BREAKING: Nominees Revealed For 68th Annual Grammy Awards

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The nominees for the 68th Grammy Awards were revealed this morning (Nov. 7) across all categories.

Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, was joined by David Foster, Sabrina Carpenter, The Osbournes, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Nicole Scherzinger, Little Big Town, Sam Smith, CeCe Winans, KAROL G, Angélique Kidjo, Jon Batiste, Lizzo and Mumford & Sons to unveil the nominees via livestream.

Tyler Childers, Sierra Hull, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Jelly Roll, Zach Top, Shaboozey, Lainey Wilson and more are among the nominees.

“The Grammy Awards are our opportunity to honor the people who make this community so vibrant and this year’s nominees remind us of the incredible talent that is driving music forward,” shares Mason jr. “From emerging talent to influential icons, these nominees reflect today’s broad and diverse musical landscape, and I am excited to celebrate them in the coming weeks ahead and on Music’s Biggest Night®.”

This year’s eligibility period includes recordings released between Aug. 31, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2025. The final round of Grammy voting, which will determine Grammy winners, will take place Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026.

The Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sun., Feb. 1, 2026, and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the Telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony® will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.

The major field and some Nashville-related categories are below. For a full list of this year’s finalists, visit grammy.com.

Record Of The Year
“DtMF” – Bad Bunny
“Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety” – Doechii
“WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
“luther” – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
“The Subway” – Chappell Roan
“APT.” – ROSÉ, Bruno Mars

Album Of The Year
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny
SWAG – Justin Bieber
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
MAYHEM – Lady Gaga
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
MUTT – Leon Thomas
CHROMAKOPIA – Tyler, The Creator

Song Of The Year
“Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga, Henry Walter & Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
“Anxiety” – Jaylah Hickmon, songwriter (Doechii)
“APT.” – Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park, Theron Thomas & Henry Walter, songwriters (ROSÉ, Bruno Mars)
“DtMF” – Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Hugo René Sención Sanabria, Tyler Thomas Spry & Roberto José Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)
“Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”]” – EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick, songwriters (HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI)
“luther” – Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Solána Rowe, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar With SZA)
“Manchild” – Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters (Sabrina Carpenter)
“WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

Best New Artist
Olivia Dean
KATSEYE
The Marias
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Dan Auerbach
Cirkut
Dijon
Blake Mills
Sounwave

Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Laura Veltz

Best Country Solo Performance
“Nose On The Grindstone” – Tyler Childers
“Good News” – Shaboozey
“Bad As I Used To Be [From “F1® The Movie”]” – Chris Stapleton
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert And Chris Stapleton
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“Love Me Like You Used To Do” – Margo Price & Tyler Childers
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” – George Strait, Chris Stapleton

Best Country Song
“Bitin’ List” – Tyler Childers, songwriter (Tyler Childers)
“Good News” – Michael Ross Pollack, Sam Elliot Roman & Jacob Torrey, songwriters (Shaboozey)
“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols & Zach Top, songwriters (Zach Top)
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson & Lainey Wilson, songwriters (Lainey Wilson)
“A Song To Sing” – Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton)

Best Traditional Country Album
Dollar A Day – Charley Crockett
American Romance – Lukas Nelson
Oh What A Beautiful World – Willie Nelson
Hard Headed Woman – Margo Price
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top

Best Contemporary Country Album
Patterns – Kelsea Ballerini
Snipe Hunter – Tyler Childers
Evangeline Vs. The Machine – Eric Church
Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll
Postcards From Texas – Miranda Lambert

Best American Roots Performance
LONELY AVENUE – Jon Batiste Featuring Randy Newman
Ancient Light – I’m With Her
Crimson And Clay – Jason Isbell
Richmond On The James – Alison Krauss & Union Station
Beautiful Strangers – Mavis Staples

Best Americana Performance
“Boom” – Sierra Hull
“Poison In My Well” – Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
“Godspeed” – Mavis Staples
“That’s Gonna Leave A Mark” – Molly Tuttle
“Horses” – Jesse Welles

Best American Roots Song
“Ancient Light” – Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins, songwriters (I’m With Her)
“BIG MONEY” – Jon Batiste, Mike Elizondo & Steve McEwan, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
“Foxes In The Snow” – Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell)
“Middle” – Jesse Welles, songwriter (Jesse Welles)
“Spitfire” – Sierra Hull, songwriter (Sierra Hull)

