Chase McGill Leads MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Chase McGill.

Chase McGill has taken the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The hitmakers’ current chart entries include Morgan Wallen‘s “20 Cigarettes,” “I Got Better,” “Miami” and “TN,” Tucker Wetmore’s “Brunette,” Russell Dickerson’s “Happen To Me,” George Birge’s “It Won’t Be Long” and Keith Urban’s “Straight Line.”

Riley Green sits at No. 2 this week with his solo-penned “Don’t Mind If I Do.” Charlie Handsome remains at No. 3 with “Hell At Night,” “Holy Water,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I Got Better,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN,” and “What I Want.”

Blake Pendergrass (No. 4) and Wallen (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Grand Ole Opry Makes History With Royal Albert Hall Show In London

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All Cast Performance of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

The Grand Ole Opry made history on Friday night (Sept. 26) with “Live in London,” its first-ever live broadcast from outside of the U.S. as part of its Opry 100 celebration.

Ashley McBryde performs during Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

The sold-out, one-night-only event at Royal Albert Hall brought together more than 5,000 country music fans for an evening of performances and a celebration of country’s past, present and future. The star-studded lineup included Opry members Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart with special UK guest artists Mumford & Sons and Breabach.

Performers stood on a circle of wood sourced from the original stage floor of the Ryman Auditorium. Designed to honor The Circle, which is permanently installed in the Grand Ole Opry House, the replica was transported across the globe for the centennial event.

In keeping with a longstanding Opry tradition, Opry members and special guests teamed to deliver some of the most memorable moments of the night, including performances of “Wagon Wheel” by Rucker and Breabach,“I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Pearce and Combs, “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’ Anymore” by McBryde and Stuart and “Always On My Mind” by Combs and Marcus Mumford. The entire cast closed the special show with a finale performance of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Those who missed the event can tune in to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. to hear the host of Radio 2’s Country Show, Bob Harris, bring listeners backstage interviews recorded at the event, followed by a two-hour broadcast of the show itself. BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will air highlights at 8.40pm on Oct. 4.

Carly Pearce performs during Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

Darius Rucker performs during Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

Luke Combs performs during Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

Marty Stuart performs during Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments

Songview Expands To Include GMR & SESAC

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Songview, the industry’s comprehensive US public performance copyright data resource launched by ASCAP and BMI in December 2020, has expanded the include works from GMR and SESAC. The platform will now feature information for over 38 million musical works licensed by four of the major performing rights organizations in the United States.

Over the coming months, Songview will begin incorporating data from GMR and SESAC, starting with the addition of all 100%-owned works represented by GMR and SESAC. In addition, Songview will enhance the limited data that currently appears for GMR and SESAC works by including the publisher names for GMR and SESAC works that have split ownership percentages with ASCAP and/or BMI, one of the most popular information requests from Songview users. The ownership percentages for the GMR and SESAC split works are part of a future plan.

“It was always our intention to ensure Songview would be the single most comprehensive source of copyright information for the industry, which is why the addition of GMR and SESAC data is so important,” shares BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. “Having the four major US PROs come together to enhance data transparency highlights how we as an industry can successfully collaborate and deliver solutions that benefit the entire music community.”

John Josephson, Chairman & CEO of SESAC shares, “The addition of SESAC and GMR to Songview will provide a comprehensive view of ownership data and licensing representation for the largest music market in the world. This collaborative solution addresses requests from licensees and Congress that extends the visibility of repertory data already available from SESAC.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with BMI, GMR and SESAC as we innovate to provide more transparency to licensees into musical ownership data for the combined repertories of the most performed music in the world,” says ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews.

Randy Grimmett, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Music Rights adds, “With the addition of the GMR and SESAC repertoire to Songview, the most comprehensive view of US songwriter and publishing information will represent over 38 million works. This is a major step in addressing the needs of licensees for a comprehensive view of PRO licensing obligations.”

