Ryman’s Haunted History Tours To Return This Summer

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For those in a spooky mood this summer, the Ryman Auditorium is bringing back its Haunted History Tours during two exclusive evening experiences in July and August.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the darker side of the Ryman’s storied past on July 12 and Aug. 1 from 6 – 8 p.m., and learn about the untold history behind mysterious sightings and occurrences reported at the Ryman throughout its 133-year history.

Tickets are on sale now at ryman.com and include a 45-minute guided tour through the Ryman Auditorium plus a commemorative photo to capture the evening. Tours run every 15 minutes.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: New Morgan Wallen Single Is ‘Brilliantly Produced’

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith

Hot enough for you?

As we plunge into summer, the country stars are heating up playlists with worthy sounds. Megan Moroney, Asleep at the Wheel and Deborah Allen are at the forefront, along with Disc of the Day prize winner, Morgan Wallen, who also happens to be the format’s sales king.

Big Loud’s Ink wins the DISCovery Award. This Nashvillian comes to the country format having achieved much pop success as a co-writer of songs recorded by Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Childish Gambino, J-Lo, Lil Nas X and more.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Texas In My Soul”
Writers: Ernest Tubb/Zeb Turner; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the evergreen western swing unit is releasing Riding High In Texas as its 32nd album, a tribute to its Lone Star State roots. The advance single is a picker’s delight, tickling the ears with twin fiddles, steel, jazzbo piano plunking, diddling electric guitar and group singing. Boogie back to Texas, because this band will always rule. In the words of Bob Wills, A-Ha!

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Rattlesnake Preacher”
Writer: Randall Clay; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This snarling southern rocker roars with bluesy energy. Is this the first country song saluting fundamentalist snake handlers?

MEGAN MORONEY / “6 Months Later”
Writers: Ben Williams/David “Messy” Mescon/Megan Moroney/Rob Hatch; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
– He dumps her then wants her back. Tough luck, buddy. I love a good kiss-off song, and this one stings with a snappy, bopping track and Moroney’s trademark, personality-packed vocal performance.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Killin’ Me”
Writers: Monty Criswell/Parker McCollum/Randy Rogers; Producers: Eric Masse, Frank Liddell; Label: MCA Nashville
– A moody, dramatic arrangement frames an alluring lyric. She entices him, even though he knows the infatuation is wrong for him. The sound is cool, and his vocal vibe is drowsy.

CARL RAY / “Get On Board”
Writer: Carl Ray Williams; Producer: Greg Cole; Label: Sucarnoochee Records
– His heartfelt tenor propels this minor-key, groove-soaked, gospel outing. Ray has always masterfully blended country and bluegrass, but never more powerfully than on this single. The strummy, seductive track comes courtesy of an all-star ensemble featuring Darrin Vincent, BJ Cherryholmes, Seth Mulder and Josh Swift. Lend this your ears.

CAM / “Turns Out That I Am God”
Writers: Anders Mouridsen/Camaron Ochs (Cam)/Jeff Bhasker/Nick Lobel/Simon Maartensson/Tyler Johnson; Producers: Ethan Gruska, Jeff Bhasker, Michael Uzowuru, Tyler Johnson; Label: RCA Records
– Gorgeous sounding, with starkly echoey guitar and stacked vocal harmonies. It seems to be some kind of religious journey where she finds deep spirituality within her unconscious mind. It’s probably too brainy for country radio, but this woman could sing an instruction manual and I’d listen.

BRIAN KELLEY / “Saltwater Ranch”
Writers: Brian Kelley/Corey Crowder/Jake Rose; Producer: Corey Crowder, Jake Rose; Label: BK
– Kelley embraces his Florida roots in this swaying, beach-y track. His lightweight vocal is enhanced and disguised by male group singing on most of it.

MORGAN WALLEN / “I Got Better”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase McGill/Ernest Keith Smith/Joe Reeves/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Brilliantly produced. An understated, rippling track carries a softly voiced performance. The gently rolling sound frames a lyric of healing following a breakup. Essential listening.

INK / “Hoedown”
Writers: Atia Boggs/Dave Hamlin/Juan Pablo Mendez/Patrick Krief; Producers: Ink, Jay P Does It, Patrick Krief; Label: Big Loud Records
– It’s a twanging dance tune with the bops and dips built right in. Step along as she sings the toe-tap instructions. Ink was previously noted as one of the songwriters on Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” This highly engaging outing shows that she is more than ready to stand on her own as an artist.

