CMA Fest Unveils Daytime Stages Lineup

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CMA Fest has revealed its 2026 outdoor stages lineup, which includes the Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr. Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage, and the new Wrangler Remix Stage.

Performers on the Chevy Riverfront Stage include Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Carter Faith, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chase Matthew, Chayce Beckham, Cooper Alan, Dasha, Drew Baldridge, Dylan Marlowe, Ernest, Ian Munsick, Josh Ross, Kaitlin Butts, Kameron Marlowe, Lauren Alaina, Mackenzie Carpenter, Maddox Batson, Marcus King, Max McNown, Midland, Molly Tuttle, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn, Redferrin, Russell Dickerson, Shane Smith & The Saints, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tigirlily Gold, Tucker Wetmore, Ty Myers, Tyler Braden, Vincent Mason and Waylon Wyatt.

Ascend park’s Dr. Pepper Amp Stage will feature Angie K, Billy Dean, Blanco Brown, Canaan Smith, Cody Hibbard, Craig Campbell, Dave Fenley, Drake Milligan, Emily Ann Roberts, Erin Kinsey, Greylan James, The Jack Wharff Band, John Morgan, Kaylee Bell, Kaylee Rose, Kolby Cooper, Late Night Thoughts, Leanna Crawford, Melissa Etheridge, Noeline Hofmann, Pam Tillis, Pecos & the Rooftops, Shaylen, Travis Bolt, Travis Denning, Ty Herndon, Tyler Farr, Uncle Kracker, The War And Treaty and Willow Avalon.

Over on the Chevy Vibes Stage, Adrien Nunez, Alana Springsteen, Ashland Craft, Austin Snell, Bellah Mae, Caylee Hammack, Chase McDaniel, Colt Ford, Dax, Drake White, Frankie Ballard, Graham Barham, Hannah McFarland, Jade Eagleson, Karley Scott Collins, Kelsey Hart, Lanie Gardner, Lauren Watkins, Mack Geiger, Madeline Merlo, Mae Estes, Maggie Antone, Mark Wills, Melanie Dyer, Neal McCoy, Owen Riegling, Shane Profitt, Sister Hazel, Tayler Holder, Walker Montgomery and Willie Jones will all take the stage.

In front of Bridgestone Arena, Abbey Cone, Alex Lambert, Alexandra Kay, Atlus, Ava Hall, Belle Frantz, Blake Proehl, Brad Cox, Bryan Andrews, Cassidy Daniels, Cody Lohden, Eli Winders, Elizabeth Nichols, Gareth, Jacob Hackworth, Jamie MacDonald, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Jenna Davis, John Foster, Julia Cole, Just Jayne, Kevin Powers, The Kruse Brothers, MaRynn Taylor, McCoy Moore, Myles Morgan, Preston Cooper, Scoot Teasley, Sophia Scott, Stella Lefty,  Timmy McKeever, Trey Lewis, Tyce Delk, Tyler Nance, Wesko and Will Moseley will all take the Good Molecules Reverb Stage.

Debuting this year inside Fan Alley is the Wrangler Remix Stage, with performances from Alli Walker, Aniston Pate, Ashley Kutcher, Benny G, BODHI, Bottomland, Brooke Lee, Carson Wallace, CECE, Chancey Williams, Chandler Walters, Clayton Mullen, Cole Goodwin, Dalton Davis, Emily Nenni, Gannon Fremin & CCREV, Hayden Blount, Hayden Coffman, Highway Home, Hogslop String Band, Jake Banfield, Jay Webb, Kat Luna, Lil Man J, Lily Meola, Matt Cooper, Payton Smith, ROME from Sublime with Rome, SKEEZ, Sons of Habit, Sterling Elza, Trey Pendley, Tyla Rodrigues and The Wilder Blue.

All CMA Fest outdoor stages are free and open to the public. Passes for the night time Nissan Stadium shows are available here.

