The Academy of Country Music (ACM), in partnership with Prime Video and Dick Clark Productions, has revealed additional performers for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning legend Reba McEntire, the awards show will stream live on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

Making his debut on the ACM Awards stage, Post Malone joins a lineup that includes 2022 New Male Artist of the Year Parker McCollum, along with duets featuring Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, Nate Smith with Avril Lavigne and Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani. Previously announced artists Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and McEntire will join these new additions on stage.

The events will kick off with Live from the ACM Awards: ACM New Artist Winners Celebration on May 14 at 8 p.m., Live from the ACM Awards: Backstage with Kelly & Amber on May 15 at 8 p.m., followed by the official ACM Red Carpet on Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch on May 16.

Throughout the night, radio personality Bobby Bones will host “Backstage with Bobby Bones,” featuring artist interviews and special moments from the show.

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions. Raj Kapoor serves as Executive Producer and Showrunner, alongside Co-Executive Producer Patrick Menton. Damon Whiteside is the Executive Producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Barry Adelman holds the same role for DCP. Additionally, John Saade continues to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.

In collaboration with Prime Video, ACM Awards made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream. Following the success of the 2023 show, the event returns to Frisco, TX, for the second consecutive year.

Taylor Vaughn Joins Full Coverage Communications As Vice President

Full Coverage Communications has hired Taylor Vaughn as Vice President. Vaughn brings 15 years of music and entertainment industry experience with her to the new role. She has worked on campaigns for artists such as Stephen Sanchez, Greta Van Fleet and more, as well as film soundtracks for Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse, Space Jam: A New Legacy and more. Based in Los Angeles, Vaughn will be working with the company’s full roster in her new role, including Tim McGraw and Carly Pearce.

“We are so pleased to welcome Taylor to our team. She has extraordinary PR vision and leadership skills that will be a driving force as our business evolves and grows,” says Full Coverage Communications President Kristen Foster.

 

Lena Stone Launches Catalyst Co.

Lena Stone has launched a boutique artist development firm, Catalyst Co. The company intends to help artists, creators and brands establish their identity and offer innovative problem-solving. Catalyst Co. has already worked with Peyton Gilliland, Bobby Watson, Remy Garrison, Dan Harrison and Onoleigh.

Stone’s background includes time as a recording artist as well as roles with Song Suffragettes and Song Factory Music Publishing.

“I am so proud to officially share Catalyst Co. with the Nashville community. I have always been passionate about independent artists, and I am deeply grateful to the artists who have trusted me to help them on their journeys since I founded Catalyst Co. last February. I believe there has never been a better time to make music, and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” shares Stone.

 

Hayefield Signs With Rise Music Group

Genre-bending band Hayefield has signed with Rise Music Group for exclusive management representation.

The group’s debut EP Trees was produced by Adam Ernst and Austin Shawn, who has worked with Bailey Zimmerman and Chase Matthew. Hayefield has spent time on the road with Austin Meade, Riley Green, Muscadine Bloodline, Hayden Coffman, Trey Lewis and more.

“I’ve been a genuine fan of these guys for years,” shares Tanner Louis, CEO/Artist Manager, Rise Music Group. “The band’s authentic blend of country and pop-punk influences ignites an infectious energy at every show… Hayefield is going to make some NOISE in music city, no doubt about that!”

Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” stays atop the country streaming songs chart this week with 32 million new streams, adding to 66 million ATD, according to Luminate data.

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at No. 2 with 16 million streams, adding to 706 million ATD, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” ascends to No. 3 with 11.6 million new streams, adding to 1.35 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” sits at No. 4 with 11.5 million streams, adding to 1.37 billion ATD, and Beyoncé‘s “Texas Hold ‘Em” tumbles down to No. 5 with 11 million new streams, adding to 222 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time returns to No. 1 with 69K in total consumption (1.3K album only/87 million song streams). Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter slides down to No. 2 with 52K (6.7K album only/56 million song streams), followed by Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album at No. 3 with 40K (348 album only/52 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled collection claims No. 4 again with 36K (2.4K album only/44 million song streams), as his American Heartbreak rests at No. 5 with 29K (718 album only/37 million song streams).

Tanya Tucker celebrated the grand opening of her new Tequila Cantina at Nudie’s Honky Tonk on Nashville’s lower Broadway on Thursday (May 2).

Dressed in a custom Double D Ranch periwinkle suit embellished with rhinestones, Tucker galloped down Broadway on the back of her striking black Friesian stallion Lauw, who was adorned with fresh flowers, right to the front door of Nudie’s Honky Tonk.

The event provided an exclusive, advanced look at the second floor of Nudie’s that has been transformed into a lively cantina-style bar that reflects the country star’s spirit. The immersive experience seeks to capture Tucker’s unique personality, and features a number of her most iconic costumes and memorabilia from her career thus far. 

Attendees sipped on a variety of cocktails made with Tucker’s own tequila brand, Cosa Salvaje, and the artist herself got behind the bar to serve up some shots. In addition to getting on top of the bar to dance and sing along with the band, Tucker performed onstage with  T. Graham Brown. Later, The Oak Ridge Boys joined her to close out the evening with her classic hit “Delta Dawn.”

Renowned songwriter Jenn Schott has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

Schott’s track record includes hits such as Tim McGraw‘s “7500 OBO” and “Two Lanes Of Freedom,” Mickey Guyton‘s “Better Than You Left Me” and Rascal Flatts‘ “Feel It In The Morning.” Previous stops include Dreamworks, UMPG, Big Loud and Red Creative.

“Jenn has always been a talented, hardworking and positive force in this songwriting community,” shares Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Officer at SMACK. “We’re really excited to finally get to welcome her to our family!”

In addition to her songwriting talents, Schott sits on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) alongside fellow SMACK writer and President of NSAI, Lee Thomas Miller.

Of the deal, Schott shares, “I’m so honored to be joining the SMACK family. I’ve known and admired Robin and Lee [Krabel] for many years, and to get to work with them alongside Jeremy [Groves], Sam [Sarno], Carly [Sater], Emily [Carignan], and the rest of the SMACK team feels like I hit the songwriter jackpot. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can accomplish together!”