Brad Moist.

Brad Moist has joined Integrity Music as Vice President of A&R & Development. In this role, Moist will scout and develop new talent, continue to grow existing relationships with Integrity Music’s artist roster, and shape the label’s creative direction.

“I am honored to join Integrity Music and bring my background and experience to the label,” Moist says. “Blaine Barcus is an industry colleague I have admired for a long time, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join his team. The label’s heart for helping people encounter the power of music that points to the King is paramount. With a rich history that speaks for itself and a top‑notch team, Integrity has been rebuilding its artist roster, which I am privileged to serve. I am equally excited about the future of the label and the bold steps they are willing to take to get there.”

Moist brings more than 24 years of experience in the music business. Most recently, he served as senior A&R, brand, and marketing manager for Gotee Records. He created and ran the Mono Vs Stereo imprint label at Gotee, developing The Showdown, Chasing Victory, Maylene & the Sons of Disaster and others.

“As Integrity Music continues to expand its footprint, our ability to attract talent and develop artist relationships are more important than ever,” shares Barcus, president of Integrity Music. “Brad has the broad experience in A&R, development and promotion that will make a positive impact immediately. His heart is aligned with our mission of impacting the world with excellent music that points listeners to Jesus.”

Moist will report to Barcus and lead the A&R team, consisting of Gilbert Nanlohy, Senior A&R and Global Partnerships Director, and Taylor Brady, A&R Director.

Pandora has named its 2026 Artists To Watch-Country list.

For 11 years, Pandora has annually recognized rising country artists, continuing to change the way new music is consumed. The 10 artists that Pandora expect to have a major impact in 2026 include Atlus, Blake Whiten, Brandon Wisham, Elizabeth Nichols, Gavin Adcock, Greylan James, Jackson Wendell, Kevin Powers, Thelma & James and Zach John King.

Atlus began writing songs while working as a commercial truck driver, crafting lyrics on the road to support his family and pay for studio time. That grind helped him build a devoted underground following, now boasting millions of streams, millions of followers, and a Platinum single. His label debut EP with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Secondhand Smoke, arrived in October, with breakout track “Devil Ain’t Done” already gaining traction.

Whiten pairs gritty authenticity with a modern edge. His breakout single “Rollin’ Stone” has topped 27 million streams on Pandora, earning him a devoted fan base and spins on Pandora’s The 615: Today’s Country. Featured on his debut EP Six Mile, the track showcases Whiten’s gift for transforming personal stories into universally resonant songs. His newest release, “Hard to Break,” continues that momentum.

At just 22, Wisham is armed with raw talent and a natural storyteller’s instinct. He wrote his very first song, “Pain Won’t Last,” at 19, a track that caught the attention of Bailey Zimmerman, who recorded it for his multi-platinum Religiously. The Album. and brought Wisham on his 2024 U.S. tour. Wisham kicked off 2025 with a string of new singles that helped earn him the title of SiriusXM Highway Find and strong support across Pandora. His latest release, “Growin’ Up,” is climbing The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown as he continues a packed touring schedule, joining major acts like Tyler Hubbard, Lakeview, Chase Matthews, Nate Smith, Austin Snell, and landing coveted festival slots at Stagecoach and Tortuga in 2026.

Within months of moving to Nashville, Nichols racked up over a million Pandora streams across stations like Blue Sky: Country Pop. Known for her sharp wit and candid take on modern life, she first captured attention with the viral hit “I Got a New One.” Her debut EP, Tough Love, arrived in June, followed by new standouts like the emotional “Daughter” and “Little Birds.” In less than a year, Nichols has played her first live show, toured with top country artists, made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and performed at iconic venues and events such as the Bluebird Café, CMA Fest, and even the Kentucky Derby.

With more than 135 million Pandora streams and major support from The 615: Today’s Country and Country Grit, Adcock is quickly becoming the face of country rock’s resurgence. SiriusXM’s The Highway has championed five of his releases, and his explosive 2025 momentum has made him one of the genre’s fastest-rising, most talked-about newcomers. Personally selected by Morgan Wallen as direct support on his 2025 and 2026 tours, Adcock brings a high-octane blend of Southern rock grit, bold lyricism, and rowdy energy. Known for his viral breakout and electric live shows, Adcock channels the raw spirit of the South into every performance.

Since moving to Nashville eight years ago, James has become a sought-out songwriter, earning cuts from Kenny Chesney, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Bailey Zimmerman, and BRELAND, among others. His catalog includes three No. 1 hits and an ACM Song of the Year win for co-writing Jordan Davis’ smash “Next Thing You Know.” Pandora has driven more than 24 million streams across The 615 Today’s Country and Backroads, while SiriusXM’s The Highway has played seven of his songs in the past two years.

Wendell is a rising Texas singer-songwriter known for pairing heartfelt storytelling with a fresh, youthful edge. Raised in Lufkin, Texas, he wrote his first song at just 14 and has been refining his craft ever since. His music blends traditional country instrumentation with honest reflections on love, loss, and growing up—creating a sound that resonates far beyond his years. Wendell’s songs continue to find a welcoming home on Pandora, where “Devil’s Hardwoods” has received dedicated platform support.

