ACM Lifting Lives has revealed the newly elected Board of Directors, serving the 2025-2026 term. Fletcher Foster will serve as Chair, John Hickman as Vice-Chair, Chandra LaPlume as Vice-President, Paul Barnabee as Treasurer, and Brooke Boyd as Secretary.
The Board of Directors is made up of leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs, referred to as public directors. Other leaders serve as ACM Board members, referred to as representative directors.
Greg Hill, Tracy Lawrence and Adi Sharma have been newly elected as public directors. Darin Murphy and Storme Warren have been newly elected as representative directors. Newly elected public directors-at-large include Shelley Grayson and Blain Rhodes.
2025-2026 Complete ACM Lifting Lives Board Of Directors:
OFFICERS
Chair: Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Vice-Chair: John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
Vice-President: Chandra LaPlume, Sandbox Entertainment
Treasurer: Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Secretary: Brooke Boyd, ACM Lifting Lives
PUBLIC DIRECTORS
Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity
Sandi Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group / Music Has Value
Tiffany Brush, Topgolf
Jackie Campbell, Results Global
Kathleen Flaherty, Morgan Wallen Foundation
Julie Gordon
Shelley Grayson, FBMM
Jeffrey Hasson, UTA
John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
Michelle Kammerer, Amazon Music
Chad Kudelka, CAA
Tracy Lawrence, Artist
Diane Pearson, City National Bank
Blain Rhodes, Tape Room Music
Rondal Richardson, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Adi Sharma, The Neal Agency
Elaina Smith, Backstage Country
Zach Sutton, Red Light Management
Sally Williams, Live Nation
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS
Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Cris Lacy, Warner Music Group
Chandra LaPlume, Sandbox Entertainment
Tom Lord, Red Light Management
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Darin Murphy, CAA
Storme Warren, TuneIn Radioâs âThe Big 615â
PAST CHAIRS
Lori Badgett, City National Bank
Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Debbie Carroll
Mark Hartley
Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
Tree Paine, Premium PR
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production
Ed Warm, Joeâs Live
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Rod Essig, CAA
Gayle Holcomb, WME
RaeLynn Breaks Out The Twang & Tinsel On New ‘Jingle Jangle Rock’ EP
/by Lorie HollabaughRaeLynn is adding some honky tonk to the holidays with her new Christmas collection Jingle Jangle Rock, a five-track project arriving Nov. 7 via The Valory Music Co., Red Van Records and Jonas Group Entertainment.
On the new EP, she puts a festive spin on Chuck Berryâs âRun Run Rudolphâ and Alan Jacksonâs holiday favorite âI Only Want You for Christmas,â along with three originals filled with yuletide cheer. Jingle Jangle Rock serves as the perfect soundtrack for a Country Christmas, filled with lighthearted spirit and wrapped in a burlap bow.
New track âJingle Jangle Rock,â a boot-stomping, mistletoe ready anthem, is out today. Co-written with Amy Stroup and Bob DiPiero, the song captures the spirit of the season with a Nashville twist, with Santa reimagined as a cowboy and the dance floor turned into a winter wonderland.
âChristmas has always been one of my favorite times of year,â shares RaeLynn. âI wanted this EP to capture all sides of the seasonâthe fun, the chaos and the heart. âJingle Jangle Rockâ brings the party, âRedneck Christmasâ keeps it country, and âThe Barnâ brings it all back home. Recording songs I love like Alan Jacksonâs âI Only Want You for Christmasâ and âRun Run Rudolphâ made it even more special. Merry Christmas, everyone!â
Jingle Jangle Rock Track List:
1. âJingle Jangle Rockâ (Racheal Lynn Davis, Bob DiPiero, Amy Stroup)
2. âI Only Want You For Christmasâ (Tim Nichols, Zack Robert Turner)
3. âRun Run Rudolphâ (Marvin Brodie, Johnny Marks)
4. âRedneck Christmasâ (Racheal Lynn Davis, Aaron Gillespie, Amy Stroup)
5. âThe Barnâ (Racheal Lynn Davis, Aaron Gillespie, Lauren Hungate)
Cam Brings Vulnerability & Power To The Ryman Auditorium
/by Madison HahnenCam. Photo: Catherine Powell
Cam returned to the Ryman Auditorium Sunday night (Oct. 26) for a performance that balanced intimacy, artistry, and emotional depth with the commanding presence of a master storyteller.
