Kip Moore Gets Introspective On Latest LP ‘Reason To Believe,’ Due In May

Kip Moore will drop his new album Reason To Believe on May 29 via Virgin Music Group.

On his second full-length project in two years, Moore sings about grief, faith and the weight of time – documenting someone standing still long enough to hear himself think. While recording the album, Moore lost his mentor, champion and first producer, songwriter Brett James. He even named the album after a song James loved that Moore wrote years ago alongside longtime collaborator Dan Couch and Scott Stepakoff.

Moore produced the album with Andrew DeRoberts, marking the first time he worked with the producer. DeRoberts brought a philosophy Moore hadn’t explored as deeply before: space over volume, and the result is an album that feels career-spanning with upbeat rockers meant for the crowd, vulnerable meditations on hardship meant for quiet, and other songs meant to be lifelines to offer the listener a sense of comfort.

“I felt like I was describing more of who I am as a human. This album is my daily thoughts. In here,” says Moore, tapping his chest. “It’s an ‘in here’ kind of thing.”

The first song from the new collection, “Levee” is out now.

Reason To Believe Track List:
1. “Levee” (Kip Moore, Luke Preston, Hank Born)
2. “Get What Ya Give” (Kip Moore, Luke Preston)
3. “The Darkness” (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
4. “Heartbreaker” (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston, Casey Beathard)
5. “Headlights” (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts)
6. “You & Me” (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Hillary Lindsey)
7. “Faith In The Wind” (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
8. “Reason To Believe” (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Scott Stepakoff)
9. “Lonely Tonight” (Kip Moore, Casey Beathard)
10. “Long Time Coming” (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston)
11. “Wild Things Like You” (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
12. “Sober” (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde)
13. “Josephine” (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde)

Warner Chappell Music Hosts 7th Annual Next Up Music City Camp [Exclusive]

Dan Pellarin, Nate Cyphert, David Ray Stevens, Dan Elkayam, and Steve Rusch. Photo: WCM Nashville

Warner Chappell Music (WCM), in partnership with YouTube Music, recently hosted its seventh annual Next Up Music City songwriting camp, bringing together more than 100 world-class songwriters, artists and producers.

The sessions focused on fostering deep connections and unique collaborations among attendees. In collaborations with label partners including Warner Records, Sony Music Nashville, RCA, MCA, and BBR/BMG, the lineup featured Dustin Lynch, Maddox Batson, Elizabeth Nichols, Dougie F and Skyler Stonestreet, among others.

“There is something truly special about bringing songwriters from all over the country together in Nashville,” share Katy Wolaver, SVP, A&R and Bethany Mako, Manager A&R, WCM. “Beyond the incredible songs that were written, there’s a deep sense of community that’s built at this camp among creators who wouldn’t otherwise have met. We’ve seen firsthand how this collaborative environment builds long-lasting creative friendships that lead to shared success far beyond our studios.”

“We’re so proud to support Warner Chappell’s Next Up Music City writing camp and the extraordinary roster of songwriters and producers who attended,” adds Jenna Rubenstein, Head of Songwriter Relations for YouTube Music. “Both YouTube Music and Warner Chappell share a joint mission of empowering songwriters at all stages, and this camp has done just that. Warner Chappell has proven ability to bring the right creative voices together and we can’t wait to hear the incredible records that will come from these sessions.”

Joe Kirkland, Heath Warren and Ben Burgess. Photo: WCM Nashville)

Rory O’Neill, Julia Devlin, Greer Baxter, Zarah Scully, and Andrew Capra. Photo: WCM Nashville

Photo: WCM Nashville

Country Radio Broadcasters Unveil 2026 Country Radio Hall of Fame Honorees

 

Pictured (Top Row, L-R): Chris Carr, Michael J and Rick Jackson. (Bottom Row, L-R): Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan and John Marks.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was unveiled today during CRS Honors at CRS 2026, with Hall of Fame inductees Mike Moore (Class of 2024) and Trish Biondo (Class of 2023) revealing this year’s honorees.