Best Americana Album
BIG MONEY – Jon Batiste
Bloom – Larkin Poe
Last Leaf On The Tree – Willie Nelson
So Long Little Miss Sunshine – Molly Tuttle
Middle – Jesse Welles

Best Bluegrass Album
Carter & Cleveland – Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter
A Tip Toe High Wire – Sierra Hull
Arcadia – Alison Krauss & Union Station
Outrun – The Steeldrivers
Highway Prayers – Billy Strings

Best Traditional Blues Album
Ain’t Done With The Blues – Buddy Guy
Room On The Porch – Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’
One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey – Maria Muldaur
Look Out Highway – Charlie Musselwhite
Young Fashioned Ways – Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Breakthrough – Joe Bonamassa
Paper Doll – Samantha Fish
A Tribute To LJK – Eric Gales
Preacher Kids – Robert Randolph
Family – Southern Avenue

Best Folk Album
What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crow – Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson
Crown Of Roses – Patty Griffin
Wild And Clear And Blue – I’m With Her
Foxes In The Snow – Jason Isbell
Under The Powerlines (April 24 – September 24) – Jesse Welles

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Live At Vaughan’s – Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet
For Fat Man – Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Church Of New Orleans – Kyle Roussel
Second Line Sunday – Trombone Shorty And New Breed Brass Band
A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – (Various Artists)

Best Gospel Performance/Song
“Do It Again” – Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter
“Church” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend; Anthony S. Brown, Brunes Charles, Annatoria Chitapa, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Jonas Myrin, songwriters
“Still (Live)” – Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts; Britney Delagraentiss, Jonathan McReynolds, David Lamar Outing III, Orlando Joel Palmer & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters
“Amen” – Pastor Mike Jr.; Adia Andrews, Michael McClure Jr., David Lamar Outing II & Terrell Anthony Pettus, songwriters
“Come Jesus Come” – Cece Winans Featuring Shirley Caesar

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake; Hank Bentley, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake & Jacob Sooter, songwriters
“YOUR WAY’S BETTER” – Forrest Frank; Forrest Frank & PERA, songwriters
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll; Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Jason Bradley Deford & Brandon Lake, songwriters
“Headphones” – Lecrae, Killer Mike, T.I.; Tyshane Thompson, Bongo ByTheWay, Michael Render, Lecrae Moore, William Roderick Miller & Clifford Harris, songwriters
“Amazing” – Darrel Walls, PJ Morton; PJ Morton & Darrel Walls, songwriters

Best Gospel Album
Sunny Days – Yolanda Adams
Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Live Breathe Fight – Tamela Mann
Only On The Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett
Heart Of Mine – Darrel Walls, PJ Morton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
CHILD OF GOD II – Forrest Frank
Coritos Vol. 1 – Israel & New Breed
King Of Hearts – Brandon Lake
Reconstruction – Lecrae
Let The Church Sing – Tauren Wells

Best Roots Gospel Album
I Will Not Be Moved (Live) – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Then Came The Morning – Gaither Vocal Band
Praise & Worship: More Than A Hollow Hallelujah – The Isaacs
Good Answers – Karen Peck & New River
Back To My Roots – Candi Staton

Jason Aldean To Release New Album ‘Songs About Us’ In April

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Jason Aldean has released three new surprise tracks from his upcoming new studio album, Songs About Us, which will release on April 24 via BBR Music Group/BMG. “Help You Remember,” “Hard To Love You,” and “Lovin’ Me Too Long” are available now.

Aldean also revealed the entire 20-song track list for the new project. In addition to his Top 20 current single, “How Far Does A Goodbye Go,” the new songs set the tone for Songs About Us, which captures some of life’s defining moments through authentic storytelling. The title track is a collaboration with Luke Bryan, and the album also features a duet with his wife Brittany on the song “Easier Gone,” which was penned by Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Jimmy Robbins and Josh Kerr. Aldean also puts his spin on David Lee Murphy’s “Dust On The Bottle” which features Murphy himself.

“Help You Remember” is inspired by Aldean’s own experience having family members going through dementia, and shines a spotlight on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and their mission.

“It means the world when one of my songs helps someone through a hard time – or celebrates their best moments,” says Aldean. “This album is about all of that – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Every track started with a real story or feeling, and together we turned those experiences into music. In the end, I realized this album is about all of us. These are songs about us.”

