MusicRow is proud to reveal the honorees for the Rising Women on the Row Class of 2026. These six female executives are making a significant impact on Nashville’s country music industry, including: Courtney Allen, Jackie Augustus, Sara Knabe, Victoria Mason, Sophia Sansone and Elisa Vazzana.
City National Bank is Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 Rising Women on the Row, which will take place at Nashville’s JW Marriott at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.
Tickets for Rising Women on the Row are now closed. They will not be sold at the door.
Now in its 13th year, MusicRow‘s annual Rising Women on the Row event has honored over 60 women in the Nashville music industry.
For any questions regarding the event, contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com.
This year’s honorees include:
Courtney Allen
Courtney Allen – Senior Director, A&R – Concord Music Publishing
Courtney Allen joined Concord’s Nashville team in October 2021 as Director, A&R and was promoted to Senior Director in 2023. Allen serves as an A&R for Concord’s publishing roster that has grown and expanded immensely in the Nashville and country market. She is committed to rounding out Concord’s Nashville roster with top-notch talent and continues to be a force in developing high-level signings across the company including breakout artist Russell Dickerson and top country music songwriter/producer Corey Crowder as well as rising stars like Grace Tyler, Cole Goodwin, Clayton Mullen, Lauren Hungate and more. Additionally, Allen serves an integral role in liaising with Hang Your Hat, a Concord creative venture founded by two-time ACM Songwriter of the Year, Hillary Lindsey including notable signings such as Chris LaCorte. Prior to Concord, Allen served as Creative Director at BMG, where she worked with their roster of songwriters and developed new talent. Prior to her time at BMG, she was the Creative Director of publishing at Starstruck Entertainment, where she worked with developing artists on the management roster. Allen is active in the country music and Nashville scene both for music and philanthropically. She works with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raising money with their annual “This T Shirt Saves Lives” campaign, encouraging the music community’s involvement. She was also a part of the 2023 class of CMA Women’s Leadership Academy, and was named Song Champion of the Year at the 2025 AIMP Nashville Country Awards.
Jackie Augustus
Jackie Augustus – Lead, Country & Folk, Artist Partnerships – Spotify
Jackie Augustus is a seasoned music industry executive who currently leads Country & Folk Artist Partnerships at Spotify. In this role, she oversees global strategy for both genres, building trusted relationships with artists, managers and key industry collaborators. Based in Nashville, Augustus serves as a core creative and cultural advisor across Spotify’s cross-functional teams, shaping innovative campaigns and genre-defining moments that extend well beyond traditional release cycles. Augustus began her career at Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, where she rose to become Head of Digital Marketing and led global digital strategy for more than 23 artists, including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Augustus’ unique career trajectory began in 2009 when she launched the Justin Bieber fan account @BieberArmy on Twitter, rapidly gaining worldwide recognition from millions of fans and eventually catching the attention of Braun and Bieber. She then began collaborating with Braun on communicating Bieber updates to his fans, and in 2012 Braun recruited her to join the SB Projects team in Los Angeles, where she lived for six years. Augustus also spent time as a Strategic Partner Manager on Meta’s Music Partnerships team, where she developed large-scale immersive experiences, launched a content funding program for emerging artists, and onboarded global superstars to Reels. Augustus was named a 2025 Variety Nashville Power of Women honoree, a 2022 and 2025 Billboard Country Power Player, and the recipient of multiple Webby and Clio Awards.
