Chris Martignago. Photo: Taylor Christian Jones
Early this year, Chris Martignago was promoted to Vice President of A&R at Prescription Songs’ Nashville office, formalizing his leadership role as the company continues to expand its presence in the market.
Martignago brings more than 14 years of A&R experience to the position, including nearly a decade at Atlantic Records and the last four years at Prescription Songs. In Nashville, he has helped shape a roster that spans pop, alternative, and country-adjacent spaces, while maintaining Prescription’s reputation as one of the city’s more genre-fluid publishing companies.
Originally from outside Washington, D.C., Martignago was raised by parents who immigrated from France in the late 1980s. Music was always present in his household, but in varied forms. “My mom was really into pop radio and divas like Celine Dion and Shania Twain,” he says. “My dad was a total rock person. So early on, it was never just one thing.”
After his family relocated to South Florida, Martignago’s relationship with music shifted from passive to immersive. A friend convinced him to attend a local show as a teenager, a screamo concert in the back of a church.
“I couldn’t tell where the floor ended and where the ceiling began,” he recalls. “The energy was insane. I just remember thinking, I want to be a part of whatever this is.”
That instinct initially led him toward performing. Martignago spent his late teens and early twenties touring in bands, an experience he now credits with teaching him skills he did not fully appreciate at the time. “I didn’t realize how much I was learning just from being on the road,” he says. “You’re watching how rooms work, how crowds react, how songs land night after night.”
Eventually, practicality pushed him toward the business side. Encouraged by his parents to pursue a more stable path, Martignago enrolled at Full Sail University in Orlando, where he studied music business. A pivotal moment came when he was selected to meet Steve Robertson, a longtime Atlantic Records executive. The meeting led to an internship at Atlantic, where Robertson became an early mentor. Martignago’s initial responsibilities were simple but demanding.
“My job was basically, when he put the phone down, I had to play something amazing,” he says.
One moment during that internship became foundational to how Martignago approaches A&R. After struggling to find music he truly believed in, he chose not to play anything at all. “I told him I hadn’t found anything good enough,” Martignago says. “Instead of that being a problem, it actually shifted how he saw me. It was about raising the bar on listening and being more discerning.”
The moment led to increased responsibility and deeper trust, reinforcing the idea that strong A&R instincts are as much about what you pass on as what you champion.
That emphasis on discernment carried through Martignago’s rise at Atlantic, where he moved from intern to consultant and eventually to Director of A&R and Research. His role blended creative development with emerging data-driven approaches, providing early exposure to developing artists and projects, including work around Melanie Martinez, Billie Eilish and Twenty One Pilots.
“I still believe in research,” he says. “I just believe it works best when it’s paired with taste and intuition, not replacing them.”
In 2015, Martignago relocated to Nashville after Robertson made his own move to the city, a decision that ultimately prompted Martignago to follow. While the city offered a strong songwriting culture and sense of community, it also presented challenges for pop-focused A&R work at the time.
“There weren’t a lot of people doing what I was doing here,” he says. “In some ways, it felt like moving to a new place with some of the same challenges and some new ones.”
Those tensions became more pronounced during the pandemic, as TikTok accelerated the industry’s focus on metrics and short-term performance. When Martignago’s contract came up for renewal in early 2021, it became clear that his priorities and the label’s evolving needs were diverging.
“It wasn’t dramatic,” he says. “Everyone was kind, and I was treated well. But it became obvious that what they valued most from me wasn’t the part of the job that got me into music in the first place.”
Shortly after, Martignago joined Prescription Songs Nashville, shifting from label A&R to publishing. The move required a recalibration, particularly around timelines and financial expectations.
“One of the first things I learned was how long it takes for money to come in on the publishing side,” he says. “And what makes money there isn’t always the same thing that makes money on the label side.”
He also had to adjust his mindset. “At a label, you’re often working on very specific puzzles,” he explains. “You need the single, or the producer, or one missing piece. In publishing, you’re working with pieces and deciding what puzzles you even want to build.”
That shift led to a more proactive approach, both creatively and strategically.
“I actually think Prescription made me a better A&R person,” he says. “You can’t just react. You have to be intentional about who you bring in, because you’re committing to them for the long term.”
