CRS 2025 will honor Mark “Hawkeye” Louis, host of mornings on Cumulus KSCS/Dallas, with the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award.

The award recognizes individuals in country radio who exhibit outstanding public service and humanitarian efforts and was named after the late Tom Rivers.

Louis’ charitable work has made a significant impact over the past two decades. His involvement with Cook Children’s Hospital began in 2002, and he has served as a camp counselor for the hospital’s Camp Sanguinity for cancer patients and as a board member from 2004-2006. He led the launch of KSCS’s first radiothon in 2014, which, along with sister station KPLX, has raised nearly $4.5 million to date, including over $1 million in 2023 alone.

In 2023, Louis auctioned his lifelong collection of more than 17,000 baseball cards, raising over $10,000 for Cook Children’s Hospital. Beyond his work with the hospital, he supports numerous other causes, including veterans’ initiatives such as the annual 10,000 For The Troops program, which collected over 152,000 handmade cards in 2023, and Pets For Vets, which raised $20,000 to train service dogs for disabled veterans. As an avid runner and a long-time board member of the Dallas Marathon, Louis also helps raise funds for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

The presentation of the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award will take place during the New Faces of Country Music Show. A limited number of tickets remain and can be secured by contacting Ashley Bourque at Ashley@crb.org. Any unsold tickets will be available for purchase on-site.

In other CRS news, Elaina Smith, host of Westwood One’s Nights with Elaina, returns as the emcee for the New Faces of Country Music Show for the fifth consecutive year. CRS 2025 will also introduce a new initiative, the Strings for Hope: The Unwind Experience, a hands-on activity designed to promote mindfulness, support survivors and give back to the community. The meditative experience invites attendees to untangle recycled instrument strings, contributing to the creation of handcrafted jewelry by Strings for Hope, a nonprofit empowering survivors of trauma and adversity.

Kenny Chesney performs at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Photo: Catherine Powell

Kenny Chesney announced he is adding three new shows to his already-scheduled Las Vegas Sphere dates due to overwhelming demand.

Tickets to all 15 dates go on sale to the general public on Jan. 31 via KennyChesney.com, with pre-sales for the newly-added shows beginning this Friday (Jan. 24).

“I know the rush we feel onstage in those football stadiums – with very little production, just this amazing band, the songs and truly, the people who come to see us,” Chesney says. “To put all of that in a building capable of what Sphere delivers? Wraparound sound, a roof, the fact it’s only 17,600 people. There was no way we weren’t going to do it.”

Having recently scored his 33rd No. 1 with “Take Her Home,” Chesney wants to create an experience unlike anything No Shoes Nation has ever dreamed for the Sphere shows. Some deep cuts and surprises are being added to the lineup, which will also leave room for guests, song swaps and a whole new way for fans to consume the songs.

“We have been shooting all new footage, learning new technology, thinking about the songs in a whole new way. I’m glad No Shoes Nation is as excited as we are. And because this is such a beyond the imagination experience, we’re all going there together for the very first time.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Machine Label Group’s Julian Raymond and The Valory Music Co.’s Chris Palmer. (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Braedon Barnhill and The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner. Photo: Nick Rau

Country singer-songwriter Braedon Barnhill has signed a record deal with The Valory Music Co.

Growing up in a musical household as the son of touring musician Stacy Barnhill, the 23 year old started writing songs alongside his father at a young age, quickly realizing that music was his true passion. As he toured across his home state, he built a dedicated fanbase and has had the opportunity to share the stage with Josh Abbott Band, Gary Allan, Randy Rogers Band and others. Now based in his hometown of Austin, Barnhill has a residency at the renowned Saxon Pub, one of the city’s top listening rooms.

“Braedon’s brand of country music is Texas born and bred,” says BMLG’s Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta. “He’s in the right place at the right time, building his career in the great clubs around Austin and surrounding areas, and his circle is only going to get bigger and bigger.”

“I’m beyond honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign with The Valory Music Co.,” shares Barnhill. “Being part of a team that believes in you and shares the same vision for your career is a truly rare and incredible thing. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me!”

Barnhill has released two new tracks today (Jan. 24) to celebrate his label debut, “Dashboard Dreaming” and “Dancing By Myself.” Both tracks were co-penned with his father.

“I wrote ‘Dashboard Dreaming’ when I got broken up with for the first time in my life,” recalls Barnhill. “At the time, I was living in San Marcos, Texas, and for the first few nights, I’d drive around listening to sad songs and trying to summon the courage to knock on her door and ask for another chance.”

“‘Dancing By Myself’ is about when I moved out of my parents’ house for the first time,” he adds. “It was a major moment of growth, and I felt like I was learning so much. This song is about learning how to navigate adulthood, especially when it comes to relationships. I’m so excited for people to hear these songs, and I hope they really resonate with those who have gone through similar situations.”

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.