Joe Melson
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Joe Melson has died at age 91.
Melson is best known for his 1960s collaborations with Nashville pop star Roy Orbison (1936-1988), including standards such as “Blue Bayou,” “Crying,” “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared.”
Claudie Joe Melson was raised in Bonham, Texas, northeast of Fort Worth. By the time of his teen years in the early 1950s, he was singing professionally and writing songs. He went to work in the mailroom at Standard Oil while studying accounting at Odessa Junior College. In the evenings, he entertained youngsters at dances and nightclubs with his rockabilly band, The Cavaliers. The group’s crowd-pleasing “Raindrops” became Melson’s debut single.
In 1957, he met fellow Texan Orbison, and the two began cowriting songs. They first came out with “Only the Lonely.” This 1960 smash launched Orbison’s hit-making career and is regarded as the first operatic rock song. It was also recorded by Kitty Wells, Floyd Cramer and Jack Greene. In 1969, Sonny James had a No. 1 country hit with “Only the Lonely.” It has since been revived by Glen Campbell (1973) and Chris Isaac (1996), among others.
The Orbison/Melson team followed that song with the 1960 singles “Blue Angel” and “I’m Hurtin.’” In early 1961, the throbbing-crescendo ballad “Running Scared” became their first No. 1 pop smash. Over the years, “Running Scared” has also been recorded by Del Shannon, The Lettermen, Glen Campbell and Jeff Lynne.
The 1961 Orbison/Melson hit “Crying” became an even more familiar tune. More than a dozen other stars have had success with this song, including Bobby Vinton, Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, B.J. Thomas, Pat Benatar, Lynn Anderson, Deana Carter and Clay Aiken. Jay & The Americans revived “Crying” on the pop charts in 1966, while Arlene Harden (1970), Ronnie Milsap (1976) and Stephanie Winslow (1980) brought it onto the country hit parade. In 1981, Don McLean’s version of “Crying” became a substantial hit on the pop, A/C, country and British charts. Orbison and K.D. lang performed it as a duet in 1987 and won a Grammy Award.
Melson and Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” was a top 30 pop hit in 1963. Linda Ronstadt revived it as a massive international pop smash in 1977. The Cox Family, Wayne Newton, Ed Bruce, Raul Malo, Billie Jo Spears, Norah Jones and Harry Dean Stanton are among the many others who have recorded “Blue Bayou.”
Other Orbison/Melson collaborations included “The Crowd,” “Up Town,” “Barbara,” “I’m in a Blue Blue Mood,” “Lookin’ for Love,” “(I Get So) Sentimental,” “The Actress” and “Come Back to Me (My Love).” Roy Orbison was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Another of Joe Melson’s songwriting collaborators was Don Gant. They co-wrote “Run, Baby, Run (Back Into My Arms),” which was a big pop hit in 1965 for The Newbeats. The Gant/Melson team also co-wrote Orbison’s 1967 single “Cry Softly Lonely One.”
Melson and Glenn Barber co-wrote the latter’s 1972 country hit “I’m the Man on Susie’s Mind.” Melson was also behind Barber’s 1979 favorite “Love Songs Just for You,” plus Barber’s 1972 hit “Unexpected Goodbye.”
Don Gibson scored a top 30 country hit with Melson’s cowritten “Ever Changing Mind” in 1969. Others who have recorded Melson’s songs include Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Bobby Vee, The Crickets, Conway Twitty, The Velvets, and Danny Davis.
The songwriter also maintained a recording career. Melson issued singles on Hickory Records in 1960-63. The best known of these is “Hey Mr. Cupid.” He continued to record for other labels in 1964, 1965, 1971, 1979, and beyond. Melson sang and/or arranged the inventive background vocals on all of the hits he wrote with Orbison The two also recorded vocal duets.
He and Orbison resumed their songwriting partnership in 1971-75.
Melson remained engaged in music throughout the succeeding decades. He issued singles as recently as 2014. He also continued to perform. Over the years, he entertained at rockabilly-revival and nostalgia festivals. He was a familiar figure on the music scene in Hendersonville.
“Only the Lonely” went into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and “Crying” joined it in 2002. Also in 2002, Melson was inducted into the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, located in Jackson, Tennessee. He was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
Melson reportedly wrote songs right up to the weeks before his passing on July 1 in Music City.