After opening sets from Britton Smith and Anna Vaus, the evening opened with the singer standing alone in a single spotlight at the front of the stage before her band joined her, gathering tightly around one microphone for a hushed rendition of âSlow Down.â
âYou donât have to worry about the past,â Cam addressed the crowd. âYou donât have to stress about the future, this is the one moment in time we all get to be on the same page. And cry and laugh and dance together and I want you to be fully present.â
Cam. Photo: Catherine Powell
From there, she moved into âTurns Out That I Am Godâ and âAlchemy,â before the reflective âEverblue.â The rootsy âCanyonâ followed, evoking the emotion that defines much of Camâs songwriting. âHallelujahâ filled the auditorium with reflection before she brought her daughter Lucy onto the stage to sing a lullaby.
That tenderness carried through âJust for Youâ and âWe Always Do,â before Cam reignited the energy with âKill the Guru!â and the witty âLook at the Pretty Girls!â The crowd went wild for âHungover on Heartacheâ and âMayday,â both delivered with fire. A highlight of the night came when Mat Kearney joined Cam onstage for a heartfelt duet of âNothing Left to Lose,â their voices blending effortlessly in harmony. Cam followed with âTill Thereâs Nothing Left,â keeping the emotional intensity high, and then launched into a showstopping âDiane,â which had the entire audience on their feet, clapping and singing along.
Cam welcomed Brittney Spencer to the stage for a stirring cover of âBlackbirdâ from BeyoncĂ©âs Cowboy Carter. She and her band then gathered once again under a single spotlight for âAmerican Requiem.â The inevitable arrival of her 4Ă Platinum hit âBurning Houseâ drew a wave of emotion from the audience. She closed the evening with âVillage,â leaving the crowd wrapped in the songâs message of connection and community.
Cam and her daughter Lucy. Photo: Catherine Powell
Cam. Photo: Catherine Powell
ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN Announce AI Registration Policies
/by Lauryn SinkASCAP, BMI and SOCAN have announced updated policies for musical works created in part by artificial intelligence.
All three PRO registration policies define a partially AI-generated musical work as one that combines elements of AI-generated musical content with elements of human authorship. These works will now be included as part of the full repertories licensed by each society. Musical compositions that are entirely created using AI tools are not eligible for registration with any of the individual societies.
âSongwriters and composers have always experimented with innovative tools as part of their creative process, and AI is no exception,â says Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP. âWe are clarifying our registration policy to now welcome partially AI-generated musical works because we believe AI can be a powerful tool for our members, as long as the law puts humans first and technology companies play fair and respect the rights of creators.â
âThis is an important first step in protecting human creativity as AI technologies evolve, while supporting the songwriters and composers who choose to use AI as a tool to enhance their creative process,â shares Mike OâNeill, President & CEO, BMI. âAll music creators will benefit from this aligned approach to the registration of partial AI-works that appropriately values creatorsâ contributions and ensures they are paid properly.â
âThis alignment creates a legal and ethical path forward for AI in music. It recognizes that music creators are embracing new tools, while reinforcing our commitment to what matters most: respect for their work and the protection of human creativity,â adds Jennifer Brown, CEO, SOCAN. âThe future of music can embrace AI and still remain deeply human.â
More information about each PROâs AI initiatives, advocacy and registration policies can be found on their websites.
Ashley McBryde Adds 2026 Redemption Residency Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughAshley McBryde. Photo: Katie Kauss
Ashley McBryde is extending her Redemption Residency at the Neon Steeple at Chiefâs in Nashville into 2026.
She’s announcing four new sets of dates for the New Year with specific themes attached. January and Marchâs âJust Me And My Shadowâ shows will be solo acoustic nights where McBrydeâs storytelling will take center stage. Februaryâs âPostcards From Lindevilleâ will be a double header featuring fan favorite character songs throughout McBrydeâs career, from “Jalopies & Expensive Guitars” to “The Devil I Know.”
Aprilâs âMixtape From The Mixed Up Yearsâ will include two nights of covers playing âthe music that made us want to make musicâ that narrate McBrydeâs story, from growing up in Arkansas, to playing biker bars and back porches, to becoming a Grammy-winning member of the Grand Ole Opry today.
Tickets for The Redemption Residency go on pre-sale exclusively to McBrydeâs Fan Club (Trybe) members today (Oct. 28.) Members of the Church Choir will have access on Oct. 29, with general on sale following on Oct. 31. In addition to early ticket access, Premium Trybe Members unlock a range of exclusive perks tied to the Redemption experience, including 48-hour pre-sales for Chiefâs events, entry to the intimate Trybe Coffee Tours at Redemption Bar, and a dedicated Priority Entry Line to make getting through the doors quicker and easier.
