
Amazon Music is kicking off Country Music Month this week with a month-long slate of content celebrating the best in country music from Riley Green, Shaboozey, The Red Clay Strays and more.
The company will release four brand-new Amazon Music Originals as part of Country Music Month, including Green’s new song “She Wrecked Me,” out now. Additional Originals include Orville Peck’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” out Oct. 16; The Red Clay Strays’ reimagined version of their song “Forgive” releasing on Oct. 23; and Elizabeth Nichols’ take on Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” due Oct. 30.
Amazon Music will also spotlight its Songline series, which brings artists and songwriters together to share the stories behind their music and perform reimagined versions of their songs. On Oct. 7, Miranda Lambert will headline a special Songline broadcast recorded at The Truth in Nashville which will stream in the Amazon Music app, on Prime Video, and on Twitch. On Oct. 16, Amazon Music will release a new Songline film featuring Shaboozey, who will perform new songs and fan favorites while sharing insight into his songwriting process.
Stella Lefty has been chosen as the next artist selected for Amazon Music’s global artist development program “Breakthrough.” Following her smash hit “Boston” reaching No. 1 at country radio, Lefty’s campaign will feature programming, marketing, original content, and unique fan experiences designed to introduce her to new audiences around the world. Previous Breakthrough artists include Dasha, Carter Faith, Bailey Zimmerman, Gabby Barrett and BRELAND.
Amazon Music Live also brings full-scale performances from some of the world’s biggest artists to Prime Video following Thursday Night Football. On Oct. 15, Lainey Wilson will celebrate Country Music Month with a special Season Five performance featuring new arrangements of her biggest hits, filmed Oct. 10 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Throughout Country Music Month, the Country Heat Weekly Podcast will roll out new episodes featuring Green, Nichols, Shaboozey, Kenny Chesney, and more. Hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, the weekly series brings the “Country Heat” playlist to life through artist interviews, the latest country news, today’s biggest songs, and spotlights on the genre’s rising stars.
Also in celebration of Country Music Month, Amazon Music and Musicians On Call are teaming up to bring the healing power of country music directly to patients, families and caregivers through a special virtual concert series this October. Featuring performances from Lambert, Wilson and Shaboozey, the series will bring some of country’s biggest artists directly to patients and caregivers in healthcare environments nationwide.
Ella Langley & Brooks & Dunn To Headline Two Step Inn 2027
/by Lorie HollabaughElla Langley & Brooks & Dunn.
Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn are set to headline Two Step Inn’s 2027 edition, which returns April 17–18 at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas.
On Saturday, April 17, Brooks & Dunn will return to Two Step Inn, with additional performances from Parker McCollum, Whiskey Myers, Charles Wesley Godwin, Stella Lefty, Josh Abbott Band and more. On Sunday, April 18, Langley will close out the festival, following performances from Sheryl Crow, Flatland Cavalry, Clint Black, Michelle Branch, Old Crow Medicine Show and more.
Fans can register for the presale here. 1-Day, 2-Day GA, GA+, VIP and Platinum tickets will be available starting tomorrow, (Sept. 25) at noon CT with guaranteed lowest-priced 2-Day GA tickets offered for the first hour only. A public on-sale will follow with any remaining tickets.
Over $630,000 was donated to Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation from the 2026 Two Step Inn in support of future park and community improvements, with a total donation reaching over $3.1 million since 2023. Additionally, Two Step Inn 2026 brought in over $92.6 million dollars to the local and regional economy, and has generated $422.60 million dollars to the local and regional economy since its inaugural year.
Amy Grant To Release Deluxe Edition of ‘The Me That Remains’
/by Lorie HollabaughAmy Grant is releasing The Me That Remains (Deluxe Edition), an expanded edition of her latest album, out Oct. 2 via Thirty Tigers.
The deluxe edition features seven bonus tracks, including new collaborations and reimagined versions of songs from the album, as well as four live performances captured during Grant’s album release show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Among the new additions is a version of “Please Don’t Make Me Beg” featuring the song’s co-writer, Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman, along with new takes on “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)” with the Driving Home Mix and “Beautiful Lone Companion” with the Mandolin Choir Mix.
