachia Wraps Sixth Annual Festival

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Tyler Childers. Photo: Emma Delavante

Hope In The Hills’ sixth annual Healing Appalachia festival hosted sold-out crowds in Ashland, Kentucky this weekend. The three-day event welcomed over 20,000 fans hailing from 40 states and 8 countries this year.

Kicking off the festival, Jeremy Short and Andy Frasco & The U.N. hosted a free welcome concert Thursday night. Short released his Live From Healing Appalachia deluxe vinyl, with all proceeds from streaming and sales donated directly to the mission of the festival.

Chris Stapleton. Photo: Neon Jackrabbit

Jesse Welles warmed up the main stage on Friday, leading into the Infamous Stringdusters, followed by Presenter’s Stage performers Abe Partridge, Desert Hollow and Sunny War and Molly Tuttle. After Lukas Nelson performed an intimate set, Chris Stapleton stepped onto the stage, calling it “a great honor” to be with the over 20,000 fans in attendance.

With Presenter’s Stage shows by Conrad Moore, Brad Goodall, Hill Country Devil and Jonas Conner, Saturday’s main stage welcomed Kentucky native Cole Chaney, American Aquarium and Blackberry Smoke. Remi Wolf dazzled the crowd before the weekend closed out with festival co-founder Tyler Childers.

The festival is run by volunteers in recovery. The Matthew Perry Foundation provided housing and amenities for the more than 400 volunteers camping on-site, alongside 500 additional day volunteers drawn from recovery facilities across Appalachia. The festival has generated more than five million in regional economic impact and reinvested over one million into grassroots nonprofits over the past five years.

Molly Tuttle. Photo: Neon Jackrabbit

Blackberry Smoke. Photo: Neon Jackrabbit

Remi Wolf. Photo: Neon Jackrabbit

Photo: Neon Jackrabbit

Bailey Zimmerman To Host ‘Different Night Same Rodeo College Tailgate Experience’

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Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Masonn1k

Bailey Zimmerman will bring his new album to college campuses across the country this fall for his “Different Night Same Rodeo College Tailgate Experience.”

The free, pop-up event coordinates with his upcoming headline tour and will bring fans exclusive merch, a temporary tattoo parlor, photo opportunities and more.

The experience kicked off this past weekend at Clemson University during the Syracuse vs. Clemson game.

 

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“Different Night Same Rodeo College Tailgate Experience” Events:
University of Georgia – Athens, GA – Alabama vs. Georgia – September 27
Texas Christian University – Fort Worth, TX – Colorado vs. TCU – October 4
University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN – Arkansas vs. Tennessee – October 11
October 18, 2025 – To Be Announced