Rising newcomer Elizabeth Nichols is gearing up for the release of her debut EP, Tough Love, due out June 20 via PULSE Records.
The seven-song project will include her viral hit “I Got a New One,” which shot to No. 1 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 2 on the iTunes All Genre chart after receiving the “Kellyoke treatment” on The Kelly Clarkson Show, with the cover and Nichols’ response capturing the internet’s attention. In the following four days, the single gained 462% in streaming, debuted at No. 25 on Billboard‘s Emerging Artist Chart, and is in the Top 45 of Spotify’s Viral Charts in the US, Australian, Norway, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
Tough Love also includes her recently released ballad “Somebody Cooked Here” and the buzzed-about “Mama,” which has garnered more than a million on-demand streams in the U.S. alone and is also on the Spotify Viral 50 U.S. chart. Her videos featuring “Mama” have accrued over 7.5 million views and 630,000 likes across social media platforms.
“This collection of songs represents a lot of different facets of myself and seasons of life. It contains the first country song I’ve ever written (“Ain’t County”) as well as some of my more recent—it’s been cool putting it all together and seeing where I started and where I am now in my writing,” shares Nichols. “One thing that is a constant throughout is that I don’t want to shy away from the hard truths—sure, some of the lyrics might ruffle a few feathers, but it’s all born out of love albeit sometimes more often than not, tough love.”
Nichols recently wrapped as support on Wyatt Flores’ tour, and will be on the road this summer with Little Big Town and Russell Dickerson.
Tough Love Track List:
1. “I Got A New One” – Elizabeth Nichols, Jackson Foote
2. “Bible Belt” – Elizabeth Nichols
3. “Tough Love” – Elizabeth Nichols, Sarah Solovay
4. “Ain’t Country” – Elizabeth Nichols
5. “Somebody Cooked Here” – Elizabeth Nichols, Mags Duval
6. ”Mama” – Elizabeth Nichols, Steve Rusch
7. “Ain’t Country – Acoustic” – Elizabeth Nichols
Sony Music Publishing Nashville Launches New Podcast
/by LB CantrellSony Music Publishing Nashville has launched Thank A Songwriter, a new podcast that celebrates the artistry and impact of songwriters shaping country music and beyond.
Hosted by Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston, the debut episode of the podcast features part one of an in-depth conversation with multi-award-winning songwriter Ashley Gorley. It will release tomorrow (June 12), the day of Gorley’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In this episode, Gorley reflects on his expansive journey as a songwriter, as well as the significance of his induction. Future episodes will showcase a wide range of acclaimed SMP songwriters across genres, where they will share their stories, influences and the personal truths that fuel their creativity.
“We’re thrilled to launch Thank A Songwriter and honored to welcome the legendary Ashley Gorley as our first featured guest ahead of his well-deserved induction into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame,” Gaston says. “We couldn’t be more excited to commemorate Ashley’s prestigious honor, and we are so lucky to be a part of his journey.”
Of the induction, Gorley shares, “It’s writers and people like that voting for this. It’s a different kind of thing than some of the other awards, so this one definitely, so far in my career, means the most to me. That I would even be in the same breath as the people getting up there means the most to me.”
Listeners will be able to tune into the first episode here.
Elizabeth Nichols’ Debut ‘Tough Love’ Set To Drop June 20
/by Lorie HollabaughRising newcomer Elizabeth Nichols is gearing up for the release of her debut EP, Tough Love, due out June 20 via PULSE Records.
The seven-song project will include her viral hit “I Got a New One,” which shot to No. 1 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 2 on the iTunes All Genre chart after receiving the “Kellyoke treatment” on The Kelly Clarkson Show, with the cover and Nichols’ response capturing the internet’s attention. In the following four days, the single gained 462% in streaming, debuted at No. 25 on Billboard‘s Emerging Artist Chart, and is in the Top 45 of Spotify’s Viral Charts in the US, Australian, Norway, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
Tough Love also includes her recently released ballad “Somebody Cooked Here” and the buzzed-about “Mama,” which has garnered more than a million on-demand streams in the U.S. alone and is also on the Spotify Viral 50 U.S. chart. Her videos featuring “Mama” have accrued over 7.5 million views and 630,000 likes across social media platforms.
