David Ryan Harris. Photo: Gary Askey

Singer-songwriter and musician David Ryan Harris has joined Spirit Music as VP, A&R and as a songwriter and JV partner with his company Peace Pourage, Inc.

In aligning with Spirit Music in his new position and creative collaboration, Harris brings nearly four decades of experience to mentor and nurture future generations of fellow creatives. Harris first rose to fame as frontman for the seminal Atlanta rock band, Follow For Now in the late 1980s, and later struck out on his own as a solo act while working with artists across genres. He’s written and produced for Hootie & The Blowfish, Christina Perri, Zayn from One Direction, Natasha Bedingfield, and others.

Harris recently won an APRA Billions Milestone for his work on Nelly’s 2010 single “Just a Dream,” which recently surpassed one billion streams. He was also a co-writer on the Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco collaboration “Battle Scars” in 2012, which is certified Platinum, and nine-times Platinum in Australia. Other in studio and onstage collaborations include Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews and Santana. In addition to releasing his own music, Harris has been singing and playing guitar in John Mayer’s band since 2004.

“I am thrilled to welcome David Ryan Harris to the Spirit Music team,” declares Spirit Music CEO Frank Rogers. “Beyond being a fan and friend of David’s, I am excited at the wealth of knowledge and passion for music that he is bringing to Spirit. He will be a great asset and champion for our writers, artists and staff.”

“I look forward to using my years of experience writing, touring, playing, and making authentic connections in the business and the world at large to bring value and new perspectives to the amazing team at Spirit,” shares Harris.

Harris will amplify his work at Spirit in the coming years with a focus on mentoring other artists to further the mission of the boutique music publisher, whose global reach and extensive repertoire includes more than 100,000 songs spanning nearly a century and encompassing all genres.

ERNEST taps into that island state of mind on his upcoming third album, Deep Blue, set to drop May 1 via Big Loud Records.

He’s unlocking two more early releases from the upcoming project, the title track and an official studio version of Apple Music Lost & Found Session submission “End Of The Night,” today. Deep Blue harkens back to ERNEST’s first-ever project, Locals Only, but showcases seven years’ worth of growth against the backdrop of a tropical escape. Heavily influenced and inspired by the sounds and spirit of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a place that’s made ERNEST who he is both personally and creatively, Deep Blue takes the listener out to sea on a nostalgic, sentimental trip.

The 13-track album features previously-released singles “Lorelei” and “Boat Named After You,” as well as four outside cuts, a first for ERNEST from any previous project. Pulling from the archives, the award-winning writer unearthed a set of backlog cuts from Toby Keith, Nathan Chapman, David Lee Murphy, Tony Lane, Scotty Emerick, Paul Overstreet and more to round out the upcoming oceanside set. ERNEST also co-produced the album alongside longtime collaborator Jacob Durrett, another first, and Lukas Nelson appears on the collection on the poignant track “Time Is A Thief.”

“I want to say thank you to the fans that have been here since the Local Only days.” says ERNEST. “If you are new here, thank you for joining the ride. Most importantly, I want to thank the ocean and the islands. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. I found myself in that Caribbean water and will always call it home away from home.”

ERNEST is currently on the road headlining his nationwide “Live From The South Tour” with DeVille artists Rhys Rutherford, Chandler Walters and Cody Lohden.

Deep Blue Track List:
1. “Lorelei” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Mark Holman)
2. “Edge Of The U.S.A.” (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett, Chris Lane)
3. “What’s A Little Rain” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson, David Garcia)
4. “Lucky” (Ernest Keith Smith, Cody Lohden)
5. “Quit While We’re Behind” (Ernest Keith Smith, Scotty Emerick, Trent Tomlinson)
6. “Somewhere In The Caribbean” (Scotty Emerick, Paul Overstreet)
7. “End Of The Night” (Toby Keith, David Lee Murphy, Bobby Pinson)
8. “Waste A Day” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson, David Garcia)
9. “Deep Blue” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rocky Block, Hank Compton, Jamie McLaughlin)
10. “If I’m Not Careful” (Ernest Keith Smith, Ronnie Bowman, Clint Daniels, Chandler Paul Walters)
11. “Same Moon” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Mark Holman)
12. “Boat Named After You” (Nathan Chapman, Tony Lane)
13. “Time Is A Thief” feat. Lukas Nelson (Matt McKinney, Rivers Rutherford, Jimmy Yeary)

All songs produced by ERNEST & Jacob Durrett

Sam Barber. Photo: Scott Sanford

Sam Barber will release his sophomore album, Broken View, April 3 via Atlantic Outpost. Barber is sharing his new single from the project, “Just A Kid,” today, along with an accompanying film.