Morgan Evans Teams With Virgin Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Jen Bontusa (SVP, Label Management, Virgin Music Group); Jordon Isbell (Director, Marketing, Virgin Music Group); Morgan Evans; John Mayer (Sr. Director, National Promotion and Streaming, Virgin Music Group) and René Symonds (Artist Manager, TaP Music).

Morgan Evans will partner with Virgin Music Group on his upcoming new music. Evans will drop his first track under the new partnership, “Beer Back Home,” on Oct. 10, with a full length album slated for early 2026.

“I’m stoked to partner with Virgin Music Group on this record,” says Evans. “They’ve built a global team that gets Nashville, Europe, Australia, and they get me. The industry’s changing fast, but their model keeps artists in control, especially creatively. I couldn’t be prouder of this new music or more excited to share it with the world alongside the legends at VMG. Let’s go!”

Hailing from Australia, Evans released his debut self-titled album in 2014, marking his burst into the country music scene. Over the course of his career, he has garnered more than 800 million streams. The new single “Beer Back Home” was recorded in Nashville, and co-produced by Evans and Todd Clark.

“Morgan is an artist dedicated to the continued growth of his loyal fanbase and country music around the world,” shares Jen Bontusa, SVP of Label Management for Virgin Music Group. “The Virgin Music Group global team will play an important role in helping to expand that fanbase with an incredible collection of new music. We can’t wait to get started.”

Evan’s next show will be a return to his hometown of Newcastle on Feb. 14 at Howlin’ Country Music Festival.

Zach Top Adds European Leg To ‘Cold Beer & Country Music Tour’

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Zach Top

Zach Top will bring his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” overseas next year with special guest Wyatt McCubbin.

The trek will begin on Feb. 21 in Zurich, with headline dates also taking place in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. These dates will precede Top’s headline appearances at C2C Festival.

Tickets will be available beginning Oct. 1 at 1o a.m. local time via pre-sale, with general sale following on Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. local time here.

Top is currently on the U.S leg of the tour, with performances slated for Seattle, Las Vegas, Louisville, Charleston, Vancouver and more through Feb. 5.

“Cold Beer & Country Music Tour” European Dates:
February 21—Zurich, CH—The Hall
February 25—Copenhagen, DK—K.B. Hallen
February 28—Stockholm, SE—Annexet
March 3—Oslo, NO—Sentrum Scene
March 7—Rotterdam, NL—C2C Festival – Rotterdam Ahoy
March 8—Berlin, DE—C2C Festival – Uber Eats Music Hall
March 13—London, U.K.—C2C Festival – The O2
March 14—Belfast, N.I.—C2C Festival – SSE Arena
March 15—Glasgow, U.K.—C2C Festival – OVO Hydro

Ian Harrison Named A2IM CEO

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Ian Harrison.

Ian Harrison has been named CEO of A2IM, effective Oct. 1.

Harrison brings more than 20 years of leadership in the independent music sector. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Hopeless Records, guiding campaigns for more than 300 releases, selling over 15 million copies and earning over 20 Gold and Platinum certifications as well as securing No. 1 records in both the U.S. and the U.K. His work as part of the Hopeless Foundation (Sub City) has raised over 3.5 million dollars for a variety of music and mental health charities. He has been actively involved with A2IM since 2012 as an Indie Week committee member, five-time speaker, and mentor. He also serves on the Worldwide Independent Network’s board and has previously held a board seat with the Music Business Association. He has earned recognition on Billboard’s Indie Power Players list in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 30 Under 30 list earlier in his career.

“The independent community is stronger and more dynamic than ever, yet also facing accelerating challenges that will test our resilience and adaptability. A2IM exists to ensure our members can grow independently in the face of these changes and thrive on their own terms,” shares Harrison. “I am grateful to the A2IM Board for their trust as I step into the CEO role at such a pivotal moment. I take on this responsibility with a deep commitment to serving our community. I am especially grateful to Dr. Richard James Burgess for a decade of exceptional leadership that established A2IM as a vital voice in our industry, and to Lisa Hresko and the entire A2IM team whose dedication makes our work so impactful. This includes remembering our colleague Alex Machurov, whose contributions and spirit will remain part of A2IM’s legacy. I also want to thank Louis Posen and my colleagues at Hopeless Records, where I spent the past two decades, for shaping me as a leader and deepening my commitment to this community. Independent music has been my life’s work, and I am excited to serve in this new capacity. I look forward to working closely with our members, the global trade organization community, commercial partners, and policymakers to ensure independent voices remain at the center of the music industry’s future.”

