DISClaimer Single Reviews: Billy Currington Wins Disc Of The Day With ‘Enchanting’ Tune

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Billy Currington

Music veterans keep pace with the youngsters today in DISClaimer.

Little Anthony, Michael Martin Murphey, Eddy Raven and Jackson Browne are all on tap, matching their still-vital voices with another generation of music makers. Of the solo tracks, Kashus Culpepper, Dylan Marlowe and Dasha are stand outs.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Billy Currington.

Brendan Walter takes home a DisCovery Award.

BRENDAN WALTER / “Back on Deseret”
Writers: Brendan Walter/Colton Venner; Producer: Grady Smith; Label: Sony
– This is a highly attractive country rocker with a nostalgic lyric recalling the street he grew up on. Walter sings with earnest charm, and the track is delightfully punchy.

HARDY / “Bottomland”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist/Zach Abend; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Big Loud
– The ballad is starkly produced with a cool, funeral-parlor organ and extended a cappella vocal passages. The hook about being buried in his native soil is repeated a few too many times.

DELTONA / “Heartbreak Fix”
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Caleb Miller/Chris Deaton/Jason Massey/Ned Abernathy; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Capitol/The Core Records
– This is a trio comprised of Chris Deaton, Caleb Miller and Ned Abernathy. They met at a writers’ round at The Bluebird, but don’t listen for anything acoustic on this single. The sound is pop-country, electronically processed and auto tuned within an inch of its life.

STEVE MARTIN, ALISON BROWN & JACKSON BROWNE / “Dear Time”
Writers: Steve Martin/Alison Brown; Producers: Alison Brown, Garry West; Label: Compass
– Browne sings lead with Martin and Brown’s banjos providing rippling accompaniment and elegantly tasteful solos on this gentle, folkie song of memories. The Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna provides vocal harmonies.

DASHA / “Like It Like That”
Writers: Dasha/David Garcia/JKash/Gian Stone; Producers: avid Garcia, Gian Stone; Label: Warner
– This bops along like crazy with merry handclaps and beats dropping left and right. The sprightly tempo tune is all about s-e-x.

BILLY CURRINGTON / “One Thing I Ain’t Been”
Writers: Chase McDaniel, Johnny Clawson, Steve Moakler; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: MCA
– The groove is enchanting, a rolling ride on a calm sea of sound. Amid the swaying atmosphere is Currington’s softly yearning invitation to romance. Very listenable.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Coming Home Tomorrow”
Writers: Joe Fox/Dylan Marlowe/Johnny Clawson; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony
– He’s leaving the road behind to find heaven at home. The super energetic, country-rock production surrounds his delivery with fiery electric guitar work and furious drumming. Nice work.

SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS & EDDY RAVEN / “I Got Mexico”
Writers: Frank J. Myers/Eddy Raven; Producer: Frank Myers; Label: SSC
– This is a breezy, rollicking update of the 1984 Raven hit. The veteran country star easily keeps up with the young country rockers, swapping hearty vocals and harmonies with lead singer Billy McKnight. Stay tuned with the uber cool guitar solo. Timeless. Recommended.

LITTLE ANTHONY & BROOKE MORIBER / “Hurts So Bad”
Writers: Bobby Hart/Teddy Randazzo/Bob Weinstein; Producer: Fred Mollin; Label: Reviver
– The track begins starkly with acoustic piano and Moriber’s lustrously aching soprano. The duet builds in intensity, much like the 1965 iconic pop original. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine) still sounds amazing at age 85. Vocal powerhouse Brooke Moriber is a Broadway veteran (Les Miserables) who has become a country mainstay in New York City.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Believe”
Writers: Kashus Culpepper/Foy Vance; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud
– Steeped in soul and recorded in Muscle Shoals, this is a stately anthem that reaches for faith and inspiration. Love the ghostly angelic background voices. Gripping listening.

CODY JOHNSON & MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY / “Wildfire”
Writers: Larry Cansler/Michael Martin Murphey; Producers: Trent Willmon & Ryan Murphey; Label: MMM
– What’s not to love? A brilliant, classic song. A country superstar. A match made in music marketing heaven.