He is survived by his sister, Katie Bethel, his children, Michael Melson, Michelle Byerly, Melodie Garner, and Serena Aaker; grandchildren, Sabrina Molina and Aden Aaker; great-grandchildren, Heidi Mollinary and Bianca Molina and many extended family members and friends. Melson’s final arrangements were entrusted to the Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
The Melson family honored Joe’s wishes by not holding a memorial service. However, Joe asked that the following message be shared: “Dad loves you all. Don’t cry for me. Remember me when I was alive.”
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family invites those who wish to honor his memory to make a donation at donate.jw.org.
Industry Ink: Randy Travis, Steve Wariner, Allie Colleen, Cage The Elephant
/by Lorie HollabaughRandy Travis & Wife Mary Host Trivia Night For CMHOFM’s Troubadour Members
Marie Bradshaw, director of institutional giving at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum;
Zach Farnum, Troubadour Advisory Council chair; Mary Travis; Randy Travis; and Troubadour Advisory Council vice chairs Elizabeth Lombardi, Brenden Oliver and Max Vanberg. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Randy Travis and his wife Mary recently hosted a trivia night for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Troubadour members. Guests were given after-hours access to the museum galleries and participated in special country music-and museum exhibition-focused trivia. During the evening, Troubadour members were among the first to hear Travis’ “Fish On,” an unreleased original recording from the vault, which is out now. The Troubadour membership program engages young professionals in supporting its mission and the museum hosts quarterly networking events for Troubadour members ranging from concerts to exhibit previews.
Steve Wariner Makes History As First Artist To Have Artwork Featured On The Opry Barn
Steve Wariner at the Opry – Ft. Lower East Side, Looking At Brooklyn In 2020. Photo: Cailee Nace, Grand Ole Opry
Steve Wariner made history during his July 10 performance at the Grand Ole Opry as the first artist ever to have his artwork featured on the iconic Opry barn. Ten individual pieces of Wariner’s art from “The Flip Side: Paintings by Steve Wariner” were featured on the Opry’s barn during the final song of his set, “6120,” his instrumental tribute to Chet Atkins, joined by guest musician, Jimmy Mattingly. A solo exhibit featuring 60 of Wariner’s works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media, spanning more than 30 years are now showing at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center near Nashville through July 26.
Allie Colleen Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary Performing For Troops At Guantanamo Bay
Allie Colleen
Allie Colleen recently completed her first military entertainment tour, performing three full-band shows over eight days for U.S. troops stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The tour marked a meaningful milestone for her as well as her team, who had the opportunity to bring music, connection and a piece of home to service members, military families and base personnel during the Fourth of July holiday week.
“Getting to perform for the men and women serving our country was one of the greatest honors of my career,” says Colleen. “There is nothing like standing in front of our troops, seeing their faces and realizing that music can give them even a small moment of joy, comfort and home. I will never forget this experience.”
Cage The Elephant Inks With Big Loud Rock
Cage The Elephant. Photo: Lewis Evans
Cage The Elephant has signed with Big Loud Rock and has released their new single “Beaches In Tennessee.” “Beaches In Tennessee” arrives after a defining period for Cage The Elephant, who returned from their run as special guests on “Oasis Live ’25” and went straight back into the studio. More than 20 years into their career, the band is still finding new urgency in the creative process and new ways to push the project forward.
“Musically, we always want to reinvent Cage The Elephant,” says Brad Shultz. “We’ve discovered a whole new side to our band, how we look at things, and how we make art. You’re growing constantly as an artist, and I think we’ve tapped into that growth. I do feel like we’re making the best music we’ve ever made. If anything, it’s definitely the most inspired.”
Lydia Vaughan Enters Top 20 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenLydia Vaughan
Lydia Vaughan has moved into the top 20 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Jason Aldean’s “Don’t Tell On Me” and Corey Kent’s “Empty Words” put the songwriter at No. 20 this week.
Ella Langley remains in the No. 1 spot for the 12th consecutive week with “Be Her,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore” and “Loving Life Again.” Austin Goodloe stays at No. 2 with “Dandelion,” “Empty Words,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” “No Need For Leavin’” and “Rocky Mountain Low.”
