Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Discovery Artist of the Year category.
This category honors a Nashville developing artist who has demonstrated the most promise of future success during the eligibility period.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Hailing from Livingston, Texas, Laci Kaye Booth, who recently signed to Lost Highway Records, grew up inspired by the sounds of Merle Haggard and Patsy Cline. After moving to Music City, she released her self-titled debut record in 2021, followed by 2024’s The Loneliest Girl In The World, which appeared on the Los Angeles Times’ list of the best albums of the year. Named as a MusicRow 2026 Next Big Thing, Spotify Artists to Watch for 2026 and CMT’s Next Women of Country, Booth will release her third album, Love Ain’t For The Faint Of Heart, on Sept. 18. Booth has previewed the Ben West-produced project with recent singles “Ethereal Redneck Shit” and “Pathetic.” She has spent time on the road with Ella Langley, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Marcus King Band and more. Last year, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and recently she made an appearance during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium’s Platform Stage. Later this year, she will join Langley and Brad Paisley for select dates.
Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper grew up a student and reverent purveyor of Southern music, singing in church as young as five years old. In 2020, he picked up a guitar and began learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Culpepper began making a name in dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since signing with Big Loud Records, he has joined Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell, Darius Rucker, Niall Horan, Eric Church, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Thomas Rhett and Wyatt Flores on tour along with his own headline dates. Kulpepper has been named to the GRAMMY.com’s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025, 2025 Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Opry NextStage Class of 2025, 2025 Amazon Music Bonfire Artist to Watch, Apple Music’s February 2025 Country Riser of the Month, 2025 Pandora Country Artist to Watch, Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025, MusicRow’s 2026 Next Big Thing list and more. He released his debut album, Act 1, on Jan. 23 and the addendum, Act I: Summer Nights, earlier this summer.
With more than 8.7 million social media followers, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville recording artist Alexandra Kay first gained national attention as a cast member on Netflix’s Westside. Since then, she has earned recognition from People, American Songwriter and Billboard, among others. Her 2023 debut project, All I’ve Ever Known, reached No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts globally and landed in the top 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker charts. Last year, Kay released her sophomore album, Second Wind, which reached No. 1 on the iTunes Country Album chart, and embarked on three headlining tours with multiple sold-out dates. She has shared the stage with artists including Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw. Named a 2026 MusicRow Next Big Thing, her debut single, “Straight For The Heart,” ranked among country radio’s most-added songs upon impact, placing her alongside Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood in the top 5 for most first-week stations by a debut solo female artist. Last year, Kay opened her flagship coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois.
Texas native Braxton Keith started his musical journey early, learning to play piano in kindergarten. He decided to pursue music in college and launched his career touring his home state in support of artists including Randall King and Triston Marez while making trips to Music City. Earlier this year, Keith released his debut album, Real Damn Deal, via Warner Records Nashville, co-writing 10 of the project’s 15 tracks. The collection includes “Little Bit by Little Bit,” “I Ain’t Tryin’” and “I Own This Bar.” Named one of 2026’s Artists to Watch by Amazon Music, Rolling Stone, MusicRow and more, Keith is continuing a year of touring and new music releases. In 2025, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut and earned his first RIAA Gold certification for “Cozy.” He is set to perform more than 130 shows this year, including appearances at fairs and festivals across the country, before launching his headlining “Real Damn Deal Tour.” Keith will also join Tucker Wetmore and Gavin Adcock for select dates this fall.
Texas-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Ty Myers began writing and performing at a young age, developing a sound rooted in country, Southern rock, soul and blues. The 18-year-old released his debut album, The Select, in 2025, featuring the Platinum-certified singles “Ends of the Earth,” “Thought It Was Love” and “Drinkin’ Alone,” with “Ends of the Earth” reaching the top 10 at country radio. Myers followed the release with his 73-date “The Select Tour” before returning in 2026 with his sophomore album, Heavy On The Soul. Recorded at the historic FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the project marked his first album at the renowned studio. Along the way, Myers has been featured by Variety, People, the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, appeared on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” list, Spotify’s RADAR program, and was named a MusicRow 2026 Next Big Thing. He has amassed more than 1.4 billion global streams, made his Austin City Limits debut, supported Luke Combs on tour and recently launched his headlining “The Legal Tour.”
