Academy Of Country Music Announces Radio Awards Nominees

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The ACM has revealed the Radio Awards nominees for the upcoming 61st Academy of Country Music Awards.

This year’s nods include triple nominations for KFRG-FM in Riverside, California, and double nominations for KILT-FM in Houston, KSCS-FM in Dallas, WBEE-FM in Rochester, WCKK-FM in Walnut Grove, Mississippi, and WUBE-FM in Cincinnati.

Winners of the ACM Radio Awards will be announced at Country Radio Seminar March 18-20 ahead of the 61st ACM Awards, which will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17. The full list of ACM Award nominations will be announced in the coming weeks, as well as host, performers and presenters.

The 61st ACM Radio Awards Nominees:

NATIONAL DAILY ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
B-Dub – B-Dub Radio
Cody Alan – Highway Mornings with Cody Alan
Katie Neal – Katie & Company
Rob Stone and Holly Hutton – The Rob + Holly Show
Steve Harmon – Steve Harmon Show

NATIONAL WEEKLY ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
B-Dub – B-Dub Radio Saturday Night
Big D, Bubba, Shaffer – Honky Tonkin’ with Big D & Bubba
Heather Froglear – 90’s Country with Heather
Kelleigh Bannen – Today’s Country Radio
Ryan Fox – American Country Countdown with Ryan Fox

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET:
Angie Ward – Angie Ward – WUBL-FM – Atlanta, GA
Chris Carr & Company – Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, Dubs – KEEY-FM – Minneapolis, MN
The Coop Show – Coop – WKIS-FM – Miami, FL
Erik & Jenny –Erik Scott Smith & Jenny Lee – KCYY-FM – San Antonio, TX
Frito & Katy – Frito and Katy – KILT-FM Houston, TX
Niko + Cheyenne – Niko + Cheyenne – KMLE-FM Phoenix, AZ
Rachel Ryan – Rachel Ryan – KSCS-FM Dallas, TX

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET:
Heather Froglear – Heather Froglear – KFRG-FM Riverside, CA
Jesse & Anna– Jesse Tack, Anna Marie, Jake Thomson – WUBE-FM. Cincinnati, OH
Kelli and Anthony – Kelli Green and Anthony Donatelli – KFRG-FM Riverside, CA
Mad Dawg in the Afternoon – “Mad Dawg”  – WQDR-FM. Raleigh, NC
Maria D’Antonio – Maria D’Antonio – WDSY-FM Pittsburgh, PA

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET:
The Bee Morning Coffee Club – Billy Kidd, TJ Sharp, and Hope Breen – WBEE-FM Rochester, NY
The Doc Show with Chewy – Doc Medek, Chewy Medek – WGGY-FM Wilkes-Barre, PA
Julie and DJ in the Morning – Julie K and DJ Thee Trucker – WPCV-FM. Lakeland, FL
Mo & StyckMan – Mo & StyckMan – WUSY-FM Chattanooga, TN
Steve & Gina in the Morning – Steve Lundy and Gina Melton – KXKT-FM. Omaha, NE
Tug Cowart Show – Tug Cowart – WCKN-FM Charleston, SC

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET:
Ben & Arnie – Ben Butler, Arnie Andrews – WCOW-FM Sparta, WI
B-MO in the MO’rning – Brian “B-MO” Montgomery – WCKK-FM. Walnut Grove, MS
Dan Austin – Dan Austin -WQHK-FM Fort Wayne, IN
The Dr. Shane and Tess Show –Dr. Shane and Tess – WPAP-FM. Panama City, FL
The Eddie Foxx Show – Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx – WKSF-FM Asheville, NC

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET:
KILT-FM – Houston, TX
KSCS-FM – Dallas, TX
KSON-FM – San Diego, CA
WPOC-FM – Baltimore, MD
WXTU-FM – Philadelphia, PA

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET:
KFRG-FM – Riverside, CA
WLHK-FM – Indianapolis, IN
WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET:
KUZZ-FM – Bakersfield, CA
WBEE-FM – Rochester, NY
WHKO-FM – Dayton, OH
WLFP-FM – Memphis, TN
WQMX-FM – Akron, OH

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET:
KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
KFGE-FM – Lincoln, NE
WCKK-FM – Walnut Grove, MS
WXFL-FM – Florence, AL
WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL
WYOT-FM – Rochelle, IL

Mary Kutter Signs With WME

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Pictured (L-R): Marc Oswald (OEG), Jon Folk (WME), Joey Lee (WME), Adrian Michaels (BMG/AMA), Lance Roberts (WME), Mary Kutter, Becky Gardenhire (WME), Charlie Pennachio (OEG), Laura Williams (WME) and Jacob Summers (OEG).
Photo: Courtesy of Oswald Entertainment

Mary Kutter has signed with WME for global representation.

