IBMA Foundation Announces The Planning Stages Scholarship For Live Music Production

/by

The IBMA Foundation has announced a new college scholarship dedicated to live music production established by Claire Armbruster and Jeff Koontz, co-owners of Planning Stages, Inc. in Brevard, North Carolina.

The Planning Stages Scholarship for Live Music Production will recognize creative professionals whose dedication and expertise make live performances possible. It supports students pursuing college, community college or vocational training in live music event production, talent buying and related fields.

“This scholarship was created because my own career has been shaped by working behind the scenes, making live music happen,” says Armbruster. “I’ve always found the greatest satisfaction in the planning, talent buying, coordination, and problem solving that allows artists and audiences to share a meaningful experience, without needing recognition for who made it happen. Over time, I’ve seen how essential these roles are and how limited the pathways can be for people who want to learn them.

“Partnering with the IBMA Foundation felt like a natural choice because they understand that live music is built by many hands, both on stage and off. The Foundation’s commitment to education and mentorship aligns deeply with my desire to give back by supporting practical learning and sustainable careers for those who help music shine from behind the curtain.”

The Planning Stages scholarships may be applied toward tuition, internships, and educational expenses, and the first scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded in August for the fall semester of the 2026-27 school year. The deadline to apply for all IBMA Foundation-hosted college and technical training scholarships is June 1.

Armbruster and Koontz plan to make a donation in 2027 to create an endowment at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support the new scholarship for generations to come. They welcome donations to the new scholarship from anyone who works in live music production, or who have enjoyed being in the audience at a festival or concert spotlighting bluegrass music. To make a donation, contact the Foundation at info@bluegrassfoundation.org, call 615-260-4807, or donate here.

Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar & Chrissy Teigen To Serve As Judges On ‘Star Search’ Reboot

/by

Jelly Roll.

Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen will serve as judges on the Netflix reboot of Star Search, according to Deadline. The show, hosted by Anthony Anderson, is set to premiere on Jan. 20, with episodes airing live Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The show will feature talent across categories including music, dance, variety, comedy, magic and juniors, with real-time fan voting aiding in weekly elimination decisions.

The original series aired from 1983 to 1995 and helped launch the careers of Beyoncé, Adam Sandler, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Dave Chappelle, Christina Aguilera and others. The show was rebooted for one season at CBS in 2003 with Arsenio Hall as host.

Jason Raff and David Friedman will serve as showrunners. The show is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment with Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, Elaine Metaxas, Taraji P. Henson and Steve Mosko serving as executive producers.

MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2025

/by

Charlie Handsome

Since 2018, MusicRow has published its weekly Top Songwriter Chart that ranks the week’s top 60 songwriters based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams.

Through the use of proprietary software, the points awarded to each song are evenly distributed among a song’s co-writers, mirroring the revenue and ownership structures common in Music City’s publishing industry. This system highlights the overall success of active songs for each songwriter. As a result, the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart provides a weekly snapshot of the most active and successful songwriters in Nashville.

Charlie Handsome accumulated the highest number of points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart in 2025, securing the top spot on the year-end rankings.

Handsome’s year included 23 cuts on Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem album, such as hits “I Got Better,” “What I Want,” “Just In Case,” “TN,” “Love Somebody” and “Smile.” Alongside Wallen, he also worked on Marshmello and Jelly Roll’s “Holy Water,” and BigXthaPlug and Ella Langley’s “Hell At Night.” Charting cuts from Post Malone, Moneybagg Yo, Ernest and more also contributed to his top placement. Throughout 2025, Handsome also received numerous accolades, including BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, BMI Country Song of the Year and a CMA Triple Play Award.

Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs

Riley Green ranks No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2025 list. Green’s year showcased the power of a solo-write, with “Worst Way” and “Don’t Mind If I Do” leading the way for him. Additional songs that charted for Green in 2025 include “Damn Good Day To Leave,” “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Change My Mind.”

2025 also added numerous awards to Green’s trophy case, including the CMA Award for Single of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Song of the Year. At the ACM Awards, Green took home Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year.

Landing at No. 3 on MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2025 list is Morgan Wallen. With his I’m The Problem release, Wallen’s points came from “Love Somebody,” “Smile,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “Superman,” “Come Back As A Redneck,” “Don’t We,” “Eyes Are Closed,” “Falling Apart,” “Genesis,” “I Got Better,” “Interlude,” “Kick Myself,” “Leavin’s The Least I Could Do,” “Miami,” “Missing,” “TN,” “What I Want,” “Where’d That Girl Go,” “Whiskey In Reverse” and “Working Man’s Song.”

