McCoy Moore Signs With Sony Music Nashville

/by

Pictured (L-R): The Neal Agency’s Evan Kantor, Austin Neal, and Ryan Beuschel; Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold and Taylor Lindsey; McCoy Moore; TRACK mgmt.’s Troy “Tracker” Johnson; SMN’s Nanthan Thomas and Lexi Stringer and TRACK mgmt.’s Drew Magid. Photo: Adam Davis

Singer-songwriter McCoy Moore has signed with Sony Music Nashville in partnership with Cervidae Records.

Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Moore went on to take guitar and voice lessons instead of geometry, developing a rich, commanding baritone he mostly used at home. Everything changed for the burgeoning artist in 2017, when the 16-year-old Moore met a rising star named Luke Combs. Offering sage advice, Combs encouraged Moore while preaching the make-it-happen gospel, and the newcomer took it to heart. Moving to Nashville at 19, he spent the ensuing years honing a craft defined by sharp country hooks and warm, welcoming relatability, already earning cuts by Shane Profitt, Roman Alexander, Bryce Mauldin and more.

“Days like today make all the time I put into this dream worth it and lights the fire under me all over again,” shares Moore. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Sony Music Nashville, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together as a team. I have the best people around me and we’re just getting started. It’s such a cool day for me – I’m so thankful.”

Moore will release his new track “John Deere Blue,” a waltz-twinged ballad co-written with Shane McAnally and Johnny Clawson, tomorrow (May 16). He’ll join Hardy, Koe Wetzel and Stephen Wilson Jr. on the road for the upcoming “Jim Bob World Tour” throughout the U.S., U.K., and Ireland.

Moore is represented by TRACK mgmt. and The Neal Agency with publishing by SMACK Songs.

ACM Lifting Lives Took Over Texas Leading Up To 60th ACM Awards

/by

Picture (L-R, back row): Shawn Parr, Keith Urban, Zach Top, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Eric Church, Damon Whiteside and Taylor Wolf. (front row): Bobby Bones.

ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music, helped celebrate the 60th ACM Awards through multiple fundraising events in and around Frisco, Texas during this year’s ACM Awards Week.

In the weekend leading up to the 60th ACM Awards, ACM Lifting Lives joined the Lone Star Smokeout in Arlington, Texas, for their inaugural event, where artists including Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Cody Jinks, Midland, Jon Pardi, Randy Rogers Band, Hudson Westbrook and Tucker Wetmore hit the stage outside of AT&T Stadium in what was described as a three-day “parking lot party.”

Wyatt Flores

On May 5, ACM Lifting Lives unveiled a unique guitar wall for patients, families and other hospital patrons during an exclusive event at the new Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Frisco. The custom wall spotlighting the organization’s focus on improving lives through the power of music features six Gibson guitars, all donated by Gibson Gives, and displays them alongside photos of Texas-born country superstars performing at the ACM Awards over the years, including Ronnie Dunn, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, George Strait and Tanya Tucker.

The display also has QR codes that link directly to a curated playlist that correlates to themes including “Inspire,” “Celebrate,” “Motivate,” “Heal,” “Cope” and “Relax,” providing unique soundtracks to listeners during their time at the hospital. The event also announced a multi-year partnership with Texas-based Baylor Scott & White Health as the official Health System of the ACM.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center

The following day, Jelly Roll brought Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge, Ernest, Jessie Murph, Koe Wetzel, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone and Russell Dickerson to Billy Bob’s Texas for his Jelly Roll and Friends event.

Wednesday brought together industry members for the annual ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off golf tournament in The Colony, which featured performances from Baldridge, Ernest, Cody Lohden, Rhys Rutherford and Grace Tyler.

That same evening, Lily Rose hosted Keys for a Cause at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar in The Star District, with her friends and ACM Award nominees Gavin Adcock, Cooke and Wetmore joining the party, among others. Money was raised through attendees submitting song requests throughout the night, with proceeds from those requests going directly to ACM Lifting Lives’ philanthropic efforts.