The deluxe edition also features live versions of “The Saint,” “The Me That Remains,” “‘Til We Get It Right” and “(Nothing Like A) Sunny Day.” Grant released The Me That Remains on May 8, marking her first album of original songs in 13 years.
The announcement follows Grant’s debut at AMERICANAFEST last week, where she performed at Third and Lindsley on Sept. 15, followed by a keynote with NPR Music’s Jewly Hight on Sept. 16. She is currently on tour with Franni Cash and Mac McAnally, with upcoming stops in Dallas, San Francisco, Memphis and more, before joining Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans for their “Christmas Together Tour” beginning in November. She is also returning to Nashville for her annual holiday tradition “Christmas at the Ryman” shows with Vince Gill in December.
The Me That Remains (Deluxe) Track List:
1. “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)”
2. “How Do We Get There From Here” (feat. Ruby Amanfu)
3. “Please Don’t Make Me Beg”
4. “The Saint”
5. “Beautiful Lone Companion”
6. “The Me That Remains”
7. “‘Til We Get It Right”
8. “(Nothing Like A) Sunny Day”
9. “Friend Like You (with Vince Gill)”
10. “The Other Side Of Goodbye (with Sarah Cannon & Corrina Gill)”
11. “Please Don’t Make Me Beg (feat. Jon Foreman)”
12. “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm) (Driving Home Mix)”
13. “Beautiful Lone Companion (Mandolin Choir Mix)”
14. “The Saint (Live)”
15. “The Me That Remains (Live)”
16. “‘Til We Get It Right (Live)”
17. “(Nothing Like A) Sunny Day (Live)”
Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Elevates Two
/by Lauryn SinkLuke Wiget and Aaron Helvig. Photo: Courtesy of Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
The Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum has elevated two staff members.
Luke Wiget has been promoted to Vice President of Creative. He joined the museum in 2016, and, prior to his promotion, he served as senior director of creative. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from San Jose State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from The New School.
In his new role, Wiget oversees the museum’s creative department through artistic direction and design support for all exhibitions, education and marketing initiatives, as well as books published by the museum’s CMF Press and records produced by CMF Records. He also supervises the museum’s video production, photography and digital content creation, including for the museum’s public programs and other events.
Aaron Helvig has been promoted to Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement. He joined the museum in 2019, and prior to his promotion, Helvig held the position of director of school and music programs at the museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in music from Northern Arizona University.
In this role, Helvig oversees the cultural institution’s educational offerings for school, family, community, volunteer and intern populations, encompassing over 2,000 programs that serve more than 125,000 people annually. He guides the work of the Taylor Swift Education Center and supports the museum’s education council.
Amazon Music Celebrates Country Music Month With New Music, Programming, More
/by Lorie HollabaughAmazon Music is kicking off Country Music Month this week with a month-long slate of content celebrating the best in country music from Riley Green, Shaboozey, The Red Clay Strays and more.
The company will release four brand-new Amazon Music Originals as part of Country Music Month, including Green’s new song “She Wrecked Me,” out now. Additional Originals include Orville Peck’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” out Oct. 16; The Red Clay Strays’ reimagined version of their song “Forgive” releasing on Oct. 23; and Elizabeth Nichols’ take on Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” due Oct. 30.
Amazon Music will also spotlight its Songline series, which brings artists and songwriters together to share the stories behind their music and perform reimagined versions of their songs. On Oct. 7, Miranda Lambert will headline a special Songline broadcast recorded at The Truth in Nashville which will stream in the Amazon Music app, on Prime Video, and on Twitch. On Oct. 16, Amazon Music will release a new Songline film featuring Shaboozey, who will perform new songs and fan favorites while sharing insight into his songwriting process.
Stella Lefty has been chosen as the next artist selected for Amazon Music’s global artist development program “Breakthrough.” Following her smash hit “Boston” reaching No. 1 at country radio, Lefty’s campaign will feature programming, marketing, original content, and unique fan experiences designed to introduce her to new audiences around the world. Previous Breakthrough artists include Dasha, Carter Faith, Bailey Zimmerman, Gabby Barrett and BRELAND.
