The late JJ Cale will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Oct. 6 at the organization’s 55th Anniversary gala at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Cale was elected in NaSHOF’s Legacy category, designed specifically to honor hall of fame-worthy candidates who are deceased. He will be inducted posthumously along with the previously announced members of the Class of 2025: Steve Bogard, Don Cook, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale, Tony Martin and Brad Paisley. The seven new electees will join the 247 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

Famed for his bluesy, rootsy, laid-back style, Oklahoma native JJ Cale moved to Nashville in 1959 and found work as a guitarist with touring Grand Ole Opry troupes. After stints in Los Angeles and Tulsa, Cale returned to Music City in 1970 to record his debut album. In 1972, he built his own studio in Nashville, where he continued to record and live part-time throughout the ’70s and early ’80s.  Both Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler have acknowledged JJ’s influence as a guitarist, with Clapton making international hits of Cale’s “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.”

Over the years Cale’s various albums have yielded “Crazy Mama” (a pop hit in 1972), “Call Me The Breeze” (turned into a Rock standard by Lynyrd Skynyrd),“Clyde” (a Top 10 country hit for Waylon Jennings in 1980), “Any Way The Wind Blows” (Brother Phelps in 1995) and “The Sensitive Kind” (Santana in 1981), as well as the oft-covered “I Got The Same Old Blues,” “Magnolia,” and “Travelin’ Light.” As an artist, Cale released 16 albums, including the Grammy-winning collaboration with Clapton, The Road to Escondido (2006).  In 2014, after Cale’s death, Clapton released the tribute album The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale.

“We are thrilled to have JJ Cale join this year’s class,” says chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s board of directors Rich Hallworth.  “With classics such as “After Midnight,” “Cocaine” and “Call Me The Breeze,” JJ’s work as both a songwriter and an artist will be remembered always.  He is richly deserving of our ultimate recognition.”

CMHOFM Hosts Panel Discussion With Lainey Wilson & Collaborators on Style and Branding

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a panel discussion with Lainey Wilson and two of her main creative collaborators, CeCe Dawson and Raina Gir, over the weekend. The program explored how Wilson’s style and branding have evolved as her profile has grown. The program was offered in support of the museum’s exhibition Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails. The exhibit will run until June 2026.

 

Inaugural Louisiana Grandstand Artist Ambassador Program Taps Jordan Davis & Kix Brooks

The inaugural Louisiana Grandstand Artist Ambassador Program has tapped Shreveport natives Jordan Davis and Kix Brooks as its 2025 mentors. Launched this past August, the program will pair one established talent mentor with one rising local artist mentee for one calendar year. Mentees will be chosen by a board of advisors of music industry professionals.

“I’m honored to be part of the Louisiana Grandstand Ambassador Program’s inaugural year, and proud to play a part in ushering in the next generation of musical talent from my home state,” says Davis.

“I, more than most, understand the importance that local venues like The Louisiana Grandstand have in supporting homegrown talent. As a Bossier/Shreveport native, I’m honored to join fellow native Jordan Davis in the first year of the Artist Ambassador Program,” adds Brooks.

 

Bryan Sutton Partners With Mountain Home, Readies ‘From Roots To Branches’

Bryan Sutton is set to release his first recordings in nearly a decade, From Roots to Branches, via Mountain Home Music Company. The new series of duets features Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Jake Workman, Chris Eldridge, Cody Kilby, Trey Hensley, Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson and Tony Rice.

“It’s been fun to dive back into this idea of who I wanted to record with, what we would record, how we would do it,” Sutton shares.

 

The Women Of Country To Celebrate 10th Anniversary At 3rd & Lindsley

The Women of Country will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sept. 18 3rd & Lindsley. The show will be hosted by founder Nicole Marchesi and iHeartRadio’s Brooke Taylor, and feature Alli Walker, Kaylee Rose, Jenna Davis, Sophia Scott, Hailey Verhaalen, Jacquie Roar, Sarah Morey and Tezza.

“When I started The Women of Country in 2015, I never imagined the impact it would have. 10 years later, I’m filled with gratitude for the support we’ve received and the incredible community of women who continue to break barriers in country music,” shares Marchesi, Founder of The Women of Country.

Tickets are available now. 

 

Pedigree Foundation To Host Annual ‘Dogtober’ Writers Round

The Pedigree Foundation will host its annual “Dogtober” Writers Round on Oct. 1 at 3rd & Lindsley. Sponsored by Hillman Group and Pinnacle Financial Partners, the event will be emceed by Danielle Breezy (WKRN’s Chief Meteorologist) and Joe Breezy (Mix 92.9) and feature hit songwriters Jamie O’Neal, Jamie Floyd and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

All proceeds will benefit Pedigree Foundation’s disaster relief efforts. Tickets are available now.

“We’re proud to host our annual Dogtober Writers Round once again this year,” said Deb Fair, Executive Director of Pedigree Foundation. “This event is more than a night of music – it’s a lifeline for pets in need. Through the support this event generates, Pedigree Foundation Disaster Relief Grants give shelters and rescues the ability to mobilize quickly with food, medical care and safe shelter for dogs impacted by disasters. Acting fast is what saves lives when every moment counts.”

