CMA has revealed its plans for The Official CMA Awards After Party, taking place Nov. 19 from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., exclusively for CMA members and industry professionals.

The evening will be emceed by Whiskey Jam’s Ward Guenther. Guests will walk the official CMA Awards Red Carpet before live music from DJ KO and Rosie & The Revival. The nights winners will also have the opportunity to have their trophies engraved.

Other amenities guests will enjoy include catering, a luxury lounge, custom tattoos, portrait studio, mocktail bar, cornhole, coffee bar, Dave & Buster’s arcade games, golf simulation and more.

Singer-songwriter Joe Bryson has signed an exclusive publishing and artist development deal with Spirit Music Nashville.

Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, the 25-year-old combines soul, folk, rock and country. He began his musical journey at 10 years old surrounded by the Cajun music in his South Louisiana home. His themes of resilience comes from his Stage 3 Thyroid Cancer diagnosis, which he has now overcome.

After the recovery, Bryson moved to Nashville in 2020. He recently released “Started in a Truck” and “Rosary on the Rearview.” He is expected to release his debut album later this year.

“Since day one at Spirit, it’s felt like home,” says Bryson. “They understand my voice and exactly who I am as an artist, and on top of that, they believe in me. Kennedy [Murphy] and the entire creative team were all on the same page as me from the first day we met, and they’ve taken my vision for the future and amplified it to a whole new level. I’m feeling beyond blessed to join such a great crew of passionate individuals and can’t wait to see what’s in store.”

“Joe is an exceptional talent whose artistry and songwriting immediately caught my attention,” adds Murphy, Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville. “I could not be more thrilled to welcome him to the Spirit family. His future in music is bright, and I am honored to be a part of his team!”

Hudson Westbrook Headlines Hometown Benefit Show

Hudson Westbrook headlined a benefit concert in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas last week, donating $100,000 to the Erath County Junior Livestock Association. The show took place at Tarleton State University’s EECU Event Center, where all proceeds went toward rebuilding livestock facilities where local chapters of FFA and 4-H exhibit their animals.

“These funds are going to rebuild the same livestock barn I grew up showing my pigs in,” Westbrook shares. “To be able to give back to the community in this way and to have so many people I’ve known all my life show up means everything to me and my crew.”

Westbrook was surprised ahead of the show with a RIAA Gold certification for “5 To 9,” and RIAA Platinum certification for his top 10 debut country radio single “House Again.”

 

Kameron Marlowe Becomes First Country Artist To Headline LA Rams Halftime Show

Kameron Marlowe recently became the first-ever country artist to headline a Los Angeles Rams halftime show. He performed “Girl On Fire,” a solo-version of his RIAA Gold-certified Ella Langley duet, “Strangers,” and a cover of Toby Keith’s “American Soldier.”

Marlowe will wrap his headlining “Seventeen Tour” this weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

 

PJ Morton Becomes Major Donor To National Museum Of African American Music

PJ Morton performed an intimate 90-minute piano concert at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) on Monday (Nov. 3). At the conclusion of the evening, NMAAM announced that Morton had committed to donating half of the event’s ticket proceeds to the museum.

“Nashville and NMAAM truly showed up for me,” said Morton. “I’m so happy that this was the space we made it happen in. The perfect backdrop to a truly authentic cultural moment. I understand the importance of what the museum preserves and any hand I can have in assisting with that I want to be a part of.”

“Artists create the music. We preserve it, educate on it, and ensure its place in American culture,” Dexter Evans, Deputy Director of Strategy & Advancement at NMAAM, told the crowd during the announcement. “PJ supporting us is him protecting his own legacy and the legacies of everyone who came before and everyone who will come after.”

 

TLACC, HEA & Get After It Media Partner To Celebrate Country Music, Latin Talent & Business Growth

The Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce (TLACC), Hispanic Entertainment Alliance (HEA) and Get After It Media hosted a networking luncheon at the Country Music Association office to celebrate Country music, Latin talent, and business growth last week (Oct. 30).

