Jeremy Lister Inks With Jody Williams Songs & Warner Chappell Music

Pictured (L-R, back row): Tenasie Courtright (JWS Director, Creative & A&R), Nina Fisher (JWS VP/GM), Sophie Hopkins (Warner Chappell Music Senior Director, Sync) and Jody Williams (JWS Founder and CEO) (L to R, front row): Jeremy Lister and Jonah Gordon (JWS Manager, Sync/A&R). Photo: Anna Norwood

Jeremy Lister has signed a global publishing deal with Jody Williams Songs and Warner Chappell Music.

A Nashville-based vocalist, songwriter and producer, Lister has built a strong track record of music placements across film, television and advertising. His work has been featured on shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Found and All American, as well as in campaigns for Jeep, Toyota, Google and T-Mobile.

Lister is also an accomplished recording artist, having performed with vocal group Street Corner Symphony and as a solo artist with Nashville songwriter collective Ten Out Of Tenn. He has most recently toured as a background vocalist for Post Malone. His solo releases and collaborations with Alison Krauss are among his career highlights. At Jody Williams Songs, Lister will serve as the company’s first dedicated sync writer while also writing for artists across multiple genres.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy to JWS,” shares Jonah Gordon, Jody Williams Songs Manager, Sync/A&R. “He embodies all of the talent and skill for JWS to excel in the sync area and beyond.”

“Jonah’s first signing at JWS is a perfect fit for us,” says Nina Fisher, Jody Williams Songs VP/GM. “Jeremy is a master of his craft, and we are excited to help him build the next chapters of his career.”

“I’ve known Jody for almost my entire 23 years in Nashville, and I’m honored to finally be working with him,” adds Lister. “I’m also thrilled to be back with my longtime sync wizard and pal Jonah Gordon from my Big Yellow Dog years. Over the last few months, I’ve gotten to know Nina, Tenasie [Courtright] and the rest of the JWS team, and I’ve been so impressed by how much time they pour into their writers, their warmth, and the family atmosphere there. I can’t wait to add something new to their already incredible catalog.”

JUST IN: CMA To Produce Two-Hour Live TV Special Honoring Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton.

The Country Music Association will honor Dolly Parton with a two-hour television special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. The event will air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on Oct. 21 from 8-10 p.m. CST. It will also be available the following day on Hulu.

The special will celebrate Parton’s life and career through live performances, archival footage and personal stories. It will highlight her work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur, as well as her lasting impact on generations of fans.

Robert Deaton is executive producer of the project. The special is being produced through a partnership between CMA and Belmont University and will be filmed live at Belmont’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “As the organization built to serve and celebrate country music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.” 

“Dolly gave Country Music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor,” adds Deaton. “My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music and the people who love her, so that this evening feels like the tribute my friend deserves.”  

The tribute is part of Belmont University’s ongoing work with Parton. Their partnership previously included the 2025 premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, along with the creation of DOLLY U. The educational program gave students opportunities to gain real-world experience in entertainment, media and other creative fields while working with professional artists, producers and industry leaders.

“Dolly Parton’s impact extends far beyond music. She represents creativity, generosity, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to lifting others up, qualities that have inspired generations and resonate deeply with Belmont’s mission,” shares Dr. Greg Jones, President of Belmont University. “It was an honor for Belmont to partner with Dolly through the launch of DOLLY U and the world premiere of her musical at the Fisher Center. Now, it is a privilege to welcome artists, friends and fans from around the world to celebrate her extraordinary life and legacy from this stage in Nashville, honoring a woman whose love for Tennessee was woven into everything she did.” 

CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of the proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides children with a free book each month in an effort to encourage a love of reading from an early age. Disney will also support the Imagination Library.

More information about the special, including the performers, ticket details and additional partners, will be shared in the coming weeks. Sign up for ticketing updates here.

Industry Ink: Mac McAnally, Joe Nichols, Bobby Bones, The Listening Room, More

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Hosts Musician Spotlight With Mac McAnally

Ben Ford and Mac McAnally. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Singer-songwriter Mac McAnally participated in a Musician Spotlight program at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sept. 13.

During Musician Spotlights, artists perform, share inside stories and discuss their creative process and technique. McAnally is a 10-time CMA Musician of the Year. Kenny Chesney has recorded two tracks from McAnally’s 1990 album, Simple Life including “Back Where I Come From” and “Down the Road,” a duet with McAnally. He also penned “All These Years” and “Thank God for You” for Sawyer Brown, “Old Flame” for Alabama and “Two Dozen Roses” for Shenandoah. He is also a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.

