JUST IN: Jody Williams To Lead Vince Gill’s Management Team

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Jody Williams.

Jody Williams, Founder and CEO of independent music publishing company Jody Williams Songs (JWS), has taken on management duties for Vince Gill under his new management company, Little Guitar Management.

Williams has served as Gill’s publisher for four years. Larry Fitzgerald, Gill’s manager for over forty years, remains as consultant to Williams. Long-time colleague to Fitzgerald, Jennifer Templeton remains as Gill’s day-to-day manager.

“Taking on this new role with Vince feels like a calling and a natural evolution,” shares Williams. “My motivation is to ensure that Vince’s career aspirations for the near future are realized and his long term legacy includes milestones he has not yet reached. Nobody does Vince Gill like Vince Gill. His unique musical aesthetic has served him well his whole career. I’m honored to work alongside Vince, and very grateful for Larry and Jennifer’s support.”

“Throughout my career I’ve put great care into putting teams together around our artists, yet it was only recently that I used those skills one final time for my buddy Vince,” Fitzgerald reflects. “I’ve always admired Jody’s vision, organizational, and decision-making skills, and he has an ability to engage with talent in meaningful ways. Already a member of Vince’s team as his publisher, we know his passion is unparalleled.”

Williams previously held posts as VP, Creative for BMI, President of MCA Music Nashville, and his independent publishing company Jody Williams Music. He is former Chairman of the Board of the Country Music Association. Currently, he is Board Chairman of The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as a trustee. Williams will continue as CEO of JWS in addition to managing Gill. VP and General Manager of JWS, Nina Jenkins Fisher, will continue to oversee all day-to-day aspects of the publishing company.

Williams can be reached at jody@littleguitarmgmt.com and will retain jody@jodywilliamssongs.co for publishing business.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Reminds Us ‘What A Great Artist He Is’

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Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas

Ballads and boppers compete today in DISClaimer.

In the former category, I heartily endorse the slowies by Cam, Brett Eldredge, Brandon Lake and our DISCovery Award winner, Roan Ash.

If it’s a mite more tempo you seek, add the worthy new efforts by Eric Church, Trey Hensley & Steve Wariner, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Ashley McBryde to your playlists. Not to mention our superb Disc of the Day by Cody Johnson.

CARRIE BROCKWELL / “Here I Go Again”
Writers: Brian Fechino/Carrie Brockwell; Producer: Brian Fechino; Label: CB
– Pert, bopping and lively. She’s falling for her first love while guitars jangle all around her. At the recent Josie Awards honoring indie acts, Brockwell won the Female Country prize. She’s an American Idol alumnus embarking on her career. The song is merry, in a generic sorta way. Find something stronger.

CODY JOHNSON / “Travelin’ Soldier”
Writer: Bruce Robison; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Records Nashville
– This masterpiece country song was a No. 1 hit for the Chicks in 2002. Johnson’s revival is packed with feeling and delivered with heart. His take on the tale of the lonely soldier who goes to die in Vietnam is a ringing reminder of what a great artist he is.

RODELL DUFF / “Red Dirt Cursed”
Writers: Dylan Maloney/Eamon Owen/Eric Dodd/Rodell Duff; Producer: Dylan Maloney; Label: RD
– This gently rolling country rocker wears its heartache on its sleeve. He’s unlucky in love and knows it’s all his fault. Well worth your spins.

THE RED CLAY STRAYS / “People Hatin’”
Writers: Andrew Bishop/Brandon Coleman/Dave Cobb/John Hall/Matthew Coleman/Zach Rishel; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Red Clay Strays/RCA Records
– They’re a rock band. But since there’s no more rock on pop radio, we embrace them in our big-tent format. With its chanted chorus, searing electric guitar and shrieked lead vocal, the band’s single is certainly an ear grabber.

BRANDON LAKE / “When a Cowboy Prays”
Writers: Brandon Lake/Derrick Southerland/Hank Bentley/Jacob Sooter; Producer: Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter; Label: Provident Label Group
– This CCM star is crossing over to country with this powerfully sung anthem. He recently wowed the Grand Ole Opry audience with his soaring, soulful delivery of it. Stirring and gripping.

CAM / “Meet You By the River”
Writers: Camaron Ochs; Producer: Camaron Ochs (Cam), Douglas Showalter, Simon Maartensson; Label: RCA Records Label
– Cam’s Beyonce collaborations grabbed ears in 2024. Her own album has an engineering Grammy nomination this year. This stark, stately track from it is a solemn vow to wait in the afterlife for her loved one. She won’t cross over the river without holding hands, “because it’s not Heaven, ‘til I’m with you.” Hushed and prayer-like, this is a gently moving lullaby.

