Jackie Jones, Leslie Fram and Jim “Moose” Brown

The NashFilm Creators Conference returns Sept. 25–28, spotlighting Nashville’s growing role in film and TV through four days of conversations on songwriting, scoring, music supervision, AI and Tennessee’s expanding entertainment economy.

Running alongside the 57th Nashville Film Festival, the conference’s music programming includes “Inside the Soundtrack of The Gray House,” a behind-the-scenes look at the music of the Amazon Prime series executive produced by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. Moderated by FEMco co-founder and CEO Leslie Fram, the session brings together songwriters Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown and Jeff Fahey to discuss creating the series’ soundtrack, followed by a live performance of its theme song “Blood in the River” by Enderlin and Brown.

The conference also tackles one of the music industry’s most pressing issues with “Balancing Innovation and Artistic Rights: AI in Music & Film,” presented by Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. The conversation will feature Jackie Jones, RIAA senior VP/artist and industry relations; Marc Rucker, Director of Brand Marketing and Industry Relations at SoundExchange; and ViNIL Co-Founder Charles Alexander exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping music and film while raising new questions around copyright, licensing, creators’ rights and the future of creative collaboration.

A BMI panel led by Louie Stephens, BMI’s Creative Director of Film/TV/Visual Media, will explore how scoring, songwriting and music supervision work together to serve a story, and additional programming will also highlight Nashville’s growing role in video game scoring, bringing together composers, engineers and orchestral studio musicians working on major game titles.

Featured speakers include Tennessee Entertainment Commission Project Manager Gisela Moore; Riverside Entertainment Founding Partner Brian Loschiavo; Disney animation veteran Tom Bancroft (The Lion King, Tarzan, Mulan); Olly Rowland, who oversees production for Dolly Parton; 9-1-1: Nashville co-creator and showrunner Rashad Raisani; and Michael Lohmann, Head of Production for CBS and Paramount’s Kapital Entertainment.

The conference also features casting director John Papsidera, who splits his time between Nashville and Los Angeles and whose more than 250 credits include Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey, Oppenheimer and Interstellar; Academy Award–nominated producer Jermaine Johnson (American Fiction); and Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning documentarian Sam Pollard, whose film The Lorraine will screen Saturday followed by a Q&A.

“Nashville has always been home to storytellers, and today those creative voices are reaching audiences in more ways than ever,” says Lauren Thelen, programming director of the Nashville Film Festival. “Whether through film, television, music or gaming, this conference brings together the people helping shape what’s next for our city’s creative economy.”

VIP badges are on sale now here, with individual tickets going on sale Aug. 14.

Family Alliance in Music (FAM), in partnership with Back Blocks Music, has launched the Postnatal Care Grant, a new initiative that will provide $25,000 to support postnatal care for music industry families. The grant celebrates Back Blocks Music’s 10th No. 1 single in five years, with funding provided through the Back Blocks Music Fund.

The grant is designed to help artists, songwriters, musicians and music industry professionals as they adjust to life with a new child while balancing their careers. Funding can be used for a range of postnatal care services, including postpartum doulas, pelvic floor therapy, lactation support, mental health counseling, physical recovery, night nurses, meal prep, childcare assistance and other resources that support the health and well-being of both parent and child.

“Those first weeks after bringing home a baby are some of the most beautiful, overwhelming and vulnerable moments in a person’s life— having the right people in your corner and access to resources that care for both your physical and mental well-being cannot be understated,” says Back Blocks Music Founder Rakiyah Marshall. “I truly believe having that kind of support allowed me to return to work feeling healthy, present and able to continue building Back Blocks Music. As we celebrate our 10th No. 1, it’s important to me to recognize that this milestone was made possible by the community that lifted me up when I needed it most. I’m honored to pay that support forward by pouring back into the community alongside Family Alliance in Music. My hope is that this grant gives new parents in our industry the resources, encouragement and peace of mind they deserve during one of the biggest transitions of their lives, so they can care for themselves while continuing to pursue the careers they love.”

“Supporting parents and caregivers is central to building a healthier, more sustainable music industry,” adds Margaret Hart, Co-Founder of Family Alliance in Music. “We are proud to partner with Back Blocks Music to provide meaningful postpartum support, helping families access critical care while reinforcing our mission to ensure music professionals never have to choose between their careers and caring for the people they love.”

Applications for the Postnatal Care Grant are open now and run through Sept. 2, with recipients selected based on demonstrated need and alignment with the program’s mission.

Brian Kelley will release his new album, Coral Beats, on Aug. 14 via his own Nashville South Records.

