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Hunter Flynn To Head Into Fall On New ‘Back To My Roots Tour’

August 17, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Hunter Flynn has announced his upcoming “Back to My Roots Tour,” kicking off Oct. 1 in Newport, Kentucky.

The 36-show tour celebrating his Appalachian heritage and the stories, people, and places that have shaped Flynn’s music will visit Lexington, Asheville, Buffalo, St. Louis, Memphis, and many more, with a Nashville stop Dec. 10 at Skinny Dennis.

Tickets to the “Back to My Roots” Tour will be available via presale beginning tomorrow (Aug. 18) with general on-sale beginning on Aug, 19.

The “Back to My Roots Tour” takes its name from Flynn’s deep connection to Appalachian culture and his commitment to telling stories rooted in the region he calls home. Raised in Pulaski County, Kentucky, Flynn has built his career around emotional honesty, vulnerability, and a sound he dubs Appalachian Soul Music. The new tour follows a period of continued growth for Flynn, whose work has taken him to venues and festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Dylan Gossett Plots UK Tour For 2027

August 17, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Dylan Gossett. Photo: Harrison Hargrave

Dylan Gossett is set to head across the pond in 2027 for a tour in the UK.

The multi-Platinum singer-songwriter will perform shows in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow on the new tour, which kicks off Feb. 18 and runs through Feb. 24. Tickets are on sale here.

Gossett is also gearing up for the release of his sophomore album, Ramblin’, due out Sept. 25 via Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records. He recently dropped the album’s newest single, “Loving You Like That.” The 27-year-old has already amassed nearly 1.5 billion career streams, led by his breakthrough anthem “Coal,” now certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the U.S. and multi-Platinum internationally.

UK Tour Dates – 2027
Feb 18 – London O2 Academy Brixton
Feb 19 – Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Feb 21 – Birmingham O2 Academy
Feb 24 – O2 Academy Glasgow

Echo House Collective Launches, Taps Emma Kiefer As Senior Director Of A&R [Exclusive]

August 17, 2026/by Lauryn Sink

Emma Kiefer.

Echo House Collective has launched, adding Emma Kiefer as Senior Director of A&R.

Co-founders, Jet Harvey and Krysten Harvey will invest in Kiefer to lead development of A&R, publishing, signing, roster management and more.

Kiefer moved to Nashville in 2020 and has previously held positions with Dave Cobb, Twelve6, Boom Music Group, and Group Projects Publishing, landing cuts for her writers with artists such as Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Tucker Wetmore, Carrie Underwood, Ben Fuller, Ernest, Luke Bryan, Corey Kent, Josh Ross, Tyler Braden, Chase Matthew and more. She can be reached here.

“What an honor it is to be entrusted with the launch of Echo House Collective and to help bring the vision in which Jet, Krysten, and I strongly align with to life,” says Kiefer.

“Echo House was born from the belief that every songwriter deserves a champion,” shares Jet and Krysten Harvey. “Building a songwriting career comes with both incredible opportunities and unseen challenges. This raises the question: Who wakes up every day thinking about what’s best for the writer? We don’t believe the industry needs another publishing company. However, we believe it needs a new kind of partner. Our vision is to work with the entire creative community to strengthen the songwriter’s journey.”

“At its core, Echo House speaks to the foundational belief that songwriters deserve a better model: one that protects the ownership of their work through integrity-driven practices,” Kiefer continues. “Jet and Krysten embody this mission statement, drawing from experience as successful entrepreneurs and Jet’s successful songwriting career (“Rock And A Hard Place,” by Bailey Zimmerman: 6 Week No. 1 Country Airplay, Diamond Record, No. 10 Billboard Hot 100 Single). We believe the best partnerships are built on mutual commitment: Echo House will invest deeply in its writers with time, relationships, experience, and unwavering belief in their potential. In return, we want our writers to bet on, and believe in themselves and their craft just as deeply… ‘We bet on you, as long as you bet on you, too.’ To us, that’s what a true partnership looks like. A belief that extraordinary careers are created together. Building that kind of writer-first culture isn’t just the vision for Echo House— it is exactly what this industry is all about… and what it needs.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to pour back into the songwriting community,” adds Jet Harvey. “Krysten and I have experienced firsthand how a great song can change lives. We’ve also seen how a great champion can change a career. We are proud to invest in Emma Kiefer because she embodies everything Echo House stands for. Her heart for songwriters, her experience, and her belief in championing writers make her the perfect person to bring our vision to life.”

Lil Man J’s ‘The Underdawg’ Arrives October 16

August 17, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Indie musician and social media personality Lil Man J will release his new album, The Underdawg Oct. 16.

