Reba McEntire is dropping the second installment in her new music capsule series, Hurt Like That – EP, today (May 22) via MCA.

The new EP captures 50 years of heartbreak songs, and the title track was penned by Kellys Collins and Casey Wood, and produced by Dave Cobb. Each thematically curated collection pairs a newly recorded song with selected tracks that celebrate five decades of her career. Launching a tailored playlist in tandem with each music capsule, “The Rise of Reba” Playlist drops June 1, as it follows the meteoric rise of the chart-topping phenom breaking through in the ‘80s and fast-becoming country’s next superstar.

The One Night In Tulsa – EP premiered last month alongside its companion “The Making of Reba” Playlist. Adding to her legacy, McEntire was recently honored in the class of 2026 with her defining album Rumor Has It (1990) being inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Reba’s leadership as a philanthropist was also recognized Wednesday (May 20) when she was awarded the Music Heals Golden Ukulele, as a dedicated supporter of Musicians On Call, during the inaugural Music Heals Live! at The Pinnacle in Nashville.

Hurt Like That – EP Track List:
1. “Hurt Like That” (Kellys Collins, Casey Wood)
2. “Somebody Should Leave” (Chick Rains, Harlan Howard)
3. “For My Broken Heart” (Liz Hengber, Keith Palmer)
4. “What Am I Gonna Do About You” (Doug Gilmore, Bob Simon, Jim Allison)
5. “The Clown” (Dallas Davidson, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater)

Aaron Lewis will release his latest solo album, Give My Country Back, July 17 via Big Machine Label Group. To celebrate the announcement, Lewis dropped the album’s title track today (May 22).

“Give My Country Back” carries on the patriotic tradition of Lewis’ country heroes, channeling country grit, acoustic riffs and conviction into an anthem rooted in freedom.

“I actually care about the fact we have people we put in their positions, who are in no way, shape, or form doing anything in any way that is better for us,” Lewis says.

Across ten tracks, Give My Country Back explores themes of accountability, resilience, faith, patriotism and personal growth. The album blends honky-tonk roots with modern country muscle, creating a project that feels deeply personal and defiantly bold. Lewis co-wrote five songs on the record alongside longtime collaborators including Jeffrey Steele and Bobby Pinson, while additional tracks from Casey Beathard, Travis Meadows and others. Songs including “The Door,” “Bad Thing to Be Good At,” “Too High for This,” “Let Go Like the Rain,” and “People I’ve Known” showcase Lewis’ songwriting and highlight the conviction, vulnerability and reflection throughout the collection.

“This is the perfect record for where I’m at right now,” says Lewis. “As you get older, you start realizing your time is coming to a close. I wasn’t living as cleanly as possible, so I quit drinking. I quit smoking cigarettes. I’ve done some kickboxing. I’m on a healthier routine, and I want to get better before I can’t. The realization that life is more than half over will get you to change, if you allow it. That’s where I’m at. My music is my life. Every one of those songs. If you listen to it all, you’ll probably know me better than I know myself.”

Give My Country Back Track List:
1. “The Door” (Bobby Pinson, Matthew Joseph Rogers, Benjamin Merritt Stennis)
2. “Bad Thing To Be Good At” (Aaron Lewis, Casey Beathard, Chuck Cannon, Travis Meadows, Bobby Pinson, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Wallin)
3. “Too High For This” (Aaron Lewis, Bobby Pinson)
4. “List Of Things To Quit” (Aaron Lewis, Casey Beathard, Chuck Cannon, Travis Meadows, Bobby Pinson, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Wallin)
5. “Give My Country Back” (Aaron Lewis, Casey Beathard, Chuck Cannon, Travis Meadows, Bobby Pinson, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Wallin)
6. “People I’ve Known” (Aaron Lewis, Shane Minor, Jeffrey Steele, Chris Wallin)
7. “Let Go Like The Rain” (Kendell Marvel, Chris Wallin)
8. “A Showman’s Life” (Jesse Winchester)
9. “Keeping Up With The Jonesin’” (Jamey Johnson)
10. “Duct Tape And Bailin’ Wire” (Phillip Coleman)

Singer-songwriter Hunter Flynn has signed with Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, in partnership with Appalachian Soul Music.

“Hunter Flynn, with his ‘Appalachian Soul’ and Kentucky roots, brings a unique artistic vision to his music and his art,” says Big Machine Chairman Scott Borchetta.”In the time we’ve been working together, I’m continually amazed by his creativity, approach, and keen eye on how he’s going to tell his stories.”

“When I decided to quit my job and make art for a living, I swore I would never spend another second of another day not doing something I love,” adds Flynn. “So truth be told, the idea of a record label scared me because I have such a clear vision for the art I want to create. But from the very first time I met with Scott, Jimmy, Ryan and the rest of the team and played them my songs it was abundantly clear that they believed in my vision and were willing to be true partners and advocate for my art. Since then, they’ve provided me with the resources and the support to create the album of my dreams and are now using their expertise to help spread Appalachian Soul Music to all corners of the world.”

Hailing from Eastern Kentucky, Flynn attended Eastern Kentucky University on a full academic scholarship, studying biomedical sciences before a 2021 car accident led him to focus on art and music. After leaving his insurance job and moving back into his grandmother’s basement, he began drawing charcoal portraits, writing songs and performing at open mic nights across Kentucky.

His artwork appears on his single covers, including his newly released “Wasted Day,” which features his dog Ginger, and the Appalachian astronaut that has become a recurring symbol in his visual art.

“Wasted Day” was penned solo by Flynn and produced by David Ferguson and M. Allen Parker. The tune is the first preview of his debut album, releasing later this year.

SoundExchange Execs & Artists Meet In Support Of American Music Fairness Act

A group of artists gathered with SoundExchange executives on Wednesday (May 20) at the Palm in Nashville in support of the American Music Fairness Act. The fast-moving bill has bipartisan support in Washington and would unlock hundreds of millions of dollars each year in radio royalties for artists when passed.

 

Racing Stars Rally For Premiere Of ‘Bobby Rahal: True American Racer’

Big Machine Racing Productions’ Scott Borchetta and Indianapolis 500-winning American driver Bobby Rahal premiered Bobby Rahal: True American Racer at an exclusive, star-studded event at the Tobias Theater at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The event hosted by Big Machine Racing Productions, Fox Sports & Chassy Media was attended by racing greats and other notable guests, including 2x Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, Jr., Former Vice President Mike Pence, 2x Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, former IndyCar driver and Fox Sports broadcaster Danica Patrick, IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, 2x Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, and others.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by Rahal’s 1986 Indy 500 winning car and had the opportunity to see the Borg-Warner Trophy on display, the same trophy Rahal captured with his unforgettable Indianapolis 500 victory. Country artist Danielle Bradbery, who performs the powerful end-credit composition, “Song For Trueman,” kicked off the event with the national anthem and after the screening, Borchetta led the audience in an intimate Q&A with Rahal, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary and Rahal’s extraordinary career.

 

Donna Fargo Honored by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn 

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn honored country legend Donna Fargo for her contributions to patriotism and American values through her music. The surprise ahead of Memorial Day embraces the heart of “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” who, from her empowering 1974 recording, “U.S. of A” singing the praises of her home sweet home, to the motivating, “This Is America.”

 

Kyle Gates Inks With Deep Cuts Management

Texas-based country singer-songwriter Kyle Gates has signed with Deep Cuts Management. Gates counts George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis as influences and has released tracks including “Learning To Love Again” and “Talk to Me Texas.”