CMA EDU class of 2025-2026. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
The Country Music Association’s industry development program, CMA EDU, held its 12th annual Leadership Summit this week.
The latest CMA EDU membership class participated three days of in professional development training, industry education and community building at the CMA headquarters in Nashville. This year’s class is made up of 37 students from 24 universities across the country.
Summit kicked off on Monday (July 21) with a session led by Red Frogs, an organization dedicated to promoting safe and supportive environments at live events, to learn about bar safety and event responsibility. Later in the day, students headed to Warner Chappell Music for an exclusive writers round featuring performances and stories from songwriters Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton and Schmitty.
Carter Faith and Team with CMA EDU Class of 26-26. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
On Tuesday (July 22), students heard from Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO) before Brittany Schaffer (Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University) moderated a conversation with country artist Carter Faith and her team, including Cameron Lutz (Manager, Range Music), Ash Wolk (Manager, Range Music), Meredith Jones (Music Agent, CAA) and Katie McCartney (Executive Vice President & General Manager, Music Corporation of America) focused on how their individual roles contribute to an artist’s success.
The afternoon kicked off with a publishing panel led by Prescription Songs, featuring Hannah Bay-Schuck (A&R Executive, 7 Hills Music) and Jillian Rutstein (Senior Director, Digital Marketing & Creative Synch, Prescription Songs and Amigo Records). The focus then shifted to artist development with a session hosted by Sony Music Nashville, spotlighting insights from CMA EDU alum, Oakley Holmes (Senior Coordinator, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Meghan Reich (Manager, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville) and Fred Rubenstein (Vice President, Digital Marketing, Sony Music Nashville). The day concluded with a special two-hour session hosted by Black River Entertainment, where country artist Chris Young and his producer Andy Sheridan walked students through the creative process behind Young’s new album.
Chris Young discusses new album with CMA EDU Class of 25-26. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
To close out the event, students took part in a panel highlighting the work of The Neal Agency. Panelists Kelly Littlefield (Director, HR & Operations, The Neal Agency), Adi Sharma (Co-Head and Agent, The Neal Agency), Michelle Bower (President, Strategic Partnerships, The Neal Agency) and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency) offered insights into the agency’s approach to management, strategy, and artist development. Following the panel, keynote speaker and CMA Board member, Mary Hilliard Harrington (Artist Manager, Wild Heart/Red Light Management), whose visionary leadership continues to shape the future of the music business, spoke about her career path. The Summit concluded with a special “Live at CMA” performance from rising artist Hudson Westbrook.
Hudson Westbrook performs for Live at CMA. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
“Welcoming each new class of CMA EDU students is always a highlight, and this year is no exception,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “This class is full of passionate, driven students who are already on track to becoming the next generation of leaders in our industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them soak up every opportunity offered through the CMA EDU program, and walk away with insight, meaningful connections, and a stronger sense of where they can make an impact in our business. I am so proud of what this program continues to offer, and even more excited to see how these students carry it forward.”
Koe Wetzel & Friends To Aid Texas Flood Victims With ‘Stronger Together’ Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughArtists on tap to perform during the evening include Wetzel, Kolby Cooper, Casey Donahew, Ray Wylie and Lucas Hubbard, Pecos Hurley of Pecos & The Rooftops, Mike Ryan, Shane Smith of Shane Smith & The Saints and Dylan Wheeler.
Tickets go on sale today (July 25) via KoeWetzelMusic.com, and all net proceeds from ticket sales plus funds raised will benefit the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund via Wetzel’s foundation, Koe’s Kids. Fans who cannot attend the concert but would still like to help the cause can find donation information at KoeWetzelMusic.com.
“Texas is home – these floods hit our neighbors hard and they need our help,” says Wetzel. “Music has a way of bringing people together, and I’m grateful to my friends who immediately raised their hands to help when we called. This benefit concert is our way of standing with the people of Texas and doing whatever we can to make a difference as our great state rebuilds.”
MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly reflects both the vibrant evolution and heartfelt traditions of Nashville’s music industry. Click here to see the full edition.
EMPIRE has made a major leadership move, appointing Jennifer Way as Executive Vice President – Nashville. The company continues to expand its presence across genres and markets. Way brings a wealth of experience to the role and is expected to strengthen EMPIRE’s growing Nashville footprint.
The industry also paused this week to honor the life and legacy of Frank Bumstead, Co-Founder of FBMM, who passed away on Sunday, July 20 at the age of 83. A visionary business leader, Bumstead helped shape the financial and strategic side of the music business. Prior to FBMM, he led JMR Investments and the Bumstead Company, and was instrumental in major deals such as the sale of the CMT network to Opryland in 1991 and the merger of MusicRow Magazine with SouthComm in 2008. Under his leadership, FBMM became the first business management firm to integrate seasoned economic expertise into its artist services.
Monday evening (July 21) brought a celebratory moment with the 2025 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and ceremony at the Virgin Hotel in Nashville. Hosted by the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., the 50th anniversary event paid tribute to decades of contributions in country radio. This year’s inductees included on-air personalities Big D & Bubba, Mary McCoy and Rowdy Yates, along with radio executives Ginny “Rogers” Brophey, Clay Hunnicutt and Gregg Swedberg. Jon Loba, President of Frontline Recordings for BMG Americas, received the 2025 CRB President’s Award for his outstanding contributions to the country format.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed emerging country artist Adrien Nunez to a global publishing administration deal, while Sony Music Nashville has added pop singer-songwriter Ian Harrison to its roster.
RESULTS GLOBAL is growing, with the addition of four new hires: Molly Fisher (Special Projects), Jessica Vitou (Digital & Social Content Specialist), Samantha Parrish (Digital Marketing Coordinator) and Cami Cradock (Marketing Assistant). Meanwhile, Christian Conant has been promoted to Senior Director, A&R at Prescription Songs.
Netflix is turning its lens on the creative engine of the music industry with its new docu-series Hitmakers. The six-episode series explores the intense and collaborative songwriting camps where hits for artists like John Legend, Shaboozey and Lisa of Blackpink are born. Featuring a star-studded lineup of songwriters including Ben Johnson, Jenna Andrews, Tommy Brown, Trey Campbell and Nova Wav, the show travels from Nashville to the Bahamas and Cabo, offering a rare inside look at the creative process behind today’s biggest chart-toppers.
Wierok Entertainment has named Holly Salazar as Head of Publishing and Rights Management. Salazar will oversee the company’s catalog across its various imprints, leading the centralized administration of music rights as the company brings those operations fully in-house.
Spencer Hatcher of Quartz Hill Music Group/Stone Country Records has signed with WME for global representation. The Choir Room, a musical group known for their uplifting sound, has joined the roster at Centricity Music. Additionally, songwriter Aaron Armstrong has inked a publishing deal with Riser House, The Song Factory, and acclaimed producer Jake Mitchell.
This week’s edition also features an interview with fast rising country artist Hudson Westbrook.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Scotty McCreery and Hootie & The Blowfish take the No. 1 spot with “Bottle Rockets.” Explore more chart data here.
The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
Bailey Zimmerman To Host Exclusive Listening Party At Boots & Hearts Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Masonn1k
Bailey Zimmerman will premiere his sophomore album, Different Night, Same Rodeo, at an exclusive late-night listening event at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival on the SiriusXM Front Porch Stage on Aug. 7.
Hosted by Buzz Brainard of SiriusXM’s The Highway, the event will feature an intimate conversation and an album playback, giving festival goers a first listen before its official midnight release. As Friday night’s headliner, Zimmerman will bring his unmistakable energy to the main stage.
Single-day tickets for Thursday are $69.99 plus taxes and fees. Friday – Sunday tickets are available for $139.99 plus taxes and fees for general admission and $239.99 plus taxes and fees for VIP admission. Full weekend passes, parking passes, tent and RV camping passes are available here.
Hudson Westbrook Celebrates New Album At Sold-Out Nashville Show
/by Lauryn SinkHudson Westbrook. Photo: Ian Noh
Hudson Westbrook celebrated his new record, Texas Forever, with a sold-out release week show on Wednesday (June 23) at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. With the crowd singing every word, it is clear fans are already connecting with the record, released today (July 25).
Mackenzie Carpenter kicked off the night with an hour-long set that had the crowd locked in from start to finish. Drawing heavily from her debut album Hey Country Queen, she delivered standout tracks like “A Dozen Red Flags” and “Gone Fishin’” with infectious energy. Her rendition of “I’m Not Pretty,” co-written with and recorded by Megan Moroney, ignited the room as fans sang along at full volume. Sprinkling in a few well-chosen covers, Carpenter kept the momentum high with spirited singalongs of “Gunpowder and Lead,” “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” and “Check Yes or No,” setting a lively tone for the night ahead.
Photo: Ian Noh
Before long, Westbrook hit the stage with “Weatherman” kicking things off at full speed before rolling into “Dopamine” and “Two Way Drive.” The crowd lit up for his debut single, “Take It Slow,” a clear early highlight.
“This is me and my mom’s favorite song and it’s called ‘Johnny Walker,’” Westbrook shared before launching into a cover of the tune. He eased into a quieter stretch with “Pray Your Name,” followed by a cover of Miranda Lambert’s reflective “The House That Built Me.”
From there, he brought the energy back with the live debut of “First Time” and the title track of his new record, “Texas Forever.” Calling Carpenter back to the stage, the duo took on another live debut, their unreleased duet, “Lie To Me.”
Westbrook launched into a run of crowd favorites, rolling through “Take Your Time,” “Damn Good Taste in Whiskey” and “Dressed Down” without missing a beat. Before “Funny Seeing You Here,” he jumped off stage to take a few quick photos with fans.
Photo: Ian Noh
With the crowd fully locked in, Westbrook kept things playful with a cover of Neon Trees’ “Everybody Talks,” followed by a full-throttle take on Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” that had the entire room singing along.
He kicked off the final stretch with “Mine Tomorrow” and “House Again,” with fans lighting up the room with flashlights as they sang along word for word.
He followed with “Sober” and closed with “5 to 9,” one final singalong that sent the night out on a high.
Westbrook continues his tour tonight (July 25) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jake Worthington Slates Sophomore Album ‘When I Write The Song’ For September
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Worthington will release his sophomore album for Big Loud Texas, When I Write The Song, on Sept. 12. He’s giving fans a taste of the new project, “My Home’s In Oklahoma,” a western swing toe-tapper, today (July 25).
When I Write The Song doubles down on the authentic country sounds of Worthington’s debut self-titled album and features the new track “My Home’s In Oklahoma,” alongside viral “It Ain’t The Whiskey,” (nominated for the Texas Country Music Association’s Country Single of the Year,) Miranda Lambert collab “Hello Shitty Day,” “I’m The One (feat. Marty Stuart)” and the most recent release “Not Like I Used To.” Writers contributing to the album include Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Roger Springer, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde and more.
“This record means to me…it’s a reminder to fight the good fight,” shares the 2025 Texas Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year nominee. “I’m a strong believer in ‘do what moves ya.’ Make the kind of music that wrecks your world or picks up all the pieces. If it makes you feel that kind of way, and if that’s what you need, then don’t let anybody or anything change that. That’s what this record is to me.”
Worthington will celebrate the album’s announce tonight (July 25) with a headlining show at Billy Bob’s Texas. He joins Zach Top as direct support on all dates of his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour,” followed by supporting slots on Jon Pardi’s “Honkytonk Hollywood Tour.”
When I Write The Song Track List:
1. “It Ain’t The Whiskey” (Jake Worthington, Will Banister, Jeff Hyde, Roger Springer)
2. “Hello Shitty Day” (feat. Miranda Lambert) (Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert)
3. “Too Much To Think” (Jake Worthington, Monty Holmes, Roger Springer)
4. “King Of The World” (Jake Worthington, Roger Springer, Jacob Boyd Weinschenk)
5. “I’m The One” (feat. Marty Stuart) (Jake Worthington, Jenna LaMaster, Marty Stuart)
6. “Drownin’ In Whiskey” (Jake Worthington, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Roger Springer)
7. “Not Like I Used To” (Jake Worthington, Monty Criswell, Derek George)
8. “When I Write The Song” (Jake Worthington)*
9. “Two First Names” (Jake Worthington, Wyatt McCubbin, Brett Tyler)
10. “I Only Drink When It Rains” (Jake Worthington, Roger Springer, Jacob Boyd Weinschenk)
11. “I Still Believe In Miracles” (Jake Worthington, Robert Arthur, Roger Springer)*
12. “I Feel You” (feat. Mae Estes) (Jake Worthington, Roger Springer, Jacob Boyd Weinschenk)*
13. “My Home’s In Oklahoma” (Jake Worthington, Will Banister, Roger Springer)*
14. “Get Gone Too” (Jake Worthington, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Roger Springer)
Produced by Joey Moi and Chuck Ainlay
*Produced by Jon Randall and Chuck Ainlay
Scotty McCreery And Hootie & The Blowfish Hit No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeScotty McCreery rises to the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week alongside Hootie & The Blowfish with their song, “Bottle Rockets.”
The track was released as the lead single from McCreery’s recent EP Scooter & Friends, and was written by McCreery, Brent Anderson, Bobby Hamrick, Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Jeremy Bussey, Jim Sonefeid, Mark Bryan and Monty Criswell.
McCreery and Dustin Lynch are set to hit the road on their co-headlining “Two For The Road Tour.” With support from Walker Montgomery and Sons of Habit, the 12-date tour will kick off Nov. 6 in Michigan and includes stops in Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and more.
“Bottle Rockets” currently sits at No. 11 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 11 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
The Droptines Sign With Big Loud Texas
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Elliott Bell (Manager, C3 Management), Tony Rincon (Pedal Steel), Jon Randall (Co-founder / President of A&R, Big Loud Texas), Dillon Sampson (Bass), Miranda Lambert (Co-Founder, Big Loud Texas), Conner Arthur (Lead Singer / Guitarist), Brendon Anthony (Vice President, Big Loud Texas), Johnny Sheets (Drummer), Wes Donehower (SVP of A&R, Mercury Records / Big Loud Records). Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Big Loud Texas has signed another act to its growing roster with the addition of Austin-based band The Droptines. The band shared the news from stage over the weekend when opening for Whiskey Myers at Nashville’s sold-out Ascend Amphitheater.
“When we met JR [Jon Randall] and Brendon [Anthony], it just felt like ‘these are the guys,’ and then it’s incredible to know we also have the expertise of someone with a career like Miranda [Lambert]‘s to lean on,” shares The Droptines. “We just felt like if we are going to do this, we’re going to do it with them.”
“I can’t express my excitement to have The Droptines call Big Loud Texas home,” shares Big Loud Texas Co-Founder and President of A&R Jon Randall. “I absolutely love these guys and their music. They are the hardest working band out there and I can’t wait for everybody to hear what we’ve been up to in the studio.”
To celebrate the signing, The Droptines make their label debut today with the release of “Take Too Much.” Written by frontman Conner Arthur and produced by Randall at Arlyn Studios, the tune is driven by a vocal growl reminiscent of Springsteen, reflecting their influence from rock heroes like Tom Petty, and songwriters James McCurty, Mike McClure and more.
Date Changed For Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament
/by Madison HahnenWith all proceeds again going to United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, the tournament is one of Music Row’s longest-running charity events and United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee’s largest annual fundraiser. Throughout its 38-year history, the MRLGT has raised $2.5 million for the organization, supporting people with disabilities across Middle Tennessee by providing wheelchair ramps, home modifications and medical equipment donations.
