Lauren Alaina. Photo: Katie Kauss

Lauren Alaina is set to hit the road this fall on her new headlining “The Stages Tour.” Rising artists Shane Profitt, Ashley Kutcher and Hannah Harper will join as support on the new tour.

Named after her new album Stages due out Aug. 28, the run will spotlight each era of Alaina’s career, blending new music with the fan-favorite anthems that have defined her rise from small-town dreamer to country powerhouse. Kicking off on Oct 1 in Milwaukee, the tour will include stops in Norfolk, Lexington, Little Rock and more, with a Nashville date on Nov 12 at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets for all dates except Nov. 7 go on sale this Friday (May 29).

“This tour feels like my most personal yet,” says Alaina. “Stages is all about the different chapters I’ve lived through: the highs, the heartbreaks, the growth, and finding joy in who I am today. Every stage of my life has shaped this music, and now I finally get to bring all of these songs to stages around the country and share them with the fans who’ve been with me through it all. I hope people leave these shows feeling seen, healed, and maybe even a little more hopeful.”

Produced by hitmakers Joey Moi and Ben Johnson, Stages builds on the momentum of Alaina’s chart-climbing collaboration “All My Exes (feat. Chase Matthew)” and the current crowd-favorite “Raining Whiskey.”

“The Stages Tour” Dates:
Oct 1 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater *
Oct 2 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place *
Oct 3 – Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom *
Oct 8 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa ^
Oct 9 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s ^
Oct 10 – Jacksonville, FL – FIVE ^
Oct 15 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre >
Oct 16 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall >
Oct 17 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note >
Oct 22 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall >
Oct 23 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland >
Nov 5 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre *
Nov 6 – Troy, OH – Arbogast Performing Arts Center *
Nov 7 – Jackson, MI – Potter Center *
Nov 12 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium >

* with Shane Profitt
^ with Ashley Kutcher
> with Hannah Harper

Spotify has introduced a new program that will reserve select concert tickets for top artist streamers.

The new program for eligible Spotify Premium subscribers ages 18+ will start in the U.S., with more markets to follow. The program will identify an artist’s top fans and hold two tour tickets for them, available to purchase before tickets are on sale to the general public.

Top fans will be chosen through streams, shares, and other Spotify activity. Spotify will also monitor the activity of Premium users to ensure they are not bots. Availability will vary by artist, tour and location. Those eligible for tickets will receive an email and an in-app notification with information on how to purchase.

The International Bluegrass Music Association has welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors: Amanda Cook, Kristy Cox, Austin Scelzo and Gary Upton. 

Representing Artists, Composers and Music Publishers, Cook is an artist, producer and music executive whose career bridges both stage and studio. She founded The Amanda Cook Band in 2014, which continues to tour full time. In 2019, Cook joined Mountain Fever Records as a sound engineer and producer, and was named Chief Operating Officer in 2022, helping shape the label’s creative direction, expand its roster and strengthen its release strategy. In August 2025, she became the label’s owner.

At Large Board Member Cox has emerged as a leading voice in both the Australian and American bluegrass scenes. She began her career in Australia before rising to prominence in the U.S. with multiple Billboard-topping releases. Her latest album, Let It Burn, blends traditional bluegrass with gospel influences and earned a No. 1 spot on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. A longtime collaborator with songwriter and producer Jerry Salley, Cox has received six CMAA Golden Guitar Awards for Bluegrass Recording of the Year, including a 2023 win for “Good Morning Moon.”

Representing Associations, Scelzo is a performer, educator, and advocate who founded the Connecticut Bluegrass Association and performs with the Rock Hearts Band and On the Trail. He serves as Program Director of Bluegrass and Old-Time Music at The Granite community arts venue in Connecticut. A graduate of the 2023 Leadership Bluegrass program, he was named a “Connecticut Arts Hero” for his contributions to music and community advocacy. He also received the 2025 IBMA Momentum Industry Involvement award.  A former public school orchestra teacher, Scelzo continues to teach at camps and youth programs and also works with the IBMA Foundation as a clinician and shares educational resources on his website, blog, YouTube Channel, and singbluegrassharmony.com.

Merchandisers & Luthiers Board Member Upton is the founder of the Upton Bass String Instrument Company, a leading American maker of double basses known for blending traditional craftsmanship with modern performance needs. An active New England bluegrass bassist, Upton performs with Beyond Dixon and throughout the regional acoustic music scene, bringing a working musician’s perspective to instrument design, tone development, and artist support. He has also contributed to the arts through leadership and advisory roles in nonprofit and educational settings, including the International Society of Bassists and regional symphony boards.

The new board members will begin their terms in June 2026.

Haily Harris

Haily Harris has joined Combustion Music as Creative Manager.

Harris attended Belmont University in the Music Business program and was hired as Creative Manager of Wrensong Entertainment following her graduation in December 2024. In her first year at Wrensong, she landed a cut on Emily Ann Roberts with “Come Home To You.” Harris also took on the role of Creative Consultant at Jody Williams Songs in 2025 while continuing her role at Wrensong. During that same period, she also served as the Award Show Coordinator for the Association of Independent Music Publishers.

“Haily is wise beyond her years, and I am certain she will prove to be a true difference maker in the coming years….Couldn’t be happier to have her on board,” says Combustion Music President Chris Farren.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Combustion team,” says Harris. “What Chris, Falcon, Keithan, and Kelly have built here is truly inspiring – they champion music they’re passionate about and consistently think outside the box. I’ve long been a fan of these artists and writers, so to now be trusted with their songs is an incredible honor.”

Pictured (L-R): Jordan Policastri, Gordon S. Kerr, Kellie LaJack, Grace Watson, Tanya Schrage, Brendan Rich, Dawn Delvo, Matt Stell, Doug Johnson, Rick Froio, Aaron Steinberg and Chase Miller. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Matt Stell has signed Black River Entertainment.

“I knew I wanted to sign with Black River Entertainment from the first time we all met,” shares Stell. “I’ve been blown away by their culture, character and support from the get-go. I think we were sold on each other very quickly, which is why this deal happened at warp speed. It’s already a great fit and I’m so excited about what the future has in store for all of us.”

The Arkansas native has amassed over 1.1 billion global streams and earned two chart-toppers at country radio with the double-Platinum hit “Prayed For You” and Platinum certified “Everywhere But On.” Stell will release “Better Angels” with Ne-Yo this Friday (May 29), his first track on the label.

“From the moment we started hanging out with Matt, it didn’t take long for us to see he belongs at Black River,” shares Gordon S. Kerr, CEO of Black River. “He’s an incredible artist with a unique voice and a vision for where he wants to go and now, we are proud to be part of that journey.”

“Matt is a fantastic artist and is surrounded by a great team, led by Brendan Rich. We’re all so excited about his new music and our future together,” adds Black River EVP Rick Froio.