Sara Knabe
Sara Knabe – SVP of A&R – Big Loud Records
An industry veteran and song champion, Big Loud Records SVP, A&R Sara Knabe plays an integral role leading both the Records and Big Loud Publishing A&R teams. With a meticulous ear and collaborative mindset, she brings a unique perspective to the forward-thinking teams, providing invaluable insights on talent discovery and placements after over 20 years in the music industry. Credited with signing country supernova Lainey Wilson and representing the catalogs of genre-shaping songwriters like Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, she continues to sign and shepherd red-hot risers like 2025 Grammy Artist To Watch Kashus Culpepper. Prior to joining the Big Loud staff in the spring of 2023, Knabe founded her own venture, Cake Maker Music, a publishing, artist development and A&R consultancy whose name alludes to the idiom about having your cake and eating it too—more literally for Knabe, mutually inclusive motherhood and career. Before Cake Maker, she spent over a decade at BMG, starting in 2011 as Senior Director of Creative in the company’s publishing sector and later upped to VP, before transitioning to the label side as VP of A&R at BBR Music Group in 2017. Prior stops for the Belmont University alum include Bug Music, Windswept Holdings, LLC and Harlan Howard Songs. Knabe also currently serves on the boards for the AMCs and CMAs.
Victoria Mason
Victoria Mason – SVP, Marketing – Warner Records Nashville
Warner Records Nashville’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Victoria Mason, continues to lead Nashville’s charge in optimizing audience, fan development and fan engagement in country music. She joined the Warner Music ranks in 2011 after a three-year tenure working with audience and data giant Nielsen and became the driving force behind Warner Music Nashville’s implementation of analytics for the next six years. In 2017, Mason was promoted to VP, Research & Analytics, where she increased the label’s focus on broader industry and genre-level trends, as well as deepening her oversight of ROI and marketing spend analysis. WRN expanded Mason’s duties in October 2019 into artist development, while also leading in-house analytics, and overseeing the day-to-day functions of the digital and strategic partnerships teams. She then moved from VP, Strategic Marketing to SVP Marketing & Analytics, where she merged and rebranded the Artist Development team into the comprehensive Marketing department, which encompasses Artist Marketing, Digital Marketing, Analytics, Brand Partnerships, and Industry + Fan Events, all reporting to Mason. Mason is a current member of the Leadership Music Board of Directors (2022-2026) and has been named a Billboard Country Power Player, Nashville Briefing Power Player and a Billboard Woman In Music.
Sophia Sansone
Sophia Sansone – Managing Partner, Artist Manager, Make Wake Artists
In less than a decade, Sophia Sansone has risen from an assistant role to become one of Nashville’s most respected young executives, now serving as a Managing Partner at Make Wake Artists. Since joining the company in 2017 as assistant to founder Chris Kappy, Sansone has distinguished herself through sharp strategic instincts, deep artist advocacy, and an exceptional understanding of long-term career building. A key member of Luke Combs’ management team during a period of historic growth, Sansone has played an integral role in helping guide one of the most successful careers in modern country music. She also manages Nicole Combs, serving as a trusted advisor across brand, business, and philanthropic initiatives. In 2025, Sansone expanded her roster by taking on Grammy Award–winning trio The Band Perry, leading their highly anticipated return to country music while honoring the legacy that made them one of the genre’s most influential acts. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sansone credits much of her leadership style to growing up as one of ten siblings, an unconventional training ground that shaped her collaborative mindset, adaptability and decisiveness. Her impact has been consistently recognized by the industry. She was named to Nashville Briefing’s 30 Under 30 in 2021 and went on to earn repeated honors including Billboard Women in Music (2023, 2024, 2025), MusicRow’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.) (2023), Variety’s Hitmakers (2023, 2024), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2023, 2024, 2025) and Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2024).
Elisa Vazzana
Elisa Vazzana – Agent – UTA
Elisa Vazzana is a Music Agent at leading global talent, entertainment, sports, and advisory company United Talent Agency. Based in Nashville, she represents a diverse roster of artists including Megan Moroney, Chayce Beckham and Buffalo Traffic Jam. Leading with integrity, strategic clarity, and an artist-first philosophy, Vazzana has played a central role in building Moroney’s career and was among the first to recognize her exceptional talent. Under her guidance, Moroney has emerged as one of modern country music’s most in-demand artists, driven by sustained growth and increased demand. Moroney’s first arena headline run, “The Cloud 9 Tour,” sold more than 450,000 tickets at the on-sale, an impressive follow up to her 2025 50-date “AM I OKAY?” tour, which sold over 365,000 tickets in under 15 minutes—together ranking among the most in-demand tours across all genres. Vazzana began her career at CAA in 2008. In 2012, she was promoted to the trainee program in Los Angeles. In 2013, her sharp attention to detail and tenacity led her to being promoted to agent. After her nearly 14-year tenure at CAA, she became the Head of Fairs and Festivals at UTA in 2021. Elsewhere, Vazzana is on the Board of Directors at International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).