AMANDA SHIRES / “Piece of Mind”
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: ATO
– The multi-instrumentalist troubadour treads the line between rock and Americana in this dramatic outing. A grinding electric guitar and a deep-groove rhythm section thunder behind her light-soprano vocal.

Industry Ink: Brian Kelley, Priscilla Block, Ryan Aviation, Bandit Lites

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Brian Kelley Makes Big Apple Media Splash

Pictured (L-R): Laura Jarrett (NBC News), Dylan Dreyer (TODAY), Brian Kelley, Craig Melvin (TODAY). Photo: Jake Witsken

Brian Kelley recently wrapped back-to-back days of media appearances in New York City. Keeping summer alive, he performed “Spend Some Time There” during the 3rd Hour of NBC’s TODAY on Monday (Aug. 25), before tapping back to his college baseball roots with MLB Network’s morning show MLB Central. On Aug.26 he celebrated his 40th birthday with a sit-down interview on CBS Mornings Plus. During the segment, Kelley spoke about his latest album and also his venture as a co-owner of the Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club – a professional sport fishing team of the Sport Fishing Championship league.

 

Priscilla Block Performs On Today

Platinum artist Priscilla Block made her morning TV debut this week on NBC’s TODAY Show with a fiery performance of her song “You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecilia),” a bold re-imagining of the Simon & Garfunkel 1970 classic. The new song will appear on her forthcoming sophomore album, Things You Didn’t See, coming Oct. 10 via MCA. Block recently released her new song “Couldn’t Care Less” and announced her headlining “Monster Energy Outbreak: Things You Didn’t See Tour” which kicks off Oct. 23 in Fort Myers.

 

Lexi Dunfey Named Head Of Sales At Ryan Aviation

Lexi Dunfey

Lexi Dunfey has joined Nashville-based Ryan Aviation Group as Head of Sales. Based in Portland, Maine, Dunfey brings over 12 years of experience in private aviation, beginning her career in operations in 2013 before transitioning into sales three years ago.

“Bringing Lexi on board is one of those rare decisions that just felt right from the start,” says Founder and Owner Dan Ryan. “Her name came up through a mutual connection, and the moment I heard about her work ethic, reputation and the trust she’s earned with clients, I knew we had to add her to our team. Lexi brings a level of professionalism, heart and instinct that’s hard to teach. She understands that what we do isn’t transactional, but is about the human to heart connection. The synergy she has already built with our team and clients proves she was the right fit for the job.”

 

Bandit Lites Adds New Marketing & Integration Business Services Staffers

Bandit Lites has hired new staffers that strengthen the Marketing and Integration Business Services teams. Matt Holton joins Bandit Lites as Marketing & Media Coordinator, bringing over a decade of professional experience in video production, motion graphics, storytelling, and client relations. Brianna Byars joins Bandit Lites as an Administrative Assistant with a focus in marketing. She brings a strong background in graphic design, social media management, and brand development, having led creative campaigns, produced promotional materials, and more. Sherry Wells advances to Purchasing Coordinator, overseeing purchase orders, inventory management, and supplier relationships. She assists with service work orders, annual inventory counts, and serves as backup to the Purchasing Director.

BREAKING: Taylor Wolf Promoted To Executive Director Of ACM Lifting Lives

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Taylor Wolf. Photo: Steve Mekler

The Academy of Country Music has promoted Taylor Wolf to Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy’s philanthropic arm. In her new role, Wolf will continue to expand ACM Lifting Lives’ fundraising initiatives, deepen partnerships across the country music industry and beyond, and oversee a diverse portfolio of programs that provide support for music therapy, disaster relief and community outreach.

“Taylor has proven herself time and again to be an innovative, compassionate, and tireless advocate for using music as a force for good,” says Fletcher Foster, Chair of ACM Lifting Lives’ Board of Directors and President of F2 Entertainment Group. “The Board is thrilled to see her step into this well-deserved role. With leaders like Taylor, and with the generosity of artists and other changemakers in this community, ACM Lifting Lives is poised to make an even greater impact in the years ahead.”

