JUST IN: Warner Chappell Music Nashville Elevates Christina Wiltshire

Christina Wiltshire. Photo: Jessica Amerson

Warner Chappell Music Nashville has promoted Christina Wiltshire to VP, A&R. In her new role, she will grow Nashville’s presence by finding and developing talent, and fostering global collaborations and partnerships. She will report to Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville.

“Feeling incredibly grateful to Austen, Phil, Guy, and Carianne for believing in my growth and creative vision at WCM,” says Wiltshire. “It’s a privilege to work alongside such talented songwriters and artists – and I’m deeply passionate about championing their songs and finding them innovative opportunities.”

“It’s been great getting to know Christina and seeing firsthand all the incredible work she’s already accomplished at WCM,” adds Adams. “She’s an inspiring advocate for our songwriters and a true connector across the creative community. Christina will play a key role in further amplifying our songwriters in the US and on the global stage – opening up new opportunities for collaboration and reinforcing the rise of country music around the world.”

Wiltshire started at WCMN in 2019 as Director, A&R after holding previous roles as Creative Director at Sea Gayle Music, Creative Coordinator at Patrick Joseph Music/SONGS, and internships at Cornman Music and Warner Music Nashville. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

Morgan Evans To Visit ‘Steel Town’ On Sophomore Album

Morgan Evans will release his sophomore album, Steel Town, on March 20, 2026 via Virgin Music Group. The first single from the new project. “Beer Back Home,” was released today (Oct. 10).

The lead track, co-produced by Evans and Todd Clark, is his first single in over two years. Evans spent a period of time in his hometown of Newcastle, Australia, where he unlocked a new side creatively. After that, he returned to Nashville to craft the record.

“I had to get out of this town. I needed something real. Old mates, familiar places, and salt water,” Evans shares. “I reconnected with where I came from, who I was, who I want to be. This record is a journey, and it all started with a beer back home.”

The album will feature two collaborations, “Two Broken Hearts” with Laci Kaye Booth and “Back To The Country” with William Barton. Evans has writing credits on all eleven tracks, including two solo writes. Evans’ co-writers on the project include Sam Ellis, KK Johnson, Geoff Warburton and more. Producers on the album include Evans, Clark, Chris Destefano and Lindsay Rimes.

Steel Town Track List:
1. “Steel Town” (Ava Supplessa, Sam Ellis, Morgan Evans)
2. “Beer Back Home” (Cole Miracle, KK Johnson, Morgan Evans)
3. “Two Broken Hearts” (feat. Laci Kaye Booth) (Fraser Churchill, Morgan Evans)
4. “Another Drink Coming” (Matt Roy, Geoff Warburton, Daniel Ross, Morgan Evans)
5. “Back To Country” (feat. William Barton) (William Barton, Morgan Evans)
6. “Land I Love” (Lindsay Rimes, Danielle Blakey, Morgan Evans)
7. “Forgiving You For Me” (Morgan Evans)
8. “Letting You Go” (Lindsay Rimes, Morgan Evans)
9. “She Talks About Texas” (Morgan Evans)
10. “The Farm” (Jon Green, Scooter Carusoe, Morgan Evans)
11. “Settle It Down” (Sam Ellis, Morgan Evans)

Priscilla Block Paints Her Truest Self On ‘Things You Didn’t See’ [Interview]

Priscilla Block. Photo: Britton Webb

Since bursting onto the scene in 2020 with her viral hit “Just About Over You,” which led to a deal with MCA Nashville, Priscilla Block has become known for her bubbly, party-girl energy. Songs like “Thick Thighs” and “PMS” cemented her witty, confident persona, while vulnerable moments such as “Just About Over You,” “You, Me and Whiskey” and “My Bar” hinted at something deeper beneath the sparkle.

Her new album, Things You Didn’t See, brings that depth into focus.

“I put everything out there. I’m an open book—I share way too much—but there’s so much of my life that people haven’t seen,” Block tells MusicRow. “There were parts of my life that people didn’t know about—insecurities I’ve faced, where I come from, what makes me me, the love in my life. When you listen to this record, I think people are going to get to know me in my entirety.”

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Produced by David Garcia, the 14-track project marks a turning point for the Platinum-selling artist, who was intentional about showing her growth and her seriousness as both a writer and performer.

“With my first record, everything happened so fast. I got signed, and the music was just exploding overnight for me,” she reflects. “I think sometimes people take a big, bold personality and think that person’s bulletproof—like they couldn’t care less. In reality, I care more than ever.

“I wanted to show not only the fans, but the industry, that I want to be taken seriously. It’s okay to admit when something hurts—like not being nominated or not winning something. Being able to say, ‘That hurts,’ instead of pretending you don’t care—that’s freeing.”

