Jonah Kagen Delivers Heartfelt Set To Sold-Out Nashville Room

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Jonah Kagen

On Thursday night (Feb. 12), Jonah Kagen delivered a commanding set to a sold-out Basement East crowd as part of his “Sunflowers & Leather Tour.”

From the opening notes of “Simon,” the crowd was already tuned in. “The Reaper” followed with a pulsing intensity that got the room moving. He followed his opening tunes with “Candy Land,” “You Again” and “Matches,” keeping the momentum steady. Kagen’s voice kept gravelly and grounded throughout the night.

“There’s a lot of people in here!” Kagen exclaimed from the stage. “I’ve played here before and there was about 1/16 of the crowd in here than there is now. I’m so happy to be here. This tour has been a shock to the system, I feel like I have imposter syndrome.”

Midway through the set, Kagen shifted the energy by sitting down with the band. “Black Lung” landed heavy, drawing an energy over the room that only deepened for “Anvil,” which saw Kagen swap guitar for banjo. The acoustic moment added a raw, front-porch vibe to the evening.

When the band exited stage left and Kagen eventually found himself alone, he went solo for “Krissy,” a song dedicated to his mom. Then came one of the first songs he ever wrote, “Colorado,” played at the crowd’s request.

“Same Wind” began with just Kagen before the band rejoined halfway through, earning one of the loudest applause breaks of the night. “The Roads” carried that lift forward, and by the time he reached band introductions, the smiles onstage mirrored the ones in the crowd.

The final stretch included “Save My Soul” and Gold-certified breakout hit “God Needs the Devil,” both with the audience singing along.

For the encore, Kagen returned with tour and album namesake “Sunflowers & Leather.” Then came “Burn Me” to wrap up the night, elevated by a surprise appearance from Vincent Lima.

Kagen’s “Sunflowers & Leather Tour” will resume March 3 in Oklahoma City.

Casey Wasserman To Sell Agency

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Amid fallout over his previously reported contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Casey Wasserman has begun the process of selling the global talent agency Wasserman, according to a memo confirmed to MusicRow by the company.

In a company-wide memo sent by Wasserman on Friday evening (Feb. 13), he wrote to the agency’s 4,000 employees, “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.

“At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.”

Wasserman and the talent agency he founded have been under scrutiny since reports surfaced about email exchanges between him and Maxwell from 2003, and a humanitarian trip on Epstein’s plane to Africa the year prior.

Since then, clients including Chappell Roan, Orville Peck and Sylvan Esso have exited the agency, according to reports.

The full memo is below.

Team:

I wanted to write to you all directly to share a few important updates. Over the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to many of you directly – and I wish I could have spoken with every one of you because you all have put your hearts and souls into this incredible organization.

First and foremost, I want to apologize to you. I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.

The pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is unimaginable – and I’m glad, as I’m sure you all are, that those who helped them commit their crimes are rightly being held accountable.

Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals. It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And I’m heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.

Other than my children and my fiancée, there are two things that matter most to me in this world: this company that I founded 24 years ago, and the dream I’ve pursued for more than a decade of bringing the Olympic Games back to the city I love.

This organization, its leadership and the entire team mean the world to me. Our 4,000 employees are the absolute best in the business. I see you put it all on the line for your clients every day. Our clients expect – and deserve – world-class representation. And that’s exactly what they get because of all of you.

At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.

I so appreciate the passion and fight you bring to your jobs. It’s why you succeed.

I am beyond proud of what this company has accomplished to date and excited to watch its next chapter.

All my best,
Casey

Jelly Roll To Receive 2026 CRB Artist Humanitarian Award

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Jelly Roll will receive this year’s Artist Humanitarian Award presented by Country Radio Broadcasters. This honor will be presented during CRS 2026, taking place March 18–20 in Nashville.

This year’s award recognizes the triple Grammy-winning artist for his commitment to addiction recovery, mental health and community.

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

More information about CRS, including registration, is available here.

Joybeth Taylor Jumps Into Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Joybeth Taylor

Joybeth Taylor has moved into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion” and “girl you’re taking home,” BigXthaPlug’s “Hell At Night,” and Gavin Adcock’s “Never Call Again” all put the songwriter at No. 7 this week.

Zach Bryan remains at No. 1 for the fourth consecutive week with all solo-penned “Appetite,” “Bad News,” “Plastic Cigarette,” “Say Why” and “Skin.” Chase McGill stays at No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “I Got Better,” “It Won’t Be Long,” “McArthur,” “the hell you are” and “Water At A Wedding.”

Blake Pendergrass (No. 3), Ty Myers (No. 4) and Randy Montana (No. 5) round out this weeks top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Jason Aldean Notches 31st No. 1

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Jason Aldean. Photo: Spidey Smith

Jason Aldean has notched his 31st No. 1 track with his latest single “How Far Does A Goodbye Go,” topping both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts.

“Man, I thought 30 was a milestone…now we’re sitting at 31 number one songs. That’s pretty wild. Thank you to country radio, my team, our streaming partners, the songwriters and every one of y’all who’ve listened and turned these songs into something bigger than we ever imagined,” says Aldean.

The track served as the first preview of Aldean’s new album Songs About Us, set for release April 24. The song was co-penned by John Edwards, John Morgan, Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, with production from Michael Knox.

On the Billboard Country Airplay chart, Aldean now ties George Strait, Alan Jackson and Luke Bryan for the fourth-most No. 1s since the chart began in 1990.

Aldean will kick off the Australia and New Zealand dates of his “Full Throttle World Tour” on Thursday (Feb. 19) in Auckland.

Adrien Nunez Drops New Six-Track EP ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home’

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Adrien Nunez. Photo: Josh Erb

Basketball star and budding country singer-songwriter Adrien Nunez has released his new EP, Don’t Wanna Go Home, via Warner Records.

The six-song project includes tracks like “Cry For You,” where he looks back in the rearview mirror at a fractured relationship, “Lights Back On,” and “Over Again,” which has already racked up over 1.2 million streams on Spotify. In advance of its release, tracks from the EP have already generated nearly 30 million streams and counting.

Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Nunez made his name as an NCAA basketball star for the University of Michigan before turning back to his original passion, music. He took the internet by storm last year by giving country artists a unique platform to showcase their songs via his various channels, while also offering fans an avenue to discover their new favorite artists. The social media launch of his own project accumulated over 50 million views across platforms in the first weekend and over five million streams in the two weeks, bringing in over 250,000 new TikTok fans.

Nunez’s recent “Don’t Wanna Go Home Tour” played to sold-out crowds from coast-to-coast. Along with the release of his new album last week, he participated in the prestigious annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game live from Los Angeles.

Dont Wanna Go Home EP Track List:
1. “808’s & 6 Strings”
2. “Cry for You”
3. “Don’t Wanna Go Home”
4. “Lights Back On”
5. “Over Again”
6. “Wild”

Ticketek Entertainment Group Taps Brad Turcotte As Senior Vice President of Country

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Brad Turcotte.

Ticketek Entertainment Group has tapped Brad Turcotte as Senior Vice President of Country at TEG Live.

Based at the company’s new Nashville office, Turcotte will lead TEG Live’s Country strategy across North America, working closely with the teams in Australia and New Zealand.

Turcotte most recently served as an Artist Manager at Vector Management in Nashville, representing a select roster of country and entertainment talent. He previously held senior leadership roles at Universal Music Group Nashville and Big Machine Label Group, leading international strategy and global campaigns for artists including Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban. He also oversaw international efforts for Taylor Swift’s multi-platinum albums 1989, Red and Speak Now, and began his career as a label founder and executive.

Turcotte will lead TEG Live’s Country division alongside Alex Kelsey, Head of Touring, Country Music and Clay Doughty, Head of Strategy, Country Music. The team will be supported by Vanessa Picken, Global Director, Music Strategy.

“I’ve always considered myself a global ambassador for country music, working to build bridges between Nashville and audiences around the world,” shares Turcotte. “I’m incredibly excited to now focus my efforts on delivering country music to fans across the Asia-Pacific region – especially Australia, a dynamic but historically underserved international market. I’m grateful to join Tim and his team, and we plan to be bold and aggressive in expanding the reach and impact of this genre we love.”

“Brad’s appointment is a major milestone for TEG Live,” adds Tim McGregor, Global Head of Touring at TEG. “Nashville sits at the centre of the global Country music ecosystem, and by deepening our presence in Nashville, we’re strengthening the bridge between North America and our home markets. This creates more opportunities for artists to tour, for fans to connect, and for new talent to emerge.”

Flatland Cavalry To Launch ‘Work Of Heart’ Tour In March

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Flatland Cavalry. Photo: Louie Nice

Flatland Cavalry will head into spring on their new headlining “Work of Heart Tour,” which will kick off March 19 in Mobile, Alabama.

The 37-date tour will visit Corpus Christi, Richmond, Lexington, Detroit, Little Rock, Kansas City and more through Aug. 22. The “Work of Heart Tour” adds on to their “Spring Tour 2026” which is currently underway now overseas supporting Lainey Wilson throughout February in cities across Australia and New Zealand. The country-roots band also tacks on some support dates for Dwight Yoakam and Morgan Wallen, alongside festival stops at Troubadour Festival, Tortuga Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Fest and more.

Last week the band announced their fifth studio album, Work of Heart, will drop March 27 via Lost Highway. They recently released their debut single “Never Comin’ Back” from the upcoming project, which was the No. 2 most-added single of the week upon impact, and continue their album preview with new track “On and On,” out now.

Flatland Cavalry already boasts a resume that includes seven No. 1 singles at Texas Country Radio, back-to-back nominations for ACM Group of the Year, syncs across TV and film including Twisters, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Paramount’s Yellowstone and Landman and Netflix’s The Ranch, and well over a billion streams worldwide.

“Work of Heart Tour” Dates:
5/8: Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
6/4: Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
6/5: Myrtle Beach, SC – Carolina Country Music Fest
6/6: Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards
6/11: Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center
6/12: Evansville, IN – Old National Events Plaza
6/13: Columbus, OH – Buckeye Country Superfest
6/18: Telluride, CO – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
6/26: Lubbock, TX – Cotton Festival
7/10: Wichita, KS – WAVE
7/18: The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/23: Little Rock, AR – The Hall
7/24: Hochatown, OK – Choctaw Landing Hochatown Hotel & Resort
8/6: Detroit Lakes, MN – WE Fest
8/7: Oshkosh, WI – XRoads41
8/20: Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
8/21: Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
8/22: Lincoln, NE – Memorial Stadium

Jaron Boyer Inks With Young Guns Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Jason Turner (Keller Turner Andrews & Gahnem, PLLC), Laura Alexander (SVP Creative, Young Guns Publishing), Jaron Boyer, and Sarah Smith (Keller Turner Andrews & Gahnem, PLLC). Pictured (L-R, back row): Laurie Gore (Creative/Admin Assistant, Young Guns Publishing), Matthew Jafari (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC) and Will Hamrick (CEO, Young Guns Publishing). Photo: Matt Craven Dawkins/Mary Craven Photography

2024 SESAC Songwriter of the Year Jaron Boyer has signed a global exclusive publishing deal with Young Guns Publishing.

“For the past few years, I’ve watched Young Guns become a powerful publishing company in Nashville under the leadership of CEO Will Hamrick and Head of Creative Laura Alexander,” says Boyer. “When considering where I wanted to spend the next portion of my career, I wanted a company who could not only take my career to the next level, but one that felt like home. The strong friendships I already have with their current writers, combined with the company’s outstanding reputation on Music Row, made Young Guns the perfect fit for my next move.”

“I have been a fan of Jaron’s work for well over a decade and am fortunate to call him a friend,” adds Hamrick. “His continued ability to write hit songs is truly impressive. On behalf of the entire team at Young Guns, Laura and I couldn’t be more excited to have him join the family. We are thrilled to begin this partnership and look forward to everything we will achieve together.”

