Artists Added To Big Machine 20th Anniversary Concert Lineup

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Carly Pearce, Aaron Lewis and The Jack Wharff Band have been added to the lineup for the Big Machine 20 Concert in downtown Nashville on August 29.

Big Machine Label Group will toast to 20 years of chart-topping hits and genre-defining talent at the anniversary bash, with the evening also serving as the official kickoff party for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship weekend.

Stars from throughout BMLG’s history, including The Band Perry, RaeLynn, Danielle Peck, Danielle Bradbery and Jack Ingram are also set to perform, as well as rising star Preston Cooper, along with special guests to be announced in the coming weeks.

Big Machine 20 will also include the fifth annual Freedom Friday event, honoring members of the Military, Police, Fire, First Responders and Frontline Heroes. Last year’s Freedom Friday concert saw more than 118,000 attendees.

Founded on September 1st, 2005 by Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group has sold more than 226 million albums and tallied 186 No. 1s with more than 400 RIAA-certified tracks. Artists on the label’s roster have scored 76 Grammy nominations, 54 ACM Awards wins, and 28 CMA Awards wins, as well as multiple American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, CMT Awards and more.

Gospel Music Association Unveils Nominees For 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards

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The Gospel Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Brandon Lake leads artist nominations with nine, including Artist of the Year.

Nominee announcements were shared on the GMA Dove Awards Instagram account by Dove Award-winning artists CAIN, Jekalyn Carr, Katy Nichole, Karen Peck and Pastor Mike Jr. via surprise FaceTime calls to select nominees. This year’s Dove Awards, presented in partnership with the Cantinas Arts Foundation, will be held Oct. 7th, 2025 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ App Friday, Oct. 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm and 10pm ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM The Message.

“It’s such an exciting time as we announce this year’s nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “We love honoring the incredible gifts of our community of artists, songwriters, producers and creatives and showcasing all they’ve accomplished this past year. I look forward to celebrating with you at Bridgestone Arena this October!”

A full list of nominees can be found here. Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,800 submitted entries.

2025 Dove Award Nominees: 
Song of the Year
“Counting My Blessings” (Writers: Seph Schlueter, Jordan Sapp, Jonathan Gamble)
“Good Day” (Writer: Forrest Frank)
“Goodbye Yesterday” (Writers: Gracie Binion, Steven Furtick, Mitch Wong, Josh Holiday)
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Benjamin William Hastings)
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” (Writers: Leanna Crawford, Jonathan Gamble, Justin Mark Richards)
“That’s My King” (Writers: Kellie Gamble, Jess Russ, Lloyd Nicks, Taylor Agan)
“That’s Who I Praise” (Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Zac Lawson, Micah Nichols)
“The Prodigal” (Writers: Josiah Queen, Jared Marc)
“The Truth” (Writers: Megan Woods, Matthew West, Jeff Pardo)
“Up!” (Writers: Forrest Frank, Connor Price)

Artist of the Year
Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham

New Artist of the Year
Abbie Gamboa
Caleb Gordon
Leanna Crawford
Patrick Mayberry
Strings and Heart

Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“At The Altar” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Tiffany Hudson, Abbie Gamboa
“I Know A Name” – Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake
“Mighty Name Of Jesus (Live)” – Hope Darst, The Belonging Co.
“The King Is In The Room” – Phil Wickham
“What A God (Live)” – SEU Worship, ONE HOUSE, Kenzie Walker, Chelsea Plank, Roosevelt
Stewart

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“GOODBYE YESTERDAY” – ELEVATION RHYTHM, Grace Binion
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” – Leanna Crawford
“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
“YOUR WAY’S BETTER” – Forrest Frank

Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year
“Come Jesus Come” – CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar
“God Is In Control” – DOE
“One Hallelujah” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton (ft. Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr)
“Rest On Us (Flow) [Live]” – Naomi Raine
“Yahweh” – Jason Nelson (ft. Melvin Crispell III)

Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year
“Al Estar Aquí” – Marcos Witt, TAYA
“ALGORITMO” – Gabriel EMC, Alex Zurdo
“Coritos de Fuego” – Israel & New Breed, Unified Sound (ft. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, Lucia Parker)
“Sigue Caminando” – Sarai Rivera
“Worthy” – Blanca (ft. Yandel)

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
Anike – Anike
Christlike, California – Mile Minnick
CRY – Hulvey
SORRY, I CHANGED (AGAIN) – Aaron Cole
The People We Became – nobigdyl.

