Midland Plots Rooftop Takeover For CMA Fest

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Midland. Photo: Harper Smith

Midland and Blue Highway Records will celebrate the band’s upcoming album, Stages, with a rooftop takeover of Friends in Low Places today (June 5) from 3-6 p.m CT.

The event is free and open to the public for those 21 and over. The band will perform new songs from the project for the first time live, as well as host a post-show meet-and-greet and onsite experiences from Rancher Hat Bar, Ranger Station and Rusty Rag Vintage.

Stages will arrive next Friday (June 12) via Blue Highway Records. Previously released tunes off the project include “Marlboro Man,” “Shooting Memories With Tequila,” “Glass Half Empty,” “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey” and the Mackenzie Carpenter duet “I Wish You Would.”

Drew Baldridge Shares His Story On New Album ‘FARM FAITH FAMILY,’ Due In Sept.

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Drew Baldridge will release his first major label project, FARM FAITH FAMILY, on Sept. 18 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Alongside the announcement, Baldridge has released a new track, “Diesel & Dirt.”

Written by Baldridge with Jordan Walker and Adam Sanders, the new tune serves as an introduction to the album, celebrating the blue-collar work ethic and rural roots that have defined Baldridge’s life and career. The track delivers a message of grit, resilience and determination

Farm Faith Family is Baldridge’s most personal project to date, and is steeped in the values and experiences that have shaped both his life and career. Raised on a farm in Southern Illinois, he learned hard work, grit, and perseverance, and his faith keeps him grounded through every season, while his family remains the heart behind everything he does. Baldridge’s journey is about staying true to yourself, working hard and proving good guys can finish first.

Baldridge co-wrote 14 songs on the new 16-track album, which features duets with Anne Wilson and Emily Ann Roberts and songs penned by Luke Combs, Laura Veltz, Tyler Hubbard, Seth Mosley, Rhett Akins, Tim Nichols and more.

“Farm Faith Family isn’t just an album title – it’s who I am,” says Baldridge. “Everything I have and everything I believe in comes back to those three things. These songs tell my story, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people who have shaped me along the way.”

Baldridge will bring his “Farm Faith Family Tour” and additional support dates with Cody Johnson and Luke Bryan across the country through the end of the year.

Farm Faith Family Track List:
1. “Farmland” (Tyler Hubbard, Josh Miller, Casey Brown)
2. “Diesel & Dirt” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Adam Sanders)
3. “Love Needs You” (Drew Baldridge, Josh Thompson, Matt Dragstrem)
4. “Country Boy” (Drew Baldridge, Jason Blaine, Kevin Rooney)
5. “Maker’s Mark” (with Anne Wilson) (Drew Baldridge, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Laura Veltz, Lalo Guzman)
6. “Tough People” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Adam Sanders, Luke Combs)
7. “Cool Enough Now” (Drew Baldridge, Tim Nichols, Monty Criswell)
8. “Rebel” (Drew Baldridge, Adam Sanders)
9. “Him For Her” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Jimmy Yeary, Seth Mosley)
10. “People Can Change” (Drew Baldridge, Joseph Patton, Tom Whall)
11. “Flowers On A Stone” (Drew Baldridge, Jordan Walker, Jimmy Yeary, Josh Jenkins)
12. “Deserve Her” (Drew Baldridge, Harper Grace, Kyle Schlienger)
13. “Let ’Em” (James McNair, Ben Hayslip, Lindsay Rimes, Rhett Akins)
14. “Get Me Gone” (with Emily Ann Roberts) (Drew Baldridge, Josh Jenkins, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Trannie Anderson)
15. “I’d Still Love You” (Drew Baldridge, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Josh Phillips, Zach Abend)
16. “A Man Don’t” (Drew Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes, Josh Jenkins)

Morgan Wallen Tops The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Don’t We’

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Morgan Wallen; Photo: Spidey Smith

Morgan Wallen returns to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Don’t We.”

