Lalo Guzman Extends Global Publishing Deal With SMACKSongs

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Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Groves, Robin Palmer, Carly Sater, Lalo Guzman, Samantha Sarno and Lee Krabel.

Lalo Guzman has extended his global publishing deal with SMACKSongs. The news comes just as he clinches his second No. 1 hit with Blake Shelton’s “Texas.”

Guzman first joined SMACK in 2020. Soon after, the AIMP Rising Songwriter of the Year nominee landed his first No. 1 at country radio with “Cowboy Songs,” recorded by George Birge.

“Lalo is incredibly talented and such a vital part of SMACK,” shares Samantha Sarno, Creative Director at SMACK. “Watching his success has been amazing, and this is only the beginning. We’re thrilled to continue working with him!”

During his time with SMACK, Guzman has been making waves with Dylan Schneider’s radio singles “Better Than You Left Me” and “Ain’t Missin’ You,” as well as Nate Smith’s “Wish I Never Felt”–the latter two of which he produced. His catalog also boasts “Broken Heart Thing” by Madeline Merlo and Dustin Lynch, and “Shrank” by Jake Owen.

Additionally, Guzman has gathered songwriting and production credits with artists including Jason Aldean, Ella Langley, Tyler Rich, Colt Ford, Tyler Farr and more.

“I’m excited to re-sign with SMACK and continue building on what we’ve achieved these last few years,” says Guzman. “I’m so thankful to be a part of this team and look forward to what this next season has in store.”

Grace Tyler Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Ellie Gray (Concord), Lily Bunta (Concord), Anthony DeVincenzo (Red Light Management), Autumn House-Tallant (Red Light Management), Melissa Spillman (Concord), Matt Turner (Concord) and Claire Buchanan (Concord). (L-R, front row): Brad Kennard (Concord), Grace Tyler and Courtney Allen (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman

Singer-songwriter Grace Tyler has inked with Concord Music Publishing for a global publishing deal, including her entire catalog and all future releases.

“Signing a publishing deal with my dream team at Concord is truly a full-circle moment—proof that patience and passion pay off,” says Tyler. “I’m beyond grateful to be surrounded by people who believe in me, especially my biggest cheerleader, Courtney Allen. Her unwavering support means the world, and I couldn’t imagine a better team to chase this dream with.”

The Frisco, Texas native attended Belmont University, where she developed her skills alongside her mentor Lee Brice. Tyler first went viral with her single “My Mistake” in 2021, which went on to be featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Country playlists. She was also up for Spotify’s Fresh Finds Favorites in 2024 with her track “Weak Man.” Her debut EP, Everything I Didn’t Say, dropped this past March and showcases her vulnerable and honest songwriting.

“I offered Grace a deal at the end of our first meeting,” reflects Allen. “That’s how sure I was that I needed to work with her. For years, she has slowly and quietly been honing her craft and now it is her time to shine. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes, and I am so proud to have her join the Concord family.”

At the end of last year, Tyler opened for Shane Smith & The Saints. She began 2025 by singing the national anthem at the 2025 American Rodeo Championship, and also had a set at the Lone Star Smokeout Country Music and BBQ Festival. She has upcoming shows scheduled for Cohasset, Webster and Hyannis, Massachusetts, and will perform at the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off tomorrow (May 7).

Will Terry Inks With Prescription Songs, 7Hills Music & Amigo Records [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Will Terry and Hannah Montgomery Bay-Schuck (7Hills Music). (L-R, back row): Chris Martignago (Prescription Songs), Jillian
Rutstein (Amigo Records) and Jamey Davenport (Will Terry management). Photo: Courtesy of Prescription Songs

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Will Terry has signed with Prescription Songs and 7Hills Music for publishing, along with Prescription’s affiliated label Amigo Records for music releases.

“Having a team that feels like family is all I ever wanted,” says Terry. “Didn’t realize until recently that it’s a need in this kind of work. I’m a strong believer in the fact, you are who you’re around, and I’m stoked to be where I am.”

The Rome, Georgia native is known around music city for combining southern grit with authentic storytelling. He has supported Tyler Farr, Jon Langston and Chayce Beckham on the road and recently took the Whiskey Jam stage. He joins Scoot Teasley as Amigo’s second country signee. 

“Tickled pink about getting to partner with Amigo/Rx for this next chapter in Will’s career,” shares Terry’s manager Jamey Davenport. “Hannah [Montgomery Bay-Schuck] and the team have welcomed us like family and made us feel right at home. Excited for the future and grateful for Luke & Hannah’s belief in Will Terry!”

“I’m so proud to have signed Will Terry to my joint venture 7Hills Music with Prescription Songs and our label Amigo Records,” adds Montgomery Bay-Schuck, 7Hills Music. “Coming from the same hometown of Rome, Georgia, there’s a shared understanding and work ethic that makes this partnership even more special.”