“TLACC provides leadership and resources to members and partners by creating enhanced economic and educational opportunities to connect the Latino business community with greater Tennessee and beyond,” says Delfine Perales Fox, President and CEO of TLACC. “Today I feel we have furthered that and I’m grateful to each of you for your tenacity, passion, commitment and partnerships. We appreciate you and hope to see you at our next luncheon!”

The event featured networking, speeches from Fox, Mia Jones and Otto Padrón, and performances from Ana Cristina Cash and Sammy Arriaga.

 

Liam St. John Makes His National TV Debut On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’

Liam St. John recently made his national television debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show in support of his debut studio album Man Of The North. St. John also recently sat down with NPR’s Weekend Edition to chat about the album, his upbringing in Spokane, Washington, and how his pacific northwest roots inspired the record.

He is currently amidst his headline tour through the rest of the year and will make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 25.

 

I’m With Her Perform ‘Ancient Light’ During Fallon Debut

I’m With Her, the trio comprised of multi-Grammy winners Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins made their The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon debut on Monday (Nov. 3), performing “Ancient Light” from their recently released new album Wild and Clear and Blue.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host its next Songwriter Session featuring HARDY on Dec. 6 at 12 p.m at the CMA Theater.

HARDY has penned his own hits including “Truck Bed,” “One Beer” and “Wait In The Truck.” He has also had a hand in countless other No. 1s, including Dierks Bentley’s “Beers On Me,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Simple” and “Talk You Out of It,” LoCash’s “One Big Country Song,” Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” Carrie Underwood’s “Hate My Heart” and Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown,” “Sand in My Boots” and “Up Down.” His additional cuts also include BRELAND, Brantley Gilbert, MacKenzie Porter, Post Malone, Jameson Rodgers, Cole Swindell and Kenny Chesney.

Throughout his career, he has won numerous ACM and CMA awards for his work, including three CMA Triple Play awards. In 2022, he was named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and is a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year.

Entrance to the event is included with museum admission, as well as museum memberships. To reserve tickets, click here.

Country-rock band 49 Winchester has signed a record deal with MCA, with releases via their Lucille Records imprint.

Formed in Virginia, the six-piece band combines Southern rock and country with vulnerable storytelling. They have gained a dedicated fanbase through touring their electric live shows, and will be performing at the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 14 and 15.

The band consists of Isaac Gibson alongside Bus Shelton (lead guitar), Chase Chafin (bass), Noah Patrick (pedal steel), Tim Hall (keys) and Justin Louthian (drums).

“We’re thrilled to be joining the MCA and Lucille family,” says Gibson. “Working with Dave Cobb is a dream, and we can’t wait for our fans to hear the new music we’re creating together.”

“So grateful to the fans and team who helped us build this to where it is today,” adds Chafin, bassist and co-founder. “We couldn’t be more excited for MCA to be the home of future 49 Winchester releases, and to share this next chapter with those who made it possible.“

Their major label debut, a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” will release this Friday (Nov. 7). The single was produced by MCA Chief Creative Officer Dave Cobb. The band is currently working on a full-length album with Cobb, releasing in 2026. The album will be released in collaboration with New West Records, with all other future releases exclusively under MCA.

“We are so excited to have 49 Winchester join Lucille Records,” shares Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA. “Their mix of Southern rock is powerful and authentic, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to evolve.”

“In working with 49 Winchester it felt like they laid it all out on the line,” says Cobb. “The record is pure heart and honesty, a lotta heart, soul and love went into making this album.”

“Watching 49 Winchester’s remarkable growth and success over the past several years has been incredibly rewarding,” adds John Allen, President of New West. “Their achievements reflect the band’s extraordinary talent and relentless work ethic, as well as the dedication of everyone at New West. Partnering once again with my longtime friend Dave Cobb is always a pleasure, and MCA is the perfect home for 49 Winchester as we work together to reach even greater heights.”