Since joining Prescription, Martignago has helped develop a Nashville roster that includes Anderson East, Trent Dabbs, JT Daly, Nick Lobel, Tony Esterly, Brett Truitt, Josie Dunne, Dominique Sanders, Derik Fein, Heather Russell and Vancouver Sleep Clinic. Recent highlights include the signings of East and Dabbs, along with contributions from Prescription writers and producers to BigXthaPlug’s latest project, which featured four cuts involving Nashville-based creatives and collaborators such as Thomas Rhett, Shaboozey, Darius Rucker and Ink.
Earlier this year, longtime Prescription Nashville leader Katie Fagan announced her departure to launch Mom + Pop Records’ Nashville operation. Martignago raised his hand to help guide the office forward. “I knew I couldn’t replace Katie,” he says. “But I also knew I cared deeply about what we’d built and where it could go next.”
In early 2025, Prescription named Martignago Vice President of A&R, a title that reflects expanded responsibilities but not a shift in focus. Martignago sees Prescription’s role in Nashville continuing to evolve from an alternative presence into a competitive one, while staying grounded in the identity the company has built. “We’ve always been an alternative,” he says. “Now the goal is to compete while staying authentic to who we are.” That approach includes supporting genre-fluid creatives and expanding the company’s footprint across country and hybrid spaces. “I don’t think writers want to be put in boxes anymore,” he adds. “They want flexibility, and they want to feel like their identity can evolve.”
Martignago also points to the importance of diversity, both in signings and staffing, as Nashville’s creative ecosystem continues to broaden. “If music in this town is going to look different,” he says, “the industry has to reflect that.”
As VP of A&R, Martignago will continue overseeing signings, creative development and cross-genre initiatives for Prescription Songs Nashville. “I want to build something sustainable,” he says. “And I want the work to speak for itself.”
Industry Ink: Keith Urban, Ashley McBryde, Provident Entertainment, Margo Price
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban Visits Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital At Vanderbilt
Keith Urban and a patient at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Keith Urban visited patients and their families at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville earlier this week. During the visit Urban spent time in Seacrest Studios answering questions, taking photos, and leading a patient sing-along during an acoustic performance. He also donated guitars to the hospital’s music therapy program. At Monroe Carell, therapists use personalized music interventions to provide emotional support, pain and anxiety management, developmental goals, coping, and overall well-being to children and families.
“We are truly grateful to Keith Urban for sharing his time to visit with children and families inside Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell,” says Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, president of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “Keith is a wonderful friend to our hospital with several visits over the years. His thoughtful and generous gift of guitars to our Music Therapy Program will help us continue using music as added therapy to bring comfort and healing to children during their hospital stay.”
Ashley McBryde Surprised With Gold Plaque For ‘Light On In The Kitchen’
Pictured (L-R): Fount Lynch (SVP Publicity, WRN), Sarah Sholar Rickerman (Manager, Q Prime), Cris Lacy (Chair & President, WRN), Ashley McBryde, Mike Dupree (SVP Creative Director, WRN) and Anna Pittman (VP Marketing, WRN). Photo: David Bradley
Ashley McBryde was surprised at last week’s Redemption Residency shows in Nashville with a plaque celebrating the Gold certification of “Light On In The Kitchen.” Earlier this month, the Warner Records Nashville artist launched the Light On Fund, a new charitable initiative named in reference to “Light On In The Kitchen,” that targets areas including advocacy for the mental health of veterans, rehabilitation resources for the creative community, helping children in the foster care system, championing ASL interpretation at live music events, and much more.
Provident Entertainment Named Billboard’s Top Christian Label for 2025
Provident Entertainment has been named Billboard’s Top Christian Label for the second consecutive year, along with Top Christian Albums Label and Hot Christian Songs Label. In addition to securing the top label honor again, Provident and its artists celebrate a collection of Billboard Year-End accolades across multiple charts, including achievements by Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship, and Seph Schlueter, as well as several top-performing songs and albums.