In addition to the new album in 2026, Aldean previously announced the extension of his 2026 “Full Throttle World Tour” which will include a first-ever headlining run in New Zealand and return to Australia after 10 years.

Songs About Us Track List:
1. “Anytime Soon” (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan)
2. “Drinking About You” (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan)
3. “Don’t Tell On Me” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
4. “How Far Does A Goodbye Go” (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan)
5. “Songs About Us feat. Luke Bryan)” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards, John Morgan)
6. “Good Thing Going” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
7. “She’s Why” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
8. “Backroads Of My Memory” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
9. “Dust on the Bottle (feat. David Lee Murphy)” (David Lee Murphy)
10. “The High Road” (Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson)
11. “Easier Gone (feat. Brittany Aldean)” (Charles Kelley, Josh Kerr, Dave Haywood, Jimmy Robbins)
12. “Help You Remember” (Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
13. “Country Into Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
14. “What’s A Little Heartache” (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan)
15. “One Last Look” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
16. “Fight A Fire” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
17. “Hard To Love You” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan)
18. “Little Hometown Left” (Jordan Gray, Ben Hayslip, Danny Majic, Cole Taylor)
19. “Her Favorite Color” (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Lee Thomas Miller, Neil Thrasher)
20. “Lovin’ Me Too Long” (Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy, Jacob Rice)

Brendan Walter Inks With Warner Chappell Music Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Grady Smith (True Grit Management), Spencer Nohe (WCM), Brendan Walter, Austen Adams (WCM). Photo: Gina Di Maio

Brendan Walter has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Walter released his sophomore album, Disappearing Days, today (Nov. 7). The project explores his journey as a young adult and follows his 2024 debut, I don’t know what I’m doing yet. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Walter had a successful college and semi-professional hockey career before moving to Nashville last year. He’s toured with Wyatt Flores and Evan Honer, and amassed 2.5 million global career streams.

“Brendan is a rare artist whose songs feel fresh yet instantly familiar,” shares Spencer Nohe, VP, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He’s an exceptional songwriter whose humility and work ethic set him apart. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Warner Chappell family and support him in this next chapter of his creative journey.”

“I’m so excited to be working with Warner Chappell,” adds Walter. “I met Spencer at my hockey beer league and he was a beauty, and since then he’s become a great off-ice teammate helping me grow my songwriting career in Nashville. I’m honored to be working with him and the whole Warner Chappell team.”

HARDY Claims No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Radio Chart

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HARDY. Photo: Ryan Smith

HARDY claims the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with his track, “Favorite Country Song.”

The song is the lead single from his fourth studio album Country! Country! and was written by Hardy, Zach Abend, Beau Bailey, Casey Brown, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Nate Smith.

HARDY recently unveiled a deluxe edition the album titled Country! Country! Country! which released Sept. 29.

“Favorite Country Song” currently sits at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 12 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

On The Row: Matt Cooper Talks ‘Highs & Lows’

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Matt Cooper. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Quartz Hill Music Group recording artist Matt Cooper stopped by the MusicRow office last week to share his debut single and a few stories.

Cooper performed his track “Highs & Lows,” No. 1 Most Added Song at U.S Country Radio (Mediabase) the week the song went to radio. Inspired by a conversation with a man at a support group Cooper attended following the death of his mother, the song explores grief, healing and the ways faith can bring peace after loss. Written solely by Cooper and co-produced alongside Brooks Huntley, the track has surpassed 8 million streams.

YouTube video

After a meeting with Ash Bowers, Executive Vice President for Quartz Hill Music Group, Cooper signed with the label earlier this year. Inspired by the sounds of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Thomas Rhett, Cooper has surpassed 118 million total streams and amassed more than 1.5 million social media followers with 25.8 million likes on TikTok. His breakout track, “Ain’t Met Us Yet,” has earned more than 25 million streams on Spotify and debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre Singles Chart.

MusicRow’s Lauryn Sink and Madison Hahnen, Matt Cooper, MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, LB Cantrell and John Nix Arledge.

During the visit, he also played “Real Fast Car,” “Good God” and a mashup of “I Hope You Dance” and “Iris.”

Cooper will tour throughout the rest of the year with dates in Michigan, Texas, Tennessee and more.

