CRS 2026 Announces Expanded, Multi-Day Research Presentations

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Country Radio Seminar has announced three research presentations scheduled for CRS 2026, which will be held March 18–20 in Nashville. Registration is available now.

Each of the three presentations are uniquely designed to address a different dimension of the country audience, including current music testing, listener perceptions and the next generation of fans.

“This year, CRS is working with three outstanding partners to bring a true trifecta of research to our constituents. CRS has never assembled or shared a research rollout this comprehensive,” says Clay Hunnicutt, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “Whether you’re looking for music research to identify potential hits, perceptual data to guide strategic decisions, or insight into what the next generation of country fans is saying to help grow our business, CRS has you covered every day.”

On March 18, NuVoodoo will present results from a 400-song Auditorium Music Test (OMT), presented by Curb Records, screening country fans ages 18–54 who engage with both radio and streaming platforms. The study will provide detailed breakouts by demographic segments, geographic regions across the U.S., and listening preferences. This marks the third consecutive year CRS has delivered a full national music test conducted by NuVoodoo, with complete results made available to all CRS attendees.

On March 19, CRS will present its annual Perceptual Study, conducted this year by Strategic Solutions Research. This broad-format study explores how country fans feel about the genre today, when and how they listen, and how listening behaviors are evolving. Key areas of focus include music perceptions such as era balance and familiarity artists listeners want to hear more or less of, and the ongoing impact of on-air personalities, local connection and community engagement on the listening experience.

On March 20, The Country Music Association will present findings from its recently completed teen-focused research study, a custom project designed to better understand the next generation of country listeners. Following the data presentation, a panel of radio and streaming programmers, as well as an artist (to be announced), will discuss the future audience pipeline for the genre, how teens engage with music today, and how country fits into their lives.

“Knowledge is power, and the research coming out of CRS this year reflects that,” says Justin Chase, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “By delivering three distinct research initiatives, CRS is providing the industry with a deeper, more complete understanding of listener behavior, music preferences, and where the future of country music is headed.”

Dolly Parton’s Life Of Many Colors Museum Announces Strategic Hirings Ahead Of June Opening

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Jen Molyneux, Rebecca Seaver and Shannon Carpenter

Dolly Parton’s new Life of Many Colors Museum, which is set to open in June, has hired three new staffers who will play integral roles in supporting the museum’s development, operations and long-term vision of preserving Parton’s life, artistry and cultural impact.

Rebecca Seaver has been named Executive Director of the Life of Many Colors Museum, bringing more than 15 years of experience working closely with Parton as part of her core team. Dolly Parton’s niece and namesake, Seaver began their career behind the scenes in wardrobe and production, then went on to establish the official Dolly Parton Archive. She has since contributed to major exhibits at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Opry, The Country Music Hall Of Fame, Dollywood and The Grammy Museum. Seaver also curated Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, which became a New York Times Best Seller and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Audiobook. In their new role, Seaver will be responsible for the presentation of the museum’s exhibits, shaping its curatorial voice and long-term strategy through events and community partnership.

Jen Molyneux joins the museum as Events & Group Sales Manager, bringing nearly 30 years of experience producing high-impact events and live entertainment programs across hospitality, nonprofit, corporate, and performance-driven environments. Her career includes senior roles with Marriott International, MGM Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment, where she oversaw large-scale events, complex logistics, and multi-million dollar budgets. In a full-circle moment, Molyneux returns to work on Dolly Parton’s legacy after early career experience as a singer at Dollywood and contributor to Dolly’s first Interactive Museum, Chasing Rainbows.

Shannon Carpenter has been hired as Marketing Operations Coordinator, bringing more than a decade of experience supporting executives, talent, and creative teams across the entertainment and fashion industries. With a background in digital marketing, influencer partnerships, brand growth and operational management, Carpenter will support strategic initiatives and day-to-day execution as the organization prepares for the museum’s opening.

The appointments represent a major step forward in building the leadership and operational foundation for the Life of Many Colors Museum as it prepares to open its doors in 2026. Tickets for the Life of Many Colors Museum are available for pre-booking now at dollyslifeofmanycolors.com/tickets.

Sicily Rose Inks With Off Road Records

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Pictured (L-R): Off Road Records’ Director of Marketing, Becca Campbell; President, David Fanning; Rose; SVP, Marketing & Promotion Jamie Graves and Manager, Digital & Marketing Regan Donato.

Sicily Rose has inked with Off Road Records.

Raised in Montana and influenced by the sounds of Miranda Lambert, Fleetwood Mac and Reba McEntire, Rose has amassed more than 30 million views across social media platforms.

In celebration of the signing, she has released her first single, “Annabella Mae.” Written by Bonnie Dymond and Nik Lazcano, the track explores loss and its lasting impact.

“Sicily understands the power of honesty in a song,” shares Off Road Records President David Fanning. “‘Annabella Mae’ is a strong introduction to who she is as an artist and reflects the kind of songwriter and storyteller we want to build with at Off Road Records.”

Rose marks the label’s second signing, following Dylan Davidson.

Noah Kahan Slates Fourth Studio Album

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Noah Kahan will release his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, on April 24th via Mercury Records.

