Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Discovery Artist of the Year category.
This category honors a Nashville developing artist who has demonstrated the most promise of future success during the eligibility period.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Watkinsville, Georgia native Gavin Adcock began releasing music in 2021 after a knee injury paused his time as a football player at Georgia Southern University. During recovery, he shifted focus to songwriting and recording, independently building a catalog that has since amassed over 1 billion global streams. His breakout track “A Cigarette” is RIAA Platinum-certified, while “Run Your Mouth,” “Deep End” and “Four Leaf Clover” have each earned Gold status. In 2024, Adcock released his major-label debut album Actin’ Up Again, which became the largest country debut by a solo male artist that year, earning over 15 million U.S. streams in its first week and marking the year’s top streaming debut in the genre. His next full-length project, Own Worst Enemy, is set for release on Aug. 15, 2025. Over the past year, Adcock has sold out headline tours across the U.S., including the “Monster Energy Outbreak Tour” and the “Need To Tour.” He also joins Morgan Wallen on select dates of the “I’m The Problem Tour,” alongside scheduled festival appearances and new headline shows through the end of 2025.
Hailing from the small town of Hull, Georgia, Mackenzie Carpenter is the spunky girl-next-door who grew up writing songs with her brothers and singing in church. Raised on a foundation of family, faith and music, she developed a warm, authentic voice that blends classic country roots with a modern edge. Before stepping into the spotlight as an artist, Carpenter made her mark as a songwriter, penning standout cuts like Megan Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty,” “Indifferent” and “28th of June,” as well as Lily Rose’s breakout track “Villain.” After signing with The Valory Music Co. in 2022, she earned industry attention from Spotify, CMT, MusicRow and Nashville Briefing as an artist to watch. She’s opened for Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Parker McCollum and more. On March 7, Carpenter released her debut album Hey Country Queen, a 13-track project she co-wrote in full. Featuring fan-favorite singles like “Dozen Red Flags” and the Midland duet “I Wish You Would.” Most recently, she joined Moroney on select dates of her “Am I Okay? Tour.”
Originally from North Carolina, Carter Faith relocated to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. Since making the move, she has accumulated over 117 million global streams. In 2024, she signed with UMG Nashville (now MCA). Her debut album, Cherry Valley, is set for release this October, following the 2023 launch of her Capitol Records Nashville debut, The Aftermath EP. Faith has performed alongside notable acts including Little Big Town, Keith Urban, and Willie Nelson. Most recently, she wrapped dates with Ella Langley and Carly Pearce. She was recognized on MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and All Country News’ Artists to Watch lists for 2025. Her industry momentum is further reflected in her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2023 and Listen Up Class of 2024 campaigns. She also became the first country artist ever featured in Spotify’s multi-genre Fresh Finds program, an early indicator of her wide-ranging impact and cross-genre potential.
Dylan Gossett began writing and recording music as a teenager, using GarageBand on his mom’s computer. Throughout high school, college at Texas A&M and a job at Formula 1 Racing, music remained his true passion. Inspired by a new wave of online singer-songwriters, he began posting videos in April 2023. His debut single, “To Be Free,” which was entirely self-written, recorded, produced, and mixed in his bedroom, arrived that June. A month later, his breakout song “Coal” went viral and has since racked up over 428 million streams, gone Platinum in multiple countries, and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify’s U.S. Top 200. In October 2023, Gossett released his first EP No Better Time, earning critical acclaim and followed that with his 2024 EP Songs In The Gravel. He’s sold out multiple headline tours, supported Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen, and played top festivals like Stagecoach and CMA Fest. Now, his self-written and produced debut album Westward, which released July 18, marks a bold new chapter.
