The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced the leaders of its Board of Directors.

For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Board will be led by Marcus Whitney, Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors (JHI). The Executive Committee of the Board also includes Burke Nihill, President and CEO for the Tennessee Titans, who serves as Chair-Elect. Ken Levitan, Founder and Co-President of Vector Management, serves as Immediate Past Chair.

“We’re grateful to have such dedicated and visionary leaders serving on the NCVC Board of Directors during this pivotal time for Nashville’s hospitality industry,” shares Whitney. “Their guidance and commitment are instrumental in navigating economic headwinds while continuing to drive growth and momentum across Nashville’s tourism sector. It’s an exciting moment for our city, and I’m proud to work alongside this exceptional group as we shape the future of hospitality in Music City.”

The Board’s other Executive Committee members include Claire Tucker, Independent Director at Ford Credit Bank, as the Finance and Audit Chair, Max Goldberg, Co-Founder of Strategic Hospitality, as Sales and Marketing Chair, and Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Ellen Pryor, Director of Communications and Community Relations at Frist Art Museum, has joined the Board as Chair of the Music City Inc. foundation.

The Board of Directors includes Ian Ayre, Vice Chairman, Nashville Soccer Club, Linda Chambers, CEO and Co-Founder, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Dr. Robert Fisher, Past President, Belmont University, Mark Fioravanti, President and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Becky Gardenhire, Co-Head of the Nashville office of WME, Dr. Alex Jahangir, Vice Chair and Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Provider Network Development, Vanderbilt Health, Doug Kreulen, President and CEO, Metro Nashville Airport Authority, Leesa LeClaire, Executive Director, Greater Nashville Hospitality Association, Pat Martin, Founder and Chairman, Martin Investment Group, Howie Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports, Tony Phillips, General Manager, Bobby Hotel, Shannon Sanders, Executive Director, Creative at BMI Nashville, Molly Shehan, Partner and Attorney, Milom Crow Kelly Beckett Shehan, Marc Sternagel, General Manager, Grand Hyatt, Sarah Trahern, Executive Director, CMA and Ben Weprin, Founder and CEO, AJ Capital

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 Song of the Year category.

The nominees honor Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of country songwriting, not necessarily chart performance, during the eligibility period of June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025.

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.

“Baggage”
Serving as the current single off her Patterns album, Kelsea Ballerini’s “Baggage” unpacks bringing old emotional weight into a new relationship, and learning to accept it. Penned by Ballerini with Alysa Vanderheym, Jessie Jo Dillon, Hillary Lindsey and Karen Fairchild, the track builds up with momentum about letting go past love to make room for a new relationship. “Clear out a drawer, clear out a shelf, I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else,” Ballerini sings. “Everything that’s heavy, I check it at the door, Kind of feel like I don’t need it anymore.” As the beat picks up through the chorus, Ballerini ends her messaging with, “I got baggage, but I’m movin’ in.” The tune has had heavy streaming numbers since its release and is currently climbing up the radio chart, proving to be a fan favorite as well as a commercial hit.

“Don’t Mind If I Do”
Riley Green continues to garner success with his solo-penned tracks, including his duet with Ella Langley “Don’t Mind If I Do,” the title track of his latest studio album. The tune starts with Green assessing the progress he’s made since his breakup. “I’ve been doing better, I hardly ever think of you, lately,” he sings. But the moving on isn’t all that easy—as random moments of missing her pop into his mind. “When you cross my mind, I start missing you, like crazy. I try to numb the pain, but there ain’t no damn way. I end up in that place and I’m just one whiskey away.” Langley then chimes in, echoing the sentiment, both not minding if they miss each other.

“I Never Lie”
Breakout act Zach Top released his debut album Cold Beer & Country Music last year, filled with both feel-good and solid country tracks. “I Never Lie” is a standout from the project, eventually becoming Top’s first No. 1 radio single. Co-penned by Top, Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols, the tune opens up with Top seeing an old flame and commenting how they look as good as ever. “Well, it’s been some time, You still look like an angel, I heard you’re doin’ fine,” he shares initially. As the tune continues, it’s clear that Top isn’t telling the whole truth about how he’s doing. “Oh, and I ain’t been lonely since you said goodbye. I wish I could say I miss you, but you know I never lie.”