“Mary is the kind of artist who writes and performs with conviction,” says WME’s Lance Roberts. “There’s an authenticity to her work that feels both rooted and forward-looking. She has already built a meaningful career as a songwriter, and we’re excited to help expand her live business as she steps fully into this moment as an artist.”

As a songwriter, Kutter has earned cuts with Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Alexandra Kay and Zach John King. As an artist, the Washington County, Kentucky native recently signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, and her latest release, “Bed of Roses,” debuted February 13.

“Being onstage is where it all comes full circle for me,” Kutter adds. “WME is best in class when it comes to expanding live opportunities and building global audiences, and I’m ready to take these songs to more cities, more stages and more fans.”

February 28 Declared ‘Koe Wetzel Day’ In Pittsburg, Texas

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City Manager Clint Hardeman, Koe Wetzel and Pittsburg, Texas Mayor Abernathy in downtown Pittsburg, Texas. Photo: Michael Herrick

Koe Wetzel’s hometown of Pittsburg, Texas declared Feb. 28 “Koe Wetzel Day” in a special celebration honoring the local artist.

The singer was surprised to arrive at the full-blown celebration, which included a high school marching band and cheerleaders revving up the crowd full of family, friends and local dignitaries prior to the ceremony. The city’s mayor and city manager presented a key to the city to Wetzel along with a proclamation naming Feb. 28 “Koe Wetzel Day.” Pittsburg also debuted a mural of Wetzel located downtown to celebrate the special day.

“It’s good to be back in Pittsburg,” said Wetzel at the ceremony. “Every time we come back here it’s like we never left, with my family and my friends… it all starts there. My family sitting here – my mom, my dad, my sisters, my grandparents – my girls here, they’ve always been my No. 1 fan and they’ve gotten me where I am by doing so, but also with the help from Pittsburg, Texas and all the great people here that have made everything happen. No matter where I go in this life, no matter what country, state or city I’m in, I always know Pittsburg, Texas is home for me. And whenever I come back, you all make sure to remind me of that and treat me like I never left, and I always appreciate that.”

To further mark the decade since the release of “February 28, 2016,” Wetzel surprised fans after his Fort Worth Riot Room set by dropping a new mixtape, These Are Going Nowhere: A Mixtape by Koe Wetzel, at midnight.

These Are Going Nowhere: A Mixtape by Koe Wetzel Track List:
1. “Feel Better”
2. “GTFO”
3. “Run Away”
4. “College”
5. “Lonesome Dove”
6. “Sweet Texas Strange”

John Powenski Joins BMI As SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer

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John Powenski

John Powenski has joined BMI as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, effective immediately. He will lead Human Resources across the organization, focused on supporting BMI’s continued growth and organizational performance, including the company’s HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Total Rewards, People Operations and more.

Reporting to President & Chief Operating Officer, Todd Horvath, Powenski will be based in BMI’s Nashville office.

“We’re thrilled to welcome John to BMI,” says Horvath. “John’s extensive HR experience and innovative leadership style will support our continued growth and workforce development. His commitment to cultivating talent, elevating employee engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture aligns with BMI’s core values and mission to serve our music creators and business partners. I look forward to working with John and seeing his impact across the company.”

Prior to joining BMI, Powenski served as SVP, Human Resources at Asurion, Inc., where he led enterprise-wide people strategy and global HR operations. Over more than a decade, he held leadership roles across every major HR discipline, partnering closely with executive leadership to drive transformation and build scalable people capabilities across global markets.

Powenski, a Cornell University graduate, also spent a decade at Capital One during its early growth and rapid scaling, partnering with senior leaders through major acquisitions, expansion and complex integration efforts. He began his career in manufacturing HR at Frito-Lay PepsiCo, partnering closely with plant leadership and frontline teams in highly operational environments.

“What drew me to BMI is its rare blend of deep heritage, enduring leadership and distinct sense of purpose in serving its affiliated songwriters, composers and music publishers,” says Powenski. “There’s something powerful about an organization that has shaped so much creative history and yet continues to grow and evolve towards the future. I’m excited to partner with this talented team and help shape what comes next.”

Sherry May Joins Conway Entertainment Group As Talent Buyer & Venue Consultant

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Sherry May

Sherry May has joined Conway Entertainment Group as Talent Buyer and Venue Consultant, supporting the launch and expansion of the firm’s CEG Live consulting division.