Knoxville, Tennessee, native Emily Ann Roberts began performing on local stages before gaining national attention as the runner-up on Blake Shelton’s team during The Voice in 2015. Since then, she has released her debut album, Can’t Hide Country, followed by the EP Memory Lane. Spotlighted by Billboard, MusicRow and People, Can’t Hide Country showcases Roberts’ blend of traditional country and bluegrass influences. She has since amassed more than 146 million global streams and has made numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Roberts has also toured with Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Jamey Johnson and more, and is on the road with Thomas Rhett throughout 2026. Along the way, she has been named an ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee, the AIMP Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, a member of the Opry NextStage and MusicRow Next Big Thing Class of 2026, a CMT Next Woman of Country and a Nashville Briefing Artist to Watch. Roberts is also featured in Walt Disney World’s Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
2026 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Discovery Artist Of The Year
/by MusicRow StaffFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Discovery Artist of the Year category.
This category honors a Nashville developing artist who has demonstrated the most promise of future success during the eligibility period.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
Hailing from Livingston, Texas, Laci Kaye Booth, who recently signed to Lost Highway Records, grew up inspired by the sounds of Merle Haggard and Patsy Cline. After moving to Music City, she released her self-titled debut record in 2021, followed by 2024’s The Loneliest Girl In The World, which appeared on the Los Angeles Times’ list of the best albums of the year. Named as a MusicRow 2026 Next Big Thing, Spotify Artists to Watch for 2026 and CMT’s Next Women of Country, Booth will release her third album, Love Ain’t For The Faint Of Heart, on Sept. 18. Booth has previewed the Ben West-produced project with recent singles “Ethereal Redneck Shit” and “Pathetic.” She has spent time on the road with Ella Langley, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Marcus King Band and more. Last year, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and recently she made an appearance during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium’s Platform Stage. Later this year, she will join Langley and Brad Paisley for select dates.
Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper grew up a student and reverent purveyor of Southern music, singing in church as young as five years old. In 2020, he picked up a guitar and began learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Culpepper began making a name in dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since signing with Big Loud Records, he has joined Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell, Darius Rucker, Niall Horan, Eric Church, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Thomas Rhett and Wyatt Flores on tour along with his own headline dates. Kulpepper has been named to the GRAMMY.com’s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025, 2025 Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Opry NextStage Class of 2025, 2025 Amazon Music Bonfire Artist to Watch, Apple Music’s February 2025 Country Riser of the Month, 2025 Pandora Country Artist to Watch, Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025, MusicRow’s 2026 Next Big Thing list and more. He released his debut album, Act 1, on Jan. 23 and the addendum, Act I: Summer Nights, earlier this summer.
With more than 8.7 million social media followers, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville recording artist Alexandra Kay first gained national attention as a cast member on Netflix’s Westside. Since then, she has earned recognition from People, American Songwriter and Billboard, among others. Her 2023 debut project, All I’ve Ever Known, reached No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts globally and landed in the top 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker charts. Last year, Kay released her sophomore album, Second Wind, which reached No. 1 on the iTunes Country Album chart, and embarked on three headlining tours with multiple sold-out dates. She has shared the stage with artists including Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw. Named a 2026 MusicRow Next Big Thing, her debut single, “Straight For The Heart,” ranked among country radio’s most-added songs upon impact, placing her alongside Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood in the top 5 for most first-week stations by a debut solo female artist. Last year, Kay opened her flagship coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois.
