‘Songs For Squeeks’ To Take Place At The Listening Room

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“Songs for Squeeks,” a special benefit supporting music city creative Justin “Squeeks” Mayotte as he battles lymphoma, is set for May 4 at The Listening Room.

Lead singer Marty Raybon will represent the group for the special night. The all-star lineup will also include Shenandoah, Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, Priscilla Block, Graham Barham, Tyler Nance, Beau Bailey, Cody Webb, and Ethan Burdick, with additional surprise guests expected.

“Justin has spent years helping artists build their careers behind the scenes,” says Raybon. “Now it’s our turn to show up for him.”

Tickets are available here. Those unable to attend who want to help can make a donation here. All proceeds will directly support Mayotte, his wife Kristina, and their newborn son Grayson as he undergoes treatment.

A respected photographer, videographer, and director in the Nashville music community, Mayotte has worked with both established and emerging artists, helping bring their creative visions to life.

Black River Entertainment Partners With Akando Music For Radio Promotion

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Black River Entertainment has partnered with AKANDO Music for radio promotion.

The first official release under the partnership will be on Chris Young‘s upcoming single “I Didn’t Come Here To Leave,” impacting mid-June.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with AKANDO Music for radio promotion and to begin with Chris Young’s latest single,” says Black River’s National Director of Promotion and Artist Relations, Kellie LaJack.

“Chris Young is one of the most consistent hit makers in our format for the last decade. We are excited to represent him and his music to country radio,” says Raffaella Braun, VP promotion for Triple Tigers/AKANDO Music.

In addition to Young, Black River Entertainment’s roster includes Kelsea Ballerini and MaRynn Taylor.

Hop On A Cure Passes $5 Million In ALS Research Grants

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As of March 1, 2026, Hop On A Cure has given over $5 million in grants to ALS research programs at notable hospitals across the country.

The charity was started in 2022 after John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band was diagnosed with ALS. The funding supports a diverse portfolio of research efforts, including artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery, gene therapy, biomarker identification and advanced disease modeling.

“Crossing the five-million-dollar mark in research funding is not just a number for us,” shares Nic Shefrin, CEO of Hop On A Cure. “It represents real momentum toward solutions for families facing ALS today. We are deeply grateful to every donor who, like us, believes that accelerating bold science is the fastest path to a world without ALS.”

Among the grants awarded this year is support for research led by Dr. Tim Miller at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Rita Sattler at Barrow Neurological Institute in partnership with The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Claire Clelland at University of California, San Francisco, and more.

St. Jude Rock ‘N’ Roll Nashville Reveals Entertainment Lineup

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The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville is returning April 25–26, celebrating 26 years of running, music and community with a full weekend of live entertainment.

Entertainment begins at the free Health & Fitness Expo on April 23 and continues April 24 at the Music City Convention Center. Thursday’s lineup will feature Lance Carpenter, Jamie Floyd and Olivia Rubini. Friday’s Expo continues with Greg Pratt, an interactive line dancing session led by Nashville Dance Fest co-founder Taylor Winston, a performance byGolden West, and a closing set from Dave Kennedy. Race day on April 25 will begin with the National Anthem performed by Julianna Fallon, Miss Teen Volunteer America.

From the start line to the finish, runners will experience a nonstop Music City soundtrack, with live bands, DJs and multiple Honky Tonk Buses energizing participants throughout the course. Positioned at key locations, the buses bring Nashville’s signature country sound to every mile. Finish line entertainment will follow on the Encore Entertainment Stage, with Pratt opening the morning and Rodeo Disco delivering a honky-tonk style performance featuring musicians who have performed alongside artists including Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton and Keith Urban.

The celebration concludes with an interactive line dancing experience led by Nashville Dance Fest founders Taylor and Brittany Winston. Featuring approximately 20 dancers, the finale invites runners and spectators to join in a lively finish line celebration. On April 26, family-friendly events continue at Nissan Stadium with music by DJ Pete, creating a fun atmosphere for participants in the 1 Mile, Doggie Dash and KiDS ROCK races.

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates ‘Clint Black: The Hard Way On Purpose’

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Clint Black at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Mary Caroline Russell for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibit, “Clint Black: The Hard Way On Purpose” last night (April 21).