KAYLEY GREEN / “You’d Still Be Drunk”
Writers: Jason Gantt/Josh Osborne/Kayley Green; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– He still looks good, and she’s still attracted. But now she’s wise to him, realizing he’s never gonna be the one. The track is a body shaker, and there are hooks a-plenty here. This gal’s got something goin’ on.

DEBORAH ALLEN / “Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way)”
Writers: Deborah Allen/Rafe Van Hoy; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– Patty Loveless turned this tune into a No. 1 country hit in 1991. Singer-songwriter Allen’s version has a light, thoughtful sweetness. The guitar-based production has a lilting, jaunty tone that goes down as easily as her vocal. A lovely outing.

RAELYNN / “Heaven Is a Honky Tonk”
Writers: Caroline Watkins/Lauren Hungate/RaeLynn; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– A rocking anthem to Saturday barroom nights. I like it, but I’d like it better if her vocal wasn’t so processed and compressed.

ROBERT RANDOLPH & JUDITH HILL / “When Will the Love Rain Down”
Writers: Judith Hill/Robert Randolph; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: Sun Label Group
– Highly dramatic and fascinating. Sacred-steel guitar master Randolph sets the spooky mood. Powerhouse singer Hill raises the gospel roof. There’s not much of a melody, but there is plenty of complex audio going on here. The video showcases what an instrumental virtuoso the man is.

Alison Brown To Be Honored At 17th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

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Alison Brown will be honored by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at its 17th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.

The annual forum, which began in 2007, recognizes music industry leaders who continue the legacy of trailblazer Louise Scruggs, a formidable businesswoman who set new professional standards in artist management. The program will explore Brown’s more than 35 years as a musician, producer, songwriter and record label executive and will be led by Museum Writer-Editor Allison Moorer.

Brown began playing banjo as a teen while growing up in Southern California. She attended Harvard University, earned an MBA from UCLA, and worked in investment banking until she realized she missed making music. After an offer from Alison Krauss to play banjo in her band Union Station, Brown gave up her corporate career to play music full time. She released her Grammy-nominated debut album Simple Pleasures in 1990, and became the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Banjo Player of the Year award in 1991.

Known for her innovative blend of diverse musical styles, Brown has recorded 12 solo albums and has produced projects for Claire Lynch, Bobby Osborne and Peter Rowan, among others. Brown won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance in 2001 for “Leaving Cottondale,” a collaboration with Béla Fleck from her album Fairweather, and was inducted into the American Banjo Hall of Fame in 2019. In 1995, she co-founded Compass Records with her husband, Garry West, and over the last 30 years, the label has amassed a catalog of more than 1,000 releases across multiple imprints.

The program is free and open to the public and tickets can be reserved here.

CRS Releases ‘Are We Okay? Assessing Country’s Year So Far’ Webinar

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Country Radio Seminar (CRS) has released the next installment of its CRS360 webinar series, titled “Are We Okay? Assessing Country’s Year So Far.” Now available here, this session explores the mid-year state of the country format, offering insights into the trends shaping the format. The panel is moderated by Chuck Aly of Country Aircheck and includes panelists Sarah Frazier (Audacy/Houston), Katie Dean (Leo33) and Jimmy Steal (Collective Heads).

“The country music genre continues to explode, dominating radio programming and consumption numbers,” shares CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis. “This group of industry experts who are working day-to-day in the trenches from all aspects in our industry has a lot to say about how we’re doing so far in 2025, ways to sustain success and insights on what the short-term future may look like. It’s a fascinating conversation!”

Grant Gilbert Heads ‘West Of Fort Worth’ On Latest Album

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Grant Gilbert will release his new LP West of Fort Worth tomorrow (June 27) via River House Artists.

The singer-songwriter recently released a new single from the project, “Where Do Dreams Go”, a bittersweet track about trying to make ends meet in an unforgiving world. On the new album, Gilbert teamed with producer Lukas Scott and songwriters Dan Alley, Brent Anderson, Joey Hendricks and more.

The new collection finds Gilbert leaning even deeper into his Texas roots, combining his love of the Lone Star country music he was raised on with the rock of Springsteen and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Gilbert has already released several singles from the new album, including “Bad Reputation,” his collaboration with tourmate and fellow Texan Hudson Westbrook which has racked up nearly a million streams on Spotify, the anthemic title track that pays homage to his Texas heritage, and last year’s “Drunk Since Dallas,” which marked his third consecutive No. 1 at Texas regional radio.

