The 12th Annual Maui Songwriters Festival is set to take place Jan.6-9 at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua featuring headliners Lauren Daigle, Brett Young, and The Band Perry.

The 2027 lineup also includes Drake White, Chris DeStefano, Trannie Anderson, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, and more. Hosted by radio personality Katie Neal of Katie & Company, the Maui Songwriters Festival showcases the artistry of songwriting through performances that celebrate the stories, experiences, and inspiration behind today’s biggest hits.

“Music has a remarkable ability to bring people together, and we’re honored to once again welcome the Maui Songwriters Festival to Kapalua,” says Melissa Lee, Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. “The festival embodies the spirit of connection, storytelling, and shared experiences that align seamlessly with our commitment to creating meaningful moments for our guests and community.”

A silent auction will also be held during the events that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, with proceeds supporting youth programs across Maui. Festival packages, accommodations and ticket information are available at mauisongwritersfestival.com.

RECORDS Nashville/Columbia Records artist Mack Geiger is set to release his debut album, Dying In This House, on Nov. 6. Geiger is offering another taste of the new album with the new track “How It Ends,” out now.

“Dying In This House channels a broken man’s walk through loneliness, heartache, denial, but also glimmers of hope,” shares Geiger. “I’ve always been drawn to songs which painted pictures. I feel like this album does that. Furthermore, songs that explore brokenness, because despite our constant endeavor to achieve outside flawlessness, each one of us experience battles that push us further than we can bend.

“Amidst the ballads are moments of remembrance of who the character is” he continues. “Grounding that sparks motivation and pride to push forward. Opportunity to dust yourself off and just get back in the ring. A collage of work with Keith Stegall and Jared Adlam bringing 12 tracks onto a canvas. Dying In This House. Country music.”

Geiger has solo writing credits across Dying In This House on “Jesus & Jones,” “Pouring,” “Nothing Like Grandma,” “Mess Of Blues,” “You Don’t Deserve Me,” “Walk A Straight Line,” “String By,” and the album’s title track. The album also features songs penned by Rodney Clawson, Will Bundy,  Bart Butler, Seth Ennis, Tim Nichols, Tony Martin, Mark Nesler, and more.

Geiger’s star continues to rise as his breakout single “String By” has surpassed 104.5 million global streams, reached No. 3 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA,  and reached the Top 40 on the Global Country Shazamchart. Geiger will continue his “When It’s Pouring Tour” across North America this November and December, including a return to the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 7. In 2027, Geiger will return to his home country to tour Australia alongside Brooks & Dunn.

Dying in This House Track List:
1. “His and Hers” (Wyatt McCubbin, Seth Ennis, Rob Snyder)
2. “How Crazy Is That?” (Tim Nichols, Tony Martin, Mark Nesler)
3. “String By” (Mack Geiger)
4. “Dying In This House” (Mack Geiger)
5. “Just Called To Let You Know” (Mack Geiger, Jim Beavers, Bart Butler)
6. “You Don’t Deserve Me” (Mack Geiger)
7. “Nothing Like Grandma” (Mack Geiger)
8. “Walk A Straight Line” (Mack Geiger)
9. “How It Ends” (Mack Geiger, Rodney Clawson, Johnny Clawson, Will Bundy)
10, “Mess Of Blues” (Mack Geiger)
11. “Pouring” (Mack Geiger)
12. “Jesus & Jones” (Mack Geiger)

Neon Coast has named Nikki Boon as Chief Creative Officer.

Boon has spent a decade with the company, working closely with Kane Brown and Nightly. She began her time there as Brown’s tour manager and has since played an integral part in earning his 14 chart-topping hits, 21 billion global streams and more. She was recently named one of five Executives on the Rise in Billboard’s annual country music issue.

In this new role, Boon will provide creative oversight and direction for every artist at Neon Coast, home to a multi-genre roster that also includes Restless Road, Randall King and Julia Cole. Boon also adds international strategy to her role, ahead of Nightly’s January 2027 Asia and Australia tour dates.

“Nikki’s creative thinking is second to none. She has a passion for our artists that you can feel in every conversation she has,” says Martha Earls, Founder and Owner of Neon Coast. “Nikki dreams bigger than anyone I know and has the rare ability to take an idea beyond the unexpected and see possibilities others can’t imagine. Bringing that vision, creativity, and unique perspective to every artist on our roster is one of the greatest ways we can invest in their success.”