The song that unlocked the direction of Things You Didn’t See was “Couldn’t Care Less,” co-written with Trannie Anderson, Cole Taylor and Alex Maxwell. The track flips the phrase to reveal the truth behind her playful exterior: she cares deeply.

“I was feeling misunderstood by people around me, and that song came out of me finally writing from the heart—being really honest and raw about where I’ve been,” Block explains. “It made me rethink what I wanted to say on this album. I wanted people to know my story. I want them to know my heart.”

That openness extends to the title track, which revisits her parents’ breakup, her family’s home foreclosure, and “selling dumpster-diving treasures just to make it.”

“Those songs were easy to write—it was therapy I didn’t even know I needed,” she admits. “But it’s a little scary, putting out songs about my life and childhood and being that vulnerable.”

Still, Things You Didn’t See isn’t without Block’s signature sparkle. Tracks like “Yard Sale” and “Goodwill to Gucci” show her humor and flair, while “He’s My Man,” “Elijah” and her duet with Chase Matthew on “Stranger Things” showcase her romantic, lovelorn side.

“There are fun Priscilla vibes in here,” she says. “Everyone knows I love to have a good time and let loose, but my heart is so much more than that.”

The visual identity of the album matches its personal tone. For the cover, Block teamed up with Nashville artist Alina for a custom smear painting—capturing her essence in a single image: hair up, scrunchie in, hoops on.

“I wanted this record to shock people. I didn’t want just another pretty picture,” she explains. “In the album trailer, I smear away what people may think of me, and the only thing I leave open are my eyes.”

Block is bringing Things You Didn’t See to life on the “Monster Energy Outbreak Tour,” kicking off Oct. 23 in Fort Myers, Florida, with Greylan James and Payton Smith on select dates. She’s also wrapping her run on Cole Swindell’s “Happy Hour Sad Tour” and recently announced her debut headlining show, “Priscilla Block & Friends,” set for March 4, 2026, at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

“We’ll be playing the album in its entirety on the road,” she says. “The tour’s really going to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It’s been so fun creating a live show around this record.”

Project Healthy Minds Partners With Music Health Alliance

Project Healthy Minds has partnered with Music Health Alliance to expand mental health access and support for music industry professionals nationwide.

The partnership’s initial phase includes launching a co-branded digital platform powered by Project Healthy Minds’ technology, which will be integrated on the Music Health Alliance website to serve as an additional resource for music professionals seeking mental health support. The organizations will also collaborate on research and reporting to identify barriers to care, develop targeted interventions, and create scalable solutions that address the unique mental health challenges facing music industry professionals.

“Music professionals give so much of themselves to the world, often at great personal cost,” says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder & CEO, Music Health Alliance. “There are unique pressures being a touring artist or industry leader that make it so hard to ask for help. The first step in this groundbreaking partnership between Music Health Alliance and Project Healthy Minds is a solution ensuring that safe, confidential, and trusted mental health support is available quickly and easily to music industry professionals wherever and whenever there is a need.”

“The music industry faces mental health challenges at rates higher than the general public, yet traditional systems aren’t built for touring artists, studio musicians or crew members working irregular hours,” adds Phil Schermer, Founder & CEO of Project Healthy Minds. “This partnership with Music Health Alliance is about getting access to mental health support for those who power the music we love.”

Emily Rose Partners With Postpartum Care USA To Raise Awareness Through New Video

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Singer-songwriter Emily Rose is bringing attention to the issue of postpartum depression, which affects many new mothers, through her new partnership with Postpartum Care USA and a powerful new video for her single, “Don’t Talk About It,” out now.

“Don’t Talk About It” speaks directly to the postpartum journey, which impacts thousands of new moms and addresses urgent, largely preventable postpartum issues like nutrient depletion, mental health challenges and thyroid imbalance. One in eight U.S. women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, with rates nearly doubling since 2010, rising to almost 19% in 2021.

“I wrote this song in the depths of postpartum depression. I wasn’t getting the care I needed and was struggling in so many ways,” says Rose. “Writing has always been my outlet—a way to process emotions and begin to heal—so this song became a place where I could finally say out loud everything I was feeling. Looking back, if I had known about an organization like Postpartum Care USA, which is dedicated to supporting mothers’ health after birth, I might not have felt so alone. I probably could have learned healthier, less overwhelming ways to cope. I truly believe in their mission and the compassionate way they walk alongside moms during this vulnerable time.”

PPCUSA CEO/Founder, Stacia Scott, MSN, FNP-BC, explains, “When I opened Postpartum Care USA three years ago, I didn’t truly realize how little maternal mental and physical care and education there was for moms. We as postpartum women aren’t talking to our spouses, we aren’t talking to our friends, and we aren’t demanding answers from our medical providers. This partnership is giving struggling moms a voice, it’s giving them permission to demand that people listen to us, because what we have to say is very real and very important.”

