Ryan Aviation Group, a Nashville-based private luxury aviation travel company, has officially announced its board of directors. The board includes some of the entertainment industry’s most notable leaders including Bill Silva, CEO of Bill Silva Entertainment, Brent Daughrity, CEO of Gallagher & Co, Josh Joseph, CEO of Big Plan Holdings/Founder of Edgehill Music Publishing, and Dan Ryan, owner of Ryan Aviation Group. Together, the board will use their expertise in different fields to advise and guide infrastructure to foster expansion and growth.

“I am incredibly proud to introduce our first-ever board of directors — a group of exceptional humans whose ethos, expertise and character embody the very spirit of Ryan Aviation Group,” says Ryan. “Each member was handpicked with great care, not only for their experience but for the synergy and alignment they bring to our shared vision. I have the utmost respect for this board, and I’m confident that together, we will elevate our service to meet the evolving needs of clients across the globe. This is more than leadership — it’s a partnership that will guide our company into its next era with integrity, innovation and purpose.”

Founded in 2017 and recently relocating to Nashville, Ryan Aviation Group provides specialist private travel services to the music and film industries in addition to its broader roster of clients. Ryan Aviation Group prides itself on not exposing clients to any long-term upfront costs, restrictive contracts, usage limits or app booking fees and setting itself apart by focusing on the human experience.

CMA has announced its 2025 class of CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence, honoring 30 outstanding educators nationwide who are using the power of music to transform lives.

Now in its ninth year, Music Teachers of Excellence recognizes music educators who demonstrate teaching excellence, create positive learning environments, and make a lasting impact in their communities. Each honoree will receive a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and their classroom or program. Honorees are also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA’s broader network, including special access to CMA Fest and the CMA Awards.

“Music Teachers of Excellence is about shining a light on educators who are transforming the lives of their students every single day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These teachers are leaders, mentors, and changemakers, and they deserve to feel seen and uplifted by our music community. This program isn’t just a moment of recognition; it’s a way for our industry to stand behind them and say, ‘We’re with you.’”

The 2025 class will be honored at a red carpet gala on Sept. 10, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center that brings together teachers, artists, community leaders, and music industry professionals for an unforgettable celebration of impact, creativity, and connection.

To further elevate the event, CMA has assembled a Music Teachers of Excellence Planning Committee, comprised of leaders from across the country music industry who are lending their voices and resources to support the gala’s production and the honorees’ overall experience. Planning Committee members include: Sloane Cavitt Logue(WME), Sarah DeMarco (Amazon Music), Copeland Issacson (YouTube), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox Entertainment), Neil Lawi (WWE Music Group), Rakiyah Marshall England (Back Blocks Music), Gemma McInturff (Spotify), Morgan Mills (Command Shift), Jake Roggenbuck (MCA), Mark Thomas (Paramount), Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer), Halie Hampton Mosley (Why & How), and Hannah Wilson (MCA).

“As someone who has seen firsthand how music can transform lives, I’m honored to help champion these educators who are doing incredible work every day,” says Sloane Cavitt Logue, WME Partner & Head of Client Strategy and Planning Committee Chair. “This program is a powerful reminder that our industry’s future begins in classrooms across the country, and that we all have a role to play in supporting it.”

The 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence:

Midwest:
Justin Antos, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, IL
Jeremy Bartunek, Greenbrier School, Northbrook, IL
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon, IL
Dr. Kathryn Spangler, Mt. Vernon High School, Fortville, IN
Brandon Dittgen, Milford High School, Milford, OH
Hong Le, Ellsworth Hill Elementary School, Hudson, OH
Matthew Shephard, Meridian Early College High School, Sanford, MI
Eric Songer, Chaska Middle School West, Chaska, MN

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:
Erin Althen, West Hill High School, Syracuse, NY
Theresa Iacarino, Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School, Towson, MD

