CMA’s WLA Class of 2026. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Earlier this week, the Country Music Association unveiled its fifth class of the Women’s Leadership Academy, bringing together a new cohort of 16 high-performing, high-potential women from across the industry to take part in the 12-week leadership development program.
Five years after its launch, the Academy has grown into more than a professional development opportunity. Through weekly four-hour sessions, group coaching and work outside the classroom, participants build relationships that continue long after the program ends.
The idea for the Women’s Leadership Academy came from Tiffany Kerns, CMA’s Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Philanthropy, after she noticed a gap in professional development opportunities across the music industry.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2025. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
“When I joined the music industry, it was shocking to me how few of our businesses have HR departments. In other industries, HR will typically offer continued development for personnel.” Without those resources, Kerns said many women were left searching for opportunities to invest in themselves professionally. Coming out of the pandemic, she also heard from women who were either questioning whether they wanted to return to work or navigating changes in their careers.
“Women do not have the professional development that they need, or have had accessibility to it. And secondarily, they don’t have a community,” Kerns says of the realizations that first sparked the idea. The goal was to create a place where women could turn to one another while navigating career transitions, negotiations and other professional challenges.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2024. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Building the Academy required more than developing a curriculum. Kerns said one of the program’s biggest early challenges was earning the trust of the women it hoped to serve. “I think the music industry is fickle and can somewhat be jaded,” she says. “We needed to build confidence and trust in the program.” Rather than opening applications immediately, CMA hand-selected the first cohort while continuing to develop the program and establish its reputation. Kerns said it was important for participants to understand that CMA’s role was to facilitate the experience while creating a space where women could be transparent and support one another.
That sense of community has become one of the defining aspects of the Women’s Leadership Academy over the past five years. “When we put this together, I was so focused on making sure the women walked out of the program feeling equipped to handle life and business differently,” Kerns says. “I had hoped that they enjoyed each other, but now what I feel like we are seeing is something that you typically see in sororities or sisterhood. There’s just this genuine desire to want to support one another.” That support has extended far beyond the classroom. Kerns recalled watching women show up for one another through promotions, job changes, layoffs and even personal challenges like infertility. The connections formed during the program have continued through regular check-ins, friendships and even retreats planned entirely by alumnae.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2023. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
The lasting relationships are built over many hours of shared work and vulnerability. Participants spend four hours together each Monday for 12 weeks, while also taking part in group coaching, completing work between sessions and continuing conversations outside the scheduled curriculum.
This year’s cohort is guided by executive coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. Kerns said building the program around carefully selected coaches was an intentional decision from the very beginning, helping establish the trust needed for participants to be open and vulnerable with one another. Rather than focusing on company-specific challenges, the curriculum encourages participants to develop their professional acumen while exploring topics such as leadership, mental health and boundaries, conversations that often push participants outside their comfort zones.
The impact of the Women’s Leadership Academy has continued to grow alongside the program itself. One of the clearest signs of that growth is the reputation the Academy has built within the industry. “I’m most excited that we’re not convincing people to apply, but that it’s built a reputation,” Kerns shares. “People have seen women either walking taller in their building or having been more equipped, able to advocate for themselves and other women.”
CMA’s WLA Class of 2022. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
As part of the program’s fifth anniversary, CMA is also launching the Women’s Leadership Academy Alumni Network, bringing together participants from all five cohorts. The initiative grew out of alumnae’s desire to stay connected after the program ended. The network will provide ongoing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and professional development while allowing graduates to engage with future cohorts. “If they love it this much, we wanted to figure out a way to make sure they maintain their engagement, so we don’t lose that amazing resource that we have in them,” Kerns says.
As the Women’s Leadership Academy kicks off its fifth year and expands beyond the classroom through its new Alumni Network, the program continues to build on the community it’s created. Looking back, Kerns says the Women’s Leadership Academy has become more than she originally imagined.
“I feel like they’re blowing my mind in how they make sure that this isn’t just a program, but that it’s actually becomes part of their lives.”
HEY NOW Records Adds Dilan ‘Hef’ Ames & Alyssa Ramsey
/by Lauryn SinkDilan “Hef” Ames & Alyssa Ramsey. Photo: Courtesy of HEY NOW Records
HEY NOW Records has added Los Angeles-based Dilan “Hef” Ames as Vice President of Artist & Repertoire, and Nashville-based Alyssa Ramsey as Director of Artist Development.
