Ed Morris
Veteran Nashville entertainment journalist Ed Morris passed away on Thursday (Sept. 17) at age 90.
He is best known for his 14-year tenure at Billboard, but was published in dozens of other periodicals. He also authored eight books, published his poetry, and was the writer of a theatrical production.
Morris grew up in Elkview, West Virginia. His family was not well to do and did not own a car, so he hitchhiked daily from Elkview to Charleston to attend Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston). After his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1958, he earned a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.
While at OU, he met musical-theater performer Norma Chapman. They married in 1960 and remained wed for 61 years. She was a talented pianist as well as an editor, photographer, and author. She also taught him to drive.
Following their marriage, Ed Morris taught English and journalism at Findlay (Ohio) College, Bowling Green (Ohio) State University, Alice Lloyd College (Kentucky), and Edinboro (Pennsylvania) State College. He then served as assistant editor at Writer’s Digest, the monthly trade publication for writers.
He began writing freelance articles for Billboard in 1972, moved to Nashville in 1980, and joined the magazine’s staff in 1981. He rose to become its country-music editor and chief Nashville columnist. Norma became a Music Row publicist working with clients such as Ralph Stanley and Steve Wariner.
In addition to Billboard, Ed Morris’s byline appeared in such publications as Advertising Age, TV Guide, McCall’s, Hollywood Reporter, Amusement Business, Book Page, The Journal Of Country Music, Mother Earth News, Bluegrass Unlimited, Saturday Evening Post, and other national periodicals. He left Billboard in 1995 and became a monthly columnist in Music City News. He also had a weekly column as a humorist in The Nashvillian.
He wrote liner-note essays for albums and box sets by The Judds, Keith Whitley, Eddy Arnold, Guy Clark, Hank Snow, Chet Atkins, and others. Morris was named Print Journalist of the Year in 1993 by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
In 1999, Ed Morris began a 20-year tenure as a writer for CMT online. He continued in this role until the COVID pandemic of 2020, which led to staff layoffs. Since then, he had been writing a column for his local newspaper The Kingston Springs Gazette.
Ed Morris was honored at Belmont University’s annual International Country Music Conference (ICMC) with its Charlie Lamb Journalist of the Year award in 2002. He has guest-lectured at Belmont, Vanderbilt University and Trevecca College in Nashville.
His books include Edward Morris’ Complete Guide To Country Music Videos (1997), Garth Brooks: Platinum Cowboy (1993), Alabama (1985), At Carter’s Stanley’s Grave: Musings on Country Music & Musicians (2011), and Scorched Mirth and Acid Reflux (2019), among others. In addition, he has contributed to such reference works as the prize-winning Country: The Music & The Musicians (Abbeville Press), Classic Country (Time-Life Books) and Country On Compact Disc: The Essential Guide To The Music (Grove Press).
In 2016, Morris wrote his first play, The Passion of Ethel Rosenberg, which had multiple productions and performances in Nashville and Santa Fe, plus a public reading at New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage. The play reflected his lifelong support of leftist political causes.
Norma Morris was diagnosed with the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease in 2015. The couple had been living separately for several years, but Ed moved into her home to care for her. He chronicled their experience in a series of extraordinarily moving Facebook blogs, which became his 2020 book Stardust: An Alzheimer’s Love Story. Norma died in 2021.
Reflecting on his long and varied career, Ed Morris once said, “You hear musicians say that they would do it for free if they weren’t paid for it. And I feel the same way about writing. I love to write with the anticipation of amusing people or getting arguments started or whatever…..Anything that happens, if you treat it right, can be turned into a piece of prose. And that’s what I do.”
Ed Morris is survived by daughters Erin Morris Huttlinger and Rachel Serrato, and by son Jason Morris. He is also survived by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Chubby Checker & Gil Cunningham Named To IEBA Hall Of Fame
/by Lauryn SinkChubby Checker & Gil Cunningham. Photo: Courtesy of IEBA
The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) will induct Chubby Checker and Gil Cunningham into the IEBA Hall of Fame. The inductions will take place during the 2026 Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 6 at The Pinnacle.