“ACM Lifting Lives is built on the belief that music has the power to heal, unite, and transform lives, and it has been the honor of my career to help advance that mission,” says Wolf. “I am humbled by this opportunity and deeply grateful for the trust of the Board, the Academy, and our partners. Together, we will continue to grow our impact and ensure that Country Music’s spirit of generosity touches as many lives as possible.”

Wolf has risen through the ranks of ACM Lifting Lives since joining as Coordinator in 2019, filling the roles of Manager, Senior Manager, Director and now Executive Director in her six years at the organization.

The Brentwood, Tennessee native and Pepperdine University grad played a critical role in producing high-profile benefit events, stewarding multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts, and overseeing the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, which provided vital relief to members of the country music community during the pandemic. She has also been a driving force behind the beloved ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, as well as the organization’s charitable giving and grant-making.

Downtown & FUGA Amplify Nashville Footprint With New Leadership & Signings [Exclusive]

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Sam Cope & Bryan Mooney

Downtown Artist & Label Services and FUGA have relocated Bryan Mooney, Global Vice President of A&R at DA&LS, and Sam Cope, Director of Digital Accounts Strategy, Americas at FUGA, to their Nashville office.

“We’re thrilled to increase our local footprint in Nashville’s thriving music scene, and to build on the success that Jeanette [Porcello] and the Downtown team have already helped our roster to achieve,” says Mooney.

FUGA is a B2B distributor owned by Downtown. In Cope’s role in Music City, she will serve as a marketing link for clients, alongside key local expertise to foster greater discovery and engagement with DSPs.

“Being on the ground in Nashville is providing new opportunities to increase visibility in the market and strengthen our relationships with DSPs in real time,” adds Cope. “Ultimately, it means we can better champion our clients’ music and connect it with the audiences who will love it most.”

Alongside Mooney and Cope’s relocations, Downtown has added new signings to its roster, led by Porcello, Director of A&R. The new talent included Erin Kinsey and Jack Blocker. Downtown is also working on developing projects with Brye, Cate Canning, BLÜ EYES and The Nude Party. These all join the company’s roster of Colbie Caillat, Judah & The Lion, Drew Holcomb and Hunter Hayes, among others.

“Nashville is a natural fit for FUGA’s continued growth in North America,” shares Sarah Landy, SVP, Americas, FUGA. “We’re proud to partner with companies whose mission so closely aligns with our own, supporting creators with intention, purpose, and the important duality of global reach alongside emphasis on local relationships and presence.”

The news also includes the signing of Integrity Music, a division of David C Cook. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee and an additional office in Brighton, UK, Integrity Music is focused on modern worship music. FUGA has also strengthened its relationship with management and artist services company GoodCopBadCop. The new partnership included integration with Downtown-owned Curve Royalties System, as well as an enhanced catalog strategy.

Theresa Wolters Joins MusiCares As Executive Director

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Theresa Wolters. Photo: Kelly Samson, Gallery Photography

Theresa Wolters has been named Executive Director at MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charitable arm.

Wolters has served as MusiCares’ Vice President of Health & Human Services since 2022 and brings more than two decades of global health and humanitarian leadership to the role. After stepping in as Interim Executive Director in 2025, she now formally leads MusiCares in its mission to provide a safety net of comprehensive support to the music community.

Wolters holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University and studied African Affairs at the University of Cape Town. Before joining MusiCares, Wolters tackled health crises around the world. At the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, she helped shape global strategies that delivered lifesaving services to tens of millions of people affected by HIV and other infectious diseases. As a founding employee of Millennium Promise, she was integral to launching the Millennium Villages Project, one of the most ambitious demonstrations of the UN’s development goals in action.

Later, with the International Medical Corps, Wolters directed health and refugee programs across five African countries, bringing care and stability to some of the most vulnerable populations on the planet. In her work at MusiCares, she champions music professionals as an at-risk population uniquely vulnerable to financial setbacks and health challenges.

“Theresa embodies the spirit of MusiCares. She approaches her work with empathy and clarity, and she strengthens every story with facts that show why our work matters,” says Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “Her leadership ensures that music professionals will continue to have access to the care and support they need — recognizing that financial struggles, health concerns and mental health challenges are often deeply connected.”