Teetering between rollicking bar anthems, tender love songs and story songs about the everyday American, West of Fort Worth further solidifies Gilbert’s soulful rock-influenced country sound, and follows 2023’s Between the Highways EP, which was produced by Jonathan Singleton.

West of Fort Worth Track List:
1. “West of Fort Worth” (Grant Gilbert, Barrett Baber, Korey Hunt, Dan Alley)
2. “This Ain’t That Song” (Grant Gilbert, Beau Bailey, Daniel Agee)
3. “Here For The Party” (Gretchen Wilson, John Rich, Big Kenny)
4. “Bad Reputation” (Grant Gilbert, Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Beau Bailey)
5. “Forever In This Fire” (Grant Gilbert, Beau Bailey, Jason Massey)
6. “Where Do Dreams Go” (Grant Gilbert, Brent Anderson, Joey Hendricks)
7. “Drunk Since Dallas” (Grant Gilbert, Forrest Finn, Joe Whelan)
8. “In Loving Memory” (Grant Gilbert, Matthew Morrisey)

2026 CCMA Awards To Be Held In Saskatchewan

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The 2026 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards and Country Music Week are set to be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Slated for September, the date will be announced at a later time.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the CCMA Awards and Country Music Week back to Saskatoon,” says Amy Jeninga, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “Saskatoon is a city that is filled with creativity and heart. It’s warm community, thriving music scene, and commitment to the arts make it an ideal home for our 2026 celebration of the best and brightest in Canadian country music.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Canadian Country Music Awards back to Saskatoon,” adds Mayor Cynthia Block. “Our city has a deep appreciation for country music and a strong track record of hosting world-class events. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase Saskatoon’s vibrant arts community, our warm hospitality, and the energy that makes this city such a special place. We can’t wait to roll out the red carpet for Canada’s country music stars and fans.”

Additionally, CCMA has tapped Tom Green to host this year’s awards events. The show will be broadcasting live from Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia on Sept. 13 exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Crave.

“I’m honoured to be hosting the CCMA Awards,” says Green. “Country music has always been a big part of my life growing up in Canada. I can’t wait to be part of this celebration and to bring a few surprises to the stage in Kelowna.”

A full list of performers will be announced at a later date.

Midland’s Cameron Duddy To Direct New ‘Cowboy’ Film

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Cameron Duddy. Photo: Harper Smith

Painted Horse Pictures, out of the Nashville division of Range Media Partners has revealed its first film, Cowboy. Already in production, the film is a contemporary western rodeo drama and will be directed by Midland‘s Cameron Duddy in his feature directorial debut.

The main cast includes Ben Foster (Hell or High Water), Rudy Pankow (Outer Banks) and Gabriel Basso (The Night Agent). Supporting roles will be held by Taylor Lewan (Bussin With The Boys podcast) and Midland’s Mark Wystrach (The Eyes of Tammy Faye).

The script, written by Adair Cole, is based on a story by Duddy and fellow band member Jess Carson. The film shows the story of bull riders, barrel racers and pickup men in the traveling rodeo circuit scene.

“This is a personal story for me. It’s a film about what it takes to grind it out on the road chasing your dreams, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on all of us, most of all the people we love,” says Duddy. “Cowboy is a raw and honest look at the Rodeo world built from the dust up- it’s about grit, humility, integrity, freedom… 1,800 pounds of rough stock at a time.”

Based out of Nashville, Painted Horse Productions will have access to the full infrastructure of Range Media Partners, including film financing and sales and access to talent. Range’s Matt Graham and William Lowery will oversee the banner, with Duddy, Harper Smith and Sydney Allen rounding out the Painted Horse team.

Lucas Smith, Graham, Lowery and Ian Bryce will serve as the film’s Producers. The team of Executive Producers includes Foster, David Keinath, Jordan Yospe, Shawn Williamson, James D. Stern and Allen. UTA Independent Film Group and Range Select are co-representing global rights.