“This collection of songs represents a lot of different facets of myself and seasons of life. It contains the first country song I’ve ever written (“Ain’t County”) as well as some of my more recent—it’s been cool putting it all together and seeing where I started and where I am now in my writing,” shares Nichols. “One thing that is a constant throughout is that I don’t want to shy away from the hard truths—sure, some of the lyrics might ruffle a few feathers, but it’s all born out of love albeit sometimes more often than not, tough love.”
Nichols recently wrapped as support on Wyatt Flores’ tour, and will be on the road this summer with Little Big Town and Russell Dickerson.
Tough Love Track List:
1. “I Got A New One” – Elizabeth Nichols, Jackson Foote
2. “Bible Belt” – Elizabeth Nichols
3. “Tough Love” – Elizabeth Nichols, Sarah Solovay
4. “Ain’t Country” – Elizabeth Nichols
5. “Somebody Cooked Here” – Elizabeth Nichols, Mags Duval
6. ”Mama” – Elizabeth Nichols, Steve Rusch
7. “Ain’t Country – Acoustic” – Elizabeth Nichols
Margo Price Slates New Album For August Release
/by Lauryn SinkMargo Price will release her newest record, Hard Headed Woman, on Aug. 29 via Loma Vista Recordings. The album’s lead single, “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down,” was released alongside the announcement.
The single was inspired by the message that Kris Kristofferson whispered to Sinéad O’Connor when she was booed on stage at a Bob Dylan anniversary concert. Co-written with Jeremy Ivey, Kris Kristofferson and Rodney Crowell, “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” serves as a reminder to always keep fighting for justice and your beliefs.
Reunited with producer Matt Ross-Spang, recorded in the historic RCA Studio A, and featuring duets with Tyler Childers and Jesse Welles, Hard Headed Woman marks the first album that Price has made in Nashville, a town she has called home for more than 20 years.
“I always hope to do like Johnny Cash did, which is speak up for the common man and woman,” says Price. “But there have been so many threats and anger and vitriol over the years, when I am only coming from a place of love. So I made the decision to rebuild everything from the ground up. I hope this album inspires people to be fearless and take chances and just be unabashedly themselves, in a culture that tries as hard as it can to beat us into all being the same.”
Price will take the record on the road this summer and fall. Tour information is available here.
Hard Headed Woman Track List:
1. “Prelude {Hard Headed Woman}”
2. “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down”
3. “Red Eye Flight”
4. “Don’t Wake Me Up (feat. Jesse Welles)”
5. “Close To You”
6. “Nowhere Is Where”
7. “Losing Streak”
8. “I Just Don’t Give a Damn”
9. “Keep A Picture”
10. “Love Me Like You Used To Do (feat. Tyler Childers)”
11. “Wild At Heart”
12. “Kissing You Goodbye”
Hailey Whitters Announces Fall ‘Corn Queen Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughHailey Whitters. Photo: Harper Smith
Hailey Whitters will launch her new headlining “Corn Queen Tour” in September in support of her new Corn Queen album.
The tour will kick off Sept. 4 with a performance at The Nashville Palace, followed by shows in Des Moines (in her home state of Iowa), Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and more through Oct. 11.
To add some fun to the dates, Whitters will host a Corn Court contest at each stop where she’ll crown a Corn Queen & King at every date on the upcoming tour. Each winner will receive a backstage meet-and-greet with Whitters before the show for each winner and one guest, signed merch, a one-of-a-kind “Corn Queen” or “Corn King” sash and of course, a corn crown.
Last week Whitters released a video directed by Beth Brinker for the ethereal “White Limousine,” that tells the story of a small town girl with fantasies of the glitz and glamour of a faraway life. Corn Queen also features collaborations including “I Don’t Want You” with Charles Wesley Godwin, “DanceMor” featuring The Wilder Blue and “Prodigal Daughter” featuring Molly Tuttle.
“Corn Queen Tour” Dates:
9/4 – Nashville – The Nashville Palace
9/18 – Omaha – Slowdown
9/19 – Minneapolis – Fine Line
9/20 – West Des Moines – Val Air Ballroom
9/25 – Kansas City – Knuckleheads Saloon
9/26 – St. Louis – Old Rock House
9/27 – Lexington– The Burl
10/2 – Philadelphia – The Fillmore Philadelphia – The Foundry
10/3 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
10/9 – Warrendale – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
10/10 – Indianapolis – HI-FI Indy
10/11 – Chicago – Joe’s on Weed Street
Stephen Wilson Jr. Slates Fall Run Of ‘Søn Of Dad Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughStephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Tanner Gallagher
Stephen Wilson Jr. has added a fall leg to his sold-out “Søn of Dad Tour.”