Blending traditional country storytelling with a modern sound, Dylan Marlowe is a Sony Music Nashville artist from Statesboro, Georgia. Influenced by a wide range of artists from Eric Church and Kenny Chesney to Linkin Park and Blink-182, Marlowe brings a genre-blurring approach to his songwriting and production. He first gained attention in 2021 with a reimagined cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license,” drawing over half a million followers on TikTok. Since then, he’s released self-penned projects including Record High and Dirt Road When I Die, and co-wrote Jon Pardi’s No. 1 hit “Last Night Lonely.” In 2025, Marlowe earned his first No. 1 at country radio with “Boys Back Home” (featuring Dylan Scott), which he co-wrote with Seth Ennis and Joe Fox. The track is RIAA Gold-certified. His debut album Mid-Twenties Crisis followed, contributing to over 400 million global streams to date. Marlowe has supported artists like Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Hardy, and Brantley Gilbert, steadily building a fanbase through consistent touring and a sound that bridges country tradition with rock-influenced edge.
Hudson Westbrook hails from Stephenville, Texas, raised on George Strait, Turnpike Troubadours, Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, and Tracy Lawrence. After making waves with his viral 2024 debut “Take It Slow,” he quickly followed with a series of grassroots hits while enrolled at Texas Tech University. His breakout Texas radio single “Two Way Drive” topped charts, followed by his first national country radio single “House Again.” Blending the classic country he grew up on with his own fresh perspective, Westbrook delivers a sound that’s both nostalgic and new. His debut album Texas Forever, a 17-track project that arrived July 25, captures that vision in full. In just one year, Westbrook has amassed nearly 500 million global streams and averages over 20 million streams per week. He kicked off 2025 with two nearly sold-out headline tours and upcoming support slots for Parker McCollum, Midland, Eli Young Band, Cole Swindell, and Ian Munsick. Named a Highway Find by SiriusXM and a top 2025 Artist to Watch by Spotify, Westbrook is taking Texas country far beyond state lines.
2025 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Female Artist Of The Year
/by MusicRow StaffFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Female Artist of the Year category.
This category honors the achievements of a Nashville female artist during the eligibility period.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Kelsea Ballerini continues to help shape the sound and direction of modern country music. Her 2024 studio album Patterns debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest debut of her career. The Gold-certified single “Cowboys Cry Too” anchored the project, which was followed by Patterns (Deluxe) featuring five new tracks that further expanded the album’s narrative. In spring 2025, Ballerini launched her first arena headline run, the 36- date “Kelsea Ballerini Live on Tour,” across major U.S. markets. These achievements followed the 2023 release of Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, a six-song project and accompanying short film that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and critical praise for its honesty and craft. A five-time Grammy nominee with seven No. 1 singles and 34 RIAA certifications, Ballerini remains a consistent presence on both the charts and the stage. She recently made her Saturday Night Live debut, appeared on the cover of TIME and served as a coach on NBC’s The Voice.
Ashley Cooke’s breakout year was defined by career-firsts and continued momentum across radio, touring, and releases. Her debut album shot in the dark, released via Big Loud/Back Blocks Music, introduced a 24-track collection that showcased her range as both a vocalist and songwriter. The album produced her first No. 1 at country radio with “your place,” and earned her the 2024 CMT Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. She also received nominations for ACM New Female Artist of the Year and iHeartRadio’s Best New Country Artist. In addition to making her debuts at the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, Cooke has become a standout live performer, wrapping multiple headline tours in 2024 and early 2025 while also opening for acts including Luke Bryan, Brett Young, Cole Swindell, and Kane Brown. She’s made national TV appearances on The Bachelorette and TODAY, and will head out as direct support for Parker McCollum this August. With new music on the way, Cooke enters her next chapter with a growing audience and a sharpened creative voice.
Before moving to Nashville in 2019, Ella Langley cut her teeth gigging around bars and festivals in her home state of Alabama. After a few years in Music City, her 2023 debut EP Excuse The Mess introduced fan-favorite singles and set the stage for her breakout. In August 2024, she released her debut album Hungover, co-writing all 14 tracks and giving fans a raw look into her story. The project earned praise from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, landing on both outlets’ “Best of 2024” lists. Its standout track, “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green, marked Langley’s Billboard Hot 100 debut and her first No. 1 on country radio, making her the first and one of only two women to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2024. The Platinum-certified hit also earned CMA and ACM honors, including Musical Event and Single of the Year. After opening for acts like Morgan Wallen and Luke Bryan, Langley sold out her first headline tour in 2024 and is currently back on the road, supporting Wallen and Green this summer.