Checker’s catalog includes seven top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Pony Time” and “Limbo Rock.” “The Twist” became the only recording to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in two separate chart runs. He was awarded the first Platinum Single, first Grammy for a rock and roll recording and is a recent inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Chubby Checker represents something that every talent buyer understands, the extraordinary value of an artist who can connect with an audience generation after generation,” says Brian Wagner, Executive Director of IEBA. “His influence extends far beyond an iconic song or dance. He helped change the way audiences participate in live music, and more than six decades later, that connection remains at the heart of what makes live entertainment so powerful.”
Cunningham began his career as a talent buyer in 1988. In 2003, he joined his wife, Liz Cunningham, in expanding Neste Event Marketing into talent buying and event production. Live Nation acquired the company in 2019, creating Neste Live!, which today represents more than 125 clients, books more than 900 shows annually and works with major festivals including Country Thunder, Country Jam and WE Fest. He has been awarded IEBA Talent Buyer, Event Producer, Festival Buyer and Entertainment Buyer of the Year, the IEBA President’s Award and multiple ACM Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year honors, including his fifth ACM Buyer of the Year recognition in 2025. He has served as President and Vice President of IEBA, and worked with the Country Music Association and the T.J. Martell Foundation.
“Gil Cunningham represents the very best of the talent-buying profession and of IEBA,” shares IEBA Chairman Emeritus and WME Partner, Barry Jeffrey. “Great buyers combine knowledge and instinct with relationships, trust and a willingness to take a chance on an artist before everyone else sees what they see. Gil has done that throughout his career, while giving back to this organization and mentoring the people coming behind him. His impact can be seen in the artists he has championed, the events he has helped build and the professionals whose careers he has influenced.”
Dylan Marlowe Readies Self-Titled Sophomore Album
/by Lorie HollabaughDylan Marlowe will release his self-titled sophomore album on Nov. 6 via Sony Music Nashville.
Marlowe is giving fans an early peek into the project with the release of “In This Boat,” out today.
“I wrote this song with Michael Tyler, Zach Abend, and Thomas Archer. I think Michael came in with the idea,” says Marlowe. “It’s funny because it’s not rocking like the other stuff on the album but somehow, it fits cohesively. There’s a lot of songs about breaking up, there’s a lot of songs about hard times and calling it quits, but there’s not a lot of songs about times getting hard and figuring it out, which I think is cool.”
Writers contributing to the new project include Tucker Beathard, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Anderson, Chris Tompkins and more. Inspired by the sounds of Sum 41, Blink 182 and Eric Church, the 13-track project was co-produced by Marlowe and Joe Fox.
Marlowe is on the road this fall with upcoming appearances in Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Dylan Marlowe Track List:
1. “No Coincidence” (Dylan Marlowe, Tucker Beathard, Zach Abend)
2. “Shotgun Seat” (Dylan Marlowe, Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist, Jordan Schmidt)
3. “Wrench In My Plans” (Dylan Marlowe, Corey Crowder, Jameson Rodgers)
4. “Call You Mine” (Dylan Marlowe, Zach Abend, Dan Alley, Smith Ahnquist)
5. “She’s Havin’ A Fire” (Dylan Marlowe, Joe Fox, Jeb Gipson, Smith Ahnquist)
6. “In This Boat” (Dylan Marlowe, Zach Abend, Michael Tyler, Thomas Archer)
7. “Rock The Jukebox” (Dylan Marlowe, David Garcia, Hunter Phelps)
8. “Here Lately” (Joe Fox, Abram Dean, Trannie Anderson)
9. “Catchin’ Strays” (Dylan Marlowe, Tucker Beathard, Lindsay Rimes)
10. “Save A Buck” (Dylan Marlowe, Kyle Fishman, Chris Tompkins, Travis Wood)
11. “Death Do Us Part” (Dylan Marlowe, Zach Abed, Brent Anderson, Jameson Rodgers)
12. “Mother Of A Memory” (Dylan Marlowe, Hunter Phelps, Zach Abend)
13. “Dishes” (Jeffrey Jordan)
Ty Myers Unveils ‘Two Braids & The Truth – My Tribute To Willie’
/by Lauryn SinkTy Myers has unveiled his new album, Two Braids & The Truth – My Tribute To Willie.
