Chris Lane Slates New Record For June

Chris Lane.

Chris Lane will release his next album, Shade Tree, on June 20 via Red Street Records. Alongside the announcement, the record’s title track is available now.

The 12-track project marks Lane’s first full album since his 2018 Laps Around The Sun. Produced by Dann Huff and Jay DeMarcus, the album features four previously-released songs, including Lane’s country radio single, “If I Die Before You,” “What Am I Supposed to Tell The Dog” and his latest release with CMT Next Women of Country’s Abby Anderson, “Fire We Found.”

YouTube video

Shade Tree Track List:
1. “Shade Tree” (Chris Lane, Randy Montana, Mark Trussell)
2. “Can’t Buy Time” (Chris Lane, Jared Keim, Micah Carpenter, Travis Wood)
3. “What Am I Supposed To Tell The Dog” (Chris Lane, Seth Mosley, Jameson Rodgers, Lydia Vaughan)
4. “Fire We Found feat. Abby Anderson” (Chris Lane, Cameron Bedell, Mark Trussell)
5. “2x4s and 4x6s” (Chris Lane, Ben Williams, Casey Brown)
6. “Whiskey Wanted” (Jeb Gipson, Smith Ahnquist, Will Bundy)
7. “Shootin’ Stars” (Chris Lane, Michael Lotten, Michael Whitworth)
8. “Problematic” (Chris Lane, Jameson Rodgers, Lydia Vaughan, Seth Mosley)
9. “If I Die Before You” (Emily Weisband, James McNair, Seth Mosley)
10. “Nothin’ To Wear” (Jerry Flowers, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley, Jordan Walker)
11. “Bar Without A Beer” (Chris Lane, Hunter Phelps, Andy Sheridan, Ashley Gorley)
12. “She’s Got A Type” (Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey, Michael Hardy)

The Red Clay Strays Add European Dates To ‘Get Right Tour’

The Red Clay Strays. Photo: Marcie Coleman

The Red Clay Strays will head overseas on their “2025 Get Right European Tour.”

The 2025 ACM New Duo/Group Of The Year will begin the European trek on Oct. 1o in Stockholm, and made additional stops in Zurich, Glasgow, Dublin and more before wrapping up on Nov. 13 in Belfast. Early James will join the tour as direct support.

The new run of dates will follow their “2025 Get Right U.S. Tour,” which kicks off July 3 with a three night run in Orange Beach, Alabama. The group is currently gearing up for their first Australian run, kicking off May 17 with a sold-out show in Brisbane.

Tickets for the European run will be available starting tomorrow (May 13) at 5 p.m. local time via pre-sale, with general on-sale beginning this Friday (May 16) at 10 a.m. local time here.

“2025 Get Right European Tour” Dates:
Oct. 20 – Debaser – Stockholm, Sweden
Oct. 22 – Sentrum Scene – Oslo, Norway
Oct. 23 – Vega Main – Copenhagen, Denmark
Oct. 24 – Fabrik – Hamburg, Germany
Oct. 26 – Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, Germany
Oct. 27 – X-Tra – Zurich, Switzerland
Oct. 29 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oct. 31 – Elysee Montmartre – Paris, France
Nov. 2 – De Roma – Antwerp, Belgium
Nov. 4 – O2 Academy – Glasgow, UK
Nov. 6 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK
Nov. 9 – Roundhouse – London, UK
Nov. 11 – National Stadium – Dublin, Ireland
Nov. 13 – Ulster Hall – Belfast, UK

Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band, More To Play Feels Like Home Festival

Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green and Josh Abbott Band are among the lineup for the second annual Feels Like Home Festival, which returns October 4 to the Brownwood Event Center in Brownwood, Texas.

Stoney LaRue, Bottomland, Graham St. Clair Band and Joe Peters will also perform at the outdoor celebration of rural Texas, country music and authentic Texas BBQ, and a number of artists from the greater Brownwood area will also perform on a secondary stage to help shine a light on the local music talent in the region.

“We are thrilled with this year’s music lineup for the second annual Feels Like Home Festival,” says Brownwood Mayor Stephen E. Haynes. “We encourage residents and visitors to enjoy this year’s event and experience all the great things Brownwood has to offer.”

GA and VIP tickets for the festival will go on sale May 16 at FeelsLikeHomeFest.com.

Industry Ink: Grand Ole Opry, Kelly White, Mitchell Tenpenny, Gibson Gives, More

Grand Ole Opry Unveils Opry 100 Tapestry

Manuel Cuevas and Marty Stuart. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry, with the help of Opry member Marty Stuart, unveiled a specially designed Opry 100 tapestry designed by master tailor Manuel Cuevas in honor of the Opry 100 celebration. The artwork was placed at the artist entrance of the Opry House.

