Aaron Lewis Launches ‘American As It Gets Tour’

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Aaron Lewis. Photo: Jim Wright

Aaron Lewis has kicked off his 2025 “American As It Gets Tour” last Thursday (Jan. 16(, and for the first time in several years, is bringing back his full band, The Stateliners, for the tour.

The tour will include nearly 50 stops including shows in Las Vegas, Fort Worth, Tampa, Atlanta, Birmingham, Atlantic City and more, with a Nashville Ryman Auditorium date scheduled for March 22. The title of the tour is a nod to a song on Lewis’ latest album The Hill, which topped several charts upon its release last spring.

“This week we launch the ‘American As It Gets Tour’ with my band, The Stateliners,” says Lewis. “It’s been five years since we’ve been out together and we look forward to performing these shows.”

Additional dates will be announced in the coming months, and Lewis also continues to perform regularly with Staind as the band’s longtime lead singer.

“American As It Gets Tour” Dates:
Jan. 24 – Lincoln, CA – The Venue at Thunder Valley
Jan. 25 – Reno, NV – Downtown Reno Ballroom
Jan. 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Jan. 29 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
Jan. 31 – Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort
Feb. 1 – Coachella, CA – Spotlight 29 Casino
Feb. 2 – Valley Center, CA – The Events Center at Harrah’s Resort SoCal
Feb. 5 – Fort Worth, TX – Fort Worth Stock & Show Rodeo Auditorium
Feb. 6 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
Feb. 7 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
Feb. 8 – Lake Charles, LA – Grand Event Center
Feb. 11 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Feb. 12 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Feb. 13 – Coconut Creek, FL – The Stage at Coco
Feb. 15 – Immokalee, FL – Seminole Casino Hotel
Feb. 20 – Tulsa, OK – Margaritaville River Spirit Casino
Feb. 21 – Norman, OK – Showplace Theatre
Feb. 22 – El Dorado, AR – First Financial Music Hall
March 6 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
March 7 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
March 8 – Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre
March 13 – Daytona Beach, FL – Peabody Auditorium
March 14 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
March 15 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
March 20 – Albany, GA – Albany Civic Center
March 21 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
March 22 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
March 27 – Augusta, GA – The Bell Auditorium
March 28 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center
March 29 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
April 3 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Memorial Auditorium
April 4 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center
April 5 – Ledyard, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
April 10 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Casino
April 11 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Casino
April 12 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
April 25 – Greenback, TN – Rock The Country Knoxville
May 2 – Poplar Bluff, MO – Rock The Country Poplar
July 18 – Sioux Falls, SD – Rock The Country Sioux
July 25 – Anderson Village, SC – Rock The Country Anderson
Aug. 2 – Riverside, IA – Riverside Casino

Dustin Lynch Has Some ‘Naughty-Cal’ Fun At 10th Annual Crash My Playa Pool Party

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Dustin Lynch

Dustin Lynch hosted a rowdy, nautical-themed 10th Anniversary CMP Pool Party at Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa 2025 in Riviera Cancún, Mexico last Friday (Jan. 17).

The party had a “Let’s Get Naughty-Cal” theme that included nautical vibes, plenty of Yacht Rock and college party chaos. Making his grand entrance on jet skis with his band, Lynch rode to the beach in style with a parrot on his shoulder. Firing up a full-blown parade once he hit the sand, Lynch was joined by a mariachi band, samba dancers and fire-blowers on the way to the stage to officially kick off the festivities.

Performing two live sets featuring Yacht Rock covers like “September,” “Rich Girl,” and “Africa,” and his own hits including “Stars Like Confetti,” “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter),” and latest chart-topper “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll),” Lynch also stunned the packed pool with a surprise guest appearance by fellow BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville label mate Jason Aldean for a tequila shot toast.

Dressed as the “captain” of the bash, Lynch brought his famed spinning wheel featuring activities like “Get George Michael’ed” and “Mullet from DL,” alongside awarding prizes for the best-dressed fans in a Naughty-Cal Costume Contest. Offering back-to-back days of unpredictable music and mayhem, Lynch started the party early this year by hosting an Oversized Beer Pong Tournament for the first time the day prior (Jan. 16). CMT host Cody Alan joined Lynch for the first round, and the party will air on CMT Hot 20 Countdown with on-site footage February 1-2 at 8 a.m. CT on CMT.

