Dan Alley will release his debut album, Keepin’ On, via River House Artists on Sept. 4.

The 11-track project, which explores themes of family, love and loss, was written alongside Neil Medley, Ryan Beaver, Kasey Tyndall and Sam Banks, among others and was produced by Lukas Scott. Alley solo-wrote five tracks on the project.

“Keepin’ On is the project I’ve wanted to make since moving to Nashville. These songs tell the story of my life – chasing a dream, heartbreak, falling in love, marriage, becoming a dad, getting sober, and learning how to make a living as a songwriter,” Alley shares. “The title track, ‘Keepin’ On,’ is a song I wrote early in my Nashville career. As soon as I wrote it, it changed my outlook on songwriting, and I knew it would be the title of an album someday.”

“My hope for this project is that down the road my kids will listen, and it might help them through a hard time or inspire them to chase their dreams,” he continues. “This album is a love letter to my family, a positive reminder to myself, and a thank you to everyone who has helped me keep on ‘Keepin’ On.’”

As a songwriter, Alley has earned cuts with Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Drake Milligan, Braxton Keith and many more. He recently earned his second chart-topper with Hudson Westbrook’s “House Again,” following Luke Bryan’s “Country Song Came On.” On the charts now, Alley is a writer on Luke Combs’ fast-rising current single, “Be By You.”

Keepin’ On Track List:
1. “High And Dry” (Dan Alley)
2. “Sore Eyes” (Dan Alley)
3. “The Bed I Made” (Dan Alley, Sam Banks)
4. “Little Longer” (Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
5. “Mom Jeans” (Dan Alley, Brandon Kinney, Kasey Tyndall)
6. “He Went To Work” (Dan Alley, Neil Medley, Brandon Kinney)
7. “Losin’ End Of Lovin’ You” (Dan Alley)
8. “Whole ‘Nother High (feat. Mae Estes)” (Dan Alley, Mae Estes, Marti Dodson)
9. “Do It All For You” (Dan Alley)
10. “Lookin’ Up Missin’ You” (Dan Alley)
11. “Sand Keeps Falling” (Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver, Deric Ruttan)

Clay Street Unit is set to release their first live album, Live From The Road, Vol. 1 on Aug. 21 via Leo33.

The project contains seven originals and three covers, including a soulful version of The Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and a reimagined rendition of MGMT’s “Kids,” which is out today on all streaming outlets. Live From The Road, Vol. 1 captures Clay Street Unit’s scorching live performances from their spring tour, and follows the band’s debut album Sin & Squalor, which was released in February.

The group has also announced their first-ever headlining West Coast tour set to begin in the fall. Following a stop at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the band will also make their second appearance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre tomorrow (July 17.)

Live From The Road, Vol 1 Track List:
1. “Freightline Blues”
2. “Drive”
3. “Virginia”
4. “Let’s Get Stoned”
5. “One Last Time”
6. “Rollin’”
7. “Engine Trouble”
8. “Where Have You Gone?”
9. “Kids”
10. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mike Steinberg, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Ellie McKay, Capitol CMG Publishing’s David Gutekunst, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Jessie Early, First-time BMI award winning songwriter Blake Wiggins, BMI songwriter Jonathan Smith, Be Essential Songs’ Jamie Rodgers, Be Essential Songs’ Holly Zabka, Be Essential Songs’ Jannah Smitherman, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI’s Todd Horvath and BMI’s Clay Bradley pose after winning BMI’s Song of the Year for “Made For More” at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

The 2026 BMI Christian Awards celebrated the best in Christian music last night (July 22) at BMI’s Nashville office on Music Row.

The evening paid tribute to the top Christian songwriters and publishers behind the 25 most-performed songs of the previous year, and was hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville Leslie Roberts; EVP, Chief Revenue and Creative Officer, Mike Steinberg; and BMI’s CEO Mike O’Neill.

The Christian Song of the Year honors went to “Made For More,” written by Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. Performed by Josh Baldwin, the hit song has generated over 95 million global streams and became Baldwin’s first No. 1 on the Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart.

Mississippi native and BMI songwriter Belle Frantz performed a soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace” at the 2026 Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Leading up to Song of the Year, BMI named the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year including “Altar,” written by Forrest Frank, Lasanna “Ace” Harris, Steve Rice and Willie Scott Jr.; “Nothin’ Sweeter,” written by TobyMac and Jordan Mohilowski; “Running Back To You,” penned by Seph Schlueter; “Thank you Jesus for the Blood,” written by Charity Gayle alongside Steven Musso; and “Unsung Hero,” written by Luke Smallbone. BMI also recognized 18 first-time award winners such as Leanna Crawford, Frankie Holleman, Zachary Kale, Patrick Mayberry, Steven Musso and Megan Woods.

BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year honors went to Steven Furtick for writing three of the 25 most-performed songs, including “Another One,” “Goodbye Yesterday” and “Lion.” The multi-Grammy-winning songwriter who has co-written all three of these major worship tracks, serves as a primary executive producer and songwriter for both Elevation Worship (“Another One,” “Lion”) and Elevation Rhythm (“Goodbye Yesterday”). Through these music collectives, he has co-written multiple defining faith-based global anthems and earned six No. 1s, including the 2025 BMI Christian Song of the Year “Praise,” “Graves Into Gardens” and “Talking to Jesus.”

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year during the evening for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year, including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You At Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.”

The awards opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer, and the evening featured special performances, including Mississippi native Belle Frantz’s soulful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.” 2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage for his performance of “Blame Jesus.” Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening with her No. 1 breakout single, “Left It In The River.”

BMI’s VP, Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley gives opening remarks at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

2022 BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman spoke highly of Drew Parker as he welcomed him to stage at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Drew Parker gave a special rendition of his powerful song “Blame Jesus”
at the 2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

The 2026 BMI Christian Awards were sponsored by Studio Bank and opened with a prayer from 2018 BMI Compass Award recipient Elwyn Raymer. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Jamie MacDonald gave the final performance of the evening at the 2026
Christian Awards with her No. 1 breakout single, “Left It In The River.” Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

BMI’s AVP, Creative Nashville, Leslie Roberts welcomes the crowd at the
2026 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Capitol CMG Publishing brought home Publisher of the Year at the 2026 Christian Awards for representing 19 of the 25 most-performed songs
of the year including BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, “Made For More,” as well as “Altar,” “Grave Robber,” “If I Got Jesus,” “My God Can,” “Somebody Prayed,” “Take You At Your Word,” “The Truth” and “Who Else.” Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours

Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours made their Grand Ole Opry debut last week.

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers joined the band on stage to perform their current single, “Denver.” They followed with their Bluegrass rendition of “Danny’s Song,” before closing the night with “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” the same tune Grindstaff’s father performed during his own Grand Ole Opry debut 56 years earlier.

“Our Grand Ole Opry debut was one of the greatest honors of my life,” says Grindstaff. “We opened our set with our current single, ‘Denver,’ and to our surprise, Larry and the Gatlin Brothers stepped onto the Opry stage and sang it with us. Having Larry Gatlin perform the song he wrote alongside us during our Opry debut is a moment all of us will cherish forever. Then, to close the night with ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown’ while my dad watched from side stage, 56 years after his own Opry debut, made it a true full-circle moment I’ll carry with me forever.”

Last week, the band earned a nomination for New Artist of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association. This Sunday (July 26), Grindstaff will make an appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Musician Spotlight. Tickets are available here.