Tay Keith & DRUMATIZED Host The Third Installment Of Their DOA Writers Camp Series

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GRAMMY-nominated producer Tay Keith and his label DRUMATIZED, alongside Warner Chappell Studios, hosted the third DOA Writers Camp, a two-day songwriting event in Nashville this past week.

The latest installment of the camp hosted Reyna Roberts, Duke Jones, Meech, Brandon Manley, BlackJack, LuhRon, Coach Smoke, Spinz, T-Will, Lockdown, Kyondabeat, Alwitdacookup, Randyhitz, Twolivejay, Yung Lan, Cxrd, KTLN, Bryant Taylorr, Scoot Teasley, Tim Gent and more.

On the second day of the camp, attendees particpated in Unplugged, a mixer hosted by DOA X BMI at Rivian Nashville. In attendance were artists, producers, songwriters and industry creatives, with catering provided by Dad Water, Slim Husky’s Pizza and Viva Beverage Co.

The camp is a direct correlation to DRUMATIZED’s mission to uplift Black voices in music by creating collaborative spaces for songwriters and producers to create original work across a variety of genres. The camp hosts rising talent where they can work with industry experts.

Summer Joy

Keith Bulluck & Shannon Sanders

Solo & Abdoulaye Bah

Randy Travis’ ‘More Life Tour’ Music City Date To Feature Nashville Symphony

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Randy Travis. Photo: Marisa Taylor

Randy Travis‘ “More Life Tour” will make a special stop in Nashville, performing with the Nashville Symphony on Nov. 15.

The one-night-only performance at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will bring Travis’ catalog to life in a striking orchestral setting. The tour features Travis on stage throughout the evening, with special guest vocalist James Dupré and Randy’s original touring band, with conductor Kelly Corcoran leading the Nashville Symphony for an unforgettable night of music.

Travis no longer performs vocally due to aphasia from the stroke he survived, but will appear on stage alongside his wife, Mary, engaging with fans, interacting with the band and celebrating the music throughout the show. Dupré and Travis’s longtime band perform all of his iconic No. 1s, including “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Three Wooden Crosses.” Tickets are on sale now at RandyTravis.com.

“’The More Life Tour’ celebrates something so much more than a musical moment in time—it’s a gift to us to spend time with the fans, and our band, as James Dupré perfectly presents the songs that best define my career. We look forward to seeing you all somewhere along the way,” said Randy and Mary Travis.

“I’m thrilled and honored to hit the road again with my hero and friend, Randy Travis. I’m looking forward to meeting and singing along with all the Randy Travis fans in 2025,” says Dupré.

ERNEST Reveals ‘Live From The South’ Project

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ERNEST is gearing up for the release of his latest project, Live From The South, due out Nov. 21.

The collection includes focus track “Blessed,” out now. The self-produced track revels in gratitude about the simple things in life: family ties, faith, making a life for yourself and was penned by ERNEST alongside Mark Holman, Jordan Merrigan and Matt Mulhare. Live From The South is packed with southern imagery—like pies cooling on the counter, Friday night football games, “Dixieland Delight”—and similar to its full-length predecessor Nashville, Tennessee, is sonically defined by guitar-picking, fiddle and pedal steel with production by ERNEST and Jacob Durrett.

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The three-time CMA Triple Play Award winner and three-time Variety Hitmaker will add to an already stacked November headlining the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 4-5. He’ll kick off his “Live From The South Tour” in January in Denver, visiting Boston, New York, Houston, Charlotte, Knoxville and more in 2026.

Live From The South Track List:
1. “Blessed” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Jordan Merrigan, Matt Mulhare)
2. “Live From The South” (Ernest Keith Smith, Cody Lohden, Rhys Rutherford, Chandler Paul Walters)
3. “Cowgirl Stay” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhett Akins, Jacob Durrett)
4. “Hate A Small Town” (Ernest Keith Smith, Brad Clawson, Jordan Dozzi, Chandler Paul Walters)
5. “Take Me To Montgomery” (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Jacob Durrett, Kyle Fishman, Jordan Merrigan)
6. “Two Black Crows” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters)
7. “I’ll Be Around” (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Matt Mulhare)

Little Big Town Goes Under The Covers On New ‘Scattered, Smothered, And Covered’ EP

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Little Big Town. Photo: Becky Fluke

Little Big Town is indulging in some guilty pleasures on their latest EP, Scattered, Smothered and Covered, available now on all streaming platforms via MCA.

The project marks a full-circle moment for the band as they revive their beloved “Scattered, Smothered and Covered” video series—a collection of cover performances that first captivated audiences and delighted fans over a decade ago. With the new EP, Little Big Town brings together some of their previously-released renditions of classics across eras and genres, blending their signature harmonies with heartfelt storytelling and fresh collaborative energy on tracks with Sugarland and Jake Owen.