Texas native Braxton Keith started his musical journey early, learning to play piano in kindergarten. He decided to pursue music in college and launched his career touring his home state in support of artists including Randall King and Triston Marez while making trips to Music City. Earlier this year, Keith released his debut album, Real Damn Deal, via Warner Records Nashville, co-writing 10 of the project’s 15 tracks. The collection includes “Little Bit by Little Bit,” “I Ain’t Tryin’” and “I Own This Bar.” Named one of 2026’s Artists to Watch by Amazon Music, Rolling Stone, MusicRow and more, Keith is continuing a year of touring and new music releases. In 2025, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut and earned his first RIAA Gold certification for “Cozy.” He is set to perform more than 130 shows this year, including appearances at fairs and festivals across the country, before launching his headlining “Real Damn Deal Tour.” Keith will also join Tucker Wetmore and Gavin Adcock for select dates this fall.
Texas-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Ty Myers began writing and performing at a young age, developing a sound rooted in country, Southern rock, soul and blues. The 18-year-old released his debut album, The Select, in 2025, featuring the Platinum-certified singles “Ends of the Earth,” “Thought It Was Love” and “Drinkin’ Alone,” with “Ends of the Earth” reaching the top 10 at country radio. Myers followed the release with his 73-date “The Select Tour” before returning in 2026 with his sophomore album, Heavy On The Soul. Recorded at the historic FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the project marked his first album at the renowned studio. Along the way, Myers has been featured by Variety, People, the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, appeared on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” list, Spotify’s RADAR program, and was named a MusicRow 2026 Next Big Thing. He has amassed more than 1.4 billion global streams, made his Austin City Limits debut, supported Luke Combs on tour and recently launched his headlining “The Legal Tour.”
Knoxville, Tennessee, native Emily Ann Roberts began performing on local stages before gaining national attention as the runner-up on Blake Shelton’s team during The Voice in 2015. Since then, she has released her debut album, Can’t Hide Country, followed by the EP Memory Lane. Spotlighted by Billboard, MusicRow and People, Can’t Hide Country showcases Roberts’ blend of traditional country and bluegrass influences. She has since amassed more than 146 million global streams and has made numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Roberts has also toured with Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Jamey Johnson and more, and is on the road with Thomas Rhett throughout 2026. Along the way, she has been named an ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee, the AIMP Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, a member of the Opry NextStage and MusicRow Next Big Thing Class of 2026, a CMT Next Woman of Country and a Nashville Briefing Artist to Watch. Roberts is also featured in Walt Disney World’s Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
Spotify To Add Label For AI-Generated Artist Identities
/by Lauryn SinkSpotify will begin to label AI-generated artists with an “AI Persona” badge in mid-September.
Starting today, artists can indicate via Spotify for Artists if their profile represents an AI persona. The company will also independently review profiles and identify those that present themselves through their name and visual imagery as photorealistic, AI-generated individuals, starting with profiles that have reached specific reach thresholds.
Listeners will see the AI persona badge on artist profiles, in search results and alongside tracks in playlists. By tapping the badge, listeners can see whether artists have self-disclosed their AI persona status or if it was labeled by Spotify. By default, music from AI personas is not included in Spotify’s editorial or personalized recommendations. It only appears if users actively follow an AI persona.
Spotify has already introduced additional features to help users determine if AI was used in the creative process including “AI Song Info,” “SongDNA” and more.
Ben Farber Joins VERSION III Full-Time
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Josh Telles
Co-founder Ben Farber has joined indie label and management company VERSION III full-time alongside Co-Founder Josh Epple.
After nearly two decades working across artist development, streaming, digital strategy, and audience growth, and most recently serving as Vice President of Streaming Strategy & Revenue at Warner Records, Farber has departed the major label to dedicate his full attention to VERSION III and its growing roster. Founded in 2021 by Farber, Epple, and Andrew Cramb, VERSION III takes a non-traditional approach to development, working closely with artists to build sustainable careers while maintaining creative integrity and authentic connections with their audiences.
“We started VERSION III because we wanted to build the kind of company we would have wanted to work with if we were artists,” says Farber. “The goal has always been to create a transparent partnership where we’re willing to take risks, think differently, and develop artists for the long term. After building this company while working full-time at Warner Records, I’m incredibly excited to give VERSION III my full attention. We’ve accomplished a lot so far between the two of us, and we’re just getting started. I’m so grateful for my experience being at Warner Records. The leaders, colleagues, and artists all contributed to preparing me for this chapter.”