Powers is redefining modern country as the first artist signed to Shaboozey’s American Dogwood Records, blending genre-bending production with heartfelt storytelling. Both a standout songwriter and a dynamic artist, Powers co-wrote the hit “Amen” by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll before releasing his own rising single “Move On,” which has already surpassed 8 million global streams since its September debut and is gaining momentum on Pandora. With new music coming, an EP slated for April 2026, and a spot on “The Great American Road Show Tour”, Powers is solidifying himself as one of country music’s most exciting new breakout acts.

Thelma & James, married Nashville singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, are emerging leaders in country and Americana’s modern renaissance, blending rootsy instrumentation with polished, genre-stretching songwriting. The duo formed organically after an impromptu writing session and performance video that drew praise from John Mayer, Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, and more. Their breakout song “Happy Ever After You” has earned over 17 million streams and strong Pandora support across stations like The Nashville Dive and This Year in Americana. In 2025, the pair signed with Big Loud Records and released their debut EP Starting Over.

Fusing the introspection of a roots poet with the raw edge of alt-rock, Sony Music Nashville artist King is pushing country music into bold new territory, unfiltered, emotional, and unmistakably his own. The past 18 months have been transformative for King. He released his latest EP Slow Down, toured as an opener on Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem Tour,” joined Luke Bryan’s “2025 Farm Tour,” and hit the road with Dylan Scott and Gavin Adcock. In 2026, he’ll reunite with Morgan Wallen for the “Still The Problem Tour,” perform at Stagecoach, and tour with Riley Green.

Ella Fernandez.

CAA has elevated Ella Fernandez to Executive in the Global Touring department’s Marketing division.

Based in Nashville, Fernandez joined CAA in 2022 as a Tour Marketing Assistant before being promoted to Professional in 2023. She previously worked as a Social Media Assistant at iHeartMedia and graduated from Belmont University.

CAA has also promoted Jack Belkin, Carly Damelio, Rhys France, Todd Matsumoto and Sydney Weltman, all within the Global Touring department and based in various offices around the world.

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 6th, 2026. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday (Dec. 15).

The Music City Fan Experience package tickets are available now, and include a night of worship at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, a new artist showcase, exclusive previews, a riverboat lunch cruise with performances, a three-night stay at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Nashville, round-trip transportation to all Fan Experience events and premium seating at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Earlier this year at the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Brandon Lake was most awarded with five wins including Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and Song of the Year for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” honoring songwriters Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, and Benjamin William Hastings. Artist of the Year went to Forrest Frank and New Artist of the Year went to Leanna Crawford. CeCe Winans took home two awards including Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “Come Jesus Come” with Shirley Caesar.

Ricky Manning. Photo: Jessica Amerson

Singer-songwriter Ricky Manning has inked a publishing deal with Electric Feel Publishing and Plush/Push Play Publishing.

“Signing with Electric Feel/Push Play Publishing feels like coming home” shares Manning. “I truly believe I have finally found a group of people that I believe in just as much as they believe in me. It is invaluable to have a team that champions you in every room, and I am so lucky to have more than one with EF/Push Play.”

Nashville-based Manning has had cuts with Wyatt Flores, Boy In Space, LEW, Jamie Miller, Willow Avalon, Matt Schuster, Knox, Thomas Day, Maddie Zahm, and Johnny Orlando. He also co-penned Alexander Stewart’s breakout hit “blame’s on me,” which charted on Spotify’s Viral 50, featured on Pop Rising, and has garnered 135 million streams.

Manning co-writes with a variety of hit songwriters and artists, including Steph Jones, Sasha Sloan, Mike Robinson, Ross Copperman, Laura Veltz, Blake Pendergrass, Whakaio Taahi, King Henry, PJ Harding, Daniel Ross, Riley Biederer, Jordan Minton, Johnny Simpson, Sam Fischer, Dasha, Ashley Cooke, Ne-Yo, James Bay, Ben Kessler, Very Gently, MNEK, Jason Mraz, NEIKED, Loud Luxury and Sadie Jean, among others.

As an artist, Manning is currently working on his debut project. His solo-penned “Someone Else & Jesus” has garnered over 5 million views across platforms and more than 4 million streams. He released a new version of the tune with Dasha last Friday (Dec. 5).

“The first time I met Ricky, I knew he was special,” says Chandler Nicole Sherrill, Senior Director Creative, Electric Feel. “Ricky Manning is a truly exceptional talent, and we couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome him to the Electric Feel Publishing family alongside Push Play Publishing. His songwriting, artistry, and work ethic are rare, and with one of the most exciting voices in music today, we’re thrilled to support him as he continues to grow and create meaningful, impactful music.”

“PushPlay Publishing is thrilled to welcome Ricky Manning, one of the most exceptional singer-songwriters of his generation—exceptional because he is so deeply in touch with his own humanity and unafraid to pour it into his music,” shares Ethan Curtis, Founder, PushPlay. “A true puppeteer of emotion, Ricky pulls on the heartstrings of every listener with lyrics that feel lifted straight from their own minds and melodies that are nothing short of hypnotizing.”

“Ricky is an incredible and rare talent, both as a songwriter and artist,” adds Aton Ben-Horin, CEO, Plush Management. “The combination of his special vocal tone and compelling storytelling is infectious, and the authenticity shines through his music. We could not be more excited to join him on this next chapter of his journey!”