“I’m so grateful to Kane, who showed me from his earliest days on the road how powerful a real connection with fans can be, to Nightly, who taught me every angle of what it takes to be an independent artist today, and to Martha Earls, who has always encouraged me and our whole team to dream big, chase ideas and go after our own big wins,” shares Boon. “In this new role, I’m excited to support each artist’s manager, building on what they’ve already created and finding new ways to connect with fans at home and around the world.”

Laura Veltz To Host Inaugural ‘Songwriter Soup’ Fundraiser

Laura Veltz will host the inaugural Songwriter Soup fundraiser on Jan. 13 at The Listening Room in Nashville. Walker Hayes will join Veltz during the round, with additional songwriters to be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now.

 

Big Loud Raises More Than $7k For Cancer Research

Big Loud laced up for the second straight year with Music’s Team for a Cure, the T.J. Martell Foundation’s peer-to-peer fundraising program, at Run Nash on Saturday, Oct. 24. The team raised more than $7,300 for cancer research, topping its $5,000 goal.

 

Kameron Marlowe Performs At Detroit Lions Halftime Show

Kameron Marlowe took the stage at the Detroit Lions Halftime Show during their game against the Green Bay Packers over the weekend.

Marlowe performed “I Won’t” and “No Need For Leavin’,” both set to be featured on his upcoming self-titled album dropping Jan. 22.

 

Craig Morgan Performs National Anthem at Tennessee Titans’ Salute To Service Game

Craig Morgan performed the national anthem at the Tennessee Titan’s Salute To Service game on Oct. 25.

The special game included a surprise on field moment as Morgan helped to honor U.S. Army combat veteran Marcus Hollis, who was injured while serving our nation. He joined as the Titans and Permobil presented Hollis with a custom wheelchair.

 

Station West Names Mallory Murphy Director Of Operations & Creative Development

Station West has named Mallory Murphy as Director of Operations and Creative Development. Murphy brings more than a decade of entertainment operations and production experience, most recently at Activision/Raven Software.

“Station West has the talent, facilities and expertise to make world-class music,” says Murphy. “My focus is helping create more opportunities for that music, and the people behind it, to reach new audiences and industries.”

 

Gillian Smith Signs With Angel Oak Music Group

Gillian Smith has signed with Angel Oak Music Group for management, publishing and label services.

Smith has made appearances at Carolina Country Music Fest and Barefoot Country Music Fest, and supported Parker McCollum, Cole Swindell, Craig Morgan, Jon Pardi and Bailey Zimmerman. She was named Best Female Country Artist at the 2025 Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame Awards. Smith’s new single “Old Flame” is set for release on Nov. 13.

“Talent, charisma, and charm rarely combine in one artist. Gillian Smith is the total package,” says Jon Lawhon, President, Angel Oak Music Group

“I have been fortunate enough to work with Gillian since she was 19, and even then her talent and hard work surpassed grown adults in this business. I feel so blessed to get to continue to work with her and her records moving forward, and to expand her team with Angel Oak.” says Sam Grow.

 

Jason Lovins Band Signs With StowTown Records

The Jason Lovins Band has signed with StowTown Records. The band made their label debut with their new single “We’re Letting Hope In.”

“The Jason Lovins Band has carved out a unique space in the music industry through impactful music that carries a powerful message,” says StowTown Records President and CEO Landon Beene. “Our StowTown Records team is honored to be the first to represent this amazing group with label support, and we believe deeply in both the music and the potential to expand their reach within the broader worship community.”

“Beyond the artistry, there is a sincere passion to serve and inspire others, and we are excited to help champion that calling and the impact it can have on the Church and beyond,” adds StowTown Records Director of A&R Mary Alice Lovelace.

The Grand Ole Opry joined in the fight against breast cancer once again this year at its 18th Annual Opry Goes Pink celebration Tuesday night (Oct. 27).

Megan Moroney flipped the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink in commemoration of the night, and also performed during the special evening. Additional performers on the lineup included Mandy Barnett, Mackenzie Carpenter, Deana Carter, Briley King, Benny G and rising newcomer and breast cancer survivor Jillian Cardarelli, who made her Opry debut.

Songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, Benny G’s mother, Ali Goldsmith, and Andrea Canning, correspondent for Dateline NBC, were guest announcers for the show, which was presented by Humana and sponsored by Vanderbilt Health. Five dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen to aid in the fight against breast cancer.