EqualizeHer has made a $25,000 contribution to fund FAM’s Family Support Grant.

“FAM has a deep belief that progress happens when caregivers are given the support, visibility, and community they need to thrive,” shares Haley Montgomery, Co-founder of Family Alliance in Music. “This partnership with EqualizeHer allows us to do just that by directly investing in caregivers whose contributions make the industry stronger and more sustainable.”

“We founded EqualizeHer with the goal of creating more opportunities for women in music, an industry where women’s voices and talents deserve greater recognition,” adds Alisha Ballard, Co-founder of EqualizeHer. “Too often music professionals put their careers on hold to navigate the challenges or caregiving, parenting, and family life. We are proud to support Family Alliance in Music and their pursuit of supporting music professionals and helping them make their careers a reality.”

The FAM grant supports parents and caregivers working in all areas of the music business, including artists, songwriters, crew, managers, executives, and small business owners, who face challenges balancing work and family life. The grant prioritizes fertility assistance, needs-based support for touring professionals facing family-related hardship, family caregiving assistance, and small business initiatives that create family-supportive employee benefits.

Applications for the Family Support Grant are open now (Nov. 26) through Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Recipients will be notified in mid-January 2026. Full guidelines and the application form are available here.

Tomicka Delgado, William Jeffries III and Dexter D. Evans

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has announced a comprehensive strategic plan that aims to expand from 125,000 to 250,000 annual visitors while establishing the museum as the definitive voice on African American music heritage nationwide.

Built around three foundational pillars—Educate & Entertain, Sustainability and National Impact—the plan leverages NMAAM’s unique position as the Home of Black Music Month and the only museum dedicated to the complete story of African American music’s influence on global culture.

“Our three-pillar approach focuses on where musical genius is discovered and developed, where cultural investment creates lasting impact and where American culture gains its authoritative voice,” says Executive Director William Jeffries III. “This strategic framework transforms NMAAM from a preservation-focused museum into an amplification engine for African American musical brilliance.”

The strategic plan will be implemented by NMAAM’s executive leadership team, including Executive Director William Jeffries III, who has secured $5 million in transformational Lilly Endowment funding and brings more than 20 years of cultural institution experience. Deputy Director, Operations & Culture Tomicka Delgado ensures operational excellence and visitor experience optimization through guest services, facility management and organizational culture. Deputy Director, Strategy & Advancement Dexter D. Evans leads cultural programming, strategic partnerships and institutional growth.

“This leadership team brings proven expertise in cultural programming, strategic advancement and operational excellence,” shares Board Chair Stacey Koju, partner at Spencer Fane. “Their combined experience positions NMAAM to execute this ambitious strategic plan while maintaining the authentic storytelling that makes us essential to understanding America’s musical foundation.”

Six-time GRAMMY-nominated music scholar Rob Bowman has released Land Of A Thousand Sessions: The Complete Muscle Shoals Story 1951–1985 today (Nov. 25).

In partnership with Malaco Records, Bowman spotlights Muscle Shoals’ nine historic recording studios and how they became a central force in American popular music. The book traces the city’s influence across soul, including work with Aretha Franklin and Etta James, as well as pop and rock through The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon and Bob Seger, and country music with Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. and Mac Davis.

Land Of A Thousand Sessions also features extensive research, archival insights and exclusive interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mavis Staples and more.

For more information, click here.

615 Indie Live will return on Feb. 7 for its second year to spotlight independent venues and local artists. The event is produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp in partnership with Music Venue Alliance Nashville.

There will be 15 venues hosting shows for the event, including 3rd and Lindsley, Acme Feed & Seed, Anzie Blue, Cannery Hall, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, DRKMTTR Collective, Eastside Bowl, Mirror Mirror, Music Makers Stage at Delgado Guitars, Night We Met, Rudy’s Jazz Room, The 5 Spot, The Basement, The East Room and The End.

Performers across the day will include Amelia Day, Anastasia Elliot, Bones Owens, Boy Orbison, Brian Wright, Bryant Taylorr, Campanula, Charles Wigg Walker, Claire Ernst, Christina Vane with Joshua Hedley, Crystal Rose, Daphne, David Cook Quintet feat. Jeff Coffin w/ Miguel Alvarado, Jacob Jezioro & Jordan Perlson, DeeOhGee, DJ Nat Ward, Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party, Family Dog, Genevieve Heyward, Hayden Pattengale, Heavy Quitters, Hector Tellez Jr, Henri Herbert and The Fury, Hogslop String Band, Hussy Fit, JT Loux, Justin Webb & The Noise, Kenny Sharp, Laney Jones and The Spirits, Lilly Hiatt, Lilly Winwood, Lombardy, Marc Payne Quintet w/ Don Aliquo, Simon Mogul, Rob Linton & Josh Cook, Massie 99, New Translations, Plainview Vibes’ Bob Marley Birthday Bash, Rolling Stone Nashville Now with Noeline Hofmann, Rougarou, SWEETTALKER, TEN, Texas Chain Store Managers, The Brummies, The Minks, The Sewing Club, Thunder and Rain, Venus & the Flytraps and Zandi Hollup. More artists will be announced at a later date.

“Nashville’s independent venues have been critical to our band’s career from day one, so it’s an honor to be a part in celebrating and supporting them,” says Matthew Paige of DeeOhGee. “For bands like us, these spaces are like extensions of our homes; safe spaces to hone our craft, test new material, and connect with our community on any night of the week.”

“Nashville’s full of all kinds of artists, every genre you can imagine, and the level of talent here is something you just can’t find anywhere else,” shares Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Events like 615 Indie Live truly capture the spirit of Music City with independent venues lifting up local talent and our community coming together to celebrate it. We’re proud to help create a day where so many artists can shine, and we hope both visitors and locals discover something new to love about Nashville’s music scene.”

“While this is truly a celebration, it also serves as an important reminder of the vital role these spaces hold in our community, and the pressures mounting against them.” adds Chris Cobb, President of the Music Venue Alliance Nashville, and Co-Producer of the festival. “From skyrocketing operational costs like property tax, rent, and insurance, to shifting local regulations like parking, and a consumer base that is spending less in small venues, current times are extremely challenging. That is why an event like 615 Indie Live has never been more important and needed.”

Event passes are on sale now for $20 and will allow entry to all participating venues. Shows will take place starting at 12 p.m. and go until 2 a.m. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit MVAN and its mission to advocate for Nashville’s independent venues, promoters, and festivals, which also includes the organization’s Emergency Relief Fund. Additionally, the festival will donate $2 per ticket this year to WNXP, to help raise money for the nonprofit radio station who lost its federal funding this year.