Harrison succeeds Dr. Richard James Burgess, who will step down at the end of this year following a decade of service. Burgess built Indie Week and the Libera Awards into the world’s largest independent conference and award show, respectively and has spent his career lobbying for the rights of independent artists and labels in Washington, D.C., and globally.

“I am honored to have served this extraordinary community for the past decade, and I could not be more pleased to welcome Ian Harrison as A2IM’s next CEO,” adds Burgess. “Ian’s deep experience, and lifelong commitment to independent music position him perfectly to guide A2IM into its next chapter. I look forward to supporting a seamless transition and to watching him take the organization, and the indie community it represents, to new heights.”

Dolly Parton Postpones Vegas Dates Due To Health Challenges

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is postponing her upcoming Vegas residency which was set for Dec. 4-13 due to some health challenges, according to a message posted to her socials.

 

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A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Parton said she was told by doctors she has to undergo several procedures, and wants to postpone the Vegas shows to be able to give fans the show they deserve. “Given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform and I want to be at my best for you. While I’ll still be able to work on all my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say.”

The icon was set to perform six shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in her first Las Vegas residency in over 30 years. The shows have been postponed until Sept. 2026 and current tickets are valid for the new dates with refunds also available.

She quelled fans fears by also noting, “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe he is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.”

“Dolly: Live In Las Vegas” New Dates: 
Sept. 17, 2026
Sept. 19, 2026
Sept. 20, 2026
Sept. 23, 2026
Sept. 25, 2026
Sept. 26, 2026

Make Wake Artists Expands With In-House Label Division

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Pictured (L-R): Alicia Mathews, Myles Hoffman and Brianna Steinitz.

Make Wake Artists has expanded with a new in-house label division. The department will be led by Alicia Mathews (Head of Marketing & Commercial Partnerships), Brianna Steinitz (Director of Administration & Operations), and Myles Hoffman (Marketing Manager).

Make Wake Artists was launched in 2015 by Chris Kappy when he began managing Luke Combs. Through its “Fans.F1rst.” strategy, its 20+ artist roster has earned multiple Diamond/Platinum/Gold certifications, No. 1 singles, and sold-out worldwide tours.

“When I started Make Wake Artists in Nashville 10 years ago, my dream was to build a home where artists could thrive; where their music, their values, and their vision would be protected and amplified,” Kappy shares. “Luke Combs was the first artist to believe in that vision, and together we’ve been able to share his music with millions of fans worldwide. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built, and this anniversary is as much a celebration of our entire roster, and our incredible team as it is of the company itself.”

“My mission for this division is to support our independent artists with major-level execution while allowing them to maintain creative freedom, and the space to tell their story through music on their own terms,” Mathews says. “It’s been a dream to grow this from the ground up during my time here. I’m incredibly grateful to Kappy for championing my vision and for instilling his Fans.F1rst. philosophy into everything we do. I’m so proud of this team and what we’re building, but what truly matters is fostering the connection between an artist and their fans. The fans are the ones who give us the opportunity to do meaningful work in this space.”

HARDY Drops New Deluxe Album ‘Country! Country! Country!’

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HARDY. Photo: Ryan Smith

HARDY has unveiled a new deluxe edition of his latest album, Country! Country! Country!, today (Sept. 29) via Big Loud Records.

The deluxe collection offers a brand-new song “Good Ole Boy” as well as stripped-back, acoustic versions of tracks “Dog Years,” “Country In Me” and “Take the Country and Run.” The video for “Good Ole Boy” premieres via CMT today, and is featured across their channels and on billboards in Times Square.