At CEG, May specializes in venue strategy, talent buying, pricing models, and sponsorship frameworks. She works directly with amphitheaters, theaters, municipalities, universities, and private venues to build sustainable programming pipelines and maximize revenue potential through the CEG Live consulting division.

“Sherry May has recently joined the Conway Entertainment Group and CEG Live as a venue consultant, and her hiring is a fantastic addition to the team,” says CEG CEO Tony Conway. “With her extensive experience in the industry and proven track record of optimizing venue operations and enhancing the audience experiences, Sherry brings a wealth of knowledge that is sure to benefit the group significantly. Her passion for creating memorable and profitable events and strategic insights will undoubtedly help CEG Live to continue to thrive and expand our new division.”

May brings more than two decades of experience leading large-scale concert series, amphitheater operations, and venue turnarounds to her new position. Before joining CEG, she served as Co-Director of the Live at the Garden concert series at the Memphis Botanic Garden for 24 seasons. During her tenure, she helped grow the series from its inception into one of the region’s most respected outdoor music experiences, expanding programming, securing major touring artists, increasing sponsorship revenue, elevating the venue’s brand, and securing naming rights for what is now known as the Radians Amphitheater.

In collaboration with CEG, May most recently served as Interim General Manager of The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart, Indiana, helping stabilize operations, restructure staffing, enhance financial oversight, and develop a sustainable programming and sponsorship plan for long-term growth. May has been named a Memphis Power Player for 12 consecutive years and one of the Memphis Business Journal’s Women to Watch. She has also contributed to numerous civic and arts organizations, including serving as Treasurer on the Board of The Blues Foundation and as a board member for the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Joining Conway Entertainment Group to help launch the CEG Live consulting division is an exciting next chapter for me,” says May. “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping entertainment venues build sustainable programming, strengthen community impact, and maximize revenue potential. CEG Live brings together an extraordinary team with the experience and relationships to do exactly that, and I’m thrilled to be part of this dynamic organization.”

Reach May at sherrym@conwayent.com.

Ella Gibson Signs With G Major Mgmt

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Ella Gibson. Photo: James Bragg

Ella Gibson has signed with G Major Mgmt.

Hailing from a small town in central Illinois, Gibson is currently studying songwriting at Belmont University. She recently won Belmont’s Spring Songwriter’s Showcase Presented by BMI.

“I am so honored to be joining G Major,” shares Gibson. “Already, they have been incredible to work with during our time together. This team inspires me daily with their hard work, kindness and passion for what they do. I am so excited to see all that we accomplish together, and for the new music we’ve been working on.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Ella Gibson to the G Major roster,” says G Major Mgmt founder Virginia Bunetta. “She’s a rare artist whose songwriting feels timeless and her voice and perspective cut through the noise. She represents the next evolution of authentic female artistry.”

Brandy Clark To Launch Headline Tour This Spring

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Brandy Clark. Photo: Victoria Stevens

Brandy Clark will kick off a new headlining tour, “An Evening with Brandy Clark” this spring beginning April 23 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The new dates will include stops in Atlanta, Louisville, Knoxville, Phoenix and many others. Tickets are available for pre-sale now, with general on-sale today (Feb. 27) brandyclarkmusic.com/tour.

Clark recently performed “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version)” at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards alongside Reba McEntire and Lukas Nelson. The song is a reimagined version of the original, Grammy-nominated song, “Trailblazer,” which Clark originally wrote with Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert and reworked specifically for the Grammy In Memoriam performance. She also composed the music for the hit musical comedy Shucked alongside her longtime collaborator Shane McAnally, which will make its U.K. premiere this summer at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with a limited season run from May 10 to June 14.

Brandy Clark Tour Dates:
March 16-19—Miami, FL—Cayamo Cruise 2026*
April 23—Greensboro, NC—The Pyrle
April 24—Hopewell, VA—The Beacon Theatre
April 28—Louisville, KY—Bomhard Theater
April 29—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre
April 30—Knoxville, TN—Bijou Theatre
May 1—Decatur, AL—Princess Theatre
May 9—Phoenix, AZ—Musical Instrument Museum
May 10—San Juan Capistrano, CA—The Coach House
May 12—Agoura Hills, CA—Canyon Club
May 13—Menlo Park, CA—The Guild Theatre
May 15—Grass Valley, CA—The Center for The Arts
May 16—Novato, CA—HopMonk Tavern Novato
May 28—The Woodlands, TX—Dosey Doe
May 29—Kerrville, TX—Kerrville Folk Festival
May 30—San Angelo, TX—Brooks & Bates Theatre
July 24—White Sulfur Springs, MT—Red Ants Pants Music Festival

Gavin Adcock Mines Some Country Gold For Upcoming New Tribute Album

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Gavin Adcock. Photo: Madelyn Ormond

Gavin Adcock enlisted the help of some fellow country up-and-comers for his new album of vintage country favorites, Country Never Dies, set for release March 13 via Thrivin’ Here Records/Warner Records Nashville.

