Pictured (L-R): John Mayer, Senior Director National Promotion and Streaming, Virgin Music Group; Mandy McCormack, TeamTY; Jordon Isbell, Marketing Director, Virgin Music Group and Jen Bontusa, SVP Label Management, Virgin Music Group. Photo: Natalie Simmons

Trisha Yearwood has entered a new chapter, partnering with Virgin Music Group for new music and her more recent catalog via her own Gwendolyn Records. The deal also brings Yearwood home to the UMG family with Music Corporation of America (MCA), the Nashville-based label she called home from 1990 through 2006, and who will continue to work her catalog from this extraordinary era.

The partnership launches alongside the announcement of The Mirror, Yearwood’s first album of songs fully co-written and co-produced by the Grammy winner and Georgia native. Fans can pre-order and pre-save the album now ahead of its July 18 release, with two preview tracks—“The Wall Or The Way Over” and “Bringing The Angels”—dropping tomorrow (May 2). The project will be available in digital, CD, standard vinyl and limited-edition custom color vinyl formats.

“I’m honored to join forces with Virgin Music Group as I embark on this exciting new chapter. Bringing my Gwendolyn label into the MCA/Universal family truly feels like coming home. I can’t wait to share my new album, The Mirror. Creating this music has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” says Yearwood.

“Trisha Yearwood is one of the most talented and enduring artists in the world,” shares Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America, and EVP of Global Artist Relations. “We are so proud to have her and her Gwendolyn Records catalog on our roster and are looking forward to her legions of fans hearing this incredible new music.”

“Trisha is one of the beloved artists in Nashville,” adds Jen Bontusa, Virgin’s Senior Vice President of Label Management based in Nashville. “It’s been amazing working with her and her team so far and we’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Trisha Yearwood back to the family, coming full circle as we celebrate and amplify her iconic MCA catalog. In partnering her Gwendolyn Records label with Virgin Music Group, Trisha enters an exciting independent chapter – one where she retains creative and commercial control, supported by a world-class, global team. We are so happy for her,” says Mike Harris, President and CEO of Music Corporation of America (MCA).

Yearwood also recently received three new RIAA certifications. The most played song by a female artist in the history of Billboard’s monitored era, “She’s In Love With A Boy” was certified double-Platinum, while “Walkaway Joe” and “XXX’s And OOO’s (An American Girl)” were certified Gold.

To support the new music, Yearwood is embarking on her first headlining tour in six years. The spring run launched April 30 in Austin, Texas.

Brett Young. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Will Bucquoy

Live In The Vineyard Goes Country, presented by Visit Napa Valley, has wrapped its 2025 event, which brings together music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives,and more from around the nation who specialize in the country format, to celebrate and hear brand-new music by today’s most successful artists and the most popular emerging artists in a stripped-down arrangement.

Pictured (L-R): Kashus Culpepper, Jake Worthington, Owen Riegling and Ashley Cooke. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Will Bucquoy

This years event featured Jordan Davis, Brett Young, RaeLynn, Katharine McPhee, Max McNown, Ashley Cooke, Roman Alexander, Laci Kaye Booth, Annie Bosko, Gable Bradley, CeCe, Allie Colleen, Canaan Cox, Kashus Culpepper, Adam Doleac, Carter Faith, Ben Gallaher, Lanie Gardner, Bradley Gaskin, Harper Grace, Erin Grand, Braden Hull, James Barker Band, Greylan James, Caroline Jones, Alexandra Kay, Kalsey Kulyk, Timmy McKeever, Morgan Myles, Stella Prince, Owen Riegling, Shane Stevens and Jake Worthington.

This year, LITVGC announced collaborations with EqualizeHer and FEMcountry, two transformative initiatives dedicated to empowering women in the music industry.

The event kicked off on April 22 at Museion Napa private estate. Day two brought together music and memories at the lively Tailgate Event hosted by Louis Martini Winery before the excitement carried over to downtown Napa with the Mainstage Event at Uptown Theatre, where world-class performances lit up the historic venue. The celebration concluded on a high note with a cozy and elegant Send-Off Brunch at The Caves at Shadybrook Estate Winery.