Avery Anna’s ‘Girl Of Constant Sorrow Tour’ Set For March
/by Lorie HollabaughAvery Anna. Photo: Ben Humphrey
Avery Anna will kick off her headlining “Girl Of Constant Sorrow Tour” this spring beginning March 12.
The eight-date run kicks off in Cincinnati and will also visit St. Louis, Tulsa, Chattanooga and more through March 28. Tickets go on sale to the general public today (Jan. 12), with more stops to be announced soon. The tour is named after Avery’s emotional spin on the song “Girl of Constant Sorrow.”
The rising star recently showcased her vocal power with her critically acclaimed cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears.” In 2025, she released her sophomore album let go letters, which was named one of Billboard’s 50 Best Albums of 2025. She also reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with Sam Barber for their Platinum viral duet “Indigo” and spent the summer on the road opening for Luke Bryan’s “Country Song Came On Tour” and Brad Paisley’s “Truck Still Works World Tour,” wrapping up her own nearly sold-out headlining “Let Go Letters Tour” this winter.
“Girl Of Constant Sorrow Tour” Dates:
3.12 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s
3.13 — St. Louis, MO — Ballpark Village
3.14 — Tulsa, OK — Cain’s Ballroom
3.19 — Portland, ME — Aura
3.20 — Uncasville, CT — Mohegan Sun – Wolf Den
3.21 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
3.27 — Rosemont, IL — Joe’s Live
3.28 — Chattanooga, TN — The Signal
Zach Bryan Releases ‘With Heaven On Top Acoustic’
/by Lauryn SinkZach Bryan has released an acoustic version of his With Heaven On Top album, out via Warner Records.
The project features 24 tracks with just vocals and guitar along with alternative cover art. The digital set is broken down into two parts with the acoustic version as “Disc 1” and “Disc 2” comprised of the original 25 track album totaling 49 tracks in all.
With Heaven On Top was released January 9, via Warner Records. The complete set of songs was written, recorded and produced by Bryan in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Tickets for Bryan’s 2026 With Heaven On Tour are on sale now.
BREAKING: MusicRow Reveals 2026 Rising Women On The Row Honorees
/by MusicRow StaffMusicRow is proud to reveal the honorees for the Rising Women on the Row Class of 2026. These six female executives are making a significant impact on Nashville’s country music industry, including: Courtney Allen, Jackie Augustus, Sara Knabe, Victoria Mason, Sophia Sansone and Elisa Vazzana.
City National Bank is Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 Rising Women on the Row, which will take place at Nashville’s JW Marriott at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.
Tickets for Rising Women on the Row are now closed. They will not be sold at the door.
Now in its 13th year, MusicRow‘s annual Rising Women on the Row event has honored over 60 women in the Nashville music industry.
For any questions regarding the event, contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com.