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“If Not For Christ” – The Whisnants
“Love ‘Em Where They Are” – Gaither Vocal Band
“Man On The Middle Cross” – Scotty Inman (ft. Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie)
“That’s What Faith Looks Like” – Karen Peck & New River
“You’ll Find Him There (Live)” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year
“(More Than A) Hollow Hallelujah” – The Isaacs
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
“If It Was Up To Me” – Ben Fuller, Carrie Underwood
“There’s a Hole in the Heart” – The Nelons
“There’s a River” – High Road (ft. Jaelee Roberts)

Feature Film of the Year
For the One
Reagan
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Forge
The King of Kings

Television Series of the Year
God. Family. Football.
House of David
Jesus: Refugee, Renegade, Redeemer with Bear Grylls
The Chosen
When Hope Calls

Nashville Songwriter-Artist Sandy Pinkard Passes

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Sandy Pinkard

Sandy Pinkard has died at age 78.

The singer-songwriter left his mark on the Nashville scene as half of the music/comedy team Pinkard & Bowden and as a songwriter for Brenda Lee, Jim Nabors, Cher, John Anderson, Mickey Gilley and more. He and Texas songwriter Richard Bowden formed Pinkard & Bowden in 1984 and were signed to Warner Records. Between 1985 and 1993, the duo issued five albums and 12 singles.

They were famous for their witty parodies of country-music songs. Five of them made the country popularity charts in 1984-89, including “Mama She’s Lazy” (a parody of “Mama He’s Crazy”), “She Thinks I Steal Cars” (“She Thinks I Still Care”) and “Somebody Done Somebody’s Song Wrong.” Other highlights included “Help Me Make It Through the Yard,” “Delta Dawg” and “Drivin’ My Wife Away.” John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” became “Libyan on a Jet Plane.” Claude King’s hit “Wolverton Mountain” became “Three Mile Island.” Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” became “Blue Hairs Driving in My Lane.”

Independent of the novelty duo, Sandy Pinkard was noted for co-writing such award-winning hits as “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” for David Frizzell & Shelly West (1981), which won the ACM Award for Song of the Year. “Coca Cola Cowboy” was a 1979 No. 1 hit for Mel Tillis that appeared on the soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood movie Any Which Way You Can. Glen Campbell had a top-10 hit with the film’s title tune. Tanya Tucker’s top-10 hit with “Pecos Promenade” was on the soundtrack of the 1980 Burt Reynolds movie Smokey & The Bandit II.

Vern Gosdin scored his first chart-topping hit with 1984’s “I Can Tell By the Way You Dance.” Anne Murray hit No. 1 with “Blessed Are the Believers” in 1981. The superstar duo of Ray Charles & Clint Eastwood charted with “Beers to You” in 1980.

He was born James Sanford Pinkard Jr. in 1947 and was an Air Force veteran during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Masons and the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

Sandy Pinkard resided in Kingwood, West Virginia, where he died at home on Saturday, July 26. He is survived by his wife Lisa Ann Bennett, son Tom Maxwell, daughters Pamela Way and Mary Athalia Irwin, grandson Henry Stuart Irwin and brother Chris Pinkard.

A graveside service will be held at the West Virginia National Cemetery, at 42 Veterans Memorial Lane in Grafton, WV 26354, on Thursday, July 31, at 2:00 PM, where full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center.

Designate checks to Veterans with Guitar Programs 1901, C/O Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center, Attention Voluntary Services, 1 Med Center Drive, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

Online condolences to www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com.