The award-winning group is nominated once again for Group of the Year at the upcoming CMA Awards on Nov. 19.

Scattered, Smothered and Covered Track List:
1. “Wonderwall” (originally by Oasis)
2. “Rocket Man” (originally by Elton John)
3. “Wichita Lineman – Live” featuring Jimmy Webb (originally by Glen Campbell)
4. “Take Me Home” featuring Sugarland (originally by Phil Collins)
5. “Hello, It’s Me” (originally by Todd Rundgren)
6. “Life in a Northern Town – Live” featuring Sugarland and Jake Owen (originally by The Dream Academy)

Grace Bowers Benefit Raises Over 30K For Everytown For Gun Safety & MusiCares

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Grace Bowers performs at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Grace Bowers hosted her third annual benefit concert, “We All Gotta Live Together” at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Oct. 18.

The concert marked Bowers’ biggest event yet, raising more than $30,000 in support of Everytown for Gun Safety and MusiCares, and featured Flavor Flav, Blu DeTiger, Mason Ramsey, Ingrid Andress, Breland, Jeff Coffin of Dave Matthews Band, Luke Spiller of The Struts, John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, Lucie Silvas, Spencer Sutherland, Devon Gilfillan, Michigander, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Matthew Paige and Phnx. Donations for sweepstakes and auction were made by Billy Strings, Flavor Flav, Sheryl Crow, as well as a Gibson guitar signed by all participating artists.

“I cannot express enough gratitude for everyone who came together and made my third annual benefit concert the most beautiful night and our biggest one yet,” says Bowers. “It’s truly an honor to use my music to uplift such important work and I’m stoked to share that TOGETHER, we were able to raise over $30,000 in support of Everytown for Gun Safety and MusiCares.”

Flavor Flav and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Breland and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Mason Ramsey and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Ingrid Andress and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Lucie Silvas and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Michigander and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Aaron Lee Tasjan and Grace Bowers perform at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on October 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Riley Green Rises To No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs

Riley Green rises to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with his track, “Don’t Mind If I Do” featuring Ella Langley.

The song comes off of his 2024 album of the same name and was written solely by Green.

Green recently announced his 2026 headlining “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” with special guests Justin Moore, Drake White, Mackenzie Carpenter, Zach John King, Hannah McFarland and Adam Hood joining him on select dates. The 20-date run will hit Nashville, Alpharetta, Cleveland, Saratoga Springs, Salt Lake City, Hartford and more next summer.

“Don’t Mind If I Do” currently sits at No. 12 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.

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

Kaitlin Butts Inks With Republic Records

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Noel (Triple 8 Management) Mary Catherine Kinney (Republic), Kaitlin Butts, Tom Lascola (Trenches) and Jim Roppo (Republic). Photo: Toby Tenenbaum

Kaitlin Butts has signed a label deal with Republic Records. In celebration of the announcement, Butts will release her new EP, Yeehaw Sessions, on Nov 14.

“From releasing my album over a year ago as an independent artist, to having a viral song, to now signing a record deal with such a prestigious label like Republic Records, the journey has felt nothing short of surreal,” shares Butts. “I’m so inspired by the Republic team and how their vision aligns with the dreams that I’ve always had for myself.”

The Tulsa-born, Nashville-based artist has amassed over 157 million TikTok views and 67 million global streams on her viral “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me)” this year. She was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s latest American Currents exhibition and joined the 2025 Opry Next Stage Class as well as the CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2025. Butts has shared stages with Sierra Ferrell, Lainey Wilson, Molly Tuttle, Wyatt Flores, The Lone Bellow and Flatland Cavalry, among others. In 2024, she released Roadrunner!, an album inspired by her love of the musical Oklahoma!.

The new EP features covers of “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan, “Sin Wagon” by The Chicks,” “Tulsa Time” by Don Williams, The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World and a new recording of “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me).”

She will celebrate the arrival of Yeehaw Sessions on Nov. 14 with a headline show at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas.

Margaret Comeaux To Exit CMT

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Margaret Comeaux

CMT Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events, Margaret Comeaux, will leave the company at the end of the year after 25 years with the organization.

Comeaux has led the creative force behind CMT’s music programming since 2001, joining the role from High Five Entertainment. She initially joined CMT as a post-production coordinator on the inaugural CMT Crossroads, leading into her work as Executive Producer on the CMT Music Awards, Crossroads, Giants, Smashing Glass, and Artists of the Year, among other programs.

During her time, she was responsible for hundreds of live performances, specials, and events that put Nashville’s music community in front of a global audience.

Comeaux graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Electronic Field Production). She was apart of the Leadership Music Class of 2025, and is also a member of the Television Academy, Recording Academy, CMA, ACM and Producers Guild of America (PGA).