Just a few years after her debut, Megan Moroney has quickly established herself as a standout in modern country music. Her 2023 album Lucky introduced her to a wide audience with the 3X Platinum No. 1 hit “Tennessee Orange,” while her 2024 follow-up, Am I Okay? debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and became one of the year’s biggest releases by a female country artist. The album includes her second No. 1 at country radio, “Am I Okay?,” as well as “No Caller ID,” which broke the record for the largest U.S. streaming debut for a female country track. Moroney’s catalog has now surpassed 3 billion global streams. Her work has earned recognition from the ACMs, CMAs, and Billboard Women in Music, where she was honored with the Rulebreaker Award in 2025. In addition to festival appearances and international dates, she’s joined Kenny Chesney on stadium dates and is currently headlining her largest shows to date on the “Am I Okay? Tour.” a 50-date run across North America.
Kacey Musgraves released her fifth studio album Deeper Well in March 2024, marking the biggest chart debut of her career. The project landed at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart and became her fifth album to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Deeper Well follows 2021’s star-crossed and 2018’s Golden Hour, the latter earning Musgraves Album of the Year honors at the Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards. In 2023, she scored her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “I Remember Everything,” a duet with Zach Bryan which marked the first country duet to top the chart since 1983. The song won Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, making Musgraves the only artist to win in all four country Grammy categories. In recent years, she’s been recognized by TIME, GLAAD, Billboard, and Variety, and was the subject of a full-length exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Lainey Wilson’s work continues to shape the current landscape of country music, both on the charts and within the broader creative community. In 2025, she earned four ACM Awards: Entertainer of the Year (for the second year in a row), Female Artist of the Year (third consecutive win), Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Her single “Somewhere Over Laredo” became the most added at country radio upon release and marked her biggest first-day streaming debut to date. The track will appear on the deluxe edition of her album Whirlwind, out August 22. Across her catalog, Wilson has tallied eight No. 1 singles, including “Heart Like a Truck,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and “4x4xU.” She has also collaborated on tracks with Jelly Roll, Hardy, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton and Post Malone. A Grand Ole Opry member, she contributed to the Twisters soundtrack and is currently on her sold-out “Whirlwind World Tour.” Her upcoming role in Reminders of Him follows her on-screen debut in Yellowstone.
Metropolis’ New Park & Play Program To Offer Local Musicians Free Parking
/by Lorie HollabaughMetropolis, the parking tech platform, is launching its new Park & Play Program due to the success of its Musicians Discount.
Beginning Aug. 15, the new program will offer 100% free parking for local musicians at select area parking facilities for the next year. Musicians can learn how to take advantage of this program via the Nashville Musicians Association AFM Local 257 and the Music Venue Alliance Nashville. Metropolis is working with those organizations to provide an updated list of properties that are eligible for free parking. Over the last year, the program has undergone a number of improvements to meet the growing demand of its members.
“Metropolis is constantly thinking about how we can leverage our technology to not only make parking easier for people, but also how we can leverage it to do good and support our hometown,” says Ryan Hunt, Metropolis’ Chief Revenue Officer. “Nashville wouldn’t be Music City without local musicians. We want them to know we not only see and appreciate them, but that we also support them.”
The program began as a partnership between Metropolis, the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, Nashville Musicians Association AFM Local 257, and the Committee for Downtown Musicians & Workers. It then expanded in February to include musicians playing the independent venues through the addition of the Music Venue Alliance Nashville as a partner. Through the program, Metropolis subsidized a 60% discount to area musicians at nearly 20 different parking facilities downtown and across the city near independent music venues.
As one of the fastest-growing AI technology companies in the U.S., Metropolis powers transactions for more than 5% of all licensed U.S. drivers, operating the nation’s largest network of connected vehicle payment accounts. Metropolis has over 50 million customers and more than $5 billion in annual transaction volume with over 35,000 new members joining each day.