The 10-song homage to Willie Nelson features tracks that inspired Myers from a young age. Produced by Brandon Hood, he previewed the project with “Always On My Mind” featuring Carter Faith. Nelson is featured on “Write Your Own Songs.”
Myers will join Willie Nelson & Family and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts as a special guest for a pair of co-headlining shows in Connecticut and Pennsylvania later this month.
The project follows his sophomore LP Heavy On The Soul, released in March. He is currently amidst his “The Legal Tour” through November.
Two Braids & The Truth – My Tribute To Willie Track List:
1. “Bloody Mary Morning”
2. “Write Your Own Songs (feat. Willie Nelson)”
3. “Me and Paul”
4. “Shotgun Willie”
5. “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (feat. Ben Haggard)”
6. “Whiskey River”
7. “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground”
8. “Always On My Mind (feat. Carter Faith)”
9. “Night Life”
10. “I’ll Fly Away”
Morgan Wallen Remains Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeMorgan Wallen; Photo: Spidey Smith
Morgan Wallen remains No. 1 on the MusicRow Radio Chart for the second consecutive week with “Been By Now.”
The track was written by Wallen, Rocky Block, Taylor Phillips, Charlie Handsome, Blake Pendergrass and John Byron.
Wallen recently released his new track “Last Thing You Need” from Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album.
“Been By Now” currently sits at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Airplay as well as the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Journalist, Author, Poet, Playwright Ed Morris Dies
/by Robert K OermannEd Morris
Veteran Nashville entertainment journalist Ed Morris passed away on Thursday (Sept. 17) at age 90.
He is best known for his 14-year tenure at Billboard, but was published in dozens of other periodicals. He also authored eight books, published his poetry, and was the writer of a theatrical production.
Morris grew up in Elkview, West Virginia. His family was not well to do and did not own a car, so he hitchhiked daily from Elkview to Charleston to attend Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston). After his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1958, he earned a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.
While at OU, he met musical-theater performer Norma Chapman. They married in 1960 and remained wed for 61 years. She was a talented pianist as well as an editor, photographer, and author. She also taught him to drive.
Following their marriage, Ed Morris taught English and journalism at Findlay (Ohio) College, Bowling Green (Ohio) State University, Alice Lloyd College (Kentucky), and Edinboro (Pennsylvania) State College. He then served as assistant editor at Writer’s Digest, the monthly trade publication for writers.
He began writing freelance articles for Billboard in 1972, moved to Nashville in 1980, and joined the magazine’s staff in 1981. He rose to become its country-music editor and chief Nashville columnist. Norma became a Music Row publicist working with clients such as Ralph Stanley and Steve Wariner.
In addition to Billboard, Ed Morris’s byline appeared in such publications as Advertising Age, TV Guide, McCall’s, Hollywood Reporter, Amusement Business, Book Page, The Journal Of Country Music, Mother Earth News, Bluegrass Unlimited, Saturday Evening Post, and other national periodicals. He left Billboard in 1995 and became a monthly columnist in Music City News. He also had a weekly column as a humorist in The Nashvillian.
He wrote liner-note essays for albums and box sets by The Judds, Keith Whitley, Eddy Arnold, Guy Clark, Hank Snow, Chet Atkins, and others. Morris was named Print Journalist of the Year in 1993 by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
In 1999, Ed Morris began a 20-year tenure as a writer for CMT online. He continued in this role until the COVID pandemic of 2020, which led to staff layoffs. Since then, he had been writing a column for his local newspaper The Kingston Springs Gazette.
