Award-winning radio personality Bobby Bones, host of the hit national country radio program The Bobby Bones Show, has renewed his relationship with iHeartMedia.

Reaching nearly 10 million people monthly with The Bobby Bones Show and Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, while collecting over seven million monthly downloads of his morning show podcast, Bones will continue his current role as host of both radio programs as well as his popular BobbyCast podcast.

Bones will also remain Vice President, Creative Director of iHeartCountry, the largest country radio group in America, which reaches more than 100 million country listeners every month. In this role, he will continue working with iHeartMedia on a variety of joint ventures and new creative programming initiatives, participating in iHeartMedia’s marquee live events such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Awards and hosting the iHeartCountry Festival.

Originating from iHeartRadio’s WSIX in Nashville, The Bobby Bones Show is nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks on 200 radio stations across the United States and Canada, in addition to airing on the iHeartRadio app. Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones is heard on nearly 240 stations in North America and the United Kingdom.

“Country music continues to be an enormously popular force in radio for listeners, and we’re thrilled to extend our relationship with one of the top personalities in the genre,” says Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia Chairman & CEO. “Bobby brings a captivating blend of talent, knowledge, humor and relatability that makes him one of the best voices on air, driving incredible results for our advertising and partners. We’re proud to partner with Bobby to create even more unforgettable opportunities for our loyal and growing country music audience.”

“This year marks a career milestone of 10 years of The Bobby Bones Show in Nashville,” says Bones. “I’m proud of what we’ve built over the last decade and I’m looking forward to extending this partnership and having continued success together.”

Back Blocks Music has added Autumn Ledgin as Sr. Director, A&R and Elizabeth Cook as Creative Coordinator.

The Nashville-based publishing and artist development company, founded and helmed by Rakiyah Marshall, boasts a roster of Ashley Cooke, Blake Pendergrass, Lily Rose and Tucker Wetmore.

Ledgin brings with her significant entertainment industry experience. In her new role, she will oversee all publishing and artist development efforts for Back Blocks Music, working closely with the entire roster and scouting new talent. A former NCAA Division 1 student-athlete and civil engineering major, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate’s journey began in 2018 at Good Company Entertainment (GCE) as their first employee. During her tenure at GCE, the Boca Raton native played a vital role as day-to-day manager for the company’s roster including Jake Owen and Larry Fleet. Her passion led her to thrive as an internal A&R creative, while serving as a Board member and Planning Coordinator for the Jake Owen Foundation.

Cook joins the company as a senior at Belmont University. The songwriting major has previously spent time at Creative Nation and King Pen as an intern, and will now support the Back Blocks Music team as Creative Coordinator. The Nashville native will be responsible for catalog management, calendars and office management, while acting as an executive assistant to Marshall.

“I’m incredibly proud to expand the team at Back Blocks Music,” Marshall shares. “Autumn and Elizabeth both bring a wide range of valuable skill sets to the table. Their relationships and experience really feel like the missing puzzle pieces to our growing company. I’m thrilled to have their support, passion and drive to continue championing our roster of artists and songwriters.”

Ledgin can be reach at autumn@backblocksmusic.com, and Cook can be reached at elizabeth@backblocksmusic.com.

The 11th annual Watershed Music and Camping Festival returned to The Gorge in George, Washington this past weekend (Aug. 4 – 6), bringing country music stars to the scenic territory out west. The star-studded lineup included headliners Cody Johnson, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson.

Carly Pearce, Niko Moon, Wade Bowen and more kicked the festival off on Friday. The evening commenced with a stellar performance from Johnson.

On Saturday, fans enjoyed sets across both stages and singing along to the likes of Aaron Raitiere, Warren Zeiders, Tenille Townes, Kameron Marlowe and Parker McCollum. Recent Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Urban closed out the night.

Both Friday and Saturday nights ended with dance parties under the night sky at “Late Night with DJ Rod Youree” as fans enjoyed the festivities taking place at the Next From Nashville Stage presented by Wrangler, which featured performances from buzzed-about newcomers, including Ben Burgess, Ella Langley, Peytan Porter, Ben Chapman, Chayce Beckham and Lauren Watkins, amongst others.

Sunday featured sets from Conner Smith, Travis Denning, Avery Anna and Ernest. Wilson stepped into Sunday’s headlining slot for Luke Bryan, who had to cancel due to illness. She closed the show with a homage to Bryan, singing fan favorites “Drink a Beer,” “Drunk on You,” “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” and “Country Girl.”

