Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston has joined the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees.

Jody Williams was reelected as board chair. Williams, who is founder of Jody Williams Songs, was named chair last year and has served on the museum’s board for 18 years.

Executive officers reelected include Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill as president, Al Giombetti as executive vice president, David Ross as secretary and Ernie Williams as treasurer. Ross, Ernie Williams and Jody Williams were also reelected as trustees. Other returning trustees include Mark Bloom, David Conrad, J. William Denny, Rod Essig, Giombetti, Ken Levitan and Mary Ann McCready.

All other current board officers were reelected as well including Earl Bentz, Sara Finley, Becky Gardenhire, Lon Helton, Clint Higham, Cindy Mabe, Jim Seabury, Bill Simmons, Clarence Spalding, Chris Stewart, Troy Tomlinson, Jay Turner, Marcus Whitney and Tim Wipperman.

Executive officers and officers are elected to one-year terms, and trustees serve three-year terms.

Otto Padrón has been appointed as Co-Owner, Co-President, and Chief Operating Officer of Get After It Media.

In his new role, Padrón will oversee day-to-day operations, implement strategy, and manage the operational side of the company to ensure efficiency while executing corporate vision set by GAIM’s Founder and President Joel Wertman. Founded in Chattanooga with a presence in Nashville, the company will now operate under a newly-defined leadership structure.

Prior to joining GAIM, Padrón led content and programming at Telemundo and Univision. He also served as President and CEO of Meruelo Media, where he transformed the company into a television and radio super-cluster in Los Angeles. An award-winning content creator, Padrón is also an inductee into the prestigious Emmy Silver Circle Honor Society of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

In addition to his extensive media career, Padrón is a highly decorated U.S. Army senior leader with multiple combat tours. He began his military career in the elite Airborne Ranger Regiment under the Special Operations Command and completed 38 years of distinguished service, ultimately serving as the Deputy Division Commander of the 91st Wild West Division. Today, Padrón is an Army Reserve Ambassador, an assignment that carries the protocol and stature of a two-star General.

“Otto is the right man at the right time for our company—I’ve known him for years, and I’ve seen how he transformed a company into a powerhouse,” states Wertman. “His exceptional background. His achievements across the media landscape. His ability to lead with vision, integrity, and purpose makes him uniquely qualified for this moment,” continued Wertman. “With Otto in place as our Co-President and COO, I am absolutely certain that GAIM will continue to flourish.”

“I’m excited to join Get After It Media at such a pivotal time,” says Padrón. “GAIM has a proud legacy and a powerful portfolio of brands that engage and uplift. Together, we’ll build a next-generation media company that is rooted in content that connects, platforms that inspire, and partnerships that thrive. The future is bright and we are just getting started.”

GAIM’s five networks currently reach more than 88 million homes via 353 affiliates across more than 100 U.S. markets.

Jason Aldean has announced an international leg of his “Full Throttle Tour,” adding dates in New Zealand and Australia in 2026.

The “Full Throttle World Tour” marks Aldean’s first time headlining New Zealand and his first return to Australia since headlining in 2016, where he became the first headliner to ever sell out CMC Rocks QLD Country Music. The international run kicks off Feb. 19 at Spark Arena in Auckland, before heading to Australia for six shows including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Aldean will also headline the inaugural country music experience, Sunburnt Country, with shows scheduled in Toowoomba, Hunter Valley and Canberra.

Corey Kent and Brad Cox join as 2026 “Full Throttle Tour” openers with Kent playing all shows and Cox joining the Sunburnt Country dates. Tickets for the New Zealand and Australia dates are available starting with presale on July 2 and general on sale beginning July 7.

Aldean’s stateside “Full Throttle Tour” is set to resume July 17 in Tulsa after launching in May. Previously announced dates across the U.S. include Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Denver’s Ball Arena, Charleston’s Credit One Stadium, West Palm Beach’s iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre and more.

“Full Throttle World Tour” New Zealand and Australia Dates:
Feb 19 — Auckland, NZ— Spark Arena
Feb 21—Toowoomba, AU — Sunburnt Country
Feb 22 — Brisbane, AU— Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Feb 25— Melbourne, AU — Rod Laver Arena
Feb 26— Sydney, AU — Qudos Bank Arena
Feb 28— Hunter Valley, AU — Sunburnt Country
Mar 1— Canberra, AU — Sunburnt Country

Dolly Parton Teams Up With The Wiggles

Dolly Parton recently teamed up with The Wiggles to celebrate the launch of the music video for their cover of “Love Is Like A Butterfly,” featured on the group’s recent country album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up. This meeting is the first in-person gathering after the collaborators recorded remotely across continents.

The album features two standout collaborations written by and featuring Parton including “Friends” and “We Will Always Be Friends.” In addition to this, the album includes covers of two Parton classics including the tender “Love Is Like a Butterfly” and “Counting 1 to 5,” a playful reimagining of her global hit “9 to 5.”

Joe Nichols Throws Out First Pitch At St. Louis Cardinals Game

Joe Nichols threw out the first pitch at Busch Stadium on June 26 ahead of the Cardinals game against the Chicago Cubs. Joining him on the mound was Cardinals’ pitcher Matt Svanson and Cardinals’ mascot Fredbird.

National Museum Of African American Music Wraps Up Black Music Month Celebration Performance By Kenny Sharp

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) wrapped up “We Are Music City,” its most ambitious Black Music Month celebration to date, with a performance by Kenny Sharp‘s Brown Liquor Music. The standing-room-only performance ended with dancing, a standing ovation and an hour-long autograph line.

“Music is really blending genres and influences more than ever right now and I feel NMAAM was the perfect venue to host our show,” says Sharp. “I am truly inspired and informed creatively by so many disparate styles and times. It was an honor to pay tribute in that space last night, while also looking forward and allowing us to do our own original music for a blend of the familiar with the brand new.”

“Kenny Sharp’s ‘Brown Liquor Music’ perfectly embodies NMAAM’s mission – celebrating African American musical innovation that transcends boundaries,” adds Dexter D. Evans, Senior Advisor, Strategic Advancement, NMAAM. “There was no better artist to break in our Amplify Lounge than someone who blends so many sounds together, just as our museum celebrates the full spectrum of African American musical contributions. This is what we do at NMAAM – we don’t just preserve history, we actively create the future of music.”

She Is The Music, FEMco & Anzie Blue Team Up To Host Female Showcase

She Is The Music and FEMco, along with music venue Anzie Blue have teamed up for a free showcase on July 16, beginning at 6 p.m.. The multi-genre line-up includes Maggie Rose, Jillian Jacqueline, Summer Joy, Stella Prince, Mary Marguerite and Sinclair.

Admission is free, but tickets are required and available here.

Patrick Mayberry Inks With Provident Entertainment, Releases Debut Single

Worship leader and songwriter Patrick Mayberry has inked with Provident Entertainment and released his debut single “Thank The Lord.” Writing the song on his own, Mayberry aimed to create a piece that was both fun and heartfelt, while recognizing the many ways God has influenced his life.

“One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is the practice of gratitude. When I take time to acknowledge the blessings in my life—both the big and small ways I see God providing—I become completely overwhelmed with thankfulness,” he shares. “We may not have everything we want, but if we truly stop and look around, we realize we have so much more than we need. This song is a celebration of that—a response of thanksgiving for everything God has done in my life.”