“Indigo”
First gaining traction on TikTok, Sam Barber and Avery Anna’s “Indigo” has taken on a life of its own off the app. Written by Barber, Anna and Andy Sheridan, the track starts off with Barber talking to someone from his past, sharing that his leaving left him colorless. “I used to shine bright like gold, Now I’m all indigo. My colors are darker and cold, I think it’s time that I went home,” Barber sings with Anna’s evocative vocals in the background. As the track goes on, the two wind down the dark path to feeling numb, and wondering what can save them. “And the light fades away from my face, And the tears fall like rain. So I turn my words all into faith, Hope it’s me that they save.”

“The Fall”
“The Fall” recorded by Cody Johnson is the latest in his collection of outside cuts. Written by Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover and Ray Fulcher, Johnson’s current radio single is an exploration of the ups and downs of life, sharing the universal truth that even a bad ending can be worth the good that happened leading up to it. “I’ve been good time drunk enough to be bad time sober. Broke a map dot’s heart when it disappeared over my shoulder,” Johnson admits. As the song builds to the chorus, he shares the powerful message, “The ride was worth the fall. The fall was worth the smiles. The smiles were worth the tears,” showing that some hard things are worth it in the end.

“Weren’t For The Wind”
Coming off a breakout year, Ella Langley has put herself on the map with her songwriting and artistry, particularly showcased in “Weren’t For The Wind.” Co-penned with Johnny Clawson and Joybeth Taylor, the song has Langley taking an introspective look at her habits, past relationships and promises broken. “I wouldn’t paint me as a heartbreaker, But I’ve said a few goodbyes, I’d make a promise but I know later, I’m bound to change my mind,” Langley sings. She admits how, like a tumbleweed, she follows the direction of the wind, even if it means never being able to settle down with someone she loves. “Maybe I’d settle down, dig in some roots, Find me a farmhouse, find me you. Maybe I wouldn’t be already gone again, If it weren’t for the wind.”

The IBMA Foundation has awarded its college scholarships for the 2025-26 school year.

The recipient of the first Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship is Hayden Reidling from Georgia. Maggie Thornton will be the first recipient of the Gloria Belle Memorial Scholarship. The recipient of the J. D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship is Bayla Davis. The recipient of the Katy Daley Broadcaster & Sound Engineering Scholarship is Thomas “Teak” Porter.  Reid Warren is the recipient of the IBMA Bluegrass College Scholarship. The Rick Lang Music Songwriter Scholarship will go to Alaina Majkrzak. Megan Mendenhall will receive the Sally Ann Forrester Scholarship.

IBMA has also announced its newly elected Board of Directors, who officially began their terms in June 2025.

The Executive Committee now includes:
Chair – Anna Frick (returning)
Vice Chair – Brad Kolodner (returning)
Secretary – Kristin Scott Benson (new)
Treasurer – Paul Schiminger (returning)
Executive Committee Member – Ariel Rosemberg (returning)

New and returning board members include:
Artists, Composers, and Music Publishers – Darin Aldridge (returning), CJ Lewandowski (returning), Missy Raines (new)
Merchandisers & Luthiers – Christine Funk (returning)
Associations – Carolyn Hotte (returning)
International At Large – Christopher Howard-Williams (returning)
Agents, Managers, and Publicists – Helen Ludé (new)
At Large – Shannon Sanders (new), Matt Simontacchi (new), Mike Simpson (returning), Deanie Richardson (returning), Andrea Roberts (returning)
Print, Media & Education – Annie Savage (returning)
Recording, Distribution & Marketing – Timothy Trudeau (new)
Ex Officio – Adam Engelhardt (returning)