Ames has over a decade of discovering, signing and marketing emerging artists, with prior experience at Alamo Records, 10K Projects and the Elektra Music Group.
“‘Hef’ is less worried about the genre label than how people are responding to the songs,” says Kris Lamb, HEY NOW President and Co-Founder. “Based in Los Angeles, he’s relentless in searching the internet, talking to tastemakers and music lovers to find artists long before they break out. He is a big believer that getting involved early can accelerate the creative process, in addition to identifying the audience and growing the passion factor from the earliest moments.”
Ramsey is a University of Texas graduate with a Master of Arts in Music Business from the Berklee College of Music. She previously held roles at both Red 11 Music and Rodeo Austin. Relocating to Nashville, Ramsey worked at Anthem Entertainment, then aligned with Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music Group, where she served as day-to-day artist manager and Manager of Label Services, working with Dylan Marlowe and several other emerging artists.
“In today’s fast response world, Alyssa’s diverse experience allows her to consider the best ways to develop talent from many perspectives,” Lamb shares. “She is a ninja who understands release strategies, artist branding, and how to track growth in a way that sustains forward movement.”
HEY NOW is also deploying two consultants who will work in tandem with Ames and Ramsey.
“There is so much talent out there, and you want to know that you’re taking a meaningful look at as many deserving artists as possible,” Lamb adds. “We also want to – once we identify who is a fit for HEY NOW – put our absolute, total efforts behind every single artist. By deploying consultants, that means once artists join HEY NOW, they get the full benefit of Alyssa and Hef; but it also means we have more eyes on the prize, creating the strongest possible roster.”
By Design Adds First Five Songwriters To Roster
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Austin Cain and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee. Photo: Courtesy of By Design Music
By Design, the Nashville-based modern music company founded by Josh Bailey, Josh Thompson, Rod Riley and Jeremy Holley, has added Austin Cain, Chris August, Jillian Edwards and Jon White in partnership with Sony Music Publishing, and Alison Turner, who signed a co-publishing deal directly to By Design Music Publishing.
“Great songwriting requires exceptional craft and an environment built to sustain it,” says By Design’s Vice President of Publishing and A&R, Josh Pauley. “We signed Alison, Austin, Chris, Jillian and Jon because their talent and creativity is undeniable. Our role isn’t to over-engineer the creative process, but to eliminate friction and give them the strategic partnership to operate at their absolute best.”
Memphis-born songwriter and producer Cain has spent eight years building a reputation in Nashville with writing and production credits with Josiah Queen, Franni Cash, Caleb & John and Thunderstorm Artis. He has toured alongside The Band CAMINO and Stephen Sanchez.
August has spent 25 years in the industry with cuts including Keith Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name” and work for Pentatonix, Ben Rector, Hootie & the Blowfish, Mac Powell and Tenille Arts, plus his own hits like “Starry Night” and “7×70.”
Texas native Edwards writes from the perspective of faith, motherhood and finding beauty in the ordinary. Her catalog spans multiple Billboard-charting releases and placements across Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, Pretty Little Liars and the Disney+ film Out of My Mind.
White is a songwriter and producer with more than 1 billion career streams, best known as co-founder of the Dove Awards-nominated duo Capital Kings. He has written and produced with Anne-Marie, TobyMac, Noah Cyrus and the late Liam Payne, among others.
Turner is a 23-year-old Nashville-based songwriter by way of California’s Bay Area. Before graduating from Belmont University, Turner co-wrote “Good for Nothing,” later recorded by Cory Asbury.
“By Design exists to give creators the space to unlock their God-given design,” says co-founders Bailey and Thompson. “These five writers shape culture through purpose-driven storytelling, and they are the reason we built this. Sony gives us the global reach to back them at scale, and Josh Pauley gives them the hands-on support and leadership that great songs are built on.”
“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do, and By Design shares that same spirit,” adds Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “This group of writers is a statement of intent, and we’re proud to champion them alongside the entire By Design team.”
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Chris August and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Jillian Edwards and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Jon White and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Josh Thompson, Jeremy Holley and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Alison Turner and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Alison Turner and Josh Bailey.
Charlie Worsham Invited To Become A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry
/by Lauryn SinkVince Gill Surprises Charlie Worsham with Opry Invitation. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry
Charlie Worsham was invited to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Aug. 7) by Vince Gill while on stage at the Ryman Auditorium.