 

Joe Nichols Celebrates Triple Platinum Certification For ‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off’ At Billy Bob’s Texas

Mike Nash, Joe Nichols and Kendra Whitehead. Photo: Jessica Crans

Joe Nichols was recently surprised with a plaque celebrating the Triple Platinum certification of his No. 1 hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” at his show at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. The song has surpassed three million in sales, and rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Airplay Chart and the Radio & Records Country National Airplay Chart.

Nichols, whose catalogue recently surpassed three billion streams, continues to climb the charts with his latest single “Say La V,” which earned Nichols the biggest radio impact date of his career.

 

Bobby Bones, Dollar General & iHeartRadio Give Back To Mountain Pine School District

Bobby Bones reads to students during school visit.

Bobby Bones, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and iHeartRadio recently visited Bones’ hometown in Mountain Pine, Arkansas to give back to his former schools in the Mountain Pine School District during National Literacy Month in September. The event included a surprise $50,000 donation from Dollar General’s Reading Revolution program, which may be used to purchase books, technology programs, computers and education supplies or resources needed to advance literacy gains. Bobby Bones and iHeartRadio provided more than 700 free new books for students’ personal libraries. Additional donations included DG gift cards for supplies and materials for all teachers and staff from Dollar General as well as a copy of Bones’ children’s book, Stanley The Dog: The First Day of School for each elementary student and a copy of Bones’ bestselling motivational memoir, Fail Until You Don’t: Fight. Grind. Repeat for all Mountain Pine High School students.

“Growing up in Mountain Pine, books and education gave me the opportunity to believe bigger things were possible,” says Bones. “Every student deserves that same chance. Being able to come back home, put books into students hands and help invest in these schools means a lot. I’m grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and iHeartRadio for joining me in supporting the next generation of kids in Mountain Pine.”

 

The Listening Room Launches New Sunday Singin’ Faith-Based Series

The Listening Room is hosting a new monthly “Sunday Singin‘” series. The event is centered around sharing hymns and messages of faith. The first installment, hosted by Rebecca Lynn Howard, will feature Tommy Sims and Chuck Cannon on Sept. 27.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum To Showcase Photo Exhibit From Lawson Little

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled a new photo exhibit, “Grit and Glory: The Photography of Lawson Little,” featuring a selection of photos from Little’s career. The exhibit is free and will be open to the public until August 2027 in the museum’s first-floor gallery.

Mentored by a local street photographer while he was growing up, Little attended the Rhode Island School of Design and photographed musicians for commercial work in Southern California and Nashville. Highlights of photographs on display include Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess and staff of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville (1972), Roy Acuff performing a yo-yo trick onstage at the Ryman in Nashville (1972), Tammy Wynette backstage at the Ryman (1972), Dwight Yoakam at the Exit/In in Nashville (2000), Billy Joe Shaver on the floor of the Opry in Nashville (2001) and more.

 

Lee Newton Inks With Wildhorse Records

Photo: Courtesy of Wildhorse Records

Lee Newton has signed with Wildhorse Records. Lee is Josie Music Awards winner, an ISSA Entertainer of the Year and received the 2025 ISSA Song of the Year for “Meant To Be.”

“Lee is an incredibly talented artist with a genuine love for country music, and we are excited to work alongside her on select songs and upcoming projects,” says Brian Orr, Founder and CEO of Wildhorse Records. “This partnership brings together Lee’s unmistakable voice and talent with Wildhorse Records’ commitment to creating and promoting great country music. We believe this is the beginning of something special. Stay tuned! There’s much more to come!”

Sam Bush & Sierra Hull To Co-Host IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards In October

Sam Bush and Sierra Hull. Photo: Courtesy of IBMA

Sam Bush and Sierra Hull have been announced as the co-hosts for the upcoming 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Oct. 22 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga.

The event celebrates and honors outstanding achievement and pioneering effort in performance, recording, and contribution to the bluegrass genre. The awards are peer-voted by IBMA professional members including artists, musicians, industry professionals and broadcasters.

The Del McCoury Band, Sister Sadie, Authentic Unlimited, The Grascals, and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have also been announced as performers for the evening, in addition to performances from Bush and Hull. Byron Berline, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Barry Poss, and The Lost & Found will be formally inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during the ceremony.

The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be livestreamed, with details coming soon, and fans can purchase tickets here.

BMI Honors Sheryl Crow With 2026 Troubadour Award

2026 BMI Troubadour Sheryl Crow accepts the coveted award at BMI Nashville. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

BMI honored Sheryl Crow with the 2026 Troubadour Award last night (Sept. 14) during a private ceremony in Nashville.

