Your Roots Are Showing (YRAS), Ireland’s folk and roots music conference, has revealed its 2026 speaker, panel and keynote schedule. The events will be held at ICC Belfast Jan. 14-18.
Wednesday (Jan. 14) will feature Tai Chi with Jim Lauderdale, “Whose Voice Gets Heard? Gender, Power, and the Folk Revival” with Linda Coogan Byrne, “Music, Climate & Creative Leadership” with Maria Vittoria, Sean McGrath and Clare Sands, “Distribution 101” with the Symphonic distribution team, “Social Media & Journalism” with Ian Saint, “The Living Language of Song” with Clare Sands and Liam Ó Maonlaí moderated by Caoimhe Ní Chathail, “Mandolin Workship” with Wyatt Ellis and a Keynote Interview with Paddy Keenan.
Thursday (Jan. 15) brings conversations including, “From Ruin to Relaunch – How one young artist over came the crushing blow of defeat in Nashville to relaunch a new independent career” with Lanny West, Leslie Fram and Dee White. “Booking Process for Raglan Road at Disney” with John Cooke and a Songwriting Workshop with Jim Lauderdale, Wallis Bird, Liam Ó Maonlaí, David Keenan, and Kenny Sharp. Jackie Martínez Marushka will moderate a panel on Music Journalism featuring veteran journalists, Craig Shelburne (The Bluegrass Situation), Cindy Watts (Nashville Lifestyle, American Songwriter, Tennessean), Will Hermes (Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” New York Times) and Chris Barilla (People Magazine). Marshal Garbus will host the “Visa Workshop,” while United Talent Agency’s Brian Hill and Matthew Morgan invite you to “Ask an Agent.” Midnight Mango Showcase Artists will host a panel followed by “Opry 100” with Craig Shelburne, Brenda Willis, Pete Fisher, Rissi Palmer and Jessica Willis Fisher.
Friday (Jan. 16) Jackie Martínez Marushka brings her “PR and Branding” workshop back to YRAS, while Katherine DePaul hosts a “Publishing Panel” and ARTS EKTA offers a “Connections” Panel. Revered songwriter, artist and producer Kristian Bush and his brother Brandon Bush, bring “Road Runner Rules,” Middle Tennessee State University professor Susan Hamilton will walk attendees through the “Music Business” and Lisa Schwartz speaks to “Breaking Down Silos.” Speaking to film and TV sync placements, music supervisor (Yellowstone and more) Andrea Von Foerster will talk about the ins and outs of her world. The day wraps with a “Fireside Chat with Fiona Bloom” and Keynote Interview with the legendary Amy Grant, moderated by Craig Shelburne.
Saturday (Jan. 17) brings “Web3, Blockchain & AI” with Anna Fahey, A Fireside Chat with TV and music industry pioneer Joel Wertman who discovered the Goo Goo Dolls and ran Sire Records. Representatives of Nashville’s biggest independent label, Curb Records, will host a Q&A while Allison Shaw talks about “Industry Leadership & Artist Development,” and “Storytelling with Liam O’Maonlai & David Keenan” and “Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer” round out the final conference day.
Sunday (Jan. 18) is the Conference’s Music Trail. Venues and artists will be revealed soon.
More information about schedules and registration can be found here.
Looking For A New Job In 2026? Check Out MusicRow’s Job Board
/by MusicRow StaffWith another year upon us, new job opportunities are opening up.
MusicRow wants to encourage its readers who are either looking for a music industry job or have an open position to fill to check out its Job Listings Board, located in the top menu bar on the MusicRow website.
Those who have full-time, part-time or temporary job opportunities can submit a form to list a job on the Job Listings Board. All job listings are free-to-list and will be posted for 60 days. Listings are accepted and published at the discretion of MusicRow.
Kimberly Holcombe Joins CTM Outlander
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Jitze de Raaff (CTM), André de Raaff (CEO, CTM Outlander), Kimberly Holcombe, Thomas Deelder (CTM).
Kimberly Holcombe has joined CTM Outlander as Vice President, Copyright & Administration.
In her new role, Holcombe will be the point of contact for CTMO’s copyright and royalty activities in the US. She will also serve as the dedicated contact for the Nashville writers for related matters.