Mainly produced by Kelley’s frequent collaborator Katlin Owen, Coral Beats includes previously released tracks like “B-Y-O-Beach” and “Jimmy Buffett Summer.” Featuring collaborations with ERNEST, Niko Moon, Wheeland Brothers and CHXNDLER, the album highlights Kelley’s signature “beach cowboy” sound.

The album follows his 2025 Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One and 2021’s Sunshine State of Mind Season One. He has also released two additional LPs, Tennessee Truth and Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son, since embarking on his solo career.

The Florida native recently concluded another round of his SURF POST SESSIONS, the concert series hosted in the backyard of Brian and his wife Brittany Kelley’s Tribe Kelley Surf Post in Grayton Beach, Florida. After kicking off summer 2026 with a run of shows last month, the SURF POST SESSIONS continued with back-to-back headline spots from Kelley last week. Since launching in 2022, the in-demand series has hosted more than 75 SOLD-OUT performances.

Coral Beats Track List:
1. “Palms And Pines ft. ERNEST” (Brian Kelley, Ernest Keith Smith, Alysa Vanderheym)*
2. “Bike With No Hands” (Brian Kelley, Mark Holman, James McNair, Steven Lee Olsen)*
3. “Waves Roll In ft. Wheeland Brothers” (Brian Kelley, Ernest Keith Smith, Jordan Schmidt, Travis Wheeland, Nate Wheeland)*
4. “Low Tide High” (Brian Kelley, Mark Holman, James McNair)*
5. “Beach Bar ft. CHXNDLER” (Brian Kelley, Chandler Johnston, Zach Smith)*
6. “1000 Islands” (Brian Kelley, James McNair, Steven Lee Olsen, Alysa Vanderheym)*
7. “Tropical” (Brian Kelley, Michael Hardy, Chris Bandi, Jordan Schmidt)*
8. “B-Y-O-Beach ft. Niko Moon” (Mark Holman, Ben Burgess, Brad Tursi)*
9. “Jimmy Buffett Summer” (Brian Kelley, Brittney Kelley)*
10. “Jimmy Buffett Summer – Remix” (Brian Kelley, Brittney Kelley)+
* Produced by Katlin Owen
+ Produced by Caleb Gilbreath

Carrie Underwood Stars In NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ Show Open For 14th Consecutive Year

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Danny Ventrella/NBC Sports

Carrie Underwood will star in the show open for NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the 14^th consecutive season beginning Sept. 13 on NBC and Peacock. In the latest evolution of SNF’s show opens since 2013, this year’s edition features scenes in the recording studio, in a small music venue, and a concert performance in a packed stadium.

The show open for Sunday Night Football, primetime television’s No. 1 program for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years, will debut leading into the season debut of SNF featuring the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants. A preview will debut during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on NBC and Peacock on Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET as the Carolina Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals.

Brooks & Dunn Add New RIAA Hardware With Six New Platinum-Plus Certs

Brooks & Dunn. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Brooks & Dunn has added new RIAA certifications to their catalog. The Country Music Hall of Famers’ “Red Dirt Road” has now reached triple Platinum, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” and “Ain’t Nothin’ Bout You” are certified double Platinum, and “She’s Not The Cheatin’ Kind,” “Hard Workin’ Man” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” are each now Platinum. Originally released years before streaming became the industry’s dominant format, the songs continue to find new audiences today. The duo’s expanded “Neon Moon Tour” kicks off next month.

Eccho Live Seeking New Executive Director

ECCHO Live is seeking a new Executive Director. The Executive Director provides leadership, operational oversight, and strategic direction in service of the organization’s mission. The ED is responsible for all aspects of organizational management including, programs, finances, human resources, fundraising, communications, and external affairs, while serving as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors and its committees.

Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a cover letter sharing their nonprofit experience and connection to the live events and touring industry via email to elle@nonprofit-leadership.com. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline of Aug. 19. Founder Chris Lisle will remain in the role until that new hire is onboarded.

Girls Write Nashville To Receive NPEF’s 2026 Thomas J. Sherrard Inspiring Innovation Award

Girls Write Nashville has been named a recipient of the 2026 Thomas J. Sherrard Inspiring Innovation Award by the Nashville Public Education Foundation, recognizing the organization’s contribution to public education through its longstanding partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Through expressive arts and creative youth development, Girls Write Nashville helps young people with belonging, well-being, and creative confidence. The award will be presented during the 22nd Annual Public Schools Hall of Fame Luncheon on Aug. 27 at Music City Center, celebrating individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to public education in Nashville.

Founded in 2016, Girls Write Nashville during the 2026–27 school year, will provide more than 12,000 free participant-hours of creative youth development programming for MNPS students through in-school, after-school, mentorship, and music production programs.