The evening was highlighted by one of the most memorable events of the week with the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives hosting the exclusive and intimate “Play Something Country,” a 60th Anniversary Gala Honoring Brooks & Dunn and benefiting ACM Lifting Lives, which grossed nearly $1.4 million while honoring the achievements of the 25-time ACM Award-winning duo. The night culminated with a presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn and performances of their hits from country music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson, all hosted by TV and radio personality Bobby Bones.

Drew Baldridge, Jelly Roll, Ashley Cooke. Photo: Gilbert Flores

Lily Rose and team

Picture (L-R): Ken Robold, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks and Taylor Lindsey. Photo: Gilbert Flores

Lainey Wilson. Photo: Rich Polk

Keith Urban. Photo: Rich Polk

Dustin Lynch To Host Round Three For ‘Pool Situation: Nashville’

/by

Dustin Lynch will host his “Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Nashville” 2025 at the rooftop pool of Margaritaville Hotel Nashville on June 6 during CMA Fest weekend.

The country music-themed pool party is free and open-to-the-public, and in the past has featured pop-ups from Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down), Jordan Davis, Hardy, Uncle Kracker, MacKenzie Porter, Little Big Town and more. Admittance for guests 18+ is free on a first-come, first-served basis, but Lynch’s Stay Country Club members will get exclusive early access.

The following day on June 7, Lynch will offer Nashville a taste of his Club Set from his 2025 Wynn Nightlife Las Vegas Residency when he hosts the “Dustin Lynch Nightlife Party” at Barstool Nashville. Admittance for 21+ guests is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lynch’s 2025 Wynn Nightlife Las Vegas Residency, which is Wynn Nightlife’s first-ever country music artist residency in Las Vegas, boasts a live performance Daytime Pool Situation at Encore Beach Club and a Club Set at XS Nightclub, and runs through August.

Music Business Association Names 2025 Bizzy Award Winners

/by

Lecrae and Downtown Music Publishing’s Emily Stephenson

The Music Business Association (Music Biz) honored this year’s Bizzy Award winners at the fourth annual Bizzy Awards Dinner last night (May 14) during the Music Biz 2025 conference at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly.

The 2025 Bizzy Awards Dinner was sponsored by Warner Music Group, hosted by artist & Reach Records founder, Lecrae, and featured performances by Tayla Parx (Warner Chappell Music) & Yami Safdie (Warner Music Latina).

Nashville-based President of Downtown Music Publishing, Emily Stephenson, was awarded with the #NEXTGEN_NOW One to Watch Award, while SVP of Rights Data Management at Concord, Elysha Miracle, won the Maestro of Metadata Award. Grimey’s won the Bizzy Frontline Innovator Award, and the lauded Equal Access program was honored with the Agent of Change Award.

This year marks the fourth time that nominations for the Association’s awards program were crowd-sourced, allowing the global music business at large to recognize their companies and peers who are making a difference in improving the global industry.

2025 Bizzy Award Winners:
Leading Light Award: Colleen Theis, President & COO, The Orchard
Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement: Cindy Charles, Twitch – Posthumous Honor accepted by Charles’ husband
Marketing Superstar Award: MF DOOM – MM..FOOD (20 Year Anniversary), Rhymesayers Entertainment
Maestro of Metadata Award: Elysha Miracle, SVP of Rights Data Management, Concord
Impact Award for Technological Excellence: DDEX (Digital Data Exchange)
#NEXTGEN_NOW One to Watch Award: Emily Stephenson, President, Downtown Music Publishing
Frontline Innovator Award: Grimey’s Music, Nashville
Music Business Educator of the Year Award: Jerry Brindisi, Columbia College Chicago
Agent of Change Award: Equal Access

Kelsea Ballerini Performs ‘Baggage’ On ‘The Voice’ Alongside Co-Writers

/by

Pictured (L-R): Jessie Jo Dillon, Karen Fairchild, Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey and Alysa Vanderheym. Photo: Tyler Golden/NBC

Kelsea Ballerini took The Voice stage on Tuesday night (May 13) to play her current single “Baggage.” The showing also marked the first time all the song’s co-writers (Alysa Vanderheym, Jessie Jo Dillon, Karen Fairchild and Hillary Lindsey) performed the track alongside Ballerini.

