Ashley McBryde has created her new Light On Fund to support causes close to her heart and help those in need.

The new charitable initiative was named for McBryde’s song “Light On In The Kitchen,” which was inspired by and in honor of her mother Martha and her mother’s two sisters. The Light On Fund will target 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.

The inspiration for the fund stems from the kindness of McBryde’s mom Martha, who recently auctioned off one of Ashley’s childhood dresses to give back to her local foster care system in Arkansas. McBryde launched the Light On Fund yesterday during Giving Tuesday by personally matching the amount of money raised from that sale.

“Leaving the light on for someone is the same as telling them you love them where I’m from,” shares McBryde. “Folks are suffering in ways we’ll never see or know about, and the same way I want someone to come to my show and know that for 90 minutes, they’ve got a safe haven, we hope the Light On Fund will be a place of support, care, and nurturing for causes that have touched my life and my history.

“The women in my family have led by generous and humble example, living out that the most important gestures are the ones from one heart to another,” she continues. “With the establishment of the Light On Fund, I hope that we’re letting people know that we see them and we care. Wherever they may be or may end up on life’s journey, we’ll leave a light on for them.”

Fans wanting to support the initiative can buy the official Ashley McBryde’s Light On Fund hat with all proceeds going directly to the initiative here.

Nashville’s modern music scene was on full display last weekend at the inaugural Nashbash in Miami Beach, where some Music City artists performed leading into the famed Miami Art Week.

The lineup featured co-headliners Maggie Rose and Moon Taxi, as well as Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves and Jess Nolan. The high-energy, one-of-a-kind celebration presented by Jrodconcerts Media took place at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell, and brought the unmistakable soul of Music City to the center of one of the world’s most influential cultural gatherings. Thousands of fans also tuned in to the free livestream from Volume.com.

The Miami Beach Bandshell welcomed more than 70,000 people to 140+ public concerts, festivals, and special events last year, and in addition to shows by top touring bands, the venue features programs throughout the year for children, free concerts to the public, and several platforms to support locally based artists.

The Grand Ole Opry kicked off the holiday season on Sunday night (Nov. 30) with the first show of their fifth annual Opry Country Christmas series.

Hosted by Larry Gatlin, performers for the first show included Dailey & Vincent, Maddox Batson, Brandon Heath, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Charlie McCoy.

Opry Country Christmas will continue through Dec. 23 with performances from Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson, Lainey Wilson, Kathy Mattea, Scotty McCreery, Jon Pardi, Mark Wills and Jamey Johnson, among others.

All Opry Country Christmas shows air on WSM Radio as well as WSM and Opry digital platforms.

Chase Rice Partners With Boot Barn & Cody James

Chase Rice has teamed up with Boot Barn and Cody James for an exclusive new curated collection from Cody James Black 1978®.The Cody James Black 1978® curated collection featuring Rice is available online here and in Boot Barn stores.

“Partnering with Boot Barn and Cody James was a natural fit,” says Rice. “They want to share a piece of the American spirit with everyone, whether that’s through a pair of cowboy boots or supporting country music, so our values are a good match. Having the team shoot everything here on my farm was a great experience. This is the place where I draw so much inspiration for my music—it’s part of who I am— so getting to share that side of my life and that pride in country living was something special.”

 

Zach Top Teams Up With Kimes Ranch

Zach Top has teamed up with Kimes Ranch to launch the “Zach” jean, available at the Kimes booth at the NFR this December and online here while supplies last.

“I’m thrilled to finally share the jeans I’ve been wearing every day for over a year-on stage, on the road, and back home. Working with Kimes Ranch to design these was a hands-on process from start to finish,” says Top. “We wanted something that looked good, felt right, and endured the miles and moments that come with this life. These jeans have been with me through it all, and I can’t wait for y’all to try them.”

“Zach represents the next generation of country and Western culture; his commitment to authenticity aligns perfectly with what Kimes Ranch stands for,” said Matt and Amanda Kimes, founders of Kimes Ranch. “This collaboration brings that spirit to life in denim form, and we couldn’t imagine a better time to debut it than NFR.”

To celebrate the debut of the “Zach,” Kimes Ranch will host a special event on Dec. 11 at Ole Red Las Vegas.

