Suzy Bogguss Inducted Into Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame

Suzy Bogguss made history last weekend as the first woman and first country artist to be inducted into Illinois Rock & Roll Museum Hall of Fame. Born and raised in Aledo, Illinois, she was presented with the Founder’s Choice Award, a distinction recognizing her genre-spanning career and lasting impact.

“I’m grateful to Ron Romero and the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum for bestowing me with this great honor,” Bogguss shares. “What a crazy fun night of primo Illinois musicians!”

 

Maggie Rose Hosts ‘Salute The Songbird’ Live Podcast Taping

On Tuesday (Sept. 16), Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Maggie Rose brought her acclaimed podcast, Salute the Songbird, to life with a special live recording at Anzie Blue, Nashville’s only female-owned music venue. Presented in partnership with Family Alliance in Music (FAM), the evening featured Caitlyn Smith, Jillian Jacqueline and Lucie Silvas, who shared stories about the challenges and rewards of being mothers in the music industry.

 

CRB/CRS Accepting Applications For Lisa McKay Women In Radio Scholarship

The Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) and Country Radio Seminar (CRS) are now accepting applications for the Lisa McKay Women in Radio Scholarship.

Eligible applicants must be either a female college senior broadcast communications student involved in radio programming or a female with one to three years maximum experience in the radio business as a Program Director, Assistant Program Director or Music Director. Applicants must also be first-time CRS attendees.

The application window is open now through Oct. 13. Three scholarship recipients will each receive a package that includes full registration for CRS 2026 (March 18–20), round-trip airfare to Nashville and hotel accommodations at the Omni Nashville Hotel. In addition, recipients will be recognized during CRS 2026 week. Interested parties can apply here.

 

Gibson Celebrates 50 Years In Nashville

Gibson is celebrating 50 years in Nashville with the reintroduction of the Les Paul Custom 70s. The company has called Music City home since 1975.

The Les Paul Custom was first introduced in 1953 as an upscale version of the Les Paul model. The Les Paul Custom 70s is now available in four gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, including Ebony, Tobacco Burst, Wine Red, and even a version with a beautiful Buttercream Top.

 

Sun Label Group Celebrates AmericanaFest At Vinyl Tap

On Sept. 10, Sun Label Group brought its artists and community together for an AmericanaFest Day Party at Vinyl Tap in East Nashville. The afternoon celebrated the artists of Sun Records, Green Hill, Gaither Music, emeraldwave by Green Hill and Rural Rhythm.

The showcase featured performances by Coyle Girelli, ZZ Ward, Amy Helm, Nicole Atkins, Jimmy Fortune, Chosen Family and Ruthie Foster.

“AmericanaFest is about community, discovery, and celebrating the music that continues to move people forward,” said Paul Sizelove, President of Sun Label Group. “This year’s day party gave us the chance to showcase the incredible depth of talent across our labels, from Grammy winners to some of today’s most distinctive artists, all under one roof. To share that experience with fans, partners, and friends made it a truly special moment for us.”

 

Marathon Live Adds Tammy Hurt To Board Of Directors

Music executive Tammy Hurt has joined the Marathon Live Board of Directors, bringing over 25 years of entertainment business experience.

Hurt is Head of Music Strategy for Star Forest, an animated virtual band distributed by Sony Music Entertainment UK’s Magic Star division, where she leads the brand’s growth across music, animation, gaming, and live experiences. A 20-year Recording Academy member and former Chair of its Board of Trustees (2021–2025), Hurt helped drive landmark achievements in media rights, membership diversity, global expansion, and pro-creator advocacy. Hurt is also the founder of Placement Music, Outsource Events, and co-founder of Georgia Music Partners.

“I’m thrilled to join the board of Marathon Live and contribute to its legacy as a vibrant hub for live music. It’s an honor to help shape its future and champion the artists, fans, and community that make it extraordinary,” she shares.

Mitchell Tenpenny’s 10Penny Fund and ACM Lifting Lives are joining forces to bring support to music industry members impacted by cancer.

The 10Penny Fund will make a $100,000 contribution to assist in 10 grants of $10,000 to individuals who require help covering essential medical bills, everyday household needs, and mental health support through ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Those in need can go to acmliftinglives.org or email liftinglives@acmcountry.com  to seek help and find additional information.