“Every day, MusiCares has a life-changing, and often lifesaving, impact on music professionals,” says Wolters.”For 35 years, MusiCares has been driven by compassion and a relentless focus on solving the big challenges facing our community. I am truly privileged to work alongside such an outstanding team of committed professionals and know MusiCares will continually rise to meet the needs of those we serve,”

Mike Curb To Present Inaugural Home Of GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame

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Mike Curb

Curb Records Founder Mike Curb is set to present the inaugural home of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame at the official opening slated for Oct. 3.

In partnership with Curb, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame will reside inside the first-of-its kind Museum of Christian & Gospel Music and will honor 194 Christian and Gospel music luminaries with a permanent exhibit that showcases the lives and legacies of nearly 200 individuals who have shaped the genre. Dating back to its first inductees in 1971, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame will pay homage to well-known hymn writers like Fanny Crosby and John Newton and pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither and Dottie Rambo.

It will also highlight the achievements of other prominent trailblazers, including legendary artists Pat Boone, Andrae Crouch, Keith Green and Amy Grant, as well as respected behind-the-scenes professionals, such as record label executive Billy Ray Hearn and award-winning producer Brown Bannister, among many others. GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members’ achievements and notable contributions will also be displayed throughout other areas of the museum, with their names denoting their membership in the Hall of Fame. Entrance to the Mike Curb presents GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame is included with every museum ticket and membership.

“The Gospel Music Association is taking a bold step toward its mission to Expose, Promote & Celebrate the Gospel Through Music by establishing a permanent presence in the heart of Music City,” shares Jackie Patillo, President of The Gospel Music Association. “The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, which will celebrate the pioneers who shaped Christian and Gospel music, finally has a home. Special thanks to Mike Curb for his unwavering commitment to our industry and to the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music.”

More than an exhibit space, the museum will be a living, breathing part of the industry, offering live performances, workshops, interviews, and unforgettable artist encounters. Its rotating collections will feature music milestones, timeless memorabilia, and emerging moments and the museum will host a variety of special events throughout the year, including podcast tapings, brown-bag lunch symposiums, writers’ workshops, and more. Limited tickets remain for the first Legacy Series event at The C&G on Sept. 4 featuring inaugural Artist in Residence and 16-time GMA Dove Award winner Russ Taff, marking the museum’s first public gathering.

“The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame has been around for decades, but only now has found a terrestrial home inside the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music,” says Museum Executive Director Steve Gilreath. “We’re working hard to honor the calling of those nearly 200 artists in the Hall with an interactive display of special memories and artifacts. See you this fall at the C&G!”

NSAI Unveils Details For 26th Annual NSAI Song Contest

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NSAI will open its 26th annual Song Contest on Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. CST.

This year’s contest will award 13 songwriters who either win or are deemed runners-up in the contest. Grand Prize Winners will receive one of two cash prizes ($5,000 and $2,500), a complete Home Studio Recording Package from Custom House at Guitar Center, $1,500 towards a Guitar Center purchase courtesy of the Guitar Center Music Foundation, a Taylor Guitars Gold Label 517e guitar, a mentor session with either Ashley McBryde or Rivers Rutherford, a one-year single-song publishing contract with BMG, a pair of tickets to ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards in 2026, a personalized Music Row Experience, an experience at The Bluebird Cafe and more.

Runners-up will be awarded prizes from Musicnotes and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, custom capos from G7th The Capo Company, and a chance to participate in a Group Mentor Session with Josh Osborne.

All individual contest participants will receive one credit for an NSAI Song Evaluation for any song of their choosing after the contest has been completed, as well as the scorecard for every submission entered with insight from the judges.

The judging will be completed within four phases, kicking off with an analysis of each individual entry by an industry professional. The highest scoring songs and lyrics from each judge will move forward to the next rounds. A total of 13 entries will place in the contest over the other three phases of judging, which will culminate with a live-taped final judging where the Lyric Category Grand Prize Winner and runners-up will be revealed. The Song Category Top 10 finalists will be also be judged for the final time before determining the Song Category Grand Prize Winner. Judging will take place no later than February 2026. 10 additional entries will be recognized as Honorable Mentions in the contest.

