Luke Combs Enters Top 20 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Robby Klein

Luke Combs has entered the top 20 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. His own “Back In The Saddle” alongside his collaboration with BigXthaPlug “Pray Hard” push the singer-songwriter into No. 18 this week.

Charlie Handsome sits at No. 1 for the 15th consecutive week with “Don’t We,” “Hell At Night,” “Holy Water,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I’m The Problem,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN” and “What I Want.” Blake Pendergrass moves up to No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “Don’t We,” “Heart Of Stone,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman” and “Wish You Well.”

Chase McGill (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and John Byron (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.

Brantley Gilbert Releases New Track From Upcoming ‘Greatest Hits…So Far’ Project

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Brantley Gilbert has a released a new single with a clever twist on heartbreak, “Want You Back,” out now via The Valory Music Co.

Written by Gilbert with Hardy, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly, the track appears on Brantley’s Greatest Hits…So Far, due out Dec. 12, and finds Gilbert wishing his ex had done him dirty so he’d have a reason to move on. The upcoming album also includes previously unreleased songs “Real American” and “Ride With Me,” as well as fan favorites like “Country Must Be Country Wide,” “Bottoms Up,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” and many more.

YouTube video

Throughout the course of his career, Gilbert has racked up more than 8.3 billion streams, and boasts back-to-back Platinum albums and seven No. 1s including the 7x Platinum “Bottoms Up;” double-Platinum “Country Must Be Country Wide;” double-Platinum “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do;” double-Platinum “One Hell of An Amen;” and the Platinum “What Happens In A Small Town” with Lindsay Ell.

The hitmaker is currently in the midst of his “The Tattoos Tour,” which continues this weekend with shows in Allen, Texas and Kinder, Louisiana, and upcoming dates in Franklin, Tennessee, and Colorado Springs, among others.

Greatest Hits…So Far Tracklisting:
1. “Country Must Be Country Wide”
2. “My Kinda Party”
3. “Dirt Road Anthem (Revisited)”
4. “My Kind of Crazy”
5. “Hell On Wheels”
6. “Kick It In The Sticks”
7. “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”
8. “More Than Miles”
9. “Bottoms Up”
10. “One Hell Of An Amen”
11. “Small Town Throwdown”
12. “Want You Back”
13. “The Ones That Like Me”
14. “What Happens In A Small Town” (featuring Lindsay Ell)
15. “The Weekend”
16. “Welcome to Hazeville” (featuring Colt Ford, Lukas Nelson and Willie Nelson)
17. “Read Me My Rights”
18. “Tattoos”
19. “Over When We’re Sober” (with Ashley Cooke)
20. “Real American”
21. “Ride With Me”
22. “Fire’t Up”
23. “Rolex On A Redneck”
24. “Son of the Dirty South”

Tanner Davenport Establishes Front Doors Management

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Tanner Davenport

Tanner Davenport has launched Front Doors Management, a new artist management company dedicated to developing and amplifying emerging talent in country, indie rock and Americana music. Its mission is rooted in fostering equity, representation and authentic storytelling, and will be committed to dedicating their services for artists whose voices have historically been underrepresented.

“Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the right support and representation can have on an artist’s journey, and launching Front Doors Management marks the beginning of what I hope will be a life-long shift within our industry,” says Davenport. “We are witnessing a concerning decrease in representation for Female, Black, Latinx, and LGBTQIA+ communities within country music and its adjacent sub-genres, and I believe now is the time to create a space where these artists are truly prioritized. I am eager to welcome and support new clients through Front Doors Management.”

Davenport will continue his role as Co-Director of the Black Opry alongside the new company, as well as continue to be a part of Joy Oladakun’s management team. He is also currently apart of mtheory’s Equal Access cohort where he has gained the skills to launch Front Doors.

“Tanner has a deep passion for lifting up folks that often get ignored, and embodies the type of artist advocate we know country music needs,” adds Tiffany Provenzano, Executive Director, mtheory’s Equal Access. “His voice is a powerful force for good in this industry, and we are excited to see this new phase of his business develop”

Interested artists and partners can reach Davenport here.

BREAKING: Nominees Revealed For 59th Annual CMA Awards

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The Country Music Association has announced nominees for the 59th annual CMA Awards.

Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson lead the pack with six nominations each, while other top nominees include Zach Top with five nominations, and Riley Green and Cody Johnson with four nominations each. Kristian Bush, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen each secure three nominations. Wilson, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton and Wallen garnered a nomination for the night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year.

First-time CMA Awards nominees include Johnny Clawson, Jon Decious, Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Dorr, Alexandra Gavillet, Lalo Guzman, Jimmy Harnen, Brandon Lake, Micah Nichols, John Park, Aaron Raitiere, Matt Rovey, Kyle Sturrock, Wales Toney, Tucker Wetmore and Stephen Wilson Jr.

The 59th Annual CMA Awards broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC and next day on Hulu.

“Each year, the CMA Awards shine a light on the creativity, passion and dedication of our community,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The nominees announced today represent some of the most impactful work happening across Country Music, and we are deeply appreciative of our voting members for lending their time and expertise to this process. Their commitment helps ensure the CMA Awards remain a true reflection of the genre’s excellence. On behalf of CMA, congratulations to all of this year’s nominees.”

Winners will be determined in a Final Round of voting by eligible CMA Professional voting members. The third and Final Ballot will be emailed on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Wednesday, Oct. 29 (6:00 PM/CT).

The CMA Broadcast Award finalists were also announced today. Winners will be determined by a Final Round of judging this month. Entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. The winners will be revealed in October and recipients will be celebrated at the CMA Awards.

The 59th Annual CMA Awards Final Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
– Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
– Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
– Producer: Kristian Bush
– Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
– Producer: Carson Chamberlain
– Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
– Producer: Will Bundy
– Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
– Producer: Kristian Bush
– Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
– Producer: Carson Chamberlain
– Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
– Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
– Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
– Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
– Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”
– Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”
– Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”
– Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas”
– Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me”
– Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
– Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
– Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
– Producer: Trent Willmon
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)
– Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
– Producer: Kristian Bush

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
– Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
– Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
– Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
– Director: Running Bear
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
– Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.

2025 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists For Broadcast Personality Of The Year (by market size):

WEEKLY NATIONAL:
“Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – LH Productions
“The Country Top 40 with Fitz” (Cory “Fitz” Fitzner) – Hubbard Broadcasting
“The Original Country Gold” (Rowdy Yates) – Syndicated Media
“Today’s Country Radio” (Kelleigh Bannen) – Apple Music Radio
“Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton” (Kelly Sutton) – Compass Media Group

DAILY NATIONAL:
“Big D & Bubba” (“Big D” Derek Haskins, “Bubba” Sean Powell, Carsen Humphreville, Jonathan Shaffer, and Garrett Freche) – Silverfish Media
“Highway Mornings with Cody Alan” (Cody Alan and Lauryn Snapp) – SiriusXM
“Ridin’ With Rowdy” (Rowdy Yates) – SuiteRadio / RFC Media
“The Rob and Holly Show” (Rob Stone and Holly Hutton) – Audacy
“Wilhite and Wall Show” (Darren Wilhite and Tim Wall) – Ebert Productions

MAJOR MARKET:
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, and “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Hawkeye and Michelle” (“Hawkeye” Mark Louis Rybczyk and Michelle Rodriguez) – KSCS, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
“The Lo Show” (Lauren “Lo” Barker) – KKBQ, Houston, Texas
“Rachel Ryan” (Rachel Ryan) – KSCS, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
“The Scotty Kay Show” (Scotty Kay) – WUSN, Chicago, Ill.

LARGE MARKET:
“Deb & Matt in the Morning” (Deborah Honeycutt and Matt Malone) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
“The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“Scott and Shannen” (Scott Dolphin and “Shannen O” Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee, Wis.
“Tim & Chelsea” (Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor) – WIRK, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
“Wayne D and Tay” (“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton) – WSIX, Nashville, Tenn.

MEDIUM MARKET:
“The Doc Show with Chewy” (Ken “Doc” Medek and Sean “Chewy” Medek) – WGGY, Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pa.
“Ellis and Bradley Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
“Joey & Nancy” (Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, and Karly Duggan) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
“Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Spencer Graves Show” (Spencer Graves, Megan Terry, and Blair Davis) – WDXB, Birmingham, Ala.

SMALL MARKET:
“Ben & Arnie” (Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.
“Brent Lane and The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Jordan Glass) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
“Dan Austin Show” (Dan Austin) – WQHK, Fort Wayne, Ind.
“Hilley & Hart” (Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart) – KATI, Columbia, Mo.
“Liz & Scotty in the Morning” (Liz Del Grosso and Scotty Cox) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.

2025 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists For Radio Station Of The Year (by market size):

MAJOR MARKET:
KKBQ – Houston, Texas
KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
KYGO – Denver-Boulder, Colo.
WUSN – Chicago, Ill.
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.

LARGE MARKET:
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WSIX – Nashville, Tenn.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

MEDIUM MARKET:
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
WLFP – Memphis, Tenn.
WQMX – Akron, Ohio

SMALL MARKET:
KATI – Columbia, Mo.
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.

NMPA Elects New Board Chair & Vice Chair

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Ralph Peer II and Golnar Khosrowshahi

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has elected peermusic Executive Chair Ralph Peer II to Chair of its Board of Directors. Golnar Khosrowshahi, Founder and CEO of Reservoir, has been elected Vice Chair. The election followed the retirement of former Board Chairman Irwin Z. Robinson.

Peer has served on the NMPA Board for 54 years. As an executive, he has become one of the most accomplished and respected figures in music publishing history. Under his leadership, peermusic has developed a global network of music publishing companies operating from 39 offices in 32 countries. With well over a million titles owned or administered, he directs the largest privately owned music publishing company of its kind in the world.

A lifelong advocate for the protection and crediting of copyright and lyric rights, Peer has been involved in every issue facing the music publishing industry over the past 50 years. He was the first music publisher to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from the NMPA, as well as the Music Publishers Association (MPA). He was the inaugural recipient of the ICMP Award for outstanding contribution to global music publishing; a previous recipient of the Music Publishers Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame; and was previously honored as Music Maker of the Year at MIDEM.

In 2018, Peer received France’s top cultural honor “Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres,” recognizing his outstanding contributions to the arts in France and around the world.

Now serving as Vice Chair, Khosrowshahi has been an asset to the NMPA Board for over a decade. As Founder and CEO of Reservoir, she has built an award-winning independent music company headquartered in New York City with operations in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai.

Established in 2007, Reservoir is the first female-founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the U.S. Golnar is consistently named a Billboard Power Player, and in 2022, she was recognized as Billboard‘s Women in Music Executive of the Year and subsequently joined the Hall of Fame. She was honored as Music Week’s International Woman of the Year in 2023 and was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People In Business, Forbes’ 50 Over 50, Inc.’s Female Founders 250 and Variety’s New Power of New York and Power of Women lists. Reservoir has twice been awarded both Publisher of the Year at Music Business Worldwide’s The A&R Awards and Independent Publisher of the Year at the Music Week Awards.

Khosrowshahi also sits on the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation Board of Directors and served as Board Chair of Yo-Yo Ma’s musical collective, Silkroad. In 2022, she was elected to the Board of Directors for the New York Philharmonic.

Charlie Daniels Band Albums Available Digitally For The First Time

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Three albums from The Charlie Daniels Band are now available digitally for the first time. Country Stars N’ Stripes, Scioto County Fair LIVE 2005 and Live From Gilley’s have been released via Blue Hat Records.

“Blue Hat is thrilled to re-introduce these classic titles to the digital marketplace for the first time,” says Blue Hat partner Bob Frank. “Deluxe remastered physical will follow in 2026.”

Country Stars N’ Stripes was originally released in 2005 as a Cracker Barrel exclusive. The album contains twelve tracks including “In America,” “This Ain’t No Rag, It’s A Flag,” “The South’s Gonna Do It (Again)” and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

Scioto County Fair LIVE 2005 was originally recorded live by the CDB in Lucasville, Ohio in August of 2005. The 16-track album includes many fan favorites.

The CDB’s Live From Gilley’s was recorded earlier in Daniels’ career at the world’s largest honky tonk.

Country Stars N’ Stripes Track Listing:
1. “Star Spangled Banner”
2. “In America”
3. “This Ain’t No Rag, It’s A Flag”
4. “The Intimidator”
5. “God Bless The Mother”
6. “My Beautiful America”
7. “How Great Thou Art”
8. “Little Folks”
9. “Last Fallen Hero”
10. “America, I Believe In You”
11. “The South’s Gonna Do It (Again)”
12. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”

Scioto County Fair LIVE 2005 Track Listing:
1. “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye”
2. “El Toreador”
3. “The Legend of Wooley Swamp”
4. “Intro/TV Voodoo”
5. “The Intimidator”
6. “In America”
7. “Opposites Attract”
8. “Floreeda Road”
9. “Simple Man”
10. “Long Haired Country Boy”
11. “Preachin’ Prayin’ Singin'”
12. “Heart Of My Heart”
13. “Band Intro”
14. “William Tell Overture”
15. “Orange Blossom Special – Star Spangled Banner”
16. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”

Live From Gilley’s Track Listing:
1. “Love Pourin’ Out Of Me”
2. “The South’s Gonna Do It (Again)”
3. “What’d I Say”
4. “Can’t You See”
5. “Uneasy Rider”
6. “Class Of ’63”
7. “In America”
8. “Long Haired Country Boy”
9. “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye”
10. “Dixie On My Mind”
11. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”

LOCASH’s Second Annual Golf Bash In Hilton Head Set For Sept. 18

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LOCASH. Photo: Josh Beech

LOCASH is hosting its second annual Golf Bash at The Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina on Sept. 18.

The duo will launch the pairings party for the event on Sept. 17 with a private show at Atlantic Dunes golf course. Tickets and various sponsorship spots are still available for a limited time, and proceeds from the event will support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. LOCASH will also donate a portion of the funds raised to benefit The Sea Pines Resort Community Fund, which helps local charities and community efforts throughout the Lowcountry and beyond.

“We are trying to make The Sea Pines Resort have THE celebrity golf tournament of the East Coast,” says LOCASH. “The ‘Lowcountry’ is one of the most beautiful parts of the world. We love the area, and the folks there top it all off with incredible hospitality. The support and growth we’ve seen for the tournament is showing that the sky is the limit. It’s a chance for people to have a really special experience and to just relax and enjoy with likeminded people. Anytime we break out golf clubs and guitars, it’s the perfect mix of songs, stories, and good times.”

Locash will also headline the third annual Hilton Head Island Jam on Sept. 20 at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Founded by longtime industry exec David Preston, the festival runs Sept. 18-21 and features a lineup that includes Jeffrey Steele, Earl Bud Lee, Deborah Allen, Justin Wilson, George Ducas, Tucker Beathard and more.

Megan Moroney Takes Home Inaugural Best Country Award At VMAs

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Megan Moroney performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV

Megan Moroney represented Nashville at the Video Music Awards (VMAs) last night (Sept. 7) in New York, taking home the first-ever Best Country award for her No. 1 hit “Am I Okay?” Moroney also took the Extended Play stage to perform her current single “6 Months Later.”

Bailey Zimmerman performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV

UBS Arena also welcomed Bailey Zimmerman on their Extended Play Stage to perform his duet with the Kid LAROI “Lost.” Jelly Roll and Post Malone were also showcased during the ceremony, performing their duet “Losers” streamed from their show in Hanover, Germany. Additional show performers included Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Lady Gaga, Lola Young, Mariah Carey, Tate McRae, Ricky Martin, Nuno Bettencourt, Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry and YUNGBLUD.

The big winners of the night included Ariana Grande taking home Video of the Year for “brighter days ahead,” Lady Gaga nabbing Artist of the Year, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars honored with Song of the Year for “APT.,” Alex Warren winning Best New Artist, KATSEYE taking home MTV Push Performance of the Year for “Touch,” and Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars gaining the trophy for “Die With A Smile.” Sabrina Carpenter also collected the big awards for Best Pop Artist and Best Album for Short n’ Sweet.

There were also three special honors given out throughout the night, with Mariah Carey receiving the Video Vanguard, Busta Rhymes collecting the MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award, and Ricky Martin honored with the Latin Icon Award.

See below for a full list of winners of the 2025 Video Music Awards.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR, Presented by Burger King®
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lady Gaga – Interscope Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.” – Atlantic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Alex Warren – Atlantic Records

BEST POP ARTIST
Sabrina Carpenter – Island

MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, presented by BACARDÍ® Rum
KATSEYE – “Touch” – HYBE/Geffen Records (Jan 2025)

BEST COLLABORATION, presented by Under Armour
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With A Smile” – Interscope Records

BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Record

BEST HIP-HOP
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

BEST R&B
Mariah Carey – “Type Dangerous” – gamma.

BEST ALTERNATIVE
sombr – “back to friends” – SMB Music/Warner Records

BEST ROCK
Coldplay – “ALL MY LOVE” – Atlantic Records

BEST LATIN
Shakira – “Soltera“ – Sony Music US Latin

BEST AFROBEATS
Tyla – “PUSH 2 START” – FAX Records/Epic Records

BEST K-POP
LISA ft. Doja Cat & RAYE – “Born Again” – Lloud Co./RCA Records

BEST COUNTRY
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?” – Columbia Records

BEST ALBUM
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – Island

BEST LONG FORM VIDEO
Ariana Grande – “brighter days ahead” – Republic Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD
Charli xcx – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records

BEST DIRECTION
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang/Interscope Records

BEST EDITING
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Doechii – “Anxiety” – Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” – Island

BEST ART DIRECTION
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” – Interscope Records

SOCIAL CATEGORIES:
BEST GROUP
BLACKPINK

SONG OF THE SUMMER
Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching (From F1® The Movie)” – Atlantic Records

SPECIAL AWARDS:
VIDEO VANGUARD
Mariah Carey

MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award
Busta Rhymes

LATIN ICON AWARD
Ricky Martin

Garth Brooks To Kick Off Summerfest 2026

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Garth Brooks. Photo: Blue Rose, Inc

Garth Brooks has been announced as the headliner for Summerfest in Milwaukee at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in June.

The June 17 show will kick off the festival and marks Brooks’ first-ever performance at Summerfest and his first show in Milwaukee in over a decade. Before the show, concert goers are invited to join the Official Summerfest Garth Brooks Pre-Party inside the South Gate of Henry Maier Festival Park, with live entertainment, food, beverages, specialty cocktails and more. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Garth Brooks to Summerfest and cannot imagine a better way to kick off the festival in 2026,” says Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.  “This show is not to be missed.  We’ve seen countless iconic performances over nearly six decades, and this promises to be one of the most memorable yet!”

Tickets will go on sale this Friday (Sept. 12) at Summerfest.com, on Ticketmaster or in person at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Each ticket purchased will also include complimentary admission to Summerfest 2026, valid on any day of the festival.

Bailey Zimmerman To Launch ‘Different Night Same Rodeo Tour’ In February

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Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Masonn1k

Bailey Zimmerman is set to launch is 30-date headlining “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” early next year. The run kicks off in Estero, Florida on Feb. 19 and will make stops in Knoxville, Boston, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Nashville, Toronto and more before wrapping in Ottawa, Ontario on June 20. Hudson Westbrook and Blake Whiten will join as support.

The announcement comes on the heels of Zimmerman’s recently released sophomore album Different Night Same Rodeo via Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville, which includes his collaboration “Backup Plan” featuring Luke Combs as well as “Lost” featuring The Kid LAROI, “Holy Smokes,” “Holding On” and more. In April, Zimmerman released “All The Way” with BigXthaPlug, which garnered 5.46M streams globally in the first 24 hours, debuted at No. 1 on Spotify’s Top Songs Chart in the U.S, and debuted at No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100, marking BigXthaPlug’s first top 10 and Zimmerman’s second after “Rock and a Hard Place.”

Zimmerman is currently wrapping up his summer 2025 “New To Country Tour” with support from Dylan Marlowe and Drew Baldridge, which saw 13 dates sell out instantly.

“Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” Dates:
Thu, Feb 19 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
Sat, Feb 21 – Athens, GA – Atkins Ford Arena
Thu, Feb 26 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Fri, Feb 27 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Sat, Feb 28 – Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena
Thu, Mar 5 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Thu, Mar 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Fri, Mar 13 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena
Sat, Mar 14 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
Fri, Mar 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
Thu, Apr 2 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Fri, Apr 3 – Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center
Sat, Apr 4 – Corpus Christi, TX – Hilliard Center Arena
Thu, Apr 9 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Fri, Apr 10 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Sat, Apr 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
Thu, Apr 16 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center
Fri, Apr 17 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Sat, Apr 18 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Thu, Apr 30 – Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center Propst Arena
Fri, May 1 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Thu, Jun 4 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Amphitheater
Fri, Jun 5 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
Sat, Jun 6 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Wed, Jun 10 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre
Thu, Jun 11 – Kelowna, AB – Prospera Place
Sat, Jun 13 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Thu, Jun 18 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri, Jun 19 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
Sat, Jun 20 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre