Sam Williams will release his new album, Act II: Countrystar, on July 11 via Mercury Nashville.

For the seven-track project, Williams teamed up with producers Nick Bailey and Yung Lan. He also collaborated with writers such as Michael Tyler, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband and more.

The title track, “Countrystar,” was released today (Feb. 28). Penned by Williams, Bailey, Marisa Maino and Ryder Johnson, the tune sets the tone for the album, with raw, unfiltered lyricism and effortless confidence.

“Writing ‘Countrystar’ was a liberating experience for me,” shares Williams. “It sets the vibe for all of Act II. It’s confident and layered with complex emotions. I can’t wait for all these songs to be yours.”

Act II: Countrystar Track List:
1. “Countrystar” (Sam Williams, Nick Bailey, Marisa Maino, Ryder Johnson)
2. “No Problem” (Sam Williams, Nick Bailey, Michael Tyler, Noah West)
3. “I Killed A Man in Tennessee” (Sam Williams, Nick Wayne, Yung Lan, James Maddocks, Noah Brown)
4. “Fugitive” (Sam Williams, Ben Roberts, Yung Lan, Noah Brown, Felipe Spain, Nick Bailey)
5. “Daydream” (Sam Williams, Ben Roberts, Nathan Sexton)
6. “Lose You Too” (Sam Williams, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband)
7. “Honkytonkin’” (Sam Williams, Andrew DeRoberts, Amy Stroup, Hank Williams)

Tauren Wells is gearing up for the release of his upcoming EP, Let The Church Sing, releasing March 21.

Drawing from a rich legacy of worship-centered music, Let The Church Sing calls believers to come together in praise, fostering a renewed sense of community and devotion. In January 2024, Wells and his wife Lorna established Church of Whitestone in Austin. The church welcomed nearly 4,000 people on its opening weekend, setting a record for the largest first-day church launch in U.S. history. The significance of this moment influenced Let The Church Sing, with Wells turning to worship music more than ever before.

“For as long as I’ve been an artist, I’ve always been on staff at a church,” says Wells. “However, I’ve never written from the lens of being involved in a church and planted in the house of the Lord at this level. When we started the church, it was a major spiritual process and excavation into the heart. A lot of songs came from the birth of our church.”

Fusing contemporary Christian, gospel and pop influences, Let The Church Sing presents a powerful collection of anthems, including his latest tracks “Making Room” and “Thank You For The Cross.” Much like constructing a church one brick at a time, the music came together during individual sessions, mirroring the growth of Whitestone’s congregation. Each song is designed to embody the spirit of communal worship, urging every church to raise its voice in celebration of God’s love and transformative grace.

“When people hear this new music, I want them to walk away thinking about how amazing the church is,” he adds. “I hope that we can re-engage with the wonder and beauty of community and faith. I’m still the same child of God, but with a sharpened focus on what He has called me to do in the world.”

Wells is also preparing to debut his first book and broaden his impact through ministry and his podcast, The High Note.

Let The Church Sing Track List:
1. “Let The Church Sing” (Jordan Sapp, Tauren Wells)
2. “Thank You For The Cross” (Colby Wedgeworth, Tauren Wells, Jonathan Smith)
3. “The Room Is Yours” (Tauren Wells, Dafiah Davies, Demitri Wells)
4. “Making Room” (Tauren Wells, Jordan Sapp)
5. “Not Guilty” (Tauren Wells, Lorna Wells, Chuck Butler)

Planet Bluegrass’s RockyGrass returns to the ranch in Lyons, Colorado on July 25-27.

Among those set to play are Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Infamous Stringdusters, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, East Nash Grass, Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, The Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and the 2023 RockyGrass Band Contest winners, The Fretliners, among others.

In addition to main stage performances, RockyGrass Festival-goers will have the chance to more closely interact with musical performances and workshops in the site’s beautiful 300-seat Wildflower Pavilion. Limited tickets and camping passes for RockyGrass 2025 are still available, and fans can find more information and purchase tickets here.

For over 30 years, Planet Bluegrass has been creating exceptional experiences that protect the planet through environmental leadership and a strong community. Planet Bluegrass presents Telluride Bluegrass, RockyGrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, each featuring the world’s finest musicians and songwriters, with each embracing a “Leave No Trace” ethic that defines Planet Bluegrass as a leader in Sustainable Festivation.

ASCAP has released its annual financial review and reports another year of record-breaking revenues and royalty distributions for its members, delivering $1.835 billion in revenue in the 2024 calendar year.

The numbers mark an increase of $98 million, or 5.7% over 2023 with $1.696 billion available for royalty distributions, up by $104 million, or 6.5%. This is the highest amount in revenue and royalty distributions to creators and music publishers historically reported by ASCAP, fueled by revenue growth and the lowest overall cost allocation overhead rate in the US at 10%.

ASCAP delivers 90 cents of every dollar collected back to its members as royalties and does not charge a commission or take a profit. Instead, according to its unique governance and operating principles, it must deduct expenses and then distribute remaining dollars as royalties to its members.

“For songwriters, composers and publishers, ASCAP provides the best return on their performance royalties because they get 90 cents of every dollar we collect. It’s that simple. We are the only U.S. PRO that does not take a profit and the only one that can credibly say we put creators first in everything we do,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews.

The company increased the value and monetization of its members’ music with domestic revenue from US-licensed performances totaling $1.397 billion, an increase of 5.3%, or $71 million, year over year. Revenues from streaming audio, audio-visual and general licensing drove the increase. The strength in domestic revenue led to 5.5% growth in funds available for domestic distributions, which totaled $1.284 billion. Of that total, $53 million was distributed through Songwize, ASCAP’s royalty administration service provided to ASCAP members who directly license their works.

Collections for foreign revenue also increased to a total of $438 million, up by $28 million, or 6.8% with $411 million available for royalty distribution, a 9.8% increase of $37 million.

In the 10th year of its strategic growth plan, ASCAP has generated a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for total revenue of 7%; and for total distributions, a CAGR of 8%. While every other US PRO is now private equity-owned, ASCAP is the only one that does not owe payouts to private investors or shareholders, making writer and publisher members the sole beneficiaries of ASCAP’s growth.

“ASCAP is committed to innovating, growing and evolving in ways that benefit our members, because music creators drive every decision we make. Protecting the livelihoods of songwriters and composers and defending the value of music is a mission we take seriously. For us, this is more than just business – it’s personal, and that’s what sets ASCAP apart from any other PRO,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams.