According to the RIAA 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report, the US wholesale annual revenue achieved a record high of $11.5 billion last year.

Last year, streaming revenues grew to $9.5 billion and for the fifth straight year, streaming represented 82% of total US revenue. The US remains the world’s largest paid subscription market with 106.5 million accounts generating $6.4 billion in revenue. Premium paid subscription revenues grew by 6.8% to $5.88 billion. Additionally, US vinyl sales grew for a 19th consecutive year, representing nearly 50% of the format’s global value.

“Fans are consuming music from the artists they love in more ways than ever, and that passion is reflected in today’s report. 2025 reveals a strong and stable music economy resulting from committed label investment and identification of new spaces to expand artists’ creativity. From the ease of streaming to new vinyl to licensing responsible AI tools and services, labels are diversifying fan engagement,” says Matt Bass, RIAA VP Research and Gold & Platinum Operations. “US recorded music has demonstrated sustained growth globally, reaching $6.4 billion alone in paid subscriptions and tallying 50% of global vinyl revenue, leading the way for fans to listen and connect with their favorite music whenever, wherever and however they want.”

“The last 20 years have been marked by unprecedented transformation for recorded music – from the steady rise to dominance of anytime, anywhere streaming options as listeners enjoy tunes from their favorite artists to a resurgence of vinyl as both a listening experience and collectable art. And now, our industry is advancing free-market licensing, building responsible AI partnerships that enhance discovery, deepen fan engagement and unlock new creative possibilities for how music is made and experienced,” adds RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “Through it all, music remains a cornerstone of culture and a growing economic powerhouse for the US, contributing $212 billion to our GDP and supporting more than 2.5 million American jobs.”

Read the full report here.

Cole Swindell has partnered with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux for a new Nashville location set to open in 2027.

Walk-On’s has also added Marriott properties franchisee Jamie Daniel of Daniel Hospitality as a franchise partner to lead the new Nashville location, which is slated to open on Broadway at 215 Broadway in Nashville. While the concept is still being finalized, Walk-On’s plans to blend its game-day atmosphere with Nashville’s signature honky style and personal touches from Swindell, who joins other celebrity brand partners such as Drew Brees and Dak Prescott in opening a Walk-On’s location.

Jo Dee Messina will release her first new album in over 10 years, Bridges, later this summer. The first single from the new album “Some Bridges,” is out today (March 12).

The new track highlights that life is all about change—and sometimes that change is necessary. “We are often told not to burn bridges—and it’s good advice,” says Messina. “I’ve lived long enough to know that’s true. But there are also exceptions, and sometimes it’s OK to let that baby burn. In life, sometimes we just need to look forward and keep going.”

“Some Bridges” was written alongside Kat Higgins and James T. Slater and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, Grammy-winning producer, engineer, and frequent collaborator who mixed many of Messina’s biggest songs, including the 1996 hit “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”

Most albums reflect a season, but Messina’s new album, Bridges, is 10 years worth of seasons rolled up into one: the love, the life, the pain, the fight, the learning, and the living through it all. Over the past decade, Messina has encountered road bumps both minor and heartbreaking: loss, struggle, and sicknesses that might have wrecked someone without glimmers of light to hold onto like her music, her children, and her faith. All of it is woven throughout Bridges.

Messina will also hit the road throughout the summer playing dates across the U.S. beginning on March 15 in Chandler, Arizona.

Megan Moroney Shares Cloud 9 Energy On ‘Drew Barrymore Show’

Megan Moroney sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation this week on The Drew Barrymore Show. During her debut appearance on the daytime talk show, the hitmaker joined Barrymore for a chat about her Billboard 200-topping album Cloud 9 and much more. Moroney’s episode included an impromptu ramen taste test and a discussion of post-breakup payback.

Moroney also took the stage this week at the 72,220-capacity NRG Stadium for her sold-out debut performance at RodeoHouston, where she rode up to the stage in her Cloud 9-pink Bronco.

 

Riley Green Rocks Aussie Rugby Crowd Of 50,000

Riley Green played for over 50,000 attendees at Wednesday night’s (March 11) Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels Rugby match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. He performed at the match before embarking on the first show of his sold-out Australian leg of his tour tonight in Melbourne.

 

‘Music City’ The Musical Gears Up For Opening In New NYC Venue

The musical Music City, which opened to rave reviews last year and was extended three times by popular demand in its run at Bedlam, will open soon blocks from Times Square.

The immersive space will fully embody the world of Music City, inviting audiences to step inside The Wicked Tickle, a country bar where music, storytelling, and nightlife collide. The show features songs by multi-Platinum songwriter J.T. Harding, including “Smile,” “Sangria,” and “Somewhere In My Car,” and an original book by playwright Peter Zinn. Music City is directed by Bedlam’s artistic director Eric Tucker. Tickets are available at here.

 

Forrest Frank Celebrates Houston Homecoming Ahead Of New ‘Jesus Generation Tour’

Forrest Frank recently experienced a career-defining hometown moment, headlining the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in front of more than 70,000 fans. The sold-out crowd at NRG Stadium marked Frank’s debut at the legendary event and a full-circle milestone for the singer, who grew up in the Houston area.

Frank’s set featured a surprise appearance from Houston rap legend Paul Wall. This summer, Frank will embark on the “The Jesus Generation Tour,” his largest headline run to date.

 

Sister Hazel, John Rzeznik & Stan Lynch Unite For Lyrics for Life Benefit

Sister Hazel hosted the eighth annual Lyrics for Life – An Evening of Making Music Matter on March 7 in their hometown of Gainesville, Florida, raising more than $800,000 for the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation and STOP! Children’s Cancer.

The evening began with an acoustic storytelling performance from Sister Hazel’s Ken Block and Drew Copeland, joined by special guest John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls. The trio performed stripped-down versions of some of their most beloved songs while sharing personal stories with the audience. Rzeznik joined Sister Hazel for “Give A Little Bit,” before the finale of “American Girl” that featured a surprise appearance by Stan Lynch, the former drummer of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.