Youtube video

Ballerini is currently serving as a coach on the singing competition show, and has one artist in next week’s season finale, Jaelen Johnston.

“Baggage” comes from Ballerini’s critically acclaimed studio album Patterns, which earned her the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and No. 4 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart.

RiverTown Music And Media Launches In Nashville

/by

Pictured (L-R, back row): Sydney Mack, Julianne Drenon & Andy Griggs. (L-R, front row:) Ashley Perry & Paul Perry.

RiverTown Music and Media has opened in Nashville. Led by industry veteran Julianne Drenon and business entrepreneurs Paul and Ashley Perry, the new company will offer record label services, music video production, social media content, podcasts and more.

As seasoned IT professionals, Paul and Ashley Perry bring their expertise managing and maintaining computer systems networks and software applications. Drenon has experience in management, publishing, touring and more through her 20 years in the industry.

“I met Paul and Ashley at an event in Paris, Tennessee,” says Drenon. “RiverTown Music and Media was born out of our mutual love for music and a united vision to offer label services to artists signed to our label and unique creative services to other artists, as well as the business community. We want to take a grassroots digital streaming and social media content-focused approach to launching the label’s artists, as well as offering creative and production services to outside artists like Darryl Worley and businesses.”

The music division’s label will house flagship artists Andy Griggs and Sydney Mack. Distributed by ADA, RiverTown Music’s staff brings experience in digital distribution, Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional, Youtube Certified in Channel Optimization, Rights Management, Asset Monetization and Content Ownership.

“It’s never been about fitting a mold,” says Mack. “Country music is just how I speak my truth and hope it lands somewhere familiar for someone else. I’m so grateful for this opportunity with RiverTown Music, a label that champions individuality and empowers artists to stay true to themselves.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about my music as I am now,” adds Griggs. “I have grown seasoned and so have the people around me. RiverTown Music and I somehow found each other and man, what a match. Musically, there is freedom in the wind like I’ve never felt. And as far as the old saying of the business, the yolk is light. Go figure! I’m in love working with these guys.”

The organization’s media division can produce music videos, social media content production, podcast production and commercial television. Their full-service media production includes a professional sound stage, full lighting gear and a multi-camera shoot with an on-site producer. They currently produce Darryl Worley’s podcast Sounds Like Life, which has amassed millions of views since its launced last year.

“RiverTown Media has been a blessing to work with on my podcast,” says Worley. “From the quality production to the creative support of the staff they have helped bring my vision for this podcast to life!”

Trisha Yearwood & Friends To Celebrate Linda Ronstadt

/by

Trisha Yearwood will bring her friends Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Patti Scialfa and James Taylor together for a special show to celebrate Linda Ronstadt and the Los Angeles country-rock scene of the 1960s through ‘80s on July 22 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater.

Co-produced between Yearwood and the CMHOFM, the show is connected to the museum’s Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock exhibit, which is ending its three year run on Sept. 1. The exhibit explores L.A. singers, songwriters and musicians who frequented Nashville nightclubs and embraced country music, eventually shaping “country-rock.” During the show, Yearwood and the additional performers will perform some of Ronstadt’s music, among other country-rock hits.

“Linda Ronstadt is a big reason I wanted to be a singer,” says Yearwood. “I was 10 years old when I discovered her music, and her big voice drew me in. She combined the country music that my parents listened to…like Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline…but it had an edge to it that I loved. Through Ronstadt, I discovered Emmylou Harris, the Eagles, Jackson Browne, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons and many more. I’m honored to be a part of celebrating Linda and this incredible era of music that is such an important part of the history of country music.”

Tickets will go on sale this Friday (May 16) at 10 a.m. CST.

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

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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.