The Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, will celebrate the lives and music of seven Local 257 songwriters, artists, and musicians who have passed in the last two years at the “For Those We Lost IV” Tribute Concert on Sept. 24 at 3rd & Lindsley.

Local 257 members who will be remembered at the special tribute include Kris Kristofferson, Don Schlitz, Ronnie Bowman, Craig Krampf, Wayne Moss, Jerry Kennedy, and David Briggs. Their music touched millions of lives, and their songs will be brought back to the stage by John Berry, Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis, The McCrary Sisters, Jonell Mosser, and Sweethearts of the Rodeo, with more artists to be announced.

The evening will also feature a live auction with items including a Toby Keith signed drumhead framed with a photo and stage pass from his final Las Vegas performance; a Fender guitar signed by The Oak Ridge Boys, The Gatlin Brothers, Marty Raybon and more; an Epiphone guitar signed by Ted Nugent; a framed drumhead signed by Chester Thompson of Weather Report and Genesis; an original Nancy Spurlock Willie Nelson painting; a Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar; and a Trace Adkins autographed guitar, with more items still arriving. The auction will also be available online and will kick off a few days before the show.

“This show honoring members we’ve lost is a great opportunity for music fans to enjoy a unique night with some wonderful artists, timeless songs and a fantastic auction, all to help a very worthy cause,” says Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy.

All money raised will go to the Local 257 Funeral Benefit Fund, which paid out $139,500 to member beneficiaries in 2025.

Nashville will host a citywide celebration of Dolly Parton on Sept. 25. In recognition of Parton’s extraordinary contributions to Nashville and communities around the world, Mayor Freddie O’Connell will officially proclaim Sept. 25, 2026, Dolly Day in Nashville.

“Dolly Parton’s impact on Nashville will be felt for generations, through her music, her many acts of kindness, and the example she continues to set for us today,” shares O’Connell. “She has shown us all that caring for a community means showing up for one another. I’m honored to proclaim Sept. 25th Dolly Day in Nashville and to invite our entire city to celebrate the remarkable contribution Dolly has made to Nashville and to people all around the world.”

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood have pledged to donate all proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk on Sept. 25 to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. At 5 p.m., participating music venues across the city will mark the occasion with live performances of “9 to 5” on their stages. Participating restaurants, coffee shops, bars and stores are encouraged to offer Dolly-inspired food and drink specials and merchandise. Free Dolly Day buttons, stickers and bookmarks will be available at Visitor Information Centers at Bridgestone Arena and Fifth + Broadway while supplies last. A brief fireworks show in tribute to Parton will light up downtown Nashville at 9:25 p.m. A full list of activities is available here.

“The music community has always looked to Dolly as an example of what it means to use your platform to lift up the people around you,” shares Rondal Richardson of the Music Community Foundation. “The MCF family is proud to rally around that example and invite artists, industry leaders, businesses and fans to do the same. Give Like Dolly is an opportunity to turn the reach and influence of our music community into support for people and organizations across Middle Tennessee.”

“Dolly has shown us what can happen when generosity is rooted in a genuine love for community,” says Hal Cato, CEO of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Her example reminds us that each of us has something to give, whether it is our time, our resources, our talents or simply our kindness. Dolly Day is an opportunity to put that spirit into action and show what is possible when a community chooses to care for one another.”

Mitchell Tenpenny has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry to raise money for the 10Penny Fund, supporting cancer patients and their families through emotional, social and mental health support.

The Oct. 6 show will donate $5 from each ticket sold to the fund. Performers include Tenpenny, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Devin Dawson, Ernest, Jackie Lee and Jo Dee Messina. Macy Page, a cancer survivor and sister-in-law to artist Thomas Rhett, will serve as a guest announcer.

A post-Opry event will be held in the Opry House’s Studio A, where Tenpenny will perform a few additional songs and take part in a Q&A hosted by WSM’s Charlie Mattos. Fans who purchase an event poster from the Opry Shop that evening will receive entry to Studio A.

“Unfortunately, I have several personal experiences with family members facing cancer diagnoses and treatment. I found a void in support for processing the overwhelming range of emotions I faced myself, as well as for witnessing family members agonize over the same thing,” shares Tenpenny. “I really wanted the foundation to be able to step in and help fill this void when possible.”

On Oct. 6, Tenpenny will launch his partnership with Cancer Support Community (CSC). Formed in 2009 through the merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide, CSC provides emotional, social and practical support at no cost by connecting patients and their families with experienced licensed professionals.

The T.J. Martell Foundation hosted its sold-out 51st Annual New York Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, raising more than $3.2 million for cancer research.

The evening was hosted by T.J. Martell Foundation Chair of the Board of Trustees Steve Gawley (Executive Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs, REPUBLIC Collective) in collaboration with the Foundation’s Executive Committee which includes Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records), Tom Corson (Warner Music Group/Warner Records), John Esposito (HEY NOW Records, and Foundation Executive Chairman), Daniel Glass (Glassnote Entertainment Group), Jeffrey Harleston (Universal Music Group, and Foundation Executive Chairman), Michael Huppe (SoundExchange), Rich Isaacson (R I Entertainment), Michael Kushner (Sedlmayr & Associates), Dennis Lord (Gordon Law Group), Marc Reiter (Metallica), Darren Stupak, Julie Swidler (Launchpad Advisors), Andy Tavel (Raines Feldman Littrell), Ron Wilcox (MD Consulting, Treasurer) and Lynn-Anne Huck (The T.J. Martell Foundation, CEO). Live Nation joined as the inaugural sponsor of the New York Honors Gala red carpet reception.

Red Light Management Founder Coran Capshaw was presented with the Lifetime Music Industry Award by his longtime friend Dave Matthews. Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Chris Stapleton performed in Capshaw’s honor.

“Coran and his artists have an incredible spirit of philanthropy,” shared Chair of the Board of Trustees Gawley during opening remarks. “When we first asked Coran to help us, he didn’t simply agree to be honored. He brought his team, his artists, his relationships and his whole heart – and look what happened. Tonight, this gala has raised more than $3.2 million for cancer research, making it the most successful New York Honors Gala in more than two decades. But tonight isn’t just about the total. It’s about what the money allows us to do: it lets brilliant scientists take risks, moves promising ideas forward, and gives people facing cancer what matters most – better treatments, more cures and more time with the people they love.”

“We all get hit by cancer – whether it’s an artist we work with, ourselves, friends and family. It makes me think of our friend Chip Hooper. It’s been over 10 years now. He left us early, and it’s a loss I feel to this minute. He was close to many of us in this room. It’s nice to see such a cross section of the industry here: promoters, agents, labels, publishers, attorneys, and artists we work with,” Capshaw shared. “I think what really unites this room, both the musicians and the business side alike, is our industry’s inclination to do good and to give back. Without fail, we really are the go-to industry for fundraising and responding in times of need-whether it be a flood, a hurricane, fire relief, or helping our communities – musicians and the teams behind them, really step up. As we’re hearing tonight, this is the 51st year of this event. Not quite the same ring as the 50th, 60th…25th…who wants to be 51st? And actually, we’re here together for the first year of the next 50 years of this organization. We hope some real breakthroughs will happen in this next chapter.”

The Americana Music Association honored several artists, songwriters and musicians last night (Sept. 16) at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.

Molly Tuttle won Artist of the Year for the first time. Tyler Childers received Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn.

Brandi Carlile earned Song of the Year for “Returning to Myself,” the title track from her latest album, which she wrote herself. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings claimed Duo/Group of the Year for the second year in a row.

Ken Pomeroy received Emerging Act of the Year following a breakout year that included the release of her acclaimed 2025 album Cruel Joke. Mandy Fer, an electric guitarist and touring musician with Allison Russell, was named Instrumentalist of the Year.

The ceremony featured several special moments, including Bernie Taupin presenting Carlile with her award. Hayes Carll and Elizabeth Cook paid tribute to the late Todd Snider, while the evening closed with an all-star performance of The Mavericks’ “Dance the Night Away” in honor of Raul Malo.

Buddy Miller returned as musical director of the Americana All-Star Band. The group also featured Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, The McCrary Sisters and Don Was.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant and Dolly Parton were each recognized with Americana Lifetime Achievement honors.

The Heartbreakers reunited for the ceremony with special guest Chris Stapleton. I’m With Her, featuring Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins, joined Carlile for a tribute to Parton with “Coat of Many Colors.”

Plant returned to the Ryman for the Americana Honors & Awards for the first time in 15 years. As a 2026 Lifetime Achievement honoree, he performed “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” and “Angel Dance.”

A video recorded by Parton before her death in August 2026 was also shown during the ceremony as she accepted her honor.

Additional performances throughout the night came from Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Pomeroy, Margo Price, Tuttle, Mon Rovîa and S.G. Goodman.

“What an incredible way to celebrate the 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “The breadth and depth of talent on stage this evening is beyond words. Celebrating The Heartbreakers’ historic reunion with special guest Chris Stapleton, getting to honor the legendary Robert Plant and our beloved Dolly Parton made this show one of the most special ones I’ve been a part of. Congratulations to all the winners and honorees; we are so grateful to everyone who is a member of this Americana community.”