“Being recognized as Billboard’s Top Christian Label for the second year in a row is an incredible milestone,” shares Holly Zabka, President of Provident Entertainment. “This continued success reflects the passion and dedication of our artists, songwriters, and our entire team. We are honored to create and champion music that brings hope, encouragement, and truth to listeners around the world.
Margo Price Performs For Female Inmates At West Tennessee State Penitentiary
Pictured (L-R): Sean Thompson, Taylor Floreth, Margo Price, Alec Newnam and Logan Ledger
Margo Price and her band performed a concert last week for more than 400 inmates at the Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center within Henning, Tennessee’s West Tennessee State Penitentiary. In partnership with Tennessee Innocence Project, Price was joined by spokesperson/activist Joyce Watkins, who was recently exonerated after spending 27 years in prison for a crime she did not commit, to shine a light on the circumstances surrounding recidivism, justice and mental health in the U.S. prison system.
Following the release of her latest LP, Hard Headed Woman, which is nominated for two awards at the upcoming 2026 Grammys, Price is preparing a new live album and documentary surrounding her trip to the West Tennessee State Penitentiary.
Gatlin Brothers To Celebrate 70th Anniversary At Star-Studded Tribute At Ryman
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Gatlin Brothers. Photo: Brandon Wood
The Gatlin Brothers will receive a special tribute at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Feb. 23 celebrating the group’s 70th anniversary.
The star-studded show will be a history-making milestone for Larry, Steve and Rudy, featuring all original members from 1955 when their musical journey began. Many of the Gatlins greatest hits will be performed during the tribute event by The Oak Ridge Boys, Big & Rich, Lee Greenwood, T. Graham Brown, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan, The Isaacs, Mark Wills, T.G. Sheppard, and more, accompanied by Sixwire as the backing band. The evening will also feature special appearances by Gary Sinise and Nancy Jones.
Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the celebration go on sale this Friday (Dec. 19) via ryman.com and pre-sales begin tomorrow (Dec. 18) (code: GOLD).
“Brother Steve, Brother Rudy, and I are grateful to God for the 70 years we have had making music together,” says Larry. “We are thankful for our millions of fans all over the world and for the good folks in Nashville who helped us make the music. We’re also grateful to the performers and friends who will be participating in our 70th Anniversary Celebration. Keep the faith.”
Freely Fest Reveals Inaugural Lineup
/by Lauryn SinkThe Killers, T-Pain, Dominic Fike, Janelle Monáe and Avery Anna will take the stage at the inaugural Freely Fest on April 8 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and streaming worldwide.
The event is designed to highlight the importance of the first amendment with musical performances, artists’ stories about the power of free expression and interactive experiences.
“For more than three decades, Freedom Forum has found creative ways to bring the First Amendment to life,” says Jan Neuharth, Chair and CEO of Freedom Forum. “From our traveling musical tour Freedom Sings to our annual 1A Fest street fair in Washington, D.C., Freely Fest will build on that legacy by shining a light on freedom of speech, a foundational right that belongs to us all and fuels the free expression that shapes our culture.”
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Dec. 18).
Margo Price Inks With Warner Chappell Music Nashville
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Top Row, L-R): Austen Adams (WCM), Kevin Morris (Red Light Management). (Bottom Row, L-R): Carianne Marshall (WCM), Margo Price, Christina Wiltshire (WCM).
Margo Price has inked a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
“It’s an honor to become a part of the Warner Chappell family,” Price shares. “I’ve been writing songs for decades now so it feels empowering to be seen not only as an artist and a singer, producer and author, but also as a songwriter. I’m grateful for Carianne Marshall and the entire team at Warner Chappell for recognizing me as a composer and writer. At the core of everything I do, the writing has always come first and I can’t wait for all that’s ahead.”
Price first garnered attention with her breakthrough debut Midwest Farmer’s Daughter (2016), released on Jack White’s Third Man Records, making her the label’s first-ever country artist. The project hit No. 5 on the Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, and edged into the Top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart. It earned two Americana Honors & Awards nominations, including Song of the Year, and a win for Emerging Artist of the Year. Her follow-up, All American Made (2017), opened in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, and earned Price nominations for Song of the Year and Album of the Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards as well as a Grammy nod for Best New Artist. Over the last decade, Price has toured alongside Chris Stapleton and Willie Nelson, among others, and released additional projects including her latest, Hard Headed Woman, which recently earned two GRAMMY nominations.