Additionally, the Opry commissioned Manuel to design custom scarves featuring the signature look of the new tapestry to be given to each Opry member throughout the Opry 100 year. The first scarf was presented to Stuart on stage on behalf of the Opry by his wife and fellow Opry member Connie Smith.

 

Prescription Songs Promotes Kelly White

Kelly White.

Prescription Songs has promoted Kelly White to A&R Coordinator. The Atlanta native and Belmont University alumna is based out of the Nashville office and will continue working alongside a diverse roster of artists, songwriters and producers across Atlanta, LA and Nashville, including Big Boss Vette, Ryder Johnson, Trent Dabbs, Sean Small, Lauren LaRue and Kelly Sheehan.

“Kelly joined us with an incredible drive that has only grown since becoming a part of our team,” says Chris Martignago, Prescription Songs’ VP of A&R. “Her taste in music represents the diverse music our team strives to support and I’m excited for that to continue on another level with her new role.”

White adds, “I’m incredibly grateful to the team at Prescription Songs for their support and belief in me. It’s an honor to grow within a company that not only champions creativity and collaboration but also embraces such a diverse range of talent. I feel lucky every day to work alongside such hardworking, talented creatives—both on our team and across our roster—and I’m excited for all that’s ahead.”

 

Mitchell Tenpenny At Key West Songwriters Festival

Columbia Nashville/Riser House’s Mitchell Tenpenny attended a sunset cruise with Sony Music Nashville promotion staff and country radio personnel at the recent songwriter festival in Key West.

 

Gibson Gives And FirstBank Amphitheater Raise Over $49,000 For Music Education

Pictured (L-R): Alex Tinker (Project Manager, Gibson Gives), Demetra Kopulos (VIP Program Director, FirstBank Amphitheater), Jason Golden (Superintendent of Schools, Williamson County), Nancy McEachern and Rick McEachern (Owners, FirstBank Amphitheater), Erica Krusen (Global Executive Director, Gibson Gives) and Mark Kinzer (Director of Fine Arts, Williamson County). Photo: Josh Beech.

Gibson Gives partnered with FirstBank Amphitheater to raise money for Williamson County Public Schools’ music education initiatives. Through their partnership this year, these organizations brought their selection of 15 hand-signed guitars to the Strumming With The Stars Gibson Gives and Julien’s Auction, which raised over $49,000 this spring. To date, the Gibson Gives and FirstBank Amphitheater Music Education Program has raised over $169,000 for Williamson County Public Schools.

“The Gibson Gives program helps Williamson County Schools give more complete music instruction to all our students,” says Jason Golden, Superintendent of Williamson County Schools. “We’ve focused Gibson donations on those larger instruments that can be prohibitively expensive for families, such as tubas, baritones and bass clarinets. Thanks to Gibson Gives, students can now choose to learn any instrument they set their hearts on.”

 

EVA Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

Photo: Cass Riley

EVA, the entertainment tech company that connects performers with corporate and private events, just celebrated its 10th anniversary with “EVAlution Fest,” a high-energy, genre-spanning mini-festival held at Eastside Bowl in East Nashville.

EVA co-founders Channing Moreland and Makenzie Stokel kicked off the evening by reflecting on the company’s journey before The Moga Family Band, The Broadway Rapper, Kayley Bishop, Carly Moffa, Kate Cosentino, Alexis Saski, Goodness Gracious Creative and more took the stage.

The celebration follows a breakout year for EVA, which saw its revenue double, an expansion to New York City and the closing of a $2 million oversubscribed funding round. Looking ahead, EVA plans to continue expanding into new markets and categories of talent, all while championing opportunities for independent entertainers across the country.

 

Tennessee Entertainment Commission and Levitt Foundation Announce Partnership; Launch Levitt AMP Music Series Grants In Tennessee

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) Commissioner Mark Ezell and Levitt Foundation leadership announced a joint partnership and launch of grant applications for the Levitt AMP Music Series beginning May 1. Through the partnership, both the state and the foundation will be awarding matching grants of up to $40,000 per year over the next three years, 2026-2028. The funding will go toward supporting approximately 180 free outdoor concerts in small or mid-sized cities across Tennessee.

Although this its first partnership with a specific state, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 communities across the U.S. through its Levitt AMP grant program, which activates underused outdoor public spaces in cities and towns nationwide, creating community gathering destinations and ensuring access to the arts by offering free concert series with high-caliber artists across an array of music genres.