Cameron Bedell Signs With Electric Feel Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Austin Rosen (CEO & Founder, Electric Feel), Cameron Bedell and John Bradley (Country A&R, Electric Feel). Photo: Callie Mangrum

Singer-songwriter and producer Cameron Bedell has inked with Electric Feel Entertainment, joining the company’s Nashville roster.

Based in Music City, Bedell is originally from Kansas and is credited for his genre-bending, vulnerable songwriting. He is a graduate of Belmont University, and first gained popularity when he was a contestant on season 14 of American Idol. He also went viral for his covers of Julia Michaels’ “Issues” and The Weeknd’s “Earned It.”

Bedell’s writing credits include Jimmie Allen, Hailey Whitters, Chris Lane, Josh Ross, Dylan Scott, Lauren Alaina, among many others. He co-penned the two week No. 1 hit “Down Home” recorded by Allen and the top 4o tune “I’m In Love” recorded by Whitters. Bedell’s co-written “Breakups,” recorded by Seaforth, is also certified Gold. On the production side, he frequently collaborates with Tiera Kennedy and others.

“I’m so pumped to be at EF,” says Bedell. “The opportunities here are endless and I’ve always felt like I had more to offer. The team here is awesome and I already feel at home!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Cam to the EF family!” shared Chandler Nicole Sherrill, Senior Director of Creative, Electric Feel Entertainment. “I’ve been a fan of his songwriting and production journey from afar for nearly a decade, and I couldn’t be more excited to now be working with him directly. Not only is he one of the best cross-genre writers I’ve ever worked with, he’s also one of the hardest-working people in the business. There is so much great music coming and I couldn’t be more excited to watch him shine!”

Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw Team For Festive New Christmas Tour

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Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw are celebrating the holiday season this year on their “Christmas Tour 2025,” kicking off Dec. 4.

The eight-date west coast tour will combine the duo’s beloved hits with festive favorites, and will feature songs from Caillat’s holiday album Christmas in the Sand which remains a seasonal staple for fans craving a sunny twist on tradition. The project features originals like the breezy title track and “Mistletoe,” along with Caillat’s laid-back renditions of classics like “Santa Baby” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

The tour will also feature songs from DeGraw’s A Classic Christmas project which includes timeless yuletide ballads “Silent Night,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” as well as merry, upbeat classics such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “White Christmas.”

“The coldest season can feel so warm when you bring all your favorite things together. Family, friends, music and singing our favorite songs. And I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas tour with my bestie Gavin,” says Caillat.

“Christmas music makes me feel like I’m surrounded by family and making music with close friends is a great way to enjoy the holiday season, one tune at a time,” adds DeGraw. “Can’t wait to share the stage with Colbie again this Christmas season.”

“Christmas Tour 2025” Dates:
Dec. 4 – Airway Heights, WA – Spokane Live
Dec. 5 – Olympia, WA – The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Dec. 6 – Grand Ronde, OR – Spirit Mountain Casino
Dec. 7 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort – Grand Theatre
Dec. 9 – Folsom, CA – Harris Center for the Arts – Stage 1 Theater
Dec. 10 – Chico, CA – Laxson Auditorium
Dec. 12 – Santa Ynez, CA – Chumash Casino Resort – Samala Showroom
Dec. 13 – Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Industry Ink: George Strait, Riley Green & Ella Langley, CMHOFM, TONS, More

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George Strait And Vaqueros Del Mar Raise $6.25 Million For Texas Flood Relief

Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Strait To The Heart

George Strait and his Vaqueros del Mar partner Tom Cusick hosted “Strait To The Heart,” an intimate benefit dinner and concert at Estancia at Thunder Valley in Boerne, Texas, on Sunday (July 27). The event raised $6.25 million and counting for those affected by the flooding across Texas’ Hill Country.

A sold-out crowd of 1,200 people saw performances from Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Jamey Johnson and more.

 

Riley Green & Ella Langley’s ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ Certified Platinum

Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Harnen, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Ryan Dokke, Dexter Bensman and Tim Reynolds. Photo: Sam Crabtree

Riley Green and Ella Langley’s current single “Don’t Mind If I Do” has been certified RIAA Platinum. The track was written solely by Green and featured as the title track on his most recent project.

