Dierks Bentley’s Row 94 bourbon is making its Opry debut with Trespasser’s Proof, a new limited addition to the ROW 94 lineup set to arrive in 2027 that will finish its aging process on the grounds of the Grand Ole Opry.

During a press conference at the Opry celebrating the Second Annual Dierks Day, Bentley also announced two new ways for fans to experience ROW 94 with the opening of the brand’s first-ever tasting room in downtown Nashville, and the launch of The Music Whiskey Trail: Dierks Bentley & ROW 94, a guided tour from Mint Julep Experiences. Both experiences will open to the public this week.

“I’ve spent most of my life trying to get closer to the music, sometimes through doors I wasn’t supposed to walk through,” says Bentley. “That same intense passion for country music is what inspired this bourbon, and getting to bring a little piece of Nashville history into it makes it even more special.”

Trespasser’s Proof pays tribute to the Ryman Auditorium’s hallowed circle. The stage of the Ryman was built of hard white oak and sugar maple, and a circle of those same woods still graces the current stage, and in honor of that legacy, ROW 94 selected staves of the very same wood species to finish Trespasser’s Proof, bringing another piece of Nashville’s musical history into the bourbon. With each barrel developing its own character, the final proof has yet to be determined. The distillery team will sample throughout the aging and finishing process before setting the proof just ahead of bottling.

ROW 94 Trespasser’s Proof, a four-barrel batch, is slated for release in early 2027 at a suggested retail price of $100, and will be available online and at select bourbon bars and retailers while supplies last.

Following the press conference, the celebration continued as Bentley returned to perform on the Opry stage before hosting an after party at the new ROW 94 Tasting Room located at the Bode Hotel in downtown Nashville. The tasting room is part bourbon bar, part backstage pass, with a Dierks hologram installation anchoring the space alongside archival photos from Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, where ROW 94 is made. Opening to the public tomorrow (Nov. 5), the ROW 94 Tasting Room will welcome guests Thursday-Sunday from 4-10 p.m.

Beginning this Saturday, (Nov. 7), The Music Whiskey Trail: Dierks Bentley & ROW 94 offers fans a chance to experience the Nashville that helped shape Bentley’s career. The three-hour guided experience from Mint Julep Experiences will run every Saturday, tracing key stops throughout Music Row, Lower Broadway, and the Station Inn in the Gulch.

Cody Johnson Partners With Justin Boots

Cody Johnson has partnered with Justin Boots to unveil a curated collection of boots. The Cody Johnson by Justin collection is available at participating retailers and online.

“From the start, Cody wanted to make sure we were creating an all-encompassing collection,” says Shelbi Tidwell, Director Of Product Development for Justin Brands. “He has a genuine appreciation for Western culture and understands what people are looking for in a quality pair of boots. Working alongside him allowed us to create a collection that feels truly authentic to Cody while offering something for everyone.”

 

Record Research Honors Top Country Songwriters At The Bluebird Cafe

Record Research recently honored the 40 top-ranked country songwriters from the past eight decades as listed in the latest Record Research book, Joel Whitburn’s History of Top Country Singles 1944-2025. Ashley Gorley, Melanie Howard )on behalf of Harlan Howard), Rhett Akins, Craig Wiseman, Ben Hayslip, Bill Anderson, Lisa Sutton (on behalf of Glenn Sutton), Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, Martha Moore (on behalf of Hank Cochran), Luke Laird, Dallas Davidson and Nan Kingsley all attended the reception held at The Bluebird Cafe.

Following the reception, The Bluebird Cafe put on a “Bob Kingsley Presents: Celebrating the Classics” show, featuring Craig Wiseman, Luke Laird, Radney Foster and more.

 

Uncle Kracker & J.T. Harding Teach Songwriting Lesson At Lipscomb Elementary School

Uncle Kracker and J.T. Harding recently made a guest appearance at Lipscomb Elementary School to teach a songwriting lesson to a group of fourth grade students in preparation for an upcoming field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Each student was asked to write their own song, with titles including “I Don’t Like Spaghetti,” “One Step at a Time” and “Soccer Stars.” Uncle Kracker and Harding performed their hit track “Smile” for the group.

 

Global Songwriters Connection To Host Holiday Mixer

Global Songwriters Connection will host a holiday mixer on Dec. 3 from 5-7 p.m. in the CMA event room (35 Music Square East).

The event will celebrate Dan Harrison, GSC Songwriter of the Year, Dallas Gregory, Publisher of the Year, and Karen Waldrup, GSC Artist Of The Year.

The Jack Wharff Band will release their debut album Coming Home on Dec. 4 via Big Machine Records.

The 14-track project was entirely co-written by vocalist/frontman Jack Wharff, with additional credits from the band’s own Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison and Evan Novoa, as well as Beau Bailey, Mackenzie Carpenter, Neil Medley and more. Production credits across the project include Eddie Spear, Justin Eckerd, Pat Lyons, Brett Truitt and Novoa.

The band has previewed the project with a new track titled “Torn Up Sweater.”

The Jack Wharff Band will wrap their headlining “The High Road Tour” Friday (Nov. 6), before heading overseas to support Dylan Gossett on his “Headed Out Back Tour” across Australia and New Zealand in December.

Coming Home Track List:
1. “25 Hours” (Luke Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, JT Harding)
2. “Washed” (Jack Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
3. “Coming Home” (Luke Wharff, Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison, Evan Novoa, Joe Clemmons)
4. “Torn Up Sweater” (Jack Wharff, Joe Clemmons, Henry, Harrup, Karen Kasowski)
5. “Sunburnt Summer (with Mackenzie Carpenter)” (Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison, Beau Bailey, Mackenzie Carpenter, Brett Truitt)
6. “One Of A Kind” (Jack Wharff)
7. “Burnin’ It Down (Studio Version)” (Jack Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell)
8. “Small Town Heart” (Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, Luke Wharff, Ryan Atchison, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
9. “Oklahoma” (Evan Novoa, Jack Wharff)
10. “Lowlife” (Jack Wharff, Neil Medley, Evan Novoa, Joe Clemmons)
11. “Better When I’m Not Around” (Jack Wharff, Luke Wharff, Joe Clemmons)
12. “november air” (Jack Wharff)
13. “Don’t Wake Me Up” (Jack Wharff, Evan Novoa, Garrett Howell, Joe Clemmons)
14. “Blue Ridge Skyline” (Jack Wharff)
Tracks 1-3, 8, 10 produced by Eddie Spear
Tracks 4, 7, 9, 11 produced by Justin Eckerd
Tracks 6, 12-14 produced by Pat Lyons
Track 5 produced by Brett Truitt
Track 9 produced by Evan Novoa

Under The Big Sky Festival will return to Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana July 16-18, 2027 with headliners Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves and Nathaniel Rateliff.

Additional performers will include Midland, Paul Cauthen, The Dead South, Sam Barber, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Badger Hound, Cascadel, Cash Muretta, Chloe Gendrow, Denim Gold, Joe Martinez, Nicole Croteau, Radio Ranch, Sterling Drake, Tim Helnore Band and Tomara, among others. In addition to the music, fans can enjoy rodeo, horseback rides, the tattoo barn, a petting zoo and more.

Under The Big Sky is open to fans of all ages with 3-Day GA or VIP passes (21+) available, along with complimentary GA passes with RSVP for children 36″ and under. Festival passes go on sale on Friday (Nov. 6). More ticket information can be found here.