The track comes from his fourth studio album I’m The Problem and was written by Wallen, Rocky Block, John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Blake Pendergrass and Charlie Handsome.

Wallen is currently on the road as a part of his “Still The Problem Tour” with upcoming shows in Pittsburg, Chicago and Clemson.

“Don’t We” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 7 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Ken White Exits IBMA

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Ken White.

Ken White has exited his position as Executive Director of The International Bluegrass Music Association.

“It has been a dream of a lifetime and a privilege beyond measure serving as the Executive Director of this organization,” White shares. “I gave my whole heart to this music that stole it sixty years ago in my home state of Kentucky. Perhaps I’m most proud of the formidable team I was fortunate to assemble – Elizabeth Dewey, Amy Combs, Maggie O’Connor, Haley Grimm and Amy Beth Hale. You are in good hands with these extraordinary folks. I was preaching the gospel of bluegrass music long before I came to Nashville, and I’ll be singing the tenor part and picking an old Martin forevermore. I continue to be a proud lifetime member of IBMA.”

“Ken is beloved within our family, and we appreciate his dedication to the IBMA. We wish him the very best,” adds Anna Frick, Chair of the IBMA Board of Directors.

Paul Schiminger will serve as Interim Executive Director. Additional information about the executive search process will be shared in the coming weeks.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Riley Green Delivers ‘Summer Party Anthem’

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Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs

It’s an upbeat day here at DISClaimer.

The listening session was dominated by tempo tunes, none of them more charming than the new track by shooting star Riley Green. It is the Disc of the Day.

The DISCovery Award goes to Bizz Bigsby, from whom I hope to hear more.

MAGNOLIA RISING / “Bet On Me”
Writers: Andrew Millsaps/Devynn Hart/Leo Brooks/Treauna Swindle; Producer: Jason Haag; Label: MR
– Our story so far: A trio from Mississippi called Chapel Hart stormed the country-music world in 2020, earning acclaim on America’s Got Talent, garnering rave reviews and touring to wild applause. Then lead singer Danica Hart quit last year and the remaining two, Devyn Hart and Trea Swindle, formed Magnolia Rising. This is the duo’s sophomore single. It’s a forceful, loud country rocker with the two women swapping snappy lines and harmonizing on a lyric sassing an ex.

TIM McGRAW / “Pawn Shop Guitar”
Writers: Tim McGraw/Tom Douglas; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: Turbo Tonk Records
– McGraw draws on his autobiography to craft this compelling portrait of a struggling picker in Music City. A snarling production, hypnotic rhythms, and a soaring vocal combine to create a dynamic listening experience.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW & MOLLY TUTTLE / “Last American Waltz”
Writers: Critter Fuqua/Ketch Secor; Producer: Morgan Jahnig; Label: Hartland Records
– Gorgeous. A dizzying, pastel swirl of acoustic picking frames a lovely waltz with quasi-apocalyptic lyrics. Tuttle and Secor harmonize brilliantly as everyone surges together on the driving melody. The band is having a release party for its superb new album Union Made on Sunday (June 7) at the American Legion in Inglewood. Showtime is 7 p.m.

RILEY GREEN / “Think As You Drunk”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jessi Alexander/Riley Green/Scott Emerick/Toby Keith/Wyatt McCubbin; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– This clever, rollicking honky-tonker is a tipsy ode to being wasted, complete with slurred and garbled lyrics and a melodic quote from Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was.” The rowdy single sounds like a summer party anthem.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Raining Whiskey”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Geoff Warburton/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Minton/VWillz; Producer: Ben Johnson; Label: Big Loud Records
– Since he left her, “There’s a 100-proof chance it’s raining whiskey in this bar” and “Them Lynchburg clouds are hangin’ low in this neon sky.” A crunchy production percolates beneath a pert vocal in this well written bopper.

LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Over and Over”
Writers: Ashley Ray/Johnny Simpson/Karen Fairchild/Madi Yanofsky; Producers: Gena Johnson, Karen Fairchild; Label: MCA
– Obsessive love is the theme of this tempo tune. She’ll stalk him down wherever he goes. Yikes.

INGRID ANDRESS / “All the Best”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Jordan Schmidt/Josh Kear; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: Atlantic Records/Warner Records Nashville
– This lively goodbye tune is laced with sarcasm and irony. If the best roses have thorns, then, yes, she wishes him roses. And so on. Feisty and fun.

BIZZ BIGSBY / “Proud”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: BB
– Bigsby is a Nashville native who is the son of R&B star Jimmy Church. He calls his sound “Urban Americana.” It sounds like gentle country-pop to me, at least on this lilting, aspirational, wafting expression of a son’s love. Breezy, summer-y and pleasing.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN / “Streets of Minneapolis”
Writers: Bruce Springsteen; Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Ron Aniello; Label: Columbia
– The spirits of Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash infuse this stirring, folkie, anti-Ice protest song. Over an audio bed of acoustic guitar and harmonica, the Boss praises the citizens who stood for the Bill of Rights and memorializes those who lost their lives. Strong stuff.

BRADLEY GASKIN / “Alabama Rain”
Writers: Bradley Gaskin/Michael White/Robert Keith Stegall; Producer: Robert Keith Stegall; Label: 30a Life Records
– Hardcore country, with plenty of twang and drawl. Stretched notes, swaying fiddle, yearning heartache, wailing steel — this gem has it all.

KELLY LANG / “This Too Shall Pass”
Writers: Kelly Lang; Producer: Kelly Lang; Label: Leopard Entertainment
– Lang’s lustrous alto has seldom sounded better than on this resonant, uplifting ballad of hope, strength and perseverance. Cherish every day, even when you are facing hardship and defeat. Beautifully done.

JON PARDI / “How Did You Know”
Writers: Bart Butler/Jon Pardi/Rhett Akins; Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi, Ryan Gore; Label: MCA
– She turns him on, then turns him down. The gently rolling tempo and everyman vocal style both go down smoothly.

WME Hosts ‘Losers Live’ Showcase

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WME’s Losers Live. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

WME hosted its annual “Losers Live” artist showcase on June 1 and 2 at Losers Bar & Grill in Midtown.

Monday night featured performances from Ava Hall, Cassidy Daniels, Dalton Davis and Rhett Akins before a headlining set from Braxton Keith. During his set, Akins brought out Myles Morgan and Riley Green as surprise performers.

A.R. Simmons, Abbie Callahan, Colby Lee Swift, Colton Dawson, Dawson Steagall, Deltona, Ethan Garner, Highway Home, Morgan, Presley Barker, SJ McDonald, Spencer Hatcher, The Kruse Brothers, Timmy McKeever, Trey Pendley and Tyler Booth all took the stage on Tuesday, which also featured a surprise performance from Jon Pardi.

Pictured (L-R): WME’s Joey Lee, Jon Pardi, Red Light Management’s Gaines Sturdivant and C3 Entertainment’s Charlie Walker. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

Timmy McKeever & WME’s Carter Green. Photo: Jonathan Plarr/WME

ERNEST & Friends Bring Songwriter Magic To Stars For Second Harvest [Recap]

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Headliner Ella Langley and host of the night ERNEST sing a duet-style version of “Loving Life Again,” a co-write between the two from Langley’s record-breaking new album, Dandelion. Photo: Blue Weidemann

ERNEST welcomed an all-star lineup of friends and collaborators to the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday night (June 2) for Stars For Second Harvest, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The evening showcased Nashville’s songwriting community with an intimate writers round before transitioning into a full-band performance featuring Ella Langley. Overall, the event raised $445,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The evening opened with an intimate writers round featuring ERNEST, HARDY, Lee Thomas Miller and Dean Dillon, who traded songs and stories throughout the set in classic Nashville fashion.

