EMG’s Mark Ahlberg and Michael Martin

Endurance Music Group has expanded its partnership with Raven Music Partners through a comprehensive music services agreement that includes administration, creative services and distribution oversight for RMP’s catalog, while continuing to support its active roster of hit songwriters. EMG President Michael Martin has been named Chief Creative Officer, and Vice President Mark Ahlberg has been elevated to Co-President and General Manager.

Martin says, “Over the past decade, the Endurance team has played a vital role in laying the foundation for Raven in the Nashville music community, and we’re energized to build on the value this relationship has created. As Raven continues to expand its footprint through its partnerships and financial resources, we expect to create amazing opportunities for the songs and songwriters of Endurance. We’re excited to deepen our strategic partnership and continue spotlighting this incredible catalog.”

“Endurance Music Group’s experience, attention to detail, and operational edge make them the perfect partner to manage our growing catalog,” shares Jeremy Tucker, Raven Music Partners Founder and Managing Member. “We look forward to continuing to work and grow together.”

Ahlberg, adds, “Since joining Endurance, our team has provided rightsholders and our partners repeated results that underscore how best-in-class administration can unlock and create long-term value. I’m excited to step into this expanded role and continue driving excellence across our services and systems while providing thoughtful stewardship for our clients.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will offer three special programs to visitors in June during CMA Fest 2025. Programs include a conversation and performance with some of CMT’s Next Women of Country on Friday (June 6), a songwriter session on Saturday (June 7) and a musician spotlight on Sunday (June 8).

The Friday event will take place at 12:30 p.m. in the museum’s CMA Theater and features artists involved in CMT’s Next Women of Country franchise, which launched in 2013 and highlights up-and-coming country artists. This year’s performers include Dasha, Lanie Gardner, Alexandra Kay, Kat Luna and Mōriah. Following the 2024 release of her debut country album, What Happens Now?, which includes the viral hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” Dasha released her single “Not at This Party” in early 2025. Last year, Gardner released her self-written debut album, A Songwriter’s Diary, and is featured on Thomas Rhett’s recent single, “What Could Go Right.” Kay, who released her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, in 2023, has plans to release a follow-up record in 2025 and has opened shows for Jelly Roll and Tim McGraw. Luna, formerly of the duo Kat & Alex, released her first solo EP, That Girl, earlier this year. Mexican-American musician and actress Mōriah wrote and produced her 2022 EP, Curtain Call, and released English and Spanish versions of her single, “Hasta Mañana,” in 2024.

On Saturday, actor, author, singer-songwriter and U.S. Army veteran Craig Morgan will take the stage in the museum’s Ford Theater. The Grand Ole Opry member is known for his songs “Almost Home,” “Bonfire,” “I Got You,” “More Trucks Than Cars” and “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost.”

Tico Hernandez is set to perform on Sunday in the museum’s Ford Theater. The Sapulpa, Oklahoma native has been Lauren Alaina’s music director, bandleader and guitarist for more than a decade in addition to touring with artists like British band the Farm, hip-hop act Group 1 Crew, country duo the JaneDear Girls, songwriter and performer Nicole C. Mullen and pop artist Jaci Velasquez.

All programs at the museum are included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance. Visit here for more information.

Zach Top Makes His Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Debut

Zach Top made his late-night TV debut this week performing “I Never Lie” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Top’s current single, “I Never Lie” is No. 4 on the Mediabase Country Aircheck chart and No. 7 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week and continuing to rise on both. The performance adds to a breakout year for Top, who was named the 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year and is also nominated for Album of the Year at the upcoming 60th Annual ACM Awards.

Tucker Wetmore Brings ‘Bad Luck’ To ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Tucker Wetmore performed on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night (April 29) as he made his late night television debut with a high energy performance of “Bad Luck Looks Good On Me” from his just-released debut album, What Not To. The newcomer dropped the album on April 25 – just 12 months into his meteoric rise. The album release caps off a banner month for Wetmore, who earned an ACM nomination for New Male Artist of the Year and brought the house down last weekend at Stagecoach in his debut performance at the coveted festival. He also surprised fans with a pop-up performance at NYLON’s Desert Disco.

Vincent Mason Surprised With Gold At Stagecoach For ‘Hell Is A Dance Floor’

Pictured (L-R): Sean Lewow (Music Soup), Vincent Mason, Max Motley (Music Soup) and Matt Musacchio (Red Light Management). Photo: Ethan Dsa

Rising Interscope/UMG Nashville/Music Soup artist and songwriter Vincent Mason earned his first RIAA Gold certification with his breakout single, “Hell Is A Dance Floor.” Mason was surprised with a commemorative plaque backstage celebrating the single’s Gold status following two standout performances at Stagecoach Festival.