Joybeth Taylor (No. 3), HARDY (No. 4) and Chase McGill (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Ingrid Andress Plots Fall ‘Nowhere Else To Go Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughIngrid Andress
Ingrid Andress has revealed she’ll launch her “Nowhere Else To Go Tour” this fall.
The trek includes stops in Washington, DC, New York, Salt Lake City, Denver, Boston and more through Oct. 11. She is also set to play a Music City date at Nashville Underplay this Wednesday (July 15).
Tickets for the new tour go on sale this Friday (July 17) here.
The “Nowhere Else To Go Tour” comes on the heels of her “Low-Key Sessions,” a series of stripped-down acoustic performances across the country, where Andress shared new music and the stories behind it with fans. She’ll release her upcoming third studio album soon, and has racked up more than 1.5 billion global streams.
“Nowhere Else To Go Tour” Dates:
Sept 9 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
Sept 10 – The Commonwealth Room – Salt Lake City, UT
Sept 11 – Bluebird Theatre – Denver, CO
Sept 12 – Washington’s – Fort Collins, CO
Oct 7 – The Atlantis – Washington, DC
Oct 8 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
Oct 9 – The Sinclair – Boston, MA
Oct 11 – The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA
Mitchell Tenpenny Extends ‘Speed Of Light Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughMitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Mitchell Tenpenny is extending his headlining “Speed of Light Tour” through the fall.
Added shows beginning in September include Des Moines, Bowling Green, Ocean City, Hampton Beach and more through Nov. 21. Jake Banfield will join as the special guest.
Pre-sale tickets for members of Mitchell’s Night Owl fan club will become available tomorrow, (July 14) and tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, (July 17).
Tenpenny has topped the country charts three times, with singles “Drunk Me,” “Truth About You” and “At The End Of A Bar,” and has had eight No. 1s on SiriusXM/The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. He’s surpassed 2.5 billion career global on-demand streams, and has a growing list of RIAA certifications including quadruple Platinum “Drunk Me,” and the Platinum “We Got History.”
“Speed of Light Tour” Newly Added Dates:
9-18 Des Moines, IA- Val Air Ballroom
9-19 Walker, MN- Northern Lights Casino – Events Center
9-25 Bowling Green, KY- SKyPAC
9-27 Crown Point, IN- Bulldog Park
10-3 Columbus, OH- The Bluestone
11-6 Orillia, ON- Casino Rama Resort
11-7 Windsor, ON- The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
11-12 Effingham, IL- Effingham Performance Center
11-13 Bloomington, IL- Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
11-14 East Moline, IL- The Rust Belt
11-19 Wantagh, NY- Mulcahy’s
11-20 Bensalem, PA- Xcite Center at Parx Casino
11-21 Hampton Beach, NH- Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Grammy Membership Invitations Sent To Over 4,000 Creators & Industry Professionals
/by Lorie HollabaughThe invitations sent offer each potential new member an opportunity to power the Recording Academy’s mission of serving the music community by amplifying their voices on a global stage, protecting their rights, creating opportunities for advancement, and providing direct assistance when it is needed most. New Grammy members Cash Cobain, Ejae, Lola Young, Raveena Aurora, Sleeping with Sirens and Sombr are among those celebrating their invitations.
“Every year, we look forward to welcoming a new group of dedicated music creators and professionals through our membership invitations,” says Grammys CEO Harvey Mason jr. “Our membership is the engine of the Grammys, and we’re excited for invitees to join our vibrant community, engage with their peers and help shape the future of the music industry.”
New Grammy members have access to mentorship, professional development and networking opportunities designed to support their creative and professional journeys. Opportunities include participating in many of the Academy’s initiatives, such as driving meaningful DEI progress and impact through the DREAM Network; advocating and recognizing the creators behind the music through federal and state Advocacy efforts; engaging in programming with the Producers & Engineers Wing and Songwriters & Composers Wing; shaping the organization’s leadership on a local and national level; and more.
The Online Entry Process where all eligible recordings, videos and more are submitted for consideration for the Grammy Awards is open from July 7- Aug. 21. To participate in the Online Entry Process, invitees must accept by July 31.