Tenpenny will also host his Cornhole Tournament for the fourth consecutive year on Oct. 7 on Music Row, with all proceeds going to ACM Lifting Lives to amplify the impact of support to country music professionals affected by cancer. Those wishing to participate can sign up here to play, and organizations can sponsor a board. For more information on the tournament or if you want to support, email kristen@redlightmanagement.com and Allie.vidunas@redlightmanagement.com.

“I have been too close to cancer too often,” says Tenpenny. “I lost my dad in 2014 and my mom battled breast cancer a few years ago. Through their illnesses, I discovered how important mental health support was and how, along with good doctors and treatment plans, that factored into their cancer journey.”

“Too many of us know the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, and often, the toll it takes on the mental health of both the patient and their loved ones goes unseen,” adds Taylor Wolf, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “Mitchell Tenpenny is helping rewrite this narrative with his commitment and generosity to supporting those navigating cancer journeys. His care for others embodies the heart of the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund and we are grateful that Mitchell’s generosity will ensure a few more families don’t have to worry about the financial burden as they go through treatment.”

Mitchell created his 10Penny Fund in 2018 from his personal experience and a sincere desire to provide inspirational support to cancer patients beyond the traditional medical treatment. The 10Penny Fund invests in sustainable and meaningful programs that motivate patients, encouraging healing, and build a community of support. For more information or to donate go to 10PennyFund.org.

Jack White‘s Third Man Records has entered into a new worldwide distribution deal with Secretly Distribution.

Secretly Distribution will now handle physical and digital music distribution, digital and retail marketing, and technological support for all of Third Man Records’ upcoming releases. The just-announced new albums from Snõõper and The Belair Lip Bombs will be Third Man’s first new releases through Secretly.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Third Man Records into the Secretly Distribution family of label partners,” says Rich Thane, Associate Director of Artist & Label Strategy, Secretly Distribution. “As two fiercely independent, artist-first companies, our shared values and ethos make this partnership a perfect fit. With their iconic roster and passionate team, we’re excited to amplify Third Man’s global reach across both physical retail and digital landscapes.”

“Third Man is very happy to be welcomed into the Secretly Distribution family. We have so much respect for their work; they lead creatively with artists’ and labels’ vision at the forefront,” adds Ben Swank, Co-Founder, Third Man Records. “We’re excited about Third Man’s future working alongside the Secretly Distribution team, and proud to be included in their roster of legendary and heavyweight independent labels.”

At home in Nashville, Third Man Records houses a record store, novelties lounge (featuring the Third Man Record Booth), label offices and distribution center, photo studio, and the world’s only live venue with direct-to-acetate recording capabilities, while Detroit’s Third Man Records Cass Corridor features a record store, novelties lounge, in-store performance stage, record booth and vinyl record pressing plant, currently celebrating 10 years as a retail location. Additionally, in London, Third Man has a retail store, office, and a live venue, The Blue Basement.

Through its deal with Secretly Distribution, Third Man Records joins a roster of Secretly affiliates such as Dead Oceans, drink sum wtr, Ghostly International, Jagjaguwar, Saddest Factory Records, Secretly Canadian and Numero Group, as well as label partners including Sacred Bones, Captured Tracks, Run For Cover, Rhymesayers, Chrysalis, A24 Music, Merge Records, Joyful Noise, Father/Daughter, Big Crown, Colemine, Jazz Is Dead, Oh Boy Records and more.

KC Bruner has inked with Electric Feel.

An Iowa native, Bruner has built a devoted following on TikTok and earned a spot on the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds Country playlist, spotlighting her latest single, “Bigger Fool”. Her previous collaborators include Cooper Alber, Jack Schrepferman, Jesse Bluu, Madison Spratley, Andrew Bolooki and more.

“When I first met the team at EF, I instantly felt at home and knew they were my people. I couldn’t be more excited to share the music I’ve been working on with the world,” says Bruner.

“KC is an incredibly gifted songwriter and artist, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome her to Electric Feel. We are proud to support her as she continues to grow and shape the future of country music,” adds Austin Rosen, Founder & CEO of Electric Feel Entertainment.

Bruner is set to play her first headline show in her hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Nov. 15.