“Margo has carved out a powerful place in music with songs that cut straight to the truth. She’s fearless in her writing, constantly pushing boundaries while staying rooted in the storytelling tradition that defines country and Americana,” adds Marshall, Co-Chair & COO, Warner Chappell Music. “Our team has been fans of her work for a long time, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to Warner Chappell. This partnership is a true collaboration across our Nashville and Los Angeles teams – especially Christina [Wiltshire] and Greg [Sowders] – as we support Margo in continuing to shape the sound of her generation.”
Chris Martignago Helps Guide Prescription Songs’ Nashville Growth [Interview]
/by LB CantrellChris Martignago. Photo: Taylor Christian Jones
Early this year, Chris Martignago was promoted to Vice President of A&R at Prescription Songs’ Nashville office, formalizing his leadership role as the company continues to expand its presence in the market.
Martignago brings more than 14 years of A&R experience to the position, including nearly a decade at Atlantic Records and the last four years at Prescription Songs. In Nashville, he has helped shape a roster that spans pop, alternative, and country-adjacent spaces, while maintaining Prescription’s reputation as one of the city’s more genre-fluid publishing companies.
Originally from outside Washington, D.C., Martignago was raised by parents who immigrated from France in the late 1980s. Music was always present in his household, but in varied forms. “My mom was really into pop radio and divas like Celine Dion and Shania Twain,” he says. “My dad was a total rock person. So early on, it was never just one thing.”
After his family relocated to South Florida, Martignago’s relationship with music shifted from passive to immersive. A friend convinced him to attend a local show as a teenager, a screamo concert in the back of a church.
“I couldn’t tell where the floor ended and where the ceiling began,” he recalls. “The energy was insane. I just remember thinking, I want to be a part of whatever this is.”
That instinct initially led him toward performing. Martignago spent his late teens and early twenties touring in bands, an experience he now credits with teaching him skills he did not fully appreciate at the time. “I didn’t realize how much I was learning just from being on the road,” he says. “You’re watching how rooms work, how crowds react, how songs land night after night.”
Eventually, practicality pushed him toward the business side. Encouraged by his parents to pursue a more stable path, Martignago enrolled at Full Sail University in Orlando, where he studied music business. A pivotal moment came when he was selected to meet Steve Robertson, a longtime Atlantic Records executive. The meeting led to an internship at Atlantic, where Robertson became an early mentor. Martignago’s initial responsibilities were simple but demanding.
“My job was basically, when he put the phone down, I had to play something amazing,” he says.
One moment during that internship became foundational to how Martignago approaches A&R. After struggling to find music he truly believed in, he chose not to play anything at all. “I told him I hadn’t found anything good enough,” Martignago says. “Instead of that being a problem, it actually shifted how he saw me. It was about raising the bar on listening and being more discerning.”
The moment led to increased responsibility and deeper trust, reinforcing the idea that strong A&R instincts are as much about what you pass on as what you champion.
That emphasis on discernment carried through Martignago’s rise at Atlantic, where he moved from intern to consultant and eventually to Director of A&R and Research. His role blended creative development with emerging data-driven approaches, providing early exposure to developing artists and projects, including work around Melanie Martinez, Billie Eilish and Twenty One Pilots.
“I still believe in research,” he says. “I just believe it works best when it’s paired with taste and intuition, not replacing them.”
In 2015, Martignago relocated to Nashville after Robertson made his own move to the city, a decision that ultimately prompted Martignago to follow. While the city offered a strong songwriting culture and sense of community, it also presented challenges for pop-focused A&R work at the time.
“There weren’t a lot of people doing what I was doing here,” he says. “In some ways, it felt like moving to a new place with some of the same challenges and some new ones.”
Those tensions became more pronounced during the pandemic, as TikTok accelerated the industry’s focus on metrics and short-term performance. When Martignago’s contract came up for renewal in early 2021, it became clear that his priorities and the label’s evolving needs were diverging.