 

Tucker Wetmore Sells Out Southern String Hat Co. Collaboration

Tucker Wetmore recently collaborated with Southern String Hat Co., releasing an exclusive silver duck necklace. The limited edition drop sold out within two hours of its initial release.

“I wanted to make something that felt like the kind of days I love – on the water, windows down, wherever the road takes you,” shares Wetmore. “So I teamed up with my go-to hat brand, Southern String. Hope you dig it.”

 

Official Hudson Westbrook Merchandise Available At Buc-ee’s

Hudson Westbrook merchandise is now available at Buc-ee’s across the country. The collection includes a “Well Darlin’” trucker hat along with select T-shirts and a sweatshirt.

 

Drew Baldridge Celebrates First Sold-Out Headline Show, Australian Tour, Acting Debut & Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance

Drew Baldridge is celebrating his first sold-out headlining show taking place next week in Glasgow, Scotland. Baldridge completed his first Australian tour opening for Jelly Roll earlier this year.

Additionally, he made his acting debut on the small screen in Hallmark Channel’s A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, which premiered last weekend, and participated in his first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“Every one of these moments feels surreal,” Baldridge shares. “I’ve chased these kinds of dreams for a long time, and to see them all happening at once is incredibly humbling. I’m just grateful for the fans who’ve believed in me from the start.”

 

FIU Honors Ana Cristina Cash As Part Of Inaugural ‘Panther Portrait Series’

Florida International University (FIU) recently celebrated alumna Ana Cristina Cash on Nov. 21 as part of the university’s inaugural “Panther Portrait” series. The university commissioned a custom portrait, which will be permanently displayed on campus.

“It means so much to be recognized by the university that helped shape me both personally and artistically,” she shares. “FIU celebrates diverse stories, and I am proud to be part of a community that encourages artists to stay true to who they are.”

 

John PayCheck Joins The Kirby Organization

John Paycheck has joined The Kirby Organization’s Nashville division, led by veteran agent Michael Kelley.

PayCheck’s “More Days Ahead Tour” crossed through more than 10 states in 2025 and featured songs performed from his first two albums. He is currently working on an album to be announced next year.

“As TKO continues to expand our footprint within the country genre, we are extremely excited for John PayCheck to join our exceptional talent roster,” shares Kelley. “With his passion for keeping the traditional sound alive, coupled with his family’s legacy in the format living on, we are excited for what the future holds.”

Josh Ross brought together Nashville’s music industry yesterday (Dec. 1) to celebrate “Single Again,” the MCA/Universal Music Canada/CORE Records artist’s first chart topper. The track, which earned Ross CCMA Awards for Single of the Year and Video of the Year, was written alongside Joe Fox (SESAC) and Brad Rempel (SOCAN), and produced by Matt Geroux. Ross is the first male Canadian country artist to top the charts in nearly 30 years.

Hosted by BMI and SESAC and emceed by BMI’s Jackson Kiger, SESAC’s Lydia Cahill, MCA’s Damon Moberly, Warner Chappell’s Bryce Sherlow and Liz Rose Music’s Kate Shirley each took the microphone to honor the team behind the hit.

Kiger presented Ross with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar, a BMI tradition to celebrate an artist’s first chart-topper.

Cahill spoke next, presenting Fox a custom Gibson guitar to honor his third No. 1 single.

While each speaker offered their own congratulations, Shirley encapsulated the collective feeling, sharing “These moments don’t happen every day, and getting to celebrate with this group makes it all more meaningful. It truly does take a village, and we are lucky to have the best.”

Fox was the first of the songwriters to speak. “This song is proof of the power of different perspectives, and how they can shape a hit song,” he shared, joking about how not all of the writers relate to the concept of the song. He continued, thanking each team that pushed the song to the top of the charts.

Rempel shared that the moment felt “full-circle,” noting that it came 18 years after he first signed his Nashville publishing deal, a connection that ultimately set him on the path to writing “Single Again,” his first No. 1 at U.S. country radio.

Geroux echoed the same grateful sentiment for the opportunity to work on the song and noted how much he enjoyed his time cutting vocals with Ross in LA.

Ross was the last to take the microphone. He thanked each member of his team and shared “[It’s my] first No. 1 as an artist, but also as a songwriter. Sometimes I’m so focused on the artist side, but it is so cool to come back to the songwriting side on days like today. … I’m just very grateful.”