Located on the fifth floor of Eric Churchâs Chiefâs in the heart of Nashvilleâs Lower Broadway, Redemption is inspired by McBrydeâs personal path to sobriety. Designed specifically with the singer-songwriter in mind, Redemption Bar features an intimate stage that accommodates troubadour-style performances only, holding 1-2 players max with an intentional focus on showcasing original music, and the creatives that make Music City.
The Redemption Residency 2026:
Thurs. January 22
Fri. January 23
Thurs. February 19
Fri. February 20
Thurs. March 19
Fri. March 20
Fri. April 17
Sat. April 18
Tyler Braden Announces Second Leg Of 2026 ‘Devil And A Prayer Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Braden. Photo: Marisa Taylor
Tyler Braden has extended his 2026 headline “Devil And A Prayer Tour” with new shows through April 24.
Clayton Mullen will support the newly announced leg of the tour, which kicks off Apr. 9 in Fort Worth, and includes stops in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and more. The new tour takes its name from Bradenâs debut album released in May via Warner Music Nashville. The 19-song collection showcases his blend of raw storytelling and high-octane sound, featuring fan favorites like âDevil You Knowâ and âGod & Guns Nâ Roses.â
The Alabama-bred singer-songwriter has racked up over 952 million global streams to date and averages more than nine million streams a week. Since signing with Warner Music Nashville, he’s earned three No. 1s on SiriusXM The Highwayâs Hot 30 Countdown, shared stages with Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley and Chris Stapleton, and toured internationally with Brothers Osborne.
“Devil And A Prayer Tour” Added Dates:
April 9 â Fort Worth, TX â Tannahillâs Tavern and Music Hall
April 14 â Albuquerque, NM â The Dirty Bourbon
April 16 â Colorado Springs, CO â Phil Long Music Hall
April 17 â Grand Junction, CO â Warehouse 25 Sixty-Five
April 18 â Englewood, CO â Gothic Theatre
April 21 â Flagstaff, AZ â Orpheum Theater
April 24 â Phoenix, AZ â Crescent Ballroom
Preston Cooper Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lauryn SinkPreston Cooper. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry.
Preston Cooper made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night (Oct. 24).
Cooper was introduced by Opry member Vince Gill.
âI got a call from Preston asking me to introduce him for his debut,â Gill reflected from stage. âWeâve written a few songs together, and Iâve cut a few of them thatâll be coming out soon. I think the world of this kid â heâs one of the best singers Iâve heard in a long time.â
He earned a standing ovation for his performance of his current top 30 single âWeakâ and tribute to his late publisher, Ben Vaughn, âHeaded Home.â
âThis doesnât feel real. Itâs definitely emotional,â shared Cooper. âI want to thank the Opry team for having me â itâs the greatest honor to play the Grand Ole Opry. Having my family and friends here means the world to me. I donât know if anything could ever top this moment.â
Cooper recently released his debut project, Toledo Talking, after a year of touring with Riley Green and Kameron Marlowe.
(Pictured L-R): The Valory Music Co.âs George Briner, Preston Cooper, Big Machine Label Groupâs Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Groupâs Sandi Borchetta. Photo: Tristan Wall for The Valory Music Co.
Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
ACM Lifting Lives Unveils 2025-2026 Board Of Directors
/by Madison HahnenThe Board of Directors is made up of leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs, referred to as public directors. Other leaders serve as ACM Board members, referred to as representative directors.
Greg Hill, Tracy Lawrence and Adi Sharma have been newly elected as public directors. Darin Murphy and Storme Warren have been newly elected as representative directors. Newly elected public directors-at-large include Shelley Grayson and Blain Rhodes.