Ed Morris was honored at Belmont University’s annual International Country Music Conference (ICMC) with its Charlie Lamb Journalist of the Year award in 2002. He has guest-lectured at Belmont, Vanderbilt University and Trevecca College in Nashville.
His books include Edward Morris’ Complete Guide To Country Music Videos (1997), Garth Brooks: Platinum Cowboy (1993), Alabama (1985), At Carter’s Stanley’s Grave: Musings on Country Music & Musicians (2011), and Scorched Mirth and Acid Reflux (2019), among others. In addition, he has contributed to such reference works as the prize-winning Country: The Music & The Musicians (Abbeville Press), Classic Country (Time-Life Books) and Country On Compact Disc: The Essential Guide To The Music (Grove Press).
In 2016, Morris wrote his first play, The Passion of Ethel Rosenberg, which had multiple productions and performances in Nashville and Santa Fe, plus a public reading at New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage. The play reflected his lifelong support of leftist political causes.
Norma Morris was diagnosed with the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease in 2015. The couple had been living separately for several years, but Ed moved into her home to care for her. He chronicled their experience in a series of extraordinarily moving Facebook blogs, which became his 2020 book Stardust: An Alzheimer’s Love Story. Norma died in 2021.
Reflecting on his long and varied career, Ed Morris once said, “You hear musicians say that they would do it for free if they weren’t paid for it. And I feel the same way about writing. I love to write with the anticipation of amusing people or getting arguments started or whatever…..Anything that happens, if you treat it right, can be turned into a piece of prose. And that’s what I do.”
Ed Morris is survived by daughters Erin Morris Huttlinger and Rachel Serrato, and by son Jason Morris. He is also survived by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Industry Ink: Riley Green, Chris Tomlin, Wade Bowen, W.O. Smith Music School
/by Lorie HollabaughRiley Green & Spotify Host Album Preview Fan Event In L.A.
Spotify & Riley Green Present: “That’s Just Me” Album Release Party in LA. Photo: Getty Images for Spotify
Riley Green and Spotify hosted a special fan event on Sept. 14 to celebrate the release of his upcoming album That’s Just Me at L.A.’s Desert 5 Spot. Green’s top fans on Spotify in L.A. were treated to an intimate performance of songs from the upcoming album, (due out tomorrow) including “My Way,” alongside fan favoarites like “Worst Way,” “Change My Mind,” and “Different ‘Round Here.” As an exclusive preview of the album, he also debuted his first-ever live performance of “Lookout Mountain” during the special event.
Chris Tomlin Celebrates Eight Billion Streams With Capitol Records Tower Visit
Pictured (L-R): Tom March, Chairman & CEO of Capitol Music Group; Chris Tomlin; Brad O’Donnell, President of Capitol Christian Music Group; Anthony Piedmonte, Tomlin’s Manager, Piedmonte & Co., in front of the Capitol Tower in Los Angeles. Photo: Courtesy Capitol Records
Chris Tomlin was surprised with a plaque recognizing more than eight billion career streams while visiting the iconic and storied Capitol Records Tower recently—the flagship to the only label he has called home for his entire career, Capitol Christian Music Group. The Southern California celebration capped a history-making weekend for Tomlin and his “Worship Under the Stars” concert series, which began with a sold-out concert at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, where the evening featured the first drone show ever at the iconic venue. Tomlin wrapped his history-making weekend in San Diego with a sold-out concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, marking the first-ever Christian music concert at the venue.