“We’ve always wanted to be the company that gets in early, believes in the vision, and is willing to put in the work alongside an artist as that vision grows,” Epple adds. “The fact that we’ve been able to help build these careers while remaining independent is something we’re incredibly proud of. Bringing Ben on full-time gives us the opportunity to take everything we’ve learned over the past five years and scale it in a really intentional way.”
The company’s most notable success to date came with Dasha, who VERSION III signed in 2023. The label independently released her breakout single “Austin,” which has gone on to surpass nearly 2 billion global streams and earn 50× Platinum certifications worldwide before being upstreamed to Warner. VERSION III has also continued to develop artists across a diverse range of genres. Solya’s debut album, Queen of Texas, released in March 2026, debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard Top Albums Chart and No. 17 on the New Artist Chart, while selling more than 2,500 vinyl copies in its first week.
Artists developed by the company have also gone on to larger label partnerships, including country artist Dalton Davis, who was upstreamed to MCA/Universal; Americana-pop artist Ian Harrison, who was upstreamed to Sony Nashville; pop-metal duo Sace6, who signed with Sumerian Records; and hard rock artist Holy Wars, who signed with Rise Records. The label has also announced its newest signings – singer-songwriter Laila Mach, Industrial Metal Band Heartline, Pop artist LEXXE, and country artist Antwane Tyler.
Koe Wetzel Brings Texas Grit & High-Energy Country To Bridgestone Arena [Recap]
/by Madison HahnenKoe Wetzel. Photo: Keith Matchett
Koe Wetzel brought his distinctive blend of country, rock and Texas grit to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night (Aug. 8) for his Bridgestone headline-debut, as part of his “The Night Champion World Tour.”
Wetzel opened with “Fuss & Fight,” setting the tone for a show built around his rough-edged vocals and energetic stage presence. He followed with “Good Times” and “Circus” before moving into “Forever” and “Surrounded,” keeping the momentum high as the crowd sang along.
The set continued with “9 Lives (Black Cat),” “When I’m Gone,” “Good Die Young” and “Time Goes On.” Wetzel then turned up the intensity with “Drunk Driving” and “The Man,” before launching into “Ragweed.” During the song, he shouted out Cross Canadian Ragweed and some of his favorite Texas country bands, giving the moment a nod to the artists and scene that helped shape his sound.
Wetzel slowed things down with “February 28, 2016” and “Sweet Dreams,” creating a more emotional stretch before returning to the heavier side of his catalog with “Sinner,” “Feel Better” and “Damn Near Normal.”
The latter part of the set moved between raw emotion and crowd-ready anthems, with “Creeps,” “Hurts Like You” and “Something to Talk About” keeping fans engaged before Wetzel closed the night with “High Road.”
Wetzel will continue his “The Night Champion World Tour” this Wednesday (Aug 12) in New York, with more stops in Austin, Tulsa, Salt Lake City and more through October.
Koe Wetzel. Photo: Keith Matchett
Pictured (L-R): Columbia’s Ben Maddahi, Floating Leaf Entertainment’s Jeb Hurt, Koe Wetzel, Abide by the Vibe’s Gabe Simon, FLE’s Cody Maldonado, Abide’s Carrie K and RECORDS’ Josh Easler. Photo: Keith Matchett
Lamont Landers Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lauryn SinkLamont Landers. Photo: Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
Lamont Landers made his Grand Ole Opry debut last Tuesday (Aug. 4).
Stepping into the Opry circle for the first time, Landers performed his new Chris Stapleton and Jesse Frasure-penned single “Lonely Girl,” released last week via Lucille Records, and the unreleased track “Money Tree.” He joined Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill during the show’s finale for “I’m On To You.” Landers contributed backing vocals to the song’s recording, which Gill released in June on his Nobody Held Her Like Me EP.
