Pictured (L-R): Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC), Austen Adams (WCM), Nate Lowery (Cornman Music), Luke Stevens, Chris Owen (Cornman Music), and Christina Wiltshire (WCM). Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Singer-songwriter Luke Stevens has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Cornman Music.

Stevens got his start performing in the Stillwater, Oklahoma music scene. After moving to Nashville in 2021, he worked at The Listening Room while building his songwriting career and performing at respected venues like the Bluebird Cafe. Since then, he has dedicated himself fully to music. Along the way, he has collaborated with acclaimed Nashville songwriters including Mark Irwin, Adam James and Lee Thomas Miller.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have such a great team with true champions of songwriters around me at Cornman and Warner Chappell,” says Stevens. “Cornman felt like home and Chris and Nate felt like family the minute I met them. Let’s get to work!”

“Luke is a special talent,” shares Christina Wiltshire, VP, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He’s a wise, hard working, genuine, and passionate student of country music. I feel grateful to be a part of his first publishing deal because I just know he’s going to do big things in our community.”

“When I first heard Luke’s songs, I immediately took notice,” adds Chris Owen, Creative Director, Cornman Music. “His concepts and melodies are incredibly special and he’s such a student of the game. Nate Lowery and I are thrilled to work with him!”

Ward Gunther, Kashus Culpepper, Noeline Hofmann and Jacob Lapidus.

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted their 2026 Whiskey Jam takeover at Fifth + Broadway’s Skydeck in Nashville on June 3.

The concert series featured performances from CAA clients Stella Lefty, Elizabeth Nichols, Tyler Braden, Kip Moore, Tyler Hubbard and Two Friends.

Dan Smyers, Jeff Krones, Shay Mooney and Rick Roskin.

Ella Fernandez, Stella Lefty, Rachel Brittain and Mary Harrington.

Stacy Vee, Elizabeth Nichols, Sabrina Sarmiento and Meredith Jones Long.

Sarah Beth Watson Stubbs, Halie Hampton Mosley, Tyler Braden, Kylen Sharpe and Matt Stubbs.

BMI’s Clay Bradley and 2026 BMI Foundation Dolly Parton Songwriters Award Winner Kaden Trev. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

Singer-songwriter Kaden Trev received the 2026 Dolly Parton Songwriters Award from the BMI Foundation at the Ryman & BMI Block Party in Nashville on June 4.

Kaden’s winning song “Write My Wrongs” was selected from a record-breaking 600 applicants by a panel of music industry experts. The award was presented by BMI Foundation Trustee and BMI Vice President, Creative Clay Bradley following performances by Kat Luna, Robyn Ottolini, Tyce Delk, and TRIPPP.

In 2025, Trev advanced to Hollywood Week on American Idol, expanding his audience and music industry experience. This fall, he is set to attend Middle Tennessee State University to continue studying the music business while pursuing his dream of becoming a successful country artist.

“One of my favorite things is being able to put music to emotions and experiences into words,” shares Trev. “I’m super grateful for this award. It’s been really encouraging me to keep pursuing this dream that I have, and this passion that I love so much.”

The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, national competition open to aspiring songwriters with a prize of $10,000 for the best original song entry in the genres of Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. Originally established in 2015 as the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, the award was created to celebrate BMI’s 75th anniversary and pay homage to the musical epicenter and “Songwriting Capital of the World,” Nashville. In 2022, the program was revised to honor the creativity and generosity of the legendary artist Dolly Parton with an endowment from Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston as well as a contribution from country superstar Luke Combs.

Hunter Flynn and Lance Roberts. Photo: Courtesy of WME

Hunter Flynn has signed with WME for global representation.

Hailing from Eastern Kentucky, Flynn attended Eastern Kentucky University studying biomedical sciences before a 2021 car accident led him to focus on art and music. After leaving his insurance job and moving back into his grandmother’s basement, he began drawing charcoal portraits, writing songs and performing at open mic nights across Kentucky.

Over the last two years, Flynn has played nearly 200 shows across the United States and Europe. In 2025, he was named Artist in Residence at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, and he recently signed with Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment.

“Hunter is the kind of artist you feel immediately. There’s a real depth and honesty to what he creates, and audiences are connecting with it in a powerful way. Between the growth we’re seeing and the foundation he’s built on the road, he’s just getting started,” shares WME’s Lance Roberts and Geoff Turner.

“I’ve spent the last few years building this one show at a time,” says Flynn. “To now have a team like WME behind me feels incredibly meaningful. I’m proud of where I come from, proud of the music we’re making, and excited for what’s ahead.”

Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs

Riley Green has notched his seventh career No. 1 with “Change My Mine” on the Mediabase Country chart.

Written by Green with Erik Dylan and Randy Montana, “Change My Mind,” is featured on his ACM Album of the Year nominated 2024 record, Don’t Mind If I Do. The track follows his recent chart-toppers “Worst Way” and “Don’t Mind If I Do.”

Green will release his fourth album, That’s Just Me, on Sept. 18 via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. He is currently on his “Cowboy As It Gets Tour,” and will make his debut as host of the CMA Fest Presented By SoFi television special, which will air June 25 on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.