Vincent Mason will release his debut album, There I Go, on Nov. 7 via Interscope/MCA Nashville/Music Soup. To mark the news, Mason has shared a deeply personal new track, “Days Are Numbered.”
The road-worn anthem captures the relentless grind of chasing a passion, and was written by Mason alongside Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon and Geoff Warburton. This album is a true coming-of-age soundtrack with Mason threading together moments of love, loss, and the fleeting joys that make it all worthwhile. Other writers contributing to the project include Devin Dawson, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird and more.
“I was always a kid who liked to be very still,” recalls Mason. “My favorite question growing up was always ‘When can we go home?’ I’ve really been that way my whole life. Last year I put out a song called “Hell is a Dance Floor” and since then I haven’t really been home at all. The album There I Go is me learning how to live on the road.
“‘Days Are Numbered’ captures the two sides of the album and the tension that lies in between,” he continues. “There’s the kid in me that wants to stay home, and the side of me that can’t get enough of being out on the road playing shows. I thank God every day that I have the life that I do, and I wouldn’t trade it. “There I Go” is the through line that captures all the moments of my life since it changed last year.”
This fall, Mason will join Jordan Davis on tour across the country, including The Greek in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall in New York and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.
There I Go Track List:
1. “There I Go” (Vincent Mason and Jack Hummel)
2. “Little Miss” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Ryan Beaver, Jared Keim)
3. “Sink or Swim” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jack Hummel, Devin Dawson)
4. “Damned If I Do” (Vincent Mason, Jacob Hackworth, Lauren Hungate)
5. “Old Flame” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “She Loves” Leaving (Vincent Mason, Geoff Warburton, Chris LaCorte)
7. “Anything Took Everything” (Vincent Mason, Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton)
8. “Sit With It” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Randy Montana, Jaxson Free)
9. “Painkiller” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird)
10. “American Spirit” (Vincent Mason, Abram Dean, Andy Albert, Zach Abend)
11. “Hell Is A Dancefloor” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel)
12. “Wish You Well” (Geoff Warburton, Jessie Jo Dillon, Blake Pendergrass, Chris LaCorte)
13. “Days Are Numbered” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Geoff Warburton)
14. “Good Run” (worktape) (Vincent Mason)
Clint Black Announces Spring Leg Of His ‘Back On The Blacktop Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughClint Black. Photo: Ari Lyon
Clint Black has extended his “Back On The Blacktop North American Tour” with a final 2026 leg in the spring.
The extended set of dates will kick off with a three-night run at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Feb. 12-14. In January, Clint will appear on the Ryman stage for a special Grand Ole Opry appearance, commemorating his 35th anniversary of induction. He returns to the venue after a sold-out three-night series of shows in 2024. Black will also visit Miami, Pensacola, Fort Worth, Tucson, Bakersfield and more through April 25.
Black has sold over 20 million records and had billions of streams, and earned more than a dozen Gold and Platinum awards in the U.S. and Canada. In 2023 Black received the ACM Honors Poets Award.
“Back On The Blacktop” Tour Dates:
02/12/2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
02/13/2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
02/14/2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
02/16/2026 – Miami, FL – Boots On The Water
02/17/2026 – Miami, FL – Boots On The Water
02/18/2026 – Miami, FL – Boots On The Water
02/19/2026 – Pensacola, FL – Saenger Theatre
02/20/2026 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre
02/21/2026 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino
02/26/2026 – Athens, GA – Classic Center
02/27/2026 – Macon, GA – Macon Auditorium
03/21/2026 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
03/22/2026 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Casino
03/26/2026 – Tucson, AZ – Linda Ronstadt Theatre
03/27/2026 – Prescott Valley, AZ – Findlay Toyota Center
03/28/2026 – Bakersfield, CA – Fox Theatre
03/29/2026 – Funner, CA – Harrah’s Resort Southern California
04/10/2026 – Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Casino
04/11/2026 – Salamanca, NY – Seneca Allegheny Casino
04/15/2026 – Dubuque, IA – Five Flags Center
04/16/2026 – Duluth, MN – Symphony Hall
04/17/2026 – Rochester, MN – Mayo Civic Center
04/18/2026 – Wisconsin Dells, WI – Crystal Grand Music Theatre
04/23/2026 – Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre
04/24/2026 – Reading, PA – Santander Theatre
04/25/2026 – Carteret, NJ – Carteret Performing Arts Center
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Reveals Full 25th Anniversary Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Jay Blakesberg
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has unveiled the full lineup for its silver anniversary in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Oct. 3-5.