Rodney Atkins Celebrates Platinum At Ryman Sell-Out

Pictured (L-R): Elijah Atkins, Allan Atkins, Curb’s Jeff Tuerff, Curb’s Sarah Schumacher, Curb’s Ciara Shortridge, Rose Falcon, Rodney Atkins, Scout Atkins, Curb’s Calista Miller and Greg Hill

Rodney Atkins recently celebrated the RIAA Platinum certification of his hit album, Take A Back Road, during his April 26 sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium. Performing fan favorites like “Farmer’s Daughter,” “Take A Back Road” and “If You’re Going Through Hell,” Atkins’ 22-year-old son, Elijah, joined him on stage to duet “Watching You,” as Elijah starred in the original music video and was the inspiration for the song almost 20 years ago. Atkins recently teased a full-length version of a “Watching You” duet with Elijah via social media, which has reached nearly 8 million views.

Eric Blankenship Fulfills Lifelong Dream With Opry Guest Appearance

Eric Blankenship. Photo: Hunter Pitts

Eric Blankenship achieved a milestone moment in his musical journey with his recent performance at the Grand Ole Opry, joining The Isaacs on stage as their special guest performing the Jack Greene classic “Statue Of A Fool.” The performance marks a full-circle moment for Blankenship, whose album Rollin’ With The Flow reflects decades of dedication to traditional country music.

Ryan Hurd. Photo: Brown Bear of Country Night

Ryan Hurd is set to release a deluxe edition of his March 2025 record, Midwest Rock & Roll, on May 30 via Big Machine Records. His new track, “Paul. (London Sessions),” is available now.

Produced by Aaron Eshuis, the deluxe album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London earlier this year and features a brand-new original song with Carter Faith (“JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Permanently Closed”), a reimagined version of the fan-favorite track “Paul.” and two Paul McCartney-inspired covers: The Beatles’ “In My Life” and Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Let Me Roll It.”

“Midwest Rock & Roll has been such a special project for me, and I wasn’t ready to close the door on that chapter just yet,” shares Hurd. “I’m excited to release the deluxe record featuring four new songs, all of which I recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London.”

Midwest Rock & Roll (Deluxe) Track List:
1. “Midwest Rock & Roll” (Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, Randy Montana)
2. “Single In The Same Town” (Ryan Hurd, Brinley Addington, Aaron Eshuis)
3. “Die For It” (Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, Randy Montana)
4. “Lighthouse” (Ryan Hurd, Aaron Eshuis, Mark Holman)
5. “This Party Sucks” (Ryan Hurd, Brinley Addington, Ryan Beaver, David Garcia)
6. “Youth” (Ryan Hurd, Aaron Eshuis, Joey Hyde, Matt McGinn)
7. “All Night Long Days” (Ryan Hurd, Aaron Eshuis, Joey Hyde, Matt McGinn)
8. “Funerals” (Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, Randy Montana)
9. “California 1972” (Ryan Hurd, Ryan Beaver, Joe Clemmons, Aaron Eshuis)
10. “Go To Bed Sober (featuring Sasha Alex Sloan)” (Ryan Hurd, Sasha Alex Sloan, King Henry)
11. “Paul.” (Ryan Hurd, Summer Overstreet, Jordan Reynolds)
12. “The Last Song I’ll Ever Write” (Ryan Hurd, Joe Clemmons, Dave Cohen, Aaron Eshuis)
13. “Paul. (London Sessions)” (Ryan Hurd, Summer Overstreet, Jordan Reynolds)
14. “JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Permanently Closed (London Sessions) (featuring Carter Faith)” (Ryan Hurd, Tofer Brown, Carter Faith)
15. “In My Life (London Sessions)” (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
16. “Let Me Roll It (London Sessions)” (Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney)

Dylan Gossett. Photo: Tanner Johnson

Dylan Gossett is set to release his debut album, Westward, on July 18 via Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records. The 17-track, self-produced record explores themes of love, family, faith and chasing one’s dreams. In celebration of the announcement, Gossett’s newest single, “American Trail,” is available today (May 2).

Currently on the second leg of his headline “The Back 40 Tour” across the U.S. and Canada, he recently announced he’ll hit the road once again this July on “The American Trail Tour.” His festival run will continue, with performances at Lonestar Smokeout Festival, Carolina Country Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, Windy City Smokeout and Under The Big Sky. In addition, Gossett announced his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on June 4th as part of their “Opry 100 Celebrates CMA Fest” event.

Amassing over 800 million streams total, Spotify and Amazon pegged Gossett as an Artist To Watch in 2024. He is among MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Artist Class of 2025. His breakout single “Coal” picked up a Platinum certification in the United States, in addition to going Silver in the U.K., Platinum in Australia, double-Platinum in Canada and double-Platinum in Ireland.

“This album is a collection of stories that I wrote during the craziest two years of my life. I hope everyone can find something for themselves in it,” says Gossett.