Carter Faith performs during the Music Industry Tasting at Merryvale Vineyards. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Will Bucquoy

Jordan Davis headlines the Main Stage event at Uptown Theatre. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Will Bucquoy

Laci Kaye Booth performs with Morgan Evans during the Midday Tailgate at Louis Martini Winery. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Izzi Valencia

RaeLynn and CeCe pose for a picture backstage at Uptown Theatre. Photo: Live In The Vineyard/Will Bucquoy

Maddox Batson. Photo: Lexi Lovelace

Maddox Batson is set to launch his 29-date headlining “I Need A Truck Tour” this fall, featuring support from Ashley Anne, Ryder Grimes and Kate Greene.

Kicking off Sept. 7 in Richmond, the tour will visit Orlando, Milwaukee, Kansas City and more. It will wrap with a homecoming show on Nov. 2 in Birmingham.

“It’s wild to be 15 and releasing a song about the anticipation of my first truck at the same time I’m announcing a tour – my family is good about reminding me to live in the moment and really take it all in, and I promise you I am,” shares Batson. “The band and I had the best time on the “Road to Indio Tour” and this last weekend at Stagecoach was sick – I was there just one year before as a fan in the crowd for Jelly Roll, so to play a tour that wrapped with a set there was a dream come true. As long as y’all keep showing up, so will we – we have the best fans in the world!”

Tickets will go on sale beginning this Friday (May 2) at 1 p.m. local time.

Batson is set to release the deluxe edition of his EP, First Dance (The After Party), via Prosper Entertainment/Warner Records on Friday (May 2). Along with the headline dates, he is scheduled to join Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind Tour” on select dates this September and October.

“I Need A Truck Tour” Dates:
September 7 – Richmond, Virginia @ The National
September 14 – Oxford, MS @ The Lyric
September 17 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
September 19 – Jacksonville, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
September 20 – LaGrange, GA @ Sweetland Amphitheater
September 21 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
September 23 – Columbia, SC @ The Senate
September 24 – Greenville, NC @ State Theatre
September 26 – Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall
September 27 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
September 28 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
September 30 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall
October 1 – Knoxville, TN @ The Mill & Mine
October 4 – Fayetteville, AR @ JJ’s Live
October 5 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theater
October 7 – Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
October 9 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
October 10 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
October 12 – Omaha, NE @ SteelHouse
October 14 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation
October 21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
October 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl
October 24 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
October 25 – Wallingford, CT @ The Dome at Oakdale
October 26 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
October 28 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
October 29 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
November 1 – Brandon, MS @ City Hall Live
November 2 – Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Company

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley will headline Nashville’s July 4 celebration, “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th,” this year.

Bentley will be joined on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage by Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon and Grace Bowers. Nashville-based artist Keesha Rainey will perform the National Anthem. Kelly Sutton will emcee the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage and DJ Dave Aude will provide entertainment between sets.

The downtown event will present one of the country’s largest July 4th fireworks and drone shows synchronized to live music from the Nashville Symphony. This event is free and open to the public.

The Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park will offer family-friendly activities during the day with a multi-genre lineup of music that includes Walker Montgomery, The Nashville Soul Experience, Alicia Blue, KIRWAN the band and Les Kerr and The Bayou Band, with DJ Rod Youree entertaining between sets.

“Let Freedom Sing!” is partnering with Bentley’s Riser Foundation, which supports charitable organizations with a focus on the needs of children and families, as well as homelessness, literacy, education and hunger. StageWater canned water will be available for purchase at beverage stands and throughout the Let Freedom Sing! event footprint. The company donates a portion of proceeds to support nonprofits that assist those in need within the entertainment industry, such as providing healthcare and hardship grants and supporting independent venues and promoters. Accessibility features will include an ADA platform and ASL interpreter at the Broadway Stage, and new this year the event will add a partnership with KultureCity to provide sensory bags and a sensory room.

“Music City knows how to throw a celebration, and this free July 4th event will again be one of the best in the country,” says Ken Levitan, board chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and co-president of Vector Management. “With an incredible lineup that includes Dierks Bentley, Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon and Grace Bowers, we’re excited to welcome both visitors and locals for a day filled with unforgettable music, family-friendly activities and pride in the red, white and blue. Events like this not only showcase Nashville’s world-class talent but also drive meaningful economic activity for Nashville and its hospitality industry.”

The event has regularly drawn more than 200,000 attendees, and a record-breaking 355,000 in 2024. Last year, “Let Freedom Sing!” generated a record $17.5 million in estimated direct visitor spending.