Hosted by BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative Clay Bradley, Crow was presented with the Troubadour award and a Gibson J-45 guitar to commemorate her profound impact on the creative community.

Jason Isbell, Melissa Etheridge, Eric Church, Lauren Daigle, Chris Stapleton and Olivia Rodrigo each honored Crow with a performance of one of her hit tracks. Jeff Trott took the microphone to speak about their creative partnership that spans three decades. The Chicks, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Robert Earl Keen, John Oates, Peter Stroud and Jesse Wells each offered congratulations via video.

Crow has sold more than 50 million albums globally with multi-genre hits including “All I Wanna Do” and “If It Makes You Happy.” She has earned more No. 1 singles on the Billboard Triple A chart than any other female artist in history. Since affiliating with BMI in 1991, Crow has garnered prestigious accolades, including the 1997 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, 12 BMI Awards and eight BMI Million-Air awards.

She joins prior Troubadour Award recipients John Fogerty, Billy F Gibbons, John Hiatt, Robert Earl Keen, John Oates, John Prine and Lucinda Williams.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Sheryl Crow, BMI’s Mike Steinberg and BMI’s Mason Hunter. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

Olivia Rodrigo poses with Sheryl Crow at the ceremony at BMI Nashville. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

Eric Church performs acoustic rendition of “Leaving Las Vegas” at the 2026 BMI Troubadour Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

Lauren Daigle tributes Sheryl Crow with performance of “Everyday Is a Winding Road” at BMI Nashville. Photo: Ashley Wright

Luke Combs Notches 23rd Consecutive No. 1

Luke Combs. Photo: Robby Klein

Luke Combs has earned his 23rd consecutive No. 1 track with “Be By You.”

Written by Dan Alley, Sam Banks and Nick Walsh, the song extends Combs’ own record for the most consecutive No. 1 hits to start a career. It marks his 27th chart-topping single overall, including his collaborations with Post Malone, Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green and Jameson Rodgers.

The song sits at the top of the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart this week. Additionally, it is currently atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the fourth-consecutive week, tying the record for most songs to top the chart for four weeks this decade.

Combs recently earned three nominations at this year’s CMA Awards. He will continue the “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour” this spring.

Priscilla Block Kicks Off New Career Chapter As An Indie Artist

Priscilla Block

Priscilla Block has parted ways with her label, MCA, and decided to step out as an independent artist.

In a statement on Instagram Block said, “I knew this was a decision I needed to make, but when I say it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made in my career, I don’t say that lightly. I found myself at a crossroads. I could keep waiting and hoping things would change, or I could fully bet on myself, my music, and the people who have been betting on me since the beginning. Y’all know confidence hasn’t ever been something I’ve lacked. But if I’m being fully honest, somewhere along the way I started losing some of it.

“Eventually I had to ask myself…why am I waiting for somebody else to believe in something I already believe in? I leave this past chapter with nothing but love and gratitude for every person who raised their hand for me, fought for me, believed in me, and helped build this thing alongside me. I can walk away knowing I gave that chapter everything I had.”

Block released her debut album, Welcome to the Block Party in 2022, and garnered an ACM Award Nomination for New Female Artist of the Year, followed by another nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2022 CMT Awards. A deluxe edition of the album followed in 2023, as well as an EP, PB2 featuring the single “Good On You” and fan favorite “Hey Jack.” Her sophomore album for the label Things You Didn’t See, a 14-track project produced by David Garcia, came out in 2025. 

She first rose to popularity with the success of her Platinum track “Just About Over You,” which reached the top of iTunes All-Genre and Country charts less than 24 hours after being released.

Brandy Clark To Launch Her ‘Take Flight World Tour’ In January

Brandy Clark. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

Brandy Clark will kick off her new “Take Flight World Tour” beginning Jan. 22 in L.A.

The tour will include stops in Seattle, Boston, Charleston, New Braunfels, Philadelphia and more through May 2. Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale tomorrow, (Sept. 16), with general on-sale following this Friday, (Sept. 18) at brandyclarkmusic.com/tour.