Amazon Music Live also brings full-scale performances from some of the world’s biggest artists to Prime Video following Thursday Night Football. On Oct. 15, Lainey Wilson will celebrate Country Music Month with a special Season Five performance featuring new arrangements of her biggest hits, filmed Oct. 10 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Throughout Country Music Month, the Country Heat Weekly Podcast will roll out new episodes featuring Green, Nichols, Shaboozey, Kenny Chesney, and more. Hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, the weekly series brings the “Country Heat” playlist to life through artist interviews, the latest country news, today’s biggest songs, and spotlights on the genre’s rising stars.
Also in celebration of Country Music Month, Amazon Music and Musicians On Call are teaming up to bring the healing power of country music directly to patients, families and caregivers through a special virtual concert series this October. Featuring performances from Lambert, Wilson and Shaboozey, the series will bring some of country’s biggest artists directly to patients and caregivers in healthcare environments nationwide.
Ava Liv Mabry Inks With Reservoir [Exclusive]
/by Madison HahnenPhoto: Courtesy of Reservoir Media
Folk-pop singer-songwriter Ava Liv Mabry has signed a publishing deal with Reservoir Media. The deal includes her catalog and future works.
Mabry is the youngest-ever recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Abe Olman Award, which recognizes promising young songwriters. She has released four EPs, most recently 2025’s Magnolia. Her debut album, All American Girl Doll, is set for release next year and includes the previously released singles “For the Records,” “Dreamboat,” “Heather,” “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and “Audrey.” This fall, she will hit the road with Jenna Raine, Jenna Davis, and Parachute after selling out her first headline show at Nashville’s Cannery Hall in July.
Raised on gospel music in Franklin, Tennessee, Mabry began her career busking around her hometown and released her first song at 13. Her songwriting draws from her own experiences, with themes of relationships, family, faith and home. Her music has also been featured in Netflix’s Calabasas Confidential and several Hallmark movies. Earlier this year, Spotify featured Mabry on its Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Country playlists, following three Apple Music editorial features.
“Ever since I moved to Nashville and started learning the art of songwriting, I have realized just how much companies like Reservoir do for songwriters like me,” says Mabry. “It’s a dream come true partnering with innovators like Greg Gallo and John Ozier at Reservoir! I feel like I get to join a club of people that inspire me most.”
“Ava is an incredible singer-songwriter with a huge amount of well-deserved buzz around her right now,” adds Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative. “She’s the kind of songwriter A&Rs dream of discovering this early in her career. We’re proud to be her publishing home and support her as she launches her debut album, and we can’t wait for the world to hear what’s next.”
She is managed by fellow Reservoir songwriter Sam Tinnesz, and recently signed a record deal with Blue Highway Records.
Grand Ole Opry To Celebrate Canadian Country Music Oct. 29
/by Madison HahnenThe Grand Ole Opry will honor Canada’s country music community on Oct. 29 with “Grand Ole Opry: Celebrating 50 Years of the CCMA,” marking the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Country Music Association. The event will spotlight Canadian country artists from multiple generations, including Opry member Terri Clark, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Tami Neilson, Brett Kissel and Tenille Arts.
Radio personalities Jackie Rae Greening and four-time CCMA Award winner Shannon Ella will serve as special guest announcers. The celebration will also feature a special moment for Jess Moskaluke, who was invited by Ella to make her Opry debut during the event.
The event will celebrate the artists who have shaped Canadian country music and the connection between the Canadian country community and the Grand Ole Opry.
iHeartRadio | Pure Country Radio will broadcast the celebration across Canada on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. local time.
Riley Green Celebrates ‘Change My Mind’ With No. 1 Party
/by John Nix ArledgeRiley Green (BMI) is presented with a plaque celebrating his RIAA-PLATINUM certified seventh No. One hit “Change My Mind.” Photo: Katie Mathis for BMI
Riley Green and his team gathered at BMI yesterday (Sept. 22) to celebrate his chart-topper, “Change My Mind.” The track was written by Green, Erik Dylan and Randy Montana, and produced by Dan Huff, Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen.
BMI’s Leslie Roberts welcomed industry members, friends and family to the celebration, noting that “Change My Mind” was Green’s seventh No. 1 single, Dylan’s second No. 1 and Montana’s 12th.
