ACM Hosts Creative Directors Panel At BMI

The Academy of Country Music hosted an exclusive Creative Directors Panel at BMI Tuesday night (July 28) for ACM Members. Moderated by Ania Hammar (Host, The Highway), the conversation featured Cece Dawson (Creative Director, Lainey Wilson & Megan Moroney), Mike DuPree (SVP/Creative Director, Warner Records Nashville), and Patrick Tracy (Creative Director, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban), who shared insights into their creative journeys in country music, the evolving role of creative direction in today’s industry, the impact of AI, and more. In addition to the panel, attendees had the opportunity to receive complimentary professional headshots, courtesy of Steven Campos.

 

Thomas Rhett Brings ‘Ain’t A Bad Life’ Feat. Jordan Davis To ‘Ransom Canyon’

Thomas Rhett makes a special appearance in Season 2 of the Netflix series Ransom Canyon, performing his most recent No. 1, “Ain’t A Bad Life,” featuring Jordan Davis. The show debuted atop the Netflix charts after returning for Season 2 last week, The performance brings one of country music’s biggest collaborations of the year to the screen and marks another major crossover moment for Rhett, who is currently on his “The Soundtrack to Life Tour.”

 

Hillary Scott & The Scott Family Celebrate A Decade Of ‘Love Remains’

Hillary Scott & The Scott Family appeared last night (July 28) at the Grand Ole Opry to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their faith-based country album, LOVE REMAINS. Standing beside her parents Linda Davis and Lang Scott and sister Rylee, Scott performed the soul-stirring title track and No. 1 single, “Thy Will.” Adding to the milestone event, album collaborators met them onstage for songs that they had been featured on, with producer Ricky Skaggs appearing for “The Faithful Love of Jesus,” and The Whites joining in (with Skaggs) for a mash-up of “The River (Come on Down)” and “Ain’t No Grave.” Also on the bill was Grand Ole Opry members Lady A, where Scott came together with her bandmates for “Need You Now,”  “American Honey,” “What If I Never Get Over You,” and their own moving rendition of “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”

 

She Is The Music & Anzie Blue Present Rising Women In Music Showcase

Allison Pilotti has joined Ten Ten Music Group as Head of Creative.

In this role, Pilotti will lead all creative initiatives while actively supporting A&R efforts for the company.

The Belmont University graduate most recently spent time at Riser House Entertainment, where she worked closely with acclaimed songwriters including Dallas Wilson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Michael Whitworth and Jake Mitchell. In addition to her publishing work, she worked with Riser House’s recording artists, including The Wldlfe, Stephen Day, Dillon Carmichael, Ash Ruder and others.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Ten Ten Music Group and becoming part of a team that has earned such tremendous respect throughout the songwriting community,” she shares. “I’m excited to support and advocate for our writers as they pursue their creative goals and continue building meaningful, lasting careers.”

“We are so glad to welcome Allison. Her broad knowledge, commitment and awareness will create fresh opportunities for our writers and the great collection of songs we represent,” adds Barry Coburn, President, Ten Ten Music.

Dolly‘s Life of Many Colors Museum has hired four new team members as preparations continue for the museum’s upcoming opening this fall: Dustin Shetley, Meg Harkins, Steven Hart and Pam Alterio.

Shetley and Harkins join as Guest Experience Managers, while Hart has been named Financial Analyst, and Alterio joins as Operations Coordinator. The new team members will help bring Parton’s story to life, and create an unforgettable guest experience for visitors from around the world.

An East Tennessee native who grew up visiting Dollywood with his family, Shetley brings 18 years of leadership in retail to his new role as Guest Experience Manager. In his new position he will oversee the museum’s retail operations, with a focus on team development and delivering exceptional guest experiences and creating a welcoming, world-class experience for guests.

Harkins also joins the museum as Guest Experience Manager. A Georgia native, Harkins has spent eight years working in museums and cultural institutions, and after relocating to Nashville, served as a tour guide and museum manager at the Ryman Auditorium. Through her work with Ryman Hospitality Properties and Opry Entertainment Group, she specialized in creating engaging experiences for both guests and employees.

Serving as Financial Analyst, Hart oversees financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analytics for the museum. He brings over a decade of experience in financial planning and wealth management, having guided long-term financial strategies for clients in Colorado. After relocating to Nashville, Hart was drawn to the opportunity to build the museum’s financial operations from the ground up and help turn data into decisions that support an exceptional guest experience while helping Dolly’s legacy continue to shine.

In her new role as Operations Coordinator, Alterio brings more than 20 years of experience providing administrative and operational support across the entertainment and hospitality industries. With a passion for the arts and a strong background in building relationships and supporting day-to-day operations, Alterio is excited to help contribute to a welcoming and memorable experience for every guest.

Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum is set to open this fall in Nashville, offering visitors an immersive journey through the stories, music, memories, and moments that have defined Dolly’s extraordinary life and career. Tickets for the Life of Many Colors Museum are available for prebooking now.

The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards, honoring the best in Christian and Gospel music. Phil Wickham leads all male artists with nine nominations, while CeCe Winans tops all female artists with seven. They are joined in the Artist of the Year category by Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen and Lauren Daigle.

Eight-time Dove Award winner Tauren Wells will return as host for the fourth year in a row, one of the longest hosting runs in Dove Awards history. Wells also serves as an executive producer this year, earned two nominations, and will perform during the show.

“The Dove Awards are more than just an awards show,” says Wells. “The promise of scripture is if two or three people come together that Jesus is in our midst. We know this isn’t about trophies; it’s about elevating the name of Jesus and celebrating those who have done that very well this year. I’m so grateful to be back hosting and I cannot wait to get back on that stage, it’s truly an honor.”

Behind the scenes, the songwriters, producers and creators behind this year’s biggest Christian and Gospel music earned major recognition. Jonathan Smith leads all nominees with 14 nominations, followed by Jacob Sooter with 12 and Steven Furtick with 11. Their work appears on many of this year’s top nominated songs and albums. Meanwhile, this year’s New Artist of the Year nominees, bodie, Emerson Day, Jamie MacDonald, Megan Woods and SEU Worship, highlight some of the genre’s fastest-rising new artists.

A full list of nominees can be found here.

“Every year, the Dove Awards bring the diverse voices of the Christian music community together to celebrate the God we all serve, and that’s exactly the heart behind this year’s theme, ‘Together For One.’ This year’s class of nominees embodies that spirit, creating life-changing music that continues to unite people across the globe,” adds Jackie Patillo, President of the Gospel Music Association.

The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Oct. 6, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are available here.

The show will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT. It will re-air on Oct. 16, at the same times. Fans can also listen live during the Oct. 9 broadcast on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65).