“It wasn’t dramatic,” he says. “Everyone was kind, and I was treated well. But it became obvious that what they valued most from me wasn’t the part of the job that got me into music in the first place.”
Shortly after, Martignago joined Prescription Songs Nashville, shifting from label A&R to publishing. The move required a recalibration, particularly around timelines and financial expectations.
“One of the first things I learned was how long it takes for money to come in on the publishing side,” he says. “And what makes money there isn’t always the same thing that makes money on the label side.”
He also had to adjust his mindset. “At a label, you’re often working on very specific puzzles,” he explains. “You need the single, or the producer, or one missing piece. In publishing, you’re working with pieces and deciding what puzzles you even want to build.”
That shift led to a more proactive approach, both creatively and strategically.
“I actually think Prescription made me a better A&R person,” he says. “You can’t just react. You have to be intentional about who you bring in, because you’re committing to them for the long term.”
Since joining Prescription, Martignago has helped develop a Nashville roster that includes Anderson East, Trent Dabbs, JT Daly, Nick Lobel, Tony Esterly, Brett Truitt, Josie Dunne, Dominique Sanders, Derik Fein, Heather Russell and Vancouver Sleep Clinic. Recent highlights include the signings of East and Dabbs, along with contributions from Prescription writers and producers to BigXthaPlug’s latest project, which featured four cuts involving Nashville-based creatives and collaborators such as Thomas Rhett, Shaboozey, Darius Rucker and Ink.
Earlier this year, longtime Prescription Nashville leader Katie Fagan announced her departure to launch Mom + Pop Records’ Nashville operation. Martignago raised his hand to help guide the office forward. “I knew I couldn’t replace Katie,” he says. “But I also knew I cared deeply about what we’d built and where it could go next.”
In early 2025, Prescription named Martignago Vice President of A&R, a title that reflects expanded responsibilities but not a shift in focus. Martignago sees Prescription’s role in Nashville continuing to evolve from an alternative presence into a competitive one, while staying grounded in the identity the company has built. “We’ve always been an alternative,” he says. “Now the goal is to compete while staying authentic to who we are.” That approach includes supporting genre-fluid creatives and expanding the company’s footprint across country and hybrid spaces. “I don’t think writers want to be put in boxes anymore,” he adds. “They want flexibility, and they want to feel like their identity can evolve.”
Martignago also points to the importance of diversity, both in signings and staffing, as Nashville’s creative ecosystem continues to broaden. “If music in this town is going to look different,” he says, “the industry has to reflect that.”
As VP of A&R, Martignago will continue overseeing signings, creative development and cross-genre initiatives for Prescription Songs Nashville. “I want to build something sustainable,” he says. “And I want the work to speak for itself.”
Bobby Bones’ ‘BobbyCast’ Included In Netflix & iHeartMedia Exclusive Video Podcast Partnership
/by Lauryn SinkBobby Bones. Photo: Courtesy of iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia and Netflix have partnered in an exclusive video podcasting agreement for more than 15 original iHeartPodcasts. New video podcast episodes will launch on Netflix in early 2026 in the US, with more markets to follow.
The agreement includes all new episodes from the podcast lineup, as well as select library episodes from each show. Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast, The Breakfast Club, Joe and Jada and Dear Chelsea are among the included podcasts.
“Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category – video podcasts. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix—an important leader in entertainment— gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time,” says Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia. “These shows feature dynamic hosts, compelling conversations, and passionate fan communities—available in both audio and now as a natural video extension. Audiences can now not only listen but also watch and enjoy top-rated iHeartPodcasts alongside award-winning series and movies from Netflix.”
“With this partnership we are incredibly excited to offer our members such unmatched variety, and to deliver highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities,” shares Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy.
Industry Ink: for KING + COUNTRY, Hayden Coffman, 3d PR & Marketing, Camryn Marie, More
/by Lauryn Sinkfor KING + COUNTRY Earn RIAA Gold Certification
Pictured (L-R): Craig Powers (Curb Records), John Chapman, Rio Van Risseghem (Amazon Music), Luke Smallbone, Joel Smallbone, Sarah DeMarco (Amazon Music), Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Amazon Music), Lauren Stellato (Amazon Music), and Benson Curb. Photo: Kadin Tooley/for KING + COUNTRY
for KING + COUNTRY has earned a RIAA Gold certification for their 2020 holiday Amazon Music Original, “Do You Hear What I Hear.”