All entries can be submitted online here. The fees to enter are $35 per song or lyric entry for current NSAI members and $45 per song or lyric entry for the general public. There is no limit to the number of songs or lyrics that songwriters can submit, and the submission portal closes at 5 p.m. CST on Oct. 31.

Graham Barham To Release New EP ‘Whiskey Rain’ In September

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Graham Barham is set to release his new EP, WHISKEY RAIN, on Sept. 5.

Barham co-wrote every track alongside Jessi Alexander, Lydia Vaughan and Summer Overstreet, among others. Infused with his signature “club country” sound, the project was produced by Sam Bergeson with additional production collaborators including Sam Martinez, Gabe Foust, Seth Mosley, Mark Holman, 6AM and Zach Abend. The title track features Tyler Hubbard.

Barham’s “Oil Money” headlining tour kicks off Sept. 11 in Covington, KY and runs through November.

WHISKEY RAIN Track List:
1. “WHISKEY RAIN (feat. Tyler Hubbard)” (Graham Barham / Jessi Alexander / Sam Martinez / Cole Miracle)
2. “WRITE IT IN RED” (Graham Barham / Gabe Foust / Cole Miracle)
3. “BREAK OUT THE BOTTLE” (Graham Barham / Seth Mosley / Cole Taylor)
4. “BAD NIGHT (KARMA)” (Graham Barham / Mark Holman / Cole Miracle / Summer Overstreet)
5. “WTH JUST HAPPENED?” (Graham Barham / Beau Bailey / Sam Bergeson / Gabe Foust / Cole Miracle)
6. “CAMO” (Graham Barham / Beau Bailey / Sam Bergeson / Lydia Vaughan)
7. “EASY ON ME” (Graham Barham / Sam Bergeson / Summer Overstreet / Andrew Stoelzing / Emil de Witt / Yoel Embaie / Hampus Ström / Jonatan Jakobsson)
8. “EVERYBODY DIES IN HOLLYWOOD” (Graham Barham / Zach Abend / Smith Ahnquist / Beau Bailey)

BREAKING: Katie Studley Joins Spotify As Head Of Nashville Editorial

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Katie Studley

Spotify has hired Katie Studley as its new Head of Nashville Editorial.

Studley joins Spotify from her most recent role as Nashville VP at distribution leader The Orchard, where she led a team that delivered release campaigns for artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Max McNown and Russell Dickerson.

Prior to The Orchard, Studley spent 10 years at Jack White’s Third Man Records, serving as VP of Operations and Marketing Director. There, she built a record-breaking label team, spearheaded the diversification of Third Man’s business and oversaw major releases for Jack White, The Raconteurs, Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Margo Price, Coldplay, and others—earning three No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200.

Studley began her career in artist development and marketing at Thirty Tigers, where she contributed to the rapid rise of artists like the Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell and more. She earned a degree in Musicology in 2005.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville Signs Aniston Pate

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Pictured (L-R): Rusty Gaston, Emily Carignan, Aniston Pate and Tom Luteran. Photo: Savannah Spencer

Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed rising singer-songwriter Aniston Pate to a global publishing agreement.

Hailing from Texas, Pate is a recent Belmont University grad, where she ended her college experience with a win at the university’s iconic Country Showcase. She has recently earned success with releases including “Honky Tonk Without a Woman,” and is working on a new project alongside acclaimed producers Rob Williford and Aaron Raitiere.

Pate shares, “I want to say thank you to everyone in the Sony team for believing in my songs. Thank you to Emily Carignan for sticking by my side. Thank you to my friends that make even the hardest of times fun. Thank you to Mom and Ian for helping me believe I could do this. And thank you to the Lord for every time He heard me pray.”

Sony Music Publishing Nashville Vice President, Creative A&R Tom Luteran adds, “Aniston is a true unicorn as an artist. When Emily Carignan first played me her music I was intrigued, and when I met her, I was hooked – we both can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear this budding superstar.”