“The last five years have been the single most challenging, complicatedly beautiful, and life-altering of my career,” shares Kahan. “I was somewhere I understood, and suddenly I was somewhere completely foreign. I was living in the opportunity I always wanted but felt disoriented and unsure of whether I deserved it. Writing for this album was a balancing act of trying to go back in time and move forward in the same moment. Songwriting has always been the way I reflect on my life, and I hope these songs show you a glimpse of what this journey has looked like.”

The Great Divide showcases Kahan’s honesty, reflectiveness, and emotional resilience, with themes of Kahan’s evolving relationship with family, friends, home, and his sense of self. Gabe Simon and Aaron Dessner served as producers on the 17 track project, which was recorded at a secluded farm outside Nashville, Gold Pacific Studio in Nashville and Dessner’s Long Pond Studio in New York.

The album’s title track is out today (Jan. 3o), and was co-penned by Kahan and Simon. A special premiere of “The Great Divide” music video will air during Mastercard’s 2026 commercial break at the Grammy Awards Sunday (Feb. 1).

Kahan is slated to headline Bonnaroo this June.

Billy Strings Announces Summer Headline Tour

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Billy Strings. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Grammy-winning bluegrass master Billy Strings has announced a string of new headline tour dates through the summer.

Newly confirmed stops include Boston’s Agganis Arena, Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena (two nights), Hartford’s PeoplesBank Arena, Bethel’s Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (two nights) and Ionia’s County Fairgrounds (two nights), among others. Tickets are available now at billystrings.com/tour.

Strings’ most recent full-length album Highway Prayers is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Produced by Strings and Jon Brion, the Reprise Records album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales Chart—the first bluegrass album in 22 years to do so.

Newly-Announced Billy Strings Tour Dates:
July 14—Roanoke, VA—Berglund Center
July 17—Portsmouth, VA—Portsmouth Pavilion
July 18—Portsmouth, VA—Portsmouth Pavilion
July 21—Boston, MA—Agganis Arena
July 24—Portland, ME—Cross Insurance Arena
July 25— Portland, ME—Cross Insurance Arena
July 28—Hartford, CT—PeoplesBank Arena
July 31—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
August 1—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Industry Ink: Hudson Westbrook, Chris Burke, Brandyn Steen, Grace Bowers

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Hudson Westbrook Performs At New York City’s Common Country

Hudson Westbrook. Photo: Ian Noh

Hudson Westbrook recently performed a show at New York City’s Common Country. The at-capacity crowd celebrated his new EP, Exclusive, with a 60-minute set featuring some of his biggest hits as well as songs from the new project.

“There’s something so special about watching a room full of New Yorkers fully show up for an artist,” shares Country Swag Founder Stephanie Wagner. “Through these intimate, thoughtfully curated events with Country Swag and Common Country, we’re creating moments and memories that are just as meaningful for the artists as they are for the fans, and continuing to build what country music can look like in New York City.”

 

Chris Burke Joins The Kirby Organization

Chris Burke.

Chris Burke has joined The Kirby Organization. Burke will focus on private and special event bookings.

“I’m so excited to be working with Andrew Goodfriend, Mike Monterulo and the team of veteran agents at The Kirby Organization,” Buke shares.

Burke began his career in the music business in 1980 with prior stops at Regency Artists, Paradigm and Reliant Talent.

 

Brandyn Steen Named VP, Publishing At Smith Music Group

Brandyn Steen.

Brandyn Steen has been named VP, Publishing at Smith Music Group. In this role, Steen will focus on strengthening songwriter and catalog services, optimizing royalty administration, and expanding creative and commercial opportunities.

“Smith Music Group has a powerful legacy and a clear lane in the market,” says Brandyn Steen. “I’m excited to build on that foundation by expanding opportunities for writers and catalogs—protecting the work, maximizing collection, and creating new revenue through smart strategy, relationships, and attention to detail.”

“Brandyn brings the right mix of creative instincts, operational leadership, and modern publishing know-how,” adds Rick Smith, President of Smith Music Group. “We’re thrilled to welcome him into this role as we continue to invest in the future of our publishing business.”

 

Grace Bowers Honors Chaka Khan At 2026 Resonator Awards

Grace Bowers. Photo: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Grace Bowers recently honored Chaka Khan alongside Maggie Rogers at the 2026 Resonator Awards.

Radio Hall Of Fame Accepting Nomination Suggestions For 2026 Induction Class

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The Radio Hall Of Fame Nominating Committee is accepting suggestions for 2026 nominees beginning Feb. 1-March 31.

Suggestions for possible honorees for consideration by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee can be submitted at radiohalloffame.com. The 2026 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Chicago at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel on Oct. 8. 24 names will be selected as nominees to be voted upon by industry personnel later this year, leading to the selection of the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Class.

“We look forward to receiving suggestions from around the country of worthy broadcasters deserving to be nominated for Radio Hall of Fame induction,” says Dennis Green, Co-Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame. “There are so many deserving candidates worthy of earning the radio industry’s highest honor as we begin the process of inducting this year’s Hall of Fame class in October.”

