Hudson Westbrook Debuts On ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’

Hudson Westbrook stopped by The Drew Barrymore Show Tuesday afternoon (March 24). He shared about his family’s history as landmen, dropping out of Texas Tech and recently released EP, Exclusive.

Westbrook is currently on the road with Bailey Zimmerman before he joins George Strait and Morgan Wallen later this year.

 

CMA Hosts Visit With Kashus Culpepper

Kashus Culpepper stopped by the CMA Nashville HQ earlier this week for a Q&A and acoustic performance.

The Q&A recapped Culpepper’s journey into Country Music, the heart behind his debut album, Act I and the leadup to its release, how it felt performing at CMA Fest in 2025 and a glimpse into the process of his song “Man of His Word.” He then performed an acoustic set of his songs including “Man of His Word,” “Broken Wing Bird,” “After Me?” and “Better Weather.”

 

Chris Blair Joins Opry As Guest Announcer

The Listening Room’s Chris Blair served as the Opry’s guest announcer on Tuesday (March 24).

 

Brit Taylor Debuts On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’

Brit Taylor made her national television debut yesterday (March 25) on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Taylor delivered “Warning You Whiskey” from her latest LP, Land of the Forgotten.

 

Crys Matthews Inks With TRO Essex Music Group/Shamus Records

Crys Matthews signed an exclusive publishing and recording agreement with TRO Essex Music Group/Shamus Records.

Matthews has been named the 2025 and 2022 Song of the Year winner at the International Folk Music Awards, and the 2024 Artist of the Year. She will release her next single “Forged In Fire” on Saturday (March 28).

Ben Chapman will release his new album Feet On Fire on May 22 via Soundly Music.

The project explores abandoning old patterns, making room for new beginnings, and searching for stability in an ever-changing world through Chapman’s new perspective, gained after his marriage to fellow singer-songwriter and frequent collaborator, Meg McRee, and the birth of their first child last year.

Chapman previewed the project with the title track, out now, which chronicles the life of a musician on the road.

“This song hits you in the mouth from the first note,” shares Chapman of the new track. “It’s a sonic adventure that reflects my growth as an artist and musician. It started out as a song about always being on the road and not feeling like yourself while sitting still, but as it took shape it gained a deeper meaning. It’s difficult to keep your feet planted in the moment sometimes in a world that places value on whatever comes next.”

His second collaboration with songwriter and producer Anderson East, Chapman co-wrote all 12 tracks alongside McRee, Pat McLaughlin, Aaron Raitiere and more.

“I grew up on the Grateful Dead and Dark Side of the Moon, so I wanted to pour some of that inspiration into these tracks,” shares Chapman. “This record asks you to let your hair down. It takes some fun sonic risks. It’s cohesive but it’s all over the place, too, in the best way possible.”

Along with his own music, Chapman has collaborated with artists including Muscadine Bloodline, Hayes Carll, Adam Chaffins, Brit Taylor and more. As a songwriter, he has earned cuts with Brent Cobb, Shelby Lynne, Flatland Cavalry and Marcus King, among others.

Feet On Fire Track List:
1. “Everything’s Different” (Ben Chapman, Bryan Simpson, Meg McRee)
2. “Out In The Country” (Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, Pat McLaughlin)
3. “All Day” (Ben Chapman, Aaron Raitiere)
4. “Baby Blue” (Meg McRee, Ben Chapman)
5. “Takes A Dreamer” (Ben Chapman, Anderson East, Bryan Simpson)
6. “Feet On Fire” (Ben Chapman, Anderson East, Bryan Simpson)
7. “You Say Jump” (Ben Chapman, Anderson East)
8. “So Long” (Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, Andrew Petroff)
9. “Lucy” (Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, Jay Knowles)
10. “Missing You” (Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, Anderson East)
11. “Don’t Give It All Away” (Ben Chapman, Bryan Simpson, Anderson East)
12. “Sweetheart (Ain’t It Hard)” (AJ Babcock, Ben Chapman)

Shenandoah will celebrate four decades as country hitmakers on the “40th Anniversary Tour,” which will kick off tomorrow (March 27) in Wickenburg, Arizona.

The tour will include stops in Fort Worth, West Palm Beach, Tulsa, and more, with a Nashville show set for October 9. Ticket information can be found here. The band has already appeared at Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa and headlined the San Antonio Rodeo, and throughout the year will also share the stage with Jason Aldean, Ella Langley, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Old Dominion and more.

“Just to think 40 years,” says lead singer Marty Raybon. “Days of late have been filled with the memories of what this has truly meant to all of us. We have seen some of the best days in a lifetime and some of the hard things that is called life on life. I don’t know that we would change anything. We are grateful for every opportunity we have been given and a fanbase that continues to grow with us, love us and support us through all of it.”

Shenandoah rose to prominence after forming in the mid-80s with a string of No. 1 hits including “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road,” and the Grammy-winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart.”

Shenandoah “40th Anniversary Tour” Dates:
Mar 27 – Wickenburg, AZ – Flying E Ranch
Mar 28 – Edna, TX – Red White & Bulls
Apr 3 – West Chester, OH – Lori’s Roadhouse
Apr 11 – Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
Apr 12 – Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
Apr 17 – Orange Grove, TX – The Post OG
Apr 24 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
May 15 – Rama, ON – Casino Rama Resort
May 23 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
June 6 – Gail, TX – Coyote Store
June 19 – Hiawassee, GA – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
June 20 – Patterson, GA – Mossy Pond Lodge
June 26 – Gas City, IN – Performing Arts Center
July 3 – Charles Town, WV – Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
July 11 – Fortuna, CA – Fortuna Rodeo
July 16 – Florence, AL – St. Jude Trail Ride
July 17 – Mount Vernon, KY – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
July 24 – Corona, CA – Dos Lagos
July 25 – Fort McDowell, AZ – We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
Aug 1 – Gethsemane, KY – The Amp
Aug 22 – Chippewa Falls, WI – Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
Sept 17 – Philadelphia, MS – Ellis Theater
Oct 3 – Marshall, TX – Bear Creek Smokehouse
Oct 9 – Nashville, TN – TBD
Nov 14 – Lufkin, TX – Temple Theater
Nov 21 – Kingman, KS – Kingman Historic Theatre
Dec 4 – Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Dec 5 – Thackerville, OK – WinStar World Casino & Resort

Clint Black was honored with the 2026 CRB Career Achievement Award during Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley at CRS.

Black was surprised with the Career Achievement Award by 2018 recipient Steve Wariner during his Thursday performance. The CRB Career Achievement Award is presented to artists who have made significant contributions to the development and promotion of country radio and country music through leadership, engagement, and creativity.

With 22 No. 1s, each of which Black played a role in writing, and more than 20 million albums sold, he has spent over three decades not only entertaining audiences, but also giving back in ways that reflect his enduring commitment to community and philanthropy. Black has received numerous honors from the CMA, the ACM, the Grammys, and American Music Awards, and most recently was recognized with the prestigious BMI Icon Award, celebrating his lasting influence as a songwriter whose work has shaped generations.

“Clint Black’s influence on country radio and the genre as a whole is both profound and enduring,” says RJ Curtis, CRS Executive Director. “From the very beginning, he helped shape a pivotal era in country music, and his commitment to songwriting, artistry, and connection with fans and radio continues to set a standard. We are proud to recognize him with this year’s Career Achievement Award.”

Other past CRB Career Achievement Award recipients include Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, The Judds, and Merle Haggard.