Honorees in the On-Air Personality category include Chris Carr, Michael J and Rick Jackson, and the Radio category includes Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan and John Marks.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner will be held August 3 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville. Ticket details will be released at a later date.

Carr has spent nearly three decades in country radio, including 24 years in the Minneapolis market across two tenures at iHeartMedia’s KEEY (K102). Between those runs, he spent six years at Hubbard’s WUBE/Cincinnati. He is a six-time CMA Personality of the Year (2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2025) and a three-time ACM Personality of the Year (2010, 2012, 2015). He has twice been named Twin Cities Personality of the Year and is a two-time Marconi Award nominee. Through his work with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon, Carr has helped raise more than $25 million, earning St. Jude’s “Leading the Way” Award in 2025.

J has hosted afternoon drive on WPOC/Baltimore, and beginning in 2007, he simultaneously hosted middays on WMZQ/Washington, D.C., commuting daily between the two markets. His career includes time at WWW/Detroit, along with experience in CHR, AC, and AOR formats, and roles as Music Director and Program Director. His charitable work includes raising millions for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

With more than 50 years in country radio, Jackson’s career spans on-air, programming, and executive leadership roles. He began in the mid-1970s in Denver at KERE and KLAL before helping launch KYGO/Denver in 1980, where he hosted mornings and later served as Music Director and Program Director. In 1986, Jackson launched the syndicated Rick Jackson’s Country Classics, which he continues to host today. He also served as General Manager of KSON/San Diego from 2009–2016. His honors include Favorite Denver Radio Personality (1985), Radio Ink’s Large Market General Manager of the Year (2002), and a Marconi Award for Large Market Station of the Year (KSON, 2012).

Braun serves as Regional Brand Manager for Audacy, overseeing KMNB/Minneapolis and WUSN/Chicago, where she has worked since 2004. She began her career with Midwest Communications in Green Bay and later worked at WDEZ/Wausau before joining WUSN as Music Director and on-air personality, rising to her current leadership role in 2020. Under her leadership, WUSN has helped raise more than $25 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and she has served for more than a decade on the St. Jude Radio Advisory Board. Her honors include multiple Radio & Records Music Director of the Year awards, CRS/Country Aircheck Music Director of the Year (2010–2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), CRS/Country Aircheck Program Director of the Year (2022, 2024), inclusion on Radio Ink’s Top Country PD list (2021–2025), and Barrett Media’s Country Programmer of the Year (2024). Braun is also a frequent speaker at the CRS Women’s Mentoring Breakfast.

Hunt’s 50-year career has spanned on-air, programming, corporate leadership and consulting. His roles have included Program Director at KSSN/Little Rock, Senior Vice President of Client Services at Rusty Walker Programming, Executive Vice President/Country Brand Manager for Clear Channel, and founder of Hunt Media. As a consultant, Hunt has guided stations including WUSN/Chicago, KASE/Austin, KTST/Oklahoma City, and KAJA/San Antonio, among many others.

Logan is currently serving his second tenure as Vice President of Programming for Audacy/Houston, with direct oversight of KILT-FM. Over more than three decades, he has delivered ratings success and market turnarounds in small, medium, and major markets. Logan previously spent 17 years as Regional Vice President for iHeartMedia’s Carolina markets, overseeing WESC, WKKT, WTQR, and WKSF. Additional leadership roles include Operations Manager at WIRK/West Palm Beach and programming positions in Savannah and Louisville. He has been named to Radio Ink’s Top Country PD list for 17 years and has guided multiple stations and air talents to CMA and ACM nominations, awards, and Hall of Fame recognition. Logan has also served on the CRS Agenda Committee for 15 of the past 25 years.