Wallen closed out 2025 by becoming the highest RIAA-certified country artist of all time, third overall all-genre. He was also Billboard‘s No. 1 Top Artist of 2025, and garnered his fifth consecutive Top Country Artist award. He was also the recipient of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award, Apple Music’s Top Artist of the Year and MusicRow‘s Entertainer of the Year.

Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith

Ashley Gorley placed at No. 4 this year. Gorley earned points with Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis’ “Ain’t A Bad Life,” Koe Wetzel’s “Surrounded,” Wallen’s “TN,” “Kiss Her In Front Of You” and “Don’t We,” Chris Janson’s “Me & A Beer,” HARDY’s “Favorite Country Song,” Dasha’s “Not At This Party,” Dierks Bentley’s “She Hates Me” and plenty more. In 2025, Gorley was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was also named ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for the 12th time, NSAI Songwriter of the Year, Top Male Songwriter of the Year at the NMPA Gold & Platinum Gala and MusicRow‘s Male Songwriter of the Year. Gorley also nabbed two CMA Triple Play Awards.

Blake Pendergrass rounds out the top five songwriters of 2025. His cuts throughout the year included Rhett and Davis’ “Ain’t A Bad Life,” Vincent Mason’s “Wish You Well,” Tucker Wetmore’s “Brunette,” and Wallen’s “Working Man’s Song,” “Where’d That Girl Go,” “The Dealer,” “Number 3 and Number 7,” “Missing,” “Miami,” “Interlude,” “I Got Better,” “Genesis,” “Falling Apart,” “Eyes Are Closed,” “Don’t We,” “20 Cigarettes” and “Superman,” among others. Pendergrass also received his first BMI Award in 2025.

This year’s data remains predominantly male, with only 12 female songwriters appearing in the top 100, which includes 119 names due to tied scores. This marks a decrease from last year’s total of 17 female songwriters.

MusicRow’s Top Songwriters of 2025:
1. Ryan Vojtesak
2. Riley Green
3. Morgan Wallen
4. Ashley Gorley
5. Blake Pendergrass
6. Ernest Keith Smith
7. Chase McGill
8. John Byron
9. Jessie Jo Dillon
10. Ty Myers
11. Jason DeFord
12. Ben Johnson
13. Josh Miller
14. Taylor Phillips
15. Michael Hardy
16. Neil Medley
17. Dan Alley
18. Jacob Kasher
19. Megan Moroney
20. Jordan Walker
21. Chris LaCorte
22. Carson Chamberlain, Zach Top
23. Johnny Clawson
24. Joybeth Taylor
25. Rocky Block
26. Shaboozey
27. Luke Combs
28. Hudson Westbrook
29. Ella Langley
30. Sean Cook
31. Nevin Sastry
32. Joe Fox
33. Lydia Vaughan
34. Zach Bryan
35. Hunter Phelps
36. John Morgan
37. Jacob Davis
38. Luke Laird
39. Eric Church, Scooter Carusoe
40. Andy Albert
41. Zach Abend
42. Grady Block, Jamie McLaughlin
43. Jeremy Spillman, Natalie Hemby, Parker McCollum
44. Beau Bailey
45. Joe Reeves
46. Jaxson Free
47. Jordan Reynolds
48. Trannie Anderson
49. Tucker Beathard
50. Tim Nichols
51. Thomas Rhett
52. Russell Dickerson
53. Jonathan Singleton
54. Jimi Bell, Jonathan Sherwood
55. Michael Tyler
56. Michael Pollack
57. Jake Torrey, Sam Romans
58. Robert Hazard
59. Summer Overstreet
60. Lainey Wilson
61. Lindsay Rimes
62. Chris Stapleton
63. Austin Post
64. Ben Williams
65. Benjy Davis, Driver Williams, Jackson Dean
66. Louis Bell
67. Jeremy Stover
68. Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy
69. Dan Isbell
70. Julian Bunetta
71. Andy Sheridan
72. Josh Thompson
73. Chris Tompkins
74. Jesse Frasure
75. Will Bundy
76. Miranda Lambert
77. Brent Anderson
78. Nate Smith
79. Brad Rempel, Josh Ross
80. Zach Crowell
81. Shy Carter
82. Sam Barber
83. David Mescon, Rob Hatch
84. Avery Anna, Wyatt McCubbin
85. Max McNown
86. Alex Maxwell, Chase Matthew, Ciaran Wilkie, Hunter Huff
87. Ross Copperman
88. Ava Suppelsa, Trent Dabbs, Jamie Kenney
89. Dean Dillon
90. Justin Ebach
91. Tyler Hubbard
92. Greylan James
93. Ryan Beaver
94. Dallas Wilson
95. Chris Lucas, Preston Brust
96. Cole Swindell
97. Lalo Guzman
98. Thomas Archer
99. Alex Bak
100. Xavier Landum

Universal Music Group Partners With NVIDIA AI

/by

Universal Music Group has partnered with NVIDIA to undertake collaborative research and development to in the space of music creation and rightsholder compensation.