To learn more about the Levitt AMP Music Series Grants, see eligibility criteria and access the application, visit levitt.org/partners-tn.

Jessie Murph To Embark On ‘Worldwide Hysteria Tour’ This Summer

Jessie Murph will hit the road later this year on her “Worldwide Hysteria Tour” in support of her new album, which drops this summer. The global tour will visit major cities across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, building on the success of 2024’s “In The Sticks” run, which sold over 85,000 tickets and included a sold-out hometown show at the Von Braun Center arena in Huntsville, Alabama.

The tour kicks off July 27 in Phoenix, Arizona and wraps the US leg at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on September 27. She heads overseas to Amsterdam in October with stops in Germany, Paris, London and Ireland before finishing up in Australia in November. Tickets are available now.

Murph recently made her Coachella debut before surprise appearances during Jelly Roll, Diplo and Koe Wetzel’s sets at Stagecoach. She was nominated for New Female Artist of the Year at this year’s ACM Awards and her current single, “Blue Strips,” has charted worldwide.

Jessie Murph “Worldwide Hysteria Tour” Dates:

Jul 27 | Phoenix, AZ | Arizona Financial Theatre
Jul 30 | Austin, TX | ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Aug 01 | Durant, OK | Choctaw Grand Theater *
Aug 02 | Dallas, TX | South Side Ballroom
Aug 03 | Houston, TX | 713 Music Hall
Aug 05 | Chesterfield, MO | The Factory
Aug 07 | Des Moines, IA | Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park
Aug 08 | Minneapolis, MN | The Armory
Aug 09 | Oshkosh, WI | Crossroads 41 Festival *
Aug 10 | Indianapolis, IN | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Aug 12 | Detroit, MI | The Fillmore Detroit
Aug 15 | Columbus, OH | KEMBA Live! – Outdoor *
Aug 16 | Chicago, IL | Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Aug 18 | Cleveland, OH | Jacobs Pavilion *
Aug 19 | Pittsburgh, PA | Stage AE (Outdoors) *
Aug 21 | Buffalo, NY | Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B
Aug 22 | Syracuse, NY | New York State Fair *
Aug 23 | Philadelphia, PA | The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
Aug 25 | New York, NY | The Rooftop at Pier 17
Aug 27 | Washington, DC | The Anthem
Aug 28 | Boston, MA | Leader Bank Pavilion
Aug 30 | Toronto, ON | Massey Hall
Sep 01 | Montreal, QC | MTELUS
Sep 04 | Raleigh, NC | The Red Hat Amphitheater
Sep 05 | Anderson, SC | Wendell’s Outdoor
Sep 06 | Birmingham, AL | Coca-Cola Amphitheater
Sep 08 | Orlando, FL | Hard Rock Live
Sep 09 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | War Memorial Auditorium
Sep 10 | Tampa, FL | Yuengling Center
Sep 12 | Atlanta, GA | Coca-Cola Roxy
Sep 13 | Nashville, TN | Ascend Amphitheater
Sep 17 | Independence, MO | Cable Dahmer Arena
Sep 19 | Denver, CO | Fillmore Auditorium
Sep 20 | Salt Lake City, UT | The Union Event Center
Sep 22 | Vancouver, BC | Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sep 23 | Seattle, WA | WAMU Theater at Lumen Field
Sep 24 | Portland, OR | Theater of the Clouds
Sep 26 | Oakland, CA | Fox Theater *
Sep 27 | Los Angeles, CA | The Shrine *
Oct 08 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Melkweg
Oct 10 | Brussels, Belgium | Ancienne Belgique
Oct 11 | Hamburg, Germany | Grosse Freiheit
Oct 13 | Berlin, Germany | Huxleys
Oct 14 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Vega
Oct 16 | Cologne, Germany | Carlswerk
Oct 17 | Paris, France | Trabendo
Oct 19 | Birmingham, UK | O2 Institute
Oct 21 | Glasgow, UK | Barrowland Ballroom
Oct 22 | Manchester, UK | Manchester Academy
Oct 24 | London, UK | The Roundhouse
Oct 26 | Dublin, Ireland | 3Olympia
Nov 12 | Perth, Australia | Metropolis Fremantle
Nov 15 | Sydney, Australia | Enmore Theatre
Nov 18 | Brisbane, Australia | Fortitude Music Hall
Nov 20 | Melbourne, Australia | The Forum
Nov 22 | Auckland, New Zealand | Town Hall
*Not A Live Nation Date

Little Big Town To Release Limited Edition Vinyls Of ‘Pain Killer’ & ‘The Breaker’

For the first time ever, Little Big Town‘s albums Pain Killer and The Breaker will be available on vinyl on August 22.