This year’s honorees include:
Courtney Allen
Courtney Allen – Senior Director, A&R – Concord Music Publishing
Courtney Allen joined Concord’s Nashville team in October 2021 as Director, A&R and was promoted to Senior Director in 2023. Allen serves as an A&R for Concord’s publishing roster that has grown and expanded immensely in the Nashville and country market. She is committed to rounding out Concord’s Nashville roster with top-notch talent and continues to be a force in developing high-level signings across the company including breakout artist Russell Dickerson and top country music songwriter/producer Corey Crowder as well as rising stars like Grace Tyler, Cole Goodwin, Clayton Mullen, Lauren Hungate and more. Additionally, Allen serves an integral role in liaising with Hang Your Hat, a Concord creative venture founded by two-time ACM Songwriter of the Year, Hillary Lindsey including notable signings such as Chris LaCorte. Prior to Concord, Allen served as Creative Director at BMG, where she worked with their roster of songwriters and developed new talent. Prior to her time at BMG, she was the Creative Director of publishing at Starstruck Entertainment, where she worked with developing artists on the management roster. Allen is active in the country music and Nashville scene both for music and philanthropically. She works with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raising money with their annual “This T Shirt Saves Lives” campaign, encouraging the music community’s involvement. She was also a part of the 2023 class of CMA Women’s Leadership Academy, and was named Song Champion of the Year at the 2025 AIMP Nashville Country Awards.
Jackie Augustus
Jackie Augustus – Lead, Country & Folk, Artist Partnerships – Spotify
Jackie Augustus is a seasoned music industry executive who currently leads Country & Folk Artist Partnerships at Spotify. In this role, she oversees global strategy for both genres, building trusted relationships with artists, managers and key industry collaborators. Based in Nashville, Augustus serves as a core creative and cultural advisor across Spotify’s cross-functional teams, shaping innovative campaigns and genre-defining moments that extend well beyond traditional release cycles. Augustus began her career at Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, where she rose to become Head of Digital Marketing and led global digital strategy for more than 23 artists, including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Augustus’ unique career trajectory began in 2009 when she launched the Justin Bieber fan account @BieberArmy on Twitter, rapidly gaining worldwide recognition from millions of fans and eventually catching the attention of Braun and Bieber. She then began collaborating with Braun on communicating Bieber updates to his fans, and in 2012 Braun recruited her to join the SB Projects team in Los Angeles, where she lived for six years. Augustus also spent time as a Strategic Partner Manager on Meta’s Music Partnerships team, where she developed large-scale immersive experiences, launched a content funding program for emerging artists, and onboarded global superstars to Reels. Augustus was named a 2025 Variety Nashville Power of Women honoree, a 2022 and 2025 Billboard Country Power Player, and the recipient of multiple Webby and Clio Awards.
Sara Knabe
Sara Knabe – SVP of A&R – Big Loud Records
An industry veteran and song champion, Big Loud Records SVP, A&R Sara Knabe plays an integral role leading both the Records and Big Loud Publishing A&R teams. With a meticulous ear and collaborative mindset, she brings a unique perspective to the forward-thinking teams, providing invaluable insights on talent discovery and placements after over 20 years in the music industry. Credited with signing country supernova Lainey Wilson and representing the catalogs of genre-shaping songwriters like Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, she continues to sign and shepherd red-hot risers like 2025 Grammy Artist To Watch Kashus Culpepper. Prior to joining the Big Loud staff in the spring of 2023, Knabe founded her own venture, Cake Maker Music, a publishing, artist development and A&R consultancy whose name alludes to the idiom about having your cake and eating it too—more literally for Knabe, mutually inclusive motherhood and career. Before Cake Maker, she spent over a decade at BMG, starting in 2011 as Senior Director of Creative in the company’s publishing sector and later upped to VP, before transitioning to the label side as VP of A&R at BBR Music Group in 2017. Prior stops for the Belmont University alum include Bug Music, Windswept Holdings, LLC and Harlan Howard Songs. Knabe also currently serves on the boards for the AMCs and CMAs.