Lauren Stellato, the Christian and Gospel Programming Lead for Amazon Music, presented the duo with the plaque at the Opry House last night (Dec. 15). The brother duo is currently amidst their five night residency at the venue.
Hayden Coffman Presented With RIAA Gold Certification For ‘Better Off’
Hayden Coffman & team.
Hayden Coffman was presented with a plaque on Friday (Dec. 12) celebrating the RIAA Gold Certification of his single, “Better Off,” following a surprise onstage performance and announcement from Chase Matthew.
Written by Coffman alongside Ethan Escue and Drake Freeman and produced by Grady Saxman, the track has amassed over 75 million streams across platforms.
3d PR & Marketing Expands To Nashville
3d PR & Marketing is expanding to Nashville. The company works with a wide range of industries including luxury goods and services, beauty, lifestyle, entertainment, food and hospitality.
The company will begin accepting clients in February.
Camryn Marie Signs With MVP3 Music Group
Camryn Marie & Marie Pizano.
Camryn Marie has signed a management deal with MVP3 Music Group.
“Camryn Marie possesses exactly what we’ve been looking for. Her profound songwriting and fierce resilience aligns perfectly with our mission to support artists of integrity,” says MVP3 Music Group label head Marie Pizano. “Her ability to overcome adversity enhances her writing and tenacity to become a staple in this industry.”
“MVP3 Music Group understands that everyone has the potential to win if you work hard enough,” adds Marie. “The woman-owned company has demonstrated you can go far while staying true to your values. Marie and the MVP3 team see my vision for my music and my career; you can’t put a price on having a team you trust and believes in you.”
Texas Songwriter U Announces 2026 Class
Texas Songwriter U has selected Gloria Anderson, Joli Hope, Rachel LaRen, Mila, Philip Morgan, Stoney Musgrove, Brett Stair and Jon Stork for its 2026 program.
The 2026 Showcase is set for Feb. 1 at The Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas. Each of the selected songwriters will perform, along with a special guest performance by Jack Ingram.
Legendary Texas Singer-Songwriter Joe Ely Dies At 78
/by Lorie HollabaughJoe Ely performs at a Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2018. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Texas troubadour Joe Ely passed away yesterday (Dec. 15) from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s and pneumonia at his home in Taos, New Mexico. He was 78.
Ely was born Feb. 9, 1947 in Amarillo, Texas. In the early ’70s, he founded country rock unit The Flatlanders with fellow West Texas musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and recorded an album together that would set the tone for Ely’s storied 50-year career to follow. After the group of talents disbanded, Ely later signed with MCA Records in the 1970s and spent more than five decades recording solo albums and performing on a myriad of prestigious stages around the world.
The alt-country artist’s prolific songwriting skills even reached across the Pond in the late ’70s, catching the ear of members of rockers The Clash in London, who would later have him add backing vocals to their iconic hit, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” and join them on tour. Decades into his career, Ely also found some kindred spirits in the members of Los Super Seven, which included Freddy Fender and Flaco Jiménez, and would perform with the band, taking home a Grammy in 1999 for Best Mexican-American Album.
Ely reconnected with The Flatlanders in the early 2000s, recording new material and touring the country. Throughout the course of his legendary career he performed with a vast Who’s Who of artists, including The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, The Chieftains, and many more. Ely was also an author and released several books, including Bonfire of Roadmaps, as well as 2014’s Reverb • An Odyssey.
In 2022, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Ely is survived by his wife Sharon and daughter Marie, who were by his side when he passed.
“Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto. He began his career in the Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock natives Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and he would mix their songs with his through 50 years of critically acclaimed recordings. But his true measure came through in the dynamic intensity of his powerhouse live performances, where he could stand his ground aside fellow zealots Bruce Springsteen who recorded duets with Ely, and the Stones and the Clash, who took Ely on tour as an opening act.”