Wade Bowen’s Invitational Golf Tourney Raises Nearly $1.7 Million
Wade Bowen Invitational participants
Wade Bowen and his nonprofit, Bowen Family Foundation, hosted the Bowen Invitational golf tournament at Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, Texas Sept 12-14, raising nearly $1.7 million for the foundation, a record since the tournament’s inception. The weekend kicked off with a welcome party on Saturday night followed by two full days of golf. Sunday night featured a special live performance from members of The Panhandlers, which included Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, and Flatland Calvary’s frontman Cleto Cordero. Monday night wrapped the weekend with a dinner, awards presentation, live auction, and annual jam event that included performances from Wade Bowen and son Brock, Ty Myers, Randy Houser, William Beckmann, Randy Rogers, Josh Abbott, Mike Ryan and his son, Jack Ingram, Cody Canada, Jon Wolfe, and more. To date, the Bowen Family Foundation has raised nearly $10 million for organizations in and around Texas that help heal children and families.
W.O. Smith Music School Seeking Volunteer Instructors For 2026-2027 School Year
W.O. Smith School
The W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville is recruiting volunteer instructors for the 2026-2027 school year as it welcomes 325 students and counting. Volunteers are an integral part of the organization’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality music education to children from lower-income families. Instructors typically donate one hour each week, teaching two students for 30 minutes each. Those interested in volunteering can complete the Private Instructor form here. All volunteer instructors are required to attend an orientation before beginning lessons and must pass a background check.
Volunteers provide music instruction to students in areas such as piano, guitar and bass, drums and percussion, brass instruments, woodwind instruments, string instruments or voice. Last year, 150 volunteers served 10,829 hours. W.O. Smith serves children ages 8-18 from underserved families throughout the Metro Nashville area. Based on the current student enrollment, the school is most in need of volunteers who can teach piano, guitar, violin, or cello.
BMI’s Rooftop On The Row Kicks Off AmericanaFest
/by Lauryn SinkHayes Carll. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
BMI’s Rooftop On The Row series concluded its eighth season Tuesday night (Sept. 15) with more than 900 industry members in attendance.
Emceed by BMI’s Mason Hunter, the event served as the official kickoff to the 27th annual AMERICANAFEST.
DJs Flying Mojito Bros warmed up the crowd as Abigail Rose and Weston Hunter took the stage with a special performance of their viral duet “Betty’s in the Band.” Lost Highway Records’ Meels followed with “Willow Song” from her latest EP Across The Raccoon Strait, “Lonely USA” and “Over Miles.” Clay Street Unit performed “Engine Trouble” “Where Have You Gone?,” “Stoned” and “1200 Miles.”
Headliner Hayes Carll took the stage with “Drunken Poet’s Dream” and “KMAG YOYO.” He ended the night with “Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)” and “Good People (Thank Me).”
During this year’s season, the series hosted Avery Anna, Drew Baldridge, Pynk Beard, Tyler Halverson, Zach John King, Bryan Martin, Chase Matthew, Aniston Pate, Julianna Rankin and Love On The Spectrum’s Tyler White.
Clay Street Unit. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
Meels. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
Abigail Rose. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
Nashville Musicians Association AFM Local 257 To Host ‘For Those We Lost IV’ Tribute Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, will celebrate the lives and music of seven Local 257 songwriters, artists, and musicians who have passed in the last two years at the “For Those We Lost IV” Tribute Concert on Sept. 24 at 3rd & Lindsley.
Local 257 members who will be remembered at the special tribute include Kris Kristofferson, Don Schlitz, Ronnie Bowman, Craig Krampf, Wayne Moss, Jerry Kennedy, and David Briggs. Their music touched millions of lives, and their songs will be brought back to the stage by John Berry, Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis, The McCrary Sisters, Jonell Mosser, and Sweethearts of the Rodeo, with more artists to be announced.
The evening will also feature a live auction with items including a Toby Keith signed drumhead framed with a photo and stage pass from his final Las Vegas performance; a Fender guitar signed by The Oak Ridge Boys, The Gatlin Brothers, Marty Raybon and more; an Epiphone guitar signed by Ted Nugent; a framed drumhead signed by Chester Thompson of Weather Report and Genesis; an original Nancy Spurlock Willie Nelson painting; a Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar; and a Trace Adkins autographed guitar, with more items still arriving. The auction will also be available online and will kick off a few days before the show.