“Don’t Talk About It” is featured on Rose’s debut album, Welcome to Motherhood, which was released earlier this year and chronicles Rose’s personal journey as a young working mother, filled with the wonderful and challenging moments young parents face. Rose’s songs about her experiences as a young mother have resonated widely with thousands of moms who are following her on Instagram and TikTok, with “Welcome to Motherhood” gaining over 165k streams organically since its release and single “Mouths to Feed” gaining over 40k streams in the past two months.

MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly brings major milestones, career-defining deals, heartfelt farewells, and exciting industry shakeups. Click here to see the full edition.

Country superstar Luke Combs has been officially crowned the highest RIAA-certified country artist in history, with 168 million units sold.

Meanwhile, country legend Vince Gill is reaffirming his legacy with a groundbreaking lifetime recording deal with MCA. The partnership, which spans decades, will include an EP released every month for the next year. The series, titled 50 Years From Home, will blend new songs with reimagined catalog tracks that align with the project’s theme. The first installment, 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had, drops Oct. 17 and will include the double-Platinum hit “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

Another country icon, Alan Jackson, has announced plans for the final full-length concert of his touring career. “Titled Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale”, the farewell show will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. With a capacity crowd of over 50,000 expected, the night will be a fitting tribute to Jackson’s decades of influence. An all-star lineup, including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack, will join him for the celebration, with more artists to be announced.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrated its 55th anniversary with a star-studded gala on Oct. 6, honoring seven new inductees. The Class of 2025 includes Steve Bogard and Tony Martin in the songwriter category; Jim Lauderdale and Brad Paisley in the songwriter/artist category; Don Cook in the veteran songwriter category; and Emmylou Harris in the veteran songwriter/artist category. The late JJ Cale was posthumously honored in the Legacy category, recognizing his lasting impact and influence as a NaSHOF-worthy candidate who is no longer living.

This week also saw the IEBA Annual Conference, which wrapped with its Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 7. Brooklyn Bowl Nashville was awarded Club of the Year, while Bridgestone Arena took home Arena of the Year. Andrew Fortin of Neste Live! was named Fair/Expo Buyer of the Year, and Adam Weiser of AEG Presents earned the title of Promoter of the Year. Neste Live! also received recognition as Special Events/Corporate Buyer of the Year. The ceremony also celebrated the induction of two industry veterans, Alex Hodges and Chuck Morris, into the IEBA Hall of Fame.

In leadership news, Samantha Saturn, Chief Marketing Officer at SESAC Music Group, has exited the company after seven years of leadership.

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter made her much-anticipated Grand Ole Opry debut on Oct. 7.

Parker McCollum has renewed his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, while Brantley Gilbert has signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Travis Wood has extended his publishing agreement with Creative Nation.

By Design, a modern music company has been launched by Josh Bailey, Jeremy Holley, Rod Riley and Josh Thompson. The company is part of a larger ecosystem that includes By Design (record label and publisher), Archetype Music (music rights acquisition), and Blueprint, a nonprofit supporting creators. The first artists signed to By Design are Frankie Ballard, Zoe Levert and Alex Jude.

Manager Autumn Ledgin has officially launched her own firm, Ledgin Management, with rising country artist Tucker Wetmore as the flagship act. The new company will work in strategic partnership with Red Light Management. Ledgin has played a key role in Wetmore’s rapid rise since 2023.

Songwriter Brinley Addington has inked a new publishing deal with SMACK.

Rachel Wein has joined MNRK Music Group as Senior Director of A&R, while Andrew Cohen has been appointed Senior Manager, Partnerships at Alltroo.

And finally, producer and songwriter Brandon Manley has signed a new publishing deal with Drumatized and EMPIRE Publishing, continuing his rise in the world of production and songwriting.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen maintains the No. 1 spot with “I Got Better.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

IEBA Unveils Three New Scholarships

IEBA has revealed three new scholarships that total $125,000. The scholarships were revealed during the Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 7.

$25,000 was presented to Middle Tennessee State University to establish the Jimmy Jay & Jann Blauw Family Scholarship. Industry veteran Jay presented the check alongside Aaron Green of Jayson Entertainment Group to Mark E. Clark, MTSU Executive Director of Development.

Belmont University accepted the other two endowments, each totaling $50,000. These were established to honor Buddy Lee and Erv Woolsey. Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont’s Senior Associate Dean, Sarita Stewart and Senior Development Director Phil Shay accepted the check given to them by donor representatives Joey Lee (Co-Head of WME Nashville and son of Buddy Lee), Tony Conway (Founder and CEO, Conway Entertainment Group), and Kevin Neal (Partner, WME Nashville).