2025-2026 Complete ACM Lifting Lives Board Of Directors:
OFFICERS
Chair: Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Vice-Chair: John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
Vice-President: Chandra LaPlume, Sandbox Entertainment
Treasurer: Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Secretary: Brooke Boyd, ACM Lifting Lives
PUBLIC DIRECTORS
Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity
Sandi Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group / Music Has Value
Tiffany Brush, Topgolf
Jackie Campbell, Results Global
Kathleen Flaherty, Morgan Wallen Foundation
Julie Gordon
Shelley Grayson, FBMM
Jeffrey Hasson, UTA
John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
Michelle Kammerer, Amazon Music
Chad Kudelka, CAA
Tracy Lawrence, Artist
Diane Pearson, City National Bank
Blain Rhodes, Tape Room Music
Rondal Richardson, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Adi Sharma, The Neal Agency
Elaina Smith, Backstage Country
Zach Sutton, Red Light Management
Sally Williams, Live Nation
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS
Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Cris Lacy, Warner Music Group
Chandra LaPlume, Sandbox Entertainment
Tom Lord, Red Light Management
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Darin Murphy, CAA
Storme Warren, TuneIn Radioâs âThe Big 615â
PAST CHAIRS
Lori Badgett, City National Bank
Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Debbie Carroll
Mark Hartley
Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
Tree Paine, Premium PR
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production
Ed Warm, Joeâs Live
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Rod Essig, CAA
Gayle Holcomb, WME
Fourth Annual ‘Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’ Event Raises $130,000 For Music Health Alliance
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Matt Dragstrem (Songwriter), Chase McGill (Songwriter), Tatum Allsep (MHA Founder & CEO), Luke Bryan (Artist), Elaina Smith (Host), Lindsay Hayes (Show Producer), Jeff Stevens (Songwriter) and Kristan Pridgen (CSW Event Producer/Exec. Assistant to the CEO) at Music Health Allianceâs “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda” event at Cannery Hall. Photo: Landon Hook
Music Health Alliance’s fourth annual “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda â Stories & Songs To Heal The Music” event was held last week at the Cannery in Nashville, raising $130,000 for MHAâs life-saving healthcare programs and services.
The sold-out evening of songs, stories and support presented by Wiatr & Associates and hosted by Elaina Smith featured Luke Bryan, Matt Dragstrem, Chase McGill and Jeff Stevens. Created by Grammy-winning writer and MHA board member Liz Rose, “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda” reimagines the traditional writersâ round, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at songs that âcoulda, shoulda or wouldaâ been hits.
âWe are so grateful for the sponsors, guests, and artists who made this night possible,â says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder & CEO of Music Health Alliance. âFrom the laughter to the heartfelt stories, it was a true celebration of the best of our songwriting community and MHAâs mission to Heal The Music.â
Since its founding in 2013, MHAâs 17-member team has helped more than 32,000 members of the music community and saved over $145 million in healthcare costs. 86% of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services, and each $1 donation provides $30 in life-saving healthcare resources.
Weekly Register: Ella Langley Enters Top 5
/by Lauryn SinkElla Langley.
Morgan Wallen has maintained his spot atop the streaming charts this week, according to Luminate data. âI Got Betterâ took the top place on the singles charts with 10 million streams this week, adding to 289 million streams to date. Wallenâs Iâm The Problem holds its top position on the albums chart with 83K in total consumption.
On the albums chart, Wallen holds the No. 2 spot with One Thing At A Time gaining 30K in total consumption and the No. 3 spot with Dangerous: The Double Album garnering 22K in total consumption. At No. 4 is Jason Aldeanâs 30 Number One Hits with 20K in total consumption. Shaboozey holds the No. 5 spot with Where Iâve Been, Isnât Where Iâm Going earning 15K in total consumption.
On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top three positions. His duet with Tate McRae, âWhat I Want,â takes the No. 2 spot with 10 million streams this week. âIâm The Problemâ comes in at No. 3 with 8.4 million streams this week. At No. 4 this week is Shaboozeyâs âA Bar Song (Tipsy)â with 6.9 million streams. Joining the chart this week is Ella Langleyâs âChoosinâ Texasâ with 7.2 million streams to date.
Abbie Callahan Inks With WME
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): WMEâs Carrie Creasey, Twelve6 Entertainmentâs Willow Belenski, Abbie Callahan and Twelve6 Entertainmentâs Travis Myatt. Photo: Courtesy of WME
Singer-songwriter Abbie Callahan has signed with WME for global representation in all areas.
Throughout this year, Callahan has made her debuts at CMA Fest, Bonnaroo and AMERICANAFEST. The Iowa City native released her debut EP Grossly Aware in July, which blends bluegrass, folk, and pop. The EP has garnered 2 million streams so far.
âI am beyond grateful to join the incredible team at WME,â says Callahan. âThis year has been full of firsts. It is my first major festival season, my first record, and my first time really feeling like I am stepping into who I am as an artist. Having a team that believes in my vision means the world.â
âAbbieâs talent is undeniable, and her vocals are both effortless and magnetic,â adds WME agent Carrie Creasey. âShe has an individuality that shines through in everything she does, from her voice to her sense of style, and that combination truly puts her in her own lane. WME is thrilled to be part of what will be an extraordinary career.â
Callahan will perform at The Basement East on Nov. 4, followed by the release her new single “Simon Says” on Nov. 7.
She is managed by Travis Myatt and Willow Belenski at Twelve6 Entertainment.