Through the partnership, the companies aim to explore music discovery, enhance fan engagement opportunities and assess artist creation tools. UMG’s Music & Advanced Machine Learning Lab (MAML) previously trained its models using NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure.

“We’re excited to establish this ground-breaking strategic relationship which unites the world’s leading technology company with the world’s leading music company in a shared mission to harness revolutionary AI technology to dramatically advance the interests of the creative community and the role of music in global culture,” says Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO. “We eagerly embrace the opportunities that AI presents, and the fact that NVIDIA is choosing to take a leadership position in the tech industry in their commitment to responsible AI principles is critically important. We look forward to working closely with NVIDIA to direct AI’s unprecedented transformational potential towards the service of artists and their fans as we work together to set new standards for innovation within the industry, while protecting and respecting copyright and human creativity.”

“We’re entering an era where a music catalog can be explored like an intelligent universe — conversational, contextual, and genuinely interactive,” adds Richard Kerris, NVIDIA VP/GM of Media. “By extending NVIDIA’s Music Flamingo with UMG’s unmatched catalog and creative ecosystem, we’re going to change how fans discover, understand, and engage with music on a global scale. And we’ll do it the right way: responsibly, with safeguards that protect artists’ work, ensure attribution, and respect copyright.”

Industry Ink: Molly Tuttle, Craig Morgan, Margo Price, Lani Rose

/by

Molly Tuttle Performs On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Molly Tuttle. Photo: ABC/Randy Holmes

Molly Tuttle kicked off the year with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. She performed her Grammy-nominated single “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark.”

Tuttle will hit the road this year on the “Molly x Marty: Guitars on Fire — The Cosmic Twang Tour,” featuring the Molly Tuttle Trio with Marty Stuart & His Famous Superlatives Live in Concert, kicking off Feb. 5 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

 

Craig Morgan Performs At NFL’s NFC West Title Game

Craig Morgan. Photo: Courtesy of San Francisco 49ers.

Craig Morgan recently performed “God Bless America” as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL’s NFC West Title game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Over his career, Morgan has amassed nearly 2.5 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard. He released his American Soundtrack EP last year via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

 

Margo Price Performs On CBS

YouTube video

Margo Price played CBS Saturday Morning‘s first Saturday Session of 2026, performing two songs from her GRAMMY-nominated album, Hard Headed Woman, and a rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos).”

Price is nominated for Best Traditional Country Album at this year’s Grammy Awards. Her album Hard Headed Woman (Deluxe) is available now on Loma Vista Recordings.

 

Lani Rose Signs With Anotherland

Lani Rose.

Lani Rose has signed with Anotherland. The Texas based artist is currently working on new music.

“Every conversation I’ve had with Anotherland has furthered my confidence in partnering up with them,” shares Rose. “The DNA of the Team has given them the unique heart posture to cultivate artists (and projects) such as myself, all without compromising in the realm of identity/integrity. Truly, I believe that I will grow freely and supported with Anotherland into much of my best work. As I’ve shared with those closest to me, I’ve never been this excited to sign with a label.”

Big & Rich To Play Bluebird Cafe Alive Hospice Benefit

/by

 

Big & Rich.

Big & Rich will perform a special show at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Jan. 20 benefiting Alive Hospice, the Middle Tennessee nonprofit healthcare organization.

The duo will be traversing their 20+ year-career during the two-hour show that will feature hits like “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy,” “Comin’ To Your City,” “Eighth of November,” ‘Lost In This Moment,” and many others. The show will be recorded live for an upcoming special release.

Proceeds from the event will support Alive Hospice’s mission to provide compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients and families throughout the region. The annual benefit is celebrating its 33rd event in 2026, and is one of Nashville’s highly anticipated events each year. Tickets go on sale Jan. 9 here.

“We’re honored to play the Bluebird and support the incredible work Alive Hospice does for our community,” says Big & Rich. “This is going to be a special night in a very special room. Nashville is a special place, the Bluebird is an international icon and our excitement to play this room as a part of such an important program is a great way to kick off 2026.”

Amy Grant Releases Contemplative New Single ‘The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)’

/by

Amy Grant. Photo: Ed Rode

Amy Grant is kicking off the New Year with a brand new single out today, the aptly titled “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm).”