“Charlie Worsham the artist and Charlie Worsham the human being often remind me of the Opry itself,” says Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “Charlie has the utmost respect for decades-old music traditions, and he’s also always looking toward tomorrow and making innovative music that opens doors to the future. Whether he’s playing -country, bluegrass, or the many sounds of his native Mississippi, and whether he’s standing alone centerstage accompanying himself on acoustic guitar or picking along with some famous friends, he truly always delivers. I am thrilled his boundless talents and huge heart will have a forever home on the Grand Ole Opry.”
Charlie Worsham’s Debut Opry Appearance at Age 12. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry
“I’ve had the great privilege of having Vince as my North Star,” Worsham shared after the invitation. “We’ve had interviews together over the last year about the great music you are making. And I got to ask you about what you said when you went into the Hall of Fame, and your answer would be what I’m going to say. ‘Now I’m going to try to go earn it.’ This is definitely the ultimate dream.”
Worsham, a native of Grenada, Mississippi made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1997 at the age of 12 as a gifted Junior National Banjo Champion. In 1999, at the age of 14 he was commended by the Mississippi Senate for his outstanding musical accomplishments. After graduating high school as a straight-A student he went on to study the art of songwriting and hone his playing skills, moving to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. He was part of the band KingBilly for several years before becoming a solo artist where he went on to open for artists including Opry members Brad Paisley and Old Crow Medicine Show as well as Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Rogers.
In addition to his solo career, Worsham is an in-demand session musician contributing to albums by artists like Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Shiflett and more. He has worked in Opry member Dierks Bentley’s band as lead guitarist and is currently a member of Gill’s touring band. He released his release his first full-length album as an independent artist, Once Upon A Second Time Around, last week.
Applications Now Open: MusicRow’s 2026 Publisher Company Directory
/by MusicRow StaffApplications are now open for the company directory in MusicRow’s upcoming Publisher Issue. Companies can apply for inclusion through Friday, Aug. 21. Previously included companies will be solicited separately.
Along with the directory with contact information for Nashville’s publishing community, the issue also features exclusive editorial content focused on this essential segment of the music business.
Applications are now closed.
For questions, please contact the MusicRow team at directory@musicrow.com.
To reserve ad space in the 2026 Publisher issue, contact srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.
Subscribe to MusicRow here to make sure you don’t miss the annual Publisher Issue.
Koe Wetzel Plots PH Live At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Show During NFR Week
/by Lorie HollabaughKoe Wetzel
Koe Wetzel will celebrate his new album The Night Champion with a performance at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino during Wrangler National Finals Rodeo week on Dec. 11.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning tomorrow (Aug. 11) until Aug. 13 through the Citi Entertainment program. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Aug. 14.
Wetzel is fresh off of last week’s release of his new single, “Jaded” feat. Ella Langley. Exhaustively touring the U.S., Europe and Australia, he has built a global audience, amassing over 6.6 billion worldwide streams as well as 15 RIAA certifications. Wetzel kicked off 2026 playing to over 70,000 fans at the Houston Rodeo, and his 50+ date “The Night Champion World Tour” sees the momentum growing for the hardworking Texan.
The 502s To Launch ‘Just A Little Run’ Tour In October
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 502s. Photo: Daniel Chaney
The 502s will kick off their upcoming “Just A Little Run” tour beginning this fall on Oct. 7.
The trek will feature stops in Atlanta, Charleston, Nashville and more, and takes its name from their 2021 viral hit “Just A Little While,” which has logged over 170M streams to date and appears on their album Could It Get Better Than This.
Pre-sale for the tour begins tomorrow (Aug. 11), followed by public on-sale on Aug. 14.
“Five years ago, Could It Get Better Than This changed everything for us – it took us from tiny rooms to stages around the world,” shares the band. “To celebrate that journey, we’re hitting rewind with the ‘Just a Little Run’: a run of intimate, sweaty venues. We can’t wait to be back shoulder to shoulder with the fans who have been with us from the beginning.”
The band has been busy over the last year since the release of their fourth studio album Easy Street, which includes the playful smash “Your Nonsense Makes Sense” (which has racked up nearly 25 million streams), as well as “Summer Fling” that they debuted on Good Morning America. The 502s just embarked on their “The Up, Up, Up The Coast and Across The Pond Tour” last weekend, with remaining stops in Nantucket, Queens, United Kingdom, Ireland and more set through early September.
