Bruce Springsteen To Explore Country Music On New ‘Somewhere North Of Nashville’ Album

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Bruce Springsteen. Photo: Danny Clinch

Bruce Springsteen will release the never-before-heard album Somewhere North of Nashville in full on Tracks II: The Lost Albums due out June 27 via Sony Music.

The previously-unheard, 12-song collection inspired by the sounds of honky tonk, rockabilly and uptempo country was recorded simultaneously with The Ghost of Tom Joad in the summer of 1995, and features members of the core band at the heart of those sessions including Danny Federici, Garry Tallent and Gary Mallaber. Featuring elements like pedal steel from Marty Rifkin (later a member of The Sessions Band) and fiddle from Soozie Tyrell, Somewhere North of Nashville includes two songs originally planned for Born In The U.S.A., “Stand On It” and “Janey Don’t You Lose Heart.”

“What happened was I wrote all these country songs at the same time I wrote The Ghost of Tom Joad. Those sessions completely overlap each other. I’m singing ‘Repo Man’ in the afternoon and ‘The Line’ at night. So the country record got made right along with The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Springsteen recalled. “Streets of Philadelphia got me connected to my socially conscious or topical songwriting. So that’s where The Ghost of Tom Joad came from. But at the same time I had this country streak that was also running through those sessions and I ended up making a country record on the side.”

In addition to today’s release of “Repo Man,” Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will kick off “The Land of Hope & Dreams Tour” tonight in Manchester, England.

Turnpike Troubadours’ ‘Wild America Tour’ On Tap For Fall

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Turnpike Troubadours. Photo: David McClister

The Turnpike Troubadours have revealed their “Wild America Tour,” kicking off this fall.

Stops on the new tour include Chicago’s Salt Shed, Kansas City’s Uptown Theater, St. Louis’ The Factory at the District, Asheville’s ExploreAsheville.com Arena and Washington, D.C.’s The Anthem, among many others. Old Crow Medicine Show, Wyatt Flores, Ken Pomeroy, American Aquarium, Leon Majcen, Shane Smith & The Saints, Lance Roark, Evan Honer, Dawes, Rattlesnake Milk, Randy Rogers Band, Shelby Stone, Robert Ellis, Trampled By Turtles and Noeline Hofmann will join as rotating support on the trek.

Tickets for the new dates are available today, (May 14) with general on-sale following on Friday (May 16).

Ahead of the fall shows, the band will tour through the summer, including several dates with Zach Bryan across the U.K., and they’ll also join Willie Nelson’s 10th Anniversary Outlaw Music Festival Tour this summer and will headline the final day of the 2025 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix on October 19 in Austin at the Circuit of The Americas with Garth Brooks and Kygo.

The band released their surprise new album, The Price of Admission, last month via Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers. The record debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes all-genre and country charts, No. 3 on the U.S. Albums Spotify chart and No. 9 on the Global Album Spotify chart, the band’s highest Spotify debuts to date. It also reached the top of the Billboard Digital Albums and Current Digital Albums Sales charts, and has garnered over 13.3 million streams across platforms to date.

“Wild America Tour” Dates:
August 28—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed
August 29—La Vista, NE—The Astro Amphitheatre
September 4—Kansas City, MO—Uptown Theater
September 19—Lubbock, TX—Cook’s Garage
September 25—Columbus, OH—KEMBA Live! Outdoor
September 26—St. Louis, MO—The Factory at the District
October 9—Pikeville, KY—Appalachian Wireless Arena
October 10—Columbia, SC—Township Auditorium
October 18—Corpus Christi, TX—Concrete Street Amphitheater
October 24—Salem, VA—Salem Civic Center
October 25—Asheville, NC—ExploreAsheville.com Arena
November 6—Pittsburgh, PA—Petersen Events Center
November 7—Washington, D.C.—The Anthem
November 8—Cleveland, OH—Wolstein Center
December 11—Stateline, NV—Tahoe Blue Event Center
December 13—Mesa, AZ—Mesa Amphitheatre

AIMP Nashville Young Professionals Committee To Host Unsigned Songwriter Competition

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers Nashville Young Professionals Committee is hosting an Unsigned Songwriter Competition exclusively for AIMP Nashville members to showcase their talent to some of the top names in the music industry.

The competition is open for submission now, and unsigned members are invited to submit one original song for consideration. Applications must be received by May 23.

Songs will be reviewed by the Young Professionals committee comprised of members from Jody Willams Songs, BMI, Sea Gayle Music, River House, Endurance Music, Big Yellow Dog Music, SMACK, Curb, Wren Songs and Big Loud. Six winners will be selected to perform live at The Listening Room Café on June 24 at 6 p.m., in a special showcase hosted by UMG Recording Artist Kassi Ashton and songwriter Rocky Block. In addition to the performance, winners will have the opportunity to play their music in front of an audience of managers, publishers and other influential music industry professionals.

“This is an incredible platform for emerging songwriters to get their music heard and connect directly with the people who can help take their careers to the next level,” says Nina Fisher of the AIMP Nashville Young Professionals Committee.

Click here for more information and to submit a song.

Jon Nite Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Mellissa Spillman (Concord), Claire Buchanan (Concord), Matt Turner (Concord), Jon Nite, Brad Kennard (Concord), Garrett Stephenson (Concord) and Ellie Gray (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman

ACM and CMA Award-winning songwriter Jon Nite has inked a global publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal includes all future works and a selection of Nite’s catalog.

“I’m so thankful for Matt Turner and the Concord team,” says Nite. “I’ve been a longtime fan of their crew and the work they’ve done over the years. To have them believe in my songs and help chase this with me over the next season is incredible!”

The Amarillo, Texas native has been a recognized name in Music City for over a decade. He has penned 18 No. 1 hits, earning three CMA Triple Play awards. In 2018, he received a Grammy and ACM nomination for Cole Swindell’s “Break Up in the End.”

Nite’s multi-genre cuts include Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope,” David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got,” Luke Bryan’s “Knocking Boots” “Strip it Down” and “What She Wants Tonight,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living” and “Tip it on Back,” Kenny Chesney’s “Noise” and many more. Nite scored a No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian chart with Dan + Shay’s “Pray for You” in 2017. Other artist cuts include Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Dallas Smith, Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw, Phillip Phillips and Brandi Carlile, among others.

Nite was awarded the SESAC Writer of the Year in 2023 for his work on Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country” Brett Young’s “You Didn’t” and Barrett’s “Pick Me Up.”

“Jon Nite’s songs have been a mainstay on country radio for the last 10 plus years,” shares Turner, A&R Vice President at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “His ability to write songs that evoke emotion is second to none! It’s truly an honor that he chose to entrust Concord with his catalog of hits and future works,” “I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish in the coming years together!”

‘Opry 100 Honors’ Kicks Off With Tribute To Loretta Lynn

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Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry’s “Opry 100 Honors” series kicked off last night (May 13) with a special show honoring Opry trailblazer Loretta Lynn.

The special series of “Opry 100 Honors” shows pay tribute to the icons who have helped shape the Opry’s first century. The “Opry 100 Honors Loretta Lynn” show included performances by Opry member Crystal Gayle (Lynn’s sister), Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell, duo Twitty & Lynn (grandchildren of Lynn and Conway Twitty), and Opry members Martina McBride, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Rhonda Vincent. The night concluded with Russell’s take on Lynn’s classic “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” followed by an all-cast sing along.

The special series continues with a June 18 show paying tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash featuring performances by John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash, The Tennessee Four (including Johnny Cash’s grandson Thomas Gabriel on vocals), and Opry members The Gatlin Brothers and Lainey Wilson.

On July 8, Charlie Danielswill be honored with performances by Opry members Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, Chris Young, Gretchen Wilson and more. Additional shows for August, September and October will be announced soon.

A portion of ticket sales from the shows will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has supported country music professionals in times of need for over 60 years. The fund provides financial assistance for medical bills, emergencies and other hardships faced by those in the industry.

Zach Top Earns First Chart-Topper With ‘I Never Lie’

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Zach Top. Photo: Citizen Kane Wayne

Zach Top has landed his first No. 1 single at country radio this week as “I Never Lie” tops the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.

Written by Top with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols, the song also reached No. 1 at Canadian country radio, and has spent six consecutive weeks as the most-played on Australian country radio. The achievement adds to a landmark year for Top, who was named 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year and performed his song, “Use Me,” during the ACM Awards.

Top is in the midst of his extensive “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour,” and is also supporting select dates on Alan Jackson’s “Last Call Tour” this spring and will join Dierks Bentley’s “Broken Branches Tour” kicking off later this month. The dates will highlight songs from Top’s debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, which garnered over 3.5 million streams in just its first week and was nominated for ACM Album of the Year.

Live Nation To Offer Special Promotion Price With ‘$30 Ticket To Summer’

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Live Nation has revealed its newest initiative, “$30 Ticket To Summer.” The new program will allow fans the opportunity to purchase discounted $30 tickets to over 1,000 shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Beginning May 21, fans will be able to purchase the special promotion tickets to $uicideboy$, Goo Goo Dolls, Pantera, Avril Lavigne, Halsey, Papa Roach & Rise Against, Barenaked Ladies, Hardy, Peach Pit & Briston Maroney, Big Time Rush, Hauser, Pierce The Veil, Billy Idol, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, The Black Keys, Keith Urban, Simple Minds, Cody Jinks, Kesha, Slightly Stoopid, Coheed And Cambria, Kidz Bop Kids, Styx & Kevin Cronin Band, Counting Crows, Leon Bridges, Summer Of Loud, Cyndi Lauper, Little Big Town, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dierks Bentley, +LIVE+ & Collective Soul, Thomas Rhett, Dispatch, Luke Bryan, Toto + Christopher Cross + Men At Work, The Doobie Brothers, Nelly, Volbeat, The Driver Era, The Offspring, Weird Al Yankovic, Willie Nelson and more while supplies last.

For a full list of participating shows and information on how to purchase tickets, click here.

G Major Mgmt Expands Team, Launches Market Insights Team [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L-R, back row): John Hoskins (Assistant Day-to-Day Manager), Madeline Lary (Digital Manager) and Harry Lyons (Sr. Director of Business Operations); (L-R, front row): Emilie Gilbert (Manager of Insights & Fan Engagement Strategy), Liz Wright (Executive Assistant), Virginia Bunetta (Founder) and Samantha Thornton (Sr. Director of Marketing). Photo: Mary Craven Dawkins

Nashville-based G Major Mgmt is entering a new era of artist support with a series of strategic hires and internal promotions that reflect the evolving needs of modern music management.

Led by Founder and longtime manager Virginia Bunetta, the company has introduced a market insights team while strengthening its core marketing and operations teams. Emilie Gilbert joins as Manager of Insights & Fan Engagement Strategy, and Madeline “Sledge” Lary comes aboard as Digital Manager. Samantha Thornton rises to Sr. Director of Marketing, overseeing the newly-invigorated marketing department, and Harry Lyons elevates to Sr. Director of Business Operations, leading G Major’s lineup of day-to-day managers while spearheading touring and business expansion.

“The music industry is in a constant state of shift and flux,” Bunetta tells MusicRow. “So much content is required to be competitive, and the ability to monitor it, make changes and take advantage of opportunities quickly is now a big part of our daily scope. That’s why we have to expand.”

Gilbert brings a data-driven lens to artist strategy, helping the team translate digital trends into actionable plans. Lary works closely with artists and creative teams to develop and execute digital campaigns, while both have also contributed to new talent discovery.