Marks is a 51-year radio veteran whose influence spans terrestrial, satellite, and digital platforms. Most recently, he served as Global Head of Country Programming for Spotify, following his role as Head of Country Programming for SiriusXM, where he oversaw more than 20 channels. His terrestrial programming success includes leadership roles at KSON/San Diego, KKAT/Salt Lake City, KWNR and KFMS/Las Vegas, KRPM/Seattle, KSSN/Little Rock, and WSAI/Cincinnati. Marks has served on the CMA Board of Directors and the ACM Board and received the CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award and the British Country Music Association’s International Services to the Industry Award in 2018. He has also been deeply involved in country radio’s partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

RIAA Chief Legal Officer Ken Doroshow To Retire

Ken Doroshow. Photo: Courtesy of RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America Chief Legal Officer Ken Doroshow will retire from his position at the end of March. Jacob Tracer, SVP, Litigation & Legal Affairs, will step into the role on an acting basis.

“Ken’s career advocating for the rights of creators has left an indelible mark on the laws protecting music,” says RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “RIAA is so fortunate to have benefitted from Ken’s unique talent, resilience, and good humor. While we will miss him greatly, we celebrate all his accomplishments as he enters his well-deserved retirement and congratulate him on his many contributions to the music industry.”

During his decade at RIAA, Doroshow was responsible for all legal affairs, including litigation, content protection, regulatory affairs and technology. Previously a partner at Jenner & Block LLP, Doroshow represented a broad range of media and entertainment clients with a particular focus on intellectual property enforcement and the First Amendment.

In addition to his time in private practice, Doroshow served as the General Counsel to the Entertainment Software Association, as a prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section, as a trial attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division (Federal Programs Branch), and as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph L. Tauro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Doroshow has been recognized multiple times as a top lawyer in such publications as Billboard, Chambers USA, Legal500, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He received his law degree from Cornell Law School, where he served as Note Editor of the Cornell Law Review. He is also an accomplished guitar player.

Belles To Share ‘Songs & Stories’ On The Road

Belles

Belles has slated her “Songs & Stories Tour,” which kicks off May 1 in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Johnny Gates and Averie Bielski will join as support on select dates.

The 19-date run will make stops in New York City, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and more. The set will be a stripped-down performance, with Belles spotlighting the stories behind the songs.

“This tour is really about the stories behind the music, the real moments and people that inspired them,” says Belles. “I’m so excited to play my new song ‘Son of Jolene’ live. I love getting to meet the fans in person who I’ve been sharing this journey with online. There’s just something special about the moments we create together that you can’t replicate on social media, only in a room full of live music and that kind of magic. I’ve also just finished writing my debut album, coming out this fall, so I’ll be playing a lot of brand new music too.”

Tickets are on sale now.

Belles will release her new single, “Son Of Jolene,” a collaboration with Dolly Parton, on April 17. Her debut album is slated for released later this year.

“Songs & Stories Tour” Dates:
5/1 – Bell Buckle, TN – Bell Buckle Hall $
5/9 – New York, NY – The Bitter End
6/11 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge $
6/13 – Kansas City, KS – Green Guitar Folk House
6/19 – Dunn, NC – Bird’s Nest Listening Room $
6/20 – Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic #
6/27 – Sweetwater, TX – House Concert Series
7/25 – Des Moines, IA – xBk Live $
7/31 – Murfreesboro, TN – Hop Springs $
8/1 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbirds Listening Room $
8/6 – New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall
8/7 – Austin, TX – Cactus Cafe $
8/13 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live $
8/14 – Las Vegas, NV – Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
8/18 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern $
8/19 – Lake Orion, MI – 20 Front Street
8/22 – Lansing, MI – The Green Door $
8/26 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern $
8/27 – Portland, OR – The Showdown $

# special guest Averie Bielski
$ special guest Johnny Gates

Chayce Beckham Kicks Off ‘The Old Fashioned Tour’

Chayce Beckham. Photo: Calem Swanbeck

Chayce Beckham launched his “Old Fashioned Tour” last weekend with shows in Garland, Texas and Miami, Oklahoma.