Industry Ink: Miranda Lambert, Anne Wilson, Blessing Offor, Signal Fire
/by Lauryn SinkMiranda Lambert’s Muttnation Foundation & Tractor Supply Company Award Over $250,000 In Surprise Grants To Animal Shelters
Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico Receive Muttnation Grant
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation teamed up with Tractor Supply Company to award $255,000 in grants to animal shelters across the nation. One animal rescue organization in each state along with a “Wildcard” pick, paying tribute to Lambert’s Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, is surprised with a $5,000 grant.
“Mutts Across America is MuttNation’s cornerstone program, created by my mother, Bev, over 10 years ago as a way for MuttNation to recognize outstanding shelters nationwide. Once a year, it lets us show our appreciation to the shelters, their staff and volunteers, for the hard work they do every day,” shares Lambert. “And, thanks to Tractor Supply’s steadfast commitment to animals and great support of MuttNation, we’re now able to make an even bigger impact.”
Anne Wilson Raises Over $100,000 For Tornado Relief In Kentucky
Anne Wilson. Photo: Laney Oakes
Anne Wilson’s tornado relief benefit concert this week in her home state of Kentucky raised over $100,000. The show benefited both The Sheppard Family Foundation’s direct work with families in London, Kentucky and Laurel County and the region-wide Appalachian Tornado Relief Fund, organized by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation.
“As a Kentucky girl, this one hit close to home,” shares Wilson. “I’m overwhelmed by God’s grace and the generosity He stirred in people’s hearts last night. Whether you bought a ticket, prayed over this event or simply showed up to worship together – thank you. These communities are still healing, but I know God is moving, and I pray this brings them one step closer to feeling whole again.”
Blessing Offor Receives First Gold Record
Pictured (L-R): Brad O’Donnell (President, Capitol CMG), Blessing Offor, Chris Tomlin
Blessing Offor received his first ever RIAA Gold Certification for his single “Brighter Days,” the lead single from his debut project. The plaque was presented by Brad O’Donnell at the album release party for his latest project, Real.
In celebration of the record, Offor also performed on “Lift Me Up” on Today with Jenna and Friends. The performance video is available here.
Josh Green Launches Signal Fire Agency, LLC
Josh Green has launched Signal Fire Agency, LLC, a boutique booking agency based in Nashville. The agency’s initial roster includes Them Dirty Roses, who’s single “Cocaine & Whiskey” recently earned RIAA Gold certification.
“I’ve long considered starting my own agency, and when the opportunity arose, it felt like the right time to fully bet on myself and the artists I believe in,” says Green. “After years working within both boutique and major agencies, I’ve gained a deep understanding of how to build and scale touring careers. That experience, paired with the relationships I’ve cultivated, will allow Signal Fire to remain artist-first while offering strategic, hands-on representation designed to grow sustainable, high-impact touring businesses.”
Green began his career by talent buying and booking regional acts across Georgia and the southeast before relocating to Nashville in 2013. He initially launched Five Point Music, where he signed Colter Wall. In 2016, he joined Red 11 Music, where he played a key role in booking appearances and tours for a roster that included Turnpike Troubadours, Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings and more. Following Red 11’s 2023 acquisition by WME, Green joined the agency’s newly formed American Roots division.
Green can be reached at josh@signalfireagency.com.
2025 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Breakthrough Artist Of The Year
/by Madison HahnenFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Artist of the Year category.
This category honors a Nashville artist who achieved significant career progress for the first time.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Fresh off the release of her sophomore album Let Go Letters, Avery Anna has been connecting with fans in a unique way. The project is tailored around real situations Anna’s fans have shared with her during her “Let Go Letters” series on tour. The sophomore project came less than a year after her 17-track debut album Breakup Over Breakfast, which earned critical acclaim across multiple outlets. Both projects are completely co-written by Anna, showcasing her success as an artist and writer. Anna has been named an Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, MusicRow and CMT. Anna’s first breakthrough moment was her 2022 viral hit “Narcissist,” leading her to her 2023 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year nomination. Anna is currently climbing up the streaming and radio charts with the Sam Barber duet “Indigo.” The viral hit has amassed more than 450 million global streams. Anna is spending the summer opening for Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley, and will embark on her headline “Let Go Letters Tour” this fall.