New shows have been added in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Memphis and more, including his largest hometown headline show to date at Ryman Auditorium on November 23. Tickets for the new dates will go on sale this Friday (June 13) here.
The fall dates follow his extensive run of shows with Hardy on his “Jim Bob World Tour,” three shows supporting Eric Church at Red Rocks in July, and a handful of festival performances this summer including his Newport Folk Festival debut.
“Søn of Dad Tour” Added Dates:
Oct. 22: Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Oct. 23: Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Oct. 25: Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center
Oct. 26: Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
Oct. 28: San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
Oct. 29: Sacramento, CA – Channel 24
Nov. 1: Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Nov. 2: Del Mar, CA – The Sound
Nov. 8: Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
Nov. 14: Memphis, TN – Graceland Soundstage
Nov. 15: Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
Nov. 20: Columbia, SC – Township Auditorium
Nov. 23: Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
MCA Impacted By Layoffs
/by Madison HahnenThose affected in the layoffs include VP of Media Marketing Leigh Malleus, VP of Strategic Marketing Gary Keffer, VP of Creative Services Karen Naff, Capitol/MCA Nashville Dir./Regional Promotion Megan Youngblood, Sr. Dir. of E-Commerce & Retail Troy Scott, Sr. Dir. of Marketing & Creative Services Michelle Hall, Dir. of Strategic Marketing Kathryn Huffman, Sr. Dir of Digital Marketing Leah Ducey, Mgr. of A&R Sarah Marie Burke, Dir. of Marketing & Artist Development Lindsey Terry, Dir. of Marketing & Project Management Alyssa Logan and Dir. of Streaming Marketing Chance Maxwell.
MCA has not responded to MusicRow‘s request for comment.
Billboard Country Live Bring Three Nights Of Celebration To Nashville
/by Lauryn SinkHarper Grace performs at Billboard Country Live On the Rise. Photo: Michael Hickey/Billboard via Getty Images
Billboard Country Live hosted three nights of events in Nashville last week during CMA Fest.
Ella Langley attends the Billboard Country Power Players event. Photo: Jason Kempin/Billboard via Getty Images
The week kicked off on Wednesday (June 4) with “Billboard Country Power Players,” an exclusive gathering honoring the executives, creatives, and artists who are driving country music, hosted by Reyna Roberts and featuring a performance from Carin León. This year’s honorees included BigXthaPlug for the Innovator Award, Ella Langley for the Rising Star Award, Riley Green for the Groundbreaker Award, Jim Asker for the Farewell “False Cover” Tribute, Tatum Allsep for the Impact Award, Stacy Vee for Executive of the Year and Little Big Town for the Ben Vaughn “Song Champion of the Year” Award. Little Big Town wrapped the night with a performance.
On Thursday (June 5), Bud Light presented live music inside a packed Category 10, hosted by Carissa Culiner, with performances from Alexandra Kay, Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge, Max McNown, Mitchell Tenpenny and Roberts.
On Friday (June 6), Billboard spotlighted Annie Bosko, Cooper Alan, Graham Barham, Harper Grace with surprise guests Franklin Jonas, Jake Worthington, Tayler Holder and Timmy McKeever through its “Country On The Rise” event.
Mitchell Tenpenny at the Billboard Country Live concert.
Shaboozey and BigXthaPlug attend the Billboard Country Power Players event. Photo: Jason Kempin/Billboard via Getty Images
Max McNown at the Billboard Country Live concert.
Little Big Town perform at the Billboard Country Power Players event. Photo: Jason Kempin/Billboard via Getty Images
Alexandra Kay at the Billboard Country Live concert.
Philip Morgan Inks With Warner Chappell & The Core Entertainment
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R, back row): Phil May (WCM), BJ Hill (WCM) and Benji Amaefule (WCM). (L-R, front row): Simon Tikhman (The Core Ent.), Philip Morgan and Chief Zaruk (The Core Ent.).
Country songwriter Philip Morgan has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and The Core Entertainment.