ERNEST contributed performances of the unreleased “Willie Songs,” Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You,” his own “Would If I Could” which was written by Dillon, and his Wallen collaboration “Flower Shops,” delivering the latter without a microphone and allowing the Ryman’s renowned acoustics to fill the room. HARDY offered his own “Favorite Country Song,” Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” the star-studded collaboration “McArthur,” and “Bottomland.”

ERNEST sound checks at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium before Stars for Second Harvest 2026. Photo: Blue Weidemann

Miller showcased his celebrated catalog with a medley of Brad Paisley’s “Perfect Storm,” “I’m Still A Guy,” and “The World,” before continuing with Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” Chris Stapleton’s “Whiskey And You,” and Jamey Johnson’s “In Color.” Dillon delivered George Strait’s “Marina Del Rey,” “The Chair,” and “Here For A Good Time,” closing with Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.”

The evening then shifted into a full-band set, with Langley bringing an acoustic-leaning, rootsy energy to the Ryman stage. Langley opened the segment with “Dandelion,” “I Gotta Quit,” “Somethin’ Simple,” “You And Me Time” and “20/20.”

“I’m always running around flinging my hair and entertaining [while on tour],” Langley shared from stage. “So tonight, I just wanted to sit here and sing these songs and tell the stories behind them.”

She then continued with “Broken” and “Nicotine.” Langley then debuted “We Know Us” live for the first time, drawing an enthusiastic response from the crowd.

Later in the set, Langley performed “Be Her” before welcoming JoyBeth Taylor and Ashley Dalton to the stage for “Speaking Terms.” The audience also joined in for Langley’s breakthrough hit “You Look Like You Love Me.”

ERNEST returned to join Langley on “Loving Life Again,” while the set continued with smash hit “Choosin’ Texas” and concluded with “Weren’t For The Wind.”

Dean Dillon, Lee Thomas Miller, HARDY, and ERNEST earn a standing ovation following a show-stopping writer’s round performance on Tuesday night at Stars for Second Harvest 2026. Photo: Blue Weidemann

Pictured (L-R): ERNEST, HARDY, Lee Thomas Miller and Dean Dillon. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Photo: Blue Weidemann

ERNEST. Photo: Blue Weidemann

HARDY Welcomes All-Star Lineup For Benefit Concert At Marathon Music Works [Recap]

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HARDY, Karen Fairchild, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson & Ella Langley. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY brought together an all-star lineup of collaborators and friends for “Trend Presents: Off The Record” at Marathon Music Works on Wednesday night (June 3), delivering an intimate show experience that also served as a fundraiser benefiting The HARDY Fund.

The evening opened with HARDY welcoming Lauren Alaina to the stage for a performance of their No. 1 collaboration, “One Beer.” HARDY then took the spotlight solo for “Favorite Country Song” before introducing Stephen Wilson Jr. The pair shared moving renditions of “Gary” and “Father’s Son.”

HARDY kept the momentum going with “Sand In My Boots” before inviting Ella Langley to join him for “Be Her.” The collaborative portion of the evening expanded further when Miranda Lambert appeared, joining Langley and HARDY for performances of “Choosin’ Texas” and “Signed, Sober You.”

One of the night’s standout moments came when Karen Fairchild took the stage with HARDY for a rendition of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” The performance soon evolved into a powerhouse female collaboration as Langley, Lambert and Lainey Wilson joined in. The group continued the moment with a performance of “Better Man,” earning one of the evening’s biggest audience reactions.

Wilson remained onstage with HARDY, delivering their CMA-winning duet “Wait In The Truck” before the pair switched gears with Wilson’s hit “Watermelon Moonshine.”

ERNEST was next to join the celebration, teaming with HARDY for “Gettin’ Gone,” “Flower Shops” and “More Than My Hometown.” Tucker Wetmore followed, performing “Wind Up Missing You” and “Brunette” alongside the host.