“Supporting education has always been at the heart of IEBA’s mission,” said Todd Boltin, President of the IEBA Educational Outreach Fund Board. “These new endowments honor industry legends who not only built careers for artists but also paved the way for the next generation of live entertainment professionals. Their legacies of mentorship, leadership, and generosity will continue to inspire students for years to come.”

“The scholarships these endowments create will open doors for aspiring professionals and ensure that IEBA’s educational mission thrives for generations to come,” added IEBA Executive Director Brian Wagner.

Wags & Walks Hosts Benefit Show Celebrating Sixth Anniversary

Tucker Wetmore. Photo: Laura Moll

Wags & Walks hosted a benefit show Tuesday night (Oct. 7) at the Skydeck on Broadway. The celebratory evening with over 1,000 attendees recognized six years of Wags & Walks Nashville and 6,000 dogs saved.

Bellah Mae opened the evening with a mix of originals and covers, setting the tone for the night. Tiera Kennedy followed with a high-energy set that included “I’d Look Good In That Truck,” “Can’t Help My Country,” “Better Than Me” and “Shut It Down.”

Bellah Mae. Photo: Laura Moll

Ashland Craft brought songs from her new record, Dive Bar Beauty Queen, before Chris Lane took the stage for a set packed with hits, including fan-favorite “I Don’t Know About You.” American Authors kept the crowd energized with their anthem “Best Day of My Life.”

Closing out the evening, Tucker Wetmore delivered a crowd-pleasing performance featuring “Wine Into Whiskey,” “Break First,” “Casino,” “3, 2, 1,” his first No. 1 single at country radio, “Wind Up Missing You” and more. “This song needs no introduction,” Wetmore quipped before wrapping the night with “Brunette.”

Ashland Craft. Photo: Laura Moll

Between performances, Kate Pettersen, Morgan Huelsman, Lauren Lane, Dan and Abby Smyers and Jason Tartick each took the stage to share their support for the cause.

“The energy at this year’s Benefit Concert was pure magic,” shares Kathryn Hurley, Founder of Wags & Walks Nashville. “To see our community come together to celebrate rescue and raise lifesaving funds for dogs in need was incredibly special. We’re so grateful to our artists, sponsors, and community for helping us continue to make a difference.”

Chris Lane. Photo: Laura Moll

Photo: Laura Moll

Tiera Kennedy. Photo: Laura Moll

Tucker Wetmore. Photo: Laura Moll

Muscadine Bloodline Surprise Announces New Album With Vinyl Drop

Muscadine Bloodline. Photo: Jay Siske

Muscadine Bloodline has announced their latest album will be available on vinyl first today, (Oct. 10), without any fanfare or advance hype or tracks pre-released.

The new vinyl album will be limited to 3,000 pieces, with every copy signed, and the album will eventually be released digitally, but the only way for fans to hear it currently will be to purchase the vinyl edition. The group is releasing it straight to vinyl without teasing any tracks or unveiling the album cover as a special surprise to fans.

The announcement follows the release of the band’s latest single “My Meridian” that was released last month along with a video which features the Alabama boys traveling West to Meridian, Mississippi, the city co-lead singer Charlie Muncaster’s wife hails from. Muscadine Bloodline is currently on tour with Lainey Wilson, and just announced a run of dates with HARDY for next summer.

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Trisha Yearwood Celebrates ‘The Mirror’ With Intimate Conversation With Liz Rose

Liz Rose & Trisha Yearwood. Photo: Tess Schoonhoven

Trisha Yearwood celebrated her new album The Mirror Wednesday night (Oct. 8) with an in-depth Q&A alongside songwriter Liz Rose at Anzie Blue in Nashville.

Hosted by FEMco’s Leslie Fram, the event offered an intimate look at The Mirror, the first album Yearwood has both co-written and co-produced herself. Yearwood was joined by many of her co-writers from the project at the special event, including Beth Bernard, Jim “Moose” Brown, Erin Enderlin, Matt Rossi, Bridgette Tatum, and Rachel Thibodeau, plus the album’s co-producer, Grammy-winner Chad Carlson.

Throughout the evening, Yearwood reflected on the creative process behind The Mirror, sharing that it is the most meaningful album of her storied career.

Pictured (L-R): Liz Rose, Trisha Yearwood and Leslie Fram.

Pictured (L-R): Jim “Moose” Brown, Rachel Thibodeau, Chad Carlson, Trisha Yearwood, Bridgette Tatum, Beth Bernard, Matt Rossi and Erin Enderlin.