CAA is set to take over the Whiskey Jam stage on June 4 with performances from Warren Zeiders, 49 Winchester, Kolby Cooper, Carter Faith, Noah Rinker and Blake Whiten.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the Skydeck at Broadway, and is free for all 21+.
Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating Music City Rodeo, Nashville’s first-ever PRCA Pro Rodeo, with a special Tuesday night rodeo-themed show on May 27. Vince Gill, Moe Bandy, Kaitlin Butts, Wyatt Flores, Marcus King, Lukas Nelson and Jenna Paulette are set to perform, with special appearances from PRCA rodeo athletes scheduled throughout the show.
More information and tickets are available here.
Martina McBride. Photo: Tasos Katopodis
On May 21, Martina McBride testified in support of the bipartisan NO FAKES Act introduced by Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) at the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law hearing. This legislation would create a new federal property right for every individual’s voice and likeness while also establishing guardrails for responsible innovation, protecting the First Amendment, and giving victims of invasive AI deepfakes and voice clones effective recourse. Nearly 400 prominent artists, actors and performers have publicly supported this act.
Photo: Tasos Katopodis
“It’s been a special honor to record songs that shine a light on the battles many women fight, especially the terrible cost of domestic violence,” shared McBride. “Many fans have told me that the song “Independence Day” has given them strength and in some cases the song has been the catalyst that has made them realize they need to leave an abusive situation. Imagine the harm an AI deepfake could do breaching that trust, using my voice in songs that belittle or justify abuse. As an artist, a mother, a human being who cares about others, I am pleading with you to give me the tools to stop that kind of betrayal. Setting America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special – authenticity, integrity, humanity and our endlessly inspiring spirit – that what the NO FAKES Act will help to accomplish.”
Photo: Tasos Katopodis
This approach to AI policy has notably earned support from the music industry, creative communities, child protection agencies, labor unions and tech companies including RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier, Consumer Reports Director of Technology Policy Justin Brookman, YouTube Head of Music Policy Suzana Carlos and National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) Senior Legal Counsel Christen Price who also participated in the hearing.
“[The NO FAKES Act] paves the way for genuine AI development and innovation, targeting only malicious applications and setting the stage for legitimate licensing of these rights, but only with real and meaningful consent. […] American music is the most valuable in the world. We lead in investment, exports and market power. Music drives the success of other important American industries, including the tech industry, through thriving partnerships,” said Glazier.
The NO FAKES Act is expected to next head for markup then a Senate floor vote.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering daily programs for families this summer along with free admission for local youth and discounted admission for up to two accompanying adults providing an opportunity for locals to explore the history of country music.
Family-friendly programs and activities include young explorer and sensory kits, scavenger hunts, coloring pages and gallery interactives. The museum will also offer drop-in programming and workshops for diverse family audiences throughout the week. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance on the museum’s website.
Between Memorial Day and August 10, increased daily programming and workshops for families will include:
Mondays, 10 a.m.-Noon – Family Program: Friendship Bracelets
Concertgoers everywhere are trading bracelets with fellow fans and their favorite artists to symbolize friendship and unity. Museum visitors can create their very own friendship bracelet, then trade creations with a friend. (All ages)
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-Noon – Family Program: Design Your Own Instrument
Participants can invent their very own instrument using everyday items and their creativity. (All ages)
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-Noon – Musical Instrument Petting Zoo
Museum visitors can bow a fiddle, pluck a banjo and strum a ukulele. This program offers everyone a chance to try instruments that are new to them as well as those that are familiar. (All ages)
Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-Noon – Attendees will explore, discover and create arts and crafts related to museum artifacts and exhibitions in a drop-in setting.
June 23 – 28, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry
Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow animation and an ever-changing stage-set tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. Visitors will experience the story through nearly 100 puppets, which represent artists ranging from the Staple Singers to Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift.