North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees

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Six North Carolina natives will be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame this fall, including country superstar Luke Combs, director and producer Robert Deaton, “The Man of Steel'”Clyde Mattocks, singer-songwriter David Childers, radio personality Hattie “Chatty Hatty” Leeper and Flat Duo Jets member Dexter Romweber.

The induction ceremony honoring the 2025 class will take place on October 16, 2025 at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center in Mooresville, North Carolina. The ceremony is open to the public and will include appearances and live performances by inductees. A full list of performers will be announced at a later date. Tickets and more information is available here.

FEMcountry To Host First Nashville Showcase

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Dedicated to empowering female voices in country music, FEMcountry is set to host its first Nashville showcase on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at City Winery Nashville. The event will feature Caylee Hammack, Brittney Spencer, Abbey Cone, Lucie Silvas and Rita Wilson. Tickets are on sale now at citywinery.com/nashville.

Launched earlier this year by renowned music executive Leslie Fram, FEMcountry is a continuation of her longtime work in creating critically-acclaimed programs like CMT’s Next Women of Country and her passion for elevating female voices in country music.

For more information on FEMco and FEMcountry, visit hellofemco.com.

Rocky Block Jumps Into Top 15 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Rocky Block. Photo: Mick Bodie

Rocky Block has jumped into the top 15 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. Cole Swindell’s “Forever To Me” and Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” push the songwriter to No. 14.

Riley Green remains at No. 1 with solo-penned “Worst Way.” Ashley Gorley stays at No. 2 with “Favorite Country Song,” “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “Love Somebody,” “Not At This Party,” “Park” and “She Hates Me.”

Charlie Handsome (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and Ernest (No. 5) 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.

Brandon Lake Leads Nominations For Upcoming K-LOVE Fan Awards

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Brandon Lake

Nominees have been announced for the 12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards set for May 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, with Brandon Lake leading the pack with four nominations.

Leanna Crawford, Crowder, Jamie MacDonald, MercyMe, TobyMac, Tauren Wells and Megan Woods each received three nods for the upcoming awards, and fans can casting their votes now by visiting klovefanawards.com.

Hosted by Jeremy Camp, Bart Millard, Mac Powell and Matthew West, the show will air exclusively on TBN on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.

2025 K-LOVE Fan Award Nominees:

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake (feat. Jelly Roll)
“Made for More” – Josh Baldwin
“Take It All Back” – Tauren Wells
“Somebody Prayed” – Crowder
“The Truth” – Megan Woods
“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans
“Oh Death” – MercyMe
“Nothin’ Sweeter” – TobyMac

WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Goodbye Yesterday” – Elevation Rhythm
“God Is Not Against Me” – Elevation Worship
“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
“Take You at Your Word” – Cody Carnes
“Lead On Good Shepherd” – Patrick Mayberry
“In the Name of Jesus” – JWLKRS Worship
“The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham

BREAKOUT SINGLE:
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“The Truth” – Megan Woods
“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford
“Whisper and the Wind” – Bodie
“Flowers” – Samantha Ebert

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandon Lake
Crowder
Anne Wilson
TobyMac
Tauren Wells
Josh Baldwin
for KING & COUNTRY
MercyMe
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank

GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Cain
MercyMe
for KING & COUNTRY
We Are Messengers
Elevation Worship
Caleb & John
Big Daddy Weave
JWLKRS Worship
Elevation Rhythm
We The Kingdom

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandon Lake
Crowder
Jeremy Camp
Tauren Wells
Josh Baldwin
TobyMac
Forrest Frank
Phil Wickham
Matthew West
Josiah Queen

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Anne Wilson
CeCe Winans
Lauren Daigle
Tasha Layton
Terrian
Jamie MacDonald
Megan Woods
Leanna Crawford
Katy Nichole
Samantha Ebert

FILM IMPACT:
Unsung Hero
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Unbreakable Boy
Bonhoeffer
Sound of Hope
Cabrini
The Forge
White Bird
Someone Like You
The Chosen Season 5

TV/STREAMING IMPACT:
The Wingfeather Saga Season 2
House of David
Shadrach
Homestead: The Series
The Riot and the Dance Season 1
Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story

PODCAST IMPACT:
Jan Harrison – Rooted & Radiant
Jonathan Pokluda’s Becoming Something podcast
John Siebeling and Wayne Francis – Leadership in Black & White
Andy Chrisman – 1 Degree of Andy
Christine Caine – Life & Leadership Podcast
Lisa Harper – Back Porch Theology
Max Lucado – Encouraging Word Podcast

BOOK IMPACT:
I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t – Lysa TerKeurst
God Never Gives Up on You – Max Lucado
I Surrender All – Priscilla Shirer
Devoted to Jesus – Alex & Stephen Kendrick
Feasting on God’s Word – Kristi McLelland
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
My Story Your Glory – Matthew West

Keith Urban To Receive Coveted Triple Crown Award At 60th ACM Awards

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Keith Urban will be honored with the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards Presented by Carnival Cruise Line on May 8.