Lil Man J (formally Jackson Benfield) entered the music scene in 2022 at 16, and has since achieved success with high-energy country, hip-hop tracks including “Cap Freestyle,” “Sippin Country,” “Stuck in the Middle,” and “Life Is Good.” Amassing over 250 million streams to date, he’s known for his eternal optimism and playful antics that audiences gravitate towards.

Despite his physical health challenges, the South Carolina native has used them for a greater purpose, advocating for disabled communities through his platform. With vulnerable new songs, The Underdawg shows “J” in a new light, embracing the obstacles he’s overcome with gratitude.

He just released the motivational single, “Keep Breathing,” from the new album. Describing the toll depression and anxiety can have on us all, Lil Man J opens up about the darkness he’s endured while striving to achieve his goals. The honest anthem shows his depth as a songwriter and sacrifices he’s made to get here, persevering through the difficult times.

“This album is the epitome of who I am as an artist and a person, as I’ve always felt misunderstood and out of place at times in my life,” says Lil Man J. “I know a lot of people have those feelings, too, and I hope this music inspires them to keep going, without letting anybody dictate what they’re capable of.”

The Underdawg Track List:
1. “I Plead The 5th” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Ryan Larkins, Jeff Fenster)
2. “Working On Me” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Sebastian Garcia, KTLN)
3. “Black Dirt Red” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, James Slater, Sam James)
4. “Strangers” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Sebastian Garcia, Kendall Goodman, Alex Grant, Bobby Simmons Jr, Christine Dominguez, Jeremy Dussoillet, Justin Franks, Tim Sommers)
5. “Bad & Ugly” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Autumn Buysse)
6. “Who’s Laughing Now (feat. Taela)” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Taylor Mae LaCour, Kendall Goodman)
7. “Too Far Down” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, James McNair)
8. “Keep Breathing” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Autumn Buysse)
9. “Barefoot Running (Hallelujah)” (Lil Man J, Aaron Barnhart)
10. “I Can’t Help” (Lil Man J, Carlo Colasacco, Levon Gray)
11. “Comin In Hot (feat. DJ Paul)” (Lil Man J, Paul Beauregard)

Jeannie Seely’s ‘Pennsyltucky’ Home Becomes Creative Songwriting Hub

August 17, 2026/by Madison Hahnen

Jeannie Seely’s “Pennsyltucky” Home. Photo: The Jeannie Seely Estate

One year after Jeannie Seely‘s passing, her “Pennsyltucky” Cumberland River cottage home will continue her legacy by welcoming songwriters, musicians and storytellers.

Named by Seely after her 1973 song “Farm in Pennsyltucky,” a nod to her Pennsylvania roots and adopted Southern home, the property is now being preserved as a living tribute to Seely and her love of music, friendship and songwriting.

Owned and maintained by The Jeannie Seely Trust, which Seely established as part of her estate planning, the home will host private songwriting sessions, small gatherings and intimate events. Artists will have the opportunity to create inside the cottage and on the screened porch overlooking the Cumberland River, one of Seely’s favorite places to write and spend time with friends.

One of the first songwriters to return to the cottage after Seely’s death was Erin Enderlin, who previously wrote there with Seely and Bobby Tomberlin. Their song, “Like I Could,” was later recorded by Rhonda Vincent and reached No. 1 on the Bluegrass chart.

“I absolutely loved writing with Jeannie,” says Enderlin. “She was so creative, and fast. She was usually talking about three or four song ideas while I was trying to write just one. The pure joy that just poured from her when she was creating was so inspiring.”

Around the cottage, visitors will be able to see Seely’s piano, awards, photographs, vinyl records, eight-tracks, cassettes, CDs, a handwritten recipe from her grandmother, personal mementos from decades of friendships and more.

The screened porch overlooks the Cumberland River, where Seely recorded her weekly Sundays with Seely program for SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. Outside, a red barn modeled after the Grand Ole Opry backdrop sits beside the cottage, while oversized “OPRY” letters honor the institution.

Seely performed at the Grand Ole Opry 5,397 times, more than any other artist in the show’s 100-year history. She purchased the riverfront cottage in part because of its proximity to the Opry.

Inquires for writing sessions at “Pennsyltucky” can be made by emailing Seely’s website at JSeelyWebsite@comcast.net.

‘Nashville’ Actress Hayden Panettiere Passes

August 17, 2026/by Lauryn Sink

Photo: © Glenn Francis / Wikimedia Commons (PacificProDigital.com), CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and modified to black and white from original).

Hayden Panettiere, who starred as Juliette Barnes in the television show Nashville, passed away yesterday (Aug. 16) at age 36.