Victoria Mason
Victoria Mason – SVP, Marketing – Warner Records Nashville
Warner Records Nashville’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Victoria Mason, continues to lead Nashville’s charge in optimizing audience, fan development and fan engagement in country music. She joined the Warner Music ranks in 2011 after a three-year tenure working with audience and data giant Nielsen and became the driving force behind Warner Music Nashville’s implementation of analytics for the next six years. In 2017, Mason was promoted to VP, Research & Analytics, where she increased the label’s focus on broader industry and genre-level trends, as well as deepening her oversight of ROI and marketing spend analysis. WRN expanded Mason’s duties in October 2019 into artist development, while also leading in-house analytics, and overseeing the day-to-day functions of the digital and strategic partnerships teams. She then moved from VP, Strategic Marketing to SVP Marketing & Analytics, where she merged and rebranded the Artist Development team into the comprehensive Marketing department, which encompasses Artist Marketing, Digital Marketing, Analytics, Brand Partnerships, and Industry + Fan Events, all reporting to Mason. Mason is a current member of the Leadership Music Board of Directors (2022-2026) and has been named a Billboard Country Power Player, Nashville Briefing Power Player and a Billboard Woman In Music.
Sophia Sansone
Sophia Sansone – Managing Partner, Artist Manager, Make Wake Artists
In less than a decade, Sophia Sansone has risen from an assistant role to become one of Nashville’s most respected young executives, now serving as a Managing Partner at Make Wake Artists. Since joining the company in 2017 as assistant to founder Chris Kappy, Sansone has distinguished herself through sharp strategic instincts, deep artist advocacy, and an exceptional understanding of long-term career building. A key member of Luke Combs’ management team during a period of historic growth, Sansone has played an integral role in helping guide one of the most successful careers in modern country music. She also manages Nicole Combs, serving as a trusted advisor across brand, business, and philanthropic initiatives. In 2025, Sansone expanded her roster by taking on Grammy Award–winning trio The Band Perry, leading their highly anticipated return to country music while honoring the legacy that made them one of the genre’s most influential acts. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Sansone credits much of her leadership style to growing up as one of ten siblings, an unconventional training ground that shaped her collaborative mindset, adaptability and decisiveness. Her impact has been consistently recognized by the industry. She was named to Nashville Briefing’s 30 Under 30 in 2021 and went on to earn repeated honors including Billboard Women in Music (2023, 2024, 2025), MusicRow’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.) (2023), Variety’s Hitmakers (2023, 2024), Billboard’s Country Power Players (2023, 2024, 2025) and Billboard’s 40 Under 40 (2024).
Elisa Vazzana
Elisa Vazzana – Agent – UTA
Elisa Vazzana is a Music Agent at leading global talent, entertainment, sports, and advisory company United Talent Agency. Based in Nashville, she represents a diverse roster of artists including Megan Moroney, Chayce Beckham and Buffalo Traffic Jam. Leading with integrity, strategic clarity, and an artist-first philosophy, Vazzana has played a central role in building Moroney’s career and was among the first to recognize her exceptional talent. Under her guidance, Moroney has emerged as one of modern country music’s most in-demand artists, driven by sustained growth and increased demand. Moroney’s first arena headline run, “The Cloud 9 Tour,” sold more than 450,000 tickets at the on-sale, an impressive follow up to her 2025 50-date “AM I OKAY?” tour, which sold over 365,000 tickets in under 15 minutes—together ranking among the most in-demand tours across all genres. Vazzana began her career at CAA in 2008. In 2012, she was promoted to the trainee program in Los Angeles. In 2013, her sharp attention to detail and tenacity led her to being promoted to agent. After her nearly 14-year tenure at CAA, she became the Head of Fairs and Festivals at UTA in 2021. Elsewhere, Vazzana is on the Board of Directors at International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).
Blake Shelton Notches 31st No. 1
/by Lauryn SinkBlake Shelton. Photo: Robby Klein
Blake Shelton has earned his 31st No. 1 at country radio with “Stay Country or Die Tryin’,” out via Wheelhouse Records. The track was written by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Beau Bailey.
“I’ve been around long enough to know you never take moments like this for granted, and a number one radio single is always worth celebrating,” says Shelton. “I love this song, and I’m so grateful the fans do too. There’s no better way to kick off the Vegas residency on Thursday than with ‘Stay Country or Die Tryin’’ at the top of the charts.”
The track is Shelton’s second No. 1 from his latest BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album For Recreational Use Only, following “Texas,” which topped the charts last May.