HARDY has already released several singles from Country! Country! including “Dog Years,” “Bottomland” and “Bro Country.” He’ll play festivals through the end of the year as well as Country vs. Cancer, presented by the American Cancer Society, HARDY’s charity The Hardy Fund, and Whiskey Jam to benefit the ACS. HARDY will headline the benefit Dec. 2 alongside Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Lanie Gardner and McCoy Moore at The Pinnacle in Nashville.

Country! Country! Country! Track List:
1. “Country Country” (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
2. “Favorite Country Song” (Ashley Gorley, Beau Bailey, Casey Brown, Michael Hardy, Nate Smith, Taylor Philips, Zach Abend)
3. “Bro Country” (feat. ERNEST) (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Michael Hardy)
4. “Luckiest Man Alive” (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy)
5. “Car That Drove You Away” (Drew Parker, Geoff Warburton, Matt Roy, Zach Abend)
6. “Girl With A Gun” (Carson Wallace, Greylan James, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy)
7. “Buck On The Wall” (Jameson Rodgers, Jeb Gipson, Matt Dragstrem, Michael Hardy)
8. “I’d Go Crazy Too” (Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy)
9. “Take The Country and Run” (Ashley Gorley, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
10. “Goodbye” (Cam Montgomery, Hunter Phelps, Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Hardy)
11. “Bedrooms In The Sky” (feat. Stephen Wilson Jr.) (Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy, Zach Abend)
12. “Bottomland” (Hunter Phelps, Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist, Zach Abend)
13. “Good Ole Boy” (David Garcia, Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy)
14. “Who Don’t” (Greylan James, Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Hardy, Zach Abend)
15. “Country In Me” (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Drew Parker, Michael Hardy)
16. “Gun To My Head” (Kyle Clark, Mark Holman, Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist)
17. “Keep It Country” (David Garcia, Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist)
18. “Y’all Need Jesus” (Drew Parker, Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Hardy, Zach Abend)
19. “Dog Years” (Michael Hardy)
20. “We’re All Gonna Die” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Matt Dragstrem)
21. “Everybody Does” (Michael Hardy)
22. “Country In Me – Acoustic One Take” (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Drew Parker, Michael Hardy)
23. “Take The Country and Run – Acoustic One Take” (Ashley Gorley, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
24. “Dog Years – Acoustic One Take” (Michael Hardy)

Bernie Leadon Inks With Warner Chappell Music

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Pictured (L-R): Greg Sowders (WCM), Guy Moot (WCM), Bernie Leadon, Carianne Marshall (WCM) and Trevian Kutti. Photo: Courtesy of WCM

Bernie Leadon, Eagles founding member and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, has signed with Warner Chappell Music to a long-term, worldwide publishing agreement. Leadon will release his first solo album in more than two decades, Too Late to Be Cool, on Oct. 10.

“I have been associated with Warner Chappell and the rest of Warner Music since 1971. I am delighted to renew my connections with them now at this point in the 21st Century,” shares Leadon. “Warner Chappell and Warner Music have always been at the pinnacle of support for songwriters and other music creators, and that reality is still very evident in the current leadership and staff. My sincere thanks go to all of them.”

“It’s no exaggeration to say that much of the music we call Americana today owes a deep debt to Bernie’s boundary-crossing inspiration,” adds WCM’s Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO. “He has helped shape a canon of iconic music, from his early years with genre-defying groups like The Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard & Clark to his generation-defining work with the Eagles to his countless collaborations with other artists. His creativity, musical brilliance, and pure devotion to his craft have made him a true American treasure, with six decades of extraordinary songs and sounds to his credit. We’re honored and excited to welcome him into the Warner Chappell family.”

In 1971, Leadon co-founded the Eagles alongside Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Randy Meisner. After stepping away from the Eagles in 1975, he worked with Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Stephen Stills and Alabama among others. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Eagles.

Leadon penned all the songs on his upcoming album, including the recently released tracks “Too Many Memories,” “Just a Little,” and “Go On Down to Mobile.” It also marks Leadon’s reunion with esteemed producer/engineer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glyn Johns.