The tour continues throughout the spring and summer with nine more shows around the country, including stops in St. Augustine, Virginia Beach, Atlantic City and more through July 24.

The only artist to win American Idol singing his own songs, Beckham scored his first No. 1 at country radio with the Platinum hit single “23.” The breakout star co-wrote nine of 13 songs on his first album, Bad for Me, and has racked up more than 536 million global on-demand streams and counting.

Beckham joined Warren Zeiders on his 2025 “Relapse, Lies & Betrayal Tour” and followed his debut with the fiddle-driven heartbreaker “Ocean Blue” and romantic ballad “Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You.” He’s currently in the studio making his next wave of music.

“The Old Fashioned Tour” Dates:
3/13 – Garland, TX
3/14 – Miami, OK
4/09 – St. Augustine, FL
4/10 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
4/11 – Clearwater, FL
4/24 – Virginia Beach, VA
4/25 – Leesburg, VA
5/29 – Atlantic City, NJ
7/20 – Independence, IA
7/11 – Ham Lake, MN
7/24 – Chillicothe, IL

Stephen Wilson Jr. Adds Dates To ‘Gary The Torch Tour’

Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Acacia Evans

Stephen Wilson Jr. has slated the second leg of his “Gary The Torch Tour,” which kicked off earlier this month.

The new run of dates includes stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Nashville, as well as stops across the EU/UK in London, Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo and more.

Pre-sale signup for US the EU/UK tour is available now, with general on-sale beginning this Friday (March 20) at 10 a.m. local time.

Wilson Jr. recently released the official video for tour name sake “Gary,” directed by Tim Cofield, with an appearance from award-winning actor Gary Sinise (Forrest GumpApollo 13) in the video. Wilson Jr. is slated for various festival appearances throughout the year as well, including CMA Fest, Railbird, MN Country Club Festival and more.

“Gary The Torch Tour” Dates:
3/18 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues
3/21 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
3/22 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
3/25 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
3/28 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
4/11 – Bossier City, LA – The Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Bossier City
4/15 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
4/17 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
4/18 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
4/22 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
4/24 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
4/25 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
7/17 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
7/24 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome by Rutter Mills
7/25 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
8/7 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
8/8 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
9/6 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
9/18 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
9/19 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge (Concerts in the Grove)
9/22 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
9/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
9/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
10/19 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow
10/22 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
10/23 – Bristol, UK – The Prospect Building
10/25 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse
10/27 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon
10/29 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus
10/30 – Cologne, DE – Theater am Tanzbrunnen
11/1 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg (Ronda)
11/3 – Copenhagen, DK – VEGA
11/4 – Stockholm, SE – Fållan
11/5 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene
11/21 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
12/2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie
12/9 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
12/11 – Nashville, TN – The Truth

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates Latest Installment Of ‘American Currents: State Of The Music’

Pictured (L-R, back row): Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline; Vince Gill; Bailey Zimmerman; BigXthaPlug; Charlie Handsome and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. (L-R, middle row): Barry Bales; Jerry Douglas and Alison Krauss of Alison Krauss and Union Station; Shorlette Ammons representing Farm Aid; Sarah Jarosz of I’m With Her and Brandon Lake. (L-R, front row): Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter; Stephen Wilson Jr.; Carter Faith; Georgette Jones representing Tammy Wynette; Kaitlin Butts and Dan Rogers of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the opening of its latest exhibit “American Currents: State of the Music” last night (March 17) at a special event.

The annual exhibit features a broad view of the genre over the past year, exploring musical developments, artist achievements and notable events as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff. Among the artists represented with objects in this year’s “American Currents” are Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Ringo Starr, Billy Strings, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr. and more.

Bailey Zimmerman, BigXthaPlug, Charlie Handsome and Brandon Lake attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Artists represented in a compilation of video footage that recaps significant performances and events, include collaborations between Julien Baker and TORRES, BigXthaPlug (Xavier Landum) and Bailey Zimmerman, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, and Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, along with clips highlighting Kaitlin Butts, Luke Combs, Farm Aid, the Grand Ole Opry, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, along with some of the others mentioned above.