Shelton has amassed 11 billion global streams, six ACM awards, three AMA awards, eleven CMA awards, eleven CMT awards and six People’s Choice awards. He recently wrapped the debut season of The Road, which he co-produced alongside Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser, Lee Metzger and headliner Keith Urban.
This week, Shelton is returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, with eight performances scheduled from Jan. 15 through Jan. 31. Tickets are available now.
Larry Fleet Partners With EMPIRE, New Album Due In February
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R) Eric Hurt, Jon Andolina, Tina Davis, Larry Fleet, Ghazi, Jen Way and Nima Etminan.
Larry Fleet will release his new album Another Year Older on Feb. 13 via Stellar Way Records/EMPIRE. Another Year Older marks Fleet’s first release under the new partnership with EMPIRE.
The 11 track project reflects on Fleet’s growth, gratitude, and staying grounded through life. Fleet is a co-writer on nine of the tunes, with writing collaborations including Randy Montana, Jessi Alexander, Luke Laird and more. The project was solely produced by Fleet.
Fleet will embark on his “Another Year Older Tour” on Feb. 12 in Boston. The 23 city tour will hit Raleigh, North Carolina, Billings, Montana, Germany and more before wrapping on May 12 in Bristol, UK.
Another Year Older Track List:
1. “More Of That” (Larry Fleet, Will Bundy, Jessi Alexander, Josh Miller)
2. “Baseball on the Radio” (Larry Fleet, Mark Holman, Randy Montana)
3. “Hotel Bible” (Larry Fleet, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
4. “If These Walls Could Talk” (Larry Fleet, Mark Trussell, Rhett Akins)
5. “5:25” (Larry Fleet, Brent Rupard, Anthony Olympia)
6. “Both Sides Of The Fence” (Alex Kline, Brent Rupard, Chris DuBios)
7. “Another Year Older” (Aaron Raitiere, Colton Venner, Joseph Patton)
8. “Whole Lotta Little Things” (Larry Fleet, Brett James, Adam James)
9. “Drunk Advice” (Larry Fleet, Will Weatherly, Brad Tursi)
10. “If I Still Was” (Larry Fleet, Will Bundy, Bobby Pinson)
11. “American Made” (Larry Fleet, Mark Holman, Scooter Carusoe)
Miranda Lambert To Perform Daytona 500 Pre-Race Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughMiranda Lambert. Photo: Jeff Johnson
Miranda Lambert is set to perform the Daytona 500 pre-race concert, kickstarting the festivities prior to the 68th running of The Great American Race.
“To have this level of talent with an artist such as Miranda Lambert performing our pre-race concert adds an incredible amount of energy for the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500,” says Frank Kelleher, Daytona International Speedway President. “Her powerhouse vocals and passion for music are the perfect mix to represent the prestige of this event. Get ready for the thunder of country music before we wave the green flag and engines roar to kick off the 2026 season!”
The action begins on Feb. 11, with the Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light, setting the field for the Duel At Daytona, which occurs Feb. 12, where drivers will battle it out for a spot in the Great American Race. The season-opening races for all three NASCAR national series as well as the ARCA Menards Series kick off on Feb. 13, starting with the Craftsman Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250. Feb. 14 will feature an action-packed double-header with the ARCA Menards Series race followed by the Xfinity Series United Rentals 300. Then on Feb. 15, the USAF Thunderbirds will perform their flyover, preparing both fans and drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series for an intense battle in the Daytona 500.
Lambert’s most recent album, current Grammy-nominee Postcards from Texas, continued her unbroken streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart. She recently collaborated with Chris Stapleton on “A Song to Sing,” as well as Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson on “Trailblazer,” both of which are also nominated at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards as well.
Coleman Jennings Drops Debut EP ‘Ride On’
/by Lorie HollabaughLone Star singer-songwriter Coleman Jennings has released his debut EP, Ride On, via Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records.