Throughout his career, Boyer has notched five No. 1 hits, including “Somewhere On A Beach” (Dierks Bentley), “Hell Of A Night” (Dustin Lynch), “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell feat. Dierks Bentley), “Girl Like You” (Jason Aldean) and “Mind On You” (George Birge). His accolades also include nine additional top 20 hits, SESAC Song of the Year, and ASCAP Country Song of the Year.

MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures a season of transition, celebration and forward momentum across the country music industry, with major leadership changes, Hall of Fame honors, publishing deals and career milestones shaping the headlines. Click here to see the full edition.

Scott Borchetta is exiting HYBE AMERICA. Borchetta will continue to use the Big Machine Records brand for his future ventures. HYBE AMERICA will retain assets, the distribution deal, the publishing company Big Machine Music and a number of talent currently on the label’s roster including Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean and Mae Estes. The HYBE-run company will operate under a new label name, and an announcement on the label’s new leadership will be made in the upcoming days.

George Briner has announced his retirement from The Valory Music Co. after more than 18 years with the company and more than four decades in country music.

Celebrating the women who have helped build that landscape, SOURCE Nashville has revealed the six inductees for this year’s SOURCE Hall of Fame. Debbie Cheek Carroll, Paige Conners, Cris Lacy, Margie McGahey, Sherry Oakley and Carla Wallace will be honored for their lasting contributions to the industry.

The spirit of recognition continues with the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum’s 2026 Class of Inductees. This year’s honorees represent an expansive cross-section of musical excellence: Dann Huff, Dolly Parton, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Boylan, Keith Urban, Leland Sklar, Michael McDonald and Nicky Hopkins (posthumously).

Publishing and creative partnerships are also front and center this week. Liz Rose has renewed her global partnership with Warner Chappell Music, reaffirming a relationship that has supported one of Nashville’s most respected songwriting careers. Riley Green’s Duckman Publishing has partnered with Lady Luck Publishing to sign hit songwriter Bobby Pinson to a global deal. Songwriter and producer Cole Phillips has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Eclipse Music Publishing, while Julia Keefe joins Edgehill Music Publishing, part of Big Plan Holdings, as Partner. Group Projects Publishing has added Josh Kerr as Partner, and Jonas Group Publishing has tapped Amanda Hruska as Global Head of Administration. Kirby Mathews has also joined Back Blocks Music as VP of Publishing.

ONErpm has appointed Mike Easterlin as Managing Director of its Nashville division, strengthening its presence in the market. ERN’s Cadillac Music has expanded its team with the addition of Dane Schmidt as Senior Director of A&R, Jordan Marcus as Creative Coordinator/Executive Assistant, and Jude Warren as A&R/Executive Assistant. Freedom Music Group is also marking a milestone, establishing its Nashville headquarters after just two years in business and now representing a roster of more than 100 producers, songwriters and artists.

Management and agency moves are shaping artist trajectories as well. Chase Matthew has signed with CAA, positioning the rising artist for expanded touring and career opportunities. Singer/songwriter Tyler Booth has entered into a joint venture agreement with Jamey Johnson’s Big Gassed Records and Average Joes Entertainment, while also signing with The Erv Woolsey Company for management.

The week also brings important developments within the nonprofit sector. Music Health Alliance has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development and announced several key promotions: Britton Barnette to Senior Advocate Coordinator; Erin Lancaster to Director of Group Health; Sophie Badgett to Senior Manager of Advocacy & Insurance, Dental Coordination; Steven Crowder to Director of Advocacy & Insurance, Business Management Relations; Suzanne Berg to Director of Advocacy & Insurance, Artist Management Relations; and Zacquia McKinley to Director of Advocacy & Insurance.

Finally, The Jack Wharff Band made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday night (Feb. 10).

This week’s edition also features a conversation with UTA’s Elisa Vazzana.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis take the No. 1 spot with “Ain’t A Bad Life.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.