“Just A Little Run” Tour Dates:
October 7 – Vinyl Center Stage – Atlanta, GA
October 8 – Radio Room – Greenville, SC
October 9 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC
October 11 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
October 12 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
Become A Subscriber To Vote In 2026 MusicRow Awards
/by MusicRow StaffIf you are not a MusicRow subscriber, now is a great time to join.
Only MusicRow subscribers are able to vote in the 2026 MusicRow Awards and the ballot period ends this Friday (Aug. 14). New subscribers will be sent a ballot shortly after joining.
The nominees for the 2026 MusicRow Awards can be viewed in the MusicRow Nominator.
A subscription can be purchased here and includes the following:
– Six Annual Print Issues (including the coveted annual InCharge print issue, as well as the annual Publisher, Artist Roster, MusicRow Awards, Women of Music Row and Touring/Next Big Thing issues.)
– News Emails (twice daily)
– Breaking News Alerts
– The MusicRow Weekly (containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart)
– Top Songwriter Chart (weekly)
– Voting Eligibility in the annual MusicRow Awards
Lucas Ball Inks With Warner Chappell Music Nashville & Twelve6 Entertainment
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Austen Adams (WCM), Willow Belenski (Twelve6), Lucas Ball, Travis Myatt (Twelve6), Brooke Pauley (Twelve6) and Bethany Mako (WCM). Photo: Gina Di Maio
Lucas Ball has signed a global publishing with Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Twelve6 Entertainment.
“I’m so happy to be a part of the fantastic Warner Chappell and Twelve6 teams,” says Ball. “I never thought I’d be in this position in life. Everyone has been so welcoming to me, and I’m excited to see where this road leads. God Bless Country Music.”
Ball has been building a digital audience through his performances on TikTok. Twelve6 President and GM Travis Myatt first discovered Ball performing the song on the platform, where he quickly garnered nearly one million views. Rooted in the sounds of ‘80s and ‘90s country, the signing comes on the heels of his recent single, “You Only Call When It’s Raining.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Lucas and the team at Twelve6,” says Bethany Mako, Manager, A&R, WCM Nashville. “His voice stopped me in my tracks the first time Travis sent over the music – it’s the perfect mix of classic and current with such an authentic delivery. Beyond that, he’s an incredible human with a great attitude, and I can’t wait to see where his career takes him. Let’s get the Ball rolling!!”
“When we signed Lucas at Twelve6 earlier this year, we weren’t just betting on a great voice – we were betting on a complete artist,” says Myatt. “His songwriting is honest, timeless, and every bit as captivating as his vocals. I know that Bethany, Austen Adams, and the entire Warner Chappell team share that belief, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them alongside us as we build the next chapter of Lucas’s career.”
MusicRow Weekly (MusicRow Awards, News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly is packed with major industry headlines, including the announcement of the nominees for the 2026 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank. Voted on by MusicRow subscribers, this year’s winners will be revealed across all MusicRow online platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Click here to see the full edition.
This edition also covers several notable executive and company updates. Caryl Atwood has exited her role as Senior Vice President of Commercial Partnerships at Sony Music Entertainment. Meanwhile, Andrew Kautz has launched Kautz & Associates, a new consulting firm, and Allen Mitchell has unveiled Reverie Ranch Music Group, a full-service entertainment company focused on artist management, development, strategic partnerships and select recording and publishing opportunities. The new venture launches with a roster that includes Michael Ray, Jenna Paulette, Tyler Booth, Adam Hood, The Davisson Brothers Band, Stone Senate and Cledus T. Judd.
Also making headlines, The Erv Woolsey Company has officially closed its doors after 40 years in business, marking the end of an era for one of Nashville’s most respected artist management firms.
This week’s newsletter also recaps the 2026 Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where Country Radio Broadcasters honored Chris Carr, Michael J., Rick Jackson, Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan and John Marks for their lasting contributions to country radio. The evening also celebrated legendary broadcaster and industry leader Lon Helton, who received the 2026 CRB President’s Award.
Additional news includes the Country Music Association announcing the newest class of participants for its 12-week Women’s Leadership Academy, as well as Dave Turnbull signing an exclusive publishing deal with WinSongs Music.