Limited team space is still available. Interested players or sponsors can email mrlgtnash@gmail.com.
Akando Music Adds Two Regional Directors To Team
/by Lauryn SinkChristina Kosters & Greg Raneiri.
Akando Music, the radio promotion arm of Triple Tigers Records, has added two new regional directors to its team.
Christina Kosters will oversee the east region, while Greg Raneiri handles the west.
“Both Christina and Greg brought the energy and enthusiasm to the table we were looking for at Akando Music” says JC Coffey, Sr. Director of National Promotion.
Kosters joins the Akando Music team from Capital Christian Music Group where she served as Director of National Promotion Southeast.
Raneiri joins from KSON in San Diego where he was Assistant Brand Manager and a midday host.
Kosters can be reached at christina.kosters@akandopromo.com. Raneiri is available at greg.reneiri@akandopromo.com.
CMA EDU Hosts 12th Annual Leadership Summit
/by Lauryn SinkCMA EDU class of 2025-2026. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
The Country Music Association’s industry development program, CMA EDU, held its 12th annual Leadership Summit this week.
The latest CMA EDU membership class participated three days of in professional development training, industry education and community building at the CMA headquarters in Nashville. This year’s class is made up of 37 students from 24 universities across the country.
Summit kicked off on Monday (July 21) with a session led by Red Frogs, an organization dedicated to promoting safe and supportive environments at live events, to learn about bar safety and event responsibility. Later in the day, students headed to Warner Chappell Music for an exclusive writers round featuring performances and stories from songwriters Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton and Schmitty.
Carter Faith and Team with CMA EDU Class of 26-26. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
On Tuesday (July 22), students heard from Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO) before Brittany Schaffer (Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University) moderated a conversation with country artist Carter Faith and her team, including Cameron Lutz (Manager, Range Music), Ash Wolk (Manager, Range Music), Meredith Jones (Music Agent, CAA) and Katie McCartney (Executive Vice President & General Manager, Music Corporation of America) focused on how their individual roles contribute to an artist’s success.
The afternoon kicked off with a publishing panel led by Prescription Songs, featuring Hannah Bay-Schuck (A&R Executive, 7 Hills Music) and Jillian Rutstein (Senior Director, Digital Marketing & Creative Synch, Prescription Songs and Amigo Records). The focus then shifted to artist development with a session hosted by Sony Music Nashville, spotlighting insights from CMA EDU alum, Oakley Holmes (Senior Coordinator, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Meghan Reich (Manager, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville) and Fred Rubenstein (Vice President, Digital Marketing, Sony Music Nashville). The day concluded with a special two-hour session hosted by Black River Entertainment, where country artist Chris Young and his producer Andy Sheridan walked students through the creative process behind Young’s new album.
Chris Young discusses new album with CMA EDU Class of 25-26. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
To close out the event, students took part in a panel highlighting the work of The Neal Agency. Panelists Kelly Littlefield (Director, HR & Operations, The Neal Agency), Adi Sharma (Co-Head and Agent, The Neal Agency), Michelle Bower (President, Strategic Partnerships, The Neal Agency) and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency) offered insights into the agency’s approach to management, strategy, and artist development. Following the panel, keynote speaker and CMA Board member, Mary Hilliard Harrington (Artist Manager, Wild Heart/Red Light Management), whose visionary leadership continues to shape the future of the music business, spoke about her career path. The Summit concluded with a special “Live at CMA” performance from rising artist Hudson Westbrook.
Hudson Westbrook performs for Live at CMA. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
“Welcoming each new class of CMA EDU students is always a highlight, and this year is no exception,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “This class is full of passionate, driven students who are already on track to becoming the next generation of leaders in our industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them soak up every opportunity offered through the CMA EDU program, and walk away with insight, meaningful connections, and a stronger sense of where they can make an impact in our business. I am so proud of what this program continues to offer, and even more excited to see how these students carry it forward.”