Pictured (L-R): BJ Hill (WCM), Julie Hess (WCM), Cary Barlowe, Chris Owen (Cornman) and Nate Lowery (Cornman). Photo: Courtesy of WCM
Grammy nominated songwriter Cary Barlowe has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Cornman Music.
Barlowe has written songs for some of country music’s biggest artists, including Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay and Rascal Flatts.
Originally a member of the Rick Rubin-produced rock band Luna Halo, Barlowe has built a successful career as a songwriter across multiple genres. His work has also been featured on Nashville. A North Carolina native, he has written nine No. 1 songs for TobyMac, including “Made to Love,” “Feel It,” and “City On Our Knees,” which won the 2010 Dove Award for Gospel Song of the Year.
Barlowe has also co-written several No. 1 country hits, including Lady A’s “American Honey,” Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze” and Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used to.” His songwriting success earned him SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and SESAC Song of the Year in 2017.
More recently, he co-wrote Chris Young and Kane Brown’s No. 1 hit “Famous Friends” and worked with Chris Young on “Raised on Country.” He also co-wrote Taylor Swift’s “Untouchable.”
“So excited to be a part of the Cornman Music and Warner Chappell family,” says Barlowe. “Thankful to get to work with my friends!”
“Cary doesn’t just write hits, he pushes the musical boundaries in all the cool directions,” shares BJ Hill, SVP, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “The entire Warner Chappell team is thrilled to be championing his songs.”
“We are excited to be working with Cary,” adds Nate Lowery, General Manager, VP Creative, Cornman Music. “His attitude and his passion for great songs make a perfect addition to the Cornman and Warner Chappell family.”
Nick Boyd Inks With Ern’s Cadillac Music & Jordan Schmidt Via Big Loud Publishing
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Kimberly Gleason, Mike Giangreco, Jude Warren, Jordan Marcus, Nick Boyd, ERNEST, Jordan Schmidt and Dane Schmidt. Photo: Jessie Addleman
Nick Boyd has signed a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music and Jordan Schmidt via Big Loud Publishing.
Hailing from Rock Island, Illinois, Boyd grew up inspired by the sounds of the Eagles, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks and more. He attended Belmont University, where he won the Curb College Country Music Showcase and earned a spot in Belmont’s School of Music’s Commercial Showcase. Signing a publishing deal with Liz Rose Music in 2019, Boyd has earned cuts including “Drinks Can Drink” and “TV On” by Cody Lohden, ATLUS’s “Spare Key,” “California Fit In Tennessee” by Tayler Holder and Brody Clementi’s “Act Like You Don’t.”
“The day I stepped foot in the building, I felt right at home,” Boyd shares. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with ERNEST, Jordan Schmidt and the rest of the Cadillac Music/Big Loud Publishing team. In a town with a million great songs, champions like them make the difference.”
“I started hearing Nick’s songs about a year or so ago,” says ERN’s Cadillac Music Founder and CEO ERNEST. “He has been writing great ones with my guy Cody Lohden and just became a name we’d see time and time again right by an outstanding song. When Jordan Schmidt called me and asked if he wanted to do this together, it made perfect sense to me. Jordan, a longtime friend and collaborator in town, has over a decade of hits as a writer and producer. So, combining his experience with a topliner / spark plug like Nick seemed like a no brainer. I love getting to know talent in this town. There is no shortage of it and Nick Boyd is no exception.”.
“Nick is a beast of a writer and a beauty of a human,” shares Schmidt. “I can’t wait for Nashville to see what we see in him!”
Matt Shay Joins Make Wake Artists
/by Madison HahnenMatt Shay. Photo: Rebecca Ward
Matt Shay has joined Make Wake Artists as the company’s first General Manager. In his role, he will lead a team of nearly 50 employees that offer in-house marketing, tour strategy, content planning, merchandise development and more.
“I’ve long admired what Kappy has built with Make Wake, and from the inside, it’s even more impressive.” says Shay. “The depth of the staff, the strength of the leadership team, and the range of services spanning merchandise, digital, label services, publicity, brand partnerships, writer/producer management and beyond create a truly robust platform for artists to build long-term careers. Kappy is a visionary founder, and he and the team have created a culture and infrastructure that is one of one in this business. I’m thrilled to be joining Make Wake and to help build on this incredible foundation as we take the company and its artists into the next chapter.”
Shay has more than 30 years of experience in the music industry, with a background in artist management, A&R, record label leadership and film and TV production. Most recently, he founded ARTIST MGMT and previously served as President of C3 Management, where he managed artists including The Head And The Heart, Modest Mouse, Mt. Joy, Jack Harlow, Future and The Strokes.
Before moving into management, he spent 10 years at RCA Music Group, rising to SVP of A&R/Marketing and General Manager of Black Seal, working with artists such as Pearl Jam, Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys. He joins Make Wake along with artists from his current roster, Bella McCormick and Chris Ryan.