Alan Jackson To Bring First-Ever 5 O’Clock Somewhere Fest! To West Palm Beach In June

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Alan Jackson‘s first-ever Five O’Clock Somewhere Fest!, a multi-day festival experience blending music, coastal culture, and elevated hospitality will take place June 12-13 at The Palm Beaches Waterfront Commons in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The lineup for the inaugural festival includes Ella Langley, Old Dominion, Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band, Dylan Scott, Clint Black, Shenandoah, John Anderson, Rodney Atkins, Jammy Buffet (a Jimmy Buffett Tribute), Allen Stone and more. Comedian Dusty Slay and JD Spradlin of Sirius XM’s Radio Margaritaville are set to host the event.

“I’ve gotten to enjoy so many experiences at my concerts over the years,” says Jackson. “I’m not touring any more, but I like the idea of still being able to give people an opportunity to have a ‘Good Time’ and enjoy some great country music while they do.”

The festival goal is to capture the vibe of “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” Jackson’s triple-Platinum, CMA and ACM award-winning song that spent more than two months at the top of the charts in the summer of 2003. The festival’s first-year location is the region where Jackson filmed the classic video for the song and where he once had a home, enjoying the area’s coastal lifestyle, boating culture, and vibrant community that makes South Florida unique.

“After 15 years of working with Alan, I’ve seen how much the beach lifestyle and that ‘Five O’Clock Somewhere’ mindset mean to him,” says longtime Jackson Tour Manager and Peachtree Entertainment’s CEO Nathan Baugh. “It’s not just a song – it’s how he lives. This festival is a natural extension of that. At Peachtree, we focus on creating real, memorable experiences, and this one is special because it’s rooted in Alan’s story and a place he’s always loved.”

Alan Jackson’s Five O’Clock Somewhere Fest! has partnered with StubHub to introduce a safe and secure fan-to-fan ticket exchange, giving fans access to sold-out ticket types and the ability to purchase verified tickets directly through the official platform if plans change. Tickets, festival information, and presale details are available at 5oclocksomewherefest.com, with all tickets going on sale on Friday (March 27). The festival will also offer a range of VIP experiences, including elevated chef-curated food and beverage offerings, dedicated entrances, air-conditioned spaces, and premium platform viewing options, with more details to be announced.

Jackson is excited to welcome fans to Five O’Clock Somewhere Fest as he launches the event, and will mark the end of his touring career in late June at a sold-out stadium concert in Nashville.

The Second Annual Diffie Classic Set For September

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A two-day golf and music tribute honoring Joe Diffie, The 2nd Annual Diffie Classic, is set for Sept. 21–22 at 12 Stones Crossing Golf Club in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

The event kicks off Sept. 21 with a golf tournament. Festivities continue Sept. 22 with a live concert at the Nashville Palace featuring a variety of artists. The tourney will feature four-person teams competing in a traditional best-ball scramble format. The concert on Tuesday night at the Nashville Palace is included with golf registration. A limited number of standalone concert tickets will also be available for fans not participating in the tournament.

“Dad loved golf and his family and was deeply appreciative of everything First Steps did for Tyler,” says Parker Diffie and Travis Humes, Diffie’s sons and organizers of The Diffie Classic. “We’re proud to partner with First Steps to help further their important work in our community.”

“From the earliest days of his rise in country music, Joe Diffie made an intentional commitment to give back to the community he loved,” says Heather Higgins, First Steps Executive Director. “Through years of concerts and golf tournaments, he championed the mission of First Steps, sharing widely the importance of early intervention for children with special needs and medical conditions. As a father, he personally understood our mission through the eyes of his son Tyler. We are incredibly proud to see Joe Diffie’s legacy come full circle again through his family’s support, and we remain deeply grateful for their continued partnership.”

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit First Steps, a Nashville-based organization that was especially meaningful to Diffie and his family. Diffie’s son, Tyler, who has Down syndrome, attended First Steps’ early intervention and child development programs for several years. From 1992 through 2004, Diffie supported the organization by hosting the Country Steps In For First Steps concerts and golf tournaments.

Industry Ink: Kenny Chesney, Waylon Wyatt, CMHOFM, Cumulus, More

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Kenny Chesney Makes William Morrow’s 100 Impactful Books of the Century List

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Allister Ann

Kenny Chesney’s Heart, Life, Music has made William Morrow’s 100 Impactful Books of the Century List.