New ‘Yellowstone’ Podcast Debuts Today

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The Yellowstone Official Podcast, an eight-episode companion to the hit series hosted by on-air personality Bobby Bones, launches today (Jan. 23). 

The weekly podcast will feature Bones diving into all things from the the smash hit show, from in-depth episode recaps to exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. Bones will bring audiences closer to the Dutton family drama, the show’s iconic landscapes and the talented cast and crew who make it all come to life.

Actress Wendy Moniz, who portrays Senator Lynelle Perry on the hit series, is the first guest on the new podcast, which will be available on the iHeartRadio app as well as all major platforms and is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, iHeartPodcasts and 101 Studios. 

“I’ve been such a fan of Yellowstone from the start. I’m excited to jump in and work with them at a deeper level to give insight for other fans of the show. Although, while I probably won’t wear a cowboy hat while on the podcast, it will be entertaining,” says Bones.

Grammy Nominee Party Aids L.A. Wildfires Victims

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Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President Armand Hutton, nominee Jessie Jo Dillon, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director Alicia Warwick and Big Machine Music President Mike Molinar. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

The Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy pledged its support for the L.A. wildfire victims while celebrating its Grammy nominees on Tuesday evening (Jan. 21).

“Music gives us hope,” said Alicia Warwick, the organization’s senior executive director in Nashville. “Please turn your attention to the cards on your tables. You can contribute to the relief.” Each cocktail table contained a mounted card describing the $1 million contribution by the Academy’s MusiCares Fire Relief and urged donations. This is a charity for members of the music community who were affected. “Let us use the power of music to uplift and to support their needs.”

Nominees Nathan Dantzler, Julian Bunetta and Ian Fitchuk. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

The occasion was the Recording Academy’s annual party to honor the chapter’s Grammy nominees. Staged at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza, the event is always a recognition of Nashville’s diversity.

Chapter board president Armand Hutton is a previous Grammy nominee as an arranger. “The Nashville chapter has over 110 nominees and 171 nominations in 47 different categories,” he told the crowd. “Our music community is a library of genres. We’re inspired to recognize these talented nominees in this room.”

Four-time jazz nominee Bela Fleck, the bluegrass band Sister Sadie, debut bluegrass artist Bronwyn Keith Hynes, gospel nominees Authentic Unlimited, country’s Dan Smyers and blues nominees Jon Tiven, Joe Bonamassa and Eddie Gore worked the red carpet. Jessie Jo Dillon and Jessi Alexander made history as two Nashville women nominated as Grammy Songwriters of the Year.

Alice Randall’s songs were the basis for the album My Black Country. Rhiannon Giddens is nominated in the American Roots category for her performance of “The Ballad of Sally Anne” on it. Randall will be Giddens’ “date” to the Feb. 2 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Attendee Cam (Cameron Ochs) is nominated for her work on the Beyonce album Cowboy Carter. Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk earned nominations for their work with Kacey Musgraves on Deeper Well. Nominee Christopher Rowe aided Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, while Julian Bunetta was recognized due to his work with Sabrina Carpenter.

Others nominees who RSVP’d for the party included Rob Ickes, Dane Allen, Nathan Dantzler, Cody Fry, Trey Hensley, Nioshi Jackson, Will Kimbrough, Rob McCoury, Autumn Nelon Streetman, Melodie Walker, Kelvin Wooten, Kevin Young, Andrew Stanton, Pascal LeBoeuf, Lloyd Nix, Jess Russ, Sajan Nauriyal, Josiah Prince and Dan Tyminski.

This will be the 67th annual Grammy Awards presentations.

Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President Armand Hutton, nominee Jessi Alexander and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Senior Executive Director Alicia Warwick. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President Armand Hutton, nominee Daniel Tashian, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Senior Executive Director Alicia Warwick. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

Nominees Cody Fry, Cam and Dan Tyminski. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Senior Executive Director Alicia Warwick, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President Armand Hutton. Photo: Ed Rode for Getty Images

Luke Bryan Celebrates Epic 10th Year Of Crash My Playa

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Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa 2025 Music Festival. Photo: Alive Coverage for Playa Luna Presents

Luke Bryan celebrated his 10th annual Crash My Playa event at the Moon Palace Cancún on Jan. 15-18 with a host of fellow superstars and four days packed with pool parties, nightly concerts and plenty of tropical fun. 

This year included two nights of headlining performances by Bryan, including a special finale night 10th anniversary “Luke Bryan & Friends” show featuring Bryan performing with Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Dustin Lynch, Dylan Scott, Bailey Zimmerman, Tucker Wetmore, Travis Denning and The Castellows’ Lilly Balkcom.

Additional highlights of the weekend included Dustin Lynch’s Pool Party, a set by Kane Brown and performances from Dasha, Jackson Dean, Elle King, Ella Langley, Kendell Marvell, Dylan Scott, Nate Smith and DJ Rock.

“The 10th Anniversary of Crash My Playa was a blast,” says Bryan. “The fans keep showing up year after year and I can’t thank them enough for the support. We could not have made 10 years of Playa possible without them. I want to say a huge thank you to all of my artist friends who come and perform each year—they are what makes this event so fun and special for these fans. We might even just have more fun than the fans doing this. What a way to kick off 2025!”

Walk Off Entertainment Inks Global Deal With Virgin Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Jen Bontusa, Senior Vice President, Label Management, Virgin Music
Group; Jordon Isbell, Director of Marketing, Virgin Music Group; Chris Ruediger, Founder Walk Off Entertainment; Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America, and EVP of Global Artist Relations, Virgin Music Group and John Mayer, Senior Director, National Promotion and Streaming, Virgin Music Group. Photo: Jessie Rogers

Walk Off Entertainment, the Nashville-based company launched by former artist and social media executive Chris Ruediger, has signed a global deal with Virgin Music Group.

In addition to forming Walk Off Entertainment, Ruediger is also the founder of The 615 House, a creative community and promotional outlet for rising artists in Nashville. 615 House has more than 3 million followers on TikTok alone.

“Chris has a proven track record in breaking artists via 615 House,” says Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America, and EVP of Global Artist Relations. “We’re thrilled to welcome him and his growing roster of artists into the Virgin family.”

“I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned as an artist and marketer together to back up-and-coming artists via Walk Off Entertainment,” says Ruediger. “We look at the artists on our roster as entrepreneurs in their own right, which makes Virgin Music Group a perfect partner for us at Walk Off. I’m looking forward to getting started with Jacqueline Saturn and her incredible team at Virgin.”

The first releases under the new deal are expected in the first quarter of 2025.

Morgan Wallen & Post Malone Lead iHeartRadio Award Nominations

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Post Malone & Morgan Wallen. Photo: Courtesy of Mercury Records/Republic/Big Loud Records

The 12th annual iHeartRadio Awards, taking place March 17 at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, has revealed the full 2025 nominee list.

Morgan Wallen and Post Malone lead the pack in nominations this year, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift. Swift will be recognized with the Tour of the Century award for her 2023-24 “Eras Tour.”

Wallen notched nominations for Artist of the Year, Country Song of the Year (“Cowgirls”), Country Artist of the Year, Favorite Surprise Guest for bringing out Travis Kelce & Patrick Mahomes during his “One Night At A Time Tour” and Favorite Tour Tradition for his walk out song. Malone earned nominations for Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration (“Fortnight”), Best Lyrics (“Fortnight”) and Best Music Video (“Fortnight”).

Also lending to Wallen and Post’s nominations is their hit single “I Had Some Help,” which is up for Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Country Song of the Year, Best Lyrics and Best Music Video.

Among those also nominated for this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards are Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Ernest, Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, George Birge, Tucker Wetmore, Julian Bunetta, Ashley Gorley and Amy Allen. The Twisters soundtrack, featuring many country artists, is also nominated for Favorite Soundtrack.

During the ceremony, the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award will be given to Lady Gaga, and Mariah Carey will be honored with the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award.

The awards will honor the most-played artists and songs across iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app in 2024, while also giving a sneak peek at the biggest hits of 2025. The show will also include live performances, surprise guest appearances, collaborations and will highlight the journey of the winning artists as they reached No. 1. This year will also honor the resilience of Los Angeles and offer resources to help rebuild its communities amid the L.A. wildfires.

Fan voting will determine this year’s winners for Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge, Favorite Surprise Guest, Favorite Tour Tradition, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite Tour Style, Favorite Tour Photographer and Favorite On Screen. Voting is open now and ends on March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT for all categories. Votes can be cast here.

The 2025 iHeartRadio Awards will take place March 17 on FOX at 8 p.m. ET and will broadcast on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the free iHeartRadio app. For a full list of nominations, click here.

Sound Talent Group Elevates Kate Vastano To Director Of HR

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Kate Vastano

Sound Talent Group partners Matt Andersen, Tim Borror and Dave Shapiro have announced that Kate Vastano has joined the company’s senior management team as Director of HR.

Vastano’s expertise in recruiting, employee engagement, employee benefits and love of music have made her an important part of Sound Talent Group’s team and a great asset to the artists and staff. Prior to joining Sound Talent Group, she served as Director of HR at The Agency Group, followed by roles at United Talent Agency where she worked as an HR Business Partner and later as a People Operations Manager.

“Kate has been an incredible addition to our team. Her knowledge and expertise has been invaluable and the energy that she brings to work each day can’t be matched. We are lucky to have her here,” says Andersen.

Reflecting on her time at the company, Vastano adds, “My first year at STG has been the most rewarding of my career, and I’m excited to help grow the company in a thoughtful, impactful way in future years now working as a part of our management team. As we say here, ‘We get to do cool sh_t with our friends’—and I could not agree more.”

Eric Church & Luke Combs To Be Honored With 2025 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award

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Eric Church and Luke Combs have been announced as co-recipients of the CRS 2025 Artist Humanitarian Award.

The honor will be presented on Friday, Feb. 21 during the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, and recognizes the unparalleled efforts of Church and Combs, who raised over $24 million in under a month, driven by an Oct. 26 stadium concert in Charlotte that drew a record-breaking 82,000 fans. This massive event, which typically requires over a year of planning, was remarkably mobilized by their collective teams in just 28 days.

Church, through his nonprofit Chief Cares, announced plans to build 100 homes for hurricane victims, starting in Avery County, providing critical shelter to families affected by the devastating storms while also committing to helping address longer-term needs like creating jobs, rebuilding schools and supporting local businesses. In addition, he signed over all publishing royalties from his latest single, “Darkest Hour,” to the people of North Carolina.

Meanwhile, Combs and his team are working directly with North Carolina-based relief efforts to ensure funds are distributed where they are needed most. Their contributions support organizations including Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.

“Eric Church and Luke Combs’ love for their home state has been nothing short of inspiring,” says CRB Awards Committee Chair Beverlee Brannigan. “Their dedication to helping North Carolina recover after Hurricane Helene and their ongoing efforts show just how much they care. This award is a heartfelt recognition of their commitment, hard work, and genuine compassion for the people of North Carolina. Eric and Luke, we’re proud to honor you.”

The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was established in 1990 to recognize country artists whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support. Past recipients include Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and more.

Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson To Headline Kentucky’s Railbird Music Festival

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Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson

Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson are set to headline the 2025 Railbird Music Festival, taking place May 31 and June 1 at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington.

The two-day festival will bring together over 30 artists across three stages including Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Cody Jinks, Ryan Bingham & The Texas Gentlemen, Sierra Ferrell, Treaty Oak Revival, Wyatt Flores, Blackberry Smoke, Luke Grimes, Gavin Adcock and more to the grounds of the historic horse race track for performances and curated bourbon experiences, celebrating the spirit of Kentucky.

One-day and two-day GA, GA+, VIP and Platinum Tickets will be available during the presale beginning Jan. 24. A general on-sale will follow for any remaining tickets.