The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association have revealed this year’s inductees for the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees are Don Cook, Keith Gattis, Miranda Lambert and George Strait. Each of the inductees are recognized for their heart, grit, and poetry that defines Texas music and have influenced music beyond the borders of the Lone Star State. They will be inducted during the 20th annual Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Show on Feb. 21, 2026, at ACL Live in Austin.

Cook was born in Carrizo Springs and was influential in the songwriting of 90s country. He has written 20 No. 1 hits, including 13 with Brooks & Dunn. He also has collaborated with Alabama, George Strait and Kenny Rogers, alongside his production work with many of country music’s biggest names. Cook served as Chief Creative Officer and Senior Vice President of Sony/ATV Music Publishing from 1994-2004.

The late Gattis grew up in Georgetown and brought his signature aching voice, masterful guitar work and fearless creativity to Music City. He has had cuts by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Randy Houser, George Jones and many others. His own recorded “El Cerrito Place” was on his acclaimed Big City Blues album and went on to cement itself a hit. Gattis also spent time touring alongside Johnny Paycheck and Dwight Yoakam, produced acclaimed albums, and mentored countless artists before his passing in 2023.

Lambert has made herself an icon in the country music world after growing up in Lindale. She is the most-awarded artist in ACM history, and has collected 10 No. 1 singles, seven No. 1 albums, and three Grammy Awards. Some of her biggest hits were co-penned by her, including “Bluebird,” “Tin Man” and “Automatic.” She has also spent time creating hits for other artists, such as Morgan Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know” and Chris Stapleton’s “What Am I Gonna Do.” Lambert is also an entrepreneur, businesswoman, author and passionate animal advocate, having raised over $11 million through her MuttNation Foundation since its inception.

Country Music Hall of Fam member Strait, better known as the “King of Country Music,” has received over 110 million RIAA certifications throughout his career. His penned tracks have showcased capture timeless imagery, love stories, and the cowboy ethos, mixing classic honky-tonk with contemporary country that makeup the Texas tradition. Strait has also showcased his philanthropy throughout his career, raising millions for military families and other causes.

BMI and the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) have announced a settlement of their rate court proceeding. The new agreement, which is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022, represents a historic rate increase for BMI that reflects the company’s superior market share in the radio industry.

“BMI sought a rate that reflected our market-leading share of the music performed on radio stations across the country, and I’m pleased to say we achieved our largest rate increase ever for the radio industry,” shares Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. “This new deal ensures BMI’s songwriters will be more fairly compensated for the performance of their music on this incredibly important platform. Negotiation is always better than litigation, and we’re pleased to have worked together with the RMLC to achieve this outcome.”

The RMLC’s Chairman, Ed Atsinger, says, “We are pleased to have reached an amicable agreement with BMI, which is indicative of how strongly the radio industry values its partnerships with songwriters. Furthermore, we feel that this agreement provides the radio industry with the ability to plan for the long-term while avoiding substantial litigation costs and uncertainties associated with the rate court process.”

Jason Gray is pictured with his Centricity Music team, Music City Management’s Josh Petersen and 25 Artist Agency’s David Breen during a celebratory re-signing party.

Singer-songwriter Jason Gray has signed a new, worldwide exclusive recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music, extending his 19-year relationship with the company.

First signing in 2006 followed by the release of his Centricity Music debut All the Lovely Losers in 2007, Gray has established himself as a true songwriter’s songwriter. His music has garnered multiple ASCAP Performance Awards for songs like “Remind Me Who I Am,” “I’m Gonna Let It Go” and “Sparrows,” and he has summited the charts with hits like his first No. 1 AC standard, “With Every Act of Love,” and the chart-topping single, “Nothing Is Wasted.”

Gray released his Greatest Hits (Acoustic) album last month, which includes all new, reimagined acoustic performances of his 12 biggest hits spanning his career. All 12 of the original songs, which have accumulated over 131 Million streams to date, are also now available in Dolby Atmos.