The latest edition also spotlights a busy week of artist and songwriter signings across Music City. Shantaia has joined Walk Off Entertainment, Ava Hall has signed with Universal Music Publishing Nashville, Bottomland has inked with Sony Music Nashville, The Sways have signed with Rounder Records, Niklas Juritsch has joined Range Music, Josh Rouse has signed with New West Records and Rich Harris has entered an exclusive publishing agreement with Prescription Songs in partnership with Pray For My Haters.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. HARDY, Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Morgan Wallen take the No. 1 spot with “McArthur.” Explore more chart data here.
The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
The Lasting Impact Of CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy [Interview]
/by Lauryn SinkCMA’s WLA Class of 2026. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Earlier this week, the Country Music Association unveiled its fifth class of the Women’s Leadership Academy, bringing together a new cohort of 16 high-performing, high-potential women from across the industry to take part in the 12-week leadership development program.
Five years after its launch, the Academy has grown into more than a professional development opportunity. Through weekly four-hour sessions, group coaching and work outside the classroom, participants build relationships that continue long after the program ends.
The idea for the Women’s Leadership Academy came from Tiffany Kerns, CMA’s Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Philanthropy, after she noticed a gap in professional development opportunities across the music industry.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2025. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
“When I joined the music industry, it was shocking to me how few of our businesses have HR departments. In other industries, HR will typically offer continued development for personnel.” Without those resources, Kerns said many women were left searching for opportunities to invest in themselves professionally. Coming out of the pandemic, she also heard from women who were either questioning whether they wanted to return to work or navigating changes in their careers.
“Women do not have the professional development that they need, or have had accessibility to it. And secondarily, they don’t have a community,” Kerns says of the realizations that first sparked the idea. The goal was to create a place where women could turn to one another while navigating career transitions, negotiations and other professional challenges.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2024. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Building the Academy required more than developing a curriculum. Kerns said one of the program’s biggest early challenges was earning the trust of the women it hoped to serve. “I think the music industry is fickle and can somewhat be jaded,” she says. “We needed to build confidence and trust in the program.” Rather than opening applications immediately, CMA hand-selected the first cohort while continuing to develop the program and establish its reputation. Kerns said it was important for participants to understand that CMA’s role was to facilitate the experience while creating a space where women could be transparent and support one another.
That sense of community has become one of the defining aspects of the Women’s Leadership Academy over the past five years. “When we put this together, I was so focused on making sure the women walked out of the program feeling equipped to handle life and business differently,” Kerns says. “I had hoped that they enjoyed each other, but now what I feel like we are seeing is something that you typically see in sororities or sisterhood. There’s just this genuine desire to want to support one another.” That support has extended far beyond the classroom. Kerns recalled watching women show up for one another through promotions, job changes, layoffs and even personal challenges like infertility. The connections formed during the program have continued through regular check-ins, friendships and even retreats planned entirely by alumnae.
CMA’s WLA Class of 2023. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
The lasting relationships are built over many hours of shared work and vulnerability. Participants spend four hours together each Monday for 12 weeks, while also taking part in group coaching, completing work between sessions and continuing conversations outside the scheduled curriculum.
This year’s cohort is guided by executive coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. Kerns said building the program around carefully selected coaches was an intentional decision from the very beginning, helping establish the trust needed for participants to be open and vulnerable with one another. Rather than focusing on company-specific challenges, the curriculum encourages participants to develop their professional acumen while exploring topics such as leadership, mental health and boundaries, conversations that often push participants outside their comfort zones.
The impact of the Women’s Leadership Academy has continued to grow alongside the program itself. One of the clearest signs of that growth is the reputation the Academy has built within the industry. “I’m most excited that we’re not convincing people to apply, but that it’s built a reputation,” Kerns shares. “People have seen women either walking taller in their building or having been more equipped, able to advocate for themselves and other women.”
CMA’s WLA Class of 2022. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
As part of the program’s fifth anniversary, CMA is also launching the Women’s Leadership Academy Alumni Network, bringing together participants from all five cohorts. The initiative grew out of alumnae’s desire to stay connected after the program ended. The network will provide ongoing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and professional development while allowing graduates to engage with future cohorts. “If they love it this much, we wanted to figure out a way to make sure they maintain their engagement, so we don’t lose that amazing resource that we have in them,” Kerns says.
As the Women’s Leadership Academy kicks off its fifth year and expands beyond the classroom through its new Alumni Network, the program continues to build on the community it’s created. Looking back, Kerns says the Women’s Leadership Academy has become more than she originally imagined.
“I feel like they’re blowing my mind in how they make sure that this isn’t just a program, but that it’s actually becomes part of their lives.”