The Texas native was surrounded by music from an early age from his father’s influence. In 2023, Morgan won the NSAI Online Pitch Award and was a finalist in the NSAI/BMI/Bluebird Song and Lyric contest. Settling down in Music City last year, Morgan has become known for catchy hooks and memorable melodies. He was awarded the 2024 American Songwriter Country Song the Year for “5 O’Clock Shadow,” and was the winner of the NSAI Chapter Challenge Song Contest for “Gone, Gone, Gone!”
He has written alongside Chris Sligh, Jim Jonsin, Ryan Carpenter, Chris August, Jason Duke, Marty James, Chris DeStefano and David Ray Stevens. Among his notable cuts is “How Have You Been (Letter to the County Line Girl)” by Chase Matthew. Morgan has also helped develop young artists such as Austin Michael, Jake Hess III and Hunt Pipkin.
“Phil is an emerging force in the Nashville songwriting community,” says Benji Amaefule, Manager, A&R, WCM Nashville. “He brings a valuable versatility to connect and craft timeless stories in the room. He makes an impact with artists and writers alike, with a foundation that will carry him to success in all lanes of country music.”
“Philip’s songwriting has a way of striking the perfect balance between heart and hook, and we’re excited to champion his next chapter,” add Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, The Core Entertainment.
Americana Music Association Unveils 2025 Americana Award Nominees
/by Lauryn SinkThe Americana Music Association has unveiled the nominees for its 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards. The winners will be announced during the ceremony on Sept. 10, 2025 at the Ryman Auditorium. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of Americanafest, which returns for its 25th year on Sept. 9-13, 2025.
The Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community with six member-voted annual awards and Lifetime Achievement awards, presented by NMAAM. Tickets are available here.
A full list of categories and nominees is below.
Album Of The Year:
Lonesome Drifter, Charley Crockett; Produced by Charley Crockett & Shooter Jennings
Foxes in the Snow, Jason Isbell; Produced by Jason Isbell & Gena Johnson
Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman; Produced by Alex Farrar & MJ Lenderman
South of Here, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook
Woodland, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; Produced by David Rawlings
Artist Of The Year:
Charley Crockett
Sierra Ferrell
Joy Oladokun
Billy Strings
Waxahatchee
Duo/Group Of The Year:
Julien Baker & TORRES
Dawes
Larkin Poe
The Mavericks
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Emerging Act Of The Year:
Noeline Hofmann
MJ Lenderman
Medium Build
Maggie Rose
Jesse Welles
Instrumentalist Of The Year:
Fred Eltringham
Alex Hargreaves
Megan Jane
Kaitlyn Raitz
Seth Taylor
Song Of The Year:
“Johnny Moonshine,” Maggie Antone; Written by Maggie Antone, Natalie Hemby & Aaron Raitiere
“Ancient Light,” I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins
“Wristwatch,” MJ Lenderman; Written by MJ Lenderma
“Sunshine Getaway,” JD McPherson; Written by Page Burkum, JD McPherson & Jack Torrey
Jonathan Mayers, Bonnaroo & Superfly Entertainment Co-Founder, Dies
/by Lauryn SinkJonathan Mayers, co-founder of Superfly Entertainment and the co-creator of festivals including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, has died. His age and cause of death are unknown at this time.
Mayers, a New York native and a graduate of Tulane University, began his work in music through New Orleans venue Tipitina’s and the long-running Jazz Fest celebration. He co-founded Superfly in 1996 with Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone and Kerry Black. In 2002, the group launched the first Bonnaroo. Mayers was later an integral part of launching Vegoose in Las Vegas, Clusterfest and Outside Lands in San Francisco, and creating immersive fan experiences for shows including Seinfeld, The Office, South Park, Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Daily Show, Friends and more.
Mayers parted from Superfly in 2021 and created Core City Detroit, which sought to raise money to invest in a “culturally rich neighborhood anchored by a music campus providing world- class services, infrastructure, and housing for local/national artists & industry along with entertainment experiences for the public,” according to an investment deck on the project.
Company officials at Another Planet Entertainment issued a statement to Billboard following Mayers’ passing. “Jonathan was a bright light, always pushing new and creative ideas in the entertainment space,” they said. “He was a visionary who was integral in the founding and the spirit of Outside Lands. Everyone in the Another Planet family will miss him dearly.
“Jonathan was one of the true real visionaries of the modern concert world and one of the core minds behind Bonnaroo,” longtime friend Peter Shapiro, founder of Dayglo Presents and the Brooklyn Bowl tells Billboard. “Modern-day festivals are all in some way built off of his vision.”