“We rely on industry and listener input and suggestions in this process,” says Kraig T. Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame. “Our 24-person Nominating Committee gains valuable additional insight and knowledge as a result of the suggestions coming from thousands of individuals each year.”

The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988. The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations of the Hall in 1991.

Colby Acuff To Kick Off ‘The Handmade Horsepower Tour’ In March

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Colby Acuff. Photo: Ben Dunning

Singer-songwriter Colby Acuff will launch his 19-date “Handmade Horsepower Tour” on March 13 in Spokane, Washington.

The tour will include stops in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Salt Lake City and more with a Nashville show at The Basement East May 8, before wrapping in Philadelphia on May 29. Acuff is bypassing traditional pre-sales and giving fans immediate access to tickets today. General tickets are on sale now here.

Launching his newly reclaimed independent career, Acuff returned to his roots on his latest album Enjoy The Ride, born from more than 40 conversations with strangers he met on the road. The album explores working-class American struggles with its central themes that embrace resilience and optimism.

“Handmade Horsepower Tour” Dates:
3/13 – The Knitting Factory (Spokane, WA)
3/15 – Neumos (Seattle, WA)
3/18 – Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR)
3/19 – Knitting Factory Boise (Boise, ID)
3/20 – The Complex – The Grand (Salt Lake City, UT)
3/21 – Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox (Denver, CO)
4/9 – 7th St Entry (Minneapolis, MN)
4/10 – Reverb Lounge (Omaha, NE)
4/11 – The Bottleneck (Lawrence, KS)
4/16 – Carol’s Pub (Chicago, IL)
4/17 – El Club (Detroit, MI)
4/18 – The Stache (Grand Rapids, MI)
4/23 – NSU Event Center (Tahlequah, OK)
4/24 – Wormy Dog Saloon (Stillwater, OK)
5/2 – Port Neches Riverfront Park (Port Neches, TX)
5/8 – The Basement East (Nashville, TN)
5/9 – Eddie’s Attic (Decatur, GA)
5/28 – The Sinclair (Cambridge, MA)
5/29 – MilkBoy (Philadelphia, PA)

The MLC Reveals Advisory Committee Updates

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The MLC has made one appointment to the organization’s Operations Advisory Committee, along with six reappointments, including two reappointments to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, one reappointment to the Dispute Resolution Committee, and three reappointments to the Operations Advisory Committee.

Kelly Baden (Senior Vice President, Copyright, Royalties and Licensing Operations at Concord) has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. In her role, she spearheads Concord’s global copyright, licensing, and royalties divisions, overseeing global licensing operations and leading teams responsible for licensing sound recordings and musical compositions. Before Concord, Baden held leadership positions in music rights and revenue assurance, including Director of Revenue Assurance at Warner Music Group and roles at Rhino Entertainment and BMG Music Publishing.

Eric Scott (Executive Vice President, Rights and Royalties at BMG) has been reappointed to the Operations Advisory Committee and has been named Chair of the committee. Kristina Johnson (Vice President, Copyright at Kobalt Music) and Iwona Wyrzykowska (Senior Vice President/General Manager, Global Administration Center – Nashville at Universal Music Publishing Group) have also been reappointed.

On the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee, Dale Esworthy (Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration at Sony Music Publishing) has been reappointed, along with Michael Eames (President and Co-Founder at PEN Music Group, Inc.) who is continuing as Chair of the committee. Matthew Skiba (Vice President, Rights and Content at Vydia) has been reappointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee.

“On behalf of The MLC’s Board and its nominating committee, I am pleased to welcome Kelly Baden to the Operations Advisory Committee and to congratulate our advisory committee members on their reappointments,” says Alisa Coleman, Chair of The MLC’s Board of Directors. “Their collective expertise, dedication, and guidance are invaluable as we continue to strengthen The MLC’s operations and fulfill our mission to ensure that songwriters, composers, and music publishers receive the royalties they have earned.”

More information on The MLC’s Board of Directors and three advisory committees, including lists of current members, can be found here.

Seth Michael Signs Joint Venture With Prescription Songs & 7Hills Music

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Seth Michael

Seth Michael has signed a joint venture with Prescription Songs and 7Hills Music.

Hailing from Georgia, Michael has contributed to artists’ records including Ashley Cooke, Dylan Scott, Warren Zieders, Alana Springsteen and more. As a producer and songwriter he has earned cuts with Will Terry’s “Hell at This Point,” and Skeez & David J’s “Drinkin Again.” Future works include Midland and Nate Smith, among others.

“Couldn’t be with a better group of humans,” says Michael.

“We are excited to have Seth join the Prescription/7Hills family,” adds 7Hills Music Founder and Prescription Songs A&R consultant Hannah Montgomery Bay-Schuck. “His versatility as a writer, producer, and vocalist, along with his relentless work ethic, makes him a dream addition to the roster.”

“There’s no better way to kick off the year than making our work with Seth official,” shares Prescription Songs A&Rs Chris Martignago and Sophia Battaglia. “His work ethic is truly unmatched, and his balance of hustle and heart radiates through every session—raising the bar musically and energetically. We’re incredibly lucky to have him.”