Local youth 18 and under who are residents of Nashville-Davidson and bordering counties, including Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson always receive free admission, plus 25% off admission for up to two accompanying adults. Proof of residency is required. The museum is open daily from 9-5 p.m. Timed tickets are available for museum entry between 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., with a limited number of museum admission tickets available each day.
The Ryman Auditorium and BMI have unveiled the lineup for the fourth annual Block Party, taking place June 5-7 at the outdoor stage on the PNC Plaza.
The free event will showcase 16 rising BMI affiliates including Josh Weathers, Grace Tyler, Wynn Williams and Tyler Braden on June 5. The June 6 lineup will feature Christian Yancey, Tyra Madison, Pynk Beard, Callie Twisselman, Kelsey Hart and Noah Rinker before Lovella, Tommy Acker, Callum Kerr, Cole Goodwin, Tyler Booth and Zach John King wrap up the event on June 7.
Photo opportunities, giveaways, food trucks and more will be available each day.
2025 Ryman and BMI Block Party Lineup:
Thursday, June 5
1:50 p.m. Josh Weathers
2:40 p.m. Grace Tyler
3:30 p.m. Wynn Williams
4:20 p.m. Tyler Braden
Friday, June 6
12:10 p.m. Christian Yancey
1:00 p.m. Tyra Madison
1:50 p.m. Pynk Beard
2:40 p.m. Callie Twisselman
3:30 p.m. Kelsey Hart
4:20 p.m. Noah Rinker
Saturday, June 7
12:10 p.m. Lovella
1:00 p.m. Tommy Acker
1:50 p.m. Callum Kerr
2:40 p.m. Cole Goodwin
3:30 p.m. Tyler Booth
4:20 p.m. Zach John King
Allan Geiger & Haley Wirthele
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville has promoted two staff members in its Content & Creative department. Allan Geiger has been upped to Senior Director of Content & Creative while Haley Wirthele has been elevated to Manager of Content & Creative. Both report to VP, Global Content & Creative Jen Morgan.
“Allan and Haley have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity and teamwork, always stepping up to take on new challenges and push projects to the next level,” says Morgan. “Their commitment to excellence not only elevates their own work but also inspires those around them. These promotions are a testament to their hard work, leadership and passion for what they do, and I look forward to seeing their continued impact on our team and the exciting projects ahead.”
Through his time at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Geiger has worked on content and creative initiatives for Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Blake Shelton, among others. He also founded Artistnoize, a brand and website company to connect artists and fans. Before joining BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Geiger worked with Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw at Big Machine Label Group. He has also earned six Davey Awards, honoring his knack for artist branding.
In his new role, Geiger will continue to create key design needs, while also working with branding and creative strategy. He will collaborate more closely with artists and partners to create innovative solutions and expand creative vision.
After graduating from Belmont University in 2021, Wirthele joined BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville in 2023, and has helped craft and execute the creative vision of BMG’s mission of an artist-friendly company. In her new role, Wirthele will continue to support administrative responsibilities, and take on more creative projects.
“Jen has built a team of creative distinctiveness and excellence for BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville,” adds JoJamie Hahr, EVP Recorded Music at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. “They continue to raise the bar for our artists, and are incredible executives that elevate and further our mission.”
Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas
Cody Johnson will wrap up the 94th Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with a special full-length concert on March 22, 2026, making him only the second entertainer ever to have a concert-only event at RodeoHouston.
This is the fourth full-length concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Johnson’s performance will be the first since George Strait performed on the final night in 2022. Individual tickets for Johnson’s concert-only performance go on sale to the public on Aug. 21.
“Every performance at RodeoHouston is a privilege and as a Rodeo man at heart, being asked to perform on a special night like this surpasses any of my wildest dreams,” says Johnson.
Johnson is a Texas native and has performed at RodeoHouston five times, from 2017-2019, in 2022, and 2023. His song “Welcome to the Show” debuted in 2019 and was written and recorded to serve as RodeoHouston’s official theme song. Johnson’s 2023 performance welcomed more than 73,000 fans, and in 2022, he drew in more than 70,500 fans. On March 6, 2024, Johnson surprised Rodeo guests during Jelly Roll’s performance.