Green and Langley are currently amid his “Damn Country Music Tour.”

 

CMHOFM Feature Dennis Morgan in Poets and Prophets Program

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Writer-Editor Allison Moorer and Dennis Morgan at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently hosted Dennis Morgan in their Poets and Prophets interview series. The program was moderated by museum writer-editor Allison Moorer and accompanied by photos, film and recordings.

Morgan is known for his more than 20 No. 1 singles including hits will Faith Hill, Willie Nelson and George Strait, among others.

During the program, Morgan performed a few songs. Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp joined him on stage to perform Strait’s “River of Love,” which they co-wrote. The program was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website.

 

TONS & W Nashville Host Second TONS Live

TONS Live Presented by W Nashville. Courtesy of W Nashville

The Other Nashville Society (TONS) and W Nashville hosted the second installment of TONS Live Presented by W Nashville, a live music experience celebrating the genre-defying artists shaping the city’s evolving sound. Guests enjoyed performances from the event’s line-up of rising hip-hop and R&B artists including Tim Gent, Yours Truly, Jai and 2’Live Bre, with DJ Afrosheen spinning between sets. TONS will host the third show in the series on Thursday, Aug. 21 at W Nashville.

 

Waylon Hanel Partners With JWA Media For Public Relations & Publicity Representation

Waylon Hanel. Photo: Jaime Lynn Photography

Waylon Hanel has joined the artist roster at JWA Media for public relations and publicity representation.

The Millington, Michigan native’s catalog includes his debut self-titled EP, full lenght album New Old Outlaws and third EP Don’t Mess With My Country. His latest single, “Tow Truck Driver” was released in June. His upcoming single, “Red Bricks” is due in September.

 

Big Loud Rock Appoints Jenny Huynh As Director, Media

Jenny Huynh. Photo: Anthony Giovanni Barrios

Big Loud Rock, the alternative/rock imprint of Big Loud Records, has added Jenny Huynh as Director, Media. Huynh will spearhead the label’s press strategy and execution, reporting directly to VP, Media/PR Corey Brewer, SVP of Marketing Brooks Roach, Big Loud Partner/President Joey Moi and Big Loud Rock EVP/GM Lloyd Norman.

Most recently, Huynh served as a Publicist at 2b Entertainment working with Green Day, Shania Twain, Josh Groban, My Chemical Romance, Little Big Town, Tayla Parx, Maggie Lindemann, Allie X, Ally Brooke (Fifth Harmony), KiNG MALA, The Living Tombstone and more.

“I’m thrilled to join the Big Loud Rock team and be a part of the label’s exciting new chapter under the leadership of Joey and Lloyd,” shares Huynh. “The team’s energy is unmatched, and I can’t wait to amplify the stories of this diverse roster. Let’s make some noise!”

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jenny to the Big Loud Rock team,” adds Moi. “In an ever-evolving media landscape, her energy, fresh perspective, and strong connections will be key in helping our artists stand out. We can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on the team and our roster.”

Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Returns To Top 5

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

Morgan Wallen continues to dominate the albums and songs charts this week, according to Luminate data. His duet with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” remains at No. 1 on the songs chart with 18 million streams this week adding to its 212 million total, while his recently-released I’m The Problem record holds its top position on the albums chart with 142K in total consumption (6K in album only and 171 million in song streams).

On the songs chart, Wallen also holds the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 spots with “Just In Case,” “I’m The Problem” and “I Got Better” respectively. “Just In Case” garnered 13 million this week for a total of 308 million streams. “I’m The Problem” added 13 million streams to its 392 million total. “I Got Better” earned 11 million streams adding to its 136 million total. At No. 4 is Shaboozey with “A Bar Song” garnering 11 million streams this week for an updated total of 1.4 billion streams.