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Hosts Conversation on Ray Price with Vince Gill and Paul Franklin

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation Friday night (Aug. 4) on the enduring legacy of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price with Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill and past “Nashville Cats” honoree Paul Franklin.

Gill, winner of 22 Grammys, and Franklin, who is among the world’s premier steel guitarists, discussed their new album, Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys during the event. The album includes top-tier players and pays tribute to Price and his storied band, which counted Willie Nelson, Roger Miller and Johnny Paycheck among its ranks. The museum’s Writer-Editor Dave Paulson led the conversation, which was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website.

 

UTA To Host Whiskey Jam Takeover With Tyler Hubbard, Matt Stell, More

UTA is hosting a takeover of the Whiskey Jam Summer Concert Series at Losers in Nashville on Aug. 14. Performers set to take the stage include Tyler Hubbard, Megan Moroney, Matt Stell, Kidd G, Alana Springsteen, Chase Wright, Graham Barham and host John Crist. The free show takes place in the Losers parking lot.

 

Easton Corbin Treats Contest Winners To Lucchese Shopping Spree

Easton Corbin partnered with Nashville-based station WKDF and Western lifestyle brand Lucchese Bootmakers to treat recent contest winners to a shopping spree and a private performance at the Nashville retail store located in The Gulch last Thursday (Aug. 3). The contest was done in support of Easton’s current single, “Marry That Girl,” from his January Stone Country Records album release, Let’s Do Country Right.

 

Aaron Lewis Celebrates Gold Single, STAIND Nabs Another No. 1

Last week in Nashville, Aaron Lewis was presented with a plaque commemorating half a million in sales for his smash hit “Am I The Only One” (The Valory Music Co.). The song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Chart in the summer of 2021, a feat which had only been accomplished nine times since 1958, earning Lewis an RIAA-certified Gold-selling single. Additionally, Lewis and his fellow STAIND bandmates have notched their first No. 1 hit in over a decade. STAIND’s “Lowest In Me” recently rose to the top position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

In addition to performing on his national “American Patriot Acoustic Tour,” Lewis is currently on the road with STAIND in support of the band’s upcoming studio album, Confessions of the Fallen, set for release in September. He’s also currently in the studio working on a new acoustic solo country album.

Grammy-winning artist Jason Isbell has announced that the tenth anniversary reissue of his critically acclaimed album Southeastern will be released on Sept. 29 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers.

Southeastern features 12 tracks mixed with confessions, reflections and promises that confront and make communion with those who have come before and still remain with us.

The tenth anniversary reissue will include demos and live versions of the record’s beloved songs. The project will also feature a Deluxe 4LP Box Set, which consists of never-before-heard original Southeastern demos and a new live recording of the album from December 2022 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additionally, an Indie Exclusive LP pressed on transparent clearwater blue vinyl will be available.

Southeastern 10th Anniversary Edition Track Listings:

Southeastern (Remastered)
1. “Cover Me Up”
2. “Stockholm”
3. “Traveling Alone”
4. “Elephant”
5. “Flying Over Water”
6. “Different Days”
7. “Live Oak”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower”
9. “New South Wales”
10. “Super 8”
11. “Yvette”
12. “Relatively Easy”

Southeastern Demos (Included With Deluxe Editions)
1. “Cover Me Up (Demo)”
2. “Stockholm (Demo)”
3. “Traveling Alone (Demo)”
4. “Elephant (Demo)”
5. “Flying Over Water (Demo)”
6. “Different Days (Demo)”
7. “Live Oak (Demo)”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Demo)”
9. “New South Wales (Demo)”
10. “Yvette (Demo)”
11. “Relatively Easy (Demo)”

Southeastern Live (Included With Deluxe Editions)
1. “Intro (Live)”
2. “Cover Me Up (Live)”
3. “Stockholm (Live)”
4. “Traveling Alone (Live)”
5. “Elephant (Live)”
6. “Flying Over Water (Live)”
7. “Different Days (Live)”
8. “Live Oak (Live)”
9. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Live)”
10. “New South Wales (Live)”
11. “Super 8 (Live)”
12. “Yvette (Live)”
13. “Relatively Easy (Live)”