As a fan of classic country music himself, Adcock wanted the project to be a reminder of where the genre came from and honor those who paved the way for him and other artists. The first song from the album, the Waylon Jennings classic, “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line,” is available now.

On Country Never Dies, Adcock enlisted the help of Hudson Westbrook, Jake Worthington, Ashley Cooke, Vincent Mason and several more to join him on the project. Favorites and classics on the new collection include “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Southern Nights,” “Simple Man,” “Slow Hand” and more.

“I chose these young artists for this project because they’re some of my favorite up and coming artists in all of country music, and I think everyone should listen to ‘em,” says Adcock. “Some of them have already made a good way in the business, and then some of them that maybe y’all have never heard of.

“There’s a bunch of people that these songs mean the world to them,” he continues. “They grew up listening to these songs, hearing their parents or grandparents play them. I think it is important in country music to remember the people who paved the way for us. This is Country Never Dies.”

Country Never Dies Track List:
1. “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” (Gavin Adcock) *Originally performed by Waylon Jennings
2. “Slow Hand” (Hudson Westbrook) *Originally performed by The Pointer Sisters / Conway Twitty
3. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (Jake Worthington) *Originally performed by George Jones
4. “Southern Nights” (Ashley Cooke) *Originally performed by Glen Campbell
5. “Slide Off Your Satin Sheets” (Braxton Keith) *Originally performed by Johnny Paycheck
6. “Wayfaring Stranger” (Lanie Gardner) *American folk song, performed by Johnny Cash
7. “You Win Again” (Vincent Mason) *Originally performed by Hank Williams
8. “Kentucky Bluebird” (The Creekers) *Originally performed by Keith Whitley
9. “Simple Man” (Austin Snell) *Originally performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
10. “Big City Blues” (Shelby Stone) *Originally performed by Keith Gattis
11. “Mama Tried” (Gavin Adcock) *Originally performed by Merle Haggard

Voices of America Country Music Fest Unveils Lineup

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The Voices of America Country Music Fest in West Chester, Ohio has unveiled its 2026 lineup. The event is scheduled for Aug. 6 -9.

Jordan Davis joins previously announced headliners Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley for the 2026 star-studded lineup. Additional artists on this year’s lineup at Voice of America MetroPark include LeAnn Rimes, Scotty McCreery, Tyler Hubbard, Lee Brice, Dustin Lynch, Rodney Atkins, Ashley Cooke, Easton Corbin and more. Over the coming weeks more performers will continue to be announced. The 4th annual fest brings more than 100,000 fans to Southwest Ohio each August.

“We are excited to bring VOA back to Ohio for a 4th year!” shares Tyler Wogenstahl, president of Further Concepts and Investors and the founder of the Voices of American Country Music Festival. “The support from our fans has been phenomenal. We could not do this festival without the amazing country music fans of Ohio and we have BIG things in store for everyone this year.”

Multi-day festival and parking passes are on sale now.

Avery Anna Unveils New EP, Due In March

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Avery Anna will release her forthcoming EP, forgive, forget., on March 13th via Warner Records Nashville. In celebration of the release, Anna released “Man Downstairs,” which is available everywhere today.

“This EP forgive, forget. is unlike anything I’ve done so far,” she shares. “It touches on extreme emotions I’ve had in the past couple of years and reached a new level of vulnerability. No calculation or manufacturing, just pure honesty. Truly makes me nervous to share in the best way. ‘Man Downstairs’ is yours now.”

Anna wrote all six tracks alongside Ashley Gorley, Emily Falvey, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan and more.

Anna is preparing to launch her headlining “Girl Of Constant Sorrow Tour,” set to kick off on March 12th in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The project follows her 2025 album let go letters, which has garnered over 1 billion global streams to date.

forgive, forget. Track Listing:
1. “Fear In God (feat. Sam Barber)” (Avery Anna, Sam Barber)
2. “Man Downstairs” (Avery Anna, Michael Tyler, David Fanning and Andy Sheridan)
3. “lonestar alone” (Avery Anna, Ben Williams, Emily Falvey, Sam Bergeson)
4. “Life Ain’t Like The Radio” (Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ashley Gorley)
5. “Blood Runs Thicker” (Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan)
6. “forgive, forget.” (Avery Anna)