“I’m more grateful than I know how to say for the space Centricity has made for my calling to exist in the world, and the space they’ve found at radio for my songs to live,” Gray says. “What a remarkable team of wise, hard-working, good-hearted people! They have been God’s faithfulness to me. ‘The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places… my future is bright!’” (Ps 16:6 NIV/CEV).

“Partnering with an artist like Jason—someone with such remarkable character, gifting and commitment to creative growth—has been a true privilege for Centricity,” shares John Mays, Centricity Music President, A&R. “To have the joy of doing it for nearly 20 years is an absolute gift! Jason and his music have become part of our DNA, and they continue to inspire and motivate us. We’re deeply grateful for his trust in us and hopeful that we’ll get to share another 20 years together.”

Gray is also releasing his first children’s hardcover book, Sparrows, and hosting the popular Acoustic Storytime heard on SiriusXM The Message. He’s set to perform a series of “Acoustic Storytime Tour” dates in September along with special guests Rachel Lampa and Chris August as well.

Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Chris Ashlee

Morgan Wallen maintains the top position on the country albums and streaming songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” remains at No. 1 on the songs chart with 17 million streams this week adding to its 264 million total, while his recently-released I’m The Problem record holds its top position on the albums chart with 126K in total consumption (4K in album only and 154 million in song streams).

On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top four positions. “I’m The Problem” and “Just In Case” come in at No. 2 and No. 3 with 13 million and 12 million streams respectively this week. “I Got Better” takes the No. 4 spot with 11 million streams this week. Rounding out this week’s song chart is Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with 9.9 million streams this week.

Over on the albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time takes the No. 2 spot with 38K in total consumption. Bailey Zimmerman’s Different Night, Same Rodeo has taken the No. 3 spot with 31K in total consumption. Following that is Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album with 27K in total consumption. In the No. 5 spot this week is Shaboozey with Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going with 25k in total consumption.

Jamey and Brittney Johnson. Photo: Joseph Cash

Jamey Johnson and his wife attorney Brittney Johnson have launched the “Give It Away Fund” to provide help to those in need by supporting well-managed charities.

The fund, which derives its name from the 2006 George Strait No. 1 hit “Give It Away” that Johnson co-wrote with Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon, will focus on charities close to the couple’s hearts and assist communities experiencing natural disasters and other tragedies. Johnson will donate a dollar for every ticket sold at participating shows to the fund, and in addition will donate all proceeds from the sale of a special T-shirt as well. The new shirt is available at his shows and online here.

“We love helping people in need,” Jamey says. “This will allow us to direct money to certain places where there is considerable need.”

“Volunteer work has always been an important part of my life,” adds Brittney. “One of the things I admired most about Jamey when we first met was his massive and generous heart. We share a love for helping people, and I think that has been an important part of our relationship from the beginning.”

Johnson is known for being among the first to help in times of need. He performed at George Strait’s “Strait To The Heart” benefit last month for those affected by the flooding across Texas’ Hill Country, and will also perform at Robert Earl Keen’s RFK and Friends Applause for the Cause on Aug. 28 in New Braunfels, Texas. He is also known for his support of the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, which he co-founded in 2013 to help those who have pancreatic cancer. The Marine also works with Toys for Tots and other organizations that help veterans, military members and their families.

Brittney has been focused on helping others around the world years before she became an attorney. She taught in a school for women in Kenya, volunteered in an orphanage in Nairobi, and participated in activism in a politically displaced persons camp in Kenya. While attending the University of Mississippi School of Law, she was student coordinator of the school’s Pro Bono Initiative. While living in Mississippi, she was a member of the Junior League of Jackson, and also worked with therapy animals and helped provide hygiene services to the unhoused.

The couple, now married and living in Nashville, have unified their philanthropic hearts into one generous effort to create Give It Away to continue their great work together.