“I had no idea so many people would see their own journey in mine, live some moments that are hard to believe happen,” Chesney shares. “Kind of like being in this list alongside so many incredible books. This was definitely something I would’ve never guessed or imagined, but am so honored for all the people in the book who made this story something worth reading.”

 

Waylon Wyatt’s ‘Jailbreak (ft. Bayker Blankenship)’ Earns RIAA Gold Certification

Pictured (L-R): Anna Kellam, Yitzi Peetluk, Marc Caceres, Waylon Wyatt, Bayker Blankenship and Jarrid Bell. Photo: Darcy Goss

Last week during CMC Rocks in Australia, Bayker Blankenship surprised Waylon Wyatt on stage to present him with a plaque for their collaboration “Jailbreak.” The song is officially RIAA-Gold certified and marks Waylon’s second Gold certification following his song “Arkansas Diamond.”

Wyatt is slated to join Sam Barber for select dates this year. He is also scheduled to appear at Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.

 

CMHOFM Celebrates Opening Of ‘Kalup Linzy: Chronicles. Interludes. Testaments’

Kalup Linzy & Daniel Lonow. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Haley Gallery celebrated the opening of “Kalup Linzy: Chronicles. Interludes. Testaments,” an art exhibition showcasing new works by video and performance artist Kalup Linzy. Linzy performed during the opening event.

The exhibition is guest-curated by Paul Barrett. It is free and open to the public through May 7.

 

5th Annual Texas Independence Jam Raises $360,000 For Cook Children’s Medical Center

Photo: Courtesy of Cumulus Media

The fifth Annual Texas Independence Jam guitar pull at Billy Bob’s Texas raised $360,000 for Cook Children’s Medical Center. This year’s lineup included Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Hudson Westbrook, Corey Kent, Gary LeVox, Turnpike Troubadours, Justin Moore, Dylan Scott, Tucker Wetmore and Ashley Cooke, who entertained the sold-out crowd over three sets.

“Our Texas Independence Jam ’26 was one for the books. We had more Texas stars than ever, and you could feel the energy of a sold-out Billy Bob’s Texas everywhere you turned. And to raise over $350,000 in donations to Cook Children’s Medical Center during the show was unbelievable,” says Mike Preston, Program Director for New Country 96.3 and 99.5 The Wolf.

 

CDX Nashville Unveils 2026 Star Airplay & Artist Award Winners

Photo: Courtesy of CDX Nashville

CDX Nashville unveiled the winners of the 2026 CDX Star Airplay & Artist Awards at its annual CDX Meet & Greet on March 17 at The Listening Room.

“These awards represent the heartbeat of our format,” says Joe Kelly, President of CDX Nashville. “For 35 years, CDX has been about relationships—between artists and radio, between songs and audiences. Celebrating this milestone alongside the people who make this business work every day made this year especially meaningful.”

Marshalls of the Revolution took home Label of the Year. Station of the Year was awarded to KFAV. Melissa Frost nabbed Programmer of the Year. Tyson Leaman was named Breakout Artist of the Year. Male Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year went to Ira Dean and Ashley Ryan, respectively. Due West earned Group of the Year.

Willie Nelson’s ‘Outlaw Music Festival Tour’ Returns This Summer

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Willie Nelson. Photo: Josh Timmermans | Noble Visions

The “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” is entering its second decade on the road beginning in July.

Following last year’s milestone 10th anniversary, the festival is ushering in a new era, with Willie once again headlining the special limited run. The tour, which kicks off on July 3 in Irving, Texas, features Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Pric, Sierra Hull, Robert Randolph, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble and Lily Meola. The tour also includes Willie’s annual Fourth of July Picnic, which will feature special guests Billy Strings and Rodney Crowell.

The “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” 2026 will include stops in Texas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and more through Aug. 30. Tickets go on sale to the general public on March 27 through OutlawMusicFestival.com and Ticketmaster.com. VIP packages will be available, offering great seats and exclusive festival merchandise.

“Being on the road and playing for the fans is what I love to do. We don’t get to do as many shows as we used to, so every night out there means a little more. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and making it a special time,” shares Nelson.

HEY NOW Records Reveals New Hirings

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Brooke Diaz, Bill Lubitz, Jane Staszak & Anna Scott Welch.

HEY NOW Records has tapped Brooke Diaz as Vice President of Promotion, and Bill Lubitz and Jane Staszak as National Directors for the West and East Coasts. The three will lead the newly-launched company alongside Co-Founder and President Kris Lamb.

Diaz spent a dozen years as Director West Coast, Northeast and Midwest before rising to National Director at Big Machine Label Group. She began her career at Denver’s KWOF The World, as both Music Director and morning show lead. A Brown University graduate, Diaz was awarded the 2025 CRS Country Aircheck Awards National Director Of The Year and 2022 CRS Country Aircheck Awards Regional Promoter Of The Year.

“Brooke is the most passionate person I know when it comes to this business,” Lamb shares. “Her unmatched work ethic sets a level of intensity that inspires everyone around her. She’s incredibly creative, really cares about the artists and that leads to her being one of the best relationship builders I’ve ever seen.”

Lubitz spent 10 years in Las Vegas radio, including at KWNR. He moved to the label side with Stoney Creek Records in 2009, then Black River Entertainment before being hired by Lamb for the launch of Dot Records in 2014. He moved to Big Machine Label Group in 2017.

“Bill delivers every day with consistency, discipline and a real commitment to the work. The first one analyzing spins and digging into the data, his level of detail creates a strong foundation for everything we do, which makes him an important backbone of this team,” Lamb adds of his West Coast National Director.

Staszak launched her career at Akron’s award-winning WQMX, then Pittsburgh’s WDSY. Tapped by Black River Entertainment as part of the team that launched Kelsea Ballerini, the Pittsburgh-based executive most recently worked at Big Machine Label Group.

“Jane leads with passion, builds belief in the record and brings an energy that draws people in,” Lamb says of his East Coast National Director. “With decades of experience across radio and the broader business, she understands how to connect the dots, but what really sets her apart is how naturally she connects with artists and partners on a human level.”

Additionally, Lamb has added Anna Scott Welch as Director of Streaming.

Most recently serving as Senior Manager of Streaming at Big Machine Label Group, after joining the company in 2021, Scott Welch is a veteran with seven years experience in digital partnerships, music strategy and campaign execution at Integrity Music and Crowd Surf. She is an Auburn University graduate.

“Anna’s deep understanding of the streaming landscape and how to translate data, audience and story into actual sustained momentum matters,” adds Lamb. “Bringing a level of focus, clarity and strategic thinking that’s essential in today’s world, having Anna in this role is a major piece of how we build and scale to maximize each artist’s potential without losing what makes them stand out.”

Reach the team at Brooke.Diaz@heynowrecords.com, Bill.Lubitz@heynowrecords.com, Jane.Staszak@heynowrecords.com and AnnaScott.Welch@heynowrecords.com.

BREAKING: The Orchard Appoints Heather Vassar As Sr. VP, Nashville

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Heather Vassar

The Orchard has appointed Heather Vassar as its new Senior Vice President, Nashville. She will report to Colleen Theis, The Orchard’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

Vassar will spearhead and strategically guide The Orchard’s Nashville division, focusing heavily on bolstering the company’s overall footprint and visibility throughout the market, from driving new relationships within Nashville’s independent music community, to overseeing day-to-day operations.

Prior to joining The Orchard, Vassar served as SVP at EMPIRE, where she launched their Nashville division and was instrumental in signing and developing breakout acts such as Shaboozey, CeCe and Wyatt Flores. Under her leadership, EMPIRE Nashville delivered numerous Billboard Hot 100 chart placements, billions of streams, and high-profile partnerships with DSPs, brands, and media outlets alike.

“We are excited to welcome Heather to The Orchard. Heather brings an invaluable level of expertise to our organization, given her deep-rooted relationships within the Nashville market and significant connections throughout the wider music industry,” Theis shares. “Her proven ability to strategically cultivate opportunities for artists spanning an array of genres will be instrumental in helping us further our mission: to connect our diverse roster of clients with exponentially growing global audiences. Her appointment also represents a pivotal step in our ongoing commitment to elevating and empowering women in high-visibility leadership roles across our company.”

“I’m honored to join The Orchard as SVP, Nashville, at an exciting time as genre lines blur and independent artists scale globally,” says Vassar. “I look forward to elevating our footprint to support this momentum while maintaining the vision and integrity established by Brad, Colleen and The Orchard team.”