50 Egg Music’s Tali Canterbury, Warner Chappell’s Benji Amaefule and Warner Chappell and Perfect Game Creative’s Jessi Stevenson each took the microphone to honor the songwriters and the team behind the track.
Stevenson remembered the first time she watched Green perform it live. “The first time I got to see it in person was at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and the air in the room changed,” Stevenson shared. “Everyone got so electrified and were having so much fun. It was really fun to watch it come in from a work tape to then being recorded and then being played live.”
Studio Bank’s Ron Cox also took a moment to highlight the donation made in honor of the No. 1 to Green’s Buford Bonds Charitable Fund, an organization founded by Green to honor his grandfathers and serve the needs of veterans.
Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment’s Borchetta and Harnen then celebrated Green’s continued growth, with Harnen sharing that “Change My Mind” had been certified Platinum.
Huff then took the mic, reflecting on his time working with Green and the impact he has had on him creatively.
“I think I’ve received more working with Riley than I give,” Huff shared. “And I’m so appreciative of it because you think when you’ve done something for a long time, there’s less and less that you have to learn. And the way he writes music and records music has taught me a bunch of new things in the last couple of years and I’m very thankful for that because it reengages me with music.”
Dylan and Montana each thanked the team behind the single and Green for his boldness in cutting songs that no one else will.
Finally, Green took the microphone, first speaking as Dylan’s co-publisher before thanking Montana, Huff, Borchetta, Harnen and the members of his team who helped get the song to No. 1.
“I think that when you sit down in a room and it doesn’t feel like you’re at work, it always comes out to be a better song and it’s always the case with these people,” Green said. “It takes a whole bunch of folks. So this is everybody’s win here today. Appreciate y’all.”
Roger Miller’s Career Highlighted In Upcoming New CMHOFM Exhibit
/by Lorie HollabaughThe life and career of Country Music Hall of Fame member Roger Miller will be explored in a new exhibit. “Roger Miller: Wit, Wisdom, and Wonder,” opening Nov. 6 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The exhibit follows the story of the renowned singer-songwriter whose multifaceted career earned him accolades and widespread affection from the public. Miller became a country-pop superstar in the 1960s with self-penned crossover hits like “Dang Me” and “King of the Road.” At the height of the British Invasion, Miller won 11 Grammys, and was the first country artist to win a Tony. A true renaissance man, he mastered multiple crafts as a songwriter, singer, fiddler, guitarist, drummer, film and TV star, Las Vegas headliner, and Broadway composer.
Beloved for his quick wit, Miller’s natural comedic ability was so sharp that Nashville songwriters were known to trail him around town, hoping to collect lines that flew from his mouth. He counted songwriting giants Bill Anderson and Willie Nelson among his closest friends, and has influenced countless others, including John Prine, Toby Keith and Kacey Musgraves. Miller passed in 1992, and was inducted posthumously into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.
The exhibit will feature a short film produced by the museum and narrated by Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart. Visitors will see clothing, awards, handwritten notes, song manuscripts, instruments and rare footage of Miller’s TV appearances and performances. The exhibit, supported by All Access Coach Leasing, is included with museum admission and runs through March 2028.
“Roger Miller was a singular creative force,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Though considered a musical genius and humorist, his greatest gift may have been his ability to connect with people. He channeled his many sides into fantastically absurd, touching and astute songwriting that still resonates today.”
Industry Ink: BMI, Vanderbilt, CRS, Rhino Staging, CMHOFM
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI Holds Inaugural Sunseeker Resort Festival In Florida
Pictured (L-R): Ben Burgess (BMI), BMI’s Mason Hunter, Summer Overstreet (BMI), BMI’s Rachel Morgan, Shane Minor (BMI), Sunseeker Resort’s Chloe Hollander, Anthony Smith (BMI), and Marti Frederiksen (BMI) pose at the inaugural Sunseeker Resort Songwriter series presented by BMI.
BMI hosted its first-ever Sunseeker Resort Songwriter Series at the Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast in Port Charlotte, Florida on Sept. 5-6. The resort hosted two nights of stories and songs at Estuary’s Edge, its dedicated indoor event space, with Saturday performances from hitmakers Shane Minor and Anthony Smith, and Sunday’s closing entertainment featuring Marti Frederiksen, Summer Overstreet and Ben Burgess.
Vanderbilt University’s Lecture On The Lawn Series Hosts WME, Neon Coast, Lost Highway, Sony Publishing & More
Vanderbilt hosted Lecture on the Lawn, one of Nashville’s largest student-run benefit concert series, on Sept. 22 at Vanderbilt’s Alumni Hall. The event brought together six music and entertainment professionals with students to give the next generation of the industry a direct line to the people already building careers on Music Row.
The event was moderated by Professor Deanna Walker, Senior Lecturer of Songwriting at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music and a songwriter, pianist, composer and producer, and featured Jess Tomlins, Project Manager and Day-to-Day Artist Manager, Neon Coast; Lauren Cunningham, Music Agent, WME; David Sharp, Senior Director, North American Synchronization License Administration, Sony Music Publishing; Leah Ducey, Head of US Social, Beautiful Digital; Vinny Masino, Manager, Audience Development and Content Strategy, Lost Highway; and Nikki Romolo, Managing Director, Venues and Events, Vanderbilt Enterprises. The event was co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Career Center and open to all Vanderbilt students interested in music and entertainment careers, regardless of major.
Early Bird Registration For CRS 2027 Closes Today
Early Bird Registration for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2027 is now open for two days only, through the end of day today (Sept. 23.) Country radio and music industry professionals are encouraged to act quickly to secure the special $699 Early Bird rate before registration increases to $799. Registration is available through crs2027.eventbrite.com. Set for March 17–19 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, CRS 2027 will once again bring together members from across the country radio and music communities for three days of education, networking, discovery, and live entertainment.
Rhino Staging Opens New Nashville Office
Celeste Brown
Rhino Staging has opened a new office in Nashville. The new facility, led by Tennessee Operations Manager Celeste Brown, moves Rhino Staging closer to downtown Nashville, enhancing day-to-day synergies with top client venues by allowing Rhino management to more easily conduct physical, in-person check-ins and reinforcing their commitment to hands-on client service.
The central location also allows scheduling and other staff more opportunities for valuable face-to-face interaction with Rhino’s stagehand cohort. The office is located in the same complex as industry partners Go West Creative and Worley Sound, further strengthening Rhino’s local operational ties.
Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates Opening Of *uter(us) By 2026 Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist Sarah Matthews
Director of Hatch Show Print Celene Aubry, Sarah Matthews and Haley Gallery Director Daniel Lonow. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Last week, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Haley Gallery celebrated the opening *uter(us), an art exhibit showcasing the works of printmaker Sarah Matthews, who is also serving as the 2026 Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist. The Hatch Show Print Visiting Artist series invites regionally, nationally or internationally recognized visual artists to explore Hatch Show Print’s collection of type and imagery and collaborate with the shop’s designer-printers to make new work.
Free and open to the public through Nov. 13, the exhibit examines women’s health through the language of medicine, exploring the words and phrases physicians and nurses use when speaking to patients. It also addresses critical issues including period poverty, the maternal mortality crisis, the pink tax and reproductive healthcare. By transforming medical language into visuals, the exhibit invites viewers to confront these disparities, amplifying conversations about bodily autonomy, informed consent and equitable healthcare for all women.
Garth Brooks To Bring His ‘Blame It All On My Roots Tour’ Home To Oklahoma In October
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks
Garth Brooks’ “Blame It All On My Roots Arena Tour” is heading back to his home state for three shows this October.
He’ll take the stage for back-to-back shows in Tulsa Oct. 23- 25 at the BOK Center. Performing in the round, Brooks has fans on their feet from the opening note through the final song, as the sold-out crowd sings along to a career-spanning set of fan favorites and iconic hits. General on sale for the dates begins Oct. 2 here.
“Nothing means more than meaning something to the place where you’re from,” Brooks says about the Oklahoma show.
Brooks will head to Orlando this weekend for three dates Sept. 25-27, and will perform four shows in Salt Lake City in October.