The short film for “Just A Kid” was directed by Gus Black and shot on the Oregon Coast, and stars Elle Chapman (The Madison), Tyler Johnson Ellis (American Horror Story), Cailyn Rice (Euphoria) and Kevin Michael Brennan. Barber co-wrote and co-produced his new album with Joe Becker with additional songs co-produced with Aaron Dessner, and the project serves as an introspective reflection on life’s complexities, exploring themes of love, loss and self-discovery. The new 13-song collection also includes the recently released single “Borrowed Time.”

Barber’s 2024 debut album Restless Mind earned Gold certification and features standout singles including the double Platinum “Straight and Narrow” and Platinum-certified “Indigo (Feat. Avery Anna),” the latter of which has amassed over 728 million global streams and earned Barber a top 40 placement on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Barber will return to Stagecoach Festival in April before continuing his extensive “The American Route Tour.”

Broken View Track List:
1. “Borrowed Time”
2. “All For You”
3. “Broken View”
4. “Far Past”
5. “Hate It Here”
6. “Hope It Never Rains”
7. “Hopeless Song”
8. “I Will Follow”
9. “Just A Kid”
10. “Lighthouse”
11. “Run”
12. “Satellite”
13. “The More I Hope”

Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen & Shaboozey.

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place last night (March 26) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Shaboozey accepted the award for Country Song of the Year with “Good News.” Country Artist of the Year went to Morgan Wallen, while Ella Langley nabbed Best New Artist (Country). Wallen also took home the trophy for Country Album of the Year with I’m The Problem. Amy Allen was also recognized as Songwriter of the Year.

Other award winners throughout the night included Alex Warren (Song of the Year – “Ordinary”), Taylor Swift (Artist of the Year, Album of the Year – The Life of a Showgirl), HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI (Duo/Group of the Year), ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (Best Collaboration – “APT.”) and Andrew Watt (Producer of the Year).

Big honors of the night also went to Warren for the Breakthrough Award, Miley Cyrus for the INNOVATOR Award, John Mellencamp for the ICON Award, and Ludacris for the Landmark Award.

Performances during the ceremony came from Lainey Wilson, Warren, Mellencamp, Kehlani, Ludacris, RAYE, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue.

See the complete list of winners here.

Brad Paisley, Zach Top, Steve Wariner and more are set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Telecaster at Tele Town, a one-night concert celebration on May 4 at the Ryman.

The event will bring together artists and fans for an unforgettable evening celebrating the guitar that changed the course of modern music. The lineup will feature artists performing alongside a dedicated house band led by Derek Wells and will also include guitar slingers Brent Mason, Guthrie Trapp, James Burton, Brothers Osborne, Luke McQueary, Ricky Skaggs and Trey Hensley. 

“Serving as musical director for Tele Town is a true honor, especially in my home city of Nashville, where I grew up and where the Telecaster’s legacy runs so deep,” says Wells. “Putting this show together has been about more than just great players, it’s about capturing the spirit of an instrument that’s shaped so much of the music we all love. This lineup is full of people who’ve lived with this guitar onstage and in the studio, and I’m certain that when we all are together, you’ll see people playing with love and reverence for what this instrument has meant to us all.”

The evening will be hosted by Nashville guitarist, music insider and historian Zac Childs, who brings deep knowledge of the Telecaster and its history, guiding the audience through performances and collaborations that highlight its pioneering design and role in shaping Music City and the world’s musical identity. Tickets for Tele Town go on sale today (March 27) at AXS Tele Town. All proceeds will be donated to local Nashville charities.

“75 years after its debut, the Telecaster remains proof that simplicity endures, adaptable enough to move across genres, generations, and stages without losing its identity. This celebration is our way of honoring not just an instrument, but a cultural phenomenon that has shaped music for over seven decades,” says Fender Musical Instruments Corporation President of Americas, Justin Norvell. “Tele Town at the Ryman will be the culmination of this celebration – bringing that story to life on one of music’s most hallowed stages in the heart of Music City. From our limited edition collections to the content pieces and community celebrations, we’re ensuring the Telecaster’s legacy reaches both longtime fans and discovers new ones who will carry its voice into the future.”