Blake Shelton is celebrating his 30th trip to the top of the charts with his song “Texas,” the lead single from his upcoming album For Recreational Use Only, out this Friday (May 9).

The song also enjoyed eight weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. and a two-week run at No. 1 in Canada. Produced by Shelton’s longtime collaborator Scott Hendricks, “Texas” was written by Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr and Lalo Guzman and marks the first No. 1 single for Clawson, Sturrock and Dorr, and the second for Guzman.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve had a solo No. 1 single, and I’m super fired up about this one,” says Shelton. “I had no idea if ‘Texas’ would be a number one song, but the first time I heard it, I knew that it was something different and it sounded like nothing else I’d ever done before.

“I’ve always been a nerd for stats and things like that in country music,” he continues. “I’m always looking up artists’ stats, whether it’s Ronnie Milsap or Alabama or George Strait or Reba, and just to see how many albums they’ve sold or how many No. 1 songs they’ve had, and because of that, the idea of me having 30 number one singles, it blows my mind. I can’t even wrap my head around it because I know how long it takes to get there and how hard it is, and how blessed and lucky you have to be to get here. Thirty is a lot of anything, and to have 30 number one songs is unbelievable, and I’m really trying to take it all in. I have to thank the fans and the industry for their support throughout these years.”

Shelton joins a small country club of artists who have 30 or more No. 1 country singles, including Country Music Hall of Famers George Strait, Alabama, Kenny Chesney and Ronnie Milsap (based on R&R plus Mediabase statistics kept since 1973).

Ella Langley and Riley Green celebrate their ACM win

Two of the top nominees at the 60th ACM Awards, Ella Langley and Riley Green, were surprised with the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me” on Friday night (May 2) while on stage during Green’s set at Country Thunder Florida. The wins come ahead of the ceremony on Thursday (May 8).

The news was revealed by entertainment icon and host of the 60th ACM Awards, Reba McEntire, through a special video congratulating Langley and Green for their win.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I have some big news,” McEntire said on the video screens. “‘You Look Like You Love Me’ has won the ACM for Visual Media of the Year. Congratulations to Ella and Riley!”

Langley’s win comes after already being named the ACM New Female Artist of the Year a week earlier thanks in part to the success of her debut album, Hungover. Her massive hit single from the album, “You Look Like You Love Me,” featuring Green, marked her Billboard Hot 100 debut (Top 30), earned Langley her first No. 1 single on country radio, and made her the first and one of only two female artists to lead the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2024. Langley received the most nominations at the ACM Awards this year with eight nominations, including New Female Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and six nominations for “You Look Like You Love Me” including Single of the Year, Song of the Year (as an artist and songwriter), Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (as an artist and director). Friday night’s win brings Langley’s ACM Awards count for the 60th ACM Awards to three, two as an artist and one as a director.

Friday’s win marks Green’s second ACM Award win after winning ACM New Male Artist of the Year in 2020. In the past year, Green has seen another level of success after releasing his third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do. He is currently on his “Damn Country Music Tour” with Langley and other special guests with dates extending through November. Green received five nominations at the ACM Awards this year for his collaboration with Langley, including Single of the Year, Song of the Year (as an artist and songwriter), Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year.

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.