The new exhibition traces Black’s story from a working-class kid to topping the charts on his own terms, and includes stage wear, instruments, memorabilia, manuscripts, photos, videos and more. In 1990, Black received four Academy of Country Music Awards for the album which he wrote or co-wrote in its entirety. Six months later, Black won Male Vocalist of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, and also became the first new artist to generate four consecutive No. 1s on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Photo: Mary Caroline Russell for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

He went on to write or co-write 29 Top 10 hits over the next decade and has racked up sales of more than 20 million records. Black continued to write or co-write his Platinum-selling albums throughout the 1990s, was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1991, and continued winning awards and selling out arenas including the Houston Astrodome. He also played the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 1994 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“Clint Black: The Hard Way On Purpose” is included with museum admission, the exhibit is now open and runs until August 2027. The official exhibit playlist is now available here.

On May 23, Black will participate in an intimate evening in conversation celebrating his new memoir Killin’ Time: My Life and Music. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and tickets, which include an autographed book, are on sale here.

Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black. Photo: Mary Caroline Russell for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Kyle Young, Clint Black, Erin Osmon, Michael Gray and Mick Buck. Photo: Mary Caroline Russell for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, More Among Country Calling Headliners

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Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts are slated to headline Country Calling Festival 2026. The festival is slated for Ocean City Inlet Beach on Oct. 2 and 3.

The lineup also includes Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson, Travis Tritt, Charley Crockett, Mitchell Tenpenny, Wyatt Flores and many more across the festival’s three stages.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (April 23). Additional information can be found here.

Beyond the music, festival grounds include the full Ocean City Boardwalk experience which includes restaurants, bars, variety shops, and the Jolly Roger at the Pier Amusement Park.

Belmont University Hosts 25th Best Of The Best Showcase

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Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

Belmont University hosted its 25th annual Best Of The Best Showcase on April 11.

This year’s performers included Billy Bellino, Ella Gibson, Meghan Curtin, Ella Choi, Naari, Lindsay Liebro, Soupless, Noah Clifton and Carlisle Wright.

The evening opened with a reception honoring the program’s legacy and recognized Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, as the 2026 recipient of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. Gibson Gives awarded a $5,000 scholarship and guitar to Showcase Council member Bailee Brandon.

This year’s live events partners included CMA, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and Nashville Soccer Club. Each partner selected a Showcase artist to perform at their events.

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

CMA Fest Adds Additional Performers

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CMA Fest has added more performers to its festival lineup, taking place June 4-7 in Nashville.

Emily Ann Roberts, The Jack Wharff Band, Kaitlin Butts, Kat Luna, Laci Kaye Booth, Maggie Antone, Scoot Teasley, Vincent Mason, Willow Avalon and Zach John King will all take the Platform Stage inside Nissan Stadium, designed to showcase rising talent.

Clay Walker, Jo Dee Messina, Rhett Akins and Sara Evans have been tapped to open the Nissan Stadium shows on their respective night. Thursday night will kickoff with Caylee Hammack performing the national anthem.

More performers have also been added to the daytime stages. Brandon Lake and CeCe will perform at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, Filmore, Gabriella Rose, and Nappy Roots at the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage, MŌRIAH and Love and Theft on the Chevy Vibes Stage, and Omer Netzer and MORGXN on the new Wrangler Remix Stage.

Tickets for the nightly Nissan Stadium shows are available now. The daytime stages are free and open to the public.

Tracy Lawrence Expands ‘No Alibis Tour’ Into Fall With 33 New Dates

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Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Blake Harbison

Tracy Lawrence has added a second leg to his “No Alibis Tour,” with 33 new shows set through the fall.

The tour kicked off last month, and new stops added to the tour include shows in San Antonio, Tucson, Colorado Springs, Green Bay, Shreveport and more through October. An upcoming hometown stop/Nashville show is set for May 3 at the Ryman Auditorium for the third year in a row following back-to-back sellouts. Pre-sale for the new dates is happening now with general on-sale beginning this Friday (April 24), and tickets can be purchased here.

“I’ve felt such an incredible response from fans showing up for the ‘No Alibis Tour’ night after night,” says Lawrence. “The energy has been unreal. It only made sense to keep that momentum going, so we’re adding more dates into the fall and taking this thing even further.”

