Midland Plots Rooftop Takeover For CMA Fest

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Midland. Photo: Harper Smith

Midland and Blue Highway Records will celebrate the band’s upcoming album, Stages, with a rooftop takeover of Friends in Low Places today (June 5) from 3-6 p.m CT.

The event is free and open to the public for those 21 and over. The band will perform new songs from the project for the first time live, as well as host a post-show meet-and-greet and onsite experiences from Rancher Hat Bar, Ranger Station and Rusty Rag Vintage.

Stages will arrive next Friday (June 12) via Blue Highway Records. Previously released tunes off the project include “Marlboro Man,” “Shooting Memories With Tequila,” “Glass Half Empty,” “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey” and the Mackenzie Carpenter duet “I Wish You Would.”

Drew Baldridge Shares His Story On New Album ‘FARM FAITH FAMILY,’ Due In Sept.

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Drew Baldridge will release his first major label project, FARM FAITH FAMILY, on Sept. 18 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Alongside the announcement, Baldridge has released a new track, “Diesel & Dirt.”

Written by Baldridge with Jordan Walker and Adam Sanders, the new tune serves as an introduction to the album, celebrating the blue-collar work ethic and rural roots that have defined Baldridge’s life and career. The track delivers a message of grit, resilience and determination

Farm Faith Family is Baldridge’s most personal project to date, and is steeped in the values and experiences that have shaped both his life and career. Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, he learned hard work, grit, and perseverance, and his faith keeps him grounded through every season, while his family remains the heart behind everything he does. Baldridge’s journey is about staying true to yourself, working hard and proving good guys can finish first.

Baldridge co-wrote 14 songs on the new 16-track album, which features duets with Anne Wilson and Emily Ann Roberts and songs penned by Luke Combs, Laura Veltz, Tyler Hubbard, Seth Mosley, Rhett Akins, Tim Nichols and more.

“Farm Faith Family isn’t just an album title – it’s who I am,” says Baldridge. “Everything I have and everything I believe in comes back to those three things. These songs tell my story, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people who have shaped me along the way.”

Baldridge will bring his “Farm Faith Family Tour” and additional support dates with Cody Johnson and Luke Bryan across the country through the end of the year.

Farm Faith Family Track List:
1. “Farmland” (Tyler Hubbard, Josh Miller, Casey Brown)
2. “Diesel & Dirt” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Adam Sanders)
3. “Love Needs You” (Drew Baldridge, Josh Thompson, Matt Dragstrem)
4. “Country Boy” (Drew Baldridge, Jason Blaine, Kevin Rooney)
5. “Maker’s Mark” (with Anne Wilson) (Drew Baldridge, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Laura Veltz, Lalo Guzman)
6. “Tough People” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Adam Sanders, Luke Combs)
7. “Cool Enough Now” (Drew Baldridge, Tim Nichols, Monty Criswell)
8. “Rebel” (Drew Baldridge, Adam Sanders)
9. “Him For Her” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Jimmy Yeary, Seth Mosley)
10. “People Can Change” (Drew Baldridge, Joseph Patton, Tom Whall)
11. “Flowers On A Stone” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Jimmy Yeary, Josh Jenkins)
12. “Deserve Her” (Drew Baldridge, Harper Grace, Kyle Schlienger)
13. “Let ’Em” (James McNair, Ben Hayslip, Lindsay Rimes, Rhett Akins)
14. “Get Me Gone” (with Emily Ann Roberts) (Drew Baldridge, Josh Jenkins, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Trannie Anderson)
15. “I’d Still Love You” (Drew Baldridge, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Josh Phillips, Zach Abend)
16. “A Man Don’t” (Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Josh Jenkins)

Ken White Exits IBMA

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Ken White.

Ken White has exited his position as Executive Director of The International Bluegrass Music Association.

“It has been a dream of a lifetime and a privilege beyond measure serving as the Executive Director of this organization,” White shares. “I gave my whole heart to this music that stole it sixty years ago in my home state of Kentucky. Perhaps I’m most proud of the formidable team I was fortunate to assemble – Elizabeth Dewey, Amy Combs, Maggie O’Connor, Haley Grimm and Amy Beth Hale. You are in good hands with these extraordinary folks. I was preaching the gospel of bluegrass music long before I came to Nashville, and I’ll be singing the tenor part and picking an old Martin forevermore. I continue to be a proud lifetime member of IBMA.”

“Ken is beloved within our family, and we appreciate his dedication to the IBMA. We wish him the very best,” adds Anna Frick, Chair of the IBMA Board of Directors.

Paul Schiminger will serve as Interim Executive Director. Additional information about the executive search process will be shared in the coming weeks.

WME Hosts ‘Losers Live’ Showcase

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WME’s Losers Live. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

WME hosted its annual “Losers Live” artist showcase on June 1 and 2 at Losers Bar & Grill in Midtown.

Monday night featured performances from Ava Hall, Cassidy Daniels, Dalton Davis and Rhett Akins before a headlining set from Braxton Keith. During his set, Akins brought out Myles Morgan and Riley Green as surprise performers.

A.R. Simmons, Abbie Callahan, Colby Lee Swift, Colton Dawson, Dawson Steagall, Deltona, Ethan Garner, Highway Home, Morgan, Presley Barker, SJ McDonald, Spencer Hatcher, The Kruse Brothers, Timmy McKeever, Trey Pendley and Tyler Booth all took the stage on Tuesday, which also featured a surprise performance from Jon Pardi.

Pictured (L-R): WME’s Joey Lee, Jon Pardi, Red Light Management’s Gaines Sturdivant and C3 Entertainment’s Charlie Walker. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

Timmy McKeever & WME’s Carter Green. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

ERNEST & Friends Bring Songwriter Magic To Stars For Second Harvest [Recap]

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Headliner Ella Langley and host of the night ERNEST sing a duet-style version of “Loving Life Again,” a co-write between the two from Langley’s record-breaking new album, Dandelion. Photo: Blue Weidemann

ERNEST welcomed an all-star lineup of friends and collaborators to the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday night (June 2) for Stars For Second Harvest, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The evening showcased Nashville’s songwriting community with an intimate writers round before transitioning into a full-band performance featuring Ella Langley. Overall, the event raised $445,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The evening opened with an intimate writers round featuring ERNEST, HARDY, Lee Thomas Miller and Dean Dillon, who traded songs and stories throughout the set in classic Nashville fashion.

ERNEST contributed performances of the unreleased “Willie Songs,” Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You,” his own “Would If I Could” which was written by Dillon, and his Wallen collaboration “Flower Shops,” delivering the latter without a microphone and allowing the Ryman’s renowned acoustics to fill the room. HARDY offered his own “Favorite Country Song,” Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” the star-studded collaboration “McArthur,” and “Bottomland.”

ERNEST sound checks at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium before Stars for Second Harvest 2026. Photo: Blue Weidemann

Miller showcased his celebrated catalog with a medley of Brad Paisley’s “Perfect Storm,” “I’m Still A Guy,” and “The World,” before continuing with Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” Chris Stapleton’s “Whiskey And You,” and Jamey Johnson’s “In Color.” Dillon delivered George Strait’s “Marina Del Rey,” “The Chair,” and “Here For A Good Time,” closing with Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.”

The evening then shifted into a full-band set, with Langley bringing an acoustic-leaning, rootsy energy to the Ryman stage. Langley opened the segment with “Dandelion,” “I Gotta Quit,” “Somethin’ Simple,” “You And Me Time” and “20/20.”

“I’m always running around flinging my hair and entertaining [while on tour],” Langley shared from stage. “So tonight, I just wanted to sit here and sing these songs and tell the stories behind them.”

She then continued with “Broken” and “Nicotine.” Langley then debuted “We Know Us” live for the first time, drawing an enthusiastic response from the crowd.