“This show honoring members we’ve lost is a great opportunity for music fans to enjoy a unique night with some wonderful artists, timeless songs and a fantastic auction, all to help a very worthy cause,” says Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy.
All money raised will go to the Local 257 Funeral Benefit Fund, which paid out $139,500 to member beneficiaries in 2025.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Sheryl Crow Delivers ‘Dreamy Soundscape’ On New Ballad
/by Robert K OermannSheryl Crow. Photo: Dove Shore/Courtesy of BMI
Hot enough for you?
Try cooling down with some of these Nashville sounds. Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Justin Moore, Shaboozey, and Stephen Wilson Jr. have some of the most refreshing tracks for your listening pleasure.
Topping my list for the week is Sheryl Crow, who has the Disc of the Day. New Warner artist Wesko earns the DISCovery Award.
WESKO / “By Way of Alabama”
Writers: Joe Kirkland/KK Johnson/Sam Backoff/Wesko; Producer: Ryan Gore; Label: Warner Records
– Completely captivating, refreshingly different and totally country. His downhome baritone voice, the catchy acoustic production and the overall jaunty attitude are all winners. Plus, Wesko (Wesley Keith Holmes) name-checks “Dixieland Delight,” “Paint Me a Birmingham,” and “Angel From Montgomery” in the lyric. Play this.
STEPHEN WILSON JR. / “Cørnerman”
Writer: Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producers: Ben West, Stephen Wilson Jr.; Label: Big Loud Records
– Dark and dramatic, this is a moving tribute to his late father. Wilson’s fierce artistic commitment and charismatic delivery shine through a slow, echoey track. With CMA nominations in the Song, Video, Male and New Artist categories, this man is rising like a rocket.
SHERYL CROW / “Freight Train”
Writers: Jeff Trott, Sheryl Crow; Producers: Jeff Trott, Sheryl Crow; Label: Old Green Barn Productions
– There was a lot of love in the room when BMI presented Crow with its Troubadour Award on Monday (Sept. 14). Jason Isbell, Olivia Rodrigo, Chris Stapleton, Melissa Etheridge and Eric Church sang her songs and video greetings came from The Chicks, Brandi Carlile, Jesse Welles, and prior Troubadour honorees Lucinda Williams, John Oates and Robert Earl Keen. This ballad from Crow’s forthcoming 12th album demonstrates that she is far from being finished. With its liquid, dreamy soundscape it explores loneliness with a gentle lilt. Massively wonderful and an instant AAA playlist add.
JORDAN DAVIS / “Mess”
Writers: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Travis Wood; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA
– He invites his ex to come over and make him a mess, again. He knows he’ll regret it, but he can’t help himself. This guy’s music never disappoints.
SIERRA FERRELL / “Pair of Dice”
Writers: Melody Walker/Sierra Ferrell; Producer: Gabriel Kelley; Label: Rounder Records
– A woosey fiddle and plunking guitar and mandolin strings underscore her meandering spiritual ruminations. Oblique yet fascinating.
SHABOOZEY & LEON BRIDGES / “Burn It Down”
Writers: Collins Chibueze/Connor Sullivan/Stephen Musselman/Todd Michael Bridges; Producer: Connor Sullivan, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook, Shaboozey, Stephen Musselman; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Shaboozey’s album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales is highlighted by this rolling, rumbling country-rock duet. He vows to get even with whoever hurt her. Open-air, Big-Sky music. Shaboozey’s tour arrives at Ascend Amphitheater tomorrow evening (Sept. 18).
THE TALKING HEARTS / “Out of the Frying Pan (Into The Fire)”
Writers: Lori Conley/Rachel Rosenberg; Producer: Zach Meyer; Label: TH
– This Boston band performs what it has dubbed “psychoanalytic country.” I call it merry rockabilly with a charmingly amateur, garage-country, d.i.y. vibe.
