Singer-songwriter Jessie Murph performed and took part in a conversation at an ASCAP-hosted event on Monday (Sept. 15) at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville.

Nashville creatives from the songwriting, music publishing and media camps enjoyed a brief acoustic set from Murph featuring her hits “Heroin,” “Touch Me Like A Gangster” and “The Man That Came Back” from her Sex Hysteria album during the exclusive event.

ASCAP VP Nashville Mike Sistad introduced the conversation between Murph and Columbia Records EVP A&R Ben Maddahi that touched on Murph’s songwriting as a young teen, her garnering large social media numbers on TikTok at 15, and five years later, breaking attendance records on her summer tour while performing hits co-written with top songwriters from a variety of genres.

Murph’s sophomore album Sex Hysteria debuted at No, 8 on the Billboard 200 chart and is part ‘60s pop, part early-2000s trap, yet entirely her own. The record’s early breakout “Blue Strips” featuring Sexyy Red landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 15, while “Gucci Mane” (the song) became an underground fan anthem. The album features real-life Gucci Mane on the bouncy “Donuts,” as well as Lil Baby’s moody turn on “Best Behavior.”

Murph also celebrates nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, Favorite Country Song at the 2025 American Music Awards and Song of the Summer for “Blue Strips” at the 2025 MTV VMAs.

Morgan Wallen wrapped his 2025 “I’m The Problem Tour” in Edmonton, Alberta on Saturday night (Sep. 13).

“It’s hard to believe this is the last show of this tour this year, and from the looks of it, we couldn’t have picked a better place for it,” Wallen shared from the stage. “I just want to say thank you guys for the energy that you have brought me this entire year. I don’t think that there’s a better fanbase on the entire planet than the one that I have.”

Wallen performed a 26-song setlist each night alongside his band, Mark “Taco” Annino (Drums/MD), Luke Rice (Bass/Guitar), Dominic Frost (Guitar/BGV), Tyler Tomlinson (Guitar/BGV), Chris Gladden (Aux/Keys) and Tony Aichele (Aux/Guitar/Pedal Steel). The set included long-time fan favorites such as “The Way I Talk” and “More Than My Hometown” as well as tracks from his most recent album, I’m The Problem. A rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel joined in direct support with Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson as second-of-four, and Zach John King added as first-of-four.

During his tour run, Wallen donated a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation (MWF), which supports youth music and athletic programs and gives communities access to essentials in times of crisis. Through those donations, MWF to donate over $600,000 worth of instruments to schools in need across U.S. touring cities, including Gulf Shores, Alabama, in addition to a $30,000 donation to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jays Cares RBI program.

In addition to the 20 stadium-plays, Wallen also held his inaugural, self-curated and multi-genre Sand In My Boots Festival, and intimate album release show at The Roundhouse in London, in May.

SESAC Hosts AmericanaFest Showcase

SESAC celebrated AmericanaFest with a showcase at the Bluebird Cafe on Saturday, September 13. The event featured Sammy Brue, Andrew Combs, and Keifer Thompson and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square.

 

Riley Green Tops UK Country Music Radio Airplay Chart

Riley Green recently topped the UK country radio charts with “Change My Mind,” from his recently released album Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe). The song garnered one million impressions between Sept. 5-11.

Green is currently midway through his sold-out headline tour of the UK and Ireland which included three nights at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, plus stops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.

 

‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Earns Platinum Certification

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was recently certified Platinum by the RIAA. The track became the longest running No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of all time at 19 weeks.

EMPIRE Founder and CEO, Ghazi, surprised Shaboozey with his plaque on stage at EMPIRE’s 15th anniversary show over the weekend.

 

Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner Raises Over $600,000 To Support U.S. Veterans

The Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Dinner, benefiting The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project (TCDJHP), returned to Nashville’s City Winery, raising more than $600,000 to fund programs for U.S. veterans, first responders and their families.

Founded in 2014 by the late Charlie Daniels and longtime manager and friend David Corlew, TCDJHP provides resources to help veterans return, rehabilitate and reintegrate into civilian life. This year marked the 11th anniversary of the Patriot Awards, honoring individuals and organizations who embody the nonprofit’s mission of service and support.

“The Patriot Awards are about more than one night—they’re about continuing Charlie’s mission to fight for the men and women who have fought for us,” shared Corlew. “We are honored by the generosity of our supporters and remain committed to ensuring every dollar raised goes directly to programs that provide hope and healing for our veterans.”

 

She Is The Music & FEMco Announce October Anzie Blue Showcase Lineup

She Is The Music, FEMco and Anzie Blue have unveiled the lineup for their upcoming showcase on Oct. 1. The multi-genre line-up includes Ruby Amanfu, Jessie Baylin, Corrina, Angie K and Eliana. Admission to the show is free and open to the public, with limited capacity.

