Charles Wesley Godwin will release his new album Christian Name, on July 24 via Big Loud Records. The first single from the project,“Better That Way” featuring Luke Combs, is out now.

The personal collection of new songs explores how he learned to live again after he and his wife Samantha’s third child Samuel was stillborn in 2024.

“To put it simply, my heart was broken,” Godwin says. “It took me a few months to get myself back up off the ground, so to speak, and get back into the game and to write songs again. Coming out of that, I recommitted to my faith in God more so than I have at any point in my life. It really changed me,” he says, speaking to not only his personal transformation over the past few years but also to how this distinctly spiritual quest is reflected in Christian Name. “The point of this project was to point to God and let people know he’s really helped me through this time in my life.”

“Try Again,” follows a powerful opening sermon and captures the singer’s meditation on finding hope again amid the darkness. “I Caught The Sunrise,” is a reflection on forever carrying one’s memory with you.

Christian Name also includes a pair of feature collaborations, “Better That Way” with Combs and “Hey There, Son” featuring Wyatt Flores. Songwriting partners on the project include Stephen Wilson Jr., Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and more.

Godwin will tour in support of Christian Name, and in addition to his own headline shows, will embark on a co-headline tour with Dylan Gossett this summer. This fall, Godwin joins Kacey Musgraves on her “Middle of Nowhere Tour.”

Christian Name Track List: 
1. “Sermon” (Al Torrence, Dave Stacy)
2. “Try Again” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Travis Meadows)
3. “Better That Way” (feat. Luke Combs) (Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe, Al Torrence)
4. “Hallelujah High” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe)
5. “Hey There Son” (feat. Wyatt Flores) (Charles Wesley Godwin, Lori McKenna)
6. “I Caught the Sunrise” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Liz Rose)
7. “Place I Know” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe)
8. “Street Advice” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas)
9. “Every Once in a While” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Travis Meadows, Dave Stacy)
10. “Christian Name” (Charles Wesley Godwin)
11. “God’s Been Good to Me” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Aaron Raitiere)
12. “Gospel of the South” (Craig Boyd, Tony Lane, David Cory Lee)
13. “Brand New” (Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr.)

Vince Gill’s Go Rest High On That Mountain Enters Library Of Congress

Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain” has been selected for preservation by The National Recording Registry Of The Library Of Congress.

“I’ve been writing songs for over 50 years, and if you asked me what’s the one song you’d want to be remembered for, I would pick this one, hands down. Wouldn’t even be close,” Gill says. “In my era of success, it was probably the least charting record I’ve had, but what this song has gone on to do for other people is what makes it special to me. It was written while I was grieving the loss of my big brother, and the truth is, I had never planned on recording it. But a fellow I worked with, Tony Brown, heard the song and said ‘you have to record it. The world should hear this song.’”

 

Vincent Mason Makes Late Night TV Debut

Vincent Mason made his late-night TV debut on May 13 with a performance of his breakout hit “Damned If I Do” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Backstage, Vincent Mason was surprised with a plaque presentation commemorating the song’s recent RIAA Gold certification.

 

Top Shelf Country Cruise 2026 Raises $250,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The Top Shelf Country Cruise raised $250,000 for its inaugural year supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The lineup included Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, LeAnn Rimes, Cooper Alan, Kassi Ashton, Thelma & James, Britnee Kellogg, Paul Sykes, Ken Domash, Goose Gossett and Rodeo Disco.

“For years, Signature Cruise Experiences has proudly supported the incredible work of St. Jude,” says Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of Signature Cruise Experiences. “Selecting St. Jude as the official benefactor of the charitable efforts of Top Shelf Country Cruise was a natural extension of that relationship and a cause deeply meaningful to our team. No child should ever have to suffer from cancer.”

 

Walker Montgomery Visits Sunrise Hospital And Medical Center in Las Vegas

Walker Montgomery recently visited Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas with ACM Lifting Lives and Musicians On Call.

During the visit, Montgomery treated caregivers and physicians to a performance of songs including “I Love The Way You Love Me,” “Nothing Like You Nowhere,” “Saving The Honky Tonks,” and “Wouldn’t Be A Country Boy.” Following his performance, Montgomery walked the halls of Sunrise Hospital giving special bedside performances to a number of patients.

 

CMHOFM Celebrates 25 Years Downtown

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is celebrating the 25th anniversary since moving downtown in 2001.

First located on Music Row, the original museum opened in 1967. Today, the museum is among the most-visited history museums in the U.S., welcoming nearly 1.4 million visitors in 2025. In the past two years, the museum received the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government, and achieved accreditation for the fourth time by the American Alliance of Museums.