The Platinum-certified Pain Killer (2014) will be available as a Translucent Ruby + Translucent Orange double vinyl set, and their Gold album The Breaker (2017) will be available in Opaque Baby Pink Vinyl.

Pain Killer includes the Grammy-winning, CMA Song of the Year and No. 1 smash “Girl Crush,” which reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, ended up being the second-most played song of 2015 on the format, and is certified seven times Platinum in the U.S. Pain Killer also includes the Platinum and Grammy-nominated song “Day Drinking.  To date, the album has amassed 2M consumption units and almost 1.6B global streams.

The No. 1 Billboard Country Albums chart release The Breaker (2017) features the Grammy-winning song “Better Man,” which hit No. 1 on both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. “Better Man” also won Song of the Year at the CMA Awards in 2017 along with Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys in 2018.  The album has amassed nearly 1 million consumption units and 930M global streams.

Little Big Town will hit the road this year as they bring their extensive catalog to amphitheaters nationwide on the “Little Big Town Summer Tour ‘25,” with direct support from Wynonna Judd, Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde and Russell Dickerson, along with openers Carter Faith and Shelby Lynne.

Steve Earle, Margo Price, Asleep at the Wheel, More Among Lineup For Outlaw Country Cruise

The initial lineup has been announced for the Outlaw Country Cruise 10, taking place March 20-25, 2026, sailing from Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatán, Honduras aboard the Norwegian Pearl.

For its 10th anniversary sailing, The Outlaw Country Cruise will feature five nights of performances from Margo Price, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Reckless Kelly, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Asleep at the Wheel, Carlene Carter, Shinyribs, Jesse Dayton, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale, The Warner E. Hodges Band, Rosie Flores & the Talismen, Roger Alan Wade, Roland Dixon, Unbepaman, and Mojo Nixon Presents: The Toadliquors, Your Mama and Some Other Whore!!!

The cruise will include immersive activities and experiences including special performances, unique collaborations, tribute shows, guitar pulls and SiriusXM Sessions at Sea radio tapings recorded for later broadcast on the SiriusXM Outlaw Country channel.

First round pre-sale signups are available now through May 11. Final round pre-sale signups will conclude May 14. Public on-sales begin May 16 exclusively here.

Beyond the onboard experience, Outlaw Country Cruisers will have the chance to enjoy spectacular shore excursions in Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatán, Honduras. Harvest Caye offers luxurious amenities, eco-adventures, and easy access to Belize’s famous barrier reef. Meanwhile, Roatán, the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands, will offer snorkeling, lush jungles and a blend of Caribbean and Central American culture.

MusicRow Weekly (ACM Awards, News, Charts, More…)

This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly recaps a monumental night in country music and highlights significant developments across the Nashville industry landscape. Click here to see the full edition.

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards lit up the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas yesterday (May 8), with legendary entertainer Reba McEntire returning to host.

Lainey Wilson stole the show, taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award along with Album of the Year for Whirlwind. She also picked up Artist-Writer of the Year, reinforcing her standout year on multiple fronts. Chris Stapleton was named Male Artist of the Year, while Old Dominion earned their ninth consecutive Group of the Year win, officially becoming the most decorated group in ACM history. Brooks & Dunn continued their legacy with another Duo of the Year trophy.

Several winners were revealed ahead of the broadcast, including Ella Langley, who was named New Female Artist of the Year. She also shared a Visual Media of the Year win with Riley Green for their “You Look Like You Love Me” video. Zach Top was awarded New Male Artist of the Year, and The Red Clay Strays earned New Duo or Group. Jessie Jo Dillon was named Songwriter of the Year, and Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap,” penned by Josh Phillips, earned Song of the Year.

Elsewhere in the industry, leadership changes made headlines. Lori Christian stepped down from her role as Executive Vice President of Marketing at UMG Nashville after 13 years. Meanwhile, Heather Vassar exited her post as SVP of Operations at EMPIRE Nashville.

Belmont University celebrated its 2025 Spring Commencement with a star-studded list of honorary doctorate recipients, including Trisha Yearwood and songwriter Hillary Lindsey. President Dr. Greg Jones presided over the ceremonies, honoring more than 2,000 graduates.

Big Loud Texas continues its expansion with the launch of Big Loud Texas Publishing. With Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall at the helm, the new division has signed Timothy Allen as its first songwriter and appointed Lizzy Rector as Publishing Director.