The “Unbroken Circle” portion of the exhibit, which highlights musical connections between artists and those who have influenced them or share their musical perspective, features the pairings of Ken Pomeroy and John Denver, Carter Faith and Tammy Wynette and Muscadine Bloodline and Turnpike Troubadours.

The exhibit also recaps the year’s chart-topping country albums and singles and highest-grossing tours, and includes touchscreen interactives highlighting key awards show moments.

In support of the exhibit’s opening, the museum will host related programming, including a Songwriter Session with Carter Faith on March 21 and a Musician Spotlight with Sierra Hull on March 22. The exhibit runs through January 2027 in the museum’s ACM Gallery.

Carter Faith and Georgette Jones, representing Tammy Wynette, attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Vince Gill attends the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas and Alison Krauss of Alison Krauss & Union Station attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

‘Country For A Cause’ To Return To 3rd & Lindsley

Country For A Cause will return to 3rd & Lindsley on June 3 benefitting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

This year, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, John Berry, Allie Colleen, Linda Davis, Hannah Dasher, Ty Herndon, Jake Hoot, Dani-elle Kleha, The Kody Norris Show, The Malpass Brothers, Neal McCoy, Makenzie Phipps, Mark Wills and more will join hosts T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day.

Presented by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, tickets are on sale now.

“We are beyond excited to host Country For A Cause once again. It’s truly incredible to see the lineup this year, our most varied yet. We’re bringing together legendary artists, rising stars, and you never know who may stop in. This is going to be an unforgettable show,” share Sheppard and Lang.

“It’s almost time for another incredible Country For A Cause Concert, the ‘unofficial’ kickoff to CMA Fest,” adds Sherri Forrest, President of Country For A Cause. “The buzz is already building, and VIP tickets have sold out in under five minutes in past years, so fans will want to be ready. We have an amazing lineup planned, and we’re so thankful for the support of Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, along with our artists, volunteers, and fans who help us raise thousands of dollars each year for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.”

“How lucky we are to have the support of Country For A Cause in our Nashville community,” says Meredith “Mamie” Shepherd, Senior Program Manager for Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell. “T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang have been incredible champions of the patients and families seeking treatment and care at Monroe Carell. Thank you to the incredible team that unselfishly puts on such a special night each year! We are most grateful for the talent, generosity, and love on display for this event. It’s a reminder of how healing music can be.”

Jeanette Porcello Joins Concord Label Group

Jeanette Porcello

Jeanette Porcello has joined Concord Label Group as Senior Director of A&R.

In her role, Porcello will find and develop new artists, helping build their careers. She will work on the company’s owned labels including Concord Records, Rounder Records and Fearless Records. Porcello will be based in Concord’s Nashville headquarters and report to Concord Label Group’s Chief Creative Officer Andy Serrao.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Concord team and help shape the vision for this next chapter,” says Porcello. “I’ve always respected the strong identity Concord has built across its labels and the depth of its artist roster. I’m looking forward to continuing that legacy while helping discover and develop the next generation of artists.”

“Jeanette has demonstrated over and over again her ability to find, develop, and amplify artists of vision, no matter where they are in their career,” adds Serrao. “A&R is a unique responsibility in the industry, and I know that Concord, our labels, and our artists will all benefit from having her on board.”

Before Concord, Porcello was a Director of A&R at Downtown Artist & Label Services, where she helped build their presence in the Nashville market with signing and developing acts such as In Color, Judah and the Lion, Mat Kearney, Jack Blocker, Abbey Cone, Drew Holcomb, Dazey and the Scouts, Rum Jungle and Cate Canning. Prior to Downtown, Porcello worked at Atlantic Records on the A&R team.

Porcello is also the Founder of Dog Ear Management, which represents Collin Pastore, Jake Finch, Bobby Knepper, Taylor Dubray and Nate Miles. She also serves as President of The Other Nashville Society.