Dolly Parton To Bring ‘Threads: My Songs in Symphony’ To New Cities In 2026
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton. Photo: Courtesy of Parton
Dolly Parton is taking her multimedia symphonic experience, “Threads: My Songs in Symphony,” to new U.S. cities for the 2026 season.
The concert series, developed in partnership with Schirmer Theatrical and Sony Music Publishing, combines orchestral arrangements by David Hamilton, immersive visuals by Adam Grannick, and intimate storytelling, exploring Parton’s songs, life, and stories. The 2026 tour will feature 27 performances across 12 cities, highlighting collaborations with some of the nation’s premier orchestras, including March 19-21 with the Nashville Symphony.
Following its sold-out 2025 world premiere with the Nashville Symphony, “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” has captivated audiences across the U.S. touring with performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Returning next year from the inaugural tour cast are vocalists Katelyn Drye, Hollie Hammel, Blair Lamb, and Julie Williams, plus musicians David Hamilton, Derek Drye, Lindsey Miller, Dean Berner, Gary Lunn, Chris Leidhecker, Ross McReynolds, and Luke Woodle. Joining for select 2026 dates are Katie Basden, Ally Jackson, Brian Fullen, Craig Nelson, and Duncan Mullins.
“Threads: My Songs in Symphony” 2026 Dates:
Jan. 3-4, 2026: Colorado Symphony – Denver, CO
Jan. 17-18, 2026: St. Louis Symphony – St. Louis, MO
Jan. 23-25, 2026: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 31, 2026: Louisville Orchestra – Louisville, KY
Feb. 14-15, 2026: Oregon Symphony – Portland, OR
March 19-21, 2026: Nashville Symphony – Nashville, TN
March 20-21, 2026: Grand Rapids Symphony – Grand Rapids, MI
March 28, 2026: Phoenix Symphony – Phoenix, AZ
April 7-11, 2026: Naples Philharmonic – Naples, FL
Trace Adkins Celebrates 30th Anniversary On New 2026 Headlining Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughTrace Adkins. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Trace Adkins will kick off 2026 on his new “Trace Adkins 30th Anniversary Tour” beginning Jan. 16 at Oxford Performing Arts Center in Oxford, Alabama.
The 24-date trek will celebrate three decades of success since Adkins delivered his Platinum debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud. The route will include two nights at the Ryman Auditorium (May 22-23) along with stops in Fort Worth, St. Augustine, Cheyenne, Orlando, North Myrtle Beach, and more through Sept. 19.
Tickets will be available via an artist pre-sale beginning today (Dec. 16) with public on-sale starting Dec. 19. Fans can sign up for pre-sales and purchase tickets here.
“I recently read that if you lined up all the country music artists who ‘break through at all,’ the majority cluster tightly around 5-7 years of an active career. Only about 10% have a career spanning 20 years,” shares Adkins. “As I embark on my 30th year of touring, I find myself in the single-digit percentile of artists. I am humbled that my fans and promoters have let me do this for so long. Hope to see you one more time in 2026.”
Adkins recently released his latest all-original holiday song, “One More Christmas.”
“Trace Adkins 30th Anniversary Tour” Dates:
Jan. 16 | Oxford, AL – Oxford Performing Arts Center
Jan. 17 | Dover, FL – Tampa Bay Rodeo’s Bull Bash & Country Music Festival
March 7 | Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
March 8 | Bossier City, LA – Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana
March 28 | Opp, AL – Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo
April 16 | St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 18 | Orlando, FL – Venue TBA
April 23 | Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
April 24 | Harris, MI – Island Resort & Casino
April 25 | Harris, MI – Island Resort & Casino
May 14 | Miles City, MT – World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale
May 15 | Deadwood, SD – Deadwood Mountain Grand
May 16 | Fort Yates, ND – Prairie Knights Casino & Resort
May 22 | Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
May 23 | Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
June 19 | Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
June 20 | Mount Vernon, KY – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
June 21 | North Myrtle Beach, SC – Alabama Theatre
July 22 | Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Frontier Days
July 24 | Castle Rock, CO – Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
Sept. 11 | Hutchinson, KS – Kansas State Fair
Sept. 17 | Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
Sept. 18 | Carteret, NJ – Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center
Sept. 19 | Charles Town, WV – Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races