 

Soundstripe Adds Jelena Grozdanich As Sync Director

Soundstripe has added Jelena Grozdanich as its Sync Director.

“Soundstripe is building one of the most inspiring music libraries by empowering independent artists and fueling authentic storytelling across all visual media,” Grozdanich says. “I’m excited to champion a community where real artistry drives creative opportunities and helps musicians thrive.”

Over the course of her career, Grozdanich has worked with a wide range of artists including Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, Hozier, Tyler, The Creator and Miley Cyrus. She has placed music in TV shows (The Bear, Love Island, Euphoria, and Ted Lasso), films (John Wick: Chapter 4), video games (Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto), as well as advertisements and promos (Apple TV+, HBO Max, ESPN, and TikTok).

Lauren Watkins will release her sophomore album, In A Perfect World, on Oct. 10 via Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters.

The 10 track project will feature stories of Watkins balancing life between touring and quiet nights at home with her husband. The album features already released tracks “I’ll Get Through It,” “Marlboro Man,” “Average Joe and Plain Jane” and “Lose My Cool,” with the final pre-release “Slippery Slope” feat. John Morgan dropping Sept. 19.

“I am so beyond proud of this music,” shares Watkins. “I’ve lived so much life in the past couple years, from playing shows all over the world and spending half of my time on the road, to building a sweet little life in a farmhouse with my husband. It’s made me appreciate so many parts of all of it. I’ve started embracing the simple things just as much as the chaos. And that’s what inspired these 10 songs. It paints a good picture of what my world looks like these days, but I really hope people can see their own world within it too.”

The project was produced by Watkin’s husband Will Bundy, with additional co-production from Joey Moi. Watkins co-penned all 10 tracks on the collection, with additional writing credits from Trannie Anderson, Rodney Clawson, Natalie Hemby, Mark Trussell and more.

In A Perfect World Track List:
1. “In A Perfect World” (Lauren Watkins, Mia Mantia, Caroline Watkins)
2. “Love Is Tough” (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Mark Trussell, Lydia Vaughan)
3. “I’ll Get Through It” (Lauren Watkins, Trannie Anderson, Will Bundy)
4. “Marlboro Man” (Lauren Watkins, Natalie Hemby, Jeremy Spillman)
5. “Slippery Slope (feat. John Morgan)” (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Mark Trussell, Lydia Vaughan)
6. “Average Joe and Plain Jane” (Lauren Watkins, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird, Caroline Watkins)
7. “Britches” (Lauren Watkins, Trannie Anderson, Will Bundy, Mia Mantia)
8. “Lose My Cool” (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
9. “I Was Fine Before I Met You” (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird)
10. “Pretty Please” (Lauren Watkins, Lauren Hungate, Luke Laird)

The Nashville Film Festival has announced the addition of the new “Widelitz Music In Film Award” in honor of longtime NashFilm supporter and former board member Stacy Widelitz.

NashFilm’s inaugural Widelitz Music In Film Award at the 56th Nashville Film Festival celebrates the power of music in film in honor of songwriter and composer Widelitz. The award recognizes outstanding music in film that elevates storytelling through unforgettable sounds, melodies and emotion, and spotlights the artists whose original music brings heart, soul and resonance to the big screen.

Over the course of his career, Widelitz composed music for feature films and more than 20 made-for-TV movies, and was nominated for an Emmy for his work on ABC’s World of Discovery. His song, “She’s Like the Wind,” co-written with his friend Patrick Swayze for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1988, driving the success of the film’s soundtrack. Widelitz passed away on June 17, 2025.

The Widelitz Music In Film Award has been added to the competitive jury-determined categories for the 56th Nashville Film Festival and the winner will be announced at the official awards ceremony, taking place Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Nashville Hilton Green Hills.

Warner Chappell Music singer-songwriter Schmitty has signed with The Neal Agency (TNA) for booking. The news comes ahead of the release of his debut six-song EP, Office With A View, available on Friday (Sept. 12).

“I couldn’t think of a better home for my booking than The Neal Agency. Jake [Moore], Ryan [Beuschel], and the team feel like family and share the same values I grew up with back home in the Midwest,” shares Schmitty. “With a roster that looks like my playlist and a winning culture all around, it’s a dream come true. Let’s get to work!”

TNA agent Jake Moore adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Schmitty to our roster. His mix of raw talent and storytelling instantly stood out.”

Office With A View finds Schmitty blending his wild child spirit and the down-home morals that shaped him during his years growing up and working on his family farm in Washburn, North Dakota. Inspired early on by stories of his paternal grandpa’s Hall of Fame barbershop quartet, The Schmitt Brothers, he was taught his first guitar chords at 13 by a bluegrass-picking neighbor.

Now, as a music-maker in Nashville, Schmitty’s heartfelt lyrics and candid honesty have elevated his social media presence, leading to his discovery. He has begun to build a fanbase with previously-released songs like “Cadillac,” “This Side of the Porchlight” and debut album title track “Office With A View.”

Schmitty is represented by Warner Chappell’s Jessi Stevenson for publishing and Fusion Music’s Dylan McGraw and Daniel Miller for management. Office With A View will be distributed by Cmd Shft.