Drake Milligan has announced a slew of dates that slate his 2025 schedule opening for stars like Lainey Wilson and Luke Bryan as well as his own headlining shows.

The Texas native and 2025 MusicRow Next Big Thing artist, has charted multiple hits on iTunes and recently opened for Blake Shelton, with whom he performed a viral duet of George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live In Texas.” The upcoming tour will launch with Milligan’s Stagecoach performance, set for April 25.

For select dates throughout “Drake Milligan In Concert,” fans can purchase VIP tickets, which provide a unique experience including early entry, an exclusive acoustic performance, and a group Q&A session with Milligan himself ahead of the show.

Ed Sheeran Guests At SHOF & Belmont Master Session

Ed Sheeran, the 2017 recipient of the SHOF Hal David Starlight Award, shared his journey from empty rooms to sold-out arenas, emphasizing authenticity, resilience and the courage to fail last month at Belmont. The intimate session was attended by 30 Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business songwriting students. Sheeran disclosed the ideology that has guided and anchored his career, serves as his North Star and reminds him to take risks – “Dare to suck!” – which he learned from songwriter/producer 2017 SHOF inductee Max Martin.

After rich conversation, Sheeran played a new song from his upcoming album and then shared the stage with a group of Belmont’s aspiring songwriters followed by an impromptu jam of a rootsy version of “Shape of You” with members of Belmont’s Bluegrass Ensemble. SHOF Board Member/Chairman, SHOF Nashville Committee Fletcher Foster and Belmont Songwriting Co-Chair James Elliott were also in attendance.

 

Darius Rucker Named Ambassador For Carolinas Golf Foundation

Darius Rucker has been named Ambassador for the Carolinas Golf Foundation, the charitable arm of the Carolina Golf Association. As an ambassador, Rucker will help champion the Foundation’s efforts to promote access and opportunity in golf, particularly among youth, individuals with disabilities and underserved communities. His involvement will include appearances at select Foundation events, engagement in awareness campaigns and collaboration with the CGA to drive fundraising and outreach.

Rucker is a longtime golf enthusiast with deep roots in the Carolinas and a strong track record of using his platform for good. His philanthropic endeavors include founding the annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, hosting collegiate golf events, along with support for public education, health care initiatives and military veteran programs. The Carolinas Golf Foundation was established in 1977 to support the growth and sustainability of golf throughout North and South Carolina. Over the past five decades, the Foundation has awarded more than $3.3 million in grants to support programs and initiatives that embody its mission to provide access to life-changing opportunities through the game of golf.

 

Ira Dean Celebrates New Album At Packed Music City Bash

Ira Dean celebrated the release of his album I Got Roads in true Nashville style with a packed party at Blueprint Underground Cocktail Club. The night was filled with music, memories, and surprise performances in celebration of Dean’s most personal project to date. The event welcomed a crowd of family, friends, and collaborators, including Gretchen Wilson, Styles, David Lee Murphy, Chris Wallin and Dave Turnbull. Among the highlights of the evening were Dean surprising the crowd by bringing out Wilson to perform their emotional duet “Everything,” a standout track on the album written as a tribute to Dean’s wife, Jennifer.

 

The Warren Brothers Reunite With Old Friends At Songwriter City Show

The Warren Brothers and Valory Music’s Preston Cooper performed at a Songwriter City show at Chief’s in downtown Nashville last weekend, and it was a family reunion of sorts since promo guys Tom Baldrica, Mike Wilson and Jimmy Rector surprised Brett and Brad Warren at the show. Baldrica was the VP of Promotion when the Warrens were on the BNA label, and Rector was a regional, while Wilson was at RCA at the same time.

Brent Cobb will release his new album, Ain’t Rocked in a While, on July 11 via Ol’ Buddy Records/Thirty Tigers. This is the first project recorded with his band, The Fixin’s. Ahead of the album release, the title track is available today (April 16).

Produced by Cobb and Oran Thornton, Ain’t Rocked in a While blends his country sound with influences from the classic rock bands he grew up listening to, such as Black Sabbath, Metallica and AC/DC. The album showcases the energy of Cobb’s live shows while remaining true to his storyteller roots.

Reflecting on the project, Cobb shares, “I feel like sometimes when people come to our shows, there might be a disconnect. People might view me as just a singer-songwriter. You know, sit down and tell ‘em a nice, little Southern story. Sing ‘em a song. And our live show kinda rocks. Sometimes people are taken aback. I want people to have an album of reference.”

In addition to Cobb (vocals, guitar), The Fixin’s features Len Clark (drums), Matt McDaniel (guitars) and Josh Williams (bass).

Hailing from Ellaville, Georgia, Cobb is an esteemed songwriter with cuts by Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters, Whiskey Myers and more. Additionally, his song, “Snakebite,” was featured in the first season of Paramount’s Landman this past fall, and he released his first children’s book, Little Stuff, in 2021. This album follows Cobb’s 2023 release of Southern Star.

Cobb and The Fixin’s will continue to tour through this summer including upcoming headline shows at Charleston’s The Windjammer, Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre and Lexington’s The Burl as well as festival performances at Stagecoach, MerleFest, FairWell Festival, Under the Big Sky and more.

Ain’t Rocked In A While Track List:
1. “Beyond Measure”
2. “Ain’t Rocked in a While”
3. “Bad Feelin’”
4. “Do It All the Time”
5. “Even If It’s Broke”
6. “In Our Hands”
7. “Power Man”
8. “Take Yer Meds”
9. “Til Dawn”
10. “Beyond Measure (Fixin’s)”