The new track will be featured on Grant’s first album of all-original material in over a decade, due out later this year via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Mac McAnally, “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)” explores themes of healing, unity, and human and spiritual connection, pondering how we sit with the unrest of the world without rushing to conclusions about how to fix it. The song poses the universal question of have we all lost our way, drawing inspiration from the idealism of the Woodstock era and the lessons learned in the intervening years.

YouTube video

“We operate in the world around us and sometimes neglect the power of what we have in our choices,” says Grant. “The song observes life and the unrest many of us feel, while knowing we are shaping the world around us daily. Maybe life and problem solving is more of a ‘we’ than ‘me’ conversation. If we can choose to look through a lens other than our own, maybe there is hope to come together and find a way through the unrest.”

Later this month, Grant will be honored with the Woman of Courage Award at the American Heart Association Gala in New York City, followed by a string of headline tour dates throughout February.

RECORDS Nashville Celebrates 2025 Success

/by

RECORDS Nashville recently celebrated their 2025 success on country radio. The boutique label landed at No. 6 on Country Airplay Label of the Year list, and also had the No. 1 Most Played Song Of The Year, with “High Road” by Koe Wetzel feat. Jessie Murph. George Birge’s “It Won’t Be Long” and Ty Myers’ “Ends Of The Earth” are both currently in the top 25.

Alongside radio success, RECORDS Nashville’s catalog amassed over 1 billion streams in 2025. Myers lead the way for the label with 863 million global catalog streams, 738 million streams for The Select, 200 million streams for “Thought It Was Love” and 161 streams for “Ends of the Earth.” Birge earned 107 million global catalog streams and Drew Green ended 2025 with 104 million global catalog streams.

RECORDS Nashville welcomed Emily Ann Roberts to its roster during the year. Roberts has amassed 94 million global streams to date, with 46 million in 2025 alone. She has shared the stage with Blake Shelton, Megan Moroney, and more, and is expected to release new music this year.

“We have been so proud of our label artists this past year as they collectively continued to make their mark in country music,“ says Josh Easler, Executive Vice President of Promotion & Commercial Strategy at RECORDS Nashville. “From Ty Myer’s amazing year on tour and at streaming to the continued dominance at country radio for Koe Wetzel and George Birge, each artist thrilled fans in 2025 with incredible music and live performances, and the RECORDS Nashville team are so proud to help champion such a talented roster.”

Sun Records Takes Prices Back To 1952 In Honor Of Founder Sam Phillips’ 103rd Birthday

/by

Sun Records is honoring its legendary founder Sam Phillips’ 103rd birthday (Jan. 5), by rolling prices back to the 1950s.

Beginning Jan. 5 and running for one week exclusively at the Sun Records webstore, Sun Records is offering throwback pricing on select vinyl titles, rewinding costs closer to what fans paid in 1952, the year Phillips opened Sun Records and forever changed the sound of American music. The label is giving fans a rare break from modern pricing by briefly returning to its roots to celebrate Phillips’ birthday.

The campaign will feature over 30 CDs and vinyls from the Sun catalog, including iconic recordings from Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and more. Established in 1952 by Phillips, Sun Records is renowned for discovering legends including Elvis Presley, Cash and Lewis. The label moved to Nashville in 1969 where it continued cultivating artists including Jeannie C. Riley, The Dixie Cups, Linda Martell and many others.

Emma Lynn White Inks With Ten Ten Music

/by

Pictured (L-R): Barry Coburn, Emma Lynn White, Joe Luff.

Emma Lynn White has signed a publishing deal with Ten Ten Music.

White has earned cuts with Taylor Acorn, Sammy Arriaga, Reyna Roberts, Dave Fenley, and Austin Burke, among others. She co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on Acorn’s latest album. Additionally, her songs have appeared on Love Is Blind, Love Island, Selling Sunset, Forever Summer: Hamptons, Hidden Gems, American Ninja Warrior, Ex on the Beach, Temptation Island and Teen Mom.

“With an ability to write effectively across multiple genres, Emma Lynn brings both creative range and precision to the table,” says Joe Luff, Head of Creative at Ten Ten Music Group. “From the moment we met, I knew she would be able to add value and excel in any room she works in. Her work ethic is exceptional, and we’re excited to watch her continue to create across a variety of genres as we partner in this new chapter.”

“I am beyond thrilled and grateful to get to work alongside Barry Coburn and Joe [Luff] on a daily basis,” adds White. “I look forward to the future success we will have together and can’t wait to get to work with the Ten Ten Music Group team.”