Dierks Bentley is celebrating the unruly characters and outliers on his upcoming album Broken Branches, due out June 13 via Capitol Records Nashville.

“Broken Branches,” a good-timing anthem with a mood-boosting jukebox stomp in honor of nature’s black sheep, became the anchor track of the album and features John Anderson and Riley Green. In compiling the new project, Bentley spent months listening to raw demos, often driving around the backroads of his Tennessee home. He chose a mix of tracks with deep meanings and distinctive quirks, centered on the imperfect perfections of community spirit. Each song grew from acoustic-guitar foundation, which Bentley calls a testament to producers Jon Randall and Ross Copperman, along with musicians like Charlie Worsham, Jedd Hughes, Rob McNelley and Bryan Sutton. Co-writing just four tracks himself and securing seven from outside writers, Bentley dug deeper than ever before into Nashville’s thriving songwriting community.

“The country music community has a lot of broken branches in it. That’s why we’re all here,” Bentley explains. “We want to do something a little bit different, and I think everyone sees themselves like that – certainly in country. This is the people’s music and it represents that spirit of individuality so well – it’s just about doing it our own way.”

Other album tracks like “Cold Beer Can” offers a different way of looking at a frosty 12-oz., and the heartwarming “Never You (feat. Miranda Lambert)” tributes the essential companion in each life. Bentley returns to his bluegrass beginnings with the feverish “Well, Well Whiskey,” while tracks like the propulsive acoustic jam “Something Worth Fixing” celebrates life as a work in progress, and the grungy alt-country of “Jesus Loves Me” explores a heartbroken gospel truth.

“Off the Map” looks to escape a relentless reality—whether on a beach or a barstool—and the blazing heart of “Standing in the Sun” burns with the simple, life-giving power of true romance. “For as Long as I Can Remember” tributes the oak solid shelter a father provides, while  “Don’t Cry for Me” brings the project full-circle.

Bentley recently released the biggest debuting song of his career with Broken Branches’ debut single “She Hates Me,” and he’ll launch his 30-city “Broken Branches Tour” on May 29 with Zach Top and The Band Loula.

Broken Branches Track List:
1. “Cold Beer Can” (Jon Randall, Luke Dick, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Dierks Bentley)
2. “Jesus Loves Me” (Adam James, Ben Stennis and Allison Veltz Cruz)
3. “She Hates Me” (Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Allen, Wesley Scantlin and Dierks Bentley)
4. “Something Worth Fixing” (Stephen Wilson Jr., Luke Dick and Dierks Bentley)
5. “Standing In The Sun” (Kyle Sturrock)
6. “Well Well Whiskey” (Seth Ennis, Devin Dawson and Jordan Reynolds)
7. “Broken Branches” (Zach Abend, Beau Bailey and Graham Barham)
8. “Off The Map” (Jeremy Bussey, Lauren McLamb and Adam Wood)
9. “Near You” feat. Miranda Lambert (Scooter Carusoe, Ross Copperman and Ben Williams)
10. “For As Long As I Can Remember” (Devin Dawson, Connie Harrington)
11. “Don’t Cry For Me” (Jim Beavers and Dierks Bentley)

Lainey Wilson Springs Surprise Performance On Fans At Bell Bottoms Up

Lainey Wilson gave fans the ultimate surprise last Sunday with an unforgettable rooftop performance at her namesake bar, Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up in downtown Nashville. The appearance was in celebration of her new bar anthem, “Bell Bottoms Up” which was released last week in honor of National Bell Bottoms Day.

“I love coming to Bell Bottoms Up and hanging out with my friends and fans,” says Wilson. “To finally release this song and celebrate it here with everyone was really special and felt like a full circle moment.”

 

Sony Surprises Kane Brown With Diamonds & Platinum (Plaques)

Sony Music Nashville and Neon Coast presented Kane Brown with three plaques during one of his Bridgestone Arena shows commemorating Brown’s second diamond certification for “What Ifs” featuring Lauren Alaina as well as nine other certifications. Brown’s Diamond certification is the 12th country song to achieve this status. He was also recognized from the RIAA for Different Man (Platinum); “Thank God” featuring Katelyn Brown (4x Platinum); “One Mississippi” (2x Platinum); “Good as You” (4x Platinum); “Miles on It” with Marshmello (2x Platinum); “Used to Love You Sober” (2x Platinum);  “Memory” with Blackbear (2x Platinum); “There Goes My Everything” (Platinum) and “Thunder in the Rain” (Platinum).

 

Dylan Scott Gets Platinum Surprise

Dylan Scott‘s team recently surprised the hitmaker with two Platinum plaques for “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and “What He’ll Never Have.” Earlier this month, Scott snagged his sixth career No. 1 with “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” marking his second chart-topper of 2025 following “Boys Back Home” with Dylan Marlowe. Scott, the fourth most-played artist at country radio this year, continues to put his foot on the pedal as “What He’ll Never Have” impacts the airwaves on April 21, already poised to be the biggest song of his career with nearly 300 million global streams so far.

 

Mitchell Tenpenny Celebrates With Some Heavy Metal At Bridgestone Show

Mitchell Tenpenny received some new heavy metal hardware in the form of new RIAA certification plaques last Saturday night just ahead of his performance at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville as part of Kane Brown’s “High Road Tour.” Mitchell’s debut single “Drunk Me” has now reached quadruple platinum and his fan-fueled hit “We Got History” is Platinum. His latest single “Same Moon” debuted at country radio last week bringing in a record number of stations for his career.

 

JayDee Maness Shares Stories As CMHOFM’s Latest ‘Nashville Cat’ Honoree

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently featured pedal steel guitarist JayDee Maness in its in-depth interview series “Nashville Cats.” Maness recorded with the Byrds on their landmark 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo and with Gram Parsons’ International Submarine Band. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Desert Rose Band and toured with Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens’ Buckaroos.

The interview was moderated by museum writer-editor Dave Paulson and illustrated with rare photos, film and recordings. The series began in 2006 and since its inception nearly 20 years ago, Nashville Cats has showcased stories and songs from 53 musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has unveiled their genre-mixing lineup including performances from The Tesky Brothers, Shane Smith & The Saints, Lukas Nelson, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Band Perry, Steep Canyon Rangers, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Mountain Grass Unit, among others.

The three-day, immersive event, held on State Street in downtown Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia, is a tribute to the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings and the influence of that pivotal moment in music history. New for the 2025 event, Bristol Rhythm will add late night sets at Machiavelli’s outdoor tent, dances at the Country Music Mural Stage and the festival’s first Artist in Residence, Dave Eggar.

Kaitlin Butts, Ashley Monroe, Fruition, Sister Sadie, Michael Cleveland, The Wilder Blue, Nolan Taylor, Shadowgrass, Ken Pomeroy, Theo Lawrence, The Wildmans, Jarekus Singleton, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land, Denitia and Chicken Wire Empire will also join the 100 acts set to perform on a dozen stages in the “birthplace of country music.”

Weekend passes to the festival, taking place Sept. 19-21, are on sale now at BristolRhythm.com.

Hospitality and entertainment veteran Tim Jorgensen has joined Opry Entertainment Group’s Austin team as Vice President of Operations.

In his new position, Jorgensen will lead OEG’s Block 21 businesses, including ACL Live, 3TEN and W Austin in Austin, and provide strategic direction for the entire Block 21 complex, as well as have direct oversight of the day-to-day operations at ACL Live and 3TEN. Jorgensen will report to Gary Scott, Chief Operating Officer at Opry Entertainment Group.

Jorgensen comes to OEG from ASM Global, where he managed an array of arenas, stadiums, convention centers and theaters, and was instrumental in launching the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. He also served as President of Crew One Productions, a full-service production labor company, where he led strategic acquisitions and oversaw the Festival Division. His career also includes leadership roles at Live Nation and House of Blues Entertainment, where he was responsible for managing multiple venues throughout the Southwest Region.

“Tim is a strong fit for our Austin team, bringing more than 20 years of experience that aligns with our commitment to delivering high-quality hospitality and unforgettable entertainment experiences,” says Patrick Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Opry Entertainment Group. “His deep understanding of the Austin market and music industry make him uniquely equipped to elevate our brand as we continue to scale our business and establish Block 21 as the city’s premier destination for music and entertainment.”

“I’m thrilled to join the Opry Entertainment Group team and help shape the future of Block 21,” shares Jorgensen. “ACL Live is a tremendous venue and wonderful asset to Austin’s world-renowned music scene. I look forward to building on its legacy by bringing even more live music to the city and increasing the utilization of this iconic venue, all while continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for artists, fans and the Austin community.”