Australia’s Lasso Country Music Festival Wraps Third Year
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Jake Davey Studios/Courtesy of Lasso Country Music Festival
Lasso Country Music Festival, taking place at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby, Queensland, wrapped its third year on Saturday (July 11).
Headlined by Drake Milligan, this year marked the festival’s first-ever international headline performance and capped off a major Australian tour for Milligan, following headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney.
Joining Milligan on the lineup was The Wet Whistles, Austin Mackay, Tyla Rodrigues, Briana Dinsdale, Michael Honan, Jaydin Shingleton, Riley Ziskey, Jay Santilli, Beau Shearer and Phoebe Rose, with performances across two stages throughout the festival.
“Seeing Lasso grow from where we started into an event of this scale has been incredibly rewarding.” Ken Dinsdale, Festival Co-Director, shares. “We built this festival around creating opportunities for Australian artists, bringing something fresh to the country music space, and making country music more convenient and accessible for audiences. Having Drake Milligan headline our 2026 festival was a huge moment for us, but what made the day so special was seeing the crowd embrace every artist across the lineup.”
Photo: Jake Davey Studios/Courtesy of Lasso Country Music Festival
Photo: Jake Davey Studios/Courtesy of Lasso Country Music Festival
Photo: Jake Davey Studios/Courtesy of Lasso Country Music Festival
Photo: Jake Davey Studios/Courtesy of Lasso Country Music Festival
Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan Deliver Cross-Genre Showcase In Nashville [Recap]
/by Madison HahnenNiall Horan & Thomas Rhett. Photo: Nick Bastoky
Thomas Rhett and Niall Horan brought two worlds together Thursday night (July 9), launching their co-headlining two stadium run with a hit-filled performance at Nashville’s GEODIS Park. The longtime friends traded individual sets before joining forces for a collaborative finale.
After opening sets from Emily Ann Roberts and Kashus Culpepper, Horan opened his set with “Heartbreak Weather” before moving into the swagger of “Nice to Meet Ya” and “Meltdown.” He introduced newer material with “Dinner Party” and “Tastes So Good,” while longtime favorites “This Town” and “Seeing Blind” offered quieter moments that allowed the audience to sing nearly every word.
Thomas Rhett. Photo: Nick Bastoky
The Irish singer continued with “She Gets It From Her Mother,” “Cross Your Mind,” and “If You Leave Me,” before working through “Flowers,” “Little More Time,” “Black and White,” “Save My Life” and “Fighting Over Nothing.” He wrapped his solo performance with the crowd favorite “Slow Hands,” bringing the stadium to its feet.
Rhett wasted little time matching the energy, kicking off his headlining set with “Make Me Wanna” before rolling through “Look What God Gave Her,” “Gone Country,” and “T-Shirt.” He kept the pace moving with “Ain’t A Bad Life” and “Sixteen,” then surprised fans with the live debut of unreleased track “Sky Falls.”
Returning to familiar territory, Rhett performed “Beautiful as You,” “Half of Me” and “Marry Me,” followed by “Life Changes” and “Craving You.” The back half of his set featured “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Woman,” “What’s Your Country Song,” “It Goes Like This,” “After All the Bars Are Closed” and a celebratory rendition of “Crash and Burn.”
The night’s final chapter belonged to both artists. Horan returned to the stage for a collaborative encore that opened with his hit “Heaven,” before the pair performed their duet “Old Tricks.” They continued with a spirited cover of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” followed by one of Rhett’s signature ballads, “Die A Happy Man.”
The evening closed with a nod to Horan’s One Direction roots as the duo led the crowd through “Steal My Girl,” making the stadium erupt into a roaring send off.
The two will perform at Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania this Saturday (July 18).
Photo: Nick Bastoky
Niall Horan & Thomas Rhett. Photo: Nick Bastoky
Photo: Corey Miller
Thomas Rhett. Photo: Corey Miller
Pictured (L-R): Harry Lyons (G Major), Tara Traub (Live Nation), Joey Lee (WME), Thomas Rhett, Virginia Bunetta (G Major), Duane Clark (FBMM) and Samantha Thornton (G Major). Photo: Corey Miller
Songwriter Joe Melson Passes
/by Robert K OermannJoe Melson
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Joe Melson has died at age 91.