Southeast: 
Michael Antmann, Freedom High School, Orlando, FL
Nick Blue, Franklin High School, Franklin, TN
Chuck Brown, Head Magnet Middle School, Nashville, TN
Neshawn Calloway, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Chattanooga, TN
Reggie Coleman, Rocky Fork Middle School, Smyrna, TN
Jandrea Crum, Chimneyrock Elementary School, Cordova, TN
Garrett Doo, Smyrna High School, Smyrna, TN
Nicholas Efstathiou, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Marisa Frank, Explore! Community School, Nashville, TN
Elaina Gallas, Mill Creek Elementary School, Nolensville, TN
Jason Glashauser, South Clinton Elementary School, Clinton, TN
Carolyn Hankins, Page Middle School, Franklin, TN
Elisabeth Lay, Downtown Elementary School, Memphis, TN
Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
Dave Petrelli, Lockeland Design Center Elementary School, Nashville, TN
Allison Snyder, Hunters Lane High School, Nashville, TN

Southwest: 
Sara Duce, Greenfield Junior High School, Gilbert, AZ

West:
Megan Perdue, Sheldon High School, Eugene, OR
Ethan Chessin, Camas High School, Camas, WA
Haviland Gilbert, Lincoln Elementary School, Kennewick, WA

The Academy of Country Music has revealed the presenters for its 60th Annual ACM Awards, taking place tomorrow (May 8).

Among those in the presenting lineup is Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Clint Black, Crystal Gayle, Ernest, Gabby Barrett, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Jordan Davis, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Rita Wilson, Sara Evans, Sugarland, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Wynonna Judd. Additionally, NASCAR driver Chase Elliott will present, as well as Amazon Music’s co-hosts of Country Heat Weekly, Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton.

Bobby Bones will also be on hand throughout the night to provide honest artist interviews.

The 60th Annual ACM Awards will take place tomorrow (May 8) at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the show will stream on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 7 p.m. CT.

Recently launched DeVille Records has unveiled its debut project, Cadillac Sessions. Label founder Ernest, alongside label artists Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford all lend their voices and songwriting to the project.

Joining Ernest, Walters, Lohden, and Rutherford are a host of other heavy-hitting writers, including Jordan Schmidt, Brad Clawson, Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, and more. The album also features collaborations with Lambert on “Another Thing To Love,” Snoop Dogg on “Gettin’ Gone” and Jake Worthington on “Yesterday’s Wine.” The project was co-produced by Ernest, alongside Jacob Durrett and Bart Butler.

“We didn’t hold anything back. There is a timeless Americana feel and the old-Nashville mentality of ‘write your songs’ – and those guys wrote their songs,” says Ernest. “They all love classic country the same way I do, and we’re also with the times of the modern era – we ride those waves really well, too. I’m just happy to shed a little light on what they’re able to do.”

The label will host an album release party on May 12 at Losers in Nashville, starting at 6:30 p.m. with all four artists performing, alongside special guest performances.

Cadillac Sessions Track List:
1. “Gettin’ Gone (feat. Snoop Dogg)” ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhett Akins, Calvin Broadus, Ben Hayslip, Mark Holman)
2. “Get Her Name” Rhys Rutherford (Rhys Rutherford, Gavin Lucas, Sam Martinez, Ernest Keith Smith)
3. “Tail Light, Porch Light, Miller Lite” Cody Lohden (Cody Lohden, Matt Mulhare, Dallas Wilson)
5. “Whatever Happened To Us” Chandler Walters (Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Dozzi, Rhys Rutherford, Rivers Rutherford)
5. “Turn Me Up” ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith, Dallas Davidson, Chandler Paul Walters)
6. “Worth The Trouble” Chandler Walters (Chandler Paul Walters, Rhys Rutherford, Jordan Schmidt)
7. “Another Thing To Love (feat. Miranda Lambert)” ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith, Lou Bell, Miranda Lambert, Austin Post, Ryan Vojtesak)
8. “TV On” Cody Lohden (Cody Lohden, Rian Ball, Nick Boyd)
9. “Did It Anyway” ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith, Brad Clawson, Jordan Dozzi, Chandler Paul Walters)
10. “Southern Belle” Rhys Rutherford (Rhys Rutherford, Clara Park, John Pierce)
11. “Help Me Make It Through The Night” ERNEST (Kris Kristofferson)
12. “One More Last Chance” Chandler Walters (Vince Gill, Gary Nicholson)
13. “Gentle On My Mind” Rhys Rutherford (John Hartford)
14. “Two Dozen Roses” Cody Lohden (Robert Byrne, Mac McAnally)
15. “Yesterday’s Wine (feat. Jake Worthington)” ERNEST (Willie Nelson)
16. “Song Of The South” ERNEST, Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Rhys Rutherford (Bob McDill)

The 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, brought five days of music, sunshine and storytelling to the island last week (April 30 – May 4), drawing song lovers from around the country to experience performances from more than 250 BMI multi-genre creators.