 

 

@musicrowmag MusicRow’s Q&A with @Matt Cooper ♬ Highs & Lows – Matt Cooper

 

Industry Ink: Randy Owen, Willie’s Remedy+, Craig Campbell, More

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Randy & Kelly Owen Honored With American Hereford Assoc. Hall Of Merit Award

Pictured (L-R): Chad Breeding (AHA), Harper Starnes (granddaughter of Randy and Kelly Owen), Randy Owen, Kelly Owen and Jim Coley (AHA). Photo: Courtesy of Randy Owen

Alabama‘s Randy Owen and wife Kelly were honored with the American Hereford Association Hall of Merit Award on Oct. 25. The Owens received the award during the AHA’s Annual Meeting and International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The AHA Hall of Merit Award is one of the Association’s highest honors, presented annually to men and women who have significantly influenced the Hereford breed and the cattle industry overall. Randy and Kelly Owen were recognized for their lifelong commitment to the cattle industry and agricultural community.

 

Willie’s Remedy+ Offers New THC-Infused Shots

Willie Nelson

Willie’s Remedy+, the cannabis brand inspired by Willie Nelson’s legendary spirit and way of life, has launched 2oz THC-infused shots. Beginning this week, Willie Remedy+’s shots in mini glass bottles at both 5mg and 10mg doses are available at DrinkWillies.com and at select retail stores. The new THC-infused products join Willie’s Remedy+’s flagship 750ml bottles as well as seltzers. The tonic features flavor notes of lemon, lime, passionfruit and cannabis, and combines 5mg THC, 2mg CBD, 2mg CBG, and 200mg L-Theanine per 1.5oz shot; and is also available in a 10mg THC edition. The seltzers are available in Black Cherry Lime, Strawberry Watermelon, and a Hawaiian favorite, Passion Fruit Orange Guava.

 

Craig Campbell Chats With RFD-TV About Grindstone Cowboy Opening

Craig Campbell visits RFD-TV

Craig Campbell dropped by the RFD-TV Market Day Report earlier this week to chat with host Suzanne Alexander about his “Missing You” single and the upcoming grand opening of his new Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop, restaurant and music venue in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

 

Scotty Hasting Honors Vets At Halftime Show During Cincinnati Bengals’ Salute To Service Game

Photo: Courtesy of Scotty Hasting

Black River artist and Purple Heart recipient Scotty Hasting kicked off November with an impactful halftime performance during the NFL’s Salute To Service at his hometown Cincinnati Bengals game last weekend. Hasting recently released a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” and is releasing a video for the song on Nov. 9. On Veterans Day he’ll perform on the Grand Ole Opry and appear on the Musicians On Call “Concert For Veterans” among other appearances.

 

Robert Bacon Inks With CDX Records

Jon Brennan (CDX), Robert Bacon and Joe Kelly (CDX). Photo: Courtesy of CDX Records

Country artist Robert Bacon has signed with CDX Records, in partnership with Sony Orchard. Bacon’s debut single with CDX Records, “Here’s to Christmas Time,” is a nostalgic celebration of faith, family and the memories that define the holiday season.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Joe Kelly and the CDX team,” says Bacon. “They believe in the music and the message. This is the perfect home for what I want to share with the world.”

Hayley Clawson Joins Boom Music Group

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Hayley Clawson.

Hayley Clawson has joined Boom Music Group as Creative Coordinator.

Hailing from Leesburg, Virginia, the Christopher Newport University graduate moved to Music City in 2020. She started her career at AristoMedia as Digital Marketing Coordinator before her promotion to Public Relations and Events Manager. While at Aristo, she was collaborative in overseeing Country Radio Seminar, Live in the Vineyard, Elevation, Country Goes Global, Nashville Meets London and more.

“Hayley came to me highly recommended from the songwriting community and has already been a great asset to our team,” says Shaina Botwin, Vice President. “She has a great ear and natural instincts, and I’m excited to watch her grow into an accomplished publisher!”

“I’ve been eager to break into publishing for quite some time, and I couldn’t be happier to have joined Boom,” adds Clawson. “I’m incredibly grateful to Shaina and Joe [Fisher] for the opportunity to learn from them and be part of such a creative team. I can’t wait to help champion the amazing writers and music coming out of this roster.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ella Langley ‘Has Never Sounded Better’

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Ella Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Pop influences permeate this week’s country outings in DISClaimer.

The Jonas Brothers are here. So is Jimmy Webb. And the tunes by Charles Kelley, Slater Nalley and Graham Barham sound more related to pop artists than they do to anyone named Hank.

The hillbilly bright spots here include new music from Ashland Craft, Rissi Palmer, Luke Combs and Dylan Gossett, not to mention our Disc of the Day winner, Ella Langley.

The DISCovery Award goes to Sammy Arriaga. He sure can sing.

BRENDAN WALTER / “Pipe Dream”
Writers: Brendan Walter/Grady Smith; Producer: Grady Smith; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Jangly and plaintive, with a driving acoustic guitar and rumbling rhythm track underpinning his aching vocal. In the lyric, he has a yen to make it in music, no matter the cost.

LITTLE BIG TOWN & JIMMY WEBB / “Wichita Lineman”
Writer: Jimmy Webb; Producer: Little Big Town; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– LBT has delighted fans for years with its live covers of pop hits. It has collected several of these in an EP titled Scattered, Smothered and Covered. This echoey, lovely, harmony-drenched interpretation of the Glen Campbell classic features its composer setting the ethereal tone with his rippling piano accompaniment.

ASHLAND CRAFT / “Kick Rocks Cowboy”
Writers: Ashland Craft/Jonathan Singleton/Shane Minor; Producers: Ashland Craft, Jess Grommet, Lee Starr; Label: Leo33
– Love the snappy attitude in this kiss-off country rocker. Her personality and sass shine in every drawled note. I remain a big fan of this lady.

RUSSELL DICKERSON & THE JONAS BROTHERS / “Happen to Me”
Writers: Chase McGill/Christopher LaCorte/Jessie Jo Dillon/Robert Hazard/Russell Dickerson; Producers: Chris LaCorte, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Adding the pop superstars to his joyous, rocking hit country tune sounds like a good move, since this mix simply soars with positive energy.

SLATER NALLEY / “Foolish Pride”
Writer: Slater Nalley; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– This teen was a finalist on American Idol earlier this year. His gripping delivery of this anguished ballad was a big factor. Now it’s an electrifying country disc debut. The production is admirably spare, which throws the spotlight on his rasping, soulful voice.

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Whiskey River”
Writer: Johnny Bush; Producer: Michael Trotter Jr.; Label: W&T
– Michael and Tanya alternately swap lead vocal lines and bring their gospel-influenced style to Willie’s perennial show-opening song. The result is audio excitement.

GRAHAM BARHAM / “Buckshot”
Writers: Brent Anderson/Graham Barham/Ryan Hurd/Sam Bergeson; Producer: Sam Bergeson; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– This is country music? Electronic loops and processed, compressed vocals. A heartbreak drinking song in a busy-sounding pop production.

CHARLES KELLEY / “Steal Your Heart”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Josh Kear/Lindsay Rimes/Michael Whitworth; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Southern Accent Entertainment
– Soaring and scintillating, this has an ‘80s pop-music vibe. Kelley reaches into his upper vocal register on the choruses, which gives the performance a very different tone than his work in Lady A.

RISSI PALMER / “Old Black Southern Woman”
Writers: Kyshona Armstrong/Rissi Palmer; Producer: Shannon Sanders; Label: RP
– Reflective and emotionally honest, Palmer imagines life as a senior citizen while a fiddle saws along and guitars strum in sympathy. Gently warm and comforting.

LUKE COMBS / “Days Like These”
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Brent Cobb/Luke Combs; Producer: Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The ballad extols the simple joy of a pretty day lived with love. As usual, Luke’s singing is a beacon of emotional beauty. The enduring country truth triumphs again: Money can’t buy happiness.

SAMMY ARRIAGA / “Before the Next Teardrop Falls”
Writers: Ben Peters/Vivian Keith; Producer: Adam Mitchell; Label: Walk Off Entertainment
– Arriaga is a vocal soulman who issued a collection titled Heart In Texas that is billed as “the industry’s first fully bilingual country Latino album.” Seven tracks are in English, and six track are in Spanish. Plus, it contains this lovely, acoustic, Spanglish revival of Freddy Fender’s 1975 classic. The plucking guitar work and sweet fiddle notes plus Arriaga’s heart-in-throat vocal give this an audio eloquence that can’t be beat.

ELLA LANGLEY / “Choosin’ Texas”
Writers: Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Luke Dick/Miranda Lambert; Producers: Ben West, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert; Label: SAWGOD/Columbia
– She loses her Tennessee lover to a temptress from the Lone Star State. Langley’s singing has never sounded better than it does on this delightful two stepper. Park this on your playlist right next to Strait.