Before moving to Nashville in 2019, Ella Langley cut her teeth gigging around bars and festivals in her home state of Alabama. After a few years in Music City, her 2023 debut EP Excuse The Mess introduced fan-favorite singles and set the stage for her breakout. In August 2024, she released her debut album Hungover, co-writing all 14 tracks and giving fans a raw look into her story. The project earned praise from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, landing on both outlets’ “Best of 2024” lists. Its standout track, “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green, marked Langley’s Billboard Hot 100 debut and her first No. 1 on country radio, making her the first and one of only two women to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2024. The Platinum-certified hit also earned CMA and ACM honors, including Musical Event and Single of the Year. After opening for acts like Morgan Wallen and Luke Bryan, Langley sold out her first headline tour in 2024 and is currently back on the road, supporting Wallen and Green this summer.
The Red Clay Strays, comprised of Brandon Coleman (lead vocals, guitar), Drew Nix (electric guitar, vocals, harmonica), Zach Rishel (electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass) and John Hall (drums), were formed in 2016 in Mobile, Alabama. Their breakthrough single “Wondering Why” has amassed more than 75 million streams, and hit No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA Playlist. The tune also spent six weeks atop the Americana Singles chart, and made appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100, Hot Rock Songs, AAA chart and Hot Country Songs charts. Their Moment of Truth album hit No. 2 on the Americana Albums Chart and received critical acclaim. As fans flock to their electric live shows, the band wrapped up their headline tour last fall, which included a three night sold-out run at the Ryman Auditorium. Alongside making their Opry debut last year, they have also opened for Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Elle King and Old Crow Medicine Show. Their 2024 album Made By These Moments include hit tracks such as “Wanna Be Loved,” “I’m Still Fine” and “Drowning.”
Following the release of his debut project Cold Beer & Country Music last year, Zach Top has been non stop proving himself. The album was named on several best of year-end lists, including Rolling Stone, Billboard and The New York Times. The project included his first No. 1 hit at country radio, “I Never Lie,” as well as fan-favorites “Bad Luck” and “Sounds Like The Radio.” Top spent the summer/fall of last year supporting Lainey Wilson, and kicked off 2025 on his headlining “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour.” The tour sold out within hours of tickets going on sale. Alongside Wilson, he has also opened up for Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Billy Strings Top was also crowned ACM New Male Artist of the Year in April. He will release his next album, Ain’t In It For My Health, in August, continuing to build his fast-growing fan base.
Tucker Wetmore has been spotted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart throughout the year with his breakthrough singles “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” both now RIAA Platinum certified. The two tracks also had a hand in helping Wetmore amass 1 billion streams in just over a year. He released his debut EP Waves On A Sunset last year and also made two appearances on the Twisters soundtrack with “Already Had It” and “Steal My Thunder.” Making his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024, Wetmore also spent time on the road supporting Kameron Marlowe and Luke Bryan, before embarking on his sold-out debut headline tour. To kick off 2025, Wetmore notched more headline shows across the UK, U.S. and Europe. He is currently on Thomas Rhett’s “Better In Boots Tour” as direct support. Wetmore was also nominated for ACM New Male Artist of the Year this year, and released his debut album What Not To. He has earned nods on Artists To Watch lists from Billboard, MusicRow, Vevo, Spotify, the Grand Ole Opry and more.
Since making his mark on Music City, Warren Zeiders has garnered 3.6 billion career streams, 2 billion TikTok views, and averages 7.9 million monthly Spotify listeners. Last year, Zeiders took home the Breakthrough Male Music Video of the Year at the CMT awards and was nominated for two People’s Choice Country Awards. Zeiders was also featured on the blockbuster Twisters soundtrack with “The Cards I’ve Been Dealt,” and notched his first No. 1 country radio single with the RIAA 2x Platinum “Pretty Little Poison.” The hit was also the second most played song on country radio in 2024. Zeiders kicked off 2025 with the release of his 21-track Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal. The project was featured on NPR, GQ, Cowboys & Indians, Forbes and more. He has also made the rounds on network television, with performances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Kelly Clarkson Show. He recently wrapped his first ever European tour before headlining Houston Rodeo, and is currently on his 30-date “Relapse Tour.” He will stay busy through the end of the year with his “Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal Tour” kicking off in the fall.