Endurance Music Group also made strategic moves this week, expanding its partnership with Raven Music Partners through a music services agreement. EMG’s Michael Martin has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer, while Mark Ahlberg steps up as Co-President and General Manager.

On the performance front, Hardy made his long-awaited Grand Ole Opry debut on April 29. Introduced via video by Lainey Wilson, Hardy took the stage with fellow rising star Ella Langley to perform “Wait In The Truck,” a collaboration originally with Wilson.

More career moves followed across the city. WME has created a new role, Senior Director, External Relations, for Alexis Rosenberg in their Nashville office. Additionally, veteran Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum staffer Alan Stoker was celebrated upon his retirement after more than five decades of service.

Talent management firm Dynamic Talent International announced its expansion into Nashville, opening a new office on Commerce Street. The local team will represent a slate of rising and established artists, including Danielle Bradbery and Kaylee Bell, and engage in community partnerships and charitable initiatives.

Publishing signings also rounded out the week’s industry news. Lalo Guzman extended his global publishing deal with SMACKSongs following his second No. 1 with Blake Shelton’s “Texas.” Singer-songwriter Grace Tyler joined Concord Music Publishing, while Will Terry signed with both Prescription Songs and 7Hills Music for publishing, as well as Amigo Records for future releases.

This week’s My Music Row Story features an insightful conversation with TheGreenRoom’s Tyne Parrish.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Riley Green maintains his No. 1 spot this week with “Worst Way.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Rising Artists At ‘Opry NextStage Live From Texas’

Jelly Roll. Photo: Danielle Piazza

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated members of its Opry NextStage Class of 2025 on Wednesday (May 7) with a sold-out “Opry NextStage Live From Texas” event held at the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall. Just ahead of the 60th Annual ACM Awards, the event was hosted by Jelly Roll and featured performances from members of the Opry NextStage Class of 2025: Avery Anna, Chayce Beckham, Kaitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper, Tigirlily Gold and Tucker Wetmore. Special guests included Riley Green (NextStage Class of 2019), Ella Langley (NextStage Class of 2024) and Priscilla Block (NextStage Class of 2021).

Since its launch in 2019, Opry NextStage artists have achieved a combined 33 No. 1 hits, spending a total of 43 weeks atop the Country Aircheck/Mediabase airplay chart. The program has introduced fans to rising stars such as Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Nate Smith, Parker McCollum, Riley Green and Tenille Townes, all of whom went on to win ACM New Male or Female Artist of the Year after their NextStage inclusion. Wilson also made history as the first Opry NextStage alum to become an Opry member.

Priscilla Block.

Riley Green.

Ed Schulte Promoted To Sr. Director Facilities, Operations & Sustainability At CMHOFM

Ed Schulte & Leigh Anne Wise. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Ed Schulte has been promoted to Senior Director of Facilities, Operations and Sustainability at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, succeeding Leigh Anne Wise, who previously served in the role and is retiring after 41 years with the organization.

In his senior staff role, Schulte will oversee facilities maintenance, building projects, building operations including security, housekeeping and event set up, as well as sustainability initiatives. He joined the museum in 2023 as Director of Facilities, overseeing operating systems for the museum’s more than 350,000-square-foot building.

During his time with the museum, Schulte has collaborated on significant projects as facilities liaison, including the recent renovation of the museum’s retail spaces and facility updates related to the museum’s core and temporary exhibit spaces. With nearly 40 years of facilities management experience, Schulte previously worked as Director of Facilities for Nickelodeon Studios Orlando and most recently served as Director of Facilities at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.

Wise is retiring from her senior staff role June 6. She joined the museum in March 1984 as a tour guide, moving to accounting and then operations. Most recently, she oversaw all facility management and operations for the museum and led the growth of its award-winning sustainability program, which diverted more than 100 tons of trash from landfills last year through composting and other initiatives. During her tenure, Wise managed the museum’s move downtown in 2001 from its original location on Music Row. She also served as emergency response lead during the Nashville flood of 2010, safeguarding the museum’s facilities and restoring operations. She oversaw building construction as the facilities and operations liaison during the museum’s expansion, as well as served as emergency response lead for building and staff safety protocols during COVID-19.

“Leigh Anne has been a key sounding board and trusted partner through many major milestones of our museum,” says Kyle Young, Chief Executive Officer for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Her determination and resolve to improve our facility can be felt in every aspect of our operations. We’re grateful for her incredible 41 years of service, and we look forward to Ed’s steady leadership and expertise as we continue to serve our community and museum visitors.”