During her appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night (May 13), Carly Pearce was presented with two brand new RIAA certifications from Big Machine executives. Her collaboration with Chris Stapleton “We Don’t Fight Anymore” is now certified Platinum, while her hit single “What He Didn’t Do” earned double-Platinum certification.

Pearce will wrap up her more than 40 date “Hummingbird World Tour” tonight (May 16) with a sold-out Ryman Auditorium show in Nashville.

Pearce also recently revealed that she will bring back her annual “Carly’s Closet” pop-up event during CMA Fest on June 7 from 3-5 p.m., taking place inside Music City Center. The event gives attendees the chance to purchase clothing, shoes and accessories Pearce has worn, and all proceeds will go to the CMA Foundation. She will also be performing an acoustic set during the event, before she heads over to Nissan Stadium that night to join Rascal Flatts on the main stage.

Leading up to the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards last week, fans, artists and industry members took over Frisco, Texas for a week of celebration.

“The 60th ACM Awards and the events surrounding the show were a shining example of the excitement and popularity of country music,” says ACM Chairman Randy Bernard. “I want to thank the ACM staff for their incredible work throughout the week. The number of events and the amount of joy you’re able to bring to country music fans is immeasurable. I also want to thank the ACM Board and the industry as a whole for the support surrounding ACM Awards Week, making this one of the most successful weeks in ACM history.”

The annual ACM Country Kickoff returned for its third year featuring performances from Gavin Adcock, Kassi Ashton, Ashley Cooke, Jessie Murph, Restless Road, Tucker Wetmore, Josh Abbott Band, Maggie Antone, Drew Baldridge, William Beckmann, George Birge, The Wilder Blue, Tyler Braden, Kaitlin Butts, Lanie Gardner, Dylan Gossett, Don Louis, Hudson Westbrook and Eli Young Band. The event reached capacity, marking the first sold-out crowd ever at the venue.

The “I’m Just Me: Charley Pride, A Celebration of Inclusion” brunch returned for a second year, hosted by Mickey Guyton and honoring singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer; singer, songwriter, producer and American Idol judge Lionel Richie; Guyton; singer, songwriter and record producer Shaboozey; Mexican-American singer-songwriter, artist, actor and activist Freddy Fender; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and Grandmother of Juneteenth Opal Lee; President and CEO of F2 Entertainment Fletcher Foster; The Tennessean/USA Today Country Music reporter Marcus Dowling; Head of Country Music at Amazon Music Michelle Tigard Kammerer and CEO of mtheory Cameo Carlson.

On Wednesday afternoon (May 7), the winners of the ACM Radio Awards were celebrated for their wins in On-Air Personality of the Year categories on Radio Station of the Year categories. ACM Award-winner Carly Pearce hosted the exclusive ACM Radio Awards Winners Reception.

That afternoon, the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives hosted the exclusive and intimate “Play Something Country,” a 60th anniversary gala honoring Brooks & Dunn and benefiting ACM Lifting Lives, which grossed nearly $1.4 million while honoring the achievements of the 25-time ACM Award-winning duo. The night culminated with a presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn and performances of their hits from country music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson, all hosted by TV and radio personality Bobby Bones.

Just before the awards began, the ACM Lifting Voices Council hosted its second annual community engagement event at Birdie Alexander Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. Joined by one of this year’s ACM New Duo/Group nominees, Restless Road, as well as Mexican-American artist MŌRIAH and country singer Palmer Anthony, the Council delivered musical instruments generously donated by Conn Selmer and Jean Paul in an effort to uplift and empower local youth through music.

On the day of the 60th ACM Awards, more than 2,000 local veterans and their families were given access into the Ford Center hours before doors officially opened to the public. In partnership with Vet Tix, these servicemen and servicewomen were given the opportunity to attend the official dress rehearsal of the big show, earning an exclusive sneak peek at the performances that millions of fans would witness when the show aired later that evening.

Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire and featuring 16 powerhouse performances and appearances from 40 artists including Alan Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Lionel Richie, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, Wynonna Judd and more, the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards took place on Thursday (May 8).

To wrap the week, the official ACM Awards After Party brought fans and industry alike to a party continuing the celebration post-show at the site of the Official ACM Awards Red Carpet. Brittany Spencer, Carter Faith, Crystal Gayle and Sara Evans all performed in an evening celebrating powerhouse women of country music.

Rebel Music opened its Nashville office on Wednesday, inviting industry members to see its space on Music Row, which serves as an office and includes multiple studios. Following significant success with rappers Sexyy Red and Rob 49, among others, alternative artist HonestAv, and country artists Kidd G and Kevin Smiley, this marks the official launch into the country space for the Miami and LA-based company.

Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal Host Show At CMHOFM

On Tuesday (May 13), Rosanne Cash hosted a concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater with her husband and longtime collaborator John Leventhal. They performed songs from Cash’s newest release, The Essential Collection, a two-CD set spanning 40 years and including 40 tracks from her deep catalog. Cash and Leventhal were joined onstage by special guests throughout the evening, including Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris and Grammy-winning artist and songwriter Sarah Jarosz.

The museum’s current exhibition, “Rosanne Cash: Time Is a Mirror,” explores Cash’s groundbreaking career as an artist, songwriter and storyteller, and how she has embodied both tradition and innovation across her musical career. The exhibit runs through March 2026 and is included with museum admission.

 

CMHOFM Hosts Screening Of ‘Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around”

This past weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a film screening of the documentary Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around. Following the screening, the museum’s writer and editor, Jon Freeman, led a discussion featuring Barbara Hall, the film’s director and producer; Robert K. Oermann, a writer and Lee’s biographer; and Alan Stoker, the museum’s recently retired curator of recorded sound collections. Stoker and Oermann are featured in the documentary.

Part of the long-running PBS television series American Masters, the 2024 documentary explores Lee’s 60-plus-year career, which transcends the boundaries of pop and country music. Her repertoire includes hits such as “Sweet Nothin’s,” “I’m Sorry,” “I Want to Be Wanted,” “Break It to Me Gently” and the Christmas classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She was the first woman inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

 

The Recording Academy Hosts Special Screening of Family Matters: John Driskell Hopkins

In conjunction with ALS Awareness Month, The Recording Academy hosted a special Nashville screening of the latest installment of their “Family Matters” series featuring a founding member of the Zac Brown Band, John Driskell Hopkins. The episode followed the GRAMMY-winning musician, his family and his courageous journey with ALS. More screenings and release information of Family Matters: John Driskell Hopkins are coming soon.

Hopkins recently released a solo track titled “I Love You Forever,” which was the first song he wrote after receiving his ALS diagnosis as a love letter to his wife and daughters. The Hopkins launched Hop On A Cure, which has granted over four million dollars in ALS research since its inception in 2022. Donations can be made here.

 

Tennessee State Museum to Host Conversation With Charlie Peacock

The Tennessee State Museum is set to host a conversation with producer and songwriter Charlie Peacock on June 14 as part of its “TN Writers | TN Stories: Author Talks at the State Museum” series. Peacock will sit down with Jason Moon Wilkins, Program Director at WNXP, for a discussion of Peacock’s new memoir, Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music. For more information on the free event, click here.

 

Jessica Chenoweth Selected for MIW’s Country Radio Mentorship Program in Partnership with CRS

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, has announced Jessica Chenoweth as the 2nd MIW in Country Radio Mentee. The mentorship program is designed to connect the mentee with some of the most respected leaders in the business. Through tailored conversations, industry access and leadership development, the program supports the mentee’s growth into senior roles within the country radio space and includes attendance to the 2026 CRS events in Nashville.

Chenoweth began her career in 2004 answering request lines at KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and now serves as Executive Producer for John and Tammy: San Diego’s Morning Show.

“Jessica is a standout talent whose energy, leadership, and heart embody the future of country radio,” says RJ Curtis, Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters. “We’re proud to support her journey through this partnership with MIW and look forward to seeing all she’ll accomplish.”