With over 15 years of experience in music publishing and administration, Holcombe most recently served as Senior Manager, Portfolio Management & Analysis at Sony Music Publishing, with previous stops at Sentric Music (Senior Client Manager, US), and Kobalt Music Publishing (Director, Writer & Publisher Relations and Contract Administration).
Attorney Jake Farbman Joins Hall Booth Smith’s Nashville Office
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Farbman
Jake Farbman has joined Hall Booth Smith’s Nashville office as an attorney in its Entertainment Practice group.
Farbman’s passion for music began long before practicing law. In 2014, he co-founded the rock band The Catching as its guitarist and songwriter. He played more than 500 shows across 43 states with the band and shared stages with artists including Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Plain White T’s and 311. After the band broke up in 2019, Farbman earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law concentrating on music law, IP, and antitrust.
During law school he authored a law review article analyzing concert ticket affordability and the Live Nation/Ticketmaster market structure that was published in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law, and worked as a Law Clerk and Summer Associate at Hall Booth Smith, P.C. in Nashville; as a legal extern at the Law Office of Allen Jacobi / Pyramid Records in Miami; and as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Laura Maria Gonzalez-Marques of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.
At Hall Booth Smith Farbman handles entertainment transactions, intellectual property matters and general litigation, with a developing focus on music industry contracts, catalog rights, licensing, royalty analysis and entertainment-related civil litigation.
Josh Weathers Inks With Sea Gayle Music
/by Lauryn SinkJosh Weathers & Sea Gayle Music team.
Josh Weathers has inked with Sea Gayle Music.
A Texas native, Weathers released his most recent project, Neon Never Fades, on Friday (Jan. 2). Alongside his wife Kady, Weathers founded the Love Like You Mean It Foundation, dedicated to combating human trafficking in India and El Salvador.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Josh Weathers to the Sea Gayle family,” says Chris DuBois, President of Sea Gayle Music. “Josh is a truly generational talent and one of the finest vocalists you’ll ever hear. His ability to make a 500-seat venue feel like a stadium show is unmatched. We’re excited to partner with him on this next chapter and can’t wait for the rest of the world to experience his music.”
“I’m truly honored and excited to begin this next chapter with Sea Gayle Music,” adds Weathers. “Their care and integrity in crafting great songs with world-class songwriters is unparalleled. There’s no place I’d rather be. Sincere thanks to Chris DuBois and the incredible Sea Gayle team for their trust and support.”
Industry Ink: Chris Young, Tucker Wetmore, Neal McCoy
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young Performs On Live With Kelly & Mark
Chris Young. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment
Chris Young returned to Live With Kelly & Mark to perform “I Didn’t Come Here To Leave,” the title track to his recently-released tenth album via Black River Entertainment. He recently wrapped the final four stops of his first-ever holiday tour, the “It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young” Tour, which featured Young performing a mix of holiday songs, including the recently released “Christmas Ain’t Christmas” and “Silver Bells,” along with fan-favorite hits.
Tucker Wetmore Rings In 2026 On Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest
Tucker Wetmore. Photo: Courtesy of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Tucker Wetmore rang in 2026 with a milestone national TV performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, kicking off the new year with a high-energy mashup of his first No. 1, “Wind Up Missin’ You” and his fan-favorite track, “Brunette.” Wetmore enters 2026 following a banner 2025 that included back-to-back No. 1 singles, making him the 14th artist in chart history to land his first two singles at No. 1 within the same calendar year; his debut album, What Not To, which made history as the biggest country album debut from a new artist in 2025; and a year of touring across the U.S. and abroad. He is set to launch “The Brunette World Tour” in February.
Neal McCoy To Receive “Spirit of Texas” Award During Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Neal McCoy
Neal McCoy will be honored with the “Spirit of Texas” award during the 2026 Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Billy Bob’s Texas on March 25. The evening will feature cocktails, a silent auction, and a cowboy-inspired dining experience leading up to the induction ceremony. In addition, McCoy has partnered with Allied Flag, America’s premium manufacturer of 100% American-made flags, to launch a limited-edition Premium American Flag as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
The partnership aligns with a major milestone for McCoy, as on Jan. 7, McCoy will mark the 10-year anniversary of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance live every day to his followers, a commitment he has maintained without missing a single day. Allied Flag will begin shipping the limited-edition flags on Jan. 7 in honor of that anniversary. To celebrate that milestone, McCoy will appear on FOX & Friends on Sunday, January 4.
Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean & Bailey Zimmerman Headline ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Alan Poizner/Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, Bailey Zimmerman, CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers took the stage at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on Wednesday night (Jan. 31) to ring in 2026 at “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.”
Wilson kept the energy high, performing a set of hits including “4x4xU,” “Hang Tight Honey,” “Whirlwind,” “Country’s Cool Again” and “Heart Like A Truck.” She was joined onstage by television program co-host Hardy for “Wait In The Truck.”
Aldean delivered a set of fan-favorites with “My Kinda Party,” “Whiskey Drink,” “Dirt Road Anthem,” “She’s Country” and more.
Zimmerman lit up the stage with his dynamic set of “New To Country,” “Where It Ends,” “Holy Smokes,” “Rock and A Hard Place,” “Religiously” and “Fall In Love.”
With an estimated crowd of 205,000 people, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Dwight Yoakam also performed across the city during the CBS broadcast, which is available for streaming on Paramount+.
Blessing Offor Slates ‘Heart So Real Tour’ For February
/by Lorie HollabaughBlessing Offor will embark on his new headline “Heart So Real Tour,” beginning Feb. 14 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The dates mark his first headline tour in support of his sophomore album Real, and will include stops in Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Indianapolis, and more through Feb. 25.
“Playing live feels so good I’m surprised it’s legal,” shares Offor. “I never feel more like myself than when I’m on stage. And getting to meet the people that listen to my music means the world.”
Offor closed out a busy 2025 by taking part in a tribute to Sylvester Stallone at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors performing “The Final Bell” on piano with legendary composer Bill Conti conducting the Kennedy Center Orchestra.
His sophomore album Real released in 2025 and was created during a season of profound loss for Offor, with his emotional wounds leading to 16 deeply personal songs. The album features singles “Jordans,” and “Somebody’s Child” with Dolly Parton, and he punctuated the moment with two performances on Today with Jenna and Friends including his single “Lift Me Up,” which has been streamed eight million times to date.
“Heart So Real Tour” Dates:
Feb 14 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall
Feb 16 – Vienna, VA (DC) – Jammin Java
Feb 17 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore
Feb 18 – Cambridge, MA – Sonia
Feb 19 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Feb 22 – Detroit, MI – El Club
Feb 24 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
Feb 25 – Indianapolis, IN – Turntable
Your Roots Are Showing Conference Unveils 2026 Programming
/by Lauryn SinkYour Roots Are Showing (YRAS), Ireland’s folk and roots music conference, has revealed its 2026 speaker, panel and keynote schedule. The events will be held at ICC Belfast Jan. 14-18.
Wednesday (Jan. 14) will feature Tai Chi with Jim Lauderdale, “Whose Voice Gets Heard? Gender, Power, and the Folk Revival” with Linda Coogan Byrne, “Music, Climate & Creative Leadership” with Maria Vittoria, Sean McGrath and Clare Sands, “Distribution 101” with the Symphonic distribution team, “Social Media & Journalism” with Ian Saint, “The Living Language of Song” with Clare Sands and Liam Ó Maonlaí moderated by Caoimhe Ní Chathail, “Mandolin Workship” with Wyatt Ellis and a Keynote Interview with Paddy Keenan.
Thursday (Jan. 15) brings conversations including, “From Ruin to Relaunch – How one young artist over came the crushing blow of defeat in Nashville to relaunch a new independent career” with Lanny West, Leslie Fram and Dee White. “Booking Process for Raglan Road at Disney” with John Cooke and a Songwriting Workshop with Jim Lauderdale, Wallis Bird, Liam Ó Maonlaí, David Keenan, and Kenny Sharp. Jackie Martínez Marushka will moderate a panel on Music Journalism featuring veteran journalists, Craig Shelburne (The Bluegrass Situation), Cindy Watts (Nashville Lifestyle, American Songwriter, Tennessean), Will Hermes (Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” New York Times) and Chris Barilla (People Magazine). Marshal Garbus will host the “Visa Workshop,” while United Talent Agency’s Brian Hill and Matthew Morgan invite you to “Ask an Agent.” Midnight Mango Showcase Artists will host a panel followed by “Opry 100” with Craig Shelburne, Brenda Willis, Pete Fisher, Rissi Palmer and Jessica Willis Fisher.