JUSTIN MOORE / “Missing You Night”
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Josh Phillips/Justin Moore/Mark Holman; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Label: Blue Highway Records
– This hooky thumper finds him on the mend from heartache until something (a jukebox song, a drink of whiskey) reminds him of her and he’s right back where he started. Well produced and very catchy.
VALERIE PONZIO / “American Smoke”
Writer: Valerie Elice Ponzio; Producer: Mike Minjarez; Label: VP
– This former contestant on The Voice is determined to carve out a renewed space for her Mexican-American heritage in country music. This open-road celebration finds her singing to the stratosphere while guitars chime around her.
WARREN ZEIDERS & BELLAH MAE / “Overrated”
Writers: Evan Blair/Jesse Fink/Sean Douglas/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Evan Blair; Label: Warner Records
– Zeiders has been promoting this bouncy, peppy country-pop ditty with appearances on Jimmy Fallon and America’s Got Talent. On disc, it’s a sprightly, toe tapping duet with British bopper Bellah Mae.
K. MICHELLE / “Yodel”
Writers: David Mescon/K. Michelle/Kelly Sheehan/Thomas Edwards/Tomy Ge; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: BBR Music Group/BMG
– She’s on the hunt for the perfect cowboy in this uptempo romp, punctuated by, yes, yodeling. K. Michelle continues her journey into country music, having already achieved stardom on the r&b charts.
LUKE BYRAN / “I Liked Loving You”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jimmy Robbins/Kyle Sturrock; Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Tuneful and upbeat, with a searing heartache lyric. The hearty, rippling production is flawless.
SAM WILLIAMS / “Queen of Tennessee (Dolly’s Song)”
Writers: Bobby Tomberlin/Mark Narmore/Sam Williams; Producers: Bobby Tomberlin, Mark Narmore, Sam Williams; Label: Get it Done
– Willaims wrote this five years ago as a tribute to Dolly, and she reportedly loved it. In the wake of her passing, the lovely piano ballad has become his new release and a heartfelt homage. Essential listening.
City Of Nashville Names September 25 As ‘Dolly Day’
/by Lauryn SinkDolly Parton.
Nashville will host a citywide celebration of Dolly Parton on Sept. 25. In recognition of Parton’s extraordinary contributions to Nashville and communities around the world, Mayor Freddie O’Connell will officially proclaim Sept. 25, 2026, Dolly Day in Nashville.
“Dolly Parton’s impact on Nashville will be felt for generations, through her music, her many acts of kindness, and the example she continues to set for us today,” shares O’Connell. “She has shown us all that caring for a community means showing up for one another. I’m honored to proclaim Sept. 25th Dolly Day in Nashville and to invite our entire city to celebrate the remarkable contribution Dolly has made to Nashville and to people all around the world.”
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood have pledged to donate all proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk on Sept. 25 to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. At 5 p.m., participating music venues across the city will mark the occasion with live performances of “9 to 5” on their stages. Participating restaurants, coffee shops, bars and stores are encouraged to offer Dolly-inspired food and drink specials and merchandise. Free Dolly Day buttons, stickers and bookmarks will be available at Visitor Information Centers at Bridgestone Arena and Fifth + Broadway while supplies last. A brief fireworks show in tribute to Parton will light up downtown Nashville at 9:25 p.m. A full list of activities is available here.
“The music community has always looked to Dolly as an example of what it means to use your platform to lift up the people around you,” shares Rondal Richardson of the Music Community Foundation. “The MCF family is proud to rally around that example and invite artists, industry leaders, businesses and fans to do the same. Give Like Dolly is an opportunity to turn the reach and influence of our music community into support for people and organizations across Middle Tennessee.”
“Dolly has shown us what can happen when generosity is rooted in a genuine love for community,” says Hal Cato, CEO of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Her example reminds us that each of us has something to give, whether it is our time, our resources, our talents or simply our kindness. Dolly Day is an opportunity to put that spirit into action and show what is possible when a community chooses to care for one another.”