GRAMMY, Billboard, Stellar and ASCAP Award-winning songwriter Kellie Besch has signed a publishing deal with Integrity Music.

Besch’s background includes being classically trained on piano, as well as spending time as a worship leader, which led directly into her collaborating with faith-focused artists and songwriters. She co-penned CeCe Winans’ “That’s My King,” which went on to win the GRAMMY award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, as well as the Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Song.

Besch has also written songs for Aaron Williams, Matt Redman, River Valley Worship, River Valley AGES, and Bridge Worship, among others.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Kellie Besch to our dynamic and expanding roster of visionary songwriters who are defining the contemporary sound of the Church,” says Stone Meyer, Vice President of Publishing at Integrity Music. “Her extensive experience and proven track record of successful collaborations with leading artists position her as one of the most versatile and promising talents in our genre.”

“I grew up on songs like ‘Shout to the Lord’ and ‘Ancient of Days,’” adds Besch. “So to now be a part of the legacy that helped shape me is such an honor. I’m excited to partner with people who care so deeply about serving the Church well.”

Hunter Hayes is set to release his new holiday EP, Evergreen Christmas Sessions, on Friday (Nov. 7).

On the project, Hayes reimagines four beloved holiday favorites including “Winter Wonderland,” “Run Run Rudolph,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night.”

“Creating this project felt really special and full circle, as I revisited some holiday music I recorded as a kid,” shares Hayes. “We happened to have a few days off during tour, and this was the first time we were able to record together as a band. We wanted to try something different, so we gave the project a ‘calm Christmas’ vibe with a chill, dreamy, jazz-inspired take on the season. For me, Christmas music has always been about spending time with the people you love, and I hope this project becomes part of those moments.”

This announcement follows Hayes’ recent collaboration with a cappella group Straight No Chaser on their new holiday single, “Christmas Is Different.” He is set to perform at Louisiana Christmas Day on Nov. 30.

Evergreen Christmas Sessions Track List:
1. “Winter Wonderland”
2. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
3. “Run Run Rudolph”
4. “Silent Night”

Grammy-winning banjoist, producer, and Co-Founder of Compass Records Alison Brown has launched her new weekly radio show, Pick Like A Girl, on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction (ch. 77).

Pick Like A Girl will highlight females in bluegrass, featuring both trailblazers and emerging artists. The show premiere takes place today (Nov. 4), with episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. CST. Replays will air on Thursdays at 2 p.m. CST and Sundays at 8 p.m. CST.

“The original architects of bluegrass music were all men. But I believe that women are creating some of the most compelling bluegrass that’s ever been made,” says Brown. “I hope that Pick Like a Girl will draw new listeners to the music and help to inspire the next generation of women to see a place for themselves in bluegrass.”

Artists that will be featured include Sierra Hull, Della Mae, Sister Sadie, Molly Tuttle, Laurie Lewis and many more. Interview segments and in-studio performances are also slated.

Country To Country has added Ty Myers to round out the main stage lineup for its 2026 festival.

Additionally, the festival has announced the lineups for the CMA Spotlight Stage at the London and Glasgow dates.

Crowe Boys, Dylan Schneider, Elizabeth Nichols, Emily Ann Roberts, John Morgan, Julia Cole, Mae Estes, Noah Rinker and The Jack Wharff Band will take the stage at The O2, London. Nichols, Roberts, Morgan, Cole, Estes and Rinker will also perform in Glasgow. A full schedule is available below.

“We’re thrilled to sponsor the Spotlight Stage once again at C2C and support the next wave of incredible talent,” shares Meredith Goucher, CMA’s Director of International Relations and Development. “Country Music is thriving in the U.K., and that success is a direct result of the dedication and long-term investments from artists and industry leaders who continue to prioritize global expansion. As the premier trade association for Country Music, CMA is proud to champion this international growth and to showcase the future of the genre on a global stage.”

C2C 2026 will be headlined by Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. They will be joined by Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, Drake Milligan, Ty Myers, Tyler Braden, Kameron Marlowe, Waylon Wyatt, Alana Springsteen, Ashley Cooke, Noeline Hofmann, Bayker Blankenship and Mackenzie Carpenter. The Bluebird Cafe and CMA Songwriters Series will also return to the festival.

Tickets can be found here.

CMA Spotlight Stage Schedule: 
London:
Friday 13th March: Noah Rinker, Emily Ann Roberts, Crowe Boys
Saturday 14th March: Julia Cole, John Morgan, Dylan Schneider
Sunday 15th March: Elizabeth Nichols, Mae Estes, The Jack Wharff Band

Glasgow:
Friday 13th March: Julia Cole, John Morgan
Saturday 14th March: Elizabeth Nichols, Mae Estes
Sunday 15th March: Noah Rinker, Emily Ann Roberts

Mallory Mason Pascal has opened Oak Haus Business Management, bringing her 15 years of experience as a top entertainment business manager to her own firm.

Pascal’s career began with six years at Martin, Allbee & Associates, followed by nearly four years at Wiles + Taylor. Most recently, she spent five years at KBFM, including three years as a partner. As she embarks on her new venture, she will continue to serve her existing clients, some of whom she’s worked with for more than a decade.

“I am thrilled to be going in a new direction while continuing to serve the Nashville music industry,” says Pascal. “The vision at Oak Haus is to guide artists at (and on) all stages of their career with financial intention and personalized planning.”

A native of Demopolis, Alabama, Pascal is an Auburn University graduate and Leadership Music class of 2026 participant. She is the incoming president of SOURCE Nashville, a position she also held in 2023, a past CMHOF Troubadour Advisory Committee member, SOLID alumna, and maintains active membership in the CMA and ACM. She also serves as treasurer for Mission:Possible, the nonprofit established by Tracy Lawrence, which has distributed Thanksgiving turkeys to families in Nashville for 20 years.

Pascal can be reached at mallory@oakhausmgmt.com.