To close the evening, HARDY stayed on stage alone for a performance of his multi-week chart-topper “Truck Bed.”

HARDY & Ella Langley. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & Stephen Wilson Jr. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & Miranda Lambert. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & ERNEST. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY, Ella Langley, and Miranda Lambert. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & Tucker Wetmore. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & Lainey Wilson. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

HARDY & Lauren Alaina. Ella Langley. Photo: Jaren Collins/Ci Creatives

Joan Of Arc StudioWorks Unveils First Television Project With Alan Jackson

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Joan of Arc StudioWorks has unveiled its inaugural television project, Alan Jackson: The Last Show, which it will co-produce with EverWonder Studios.

Executive produced by Cindy Mabe, Dawn Gates and Harper Grae, the primetime television event will be directed by Sam Wrench and will air on NBC later this year.

The special will be filmed at Jackson’s sold-out “Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale,” which will take place on June 27 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. The show will also feature George Strait, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Adam Wright, Big City Brian Wright and Carlisle Wright.

“Alan Jackson represents the heart and soul of country music,” shares Mabe, Founder and CEO of Joan of Arc Music. “We are honored to capture this historic moment in his career. Partnering with EverWonder Studios and having Sam Wrench direct this special ensures that Alan’s final show will be presented with the artistry and reverence it deserves. This project perfectly embodies Joan of Arc Music’s mission to preserve country music’s legacy while creating compelling content for new audiences.”

“Alan Jackson is one of the most iconic and defining artists in country music history, and his final show deserves to be captured with the same care and craft he has brought to every performance of his career,” adds Micheal Antinoro, President and Founding Partner of EverWonder Studios. “We are so proud to partner with Joan of Arc StudioWorks and collaborate with Sam Wrench to capture and honor a historic moment like this.”

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to capture such a seminal concert for country music royalty,” says Wrench. “The scale of the stadium show is matched only by Alan’s impact on American music and it’s going to be quite the evening. I can’t wait to bring it to the screen alongside Joan of Arc StudioWorks and EverWonder for more fans around the world to enjoy.”

Zach Top Extends ‘Cold Beer & Country Music Tour’ Into Fall

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Zach Top. Photo: Citizen Kane Wayne

Zach Top will extend his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” through the fall. Special guests on the new dates include Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives and Wyatt McCubbin.

Newly confirmed stops on the tour include Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Corpus Christi, West Palm Beach, Milwaukee, and more, wrapping with a headline debut show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 30.

Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale starting June 10, with a Kimes Ranch pre-sale beginning June 11. General on-sale begins June 12.

Ahead of the new dates, Top will perform at Nissan Stadium as part of CMA Fest this weekend as well as select stadium shows with Chris Stapleton.

“Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” New Dates:
September 11—Lake Tahoe, NV—Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic«
September 17—San Diego, CA—Pechanga Arena«
September 18—Anaheim, CA—Honda Center«
September 19—Fresno, CA—Boots In The Park
September 25—Corpus Christi, TX—Hillard Center Arena«
September 26—San Antonio, TX—Frost Bank Center«
October 2—Jacksonville, FL—VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
October 3—West Palm Beach, FL—iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
October 8—Des Moines, IA—Casey’s Center≈
October 9—Rosemont, IL—Allstate Arena≈
October 10—St. Paul, MN—Grand Casino Arena≈
October 15—Sioux Falls, SD—Denny Sanford PREMIER Center≈
October 16—Milwaukee, WI—Fiserv Forum≈
October 17—Grand Rapids, MI—Van Andel Arena≈
October 23—Lafayette, LA—CAJUNDOME∆
October 29—Duluth, GA—Gas South Arena∆
October 30—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena∆

≠with special guest Cole Goodwin
«with special guest Wyatt McCubbin
∆with special guest Lukas Nelson