North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees

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Six North Carolina natives will be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame this fall, including country superstar Luke Combs, director and producer Robert Deaton, “The Man of Steel'”Clyde Mattocks, singer-songwriter David Childers, radio personality Hattie “Chatty Hatty” Leeper and Flat Duo Jets member Dexter Romweber.

The induction ceremony honoring the 2025 class will take place on October 16, 2025 at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center in Mooresville, North Carolina. The ceremony is open to the public and will include appearances and live performances by inductees. A full list of performers will be announced at a later date. Tickets and more information is available here.

FEMcountry To Host First Nashville Showcase

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Dedicated to empowering female voices in country music, FEMcountry is set to host its first Nashville showcase on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at City Winery Nashville. The event will feature Caylee Hammack, Brittney Spencer, Abbey Cone, Lucie Silvas and Rita Wilson. Tickets are on sale now at citywinery.com/nashville.

Launched earlier this year by renowned music executive Leslie Fram, FEMcountry is a continuation of her longtime work in creating critically-acclaimed programs like CMT’s Next Women of Country and her passion for elevating female voices in country music.

For more information on FEMco and FEMcountry, visit hellofemco.com.

Rocky Block Jumps Into Top 15 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Rocky Block. Photo: Mick Bodie

Rocky Block has jumped into the top 15 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. Cole Swindell’s “Forever To Me” and Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” push the songwriter to No. 14.

Riley Green remains at No. 1 with solo-penned “Worst Way.” Ashley Gorley stays at No. 2 with “Favorite Country Song,” “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “Love Somebody,” “Not At This Party,” “Park” and “She Hates Me.”

Charlie Handsome (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and Ernest (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Brandon Lake Leads Nominations For Upcoming K-LOVE Fan Awards

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Brandon Lake

Nominees have been announced for the 12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards set for May 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, with Brandon Lake leading the pack with four nominations.

Leanna Crawford, Crowder, Jamie MacDonald, MercyMe, TobyMac, Tauren Wells and Megan Woods each received three nods for the upcoming awards, and fans can casting their votes now by visiting klovefanawards.com.

Hosted by Jeremy Camp, Bart Millard, Mac Powell and Matthew West, the show will air exclusively on TBN on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.

2025 K-LOVE Fan Award Nominees:

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake (feat. Jelly Roll)
“Made for More” – Josh Baldwin
“Take It All Back” – Tauren Wells
“Somebody Prayed” – Crowder
“The Truth” – Megan Woods
“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans
“Oh Death” – MercyMe
“Nothin’ Sweeter” – TobyMac

WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR:
“Goodbye Yesterday” – Elevation Rhythm
“God Is Not Against Me” – Elevation Worship
“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake
“Take You at Your Word” – Cody Carnes
“Lead On Good Shepherd” – Patrick Mayberry
“In the Name of Jesus” – JWLKRS Worship
“The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham

BREAKOUT SINGLE:
“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald
“The Truth” – Megan Woods
“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford
“Whisper and the Wind” – Bodie
“Flowers” – Samantha Ebert

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandon Lake
Crowder
Anne Wilson
TobyMac
Tauren Wells
Josh Baldwin
for KING & COUNTRY
MercyMe
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank

GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Cain
MercyMe
for KING & COUNTRY
We Are Messengers
Elevation Worship
Caleb & John
Big Daddy Weave
JWLKRS Worship
Elevation Rhythm
We The Kingdom

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandon Lake
Crowder
Jeremy Camp
Tauren Wells
Josh Baldwin
TobyMac
Forrest Frank
Phil Wickham
Matthew West
Josiah Queen

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Anne Wilson
CeCe Winans
Lauren Daigle
Tasha Layton
Terrian
Jamie MacDonald
Megan Woods
Leanna Crawford
Katy Nichole
Samantha Ebert