 

BlackHawk & The Outlaws Donate Collective $50,000 To Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center & MusiCares

BlackHawk and The Outlaws recently made a collective $50,000 in charitable donations to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and MusiCares.

BlackHawk presented a $25,000 donation to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Research Lab, continuing a mission the band began in 2004 in memory of former BlackHawk singer-songwriter Van Stephenson, who passed away from melanoma in 2001. A $25,000 donation to MusiCares was also presented by The Outlaws, honoring the memory of former original members of the southern rock group.

“Our charitable efforts have given us an empathetic perspective and a unique sense of purpose,” says Henry Paul, a founding member of both bands. “We get a lot of help from fans and friends and we appreciate all those that invest in our mission.”

 

Kylie Frey Appears On RFD-TV

Kylie Frey recently appeared on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report with host Suzanne Alexander about her music and the current Horses For Mental Health Campaign.

“This was a no brainer, I said absolutely sign me up for this! I remember being a kid and having a lot of feelings, and when I couldn’t understand what was happening inside, or what I was feeling, I would go out to my barn and talk to my horses, and literally cry on their shoulders. I think this is a beautiful organization and I’m so proud to be an ambassador,” she shared.

“We’re grateful to the celebrity ambassadors lending their voices and horse stories to amplify awareness,” says Shantel Klinger of Horses For Mental Health. “The Nashville music community has especially embraced this campaign and we’re so thankful for those who have saddled up to spread the word about these incredibly intuitive creatures positively impacting lives around the world.”

RECORDS and RECORDS Nashville has elevated two team members.

Andrew Saltman has risen to Senior Vice President, Artist Development. In this role, he will spearhead a newly reorganized department which will now include both traditional marketing and digital departments for both labels. He joined the team in 2017 and most recently served as Vice President of Marketing and Digital Strategies.

“Working under Barry’s leadership over the past decade has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this next chapter as SVP, Artist Development,” shares Saltman. “I look forward to continuing to champion career artists, helping them grow, evolve, and navigate an ever-changing music landscape.”

Sara Gil has been named General Manager. In this role, she will be overseeing the label operations for the RECORDS New York and RECORDS Nashville offices. She will also continue to handle deal negotiations for new artist signings, budget allocations and strategic release planning, alongside Saltman. As Barry Weiss’ first hire when he launched RECORDS in 2015, Gil was key in supporting the transition of RECORDS from SONGS Music Publishing to Sony Music in 2017.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have spent so much of my career learning from Barry Weiss, whose leadership and vision have had a profound impact on my professional growth,” says Gil. “It’s a privilege to be part of RECORDS, a company that not only champions exceptional talent, but is genuinely committed to developing artists and building enduring careers.”

“Andrew and Sara have each played an instrumental role in the growth and success of RECORDS and RECORDS Nashville over the years,” adds Weiss. “Andrew brings an exceptional instinct for artist development and marketing, while Sara has been a trusted strategic and operational leader since day one. Their passion for artists, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to building long-term careers embody everything we stand for at RECORDS. I’m incredibly proud to recognize their contributions with these well-deserved promotions.”

Singer-songwriter and producer Brock Phillips has signed with Big Loud Records and Local Hay Records, led by the Nashville-based Records’ team, Local Hay’s Scott Cooke and hitmaker Dallas Smith. To celebrate the signing, Phillips has released his new track “Rich Man.”

“I’m beyond excited to be joining the team at Big Loud and Local Hay,” shares Phillips. ”Working with Scott Cooke, and watching the career Dallas Smith has built as a Canadian artist in Nashville, has been a huge inspiration for me. ‘Rich Man’ is just the beginning. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what else we’ve been working on.”

“Brock Phillips is the kind of artist who checks every box you can’t teach — an undeniable, powerhouse voice paired with a pen that knows exactly where to land,” says Sara Knabe, SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records. “That combination creates a dynamic that feels fresh in today’s landscape, but built for longevity. We’re proud to welcome him to Big Loud and get to work.”

“The moment I heard Brock’s voice I knew he was something special,” adds Cooke, President of Local Hay Records. “His work ethic and raw talent are second to none, we are so excited and proud to be part of this journey with him.”

After relocating to Nashville in 2024, his debut single “Something Else” was named one of Holler‘s “Best New Country Songs.” Phillips attended Berklee College of Music, as well as played weekly shows at clubs and bars across Vancouver. He also inked a publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing and Local Hay last year. Phillips will play the Calgary Stampede on July 5 on the Nashville North stage.