“I met Matt five years ago and we hit it off right away,” adds Chris Kappy, Founder of Make Wake Artists. “He understood my vision and respected that I wanted to do things differently because everyone told me what I was doing wasn’t ‘how things are done here.’ Matt brings that ethos to Make Wake. I wasn’t looking for someone who would simply agree with everyone. I needed a forward-thinking leader who could challenge conventions and continue to move us forward. Our culture is thriving, and adding him to the organization is a win for our team, our artists, and the future of Make Wake.”
Cary Barlowe Inks With Warner Chappell Music & Cornman Music
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): BJ Hill (WCM), Julie Hess (WCM), Cary Barlowe, Chris Owen (Cornman) and Nate Lowery (Cornman). Photo: Courtesy of WCM
Grammy nominated songwriter Cary Barlowe has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Cornman Music.
Barlowe has written songs for some of country music’s biggest artists, including Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay and Rascal Flatts.
Originally a member of the Rick Rubin-produced rock band Luna Halo, Barlowe has built a successful career as a songwriter across multiple genres. His work has also been featured on Nashville. A North Carolina native, he has written nine No. 1 songs for TobyMac, including “Made to Love,” “Feel It,” and “City On Our Knees,” which won the 2010 Dove Award for Gospel Song of the Year.
Barlowe has also co-written several No. 1 country hits, including Lady A’s “American Honey,” Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze” and Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used to.” His songwriting success earned him SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and SESAC Song of the Year in 2017.
More recently, he co-wrote Chris Young and Kane Brown’s No. 1 hit “Famous Friends” and worked with Chris Young on “Raised on Country.” He also co-wrote Taylor Swift’s “Untouchable.”
“So excited to be a part of the Cornman Music and Warner Chappell family,” says Barlowe. “Thankful to get to work with my friends!”
“Cary doesn’t just write hits, he pushes the musical boundaries in all the cool directions,” shares BJ Hill, SVP, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “The entire Warner Chappell team is thrilled to be championing his songs.”
“We are excited to be working with Cary,” adds Nate Lowery, General Manager, VP Creative, Cornman Music. “His attitude and his passion for great songs make a perfect addition to the Cornman and Warner Chappell family.”
Abbie Callahan Plots First Headline Tour
/by Madison HahnenAbbie Callahan. Photo: Catherine Powell
Abbie Callahan will kickoff her first headline tour, “The OptiMYSTIC Tour,” on Aug. 22 in Pullman, Washington.
The tour will also visit Virginia, Massachusetts and New York, with tickets available this Friday (June 26). Callahan will also make appearances at Clay County Fair, Elray’s Live & Dive and Stomp & Holler Festival, before supporting Willow Avalon on select dates.
She will also release her new single, “OptiMYSTIC” this Friday (June 26). Callahan co-penned the tune alongside Emma Klein and Nell Maynard.
“I wrote ‘OptiMYSTIC’ for anyone who has struggled to find their place within religion or spirituality,” shares Callahan. “I was raised Catholic, but over the years I’ve explored many different expressions of faith. I’ve always been deeply interested in the bigger questions surrounding purpose, faith, and what happens after our time on earth. For a long time, I felt like I was making ‘mistakes’ through the lens of the religion I grew up in, when in reality, many of those experiences were simply part of growing up and learning who I am. Ultimately, I’ve come to believe that leading with kindness, generosity, compassion, and acceptance matters most. To me, this song reflects that journey and the peace I’ve found in that perspective, and I hope listeners connect with it as much as I do.”
“The OptiMYSTIC Tour” Dates:
Aug. 22 — National Lentil Festival — Pullman, WA
Aug. 27 — The Southern Café & Music Hall — Charlottesville, VA
Aug. 29 — Jason Russell House Museum — Arlington, MA
Aug. 31 — Mercury Lounge — New York, NY
Tim McGraw Returns To Vegas This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Tim McGraw is returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this fall for a five-night limited engagement Oct. 23-24 and Nov. 4, 6 and 7.
The special, only-in-Vegas shows will offer fans a rare chance to experience McGraw perform in an intimate setting, featuring his chart-topping hits and fan favorites spanning more than 30 years of his career. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 26), with presale beginning today (June 23).
McGraw’s career includes over 103 million records sold, 49 No. 1 singles, and 19 No. 1 albums. He ranks second in No. 1 country albums in the U.S. behind only George Strait, and has scored a No. 1 album and No. 1 single in four straight decades. Two of his singles, the Grammy-winning “Live Like You Were Dying” and genre-busting “Over & Over” with Nelly, have spent 10 and 11 weeks respectively at No. 1.
Caldwell Inks With EMPIRE Nashville
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Top Row, L-R): Jen Way (EMPIRE, EVP – Nashville), Ghazi (EMPIRE, Founder/CEO), Caldwell, Jake McKim, Eric Hurt (EMPIRE VP, A&R Publishing – Nashville) and Jack Johns (EMPIRE, Publishing A&R Coordinator). (Bottom Row, L-R): Sydney Owen (EMPIRE, Senior Product Manager), Zak Waters (EMPIRE Director, A&R – Nashville), Bri Small (EMPIRE VP, Digital) and Joey Harris.