TREY HENSLEY & STEVE WARINER / “One White Line at a Time”
Writers: Rob Ickes/Steve Wariner/Trey Hensley; Producer: Brent Maher; Label: Pinecastle Records
– Hensley is the reigning IBMA guitarist of the year, and he’s No. 1 on the bluegrass charts with “Can’t Outrun the Blues.” But he is also a fantastic country singer, as he effortlessly demonstrates on this open-road toe tapper. His idol Wariner provides ear-tickling guitar licks and high harmony vocals. If you’re not already a fan, I urge you to take this artist into your hillbilly hearts.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Beautiful Lonely”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Jon Green; Producer: Jon Green; Label: Warm and Cozy Records
– Brett is on his annual Glow holiday tour. But before he headed out on the road, he left us this lustrous sweet/sad ballad. Piano and strings soar behind his tender delivery. Beautifully listenable.

ROAN ASH / “Thieves”
Writers: Roan Ash/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Danny Smoke; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Grab life with gusto and don’t sit on the sidelines or worry about consequences. “Empty houses don’t get robbed by thieves.” What we have here is some compelling poetic imagery delivered with dynamic light-and-shadow vocal finesse. In the verses, he is whispered, smoky intimacy, and in the choruses, he pours on fierce emotion. I was enthralled by every note. This new artist’s EP drops tomorrow (Dec. 5).

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action”
Writers: Keith Hinton/Jimmy Stewart; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– McBryde sasses and struts her way through this 1994 Toby Keith classic with verve. Her version has just the right amount of no-fuss punch and moxie. I dig this, and her.

STEPHEN WILSON JR. / “Gary”
Writers: Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Ben West, Stephen Wilson Jr.; Label: Big Loud Records
– This rumbler has a churning, understated power that’s super compelling. While the track kicks up dust, Wilson gives the nostalgic lyric some soulful juice. This guy has it all going on. Completely captivated listening.

ERIC CHURCH/ “Bleed On Paper”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Monty Criswell/Tucker Beathard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Music Nashville
– Church burned down the house with this on Jimmy Kimmel Live, complete with horns, voices, and full band. Muscular and moody, this blazes with intensity. Easily the best and most expressive production of this listening session. Stay tuned for the long, echoey, eloquent instrumental coda.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “In Her Eyes”
Writers: Brent Cobb/Kashus Culpepper/Oscar Charles; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud Records
– A throbbing rhythm undertow surges beneath his pleading vocal. She has a grip on him, and he can’t break free. This has a lot more rocked-up production than he has unleashed in the past, but I remain a big fan of this.

Legendary Guitarist, R&B & Soul Musician Steve Cropper Passes

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Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper, Memphis soul legend, guitarist and member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, has passed. He was 84.

The influential player on the R&B and soul scene grew up in Memphis and began playing guitar as a teen. In 1960, he formed the band The Royal Spades with fellow students from his high school. Soon after, he ventured into engineering, producing, and playing on sessions at Stax Records, which released the Royal Spades’—later known as the Mar-Keys—first hit, “Last Night.”

Along with several other Mar-Keys members, Cropper went on to form Booker T. & the M.G.’s. The band released the instrumental “Green Onions,” which became a major R&B and pop smash. A celebrated songwriter as well as a sideman, Cropper co-wrote “Green Onions,” along with beloved classics such as “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “In the Midnight Hour,” and many others. The M.G.’s released albums and 45s throughout the 1960s and also served as the Stax house band, backing numerous legendary singers including Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Cropper was especially close to Redding, and reportedly added the final touches to Redding’s timeless hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” while grieving after the singer was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1967.

Cropper eventually became an A&R executive at Stax, and before exiting the label, released several solo albums that showcased his guitar prowess. He continued working in production with numerous acts and played on sessions for John Lennon, Rod Stewart, and others before joining the John Belushi–Dan Aykroyd act The Blues Brothers as guitarist. He performed on their cover of “Soul Man” and appeared in the band’s films. In later years, he reunited with members of the M.G.’s for special performances, including Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden in 1992 and a tour supporting Neil Young the following year.

After moving to Nashville in 1988, Cropper founded his own recording studio and record label, recording with artists such as Dolly Parton, Jimmy Buffett, Alabama, Wynonna Judd and many more, and becoming a fixture in the Nashville music community. He continued writing, producing and collaborating with new artists throughout his later years, remaining an active presence in studios around the city. In 2010, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2015 received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame alongside Miranda Lambert, E.W. “Bud” Wendell and Johnny Cash. BMI honored him with the BMI Icon Award at its 2018 Country Awards.

In 2024, Cropper released what would be his final solo album, Friendlytown, under the name Steve Cropper & the Midnight Hour. The album featured guest work from guitar legends like Billy Gibbons (of ZZ Top) and Brian May (of Queen), and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007, and in 2008 was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame along with Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 39 on its “100 Greatest Guitarists” list.

Cropper is survived by his wife, Angel; and his children Andrea, Cameron, Stevie and Ashley.

A private family service will be held.

Tyler Childers To Launch ‘Snipe Hunt Tour’ In April

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Tyler Childers. Photo: Sam Waxman

Tyler Childers will kick off his 2026 “Snipe Hunt Tour” on April 23 in Dallas.

The tour will include stops in Chicago, Birmingham, Boulder, Seattle, Des Moines and more through Oct. 3 and will feature special guests Jon Batiste, Evan Honer, Wednesday and Scott T. Smith. The tour is named for his album released earlier this year Snipe Hunter, which earned Childers his highest debut on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart to date (No. 7) and also entered at No. 3 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums, and No. 6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Fans can sign up here by Dec.7 to participate in Childers’ Artist Pre-sale for the new shows starting Dec. 10. For Artist Pre-sales on Ticketmaster, no code is needed, but artist Pre-sales on other sites may require a code for access. General on-sale will follow on Dec. 12. A dollar from every ticket sold will benefit the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund and REVERB. HHARF brings awareness and financial support for charities in the Appalachian Region, while REVERB’s efforts reduce environmental impact in live music, engaging fans and funding carbon impact programs to address the impacts of the tour that cannot be eliminated.

Childers is nominated for four awards at the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Country Album (Snipe Hunter), Best Country Song (“Bitin’ List”), Best Country Solo Performance (“Nose on the Grindstone”) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Love Me Like You Used To Do” with Margo Price).

CMHOFM To Host Writers Round With Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson & Dallas Wilson

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host a writers round with Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson on Jan. 13 in the museum’s CMA Theater.

The writing trio has earned Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations for their multi-platinum co-writes including the singles “Heart Like a Truck,” “Somewhere Over Laredo,” “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” and “Whirlwind,” as well as 9 other songs released across Lainey Wilson’s albums.

In addition to songs recorded by Lainey Wilson, Anderson has written songs recorded by Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Reba McEntire, Nate Smith, Cole Swindell, Morgan Wallen and other artists.

Nashville native Dallas Wilson has cuts with Ernest, Corey Kent, Meghan Patrick, Dylan Scott, Teddy Swims and Mitchell Tenpenny, among others.

The program is included with museum admission and tickets can be reserved by the public beginning tomorrow (Dec. 5) on the museum’s website.

The program is offered in support of the museum’s exhibition “Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails,” which runs until June 2026.

Jordan Davis, Tucker Wetmore, Russell Dickerson, More Set For ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’

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Jordan Davis, Tucker Wetmore & Russell Dickerson

Jordan Davis, Tucker Wetmore and Russell Dickerson are among the 38 acts set to perform on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 on Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. EST on ABC, with next day streaming available on Hulu.

This year will mark the 54th edition of the New Year’s Eve countdown, and will feature eight hours of programming, an additional 90 minutes from last year. Ryan Seacrest will co-host this year’s event with Rita Ora from Times Square. Chance the Rapper will host the first-ever central time zone countdown from Chicago, while Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough will be on the ground in Las Vegas.

Additional performers include The All-American Rejects, AJR, BigXthaPlug, Charlie Puth, Chappell Roan, Ciara, Demi Lovato, DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, T.I. & Wyclef Jean, 50 Cent, Filmore, 4 Non Blondes, Goo Goo Dolls, Jess Glynne, Jessie Murph, KPop Demon Hunters, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Leon Thomas, LE SSERAFIM, Lil Jon, Little Big Town, Madison Beer, Maren Morris, Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, OneRepublic, Pitbull, Post Malone, Rick Springfield, 6lack and Zara Larsson.

Dick Clark Productions and iHeartMedia will broadcast Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest live across 150 iHeartRadio stations nationwide, as well as on the iHeartRadio app. The evening is produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Ryan Seacrest, Michael Dempsey and Barry Adelman serving as Executive Producers.

Music Community Joins Forces For New St. Jude T-Shirt Campaign

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Pictured (Top Row, L-R): Cody Johnson, Ashley Cooke, Riley Green, Ella Langley. (Bottom Row, L-R): Lauren Alaina, Bailey Zimmerman, Priscilla Block, HARDY. Photo: Alyssa Barker

Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, Bailey Zimmerman, Ella Langley, Old Dominion and more are sporting a new T-shirt to help support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Music Gives to St. Jude Kids shirt.

The new shirt joins the iconic This Shirt Saves Lives tee, and both are exclusively available to St. Jude monthly donors. More than 200 radio stations around the nation are hosting events throughout December to support the campaign, asking listeners to become a Partner in Hope, where a monthly donation of $19 to St. Jude earns them a Music Gives tee.