Clark’s new song, “American Roots,” is also set to be released this Friday via Reprise Records, and draws inspiration from Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” celebrating America as a place of unity, and reflecting on shared experiences and connections. The new music arrives on the heels of Clark being named one of The New York Times’ “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters,” along with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

Brandy Clark Confirmed Tour Dates:
September 26—Sisters, OR—2026 Sisters Folk Festival
October 4—Simpsonville, SC—Fall Fest with Amy Grant & Mac McAnally
November 3—Basel, Switzerland—Baloise Session
January 22—Los Angeles, CA—The Bellwether
January 23—Monterey, CA—Golden State Theatre
January 24—Felton, CA—Felton Music Hall
January 28—Berkeley, CA—The Freight
January 29—Petaluma, CA—Mystic Theatre
January 30—Ukiah, CA—SPACE Theater
January 31—Eugene, OR—Hult Center For The Performing Arts – Soreng Theater
February 4—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
February 5—Seattle, WA—Neptune Theatre
February 6—Spokane, WA—Bing Crosby Theatre
March 18—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere
March 19—Philadelphia, PA—City Winery Philadelphia
March 20—Munhall, PA—Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
March 21—Boston, MA—City Winery Boston
March 23—Hartford, CT—Infinity Hall
March 25—Old Saybrook, CT—The Kate (The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center)
March 26—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
March 27—Portsmouth, NH—The Music Hall
April 2—Asheville, NC—The Orange Peel
April 3—Charleston, SC—Music Farm
April 4—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre
April 8—Newark, OH—The Midland Theatre
April 9—Wabash, IN—Eagles Theatre*
April 10—West Bend, WI—The Bend Theatre
April 11—Chicago, IL—City Winery
April 30—Cedar Park, TX—The Haute Spot
May 1—Arlington, TX—Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
May 2—New Braunfels, TX—Brauntex Theatre

*Pre-sale September 29, on-sale October 2 at 10:00am local

Kenny Chesney Returns To Stadiums In 2027 On ‘Original Vibe Room Tour’

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Allister Ann

Kenny Chesney will hit the road next year on the “Original Vibe Room Tour 2027.”

The 19-date run kicks off April 24 for his eighth appearance at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium with stops planned for Arlington, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte and more. Special guests include Eric Church, Sheryl Crow and Greylan James.

“When we started to talk about touring next year, all I could think about was how good those stadiums feel… how loud, how fast, how much energy comes hurling at us,” Chesney says of the decision to do an all-stadium tour. “I don’t think I knew how much I missed it. And when it hit me, as well as watching comments on Instagram and Facebook, I realized: we should make next year be all about the stadiums. So, we did.

Fans can register here for early access to tickets. Additional ticket information can be found here.

The tour follows Chesney’s Las Vegas Sphere residency, which lasted two years and sold nearly 400,000 tickets.

The Original Vibe Room Tour 2027 Dates:
April 24 – Tampa, Florida || Raymond James Stadium
May 1 – Greenville, North Carolina || Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
May 8 – Arlington, Texas || AT&T Stadium
May 15 – St. Louis, Missouri || The Dome at America’s Center
May 22 – Minneapolis, Minnesota || U.S. Bank Stadium
May 29 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania || Acrisure Stadium
June 5 – Ames, Iowa || Jack Trice Stadium
June 12 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania || Lincoln Financial Field
June 19 – Buffalo, New York || Highmark Stadium
June 26 – Chicago, Illinois || Soldier Field
July 3 – Nashville, Tennessee || Nissan Stadium
July 10 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin || American Family Field
July 17 – Denver, Colorado || Empower Field at Mile High
July 24 – Kansas City, Missouri || Arrowhead Stadium
July 31 – Atlanta, Georgia || Mercedes Benz Stadium
August 7 – East Rutherford, New Jersey || MetLife Stadium
August 14 – Detroit, Michigan || Ford Field
August 21 – Charlotte, North Carolina || Bank of America Stadium
August 28 – Foxborough, Massachusetts || Gillette Stadium

Treaty Oak Revival Plot Extreme Rodeo In Tulsa

Treaty Oak Revival. Photo: Paige Williams

Treaty Oak Revival is gearing up for the Extreme Rodeo competition coming to Tulsa on Nov. 21.

The event will pair live music and top-tier rodeo competition, featuring bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding, and Treaty Oak Revival will headline the evening with a live performance, with additional acts to be announced at a later date.

Pre-sales begin this Thursday (Sept. 17) with general on-sale beginning Friday (Sept. 18).

The Extreme Rodeo lineup features some of the sport’s top athletes, including 2x World Champion Fallon Taylor in barrel racing, World Champion Jesse Pope in bareback riding, World Champion Statler Wright in saddle bronc riding, and World Champion and 5x NFR qualifier Josh Frost in bull riding.

The second leg of the band’s “West Texas Degenerate Tour” continues through November with upcoming stops in Charlotte,  Austin, Cincinnati, Houston, and more.