Caldwell has inked with EMPIRE Nashville.
Caldwell picked up the drums at age five and first turned to songwriting during high school. Inspired by the sounds of Eminem, Elvis Presley, Bruno Mars and Morgan Wallen, his track “Beer & Baddies” featuring Sexyy Red debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart and Rolling Stone named him UK’s #1 Artist to Watch. The Greenville, South Carolina native recently made his CMA Fest debut on the Dr Pepper Amp Stage.
Caldwell will release his new track “FSU” on June 26.
Opry To Celebrate Jamey Johnson’s Birthday
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry is continuing its “Summer Of The Century” celebration with a special July 14 show celebrating Opry member Jamey Johnson’s birthday.
Friends of Johnson’s scheduled to perform include Opry member Bill Anderson, ERNEST, Randy Houser, Tracy Lawrence, Ruby Leigh, Lilly Meola, Andy Whatley & Co. and more. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest country songwriters of his generation. He is one of only two people in the history of country music (along with Kris Kristofferson) to win two Song of the Year awards in the same year, for “Give It Away” and “In Color” from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
A consummate storyteller, Johnson’s songs have been recorded by George Strait, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, James Otto, Joe Nichols and others. The RIAA recently honored him for sales/streams of 9 million, including the 5x Platinum “In Color,” the 2x Platinum album That Lonesome Song, the Platinum single “High Cost of Living,” the Gold-certified “Between Jennings and Jones” and the Gold single “That Lonesome Song.”
The Opry’s “Summer of the Century” will continue with a ’90s country celebration, backstage tours, and a weekly Outdoor Concert Series and more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Whiskey Myers Adds Fall Dates To 2026 Headlining Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughWhiskey Myers. Photo: Jay Blakesberg
Whiskey Myers has added fall dates to their 2026 tour, which runs nationwide through mid-October.
New cities added to the tour include St. Augustine, Charlottesville, Bethlehem and more. Tickets for the newly-added dates are on sale Friday (June 26) here, with select artist, venue, and fan pre-sales available throughout the week.
Currently co-headlining their spring and summer “Southern Hospitality Tour” with The Black Crowes and support from openers Southall, The Record Company, The Ransom Brothers and Taylor Hunnicutt.
Newly Added Fall Tour Dates:
10/1: Lagrange, GA – Sweetland Amphitheatre
10/2: St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
10/3: Port Wentworth, GA – VyStar Pavilion
10/4: Charlottesville, VA – Ting Pavilion
10/6: Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre
10/9: Salamanca, NY – Seneca Allegany Casino
10/10: Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
Lauren Mascitti Signs With North Chapel Music
/by Lauryn SinkLauren Mascitti.
Lauren Mascitti has signed with North Chapel Music.
The Louisville, Ohio native began writing songs at age seven and later performed six nights a week in Branson, Missouri alongside gospel legend and original Oak Ridge Boy Gary McSpadden. She first garnered attention during her run on American Idol. Mascitti released her Out of the Blue EP last year.
“We are honored to welcome Lauren to the North Chapel Music family,” says Benny Brown, owner of North Chapel Music. “Lauren is a gifted songwriter with an incredible ability to communicate truth, emotion, and life experience through her music. Her artistry and work ethic make her a perfect fit for what we’re building.”
“From the minute I walked in the doors at North Chapel, I felt at home,” shares Mascitti. “Creatively and spiritually. Getting to work with such an amazing staff and writers that I also call my friends is the ultimate dream come true. God is so good, and I’m so grateful to be here.”
Music City Walk Of Fame To Induct Thomas Rhett
/by Madison HahnenThomas Rhett. Photo: Josh Aikin
Thomas Rhett is set to be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame on July 8. He will become the 113th star on the Walk of Fame.
“Few artists embody the heart and soul of Music City quite like Thomas Rhett,” says Ellen Pryor, Chair of Music City Inc., the foundation of the NCVC, and Senior Advisor for Civic Engagement at the Frist Art Museum. “From growing up in Nashville to becoming one of country music’s biggest stars, he has remained a passionate ambassador for the city and its songwriting tradition. We are thrilled to welcome Thomas Rhett to the Music City Walk of Fame to celebrate and enshrine his many contributions to the creative music community that makes Nashville so special.”
Rhett has spent the past decade becoming one of country music’s biggest stars. He has earned 25 No. 1 songs, 16 billion streams, and numerous awards, including eight ACM Awards (with 2020 Entertainer of the Year), two CMA Awards, and five Grammy nominations. He has also won honors from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Earlier this year, Rhett teamed up with Marshmello on the single “Where We Go” and released a new version of “Georgia On My Mind” for ESPN’s 2026 Masters Tournament campaign. Alongside his headlining “The Soundtrack To Life Tour,” he is also performing with Morgan Wallen on the “Still The Problem Tour” and will return to the U.K. next month for three shows at Wembley Stadium with Luke Combs.
The ceremony will take place on July 8 at 1 p.m, and is open to the public.