With the holiday season fast-approaching, Christmas music is well represented at the top of the country albums chart. Carrie Underwood‘s My Gift is in the No. 1 spot this week with 44K total consumption (28K album only/19 million song streams), according to Nielsen. Dolly Parton‘s Christmas project, A Holly Dolly Christmas, moves up to No. 3 this week with 29K, and Gene Autry‘s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer album rises from No. 11 to No. 5 with 19K (264 album only/23 million song streams).

Following Underwood at No. 2 is Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get with 36K, and Chris Stapleton‘s Starting Over is at No. 4 with 28K in total consumption.

Combs sits atop the country streaming songs chart with “Forever After All” earning 7.3 million streams. Morgan Wallen dominates the songs streaming chart, at No. 2 with “More Than My Hometown” (7.2 million), No. 3 with “Somebody’s Problem” (7 million), and No. 5 with “Still Goin Down” (6.5 million). Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” is at No. 4 with 6.6 million streams.

Production company EAMOTION is offering a new immersive Christmas light experience, Jingle Beat, now through December 31. The zero-contact, drive-thru audiovisual experience is taking place on the speedway track at the Nashville State Fairgrounds. Jingle Beat is being produced by the creatives behind world-renowned tours and installations, and benefits MusiCares Covid Relief efforts.

The sound and sensory experience uses video screens, laser lights, and other high-tech concert production equipment not currently being used on the road, paired with beat-driven remixes of classic holiday songs, all programmed in perfect synchronicity to create a safe, unique drive-thru experience for families for the holidays.

EAMOTION’s Jingle Beat experience is employing 200 out-of-work industry crew in addition to benefitting MusiCares Covid Relief efforts.

Jingle Beat tickets range from $45-60 per ticket/per car, and one ticket covers the admission of the entire vehicle. All General Admission driving tickets are sold on a per-vehicle basis, admitting one passenger car, truck or SUV per ticket. Drive-up tickets are available as capacity allows. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Multi-Platinum selling artist Justin Moore and prominent independent music publisher Big Machine Music announced the extension of their long-term, exclusive music publishing agreement. As one of the founding artist-songwriters initially signed to Big Machine Music (then Super 98 Music), Moore has co-written five of his nine No. 1 songs as an artist. His most recent chart-topper “Why We Drink” marked Big Machine Music’s 35th No. 1 on country radio.

“Loyalty and friendship are things I learned to really value from my parents and hope my own kids appreciate,” says Moore. “These moments are another reminder of the people who have believed in me and continue to invest. Thank you, Mike and everyone at Big Machine Music as we create more stories through song.”

“Justin is part of the foundation of Big Machine Music. ‘Til My Last Day’ was the first No. 1 song in this catalog and I’m so excited and honored that he will continue to be a big part of our future,” says BMM General Manager Mike Molinar.

Moore was also recently recognized with four BMI Million-air Awards for a collection of songs he both wrote and recorded, including: “Til My Last Day,” “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll” and “Small Town USA.” Each accumulated over one million U.S. broadcast performances.

“Justin Moore has been a mainstay on country radio for the last 12 years. Millionaire certificates are such a huge milestone in the career of a songwriter and show the true reach and impact of a song in such a tangible way. We are thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment with Justin, who has been a BMI songwriter since 2013,” says BMI Executive Director, Creative—Nashville, Leslie Roberts.

“I can’t say it enough, but the team taking care of us and celebrating our music the way the fans do, I’m just really grateful,” says Moore.

Victoria Goodvin has been tapped as VP/General Manager of the newly relaunched Wide Open Music Publishing.

Originally launched by industry executives Ash Bowers and Steve Williams in 2013, the company found success with Brett Young’s double Platinum single “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which spent two weeks atop the Billboard and Mediabase charts, as well as Parmalee’s Top 5 hit “Close Your Eyes” and Kristian Bush’s “Trailer Hitch.” The Wide Open catalog claims Keith Urban’s “Boy Gets A Truck” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Folks Like Us,” as well as various album cuts by Dustin Lynch, Canaan Smith, William Michael Morgan, Love and Theft, and many others. The publishing company was acquired by Endurance Music Group earlier this year.

Goodvin is a native of Princeton, North Carolina, and moved to Nashville in 2009 to attend Belmont University. She landed her first publishing job as creative director at Song Factory (now Riser House). After working for various publishing companies, Goodvin was hired to assist with publishing and management responsibilities at Wide Open Music in 2019.

The relaunched Wide Open Music Publishing’s songwriter roster includes: Chris Bandi, George Birge, Maddie Larkin, John Marlin, and Tim Owens, the latter having been signed during the company’s initial tenure.

“I have so enjoyed working with the entire Wide Open team,” says Goodvin. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and for their continued belief in me. I am so excited to get to work on the new company. We have an incredible roster already and you’ll be seeing a lot from them in 2020 and beyond!”

“Signing Maddie, Chris, John and George was a phenomenal opportunity for Wide Open and to be able to bring Victoria and Tim back to our team is beyond amazing,” says President, Wide Open Music Publishing, Steve Williams. “I’m so excited to see what these artists create in the coming years and how they excel under Victoria’s leadership.”

Robert Deaton, the Executive Producer behind the Country Music Association’s CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas—was presented with the CMA Chairman’s Award Wednesday, Dec. 2 during the organization’s final Board meeting of 2020, conducted virtually via Zoom.

“I’m amazed year after year at what comes out of that screen,” said Kurt Johnson, CMA Chairman of the Board and Townsquare Media President of Local Programming. “The Awards, Fest and CMA Country Christmas—these are the anchors of the year for country music lovers. Thanks to you and your brilliant vision and your tireless tenacity, they remain the gold standard. ”

“This is the joy of my life,” said Deaton. “I love working with you all. I love the artists in that same sensibility Walter [Miller] had. It’s not just about work, it’s about taking care of each other. I am so honored. This is amazing and has made my year. I appreciate it so much.”

This honor is not an annual award, but instead given when the incumbent Chairman feels an individual or individuals, through outstanding service to CMA, merits the recognition. Additionally, in recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern presented mementos to outgoing CMA Chairman Johnson and current President, incoming 2021 CMA Chairman and Senior Artist Manager at Red Light Management, Mary Hilliard Harrington.