Later in the set, Langley performed “Be Her” before welcoming JoyBeth Taylor and Ashley Dalton to the stage for “Speaking Terms.” The audience also joined in for Langley’s breakthrough hit “You Look Like You Love Me.”

ERNEST returned to join Langley on “Loving Life Again,” while the set continued with smash hit “Choosin’ Texas” and concluded with “Weren’t For The Wind.”

Dean Dillon, Lee Thomas Miller, HARDY, and ERNEST earn a standing ovation following a show-stopping writer’s round performance on Tuesday night at Stars for Second Harvest 2026. Photo: Blue Weidemann

Pictured (L-R): ERNEST, HARDY, Lee Thomas Miller and Dean Dillon. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Photo: Blue Weidemann

ERNEST. Photo: Blue Weidemann

Joan Of Arc StudioWorks Unveils First Television Project With Alan Jackson

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Joan of Arc StudioWorks has unveiled its inaugural television project, Alan Jackson: The Last Show, which it will co-produce with EverWonder Studios.

Executive produced by Cindy Mabe, Dawn Gates and Harper Grae, the primetime television event will be directed by Sam Wrench and will air on NBC later this year.

The special will be filmed at Jackson’s sold-out “Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale,” which will take place on June 27 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. The show will also feature George Strait, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Adam Wright, Big City Brian Wright and Carlisle Wright.

“Alan Jackson represents the heart and soul of country music,” shares Mabe, Founder and CEO of Joan of Arc Music. “We are honored to capture this historic moment in his career. Partnering with EverWonder Studios and having Sam Wrench direct this special ensures that Alan’s final show will be presented with the artistry and reverence it deserves. This project perfectly embodies Joan of Arc Music’s mission to preserve country music’s legacy while creating compelling content for new audiences.”

“Alan Jackson is one of the most iconic and defining artists in country music history, and his final show deserves to be captured with the same care and craft he has brought to every performance of his career,” adds Micheal Antinoro, President and Founding Partner of EverWonder Studios. “We are so proud to partner with Joan of Arc StudioWorks and collaborate with Sam Wrench to capture and honor a historic moment like this.”

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to capture such a seminal concert for country music royalty,” says Wrench. “The scale of the stadium show is matched only by Alan’s impact on American music and it’s going to be quite the evening. I can’t wait to bring it to the screen alongside Joan of Arc StudioWorks and EverWonder for more fans around the world to enjoy.”

Zach Top Extends ‘Cold Beer & Country Music Tour’ Into Fall

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Zach Top. Photo: Citizen Kane Wayne

Zach Top will extend his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” through the fall. Special guests on the new dates include Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives and Wyatt McCubbin.

Newly confirmed stops on the tour include Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Corpus Christi, West Palm Beach, Milwaukee, and more, wrapping with a headline debut show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 30.

Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale starting June 10, with a Kimes Ranch pre-sale beginning June 11. General on-sale begins June 12.

Ahead of the new dates, Top will perform at Nissan Stadium as part of CMA Fest this weekend as well as select stadium shows with Chris Stapleton.

“Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” New Dates:
September 11—Lake Tahoe, NV—Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic«
September 17—San Diego, CA—Pechanga Arena«
September 18—Anaheim, CA—Honda Center«
September 19—Fresno, CA—Boots In The Park
September 25—Corpus Christi, TX—Hillard Center Arena«
September 26—San Antonio, TX—Frost Bank Center«
October 2—Jacksonville, FL—VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
October 3—West Palm Beach, FL—iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
October 8—Des Moines, IA—Casey’s Center≈
October 9—Rosemont, IL—Allstate Arena≈
October 10—St. Paul, MN—Grand Casino Arena≈
October 15—Sioux Falls, SD—Denny Sanford PREMIER Center≈
October 16—Milwaukee, WI—Fiserv Forum≈
October 17—Grand Rapids, MI—Van Andel Arena≈
October 23—Lafayette, LA—CAJUNDOME∆
October 29—Duluth, GA—Gas South Arena∆
October 30—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena∆

≠with special guest Cole Goodwin
«with special guest Wyatt McCubbin
∆with special guest Lukas Nelson

Billboard Country Power Players Honors Miranda Lambert, Tucker Wetmore, More

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Tucker Wetmore at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Billboard held its Country Power Players event last night (June 3) at Category 10. The event recognized the most influential executives and industry tastemakers shaping the trajectory of the genre today, and the night featured several major honors, including the Icon Award, which was presented to Miranda Lambert by Tom Douglas.