Hosted by FEMco’s Leslie Fram and Anzie Blue’s Marcie Allen, each artist will engage in a brief discussion and perform one song, followed by a post-show mixer.

 

Monarrch Announces AI Royalty Operating System (AIR-OS)

Monarrch has launched a new AI royalty operating system (AIR-OS). AIR-OS works through verification and fingerprinting, transparent real-time usage tracking across the AI ecosystem, consent with artist-approved licensing and automated royalty payments.

“AIR-OS is built WITH artists, not just for them,” says Ken Gay, Founder of Monarrch. “And it extends that protection globally, helping defend U.S. creative property from foreign exploitation, including large-scale IP theft from China.”

“When a new AI work is made, the royalty gets paid. AIR-OS operationalizes the intent of landmark measures like the ELVIS Act and the NO FAKES Act,” Monarrch Founder John Pisciotta adds. “We don’t have to become China to beat China. We just have to build better systems—ones that protect creativity, reward innovation, and uphold the rights of those who inspire the future.”

 

VOTH Launches The Soundup Club

Oklahoma-based sibling trio VOTH has launched The Soundup Club, an organization based in Tulsa dedicated to fostering community and creating a real industry infrastructure for the talent coming out of the state. Their goal is to create a space where creators can come together to create ideas that evolve from song to studio to stage.

The Soundup Club is hosting its first songwriter’s round, The Soundup Roundup, featuring Audra Mae, Natalie Reed and Voth on Sept. 25th at The Church Studio in Tulsa.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has unveiled the full lineup for its silver anniversary in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Oct. 3-5.

Now in its 25th year, the free music festival will once again present a truly eclectic bill of performers spanning an array of genres, including Emmylou Harris, Jeff Tweedy, Margo Price, Hovvdy, Patty Griffin, The War And Treaty, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle & The Hardly Strictly Dukes, Albert Lee, Buddy Miller, The Felice Brothers, Lola Kirke, Maria Muldaur, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rodney Crowell, Rose City Band, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin and many more.

As a special way of marking HSB’s anniversary, the Haight Street Art Center will present The Big Twang! Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25, a special exhibition running through Oct. 12. Highlights of the exhibition include HSB founder Warren Hellman’s rhinestone jacket as well as his beloved banjo; key posters from HSB concerts over the years; the festival’s famous penny machine; and dozens of photos capturing faces in the crowd by documentary photographer and filmmaker Lizzy Myers.

HSB is also celebrating its anniversary with the release of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!, an expansive book of photography and essays capturing the sights and soul of the festival through the lenses of Jay Blakesberg and many other talented photographers.Featuring a heartfelt foreword by Emmylou Harris and an afterword by Steve Earle, the book also includes interviews and essays by Aidin Vaziri, Frances Dinkelspiel, Sylvie Simmons and Tricia Hellman Gibbs.

“For the first time in our history, we have decided to put together a book to share the memories we have made for the past 25 years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass,” says Avery Hellman, Creative Director of the book. “We spent months collecting our favorite photographs of performances and candid moments to share with our audience. This book really tells the story of our unique place in the world of live music; it is guaranteed to delight you, and revive any forgotten memories of HSB.”

As a companion to the exhibition, on Sept. 20, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will co-host a special book launch event with the Haight Street Art Center featuring live music by Yoseff Tucker to celebrate the publication of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!

HSB will kick off its landmark 25th anniversary weekend celebration this year with a very special sold-out festival eve benefit concert honoring Emmylou Harris – the only artist to perform at each and every edition of the much beloved San Francisco free music festival. Set for Oct. 2 at San Francisco, California’s The Masonic, “A Tribute to Emmylou Harris & 25 Years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass” will see the 14x Grammy-winner joined by some of her closest friends and collaborators including Allison Russell, Albert Lee, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle and other guests.

Morgan Wallen has maintained his spot atop the streaming charts this week, according to Luminate data. His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” remains at No. 1 on the songs chart with 13 million streams this week adding to its 324 million total, while his I’m The Problem record holds its top position on the albums chart with 98K in total consumption.

On the albums chart, Wallen holds the No. 2 spot with One Thing At A Time gaining 33K in total consumption and the No. 3 spot with Dangerous: The Double Album garnering 25K in total consumption. BigXThaPlug takes the No. 4 spot with I Hope You’re Happy garnering 23K in total consumption. Rounding out the albums chart is Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going with 21K in total consumption.

On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top four positions. “I Got Better” takes the No. 2 spot with 12 million streams this week. “I’m The Problem” and “Just In Case” come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively with 10 million streams each this week. At No. 5 this week is BigXThaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman’s “All The Way” with 8.6 million streams.