FILM IMPACT:
Unsung Hero
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Unbreakable Boy
Bonhoeffer
Sound of Hope
Cabrini
The Forge
White Bird
Someone Like You
The Chosen Season 5

TV/STREAMING IMPACT:
The Wingfeather Saga Season 2
House of David
Shadrach
Homestead: The Series
The Riot and the Dance Season 1
Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story

PODCAST IMPACT:
Jan Harrison – Rooted & Radiant
Jonathan Pokluda’s Becoming Something podcast
John Siebeling and Wayne Francis – Leadership in Black & White
Andy Chrisman – 1 Degree of Andy
Christine Caine – Life & Leadership Podcast
Lisa Harper – Back Porch Theology
Max Lucado – Encouraging Word Podcast

BOOK IMPACT:
I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t – Lysa TerKeurst
God Never Gives Up on You – Max Lucado
I Surrender All – Priscilla Shirer
Devoted to Jesus – Alex & Stephen Kendrick
Feasting on God’s Word – Kristi McLelland
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
My Story Your Glory – Matthew West

Keith Urban To Receive Coveted Triple Crown Award At 60th ACM Awards

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Keith Urban will be honored with the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards Presented by Carnival Cruise Line on May 8.

This marks the first time the ACM Triple Crown has been awarded on the ACM Awards since Carrie Underwood received the honor in 2010. Urban will be honored during the telecast with numerous performances of his songs by fellow artists Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney and Brothers Osborne. 

The ACM Triple Crown Award is a special recognition presented by the Academy of Country Music to artists who have won three distinct, prestigious awards, including New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Urban achieved this honor by winning Top New Male Vocalist in 2001, Male Vocalist of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and Entertainer of the Year in 2019, and he is the first artist to receive this honor on the ACM Awards since Underwood at the 45th ACM Awards.

Hosted by 16-time ACM award-winning icon Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

2025 iHeart Country Festival Hosts Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, More

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Brooks & Dunn. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

The 12th annual iHeart Country Festival took place on Saturday (May 3) at Austin’s Moody Center.

Thomas Rhett. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

James Van Der Beek served as presenter for the evening alongside Chet Hanks and Drew Arthur of Something Out West. Nate Smith kicked off the evening, followed by Bailey Zimmerman. Megan Moroney was up next where she performed  “Am I Okay?” “No Caller ID” and “Tennessee Orange,” preceding Sam Hunt treating the crowd to “House Party,” “Kinfolks,” “Outskirts,” “Country House,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town” and “Body Like A Backroad.”

Cole Swindell then hit the stage with “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” “Chillin It,” “Forever To Me,” “You Should Be Here,” “We Can Always Move On” and “Heads Carolina.” Next, Rascal Flatts performed a montage of hits including “Here’s to you,” “Yours if You Want It,” “Fast Cars,” “I Dare You,” “What Hurts The Most” and “Life is a Highway.” With “Make Me Wanna,” “Look What God Gave Her,” “Beautiful As You,” “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman,” “After All the Bars Are Closed” and “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett got the crowd rocking before Brooks & Dunn performed their headline set that included “Brand New Man,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” “Rock My World,” “Play Somethin’ Country,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria,” “Boot Scoot” and “Only In America.”

The Daytime Village at the festival also hosted performances from Smith, Moroney, Matt Stell, Tucker Wetmore and Dasha.

Rascal Flatts. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Cole Swindell. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Megan Moroney. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Bailey Zimmerman. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Nate Smith. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Dasha. Photo: Rick Kern for iHeartRadio

Big Loud Texas Adds Publishing Arm

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Pictured (L-R): Brendon Anthony (VP, Big Loud Texas), Lizzy Rector (Publishing Director, Big Loud Texas Publishing), Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith

Big Loud Texas has added a publishing arm, Big Loud Texas Publishing. Based in Austin, the newly formed publishing division will work hand-in-hand with Big Loud Texas’ co-founders Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall.