Hailing from Decatur, Alabama, Landers’ viral cover of Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack” earned over half a million views overnight, leading to standout performances on America’s Got Talent and Showtime at the Apollo. His TikTok presence, including a repost by Questlove of his rendition of “Rubber Band Man,” caught the attention of producer Dave Cobb, and ultimately led to a deal with Cobb’s MCA imprint, Lucille. He will continue touring throughout the fall, with upcoming dates in Tuscaloosa, AL, Lexington, KY, Columbus, OH and more.
John Byron Enters Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenJohn Byron. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
John Byron has moved into the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Morgan Wallen’s “Been By Now” and “Don’t We” along with Kane Brown’s “Woman” pushes the songwriter to No. 5 this week.
Ella Langley remains at No. 1 for the 16th consecutive week with “Be Her,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore” and “Loving Life Again.” Joybeth Taylor stays at No. 2 with “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “Empty Words” and “I Can’t Love You Anymore.”
Chase McGill (No. 3) and Austin Goodloe (No. 4) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
The Chicks Celebrate 20 Years Of ‘Taking The Long Way’ With New Expanded Edition
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Chicks are celebrating 20 years since the release of their five-time Grammy-winning album Taking the Long Way with an expanded edition, Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition), on Oct. 2 via Legacy Recordings.
The anniversary edition will feature unreleased bonus tracks and fan favorites, including unreleased track “Flowers (Demo Version). Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition) will be available as a 3LP and available to stream, and the 3LP Edition features five bonus tracks (three unreleased demos + two rarities), exclusive etching and refreshed cover art and packaging. “Thin Line” and “Live Wire” will be available to stream for the first time.
Originally released on May 23, 2006, via Columbia Records, Taking the Long Way features the hit song, “Not Ready To Make Nice,” and earned The Chicks five Grammys, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Taking the Long Way. These songs take us right back to one of the most defining times in our lives, and it’s incredible how much they still resonate today,” says Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer of The Chicks. “We’re so excited to finally share some unreleased tracks and to perform the entire album on this tour. It feels like the perfect way to celebrate this journey with the fans who have been with us every step of the way.”
The Chicks will celebrate the album milestone on their “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” this fall which kicks off in Detroit on Sept. 30. The trio will perform the album in its entirety for the first time, before closing each night with fan-favorite hits from their catalog. They have announced additional dates on the tour, including stops in Philadelphia at The Met on Oct. 7, Boston at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 9, and a third show in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on Nov. 3.
Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition) Tracklist:
Disc 1 Side A
1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready to Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
Disc 1 Side B
1. Bitter End
2. Lullaby
3. Lubbock or Leave It
Disc 2 Side A
1. Silent House
2. Favorite Year
3. Voice Inside My Head
Disc 2 Side B
1. I Like It
2. Baby Hold On
3. So Hard
4. I Hope
Disc 3 Side A
1. Not Ready to Make Nice (Demo Version)
2. Thin Line
3. So Hard (Demo Version)
4. Live Wire
5. Flowers (Demo Version)
2026 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Song Of The Year
/by MusicRow StaffFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Song of the Year category.
The nominees honor Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of country songwriting, not necessarily chart performance, during the eligibility period of June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
“Backseat Driver”
Featured on Kane Brown’s album The High Road, “Backseat Driver,” produced by Dann Huff, reflects on parenthood through the everyday moments that shape a father’s perspective. Written by Jacob Davis and Jordan Walker, the song follows a morning drive as the narrator’s young daughter fills the ride with questions about the world around her, shifting his attention from the distractions of adulthood to the curiosity of childhood. “Daddy, look, there’s a plane in the sky. Are we there yet? Did you just see that dog run by?” she asks, prompting him to see life through her eyes. Later, he reflects, “One day, I’ll look back and I’ll miss when my whole world wasn’t over that dash, it was back there buckled in,” before closing with, “I wish I could be more like her. My little dangling feet, pretty in pink, backseat driver.” “Backseat Driver” became Brown’s 13th career No. 1 on country radio and his eighth consecutive chart-topper.