Cumulus, The Bobby Bones Show, Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, iHeartMedia, Audacy, TelevisaUnivision/UFORIA, along with other ownership groups are all taking part in the campaign, along with additional artists including Riley Green, Sting, Brandon Lake, Shaggy, Marco Antonio Solis, Tucker Wetmore, Jordan Davis, Dan + Shay, Anne Wilson, Chris Janson, Andres Cepeda, Zach Top and more.

As the movement nears the 10th anniversary, the digital fundraising program has grown to involve thousands of supporters taking to their socials to share posts to raise awareness and funds for research and treatment at St. Jude. The movement became a social media sensation upon its 2017 launch, with more than one million shirts distributed to date. The annual series of nationwide events is part of the Music Gives to St. Jude Kids program that connects music lovers to the mission of St. Jude. Funds raised by programs like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Megan Moroney To Bring ‘Cloud 9’ On The Road

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Megan Moroney. Photo: Amber Asaly

Megan Moroney has slated “The Cloud 9 Tour,” kicking off May 29 in Columbus.

The 43 date run will see Moroney playing major arenas across the U.S. before heading overseas. Stops include Chicago’s United Center, Boston’s TD Garden, Portland’s Moda Center, and the final U.S. stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Aug. 21.  Internationally, Moroney will visit Oslo, Paris, Glasgow and more before wrapping up the tour on Oct. 1 in Belfast.

Tickets for “The Cloud 9 Tour” will go on sale Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. local time here.

Additionally, Moroney will receive Storyteller of the Year honor at Variety’s Hitmakers event this Saturday (Dec. 6) in Los Angeles. Other honorees during the evening include Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Addison Rae, Rosé and more.

“The Cloud 9 Tour” Dates:
May 29 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
May 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
June 2 – Chicago, IL – United Center
June 5 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
June 6 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
June 8 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
June 12 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
June 13 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
June 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
June 18 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
June 19 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
June 20 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
July 7 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 9 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
July 10 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
July 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
July 14 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
July 16 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
July 17 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
July 18 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
July 24 – Monticello, IA – Great Jones County Fair
July 25 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
July 26 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
July 28 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Aug. 1 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Aug. 2 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Aug. 5 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Aug. 7 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Aug. 11 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Aug. 14 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Aug. 15 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Aug. 16 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Aug. 18 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Aug. 21 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Sept. 13 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene
Sept. 15 – Stockholm, SE – Annexet
Sept. 18 – Cologne, DE – Carlswerk Victoria
Sept. 19 – Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium
Sept. 21 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon
Sept. 23 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
Sept. 26 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo
Sept. 27 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy
Oct. 1 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum To Offer Pay-What-You-Want Admission To Locals Throughout January

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Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering Nashville area residents pay-what-you-want admission throughout the month of January.

The pay-what-you-want offer will provide an opportunity for locals to explore the museum and the history of country music, and applies to those living in Nashville/Davidson County and its bordering counties – Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson.

Museum visitors will be able to explore current exhibits including American Currents: State of the Music; Country’s Grandest Stage: The Opry at 100; Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker; Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails; Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising and Rosanne Cash: Time is a Mirror.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and offers a variety of family and public programs, which are included with pay-what-you-want admission and based on availability. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance, and more information can be found on the museum’s website for locals, which includes info on reserving tickets and parking, as well as upcoming programs included with pay-what-you-want admission.

Visitors can park at Walk of Fame Park Garage (161 4th Ave. S.) or the SoBro Tower Garage (210 3rd Ave. S.) for a flat rate of $15 (up to 3 hours) or $25 (up to 6 hours). This offer is valid daily between the hours of 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with validation from the museum available at its Information Desk. Museum members will receive an additional $5 off the already discounted rate ($10 up to 3 hours, $20 up to 6 hours).

Country Radio Seminar Announces Special Rates for CRS 2026

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Country Radio Seminar has announced special registration rates for CRS 2026, including day passes, student and unemployed rates, and a dedicated rate for members of Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA), the Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA) and the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID).

This year’s student registration is $199. For those who have experienced job loss within the past year, the Unemployed Professional Rate is $299. Day passes are available for $349, with a limit of two per person. Members of WMBA, IBA, and SOLID can also take advantage of a dedicated $450 industry organization rate.

Applications for the Student and Unemployed rates must be submitted by February 18, 2026, through the CRS registration portal. Applicants should select the appropriate registration type and upload any required documentation.

General Registration for CRS 2026 is currently available for $698 per person for those not applying for discounted rates. Information about all registration can be found here.

Tickets for the New Faces of Country Music Showcase are sold separately for $100 and are limited.