Melson is best known for his 1960s collaborations with Nashville pop star Roy Orbison (1936-1988), including standards such as “Blue Bayou,” “Crying,” “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared.”
Claudie Joe Melson was raised in Bonham, Texas, northeast of Fort Worth. By the time of his teen years in the early 1950s, he was singing professionally and writing songs. He went to work in the mailroom at Standard Oil while studying accounting at Odessa Junior College. In the evenings, he entertained youngsters at dances and nightclubs with his rockabilly band, The Cavaliers. The group’s crowd-pleasing “Raindrops” became Melson’s debut single.
In 1957, he met fellow Texan Orbison, and the two began cowriting songs. They first came out with “Only the Lonely.” This 1960 smash launched Orbison’s hit-making career and is regarded as the first operatic rock song. It was also recorded by Kitty Wells, Floyd Cramer and Jack Greene. In 1969, Sonny James had a No. 1 country hit with “Only the Lonely.” It has since been revived by Glen Campbell (1973) and Chris Isaac (1996), among others.
The Orbison/Melson team followed that song with the 1960 singles “Blue Angel” and “I’m Hurtin.’” In early 1961, the throbbing-crescendo ballad “Running Scared” became their first No. 1 pop smash. Over the years, “Running Scared” has also been recorded by Del Shannon, The Lettermen, Glen Campbell and Jeff Lynne.
The 1961 Orbison/Melson hit “Crying” became an even more familiar tune. More than a dozen other stars have had success with this song, including Bobby Vinton, Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, B.J. Thomas, Pat Benatar, Lynn Anderson, Deana Carter and Clay Aiken. Jay & The Americans revived “Crying” on the pop charts in 1966, while Arlene Harden (1970), Ronnie Milsap (1976) and Stephanie Winslow (1980) brought it onto the country hit parade. In 1981, Don McLean’s version of “Crying” became a substantial hit on the pop, A/C, country and British charts. Orbison and K.D. lang performed it as a duet in 1987 and won a Grammy Award.
Melson and Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” was a top 30 pop hit in 1963. Linda Ronstadt revived it as a massive international pop smash in 1977. The Cox Family, Wayne Newton, Ed Bruce, Raul Malo, Billie Jo Spears, Norah Jones and Harry Dean Stanton are among the many others who have recorded “Blue Bayou.”
Other Orbison/Melson collaborations included “The Crowd,” “Up Town,” “Barbara,” “I’m in a Blue Blue Mood,” “Lookin’ for Love,” “(I Get So) Sentimental,” “The Actress” and “Come Back to Me (My Love).” Roy Orbison was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Another of Joe Melson’s songwriting collaborators was Don Gant. They co-wrote “Run, Baby, Run (Back Into My Arms),” which was a big pop hit in 1965 for The Newbeats. The Gant/Melson team also co-wrote Orbison’s 1967 single “Cry Softly Lonely One.”
Melson and Glenn Barber co-wrote the latter’s 1972 country hit “I’m the Man on Susie’s Mind.” Melson was also behind Barber’s 1979 favorite “Love Songs Just for You,” plus Barber’s 1972 hit “Unexpected Goodbye.”
Don Gibson scored a top 30 country hit with Melson’s cowritten “Ever Changing Mind” in 1969. Others who have recorded Melson’s songs include Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Bobby Vee, The Crickets, Conway Twitty, The Velvets, and Danny Davis.
The songwriter also maintained a recording career. Melson issued singles on Hickory Records in 1960-63. The best known of these is “Hey Mr. Cupid.” He continued to record for other labels in 1964, 1965, 1971, 1979, and beyond. Melson sang and/or arranged the inventive background vocals on all of the hits he wrote with Orbison The two also recorded vocal duets.
He and Orbison resumed their songwriting partnership in 1971-75.
Melson remained engaged in music throughout the succeeding decades. He issued singles as recently as 2014. He also continued to perform. Over the years, he entertained at rockabilly-revival and nostalgia festivals. He was a familiar figure on the music scene in Hendersonville.
“Only the Lonely” went into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and “Crying” joined it in 2002. Also in 2002, Melson was inducted into the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, located in Jackson, Tennessee. He was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
Melson reportedly wrote songs right up to the weeks before his passing on July 1 in Music City.