With support from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents, the sprawling event featured both free and ticketed shows across 50 stages—from hotel rooftops and beachside patios to beloved Key West bars—spotlighting everyone from veteran hitmakers to up-and-coming stars.

BMI songwriters kicked off their journey with a “Lift Off to the Kickoff” celebration in Delta’s Sky Club at BNA, as Delta Air Lines returned as the festival’s official airline. That evening, festivities officially began at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa with the “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party,” hosted by Storme Warren and featuring sets by DJ Smoke, Gable Bradley, Brian Fuller and an all-star band made up of Dylan Altman, Robert Randolph and Guthrie Trapp. Additional performances that night from Jordan Dozzi, Kylie Frey, Claudia Hoyser, Jenna LaMaster, Matt McKinney, Delaney Ramsdell, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Grace Tyler and Heath Warren packed local venues like Salty Frog’s, Island Dogs and The Alamo.

Thursday (May 1) brought rounds at the Southernmost Beach Resort, La Concha and the Marquesa Hotel, with performances from BMI affiliates including Sam Blasko, Parker Daniel, Raul Malo, Mia Mantia, Jake Mitchell, Blake Pendergrass, Becca Rae and Adam Sanders. One of the day’s highlights was the return of “Liz Rose & Friends” to Blue Heaven, with Rose sharing the stage with Johnny Clawson, Cassidy Daniels, Lauren McLamb, Lee Thomas Miller, Heath Warren and others. At the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, fans took in sets from Chase Matthew and Nate Smith, before heading to The Backyard Bar for the “HD Radio Late Night Hang” featuring The Band Loula and The Brummies.

The party continued Friday (May 2) at Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant, the event’s home base, with rounds throughout the day as part of the “Lewis Brisbois Presents: Hometown Pub Takeover.” Performers included Cole Goodwin, Joey Hyde, Brooke Lee, Matt Morrisey, Lenny Pey and Rob Ragosta. Elsewhere around town, festivalgoers attended “Coffee, Concert and Conversation” with Jeffrey Steele and saw acts like Lewis Brice, Bob DiPiero, Alison Nichols, Schmitty and Craig Wiseman at iconic venues including the Curry Mansion, Sloppy Joe’s and Schooner Wharf Bar. That evening, the Key West Theater hosted a sold-out show presented by The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, with Palmer Anthony, Abbey Cabler, Matt Castillo, David Lee, Bobby Pinson, Morgan Lee Powers and Liz Rose taking the stage.

On Saturday (May 3), the Key West Woman’s Club returned for a second year with hourly songwriter rounds at the Hellings Curry Museum. Featured performers included Gloria Anderson, Sheena Brooke, Allie Colleen, Danielle Johnson and Bridgette Tatum. Later that night, crowds filled Duval Street for a free outdoor show from Thomas Edwards and headliners LoCash. Simultaneously, the San Carlos Institute welcomed a stacked lineup of veteran writers including Marti Frederiksen, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims and James Slater.

The festival closed out Sunday (May 4) with “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Hall, where Ronnie Bowman, Chuck Cannon, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims, Robert Randolph, The Band Loula and BMI’s Shannon Sanders performed beloved gospel songs. That evening, the “All Star Encore” at the Key West Theater brought the celebration to a close with appearances from Ronnie Bowman, Adam Craig, Jet Harvey, Paul Jenkins, Jay Knowles, Jim McCormick and Aaron Raitiere.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit supporting children and families in need. Additional funds support CreatiVets, which helps U.S. military veterans process trauma through music and the arts.

Sponsors for the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival include Delta Air Lines, Gallagher, HD Radio and Texas Roadhouse.