Now in its 25th year, the free music festival will once again present a truly eclectic bill of performers spanning an array of genres, including Emmylou Harris, Jeff Tweedy, Margo Price, Hovvdy, Patty Griffin, The War And Treaty, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle & The Hardly Strictly Dukes, Albert Lee, Buddy Miller, The Felice Brothers, Lola Kirke, Maria Muldaur, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rodney Crowell, Rose City Band, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin and many more.
As a special way of marking HSB’s anniversary, the Haight Street Art Center will present The Big Twang! Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25, a special exhibition running through Oct. 12. Highlights of the exhibition include HSB founder Warren Hellman’s rhinestone jacket as well as his beloved banjo; key posters from HSB concerts over the years; the festival’s famous penny machine; and dozens of photos capturing faces in the crowd by documentary photographer and filmmaker Lizzy Myers.
HSB is also celebrating its anniversary with the release of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!, an expansive book of photography and essays capturing the sights and soul of the festival through the lenses of Jay Blakesberg and many other talented photographers.Featuring a heartfelt foreword by Emmylou Harris and an afterword by Steve Earle, the book also includes interviews and essays by Aidin Vaziri, Frances Dinkelspiel, Sylvie Simmons and Tricia Hellman Gibbs.
“For the first time in our history, we have decided to put together a book to share the memories we have made for the past 25 years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass,” says Avery Hellman, Creative Director of the book. “We spent months collecting our favorite photographs of performances and candid moments to share with our audience. This book really tells the story of our unique place in the world of live music; it is guaranteed to delight you, and revive any forgotten memories of HSB.”
As a companion to the exhibition, on Sept. 20, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will co-host a special book launch event with the Haight Street Art Center featuring live music by Yoseff Tucker to celebrate the publication of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!
HSB will kick off its landmark 25th anniversary weekend celebration this year with a very special sold-out festival eve benefit concert honoring Emmylou Harris – the only artist to perform at each and every edition of the much beloved San Francisco free music festival. Set for Oct. 2 at San Francisco, California’s The Masonic, “A Tribute to Emmylou Harris & 25 Years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass” will see the 14x Grammy-winner joined by some of her closest friends and collaborators including Allison Russell, Albert Lee, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle and other guests.
Bidding Opens For Opry & Julien’s Auctions ‘Live In London Fan Experience’
/by Lauryn SinkBidding is open now until Sept. 19 for the Grand Ole Opry’s “Live In London Fan Experience” auction hosted by Julien’s Auctions.
The highest bidder will receive two premium Grand Ole Opry tickets for the London show at the Royal Albert Hall on Sept. 26, an exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal experience, a private session on Sept. 22 to watch the Opry band rehearse and a commemorative “Opry at the Royal Albert Hall” poster, signed by the artists on the program. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Opry Trust.
“Grand Ole Opry: Live From London” is set for Sept. 26 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Special UK guest artists Mumford & Sons and Breabach are slated to appear alongside Opry members Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart. The show will be co-hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay and WSM Radio host Kelly Sutton.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Holds Top Spot On Streaming Charts
/by Lauryn SinkMorgan Wallen.
Morgan Wallen has maintained his spot atop the streaming charts this week, according to Luminate data. His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” remains at No. 1 on the songs chart with 13 million streams this week adding to its 324 million total, while his I’m The Problem record holds its top position on the albums chart with 98K in total consumption.
On the albums chart, Wallen holds the No. 2 spot with One Thing At A Time gaining 33K in total consumption and the No. 3 spot with Dangerous: The Double Album garnering 25K in total consumption. BigXThaPlug takes the No. 4 spot with I Hope You’re Happy garnering 23K in total consumption. Rounding out the albums chart is Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going with 21K in total consumption.
On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top four positions. “I Got Better” takes the No. 2 spot with 12 million streams this week. “I’m The Problem” and “Just In Case” come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively with 10 million streams each this week. At No. 5 this week is BigXThaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman’s “All The Way” with 8.6 million streams.
Country Radio Broadcasters Unveils 2025-2026 Board of Directors
/by Madison HahnenTownsquare Media’s Kurt Johnson has been re-elected as President alongside Country’s Radio Coach John Shomby returning as Vice President. The Center For Sales Strategy’s Matt Sunshine will serve as Secretary.
Returning third term board members include RJ Meacham (Curb Records), Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio & Media), Shomby and Sunshine. Newly elected board members who will serve for three years include Ashley Layfield (WFUS/Tampa), Jordan Pettit (Grand Ole Opry) and Stacy Waugh (Big Loud). One-year term members are Emily Cohen Belote (Amazon Music), Tim Foisset (Spotify), Damon Moberly (MCA) and Greg Strassell (Hubbard Radio).