This marks the first time the ACM Triple Crown has been awarded on the ACM Awards since Carrie Underwood received the honor in 2010. Urban will be honored during the telecast with numerous performances of his songs by fellow artists Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney and Brothers Osborne. 

The ACM Triple Crown Award is a special recognition presented by the Academy of Country Music to artists who have won three distinct, prestigious awards, including New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Urban achieved this honor by winning Top New Male Vocalist in 2001, Male Vocalist of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and Entertainer of the Year in 2019, and he is the first artist to receive this honor on the ACM Awards since Underwood at the 45th ACM Awards.

Hosted by 16-time ACM award-winning icon Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

2025 iHeart Country Festival Hosts Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, More

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Brooks & Dunn. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

The 12th annual iHeart Country Festival took place on Saturday (May 3) at Austin’s Moody Center.

Thomas Rhett. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

James Van Der Beek served as presenter for the evening alongside Chet Hanks and Drew Arthur of Something Out West. Nate Smith kicked off the evening, followed by Bailey Zimmerman. Megan Moroney was up next where she performed  “Am I Okay?” “No Caller ID” and “Tennessee Orange,” preceding Sam Hunt treating the crowd to “House Party,” “Kinfolks,” “Outskirts,” “Country House,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town” and “Body Like A Backroad.”

Cole Swindell then hit the stage with “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” “Chillin It,” “Forever To Me,” “You Should Be Here,” “We Can Always Move On” and “Heads Carolina.” Next, Rascal Flatts performed a montage of hits including “Here’s to you,” “Yours if You Want It,” “Fast Cars,” “I Dare You,” “What Hurts The Most” and “Life is a Highway.” With “Make Me Wanna,” “Look What God Gave Her,” “Beautiful As You,” “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman,” “After All the Bars Are Closed” and “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett got the crowd rocking before Brooks & Dunn performed their headline set that included “Brand New Man,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” “Rock My World,” “Play Somethin’ Country,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria,” “Boot Scoot” and “Only In America.”

The Daytime Village at the festival also hosted performances from Smith, Moroney, Matt Stell, Tucker Wetmore and Dasha.

Rascal Flatts. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Cole Swindell. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Megan Moroney. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Nate Smith. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Dasha. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Big Loud Texas Adds Publishing Arm

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Pictured (L-R): Brendon Anthony (VP, Big Loud Texas), Lizzy Rector (Publishing Director, Big Loud Texas Publishing), Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Big Loud Texas has added a publishing arm, Big Loud Texas Publishing. Based in Austin, the newly formed publishing division will work hand-in-hand with Big Loud Texas’ co-founders Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall.

Big Loud Texas inaugural publishing signee is Timothy Allen and the company has hired Lizzy Rector as Publishing Director.

Timothy Allen, Brendon Anthony (VP, Big Loud Texas) and Jon Randall. Photo: Jordan Pierce

“I grew up listening to incredible storytellers like Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris,” shares Lambert. “Hearing their music made me realize I wanted to be an artist who poured my own truth into songs and said something meaningful through my writing. With Big Loud Texas Publishing, I’m proud to help nurture that same spirit in a new generation of writers, and I’m so excited to welcome Timothy Allen as our first signing.”

“I am so excited that we are announcing the publishing arm to Big Loud Texas,” adds Randall. “Obviously songwriting is very close to our hearts. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue growing the Big Loud Texas brand with Miranda, our partners and our team and giving songwriters a place to call home.”

A multi-instrumental singer-songwriter and producer, Allen, a native of Rockwall, Texas, caught the eye of Randall while on stage at Texas Music Revolution while touring his solo project (following a stint with Shane Smith and The Saints). His influences range from John Moreland and Sufjan Stevens to his tight knit songwriting community including his brothers.

“He is one of the most talented and musically versatile singer songwriters I’ve ever met,” Randall shares of Allen. “We so appreciate Tim entrusting us with his talent and craft and we are so proud to be a part of his musical a journey.”

Rector joins the Big Loud Texas team following a successful seven-year tenure at Big Machine Music Publishing, where she most recently served as Creative Manager. During her time there, she contributed to more than 50 chart-topping songs across Top 40, country and rock genres, while also overseeing management of the company’s songwriter roster. A Texas native and Belmont University alumna, Rector will be based in Big Loud Texas’ Austin office, where she will lead the publishing division with a focus on strengthening creative ties between Austin and Nashville.

“We are so grateful to have Lizzy in the Big Loud Texas family,” VP of Big Loud Texas Brendon Anthony shares. “Her experience in publishing and her vision for the company are already proving to be invaluable. Lizzy is a strong leader and a champion of songwriters. We could not have asked for a better person to take the reins.”