He is survived by his sister, Katie Bethel, his children, Michael Melson, Michelle Byerly, Melodie Garner, and Serena Aaker; grandchildren, Sabrina Molina and Aden Aaker; great-grandchildren, Heidi Mollinary and Bianca Molina and many extended family members and friends. Melson’s final arrangements were entrusted to the Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
The Melson family honored Joe’s wishes by not holding a memorial service. However, Joe asked that the following message be shared: “Dad loves you all. Don’t cry for me. Remember me when I was alive.”
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family invites those who wish to honor his memory to make a donation at donate.jw.org.
Rhiannon Giddens Slates New Album ‘Hope Is The Thing With Feathers’ For September
/by Lorie HollabaughRhiannon Giddens will release her new album Hope is the Thing with Feathers on Sept. 18 on Nonesuch Records.
The 10-song collection was inspired by the beauty of people coming together and drawing strength from each other, and was recorded live at The Cypress House in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. From exploring the lineages that make American music to the community-oriented spirit in which it was conceived and recorded, in many ways the album tells the story of the last 20 years of Giddens’ life. The project features four original songs written by Giddens and longtime collaborator/bandmate Dirk Powell, including leadoff single “Carolina Rain,” in which Giddens sings about love and money. Another track “Wish in Vain” was written about the refugee crisis around the globe.
The album also features interpretations of pieces by North Carolinians Ola Belle Reed (“High on a Mountain”) and Elizabeth Cotton (“Freight Train”), Indigenous activist, singer-songwriter and storyteller Pura Fé (“Going Home”), and traditionals including “Cluck Old Hen” and “Walk with Me” (a duet with Giddens’ sister). The title track was inspired by the poem by Emily Dickinson.
“Louisiana, the Congo, Italy, the Carolinas – all of these influences and people coming together to make something: that is American music,” says Giddens. “It’s how American music came to be, and that was the original thought of creating a band with the musicians that I’ve been playing with for years, and featured on this album.”
Giddens has a full slate of performances throughout the summer, including a special five-night slate of concerts with Mavis Staples, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Hurray for the Riff Raff under open skies for a joyful celebration of American songs that connect generations.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers Track List:
1. “Angel Fire Rise”
2. “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers”
3. “Step Away Blues”
4. “Wish in Vain”
5. “Carolina Rain”
6. “High on a Mountain”
7. “Freight Train”
8. “Walk with Me”
9. “Cluck Old Hen”
10. “Going Home”
MusicRow Weekly (Brittany Schaffer, News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly is packed with major executive moves, artist signings and industry milestones that signal continued momentum across Nashville. Click here to see the full edition.
Leading the headlines, the Country Music Association has named Brittany Schaffer as its next Chief Executive Officer. Schaffer will join the organization on Sept. 8 as part of a strategic leadership transition before officially succeeding current CEO Sarah Trahern on Jan. 1, 2027.
Triple Tigers Records also announced significant leadership changes. Kevin Herring is stepping back from his role as Co-President, while Raffaella Braun has been elevated to Co-President, serving alongside Annie Ortmeier as the label continues its next chapter.
Country Radio Broadcasters unveiled one of next year’s most notable honors, revealing that legendary broadcaster and longtime industry leader Lon Helton will receive the 2026 CRB President’s Award in recognition of his lasting impact on country radio.
On the management front, Morris Higham Management has welcomed Clark Mims Tedesco as Vice President of Marketing.
Several artists celebrated major career milestones this week as well. Niall Horan officially made his Grand Ole Opry debut on July 7. Meanwhile, Morgan Wade has signed with Warner Records Nashville, Ty Herndon has signed exclusively with Universal Attractions Agency, Charlie Worsham has partnered with ONErpm, and Abbey Cone has joined the roster at Endurance Music Group.
Publishing activity remained strong across Music City. Dallas Wilson signed a new publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville in partnership with The Core Entertainment, while Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville and ONE4 Music announced the launch of a new joint publishing venture. The partnership has already made its first signing, welcoming Hunter Flynn as the flagship songwriter for the new venture.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen remains in the No. 1 spot with “Don’t We.” 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.