Johnson, Beverlee Brannigan (Beverlee Brannigan LLC Creative Coaching), Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck), Justin Chase (Beasley), George Couri (Triple 8 Management), Mike Harris (MCA), Gator Harrison (iHeartCountry), Debra Herman (Apple), Steve Hodges (Hodges Entertainment), Clay Hunnicutt (Merch Traffic), Kenny Jay (Albright, O’Malley, Brenner), Jennifer Johnson (Riser House), Jon Loba (BMG), Mike McVay (McVay Media), Rod Phillips (iHeart Country), Tim Roberts (Audacy), Allison Warren (Cumulus) and Kristen Williams (WMN) are all continuing their terms on this year’s board.
“It’s a privilege to serve alongside this remarkable group of Country leaders,” says Johnson. “I’m deeply grateful for their time, talent and heart. Congratulations to our new board members—and a sincere thank you to those who’ve served for years. CRS thrives because of the dedication and passion this board brings to the format and the future.”
Drew Parker To Pursue Christian Country Artist Career
/by Madison HahnenDrew Parker. Photo: Jacob McKaig
Country hitmaker Drew Parker has revealed that he will switch lanes sonically to pursue a career as a Christian country artist.
Parker co-wrote the Luke Combs’ hits “Forever After All” and “Doin’ This,” Jake Owen’s “Homemade,” Blake Shelton’s “Stay Country or Die Tryin'” and has had several other major country artist cuts. He is also a Grammy and CMA Award nominee.
“For over a year and a half, I’ve felt a stirring I couldn’t shake; a whisper growing louder,” shared Parker in a video to his fans. “God was trying to get my attention, but I wasn’t ready to listen. Now, after 10 years of chasing country music, I’m stepping out. I’m not hanging up the hat. I’m just trading it in for a new one — a hat for Jesus.”
Parker joined The Church of Eleven22’s Pastor Joby Martin’s Deepen podcast to dive deeper into his decision to switch genres. Parker plans to release the first of his new music within the coming months.
Grand Ole Opry To Kick Off 100th ‘Rhinestone Milestone’ Birthday Month In October
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry is keeping the Opry 100 celebration party going all four weeks in October with a series of birthday shows, plaza parties, special fan activations, surprises and more.
The Opry’s 100th “Rhinestone Milestone” birthday month kicks off in a huge way throughout the first weekend in October featuring special Opry Birthday Plaza Parties on Oct. 3-5 and a milestone Opry 100 show celebrating 100 years of WSM, radio home of the Opry, on Oct. 5. Additionally, Opry Community Day will be held for all Tennessee residents on Oct. 5.
Performances throughout the month of October include Opry members Patty Loveless, Carrie Underwood, Jamey Johnson, Crystal Gayle, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Scotty McCreery, Vince Gill, Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers, Henry Cho, Bill Anderson, Steve Wariner, Gary Mule Deer, The Isaacs and more.
Unique “Rhinestone Milestone” birthday packages include a ticket to a Saturday Opry birthday show and access to the preshow Birthday Tailgate Party held in Studio A, where iconic TV shows like Hee-Haw, Nashville and CMT Crossroads were filmed. The tailgate will feature a live set from Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rhett Akins, a behind- the-scenes tour, birthday cake and an exclusive commemorative poster.
The Opry will welcome Steve Earle (Sept 17) and Kathy Mattea (Oct 11) as the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry family. On Nov. 28, the Opry will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Nov. 28, 1925 inaugural broadcast with an all-star Opry member show, with additional details to come.
ACM & Miranda Lambert Co-Host Wine & Country Experience At Hearst Castle
/by Lorie HollabaughACM Board members and former Chairpersons Randy Bernard and Ebie McFarland, Miranda Lambert, and ACM CEO Damon Whiteside gather following ACM Presents Wine & Country at the historic Hearst Castle. Photo: Steve Mekler/ACM
The Academy of Country Music co-hosted its first-ever “ACM Presents Wine & Country,” a one-of-a-kind event on Sept. 13 set against the backdrop of California’s historic Hearst Castle featuring a sold-out intimate concert by Miranda Lambert.
The food and wine-filled benefit raised over $420,000 for a coalition of causes including ACM Lifting Lives, Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation, the Hearst Cancer Resource Center and The Foundation at Hearst Castle, which helps preserve Hearst Castle for future generations.