Produced by Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, Ride On features three new songs as well as the already-released “Head Spinning.” Jennings explores Western, folk, honky tonk, outlaw and Americana, old time and bluegrass on Ride On, and as a student of music, Jennings counts Townes Van Zandt, The Eagles, Blaze Foley, John Hartford and Lynyrd Skynyrd as inspirations.
“I just love what I love. I don’t care [about genre] and I have no guardrails on what I do,” Jennings explains. “My favorite artists are open to writing things that challenge – stuff that makes people think – and my dream is to take that all the way.”
The Texas native will host a residency at Austin’s Sagebrush every second and fourth Monday of the month in addition to supporting Dwight Yoakam throughout February and into March.
Ride On Track List:
1. “Ride On”
2. “Jamie”
3. “Head Spinning”
4. “Marianaville”
5. “First Born Home”
All songs solo-penned by Coleman Jennings
MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly delivers a wide-ranging snapshot of the current country music landscape, from chart-topping songwriters and emerging artists to significant industry moves and heartfelt remembrances. Click here to see the full edition.
Leading the headlines is MusicRow’s unveiling of its Top 100 Songwriters of 2025, a list that ultimately includes 119 names due to tied scores. At the pinnacle of this year’s rankings is Charlie Handsome, who amassed the highest number of points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart to claim the No. 1 position. Riley Green follows at No. 2, while Morgan Wallen secures the No. 3 spot. Rounding out the top five are Ashley Gorley at No. 4 and Blake Pendergrass at No. 5. While the list highlights an impressive breadth of hitmaking talent, it also underscores an ongoing imbalance, with just 12 female songwriters represented among the top 100 this year.
Looking ahead to the future of the format, Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed the lineup for the New Faces of Country Music Show at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2026. The highly anticipated showcase will feature performances from Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick and Josh Ross.
On the digital front, SoundExchange released its annual lists of Top Tracks and Breakout Creators of 2025, drawing from a full year of non-interactive streaming data spanning December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025. Among the notable country-related placements, Shaboozey landed at No. 7 on the top tracks list with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” while Kane Brown claimed the No. 19 spot with his Marshmello collaboration, “Miles On It.” The breakout creators list also featured a strong showing from emerging country and Americana talent, including Zach Top, Hudson Westbrook, Ty Myers, Max McNown, Lanie Gardner and Graham Barham.
The industry also paused to remember a revered songwriter this week. Jim McBride, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame passed away Tuesday morning (Jan. 6) at the age of 78, leaving behind a lasting legacy of influential songwriting and mentorship within the Nashville community.
In business news, Kimberly Holcombe has joined CTM Outlander as Vice President, Copyright & Administration. Publishing deals were also announced, with Josh Weathers signing with Sea Gayle Music, and Emma Lynn White inking a new publishing agreement with Ten Ten Music.
This week’s edition also features a conversation with Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Ella Langley remains in the No. 1 spot with “Choosin’ Texas.” Explore more chart data here.
The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
Megan Moroney Shares Track List For New Album ‘Cloud 9’
/by Lorie HollabaughMegan Moroney has unveiled the track list for her upcoming new album Cloud 9, due out on Feb. 20 via Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records.
Cloud 9 features songs including hits like the Gold-certified “6 Months Later”(currently at No. 5 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart) and “Beautiful Things,” as well as surprises like collabs with Ed Sheeran (on “I Only Miss You”) and Kacey Musgraves (on “Bells & Whistles”).
Cloud 9 will also include longtime fan favorite “Wedding Dress,” and in a bold step forward, the project also finds Moroney taking the helm as co-producer on “Wedding Dress” and “Table for Two.” Writers contributing to the album include Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Mackenzie Carpenter, Jessi Alexander and more.
Moroney will support the album with “The Cloud 9 Tour” in May, a 49-date international headline run which sold over 450,000 U.S. tickets instantly. The expansive tour will feature stops at major arenas throughout North America, Europe and the UK, with stops in Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, New York City and more, with two Bridgestone Arena dates in Nashville set for Aug. 21-22.
Moroney has also announced a new vinyl variant for the album, the Tiger Cloud – BTS Edition: a special-edition vinyl featuring exclusive alternative cover art, a gatefold with more than 50 never-before-seen behind-the-scenes images, and an exclusive insert from Moroney’s album shoot.
Cloud 9 Track List:
1. “Cloud 9” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Ernest Keith Smith)*
2. “Medicine” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
3. “6 Months Later” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Rob Hatch, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
4. “Stupid” (Megan Moroney, Amy Allen, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
5. “Beautiful Things” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
6. “Convincing” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
7. “Liars & Tigers & Bears” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
8. “I Only Miss You (ft. Ed Sheeran)” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, and Ed Sheeran)*
9. “Wedding Dress” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, and Colin Healy)+
10. “Change of Heart” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
11. “Bells & Whistles (ft. Kacey Musgraves)” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
12. “Table for Two” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)^
13. “Wish I Didn’t” (Megan Moroney, Emily Weisband, Hillary Lindsey, and Luke Laird)*
14. “Who Hurt You?” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
15. “Waiting on the Rain” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
* Produced by Kristian Bush
+ Produced by Luke Laird and Megan Moroney, additional production by Kristian Bush
^ Produced by Luke Laird and Megan Moroney
Industry Ink: MusiCares, Care de Graaf, Tim Easton, Jubilate Music Group
/by Lauryn SinkMusiCares Donates More Than $15 million To Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts
One year after the wildfires in Los Angeles communities, MusiCares has directed more than $15 million toward fire relief efforts. This includes $7 million deployed in the immediate aftermath of the fires to address urgent needs, along with ongoing recovery support. In total, over 3,200 music professionals have been reached through direct financial assistance, health and wellness services and long-term recovery throughout the region.
“Recovery does not happen on a fixed schedule,” says Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “We continue to hear from people who have been in survival mode for nearly a year, rebuilding homes, juggling displacement, trying to keep working, and only now able to focus on their own health and stability. That delayed need is a very real part of disaster recovery.”
Additional information about MusiCares’ impact and details on available resources can be found here.
Tennessee Performing Arts Center Elevates Care de Graaf
Care de Graaf.
Care de Graaf has been promoted to Director of Programming at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
In this role, she will oversee commercial programming strategy across Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s four venues with a primary focus on year-round Broadway touring productions and popular large scale live entertainment.
Tim Easton Signs With Truly Handmade Records
Tim Easton. Photo: Tommy Scifres
Tim Easton has signed with Truly Handmade Records to release his 14th studio album, fIREHORSE.
The album will be released physically on Easton’s own label, Campfire Propaganda and digitally via Guy Clark’s Truly Handmade Records on Feb. 20.
Production from multi-instrumentalist Kevin Nolan and featuring contributions from the rhythm section of Lainey Wilson’s touring band, the album explores a near-fatal rafting accident, personal reflection, roadside memories and more.
Jubilate Music Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary Year
Jubilate Music Group is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with three special anniversary initiatives.
“Joy in the Journey: The Jubilate Music Group Story” is an anniversary video that traces the vision, people and moments that have shaped the company from its founding to today. “Songs Everlasting: A Jubilate Anniversary Virtual Concert” will feature videotaped performances of bestsellers and classics from the Jubilate catalog. “Craft, Calling & Community: The Jubilate Writer’s Workshop” will be hosted by acclaimed composer/arranger/editor Lloyd Larson, featuring special guest editors and presenters to be announced. More information on all events can be found here.
“All of us at Jubilate Music Group are deeply grateful for this milestone,” shares Mark Cabaniss, Founder, President and CEO of Jubilate Music Group. “Our journey would not be possible – first and foremost – without the extraordinary talent and dedication of our writer contributors, past and present, and the trust and support of our customers. Just as importantly, it reflects the commitment of an exceptional team who works every day behind the scenes to serve composers, churches, educators, and musicians worldwide with care and excellence.”