“Choosin’ Texas”
Co-written by Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Luke Dick and Miranda Lambert, “Choosin’ Texas” follows a narrator who realizes she cannot keep her man from choosing what his heart wants. “Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee, I shoulda known better than to take him back to Abilene,” she reflects before admitting, “I put him right back into her arms. I wasn’t a match for that kinda spark.” Langley continues, “It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see a cowboy always finds a way to leave,” before concluding, “Drinkin’ Jack all by myself. He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell.” Featured on Langley’s sophomore album Dandelion, the history-making track spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the longest running No. 1 by a woman with a country hit in the chart’s history. It also recorded six separate runs at No. 1 on the Hot 100, setting a new record for a single release cycle, and logged its 29th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart.
“I Sit In Parks”
Written solely by Kelsea Ballerini for her 2025 Mount Pleasant EP, “I Sit in Parks” reflects on the pressure women face as they pursue the lives they have worked for while confronting the reality that a biological clock does not stop along the way. Watching young families around her, she questions whether she has “missed the mark,” asking, “Did I miss it? By now, is it a lucid dream? Is it my fault for chasing things a body clock doesn’t wait for? I did the damn tour.” She later acknowledges the complexity of those feelings, singing, “They lay on a blanket and goddamit he loves her. I wonder if she wants my freedom like I wanna be a mother,” before adding, “But Rolling Stone says I’m on the right road, so I refill my Lexapro” Rather than framing career and motherhood as mutually exclusive, the song captures the emotional space where gratitude for one path exists alongside a longing for another for women who want it all.
“McArthur”
Written by Chase McGill, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson and Michael Hardy, “McArthur,” performed by HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw, traces four generations of the McArthur family as each man reflects on the land that has defined his life. Beginning with the family’s patriarch, the song follows each generation in turn, from a farmer who built a life on the property to a son lost in Vietnam, a grandson determined to preserve the family legacy and, finally, an heir tempted to sell it to developers. “My bloodline, it bled on this ground. Soon we all find that’s where we’re bound,” each generation sings, before asking, “And father time don’t leave anyone out. And when you pass on, what you gonna pass down?” In the opening verse, the family’s patriarch reflects, “I kept my family fed with a mule and a plow. I’m a whisper in the wind through the pine trees now.” By the song’s close, that promise returns as Hunter McArthur prepares to sell the land but hears “a whisper in the pines that’s tellin’ me, ‘Don’t.’”
“Say So”
Co-written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins, “Say So” was written in honor of Warner Chappell Music Nashville executive Ben Vaughn. The song serves as a reminder that no one has to carry life’s struggles alone and encourages those who are hurting to ask for help rather than suffer in silence. “Sometimes the words you don’t know how to say are the loudest. No one can shoulder the weight if they don’t know about it,” Dan + Shay sing before offering, “I’ll be there every time you call. Pick you up every time you fall. If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone. If you need somebody, say so.” The song closes with the hopeful reassurance, “Hold on tight. The sun is gonna rise. So open up your eyes. Tomorrow is a brand new day.” Dan + Shay performed “Say So” in Vaughn’s honor during the 60th ACM Awards, with the performance helping spotlight the importance of suicide prevention and encouraging conversations around mental health and seeking support.
“Sleepless In A Hotel Room”
Co-written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, Combs’ “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” featured on his recent The Way I Am LP, captures the loneliness that can come with a job that requires you to be away from home. Written through the lens of a musician on the road, Combs describes lying awake in a hotel room, unable to sleep while thinking about the person waiting at home. Throughout the song, Combs imagines the parallel night unfolding back home, wondering whether the person he misses is just as restless as he is. “I can hear the lonely howlin’ out my window. I can feel the whiskey not do anything. 2 in the morning, TV’s on and I’ve never felt so far from home,” Combs sings. He later says, “I wonder if you’re starin’ at our bedroom ceiling. Lyin’ right beside a glass of wine. I wonder if you’re tossin’, turnin’, wishin’ you were kissin’ me,” before admitting, “The morning light can’t come too soon. Lyin’ here not next to you. Wide awake I dream of you. Sleepless in a hotel room.”