Over on the albums chart, Wallen holds the No. 2 spot with One Thing At A Time earning 39K in total consumption. Dangerous: The Double Album falls at No. 3 with 28K in total consumption. Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going has maintained its No. 4 position this week with 25K in total consumption. Entering the chart this week at No. 5 is Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak with 19K in total consumption.

Whiskey Myers Plan Northeast Acoustic Tour For December

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Whiskey Myers. Photo: Khris Poage

Whiskey Myers will embark on a special acoustic run in December, the “Whiskey Myers & Friends” tour, visiting classic theaters throughout the northeast.

The seven-date mini-tour will feature special guests Bones Owens and Rob Leines, and will visit Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Scranton, Boston and more through Dec. 13. The acoustic run will feature unique versions of songs from across the band’s discography, including the soon-to-be-released new album Whomp Whack Thunder, due out Sept. 26. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Aug. 1) via whiskeymyers.com.

Frontman Cody Cannon penned all eleven tracks on Whomp Whack Thunder solo, with stories packed with the emotional weight of lived experience and the firepower of the band’s signature sound, shaped by nearly two decades of defiant, grassroots momentum. The project crafts a sonic landscape that stretches from greasy blues-rock riffs to gospel-tinged country soul, and includes the leadoff single “Time Bomb.”

Tickets to remaining “What We Were Born To Do Tour” headlining shows and co-headlining dates of the upcoming “Live in 25 Tour” with Tedeschi Trucks Band are on sale now.

“Whiskey Myers & Friends” Acoustic Shows:
Dec. 5  ||  Philadelphia, Pa. – The Met Philadelphia
Dec. 6  ||  Brooklyn, N.Y. –  Brooklyn Paramount
Dec. 7  ||  Montclair, N.J.  – The Wellmont Theater
Dec. 9  ||  Scranton, Pa. –  Scranton Cultural Centre at the Masonic Temple
Dec. 11  ||  Wallingford, Conn. – Oakdale Theatre
Dec. 12  ||  Albany, N.Y.  –  Palace Theatre
Dec. 13  ||  Boston, Mass.  – Orpheum Theatre

SMACKSongs Elevates Sam Sarno To Senior Creative Director Of Publishing

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Sam Sarno.

SMACKSongs has elevated Sam Sarno to Senior Creative Director of Publishing.

In her new role, Sarno will continue her work with SMACK’s current roster while also focusing on signing and developing new talent. During her time with the company, she has worked alongside Lalo Guzman, Josh Dorr and Johnny Clawson as each earned their first No. 1 over the last year.

“Watching Sam go from the front desk to one of the best publishers in the music business has been a highlight of my career,” shares Lee Krabel, Sr. VP of Publishing. “This promotion is a direct result of her work ethic and dedication to the writers at SMACK. We are proud to have her as a part of the team!”

“I’m incredibly thankful to keep growing within a company that means so much to me. Lee, Robin, and Robert have believed in me from the start, and I’m so grateful for their trust and guidance,” adds Sarno. “It’s been amazing watching our writers flourish, and I’m honored to keep building something special with them and this team!”

Sam Hunt Takes His 11th Trip To The Top Of The Charts With ‘Country House’

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Sam Hunt has racked up his 11th solo No. 1 this week, topping this week’s Mediabase country chart with his single “Country House.”

Since debuting on the music scene a little over a decade ago, Hunt has also earned No. 1s for hits “Leave The Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “Make You Miss Me,” “House Party,” “Body Like A Backroad,” “Kinfolks,” “Hard To Forget,” “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” “23” and “Outskirts.” He also landed at No. 1 for “Wishful Drinking” with Ingrid Andress.

“Country House” is featured on Hunt’s 2024 four-track EP, Locked Up. Locked Up is the followup to Hunt’s Platinum sophomore album Southside, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and featured 12 tracks all penned by Hunt including his No. 1s “Kinfolks,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” and his three-week No. 1, Diamond-selling, Grammy-nominated smash, “Body Like A Back Road.”

Since the 2014 release of his debut album Montevallo, Hunt has accumulated over 15.9 billion global streams and has earned 54 million RIAA certified units. He’s currently on the road touring through the fall.