“Emilie has a really unique ability to assess an abundance of digital information in a way that the team can digest and then act upon quickly,” Bunetta notes. “Madeline is very hands-on in creative and digital marketing. She interfaces directly with the roster talent and the creatives that are executing content.”

Thornton and Lyons, longtime G Major team members, step into elevated roles that reflect their influence on the company’s day-to-day success.

“Samantha and Harry have been an integral part of our team for well over a decade,” says Bunetta. “They have seen every aspect of management and they operate at the highest level in our business. I’m grateful I get to be in the trenches with them.”

Founded in 2014 by Bunetta in partnership with Live Nation’s Artist Nation, G Major Mgmt represents top-tier talent including Thomas Rhett and continues to grow with an artist-first, future-focused philosophy.

Sacha To Reflect On The ‘Woman In The Mirror’ With New Album

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Sacha will release her new album, Woman In The Mirror, on May 30 via Sony Music Canada.

The album offers an honest and courageous look into Sacha’s personal journey, while also striking a deeply universal chord. Each track is a powerful expression of her resilience, unwavering faith and inner strength. Woman In The Mirror captures her path with vulnerability and vision, and serves as a guiding light for those seeking purpose, connection and the bravery to follow their dreams.

“This is a deeply personal, multi-layered project,” shares Sacha. “I’m putting myself out there, but I truly believe it needs to be heard— with the hopes that someone out there feels less alone.”

Featured on the project is the already released “Nice Girl,” produced by Paul Sikes. The track is a personal path to self-empowerment by letting go of the need for external approval.

“I realized being ‘nice’ was costing me my voice,” she says. “This song is me reclaiming it.”

In addition to the album, Sacha is also gearing up for appearances at CMA Fest, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Boots and Hearts, Lasso Montreal and more this summer.

Woman In The Mirror Track List:
1. “Where To Start”
2. “Missing Out”
3. “Nice Girl”
4. “Tomorrows Left”
5. “Til I Don’t”
6. “This Girls Prayer”
7. “Find You”
8. “Hey Mom I Made It”
9. “High Life”
10. “One Hit Wonder”
11. “Woman In The Mirror”

Dave Cohen Inks With Position Music

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Chipello (Partner and Head of A&R, Position Music), Hannah Babitt (President and Founder, BABZ), Dave Cohen, Chandler Thurston (A&R, Position Music) and Tyler Bacon (Founder and CEO, Position Music).

Writer, producer and musician Dave Cohen has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Position Music.

“I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team of people who believe in the work I pursue,” shares Cohen. “Chandler Thurston (Position Music) in partnership with Hannah Babitt (BABZ Management), is the obvious fit—the right creative family to work alongside in this new season and next chapter, within Nashville, Los Angeles, and beyond.”

Throughout his time in Nashville, Cohen has notched four ACM Awards for Keyboard Player of the Year. His session musician work can be heard on songs from Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Old Dominion, Hardy and Ella Langley, among others. He has also had writing and producing cuts with Elle King, Shaboozey, Chris Lane, Alli Walker and more. 

“You’d be hard pressed to find a person in Nashville who doesn’t already love and respect Dave Cohen,” says Thurston, A&R at Position Music. “I am excited to have him as our first signing out of our Nashville office. Dave is a diverse writer and producer whose talent allows him to work across many genres. I can’t wait for the future as we’ve already hit the ground running.”

“We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Position Music as Dave Cohen enters this next chapter of his career,” adds Cohen’s manager Babitt. “As BABZ Management continues to grow our presence in the global market, we remain focused on aligning top-tier talent with the industry’s most respected publishing partners. Dave’s exceptional artistry, combined with Chandler Thurston’s impeccable reputation in Nashville and Position Music’s existing global presence, sets the stage for a powerful, multi-genre, multi-market trajectory; one that we are proud to support and help shape.”