Panettiere was raised in Palisades, New York and first appeared on-screen in a commercial in 1990 at 11 months old. She began her full-time acting career in 1994 with a role as Sarah Roberts on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, followed by Lizzie Spaulding on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. She was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Young Actress Age Ten or Under in the category of Best Performance in a TV Movie or Pilot for her role in Lifetime’s 1999 If You Believe.

Known for her roles in Remember the Titans, Heroes and Scream, Panettiere held additional roles in Malcolm in the Middle, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tiger Cruise, A Bug’s Life and many more. Throughout her career, she was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, multiple Teen Choice Awards and more.

Panettiere was featured on the soundtrack for multiple shows and films she appeared in including A Bug’s Life, Ice Princess, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time, Nashville and more. Her first single not associated with an acting role was released in 2008.

Earlier this year, she released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, which chronicles her experiences as a child actress, as well as with addiction, postpartum depression and more.

Panettiere is survived by her parents and her daughter, who is 11.

Vince Gill To Receive Country Icon Award At 12th Annual Josie Music Awards

August 17, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Vince Gill. Photo: David McClister

Vince Gill will be honored with the Country Icon Award at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards on Sept. 20 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

The Josie Music Awards is the largest independent, privately-owned music award show globally, dedicated to celebrating independent artists, songwriters, legends, and music industry professionals.

“We are deeply honored to present the Country Icon Award to Vince Gill at this year’s Josie Music Awards,” says Tinamarie Passantino, Dr. h.c., Co-Owner of the Josie Music Awards. “Vince’s incomparable artistry, decades of extraordinary contributions to music, and his enduring influence on generations of artists make him truly deserving of this recognition. To have him join us on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House, a place he has called home for decades, will be an unforgettable moment.”

The 12th Annual Josie Music Awards weekend will begin with the JMA Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, followed by the main awards ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Opry House.

Stephen Day Slates New Self-Titled Project For October

August 17, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Songwriter Stephen Day is set to release his upcoming self-titled album on Oct. 2 via Riser House.

Day has also released the third single from the album, “You Wouldn’t Know.” “You know that feeling that you get every once in a while when your soul knows something your mind’s not willing to admit? That’s ‘You Wouldn’t Know,’ says Day. “It’s that age old tension between the head and the heart and it’s for anyone who wishes they could lay their emotions out on the line but they aren’t ready yet and they’re terrified their feelings won’t be reciprocated.”

The new 13-track project offers an intimate portrait of Day’s deepest emotions, weaving together every facet of who he is as a songwriter, musician, storyteller and craftsman. Co-produced by longtime collaborator Micah Tawlks along with Ian Fitchuk, the album demonstrates how Day defies categories, able to flit between decades as well as genres like soul, R&B, rock, and pop with ease. The album kicks off with the dreamy contentment of “It Is What It Is,” eases into the infectious groove of lead single “Rock Bottom Baby” before traveling back in time with the pop-rock of “Annie Breakdown” and “Yes I Do.”

“Mama, I Found Your Guitar” offers up Day’s origin story. His father is a pastor, and his mother was a nurse practitioner who sang at church on Sundays. One afternoon, he found her guitar in a closet and asked her to teach him a few chords, which inadvertently set him on his musical path. The song was actually recorded on the very same nylon six string.

Day has also announced he and his band will head out on a 25-date tour across the U.S., this fall, kicking off Oct. 3 in Minneapolis, and running through Nov. 21.

Stephen Day Track List:
1. “It Is What It Is”
2. “Rock Bottom Baby”
3. “Annie Breakdown”
4. “Yes I Do”
5. “Back In My Bed”
6. “Cry Baby”
7. “Heartbreak Is Up Ahead”
8. “You Wouldn’t Know”
9. “Don’t Leave Me Like This”
10. “Mama, I Found Your Guitar”
11. “Leanin’ On My Truck”
12. “Supernova”
13. “Picture’s Perfect”

MusicRow Weekly (Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, News, Charts, More…)

August 14, 2026/by Madison Hahnen

This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly features a mix of major industry news, new partnerships, career milestones and publishing deals, led by the announcement of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Click here to see the full edition.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame revealed its newest class Tuesday morning (Aug. 11) during a press conference on Music Row. Taylor Swift, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller will join the esteemed Hall as members of the Class of 2026.

Elsewhere in the industry, Warner Records Nashville has announced a series of changes to its marketing department, including several promotions and newly created positions. Addison Nunes has been promoted to VP, Marketing, while Anna Pittman will continue in her role as VP, Marketing. Jackson Ammons and Jennipher Miller have both moved into Marketing Manager roles, while Samantha Nepsa has been promoted to Sr. Analyst, Data & Analytics. Justin Luffman has taken on the newly created role of VP, Culture & Creative Marketing, and Allyson Kim has moved into the role of Manager, Touring & Fan Activations. Alyssa Cohen has also joined the Warner Records Nashville marketing team as Marketing Coordinator.