DYLAN GOSSETT / “Windy City”
Writer: Dylan Gossett; Producer: Dylan Gossett; Label: DG
– Wistful and tender. He’s far from home, up north in Chicago. But he hopes his songs will resonate with unfamiliar audiences and carry him along. Written and performed with the panache of a true troubadour.

Country Cruising Wraps 2025 Event

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Trace Adkins. Photo: Zack Dougan

Country Cruising wrapped its 2025 trip over the weekend with over 30 artists and musicians on board.

Kicking off on Oct. 27, Trace Adkins took the stage for the sail away party, attended by nearly 2,000 country music fans. With nearly constant music, fans enjoyed performances from LOCASH, Canaan Smith, Craig Campbell, the Song Suffragettes, Maggie Baugh, Allie Collen, Taylor Austin Dye, Angie K, Clay Walker, KC Johns and more across their time on the ship.

Storme Warren hosted tapings of his Exit 209 Podcast. Campbell hosted a special Halloween themed theatre performance featuring artists dressed as their favorite influences. Various artists hosted excursions during the stops in Key West and Nassau.

The next cruise is set for spring of 2027. Additional details will be available here.

LOCASH. Photo: Nick Tavares

Song Suffragettes. Photo: Nick Tavares

Canaan Smith. Photo: Nick Tavares

Maggie Baugh. Photo: Nick Tavares

BBR Music Group/BMG Elevates & Expands A&R Team

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Pictured (clockwise): Camille Kenny, Jacee Badeaux, Tahsin Rakib Himi, Talia Heimanson and Kennedy Nickerson.

BBR Music Group/BMG has elevated three of its A&R team members, and has also welcomed two more to the company. All will report to SVP, A&R, Frontline Recordings, North America, Katie Kerkhover.

Camille Kenny has been elevated to VP, A&R, where she will lead day-to-day management across the label’s artists as well as finding, signing, and developing new talent. Kenny joined the label in 2024 as Sr. Director, A&R. Her previous career stops include THiS Music, WME and Big Loud Records. While at Big Loud, she worked with Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Chris Lane, Jake Owen, MacKenzie Porter, Hailey Whitters and Lauren Watkins. Kenny can be reached here.

Jacee Badeaux has joined the label as Sr. Director, A&R, where he will find and develop rising artists, collaborate with the creative community, and guide the label’s roster. Badeaux comes from Big Yellow Dog, where he spent eight years. He started as Director, A&R before being elevated to Sr. Director in 2023. Badeaux has been named to MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and Nashville Briefings’ 30 Under 30 lists, and also serves as co-chair of AIMP Young Professionals Committee. Badeaux can be reached here.

Tahsin Rakib Himi has been upped to Director, A&R Research, where she will lead data-informed artist discovery and deliver insights to support roster additions across the U.S. Recorded team. Before moving to the label’s recording sector, she led the Analytics Engineering team, where she developed scalable data products, including royalty data models, automation tools and API-integrated dashboards, which are used by the global teams across royalties, streaming, and marketing. Her previous career stops also include Hearst Magazines and Vox Media. Himi can be reached here.

Kennedy Nickerson has been promoted to Manager, A&R, where she will collaborate on creative support to the roster as well as continue to elevate processes, project deliverables and more. A Belmont University graduate, Kennedy joined the label in 2020, as an Income Tracking Coordinator for two years, before here promotion to Sr. Coordinator, A&R. Previous career stops include Cornman Music and Big Yellow Dog Music. Nickerson can be reached here.

Talia Heimanson has joined the label as A&R Coordinator, where she will use her experience across record labels, talent agencies, and live music programming. In her new role, she will handle audio assets, as well as assist Kerkhover day to day. Heimanson joins the team after most recently being on the A&R team at Red Bull Records. Additional career stops also include UTA and UC Santa Barbara. Heimanson can be reached here.

“This expansion of our A&R team, with both exciting promotions and new hires, is a natural next step in the growth of BMG,” shares Kerkhover. “Our collective strength and unity are truly at the heart of what we do, allowing us to passionately elevate each artist’s unique vision and relentlessly focus on delivering the highest possible quality. Camille, Jacee, Kennedy, Himi and Talia are poised to continue achieving remarkable things, and I couldn’t be prouder of each of them.”