Josh Ross brought together Nashville’s music industry yesterday (Dec. 1) to celebrate “Single Again,” the MCA/Universal Music Canada/CORE Records artist’s first chart topper. The track, which earned Ross CCMA Awards for Single of the Year and Video of the Year, was written alongside Joe Fox (SESAC) and Brad Rempel (SOCAN), and produced by Matt Geroux. Ross is the first male Canadian country artist to top the charts in nearly 30 years.

Hosted by BMI and SESAC and emceed by BMI’s Jackson Kiger, SESAC’s Lydia Cahill, MCA’s Damon Moberly, Warner Chappell’s Bryce Sherlow and Liz Rose Music’s Kate Shirley each took the microphone to honor the team behind the hit.

Kiger presented Ross with a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar, a BMI tradition to celebrate an artist’s first chart-topper.

Cahill spoke next, presenting Fox a custom Gibson guitar to honor his third No. 1 single.

While each speaker offered their own congratulations, Shirley encapsulated the collective feeling, sharing “These moments don’t happen every day, and getting to celebrate with this group makes it all more meaningful. It truly does take a village, and we are lucky to have the best.”

Fox was the first of the songwriters to speak. “This song is proof of the power of different perspectives, and how they can shape a hit song,” he shared, joking about how not all of the writers relate to the concept of the song. He continued, thanking each team that pushed the song to the top of the charts.

Rempel shared that the moment felt “full-circle,” noting that it came 18 years after he first signed his Nashville publishing deal, a connection that ultimately set him on the path to writing “Single Again,” his first No. 1 at U.S. country radio.

Geroux echoed the same grateful sentiment for the opportunity to work on the song and noted how much he enjoyed his time cutting vocals with Ross in LA.

Ross was the last to take the microphone. He thanked each member of his team and shared “[It’s my] first No. 1 as an artist, but also as a songwriter. Sometimes I’m so focused on the artist side, but it is so cool to come back to the songwriting side on days like today. … I’m just very grateful.”

Sony Music Publishing has promoted  Jeff Smarr to Senior Vice President, Global Copyright. Smarr is based out of Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s office and reports to EVP, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy.

In his new position, Smarr will work across strategic initiatives and high-profile deal and acquisition integrations, as well as spearhead Sony Music Publishing’s Global and North American Copyright Administration teams.

Smarr has spent 31 years at the company, and has played a key role in the organization and its songwriter’s growth by supporting the advancement of key catalog acquisitions including ATV, Acuff-Rose, Famous, and EMI.

“It’s been incredible to see the tremendous growth of the company, team and songwriters throughout my time at Sony Music Publishing,” says Smarr. “I’ve been privileged to contribute to SMP’s representation of such iconic songwriters and catalogs, and I am excited to drive further growth for them in this new role.”

“Jeff is our go-to expert for any copyright question or concern and is unwavering in his commitment to our songwriters and team,” shares Esworthy. “I am continually impressed by Jeff’s encyclopedic knowledge of our catalog, and I’m delighted to recognize his work with this well-deserved promotion.”

Carín León has signed with WME’s Global Co-Head of Music Kirk M. Sommer for representation in all areas.

Hailing from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, León started his musical journey at the age of 15. His 2018 debut album Desvelada con Banda y Mariachi took over the Regional Mexican music scene. In 2021, Inédito debuted on the top of multiple charts and was named one of Billboard’s “25 Best Latin Albums of the Year.” León has received an ASCAP Award, numerous Premios Lo Nuestro Awards, Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY wins and more.

He was also the first Latin artist ever to play Coachella and Stagecoach in the same year, and is the first Latin artist to play The Sphere, with a run of seven appearances set for next year. Earlier this year, he set a record at RODEOHOUSTON with over 70,000 fans in attendance.

“We are thrilled to join the WME team led by Kirk Sommer,” says León’s manager Jorge Juarez. “Carín has tremendous potential to expand into other global territories. We are looking to WME to lead the way in all areas of their expertise.”

“Carín is a generational artist,” adds Sommer. “In his incredible career, he has consistently broken barriers and transcended genres. We are determined to bring the full weight of WME to bear to expand Carín’s fanbase around the world and we are honored to work with both Carín and Jorge.”

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has unveiled the lineup for its 2026 festival, returning to Manchester, Tennessee on June 11-14, 2026. With more than 10 stages over the four-day festival, the festival will feature over 90 performers.

Thursday’s opening night features headliner Skrillex, and will also see performances by Four Tet, Vince Staples and Spiritual Cramp. The Strokes will headline Friday night, which also includes Griz, Turnstile, Jessie Murph, Mt. Joy, Yungblud and many more. Saturday will feature Teddy Swims, The Neighbourhood, Wyatt Flores, Waylon Wyatt, The Runarounds and more before headliner RÜFÜS DU SOL. Noah Kahan will close out Sunday night after performances from Role Model, Kesha, Audrey Hobert, Aly & AJ and Japanese Breakfast, among others.

In addition, to her main set Kesha will lead the 2026 Superjam, titled “KESHA PRESENTS: SUPERJÂM ESOTERÍCA: THE ALCHEMY OF POP,” and “Weird Al” Yankovic will be performing a special late-night Saturday set called “Bigger & Weirder Saturday Late Night Roovue.”

This year will also see the return of Bonnaroo Radio, providing exclusive programming including throwback Bonnaroo performances, interviews, traffic and weather updates and more. Upgrades to the Farm include improved drainage, miles of new roadways and 135 acres of new turf.

Tickets go on sale Friday (Dec. 5) at 10:00 a.m. CT. 2026 ticket options include 4-Day General Admission, 4-Day GA+, 4-Day VIP, 4-Day Platinum, and 4-Day Roo Insider, along with a variety of camping and parking options. A full lineup and ticket information can be found here.

Lainey Wilson has racked up her ninth No. 1 at country radio with “Somewhere Over Laredo,” the lead single from her Whirlwind (Deluxe) album. The tune was written by Wilson, Andy Albert, Dallas Wilson and Trannie Anderson. Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg also received writing credits as the song interpolates the melody of the classic “Over the Rainbow.”

She just performed the song at the 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last week, and the chart topper anchors two of Wilson’s three nominations at the upcoming Grammy awards for Best Country Song (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), Best Country Solo Performance (“Somewhere Over Laredo”) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Trailblazer” with Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert). “Somewhere Over Laredo” is also the 50th single to peak at No. 1 on the country charts for Wilson’s label, Broken Bow Records.

Wilson recently released a holiday EP, Peace, Love, & Cowboys (Holiday Edition), and also hosted the 59th CMA Awards, (the first solo female host since Reba McEntire in 1991), where she also won three awards for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Whirlwind).

The ACM, CMA and Grammy-winner and Grand Ole Opry member is a sought-after songwriter whose nine No. 1s also include “4x4xU,” “Wildflowers And Wild Horses,” “Watermelon Moonshine” and the double Platinum “Heart Like A Truck,” in addition to award-winning collaborations with Cole Swindell (“Never Say Never”), Jelly Roll (“Save Me”) and Hardy (“wait in the truck”). Wilson also penned and performed “Out of Oklahoma” for the movie Twisters, and has collaborated with Reba, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton, Post Malone and more.