Dylan Scott has announced a headlining show at Nashville’s The Pinnacle on September 26.

Special guests George Birge and Mackenzie Carpenter will join Scott on the bill for the evening.

Scott will embark on his headlining “Country Till I Die Tour,” next month, kicking off April 3 in Boston and will hit 17 cities. His current single “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” sits at No. 4 on the country radio charts. The hitmaker is currently the fourth most-played artist at country radio so far this year, behind Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and Jelly Roll.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 21 and can be purchased here.

SMACK has hired Mak Symmonds as its new Director of Marketing. In this key role, she will lead marketing efforts across SMACK’s management, label and publishing divisions, driving strategic campaigns to amplify its roster including Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Kylie Morgan and Jenna Davis.

Symmonds joins SMACK following seven years in artist management and brand development at Piedmonte & Co., working with Chris Tomlin, Patrick Droney, Redferrin and Chris Renzema. She successfully led major releases, large-scale events, strategic partnerships, and targeted marketing campaigns, elevating artists’ profiles locally and globally.

In her new role, she will collaborate with streaming and digital partners to refine release strategies, stay ahead of industry trends and expand opportunities for SMACK’s artists and writers. Her expertise in crafting personalized strategies ensures long-term success in a rapidly evolving industry.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be adding Mak to the team here at SMACK! She felt like a great fit from the first time we met, and in her short time with us, she’s already proved to be a valuable addition. I can’t wait to see how she and SMACK grow together!” says Robert Carlton, President of SMACK.

“I’m so excited to be joining the SMACK team at such an amazing time in the company’s journey. The accomplishments of SMACK’s artists, writers, and team members are inspiring, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to this legacy,” shares Symmonds. “I look forward to collaborating with the team, helping drive growth, and amplifying the incredible work SMACK is doing across the industry. It’s an honor to take this next step with such a talented and dedicated group of people.”

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released its annual recorded music revenue report, including a milestone 100 million paid streaming subscriptions last year. Paid music subscriptions are the largest source of revenue, alongside the revival of vinyl record sales.

“Twenty years into the streaming era, over 100 million paid subscriptions now deliver two-thirds of industry revenues, a historic milestone powering America’s music economy forward,” shares RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “It’s an extraordinary achievement by an industry that has successfully focused on its creative and commercial core by championing innovative new services, options, and experiences that add real value for fans.

“Music has never been more dynamic, compelling, and relevant – reaching out beyond our earbuds with conversation-driving cultural touchstones like unforgettable halftime performances, historic television moments or must-see films and biopics,” he continues. “And American fans and superfans’ dedication to the artists they support promises an even brighter future as record labels work to create new opportunities that boost incomes for artists and diverse revenue streams to grow the pie for everyone with a stake in the music economy.”

According to the RIAA’s full 2024 year-end report, the U.S. recorded music industry reached a record high of $17.7 billion in estimated retail value in 2024, up half a billion dollars since the previous year. Streaming generated $14.9 billion and accounted for 84% of total revenues, which includes paid subscriptions, ad-supported services, digital and customized radio, social media platforms and digital fitness apps. Vinyl sales experienced its eighteenth consecutive increase, reaching $1.4 billion, the highest since 1984. Vinyl also outperformed CDs for the third straight year, with 44 million records shipped compared to 33 million CDs. Additionally, 2024 marked the first year that independent labels were directly reported, and sync now includes both direct indie revenue and estimates.

Click here to read the full 2024 RIAA Year-End Revenue Report.

An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile will air April 6 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. The concert special will feature live performances, anecdotes about the duo’s enduring friendship and an inside look at their new joint album.

The performance will be filmed on March 26 at the Palladium Theatre in London with a full live band. The setlist will feature songs from Who Believes in Angels?, alongside some of John and Carlile’s biggest hits.

Additionally, Elton and Carlile will host an intimate sit-down conversation with the audience on stage that will look at their 20-year friendship, the journey behind their latest collaboration and behind the scenes footage from their process. Throughout the evening, special guests will pay tribute to the artists’ illustrious careers.

An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile is produced by Fulwell Entertainment with Executive Producers Ben Winston, Gabe Turner and Sally Wood.

Over the weekend (March 13-16), country music fans from the U.K. gathered for the Country Music Association’s annual “C2C: Country To Country Festival.”

“C2C is always such an incredible experience, from kicking off the weekend with a sold-out Songwriters Series to hosting the CMA Spotlight Stage in London and Glasgow, we were reminded again of the strength and global connection of our genre,” shares Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Country Music reached new heights in 2024, and the momentum has only grown stronger in these first few months of 2025. With more artists, industry professionals and fans engaging with the genre, we’re more excited than ever for what’s in store.”

Last Thursday (March 13), C2C kicked off with its CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at the O2, featuring Jessi Alexander, Wyatt Flores, Mickey Guyton, Tucker Wetmore and Darius Rucker, who also served as host for the event.

CMA additionally sponsored C2C’s Spotlight Stage for the first time, giving rising artists a platform during the big festival. Bayker Blankenship, Drew Baldridge, Harper O’Neill, Kaitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper, Kassi Ashton, Kezia Gill, Max McNown and Willow Avalon all took the stage in the middle of the O2 in London. Blankenship, Baldridge, O’Neill, Ashton, Gill and Avalon also performed at the OVO Hydro Glasgow.

Richard Murdoch (Producer for Another Country with Ricky Ross, BBC Radio Scotland) was honored with the 2024 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. The award spotlighted Murdoch’s innovative approach to media, as well his drive to expanding the genre globally. Lainey Wilson presented the award during C2C Glasgow on Sunday (March 16).

CMA also organized a slew of industry events in London to build networks worldwide. Presenters for the events included Michelle Boursiquot (BMG), Ami Brown (Universal Music Group), Zoe Briggs (REPUBLIC Collective), Phil Connolly (Sony Music), Meredith Goucher (CMA), Alexandra Hannaby (Big Machine Label Group), Sean Hendrie (United Talent Agency), Jim King (AEG Presents), Baylen Leonard (Absolute Radio Country, The Long Road, Holler), Rachel Lloyd (AEG Presents), Neil McSteen (CAA), Anna-Sophie Mertens (Live Nation), Luke Roberts (Lime Tree Music), Shannon Saunders (WME), Cayleigh Shepherd (Big Loud), Gaëlle Siourakan (Universal Music Group), Trahern (CMA) and Helen Thomas (BBC Radio 2).

“C2C: Country To Country” will take place in 2026 March 13-15.