Nashville Gathers To Honor John Morgan & Jason Aldean’s No. 1 ‘Friends Like That’

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Cornman Music’s Brett James, BBR/BMG Nashville’s Jon Loba, BBR/BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr, BMI’s Mason Hunter, ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, Sea Gayle Music’s Chris DuBois and Warner Chappell’s Jessi Stevenson; (L-R, front row): Studio Bank’s Ron Cox, Kurt Allison (ASCAP), Lydia Vaughan (BMI), John Morgan (BMI), Jason Aldean (BMI), Will Bundy (ASCAP), Brent Anderson (ASCAP) and Tully Kennedy (Producer). Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

On Tuesday afternoon (June 24), John Morgan and Jason Aldean gathered friends and industry professionals at Live Oak on Demonbreun to celebrate the success of their No. 1 single, “Friends Like That.” Hosted by ASCAP and BMI, the event honored the artists, songwriters, publishers and industry team members who contributed to the single’s success.

The song, penned by Morgan, Lydia Vaughn, Brent Anderson and Will Bundy, and produced by Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison and Aldean, marked Morgan’s first No. 1 single as an artist and second as a songwriter. The tune also became Aldean’s 29th No. 1 single.

Pictured (L-R): BBR/BMG Nashville’s Jon Loba, BBR/BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr, Kurt Allison (Producer), BBR’s Lee Adams, Jason Aldean (BMI), BBR’s Misti Douglas, John Morgan (BMI), Will Bundy (ASCAP), BBR’s Regan Donato, Brent Anderson (ASCAP), BBR’s Scotty O’Brien, Lydia Vaughan (BMI), Tully Kennedy (Producer) and BBR’s Shelley Hargis. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

The event was emceed by BMI’s Mason Hunter. Industry leaders took the mic to honor each artist, writer and producer including ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, Cornman Music’s Brett James, SeaGayle Music’s Chris DuBois, Warner Chappell’s Jessi Stevenson, Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly, BBR/BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr and Triple Play’s Amy Scott.

Many of these people spoke of the strong bond that has developed between this group of writers, noting the work ethic, humility and consistency each one brings to the room. Aldean was thanked for his role in bringing Morgan into the spotlight and willingness to champion songwriters.

Studio Bank sponsored the event, with Ron Cox presenting a special donation in honor of the writers to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

“One of the coolest things that I’ve learned about doing what we do in this town is that no one’s success is achieved alone,” Vaughn shared as she thanked each person involved in the song’s success. “There are so many stars that have to align for a song to go No. 1 and that’s the magic of Nashville—when all the parts are working together, every once in a while, against all odds, that happens.”

“This song was a lesson for me,” Anderson said of the song’s one-year run on radio before topping the charts. “You start to think differently about your catalog when something shows up years later and becomes a No. 1.”

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell, Kurt Allison, Lydia Vaughan, John Morgan, Jason Aldean, Will Bundy, Brent Anderson, Tully Kennedy and MusicRow’s Lauryn Sink. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

“It’s fun to win, but it’s a lot more fun to win with people you love. This song is about friends, and these are some of my longest friends in town,” added Bundy of the people surrounding him on stage.

Aldean took a moment to recognize that this is the first No. 1 for his label imprint, Night Train Records, and thanked the label staff. “I, more than anybody, know how hard these guys go to see a song cross the finish line, so thank you for that,” he said.

Morgan took the mic to wrap up the celebration. He spent time recognizing the efforts of each member of the team, as well as his peers that he has come up with. “Every single one of these people [on stage] took a chance on me and wrote with me as an unsigned writer… It’s so wild to me, looking back at how things ended up going.”

Industry Ink: Toby Keith & Friends, Matthew Ramsey, Koe Wetzel, Lukas Nelson, More

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Toby Keith & Friends Fundraiser Raises $1.4 Million

A Flight 1st Place golf team: Mark Vanhoose, Bryan Vineyard, Kelsey Cline, Talor Gooch and Matt Walker

The 21st Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised more than $1.4 million, benefiting The Toby Keith Foundation’s work with the OK Kids Korral, which the late singer called “my best gift I’ve ever given to the world.” The highest-dollar items included a Kentucky Derby package that went for $60,000, a Tuscan Villa experience that sold three times at $40,000 each and a Toby Keith Limited Edition Military Guitar that sold twice for $35,000. Silent auction items receiving high bids included a George Strait autographed cowboy hat for $7,000 and a Lainey Wilson concert experience that went for $6,800. Music from Party On The Moon entertained the crowd throughout the evening.

This year’s Toby Keith & Friends was hosted by his longtime friend, Sammy Hagar, who says, “Now that’s the way to start a fundraiser! I had a blast … would be happy to do it again. Toby would’ve done that and more for me any day.”

 

Matthew Ramsey Donates $50,000 To Save Local Middle School Band Program

Matthew Ramsey with concert band students

On Tuesday (June 24), Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey presented a donation of $50,000 on behalf of The Ramsey Foundation to the “Band Together” fundraiser to save the concert band program at J.T. Moore Middle School in Nashville.

On March 28, it was announced that school’s long-standing band program would be eliminated for the 2025–2026 school year. In response, a passionate group of parents launched the “Band Together” campaign with the mission to save the school’s concert band program. With generous support from Ramsey, the campaign has raised over $65,000, enough to hire a part-time band director for the upcoming year. The campaign’s goal is to reach $92,000 by June 30 to fund a full-time band teacher and keep the music alive for all grades. More information on how to help is available here. 

 

Koe Wetzel Celebrates Grand Opening Of Riot Room Houston

Koe Wetzel celebrated the grand opening of his Riot Room Houston last Friday (June 20). The 8,000 square-foot, two-story venue sits in the heart of Midtown, can host nearly 700 guests and includes a full-sized pontoon boat bringing that “on the lake” vibe straight into the club, a DJ booth set in a full-size Ford pickup engine bay, a custom-built jail cell and bucking bull, both perfect for photo ops, photos and memorabilia that bring fans closer to the music and the man behind it and more.

 

Lukas Nelson Featured On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon & The Howard Stern Show

YouTube video

Lukas Nelson recently performed the title track to his new record, “American Romance,” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Additionally, he appeared on The Howard Stern Show, where he performed “All God Did” and spoke with the host.

The album marks Nelson’s first solo project and first in partnership with Sony Music Nashville. In celebration of the release, Nelson was also featured on CBS Mornings last week, where he spoke with correspondent Anthony Mason.

 

Dr. Don Cusic & Bill DeMain To Host Lunch & Learn Honoring Chet Akins

Author/music historian Dr. Don Cusic and songwriter/musician Bill DeMain are set to host a free discussion at the TN State Museum on June 28 at noon, celebrating the legacy of Chet Atkins. The event will feature a Q&A style discussion with the duo, and signing of Dr. Cusic’s new book, Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar.

 

Cerrito Inks With MC1 Nashville Records

Cerrito has signed with MC1 Nashville Records, with distribution powered by MC1/DKM via The Orchard, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

With influence from Dottie West, Cerrito is known for blending traditional country with country and English and Spanish rhythms. His next single, “Hot Pepper Doll” will be released Friday (June 28).

TKO Artist Management Promotes Two; Adds One To Team

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Ella Bare, Eric Gundrum and Jordan Bernal

TKO Artist Management has elevated Eric Gundrum to Manager and Jordan Bernal to Management Coordinator. Additionally, Ella Bare has joined the company as Executive Assistant to the President.

Gundrum rises from his previous role of Management Coordinator to Manager, where he will now run day-to-day operations for Mac McAnally and Scotty Emerick, as well as play a role in Jackson Dean’s management team. Gundrum graduated from Belmont University in 2021 from the Music Business program, before joining TKO as an intern. From that role, he moved into operational and personal assistant roles, giving him road experience with Jamey Johnson, Jackson Dean and Mac McAnally. He also spent time at Lozen Consulting supporting social media strategy for various artists, including Toby Keith.

Bernal’s new role of Management Coordinator comes after his time as Executive Assistant to the President. In his new role, he will support the management teams for Jamey Johnson, Jackson Dean, Mac McAnally and Scotty Emerick. Hailing from California, Bernal attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied Communications before coming to Nashville in 2021. He spent time in the organization as an intern alongside working at Troubadour Golf Club before joining full-time in 2022.

Nashville native Bare steps into her role of Executive Assistant to the President after graduating last month from The University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing and minors in Advertising and Public Relations. Bare has held internships with Big Loud’s marketing team and Warner Music Nashville’s publicity department, and most recently managed social media content for her grandfather, Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare.

“These developments reflect the culture we’ve worked hard to build—one that values growth, hustle, and a deep commitment to our artists,” says Cassie Petty, General Manager of TKO Artist Management. “We’re excited to see Ella, Eric, and Jordan thrive in their new roles.”