Grand Ole Opry & Humana To Host ‘Face The Fight Night’ On Sept. 10
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry and presenting sponsor Humana are joining forces for the second year for “Face the Fight Night” on Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, to drive awareness and education about veteran suicide prevention.
Craig Morgan, Coffey Anderson, Mickey Guyton and Tucker Wetmore are scheduled to perform during the special show to help raise awareness around the critical issue.
Launched in June 2023 by founding partners the Humana Foundation, Reach Resilience, and USAA, Face the Fight works to bring organizations together to reduce the veteran suicide rate. The coalition now includes more than 250 members working collectively to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and engage communities. Face the Fight-funded programs have also impacted more than 355,000 lives with proven interventions.
“We are deeply committed to reducing veteran suicide and proud to stand alongside our partners in the Face the Fight coalition,” says George Renaudin, Humana’s President of Insurance. “The progress we’ve made together is a powerful reminder that no veteran should ever feel alone. Face the Fight Night is more than an event – it’s a celebration of resilience, a call to action, and a message of hope. Together, we are breaking down stigma, building stronger communities, and driving purposeful change.”
Nate Smith Notches Fourth No. 1 Single
/by Lauryn SinkNate Smith. Photo: Kaiser Cunningham
Nate Smith has earned his fourth No. 1 single with “Fix What You Didn’t Break.” The song follows Smith’s “Whiskey On You,” “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof,” all of which went No. 1 and earned Platinum certifications.
Smith co-wrote the single alongside Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Lindsay Rimes, who also produced the track.
“In case you guys didn’t know the impact of what sharing a song can make on an artist and his career… y’all are changing not only my life but everyone around me. Sorry for the waterworks but I couldn’t control it. I’m too overwhelmed with thankfulness and relief. THANK YOU, COUNTRY RADIO!!!!!!!!! SO MUCH!” Smith shared in an emotional video post on Instagram. “To my family at Sony Music Nashville, my team who is touring with me, the songwriters, my management The Core Entertainment, and to my fans… there will never be enough ‘thank yous’ I could give you guys. Without you, every one of you, showing up every day for me… we wouldn’t be here today. I’m overwhelmed today.”
Smith recently released his newest track “Dads Don’t Die” around Father’s Day, as part of a very special two-pack. In addition to the original, it boasted a bonus version featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emily Weisband, who he co-wrote the track with. He is currently serving as direct support on Jason Aldean’s “Full Throttle Tour” through fall.
Weekly Register: Post Malone Returns To Top Five On Streaming Charts
/by Lauryn SinkPost Malone. Photo: Adam DeGross
Morgan Wallen remains at the top of the charts this week, according to Luminate data. His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” remains at No. 1 on the songs chart with 17 million streams this week adding to its 247 million total, while his recently-released I’m The Problem record holds its top position on the albums chart with 136K in total consumption (4.1K in album only and 166 million in song streams).
On the songs chart, Wallen holds the top four positions. “I’m The Problem” and “Just In Case” come in at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively with 13 million streams each this week each. “I Got Better” takes the No. 4 spot with 12 million streams this week. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” comes in No. 5 with 10 million streams this week.
Over on the albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time takes the No. 2 spot with 39K in total consumption while Dangerous: The Double Album holds the No. 3 spot with 27K. Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going takes No. 4 with 25K in total consumption. Post Malone has returned to the top five this week with his F-1 Trillon album rounding out the chart with 18k in total consumption.
LOCASH Inks With CAA
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Darin Murphy, CAA; Karen Schillinger, CAA; Preston Brust, LOCASH; Chris Lucas, LOCASH; Skip Bishop, Galaxy Label Group. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
LOCASH, the duo comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, have signed with CAA for exclusive representation in all areas.