“We’re so thrilled to have gone back to our California roots to celebrate country music and raise money for important charities in this beautiful, unique setting,” says Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “We’re grateful for this collaboration with the Hearst Ranch Winery, the Foundation at Hearst Castle, and the most-awarded artist in the Academy’s 60-year history, Miranda Lambert, benefiting such incredible non-profits: MuttNation Foundation, ACM Lifting Lives, the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, and The Foundation at Hearst Castle – each embodying compassion, creativity, and community.”
Vincent Mason Slates Debut Album, ‘There I Go,’ For November
/by Lorie HollabaughVincent Mason will release his debut album, There I Go, on Nov. 7 via Interscope/MCA Nashville/Music Soup. To mark the news, Mason has shared a deeply personal new track, “Days Are Numbered.”
The road-worn anthem captures the relentless grind of chasing a passion, and was written by Mason alongside Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon and Geoff Warburton. This album is a true coming-of-age soundtrack with Mason threading together moments of love, loss, and the fleeting joys that make it all worthwhile. Other writers contributing to the project include Devin Dawson, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird and more.
“I was always a kid who liked to be very still,” recalls Mason. “My favorite question growing up was always ‘When can we go home?’ I’ve really been that way my whole life. Last year I put out a song called “Hell is a Dance Floor” and since then I haven’t really been home at all. The album There I Go is me learning how to live on the road.
“‘Days Are Numbered’ captures the two sides of the album and the tension that lies in between,” he continues. “There’s the kid in me that wants to stay home, and the side of me that can’t get enough of being out on the road playing shows. I thank God every day that I have the life that I do, and I wouldn’t trade it. “There I Go” is the through line that captures all the moments of my life since it changed last year.”
This fall, Mason will join Jordan Davis on tour across the country, including The Greek in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall in New York and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.
There I Go Track List:
1. “There I Go” (Vincent Mason and Jack Hummel)
2. “Little Miss” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Ryan Beaver, Jared Keim)
3. “Sink or Swim” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jack Hummel, Devin Dawson)
4. “Damned If I Do” (Vincent Mason, Jacob Hackworth, Lauren Hungate)
5. “Old Flame” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “She Loves” Leaving (Vincent Mason, Geoff Warburton, Chris LaCorte)
7. “Anything Took Everything” (Vincent Mason, Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton)
8. “Sit With It” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Randy Montana, Jaxson Free)
9. “Painkiller” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird)
10. “American Spirit” (Vincent Mason, Abram Dean, Andy Albert, Zach Abend)
11. “Hell Is A Dancefloor” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel)
12. “Wish You Well” (Geoff Warburton, Jessie Jo Dillon, Blake Pendergrass, Chris LaCorte)
13. “Days Are Numbered” (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Geoff Warburton)
14. “Good Run” (worktape) (Vincent Mason)
Kenny Chesney To Celebrate Book Release With ‘Heart Life Music Tour’
/by Lauryn SinkKenny Chesney.
Kenny Chesney is celebrating the release of his book, Heart Life Music, with two book events and more to be announced soon. Chesney will return to East Tennessee State University on Nov. 1 before heading to Boston on Nov. 2. Chesney will be joined by two-time LA Press Club Music Critic and co-author Holly Gleason for the conversations.
“Having looked at my life in ways I never thought of,” shares Chesney. “I realized: I’ve always loved sports, music and the sea. But the idea I’d chase this dream came together in Johnson City, trying to learn Doc Watson picking from Jack Tottle, playing Quarterbacks and Chuckey’s, and going to Russia with East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass Band. For me, going back to East Tennessee State University where all of this began was the only way to kick this book tour off. Hopefully, someone in the audience who’s wondering about their own dream might find what they need to get serious about whatever it is they’re chasing. Whether the friends I made in the islands long before this journey kicked into gear, Ginny Brophy who welcomed a kid with nothing going on at WKLB, the crazy fun with Grace Potter, sailing and more with Ethel Kennedy around the Nantucket Sound, conversations with the Globe’s Steve Morse or Super Bowls with Robert Kraft and his organization, there’s been something about the people of New England that recognizes the kid from East Tennessee in me. I like to say, ‘They believe me,’ but I think it’s more they know the same grit and passion that’s driven me and my team all these years.
Tickets for both events will go on sale Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. ET.
“Heart Life Music Tour” Dates:
Saturday, November 1
Location: East Tennessee State University Martin Center for the Arts in the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
Time: 3:00pm
Bookseller: ETSU Bookstore
Sunday, November 2
Location: Back Bay Events Center
Time: 7:00pm
Bookseller: Harvard Book Store