Friday (Jan. 16) Jackie Martínez Marushka brings her “PR and Branding” workshop back to YRAS, while Katherine DePaul hosts a “Publishing Panel” and ARTS EKTA offers a “Connections” Panel. Revered songwriter, artist and producer Kristian Bush and his brother Brandon Bush, bring “Road Runner Rules,” Middle Tennessee State University professor Susan Hamilton will walk attendees through the “Music Business” and Lisa Schwartz speaks to “Breaking Down Silos.” Speaking to film and TV sync placements, music supervisor (Yellowstone and more) Andrea Von Foerster will talk about the ins and outs of her world. The day wraps with a “Fireside Chat with Fiona Bloom” and Keynote Interview with the legendary Amy Grant, moderated by Craig Shelburne.
Saturday (Jan. 17) brings “Web3, Blockchain & AI” with Anna Fahey, A Fireside Chat with TV and music industry pioneer Joel Wertman who discovered the Goo Goo Dolls and ran Sire Records. Representatives of Nashville’s biggest independent label, Curb Records, will host a Q&A while Allison Shaw talks about “Industry Leadership & Artist Development,” and “Storytelling with Liam O’Maonlai & David Keenan” and “Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer” round out the final conference day.
Sunday (Jan. 18) is the Conference’s Music Trail. Venues and artists will be revealed soon.
More information about schedules and registration can be found here.
Callie Twisselman Makes Opry Debut During Closing Night Of Opry 100 Celebration
/by Lorie HollabaughCallie Twisselman. Photo: Ash Summerford
Singer-songwriter Callie Twisselman made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Dec. 27, performing during the final Opry show of the year and the closing night of Opry 100.
Danny Nozell and Callie Twisselman. Photo: Ash Summerford
Twisselman took the stage during the milestone moment to perform “King & Queen of Recklessness” and “Ghost In My Head,” both featured on her debut EP Growing in Grace, which was released Dec. 5. Twisselman’s family was in attendance for the milestone debut, including her grandmother, who boarded a flight for the first time in nearly 40 years to be there after promising Twisselman she would make the trip if she ever performed at the Opry, a lifelong bucket-list dream for the artist.
In 2025, Twisselman’s career reached new heights as she collaborated with Dolly Parton, Jessie James Decker and Maddie & Tae on “Gonna Be You,” featured in the long-form interview “God, Family & Show Business,” which has garnered over 800,000 views to date. She was also featured on the My Little Pony: A New Generation soundtrack with the song “Together.” Looking ahead to 2026, Twisselman is working on new music and is set to open for Parton during her Las Vegas Residency in September.
UMG & Splice To Collaborate On Next Generation Of AI-Powered Music Creation Tools
/by Lorie HollabaughScreenshot
Universal Music Group and the creation platform Splice are collaborating on the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists.
The two companies are building a roadmap for development of commercial AI tools, and the artist-centric agreement builds on Splice’s suite of AI-enabled creator tools, which continue to respect intellectual property, and combine high-quality creative ingredients. The partnership will also explore AI-powered virtual instruments and tools that enable UMG artists to bring their own sounds into Splice’s AI workflows, and UMG artists are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the product development process.
“We’re excited to form this alliance with Splice to promote the alignment of innovation and ethicality in addressing the interests of the creative community to leverage cutting-edge AI-enabled tools to further their artistic expression,” says Michael Nash, EVP & Chief Digital Officer, Universal Music Group. “We look forward to partnering with Kakul Srivastava and her team on this critically important strategic technology front.”
“We’ve spent time building AI tools designed to fairly compensate creators and keep them in control,” says Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice. “We’re thankful for Universal’s continued support, and excited to work together to put these commercial tools in the hands of artists everywhere, knowing they can trust the end result.”
In June of 2024, Splice joined UMG and other industry figures to sign the “Principles for Music Creation with AI,” a series of clarifying statements relating to the responsible use of AI in music creation, advocating for ethical, transparent AI that empowers human creators rather than replacing them. Over the past year, Splice has built deeply embedded workflows across digital audio workstations, including Ableton and Pro Tools, and launched a growing suite of AI-native tools grounded in artist-centered monetization, governance, and creative control. With the acquisition of Spitfire Audio, Splice expanded its reach to professional composers cementing its position as one of the most trusted platforms for music creation.