Big Loud Texas inaugural publishing signee is Timothy Allen and the company has hired Lizzy Rector as Publishing Director.

Timothy Allen, Brendon Anthony (VP, Big Loud Texas) and Jon Randall. Photo: Jordan Pierce

“I grew up listening to incredible storytellers like Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris,” shares Lambert. “Hearing their music made me realize I wanted to be an artist who poured my own truth into songs and said something meaningful through my writing. With Big Loud Texas Publishing, I’m proud to help nurture that same spirit in a new generation of writers, and I’m so excited to welcome Timothy Allen as our first signing.”

“I am so excited that we are announcing the publishing arm to Big Loud Texas,” adds Randall. “Obviously songwriting is very close to our hearts. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue growing the Big Loud Texas brand with Miranda, our partners and our team and giving songwriters a place to call home.”

A multi-instrumental singer-songwriter and producer, Allen, a native of Rockwall, Texas, caught the eye of Randall while on stage at Texas Music Revolution while touring his solo project (following a stint with Shane Smith and The Saints). His influences range from John Moreland and Sufjan Stevens to his tight knit songwriting community including his brothers.

“He is one of the most talented and musically versatile singer songwriters I’ve ever met,” Randall shares of Allen. “We so appreciate Tim entrusting us with his talent and craft and we are so proud to be a part of his musical a journey.”

Rector joins the Big Loud Texas team following a successful seven-year tenure at Big Machine Music Publishing, where she most recently served as Creative Manager. During her time there, she contributed to more than 50 chart-topping songs across Top 40, country and rock genres, while also overseeing management of the company’s songwriter roster. A Texas native and Belmont University alumna, Rector will be based in Big Loud Texas’ Austin office, where she will lead the publishing division with a focus on strengthening creative ties between Austin and Nashville.

“We are so grateful to have Lizzy in the Big Loud Texas family,” VP of Big Loud Texas Brendon Anthony shares. “Her experience in publishing and her vision for the company are already proving to be invaluable. Lizzy is a strong leader and a champion of songwriters. We could not have asked for a better person to take the reins.”

Blake Shelton Lands 30th Chart-Topper With ‘Texas’

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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).

Reliant Talent Agency Adds Four New Agents To Talent Division

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Pictured (clockwise): Jonathan Perry, Katie Edwards, Scott Simpson and Melanie Moreau

Reliant Talent Agency has expanded its talent division with four new agents.

Veteran talent agent Scott Simpson joins Reliant as Head of Talent, leading the agency’s efforts in Talent, Comedy, Unscripted Television and beyond. Joining him in the division is agent Jonathan Perry, who will lead West Coast Talent alongside agent Katie Edwards. Melanie Moreau will lead the Unscripted Department.

Simpson has spent decades in talent representation. Prior to joining Reliant, he was at ICM for a decade, then at APA (now IAG) both in L.A. and New York.

Perry got his start in the industry as a publicist and later moved to the agency business, where he previously spent time at Endeavor, UTA and IAG.

Edwards started her career in the NBC Page Program before joining The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she spent four years working in the production and talent departments. She joined Independent Artist Group (formerly APA) in 2018 as an agent in both the comedy and talent department in the agency’s New York office.

Moreau previously held senior roles at CMT, Complex Networks, and most recently, Tacklebox Films. At Reliant, she will lead the non-scripted division, representing talent, digital creators, and production companies, and driving growth across the unscripted landscape.

Reliant President Steve Lassiter and his partners, Heath Baumor and Matt McGuire will lead the Nashville-based agency that has had a concentration in Concert Touring before this current expansion.

“From the formation of this agency in early 2021, we’ve always envisioned Reliant as a full-service agency alternative, prioritizing our clients’ needs in every sector,” share the Reliant partners. “With these new hires and promotions, we are well positioned to offer best in class service to current and future clients.”

Ella Langley & Riley Green Surprised With Early ACM Award

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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.