Tigirlily Gold Reveal Full Track List For Sophomore Album ‘Country & Midwestern’
/by Lorie HollabaughTigirlily Gold has shared the track list for their upcoming sophomore album, Country & Midwestern, due out Oct. 9.
The collection is divided into two chapters, Country and Midwestern, tracing a personal yet relatable journey through growing up, chasing dreams, leaving home, falling in love, enduring heartbreak, and ultimately staying true to the people and places that shaped them.
Penned over the last two years, Country & Midwestern finds sisters Krista Slaubaugh and Kendra Olson stepping confidently into their own as songwriters, earning writing credits on all 16 tracks while collaborating with some of Nashville’s in demand writers, including Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Josh Jenkins, Trannie Anderson, Mark Irwin and more.
Opening with the spirited confidence of “Girl’s A Goner,” the project’s Country chapter captures the highs and lows of young adulthood. Songs like “Something To Drink About,” “I Do Or Die,” and “70 And Neon” embody the bold sound that first introduced Tigirlily Gold to country audiences, while deeper cuts reveal new emotional depth and maturity. The record shifts with the “Interlude” into Midwestern, a reflective second act rooted in family, nostalgia, resilience, and home. Tracks including “Call Your Mom,” “Folgers,” “Grain,” and “Plateau” explore the quiet moments that define a life just as much as the milestones, delivering heartfelt stories that celebrate the values and perspective the sisters carried with them from North Dakota to Nashville.
Country & Midwestern Track List:
Country
1. “Girl’s A Goner” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Johnny Clawson, Lauren McLamb)
2. “70 And Neon” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
3. “I Do Or Die” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Willie Morrison, Jess Grommet)
4. “Better Off Comes Last” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
5. “Something To Drink About” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Shane McAnally)
6. “Diamond On Your Tab” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
7. “One Drive Back” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Scott Stepakoff, Alex Kline)
8. “The Clock” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Zarni deVette, Alex Kline)
Midwestern
9. “Interlude” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Daniel Ethridge, Alex Kline)
10. “Country & Midwestern” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Daniel Ethridge, Alex Kline)
11. “Forever From Here” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Shane McAnally, Pete Good)
12. “Call Your Mom” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Sarah Buxton, Mark Irwin, Andrew Beason)
13. “Folgers” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Alex Kline, Scott Stepakoff)
14. “Grain” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Scott Stepakoff, Josh Osborne)
15. “Blue Jean Blue” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Shane McAnally)
16. “Plateau” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
Kinsley Signs With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, top row): Rusty Gaston, Tom Luteran and Aubrey Landon (L-R, bottom row): Kinsley and Synnovea Halsel.
Rising singer-songwriter Kinsley has signed a worldwide exclusive publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
The announcement follows the release of her debut tracks, “Pieces of Me,” which explores heartbreak, identity and the lasting impact of love and loss, and “Whiplash,” a song that taps into her lifelong love of rock.
“From the moment we first met Kinsley, I knew I had to work with her,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “It’s impossible not to be moved by the storytelling in her lyrics and the emotion in her voice. Kinsley is such a special talent and we’re so lucky to get to work with her at SMP.”
From growing up in California to learning music on her family’s land in North Carolina and moving to Texas in high school before eventually settling in Tennessee with her family, each chapter has left its mark on Kinsley’s perspective and her sound. Poetry became her creative outlet to process her emotions, laying the foundation for a songwriting style that blends vivid storytelling, poetic lyricism and raw, soulful vocals in a way that resonates deeply with listeners. Kinsley first connected with audiences through her Midnight Sessions on YouTube, with intimate performances that offered an early glimpse into her deeply personal songwriting.
“Finding a home with Sony Music Publishing feels incredibly special,” shares Kinsley. “This team has quickly become like family to me, and I am beyond thankful for their belief in me. Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world and will always be my first love. I’ve always wanted to write songs that make people feel understood. I’m so excited to have a team that is so passionate in helping me grow as a songwriter.”