The two have collected a pocket full of hits since beginning their career, including “I Love This Life,” “I Know Somebody” and “One Big Country Song.” Their most recent chart topper “Hometown Home” was the pair’s first No. 1 single out of their own Galaxy Label Group. The two-week No. 1 was co-penned by Brust, Lucas, Zach Abend and Andy Albert, with production by Jacob Rice.
“The energy that Darin [Murphy] and CAA are bringing to our new chapter is exciting, inspiring and contagious,” LOCASH shares. “They rolled up their sleeves on day one and have already made a big impact on our touring. Darin is one of those top-notch names that’s seen it all and worked with the biggest artists in our industry, so to have him behind the wheel of our touring has our whole team feeling grateful and ready to rock.”
Tracy Lawrence To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of Mission: Possible Turkey Fry In November
/by Lorie HollabaughTracy Lawrence. Photo: Caylee Robillard
Tracy Lawrence‘s annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit returns on Nov. 25, celebrating its 20th year this year.
The anniversary event will be bigger than ever before, aiming to feed over 32,000 people in need in Middle Tennessee through the Nashville Rescue Mission, eight surrounding county school systems, and boots on the ground community organizations who provide for those in need.
“I cannot believe we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the turkey fry,” says Lawrence. “This event started with a few of my buddies in a church parking lot and only cooking 200 birds. Now our footprint has grown, and we’re cooking 2,000 turkeys and feeding so many throughout Middle Tennessee. Big things!”
The turkey fry will kick off early morning on Nov. 25 at the Nashville Fairgrounds. With the help of Cargill, The Poultry Federation and Operation BBQ, the event has expanded to feed more people in the community with 2,000 cooked turkeys – 400 more than last year – and 1,200 frozen turkeys distributed. The festivities will continue on into the night at Luke Combs’ Category 10 for a benefit concert, with the lineup to be released soon. General on-sale for the event begins Aug. 15.
In conjunction with the announcement, Lawrence has launched a brand new seasoning to join his growing line of cooking products. Tracy Lawrence’s All-Natural Seasoning is completely free from MSG, gluten, sugar and non-GMO, and comes in four flavors – creole, garlic and onion salt, seasoning salt and cracked pepper garlic. The seasoning is sold in select Scheel’s stores as well as Amazon and on Lawrence’s website. Last fall, Lawrence launched an all-natural marinade, inspired by his daughter’s food allergies. Select profits from the marinade and seasoning benefit Lawrence’s Mission:Possible charity.
2025 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Discovery Artist Of The Year
/by Madison HahnenFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Discovery Artist of the Year category.
This category honors a Nashville developing artist who has demonstrated the most promise of future success during the eligibility period.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Watkinsville, Georgia native Gavin Adcock began releasing music in 2021 after a knee injury paused his time as a football player at Georgia Southern University. During recovery, he shifted focus to songwriting and recording, independently building a catalog that has since amassed over 1 billion global streams. His breakout track “A Cigarette” is RIAA Platinum-certified, while “Run Your Mouth,” “Deep End” and “Four Leaf Clover” have each earned Gold status. In 2024, Adcock released his major-label debut album Actin’ Up Again, which became the largest country debut by a solo male artist that year, earning over 15 million U.S. streams in its first week and marking the year’s top streaming debut in the genre. His next full-length project, Own Worst Enemy, is set for release on Aug. 15, 2025. Over the past year, Adcock has sold out headline tours across the U.S., including the “Monster Energy Outbreak Tour” and the “Need To Tour.” He also joins Morgan Wallen on select dates of the “I’m The Problem Tour,” alongside scheduled festival appearances and new headline shows through the end of 2025.