Tape Room Music has elevated Caroline Hodson to Vice President, A&R. HEY NOW Records has also expanded its leadership team, adding Dilan “Hef” Ames as Vice President of Artist & Repertoire and Alyssa Ramsey as Director of Artist Development.

In the management space, Make Wake Artists has formed a partnership with One Twenty One Management, founded by Adam Hale. The management company’s roster includes Muscadine Bloodline, Ben Chapman and Josh Weathers.

Lamont Landers marked an important career milestone last week with his Grand Ole Opry debut on Aug. 4.

The week also brought a number of new publishing and representation deals. Robert Venable, Mark D. Conklin and Steven Dale Jones have all signed with Shoalsville Music Publishing Co., while Ethan Burdick has signed with UTA. By Design has expanded its songwriter roster through new deals with Austin Cain, Chris August, Jillian Edwards and Jon White in partnership with Sony Music Publishing. Alison Turner has also signed a co-publishing deal directly with By Design Music Publishing. Kinsley has signed a worldwide exclusive publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. DELTONA has made moves on both the management and booking fronts, signing with The Core Entertainment for management and WME for booking representation. Hampton Hall has inked a publishing deal with Creative Nation. Lucas Ball has also secured a new global publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Twelve6 Entertainment.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Kenny Chesney takes the No. 1 spot with “Carry On.” 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.

Brandi Carlile’s New Deluxe LP ‘Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)’ Due In September

August 14, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Brandi Carlile is releasing Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version), digitally on Sept. 25 via Interscope Records/Lost Highway, an expanded version of her acclaimed album Returning To Myself.

Ahead of the release, Carlile has released “Human (Sad Gay Version)” featuring composer and electronic musician Jon Hopkins, today. Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version) features intimate reimagined versions of all ten tracks from the original album, with Carlile going back into the studio to co-produce four tracks with Aaron Dessner. The collection includes a new version of Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” exclusively on streaming.

“When I was a teenager, I loved to toy with my own emotions by actively seeking out songs in a genre that very few are willing to call by its rightful name. The ‘Sad Gay’ genre. You don’t have to actually be gay to let it break your heart into a thousand pieces, it will do that against your will. I would sit at the edge of my bed and listen to ‘Everybody Hurts’ by R.E.M., ‘Language Or the Kiss’ by the Indigo Girls, or watch Sinead O’ Connor singing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ while that single black and white tear ran down her face. I would do this just to feel myself spiral into pure emotional self-indulgence in ways only music like this could permit, making me a very sad gay.

“Returning To Myself has been such a profound journey,” she continues. “It’s taken me to places I never imagined and taught me a lot about my disdain for the solitary, as well as my own ridiculous pattern of self-avoidance. Long may it continue. I reimagined this album in this way because I want to be brought back to the edge of my bed again and I want to bring you with me. I rebuilt the whole thing for you and for myself. This one is for us… the sad gays wherever you are. This is Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)…”

Carlile kicked off the second leg of her extensive “The Human Tour” last night.

Returning to Myself (Sad Gay Version) Track List:
1. “Returning To Myself”
2. “Human”
3. “A Woman Oversees”
4. “A War With Time”
5. “Anniversary”
6. “Church & State”
7. “Joni”
8. “You Without Me”
9. “No One Knows Us”
10. “A Long Goodbye”
11. “Human (feat. Jon Hopkins) (Sad Gay Version)”
12. “Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)”
13. “You Without Me (Sad Gay Version)”
14. “No One Knows Us (Sad Gay Version)”
15. “Anniversary (Sad Gay Version)”
16. “And So It Goes (Sad Gay Version)”
17. “A Woman Oversees (Sad Gay Version)”
18. “Church & State (Sad Gay Version)”
19. “A War With Time (Sad Gay Version)”
20. “Joni (Sad Gay Version)”
21. “A Long Goodbye (Sad Gay Version)”

Hunter Flynn To Head Into Fall On New ‘Back To My Roots Tour’

Dylan Gossett Plots UK Tour For 2027

Echo House Collective Launches, Taps Emma Kiefer As Senior Director Of A&R [Exclusive]

Lil Man J’s ‘The Underdawg’ Arrives October 16

Jeannie Seely’s ‘Pennsyltucky’ Home Becomes Creative Songwriting Hub

‘Nashville’ Actress Hayden Panettiere Passes

Vince Gill To Receive Country Icon Award At 12th Annual Josie Music Awards

Stephen Day Slates New Self-Titled Project For October

MusicRow Weekly (Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, News, Charts, More…)

Brandi Carlile’s New Deluxe LP ‘Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version)’ Due In September

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