“Over the years, Cody has become a part of our beloved tradition – from captivating thousands year-after-year to recording RodeoHouston’s official brand anthem,” says Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President and CEO Chris Boleman. “We are thrilled he is just as honored as we are to return in 2026.”
Tyler Waugh. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Big Loud Records has elevated Tyler Waugh to SVP, Radio Promotion effective immediately.
“Tyler’s leadership, strategic vision and dedication have been instrumental to our continued growth and success,” shares EVP of Radio Promotion, Stacy Blythe. “The deep respect that he earns from the team speaks volumes. We are excited to see the impact that he will make in this new role as Big Loud continues to push boundaries.”
Waugh has played a key role in 30 No. 1 singles since he first joined the label nearly 10 years ago. He also earned a historic add day with Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” which notched 167 first week adds on country radio, marking it the second single in chart history to debut with the support of all reporting stations. In 2023, Waugh was honored with the CRS Award for Director, National Promotion, in the same year Big Loud was named Country Aircheck Label of the Year, and Billboard‘s reigning No. 1 Country Airplay Label.
Spotify House will return to Ole Red this year during CMA Fest for three days of live music from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on June 5-7. Lily Rose and Cassie DiLaura will return as co-hosts.
The event kicks off on Thursday (June 5) with appearances from Bailey Zimmerman, Dylan Gossett, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Keith Urban, Noah Cyrus, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Sam Barber, Thelma & James, Vincent Mason and Zac Brown Band.
Friday (June 6) will feature Brothers Osborne, Cameron Whitcomb, Dasha, Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Josh Ross, Kameron Marlowe, Kelsea Ballerini, Lily Rose, Little Big Town, Midland, Tanner Adell and Warren Zeiders.
The event will wrap on Saturday (June 7) with performances from Ashley Cooke, Carly Pearce, Carter Faith, Cole Swindell, Jordan Davis, Kashus Culpepper, Lainey Wilson, Max McNown, Nate Smith, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey and Ty Myers.
The event is also expected to have more surprise guests. Spotify House admittance is on a first come, first serve basis. Top listeners of Spotify’s Hot Country Playlist will be invited for early access for the first time ever this year.
To allow as many fans as possible to experience Spotify House, performances will be split into two sessions. The main stage morning programming will conclude at 4:30 p.m. where all guests from that session will be asked to exit the building. The evening programming commences at 5:30 p.m. Guests attending the morning session who would also like to attend the evening session will be asked to rejoin the line.
Kacey Musgraves & Rhett Akins
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) will honor Kacey Musgraves and Rhett Akins at its annual meeting, which is set to take place at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on June 11.
Musgraves will receive this year’s NMPA Songwriter Icon award. The 12-time NMPA Gold and Platinum-certified, Grammy Album of the Year award winner is known for her signature songwriting ability and challenging the boundaries of genre.
Akins will be awarded the NMPA Non-Performing Songwriter Icon Award for his over three decades of contributions to country music. He has amassed 44 Gold and Platinum songwriting certifications to date.
This year’s gathering will feature a special segment dedicated to the Billboard Songwriter Awards which were postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Winners of these awards will be unveiled at the event.
Additionally, Apple Music head Oliver Schusser will sit down for a keynote conversation.
“We are thrilled to honor Kacey Musgraves whose music has always been driven by lyric and melody,” says NMPA President & CEO David Israelite. “A consummate songwriter, she is a successful solo hitmaker and renowned collaborator. Additionally, we look forward to celebrating the career of Rhett Akins whose songwriting has been central to the growth of country music.
“We are particularly excited to feature the Billboard Songwriter Awards after our Grammy Week event was postponed,” he continues. “The honorees are incredibly deserving, and it will be a phenomenal special segment of the program. Finally, Oliver Schusser has been an innovator throughout his career and we are eager to get his perspective on the myriad of opportunities and challenges for digital services in the streaming economy.”