Hailing from the small town of Hull, Georgia, Mackenzie Carpenter is the spunky girl-next-door who grew up writing songs with her brothers and singing in church. Raised on a foundation of family, faith and music, she developed a warm, authentic voice that blends classic country roots with a modern edge. Before stepping into the spotlight as an artist, Carpenter made her mark as a songwriter, penning standout cuts like Megan Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty,” “Indifferent” and “28th of June,” as well as Lily Rose’s breakout track “Villain.” After signing with The Valory Music Co. in 2022, she earned industry attention from Spotify, CMT, MusicRow and Nashville Briefing as an artist to watch. She’s opened for Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Parker McCollum and more. On March 7, Carpenter released her debut album Hey Country Queen, a 13-track project she co-wrote in full. Featuring fan-favorite singles like “Dozen Red Flags” and the Midland duet “I Wish You Would.” Most recently, she joined Moroney on select dates of her “Am I Okay? Tour.”
Originally from North Carolina, Carter Faith relocated to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. Since making the move, she has accumulated over 117 million global streams. In 2024, she signed with UMG Nashville (now MCA). Her debut album, Cherry Valley, is set for release this October, following the 2023 launch of her Capitol Records Nashville debut, The Aftermath EP. Faith has performed alongside notable acts including Little Big Town, Keith Urban, and Willie Nelson. Most recently, she wrapped dates with Ella Langley and Carly Pearce. She was recognized on MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and All Country News’ Artists to Watch lists for 2025. Her industry momentum is further reflected in her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2023 and Listen Up Class of 2024 campaigns. She also became the first country artist ever featured in Spotify’s multi-genre Fresh Finds program, an early indicator of her wide-ranging impact and cross-genre potential.
Dylan Gossett began writing and recording music as a teenager, using GarageBand on his mom’s computer. Throughout high school, college at Texas A&M and a job at Formula 1 Racing, music remained his true passion. Inspired by a new wave of online singer-songwriters, he began posting videos in April 2023. His debut single, “To Be Free,” which was entirely self-written, recorded, produced, and mixed in his bedroom, arrived that June. A month later, his breakout song “Coal” went viral and has since racked up over 428 million streams, gone Platinum in multiple countries, and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify’s U.S. Top 200. In October 2023, Gossett released his first EP No Better Time, earning critical acclaim and followed that with his 2024 EP Songs In The Gravel. He’s sold out multiple headline tours, supported Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen, and played top festivals like Stagecoach and CMA Fest. Now, his self-written and produced debut album Westward, which released July 18, marks a bold new chapter.
Blending traditional country storytelling with a modern sound, Dylan Marlowe is a Sony Music Nashville artist from Statesboro, Georgia. Influenced by a wide range of artists from Eric Church and Kenny Chesney to Linkin Park and Blink-182, Marlowe brings a genre-blurring approach to his songwriting and production. He first gained attention in 2021 with a reimagined cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license,” drawing over half a million followers on TikTok. Since then, he’s released self-penned projects including Record High and Dirt Road When I Die, and co-wrote Jon Pardi’s No. 1 hit “Last Night Lonely.” In 2025, Marlowe earned his first No. 1 at country radio with “Boys Back Home” (featuring Dylan Scott), which he co-wrote with Seth Ennis and Joe Fox. The track is RIAA Gold-certified. His debut album Mid-Twenties Crisis followed, contributing to over 400 million global streams to date. Marlowe has supported artists like Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Hardy, and Brantley Gilbert, steadily building a fanbase through consistent touring and a sound that bridges country tradition with rock-influenced edge.
Hudson Westbrook hails from Stephenville, Texas, raised on George Strait, Turnpike Troubadours, Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, and Tracy Lawrence. After making waves with his viral 2024 debut “Take It Slow,” he quickly followed with a series of grassroots hits while enrolled at Texas Tech University. His breakout Texas radio single “Two Way Drive” topped charts, followed by his first national country radio single “House Again.” Blending the classic country he grew up on with his own fresh perspective, Westbrook delivers a sound that’s both nostalgic and new. His debut album Texas Forever, a 17-track project that arrived July 25, captures that vision in full. In just one year, Westbrook has amassed nearly 500 million global streams and averages over 20 million streams per week. He kicked off 2025 with two nearly sold-out headline tours and upcoming support slots for Parker McCollum, Midland, Eli Young Band, Cole Swindell, and Ian Munsick. Named a Highway Find by SiriusXM and a top 2025 Artist to Watch by Spotify, Westbrook is taking Texas country far beyond state lines.