Kurt Stevens will release his debut album Better with a Breeze on Sept. 4. He’s previewing the new project with the release of new track “Cast Away,” about a therapeutic day on a sandbar where he’s in no rush to be found.

Inspired by his love of the coastal life, Stevens’ new project is a glimpse into where he came from and the path that inspired his music.

“To me, life is all about the journey. Better with a Breeze is just that; a journey that winds from the coast I grew up on to the places and people I’ve come to love along the way. Every song on this record is a song that I’ve lived,” says Stevens.

“I’ve always loved music that can take you somewhere, music where you close your eyes and you’re instantly transported to another place, another time, somewhere the breeze off the ocean cools you down in just the right way,” he continues. “Somewhere the craziness of the world was left behind at the dock, even just for a little while. Music that can take you away or maybe even help you find love somewhere in the stars.”

Stevens draws inspiration from artists like Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney, and has previously opened for Luke Combs, Jake Owen, Maren Morris and The Band Perry, among others. His most recent releases include “Already Alright”, “Warmer Days,” “Flamingo,” “Smooth,” “Everglades,” and “Bigger Boat.” Stevens will perform at the annual Island Hopper Music Festival in Fort Myers this September.

Better with a Breeze Track List:
1. “Already Alright” (Kurt Stevens, Mike Burke, Tyler Bank)
2. “The Rain” (Kurt Stevens, John Frank, Tom Pino)
3. “Better With a Breeze” (Kurt Stevens, Brian Alexander) 
4. “Cast Away” (Kurt Stevens, John Frank, Tom Pino) 
5. “Smooth” (Kurt Stevens, Bradley Collins, Brian Alexander, Kent Jenkins)
6. “Bigger Boat” (Kurt Stevens, John Frank, Tom Pino)
7. “Over & Out” (Kurt Stevens)
8. “Learning to Be Patient” (Kurt Stevens) 
9. “Might Collect Rocks” (Kurt Stevens, John Frank, Tom Pino) 
10. “Everglades” (Kurt Stevens, Adam Sickler, Tyler Bank) 
11. “Somewhere in the Stars” (Kurt Stevens, Adam Sickler, Tyler Bank) 
12. “Flamingo” (Kurt Stevens) 
13. “When the Wind Blows” (Kurt Stevens, John Frank, Tom Pino)
14. “Where Pelicans Fly” (Kurt Stevens) 

Pictured (L-R): Ivan Lightfoot (Conveyer Management), Margaret Tomlin (VP, A&R), Taylor Lindsey (Chair & CEO, SMN), Bottomland (Cannon Brand & Justin Gates), Ken Robold (President & COO, SMN), Kyle Hutton (Conveyor Management), Jason McColl (Sr. Director, A&R, SMN). Photo: Matthew Berinato

Bottomland, comprised of Cannon Brand and Justin Gates, has inked with Sony Music Nashville.

“Still feels a little unreal saying this out loud, but we signed a major record deal with Sony Music Nashville,” the duo shares. “It’s hard to put into words what this means to us. When we formed Bottomland, something clicked and it felt like we started creating the music we were always destined to make. Now we’re in a position we only used to dream about, and it feels like we’ve finally been given the opportunity we’ve been working toward for so long.”

The Texas natives first garnered attention with performances around their home state and have since amassed 7.8 million global streams. They released their new single, “We’re About To Break Up,” today. The track was written by HARDY, Jameson Rodgers, Smith Ahnquist and Hunter Phelps.

“We’ve been fans of Hardy for as long as we can remember, so getting pitched a song that he was a writer on was one of those ‘is this really happening?’ moments,” shares the duo. “We knew from the first listen that we had to make this one our own. We poured everything we had into it, and we couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out. It’s become one of our favorite songs to play every night, and we look forward to playing it for a long time. We hope we did the song and the writers behind it justice.”

The duo is currently on the road with upcoming dates in Texas, Washington and Louisiana.

The Canadian Country Music Association has unveiled the lineup for the 2026 CCMA Songwriters Unplugged Series presented by SOCAN with Apple Music on Sept. 16-18.

Held across three sessions during Country Music Week 2026 at Saskatoon’s Capitol Music Club, the series will feature intimate, in-the-round acoustic performances from writers including Dean Brody, John Morgan, Tenille Townes, Brock Phillips, Madeline Merlo and more. Each session offers fans a rare opportunity to experience the stories, inspiration, and artistry behind the music from some of the most celebrated voices in Canadian and international country music.

Michaela Anne.

Singer-songwriter Michaela Anne will launch a new headline tour in the fall.

The tour is in support of her latest album, These Are The Days, which was released earlier this year, and will include stops in Columbus, Chicago, Washington D.C., Portsmouth, and more through Nov. 15.

These Are The Days recently broke into the Top 20 of the Americana Radio Chart, and Anne recently appeared as a featured guest on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, and made a return appearance on Mountain Stage, adding to an already banner year of recognition for the singer-songwriter.

Written during a season of profound personal transition, These Are The Days reflects Anne’s experiences raising two young children while helping care for her mother following a life-altering stroke. Exploring motherhood, caregiving, resilience, and the beauty found in everyday life, the album grapples with love, grief, resilience and the sacred weight of ordinary life.

Fall Tour Dates:
September 15 – 19 – Nashville, TN – AmericanaFest
October 2 – Greer, SC – Albino Skunk Music Festival
October 20 – Lafayette, IN – People’s Brewing
October 22 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s Grandview
October 23 – Chicago, IL – Judson & Moore
November 10 – Washington, DC – Pie Shop
November 11 – Wayne, PA – 118 North
November 12 – Woodstock, NY – Colony
November 13 – Portsmouth, NH – Music Hall Lounge
November 14 – Manchester Center, VT – Billsville
November 15 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge