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.”

Sony Music Publishing has promoted  Jeff Smarr to Senior Vice President, Global Copyright. Smarr is based out of Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s office and reports to EVP, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy.

In his new position, Smarr will work across strategic initiatives and high-profile deal and acquisition integrations, as well as spearhead Sony Music Publishing’s Global and North American Copyright Administration teams.

Smarr has spent 31 years at the company, and has played a key role in the organization and its songwriter’s growth by supporting the advancement of key catalog acquisitions including ATV, Acuff-Rose, Famous, and EMI.

“It’s been incredible to see the tremendous growth of the company, team and songwriters throughout my time at Sony Music Publishing,” says Smarr. “I’ve been privileged to contribute to SMP’s representation of such iconic songwriters and catalogs, and I am excited to drive further growth for them in this new role.”

“Jeff is our go-to expert for any copyright question or concern and is unwavering in his commitment to our songwriters and team,” shares Esworthy. “I am continually impressed by Jeff’s encyclopedic knowledge of our catalog, and I’m delighted to recognize his work with this well-deserved promotion.”

Carín León has signed with WME’s Global Co-Head of Music Kirk M. Sommer for representation in all areas.

Hailing from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, León started his musical journey at the age of 15. His 2018 debut album Desvelada con Banda y Mariachi took over the Regional Mexican music scene. In 2021, Inédito debuted on the top of multiple charts and was named one of Billboard’s “25 Best Latin Albums of the Year.” León has received an ASCAP Award, numerous Premios Lo Nuestro Awards, Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY wins and more.

He was also the first Latin artist ever to play Coachella and Stagecoach in the same year, and is the first Latin artist to play The Sphere, with a run of seven appearances set for next year. Earlier this year, he set a record at RODEOHOUSTON with over 70,000 fans in attendance.

“We are thrilled to join the WME team led by Kirk Sommer,” says León’s manager Jorge Juarez. “Carín has tremendous potential to expand into other global territories. We are looking to WME to lead the way in all areas of their expertise.”

“Carín is a generational artist,” adds Sommer. “In his incredible career, he has consistently broken barriers and transcended genres. We are determined to bring the full weight of WME to bear to expand Carín’s fanbase around the world and we are honored to work with both Carín and Jorge.”