Additional honorees included Tucker Wetmore, who received the Rising Star award from HARDY, and The Red Clay Strays, who were honored with the Groundbreaker Award by Matt Rife. Austin Neal was named Executive Of The Year, presented by his father Kevin Neal following an introduction by Silvio Pietroluongo, while Riley Green took home the Hitmaker Award, presented by Clint Black.

Billboard Country Live will feature a full slate of notable names and surprise guests throughout the weekend. Both days are free and open to the public.

Drew Nix, Andrew Bishop, Brandon Coleman, John Hall, Zachary Rishel and Sevans Henderson of The Red Clay Strays at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Silvio Pietroluongo at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Austin Neal at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Tom Douglas at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Miranda Lambert at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Riley Green and Clint Black at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Hardy at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Dani Rose at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Maddox Batson and Blake Whiten at the Billboard Country Power Players 2026 held at Category 10 on June 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Billboard

Matt Brum‑Taylor Exits ACM

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Matt Brum‑Taylor. Photo: Courtesy of Brum‑Taylor

Matt Brum‑Taylor has exited his position as Director of Digital Marketing at the Academy of Country Music.

During his tenure, Brum‑Taylor oversaw digital strategy across three ACM Awards and two ACM Honors. He also built the organization’s first in‑house digital marketing team.

“It’s been a privilege to help evolve the Academy’s digital footprint and establish a creative, data‑driven marketing operation,” shares Brum‑Taylor. “After an incredibly successful ACM Awards in Las Vegas, it felt like the right moment to close this chapter on my own terms and step into what’s next.”

Brum‑Taylor is exploring new opportunities. He can be reached here or at 615-509-8507.

Abbeville Press To Publish New Illustrated Collection ‘Treasures Of The Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Abbeville Press have collaborated to publish Treasures of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a new illustrated book showcasing iconic artifacts, rare documents and images from the museum’s collection, due out Sept. 29.

Treasures of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum tells the story of country music through the objects and artists that define it, spanning its pre-commercial roots to the present day. Published in a format the size of an album jacket, the book includes vibrant photos that bring readers up close to many of the music’s most important artifacts, as well as narrative by the museum’s staff of historians and writers. It is edited by the museum’s Senior Director of Editorial Paul Kingsbury and features a foreword by Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer, producer and songwriter T Bone Burnett.

The 348-page book also features a selection of rare posters, publicity photos and behind-the-scenes snapshots. Other features include biographies of all the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a curated playlist for every era of country music. Inside there are pictures of Johnny Cash’s first black suit worn onstage featuring silver trim sewn on by his mother, c. 1955; Minnie Pearl’s thrift-store straw hat with plastic flowers and dangling price tag she wore at the Grand Ole Opry; Gram Parsons’ “Nudie suit” with embroidered marijuana leaves, pills, poppies, and a cross on the back; and more.

“The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is an archeological exploration into a unique music that has been developed in this country and its crucial contribution to the soul of this country,” writes Burnett in the new book. “Since 1967, the museum has been telling the story of our country principally through the subjects of the photographs you see in this book — treasures of country music — which were once the instruments and implements that working-class people used to turn their sorrows and joys into song.”

“Abbeville Press is honored to have the opportunity to partner with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and celebrate their extraordinary collection, sharing the stories and artifacts that have shaped country music and inspired generations of artists and fans,” says Cynthia Vance-Abrams, Abbeville Press President. “We’re delighted to bring these treasures from their home in ‘Music City’ to country music lovers everywhere with this richly illustrated and giftable volume.”