“No Alibis Tour” Dates:
April 23, 2026 in Duluth, Minn. at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Symphony Hall*
April 24, 2026 in Prior Lake, Minn. at Mystic Showroom at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
April 25, 2026 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. at Crystal Grand Music Theatre
May 2, 2026 in Marietta, Ohio at Peoples Bank Theatre
May 3, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Ryman Auditorium
May 7, 2026 in Savannah, Ga. at Johnny Mercer Theater*
May 8, 2026 in Dothan, Ala. at Dothan Civic Center*
May 9, 2026 in Brandon, Miss. at Brandon Amphitheater+
May 14, 2026 in Wichita, Kan. at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center Concert Hall*
May 16, 2026 in Pasadena, Texas at Pasadena Strawberry Festival
May 28, 2026 in Spartanburg, S.C. at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium*
May 29, 2026 in Roanoke, Va. at Berglund Performing Arts Center*
May 30, 2026 in Reading, Pa. at Santander Performing Arts Center*
June 5, 2026 in Fayetteville, Ga. at Fayetteville Amphitheater
June 6, 2026 in Orange Beach, Ala. at The Amphitheater at the Wharf+
June 7, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. at Carolina Country Music Festival
June 11, 2026 in Decatur, Ala. at Rock the South*
June 12, 2026 in Corinth, Miss. at Crossroads Arena*
June 19, 2026 in Wildwood, N.J. at Barefoot Country Music Festival
June 20, 2026 in Cumberland, Md. at First Peoples Wing-Off & Music Festival
June 21, 2026 in Webster, Mass. at Indian Ranch Amphitheatre
June 27, 2026 in Bonner Springs, Kan. at Country Stampede
July 5, 2026 in Crystal Beach, Texas at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Crystal Beach
July 10, 2026 in Midland, Texas at Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center*
July 11, 2026 in South Padre Island, Texas at South Padre Island Convention Center
July 17, 2026 in Abilene, Texas at Abilene Convention Center Auditorium*
July 18, 2028 in San Antonio, Texas at Freeman Expo Hall
July 24, 2026 in Kearney, Neb. at Buffalo County Fairgrounds
July 25, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colo. at El Pomar Great Hall at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts*
July 31, 2026 in Harrington, Del. at Delaware State Fairgrounds
Aug. 6, 2026 in Brownstown, Ind. at Rock the Rind Music Festival
Aug. 7, 2026 in Peoria, Ill. at Prairie Home Alliance Theater*
Aug. 8, 2026 in Worthington, Iowa at Worthington Memorial Park
Aug. 13, 2026 in Glen Allen, Va. at Innsbrook After Hours Concert Series
Aug. 14, 2026 in Pikeville, Ky. at Appalachian Wireless Arena*
Aug. 15, 2026 in New Bern, N.C. at Maola
Aug. 23, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall*
Aug. 27, 2026 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. at Findlay Toyota Center
Aug. 28, 2026 in Chandler, Ariz. at The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
Aug. 29, 2026 in Long Beach, Calif. at Cali Country Cruise
Sept. 4, 2026 in Folsom, Calif. at Stage 1 Theater at Harris Center for the Arts
Sept. 11, 2026 at Shreveport, La. at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium*
Sept. 12, 2026 at Nacogdoches, Texas at Festival Park
Sept. 17, 2026 in Pryor, Okla. at Born & Raised Music Festival
Sept. 24, 2026 in Akron, Ohio at Akron Civic Theatre*
Sept. 25, 2026 in Albany, N.Y. at Palace Theatre*
Sept. 26, 2026 in Rochester, N.Y. at Main Theater at Kodak Center*
Oct. 1, 2026 in Bismarck, N.D. at Bismarck Event Center*
Oct. 2, 2026 in Rapid City, S.D. at The Monument – Fine Arts Theatre*
Oct. 3, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa at Orpheum Theatre Sioux City*
Oct. 15, 2026 in Erie, Pa. at Liberty Park*
Oct. 16, 2026 in Saginaw, Mich. at Theater at Dow Event Center*
Oct. 22, 2026 in Green Bay, Wis. at EPIC Event Center*
Oct. 23, 2026 in Toledo, Ohio at Stranahan Theater*
Oct. 24, 2026 in Wabash, Ind. at Ford Theater at Honeywell Center*

* presented by Peachtree Entertainment
+ co-headline with Gary Allan

BREAKING: Shania Twain Tapped As 61st ACM Awards Host

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Shania Twain is set to host the 61st ACM Awards, taking place May 17 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This will be Twain’s first time hosting the ACM Awards.

Twain is crowned the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, and is celebrated around the world for her songwriting, artistry and performances. She is a three time ACM award winner, as well as a five time GRAMMY winner. To date, Twain has sold 100 million albums globally.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” shares Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”

“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” adds ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”

The 61st ACM Awards will stream live on May 17 on Prime Video at 7 p.m. CT. The broadcast will also be available on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app. Throughout the night, performances will be held from Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced.

ACM will also host a variety of events leading up the the award show, including Whiskey Jam Welcome Party on May 14, “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” on May 15, and “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” on May 16.