Max McNown Slates ‘Cost Of Growing Up Tour’ For Spring

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Max McNown

Max McNown will kick off his spring 2026 headlining run, “The Cost of Growing Up Tour,” in March.

Kicking off on March 20 in Charlotte, the 20+ date run includes McNown’s debut at the Ryman Auditorium, (which sold out instantly leading to the addition of a second night), his debut performance at Stagecoach Festival in April, and three shows in Florida supporting Parker McCollum. He’ll also make stops in Birmingham, Lexington, Indianapolis, Wichita, and more through April 26.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov, 7, and fans can get early access to tickets, including exclusive VIP packages, via the artist presale, which begins on Nov. 4 at maxmcnown.com/tour.

“The Cost of Growing Up Tour” will follow McNown’s 2025 Fall “Forever Ain’t Long Enough Tour,” which will take him throughout Ireland, UK, and Europe this December. The tour is named for his expanded sophomore album Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) — a deeply personal 21-song collection released in July.

The fast-rising singer’s 2023 single “A Lot More Free” was recently certified Platinum, and the lead single from Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up)  “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” was recently certified Gold. Together, the songs have notched over 500 Million worldwide streams to date, and have earned McNown his first Top 10 single at Adult Pop radio and ongoing momentum at country and Top 40 radio.

Tour Dates:
March 20 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s
March 21 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
March 22 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
March 24 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
March 26 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena*
March 27 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
March 28 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
April 1 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
April 2 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium (2ND SHOW ADDED)
April 9 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford
April 10 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
April 11 – Lexington, KY – The Burl Outdoors
April 14 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
April 15 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
April 17 – Columbia, MO – 9th Street
April 18 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
April 19 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion
April 21 – Fayetteville, AR – Ozark Music Hall
April 22 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Jones Assembly
April 24-26 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach

* Supporting Parker McCollum

Industry Ink: Lainey Wilson, ‘I’m Gonna Love You,’ Tucker Wetmore, Eli Young Band, More

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CMHOFM Hosts Special Interview & Performance For Students Featuring Lainey Wilson

CMHOFM’s David Conrad and Lisa Purcell, Lainey Wilson, CMHOFM’s Angela Stefano Zimmer and Katie Palmer. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted an interview and performance with Lainey Wilson as part of the museum’s All Access program for students. Wilson shared her experiences and career lessons with over 600 seventh through twelfth graders in the museum’s CMA Theater in an interview moderated by Museum Writer-Editor Angela Stefano Zimmer. During the program, Wilson performed her songs “Heart Like a Truck” and “Somewhere Over Laredo,” accompanied by singer-songwriter Trannie Anderson.

Wilson is currently featured in an exhibition at the museum titled Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails

 

Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood’s ‘I’m Gonna Love You’ Reaches New Platinum Certification

Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood.

Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood’s No. 1 track, “I’m Gonna Love You,” has earned a new RIAA Platinum certification after amassing 360 million global streams to date.

The track was written by Chris Stevens, Kelly Archer and Travis Denning and included on Johnson’s Leather Deluxe Edition album.

 

Tucker Wetmore Visits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Tucker Wetmore with Ledgin Management and St. Jude/ALSAC staff

Tucker Wetmore recently visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital along with AEG and WME staff. He participated in a special arts and crafts activity with the patients, decorating hats and vinyl records.

 

Eli Young Band Releases Youtube Documentary

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The Eli Young Band has released This Is Eli Young Band, a shortform YouTube documentary. Directed and edited by Jeff Ray, the documentary includes footage dating back to the band’s first time in the studio together, along with exclusive interviews from long-time manager George Couri and Big Machine Label Group’s founder Scott Borchetta.

“I love to look back over the years and remember everything we’ve been through and accomplished. You forget sometimes how crazy the journey’s been,” shares lead vocalist Mike Eli. “I’m so glad to have an opportunity to share our story with the world.”

 

Max McNown & VEVO Releases DSCVR Video Of ‘Forever Ain’t Long Enough’

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Max McNown and VEVO has released a DSCVR performance of his track “Forever Ain’t Long Enough.” The release follows McNown’s DSCVR performance of “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes).”

 

CDX Records Signs Josie Birdsong To Distribution Deal With Sony Orchard

Photo: Courtesy of CDX Records

CDX Records has signed Josie Birdsong to a worldwide distribution agreement through Sony Orchard.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Josie to the CDX family,” says Joe Kelly, President of CDX Records. “She embodies everything that’s great about the next generation of country music — talent, heart, and a deep respect for the craft. With Sony Orchard as our distribution partner, we’re setting the stage for a major breakout moment.”

“I’m so grateful to be working with CDX Records and Sony Orchard,” adds Birdsong. “Making music has been my dream since I was little, and now it’s really happening. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’re creating.”