Vassar will continue to maintain ownership of her venture, Casual Media Partners, a multi-faceted music and media company that blends record label services, artist management, content creation and innovation initiatives spanning AI, tech and cross-media storytelling.

Mack Geiger Signs With RECORDS Nashville & Columbia Records

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Mack Geiger

Australian country artist Mack Geiger has inked with RECORDS Nashville and Columbia Records.

“I’m excited and blessed for the opportunity to partner with the RECORDS Nashville and Columbia teams and ready to get to work,” shares Geiger.

“We are very excited to welcome the talented Australian country singer/songwriter Mack Geiger to the RECORDS Nashville family,” adds Joe Fisher, Executive Vice President, A&R at RECORDS Nashville. “Mack’s distinct sound and terrific live performances have already earned him an incredible streaming presence globally and positioned him as a promising new voice in the modern country scene, and we are excited to work with Mack as he further expands his fanbase and influence in the US.”

The Central Queensland native grew up on cattle farms, and was influenced by 90s country. His storytelling and sound have built a quickly growing fan base, with his latest track “String By” amassing 20 million streams, hitting No. 3 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA, No.5 on the U.S. Country Shazam Chart, No. 32 on the Global Country Shazam Chart, and No. 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart.

He has performed in Australia at Gympie Music Muster, CountryFest, Lasso Country Music Festival, Meatstock Toowoomba, and CMC Rocks, and will tour around his homeland with Warren Zeiders and Drake Milligan this year.

Geiger is slated to release new music soon. He is managed by Goldspur Entertainment.

Range Media Partners Elevates Cam Lutz To Partner

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Cam Lutz. Photo: Rezeta Veliu

Range Media Partners has elevated Cam Lutz to Partner.

Lutz joined Range Music in early 2021 as the SVP of Marketing where he led the team responsible for developing bespoke marketing campaigns and delivering high quality partnership opportunities for the company’s client roster. He later transitioned to become an Artist Manager, managing Luke Grimes as well as Lauv, Carter Faith and Haffway.

Prior to Range, Lutz spent nearly six years on the Music Artist Partnerships team at Meta, helping lead partnerships with music talent on Facebook and Instagram. During that time, Lutz was recognized on Billboard’s Country Music Power Players.

Additionally, the company has elevated Evan Winiker to Managing Partner. Prior to Range, Winiker was a manager at Full Stop and the Creed Co. He also spent twelve years touring with Jack Antonoff in FUN. and Steel Train.

FBMM Elevates Shelley Grayson & Chris Trump

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Shelley Grayson & Chris Trump

FBMM has promoted Nashville based employees Shelley Grayson and Chris Trump to Associate Business Manager. Both previously served as Senior Account Manager.

“Shelley and Chris exemplify the leadership, dedication and ‘white glove’ service we are committed to at FBMM,” says Owner Erica Rosa. “These promotions reflect their hard work and the care they bring to their clients and to our team every day. My fellow owners and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and help lead FBMM forward.”

Over the past 15 years, Grayson has gained experience across touring and recording artists from different genres, overseeing domestic and international headline touring, real estate transactions, estate planning and more. She is a member of ACM, CMA, Recording Academy and SOURCE Nashville, and also serves as a Public Director on ACM Lifting Lives’ Board of Directors.

“Working behind the scenes to help artists become financially stable and achieve their financial goals is the most rewarding part of what I do,” shares Grayson. “It’s very personal to work with someone’s finances and earning my clients’ trust and helping set them up for success is something I take very seriously. I’m proud to contribute to FBMM’s deep bench of expertise.”

Since joining FBMM in 2009, Trump has worked with developing artists and award winning acts, overseing acting careers, catalog sales and more. He is a member of ACM, CMA, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Troubadour Society, and a SOLID alum.

“Every artist’s definition of success looks different, and I love helping them build the financial side of their careers in a way that supports the life and goals they actually want,” adds Trump. “Just as importantly, I want artists to understand and have agency in their businesses, so they feel empowered and confident in the decisions that shape their future. I’m thankful I get to help my clients do just that at FBMM.”