ASCAP Hosts Songwriters Round At Bluebird

ASCAP hosted a songwriters round on Wednesday (July 15) as part of their monthly showcase series dedicated to supporting emerging storytellers. ASCAP members JB Somers, Anna Vaus, Smith Ahnquist and Trinity Lake took the stage at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe for the monthly series show.

 

The Archives Nashville Raises Funds For CMA Foundation At 3rd Annual Artist Closet Sale

The Archives Nashville digital archiving and storage company specializing in musicians’ wardrobes raised nearly $45,000 as the final fundraising total from its third annual Artist Closet Sale during this year’s CMA Fest. Fans enjoyed an exclusive opportunity to shop from their favorite artists’ closets, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the CMA Foundation’s mission to provide students with access to music education and equip educators with the resources to sustain programs.

The Artist Closet Sale enabled fans to purchase wardrobe items from artists including Ashley McBryde, Bailey Zimmerman, BunnieXO, Ella Langley, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Tucker Wetmore and more. Held at Fan Fair X in Nashville’s Music City Center, the activation featured a record number of 23 artist participants.

 

Midland Brings ‘Stages’ To Grammy Museum Crowd In Los Angeles

Following the release of their new album, Stages, last month, Midland continued the celebration with a sold-out appearance at the Grammy Museum’s Ray Charles Rooftop Terrace in Los Angeles. Moderated by Entertainment Tonight correspondent Cassie DiLaura, the event featured an in-depth conversation with Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson on the making of Stages, their enduring commitment to traditional country music, and the singular sound that has helped place them at the forefront of country music’s current traditional revival.

The conversation was followed by a performance featuring their 6x Platinum No. 1 “Drinkin’ Problem,” alongside Stages highlights “Shooting Memories With Tequila,” “Walk A Mile,” “I Wish You Would,” “Marlboro Man” and “Vaquero.” This weekend Midland will appear on CBS Saturday Morning as part of the show’s Saturday Sessions series.

 

Shawnee Kish Signs Global Distribution Deal With ADA/Warner Music Canada

Four-time JUNO-nominated country artist Shawnee Kish has signed a global distribution deal with ADA/Warner Music Canada. The signing announcement coincides with today’s release of the anthemic “Ride At Dawn,” a bold rally cry for resilience, unity, and facing life’s storms head-on.

“Shawnee Kish is building on impressive momentum right now,” says Eric Wong, President of Warner Music Canada. “Her live performances and powerful songwriting have already earned her incredible independent success, and our team at ADA Canada is proud to work alongside her to amplify her voice worldwide.”

 

Veteran Songwriter And Bluegrass Artist Jerry Salley Signs With Tall Oaks Music

Veteran songwriter and bluegrass artist Jerry Salley has signed a publishing deal with Tall Oaks Music. Tall Oaks Music was launched earlier this year by Doyle Lawson and Donna Ulisse alongside Keith Barnecastle of Turnberry Records and The Bluegrass Standard. Salley operates as Creative/A&R Director for Billy Blue Records, the bluegrass label he founded in 2018 with Ed Leonard and Dottie Leonard Miller, produces records like Dolly Parton’s Dove Award-winning “In The Sweet By and By,” and wins countless awards, the latest a Grammy for co-writing “It Takes A Woman,” made popular by Chris Stapleton. This is all in addition to putting out his own solo projects, touring and performing, and teaching songwriting through the Little House Songwriting Workshops.

“I’ve known Jerry Salley for at least 30 years, and once when I was needing a vocalist, I tried to hire him, but wouldn’t you know, as a songwriter, he was very much in demand and travel was not in the picture for him at the time,” says Lawson. “So goes the passing of time, and I finally have him on board as a part of the Tall Oaks Music team. Keith, Donna, and I are extremely happy to have the talents of all of our writers.”

Artist Legacy Group has revealed it will represent the Estate of Raul Malo, singer-songwriter and founding frontman of the Grammy-winning group The Mavericks.

ALG will oversee the estate’s intellectual property rights, business interests and archival assets, and secure opportunities for media projects, brand partnerships and consumer products that celebrate his life, music and enduring influence, ensuring that Malo’s artistry continues to connect with longtime fans and future generations.

“We are so grateful to the Malo Family for allowing us to be part of this next chapter,” says ALG Founder and CEO Ashley Austin. “Raul had that once-in-a-generation voice, but what made him truly extraordinary was his ability to bridge styles, cultures, and generations. Our role is to protect that legacy while developing authentic, enduring ways to keep his music in conversation with the world.”

Betty Malo, Executrix of the Estate of Raul Malo adds, “When an artist leaves behind a lifetime of music, creativity, and influence, preserving that legacy becomes more than a personal responsibility – it becomes a duty. That’s why I engaged Ashley Austin as our estate manager: to professionally protect Raul’s intellectual property, oversee opportunities that honor his wishes, and ensure that every decision reflects the extraordinary artist and man he was.”

As the driving force behind The Mavericks, Malo helped redefine Americana music with songs including “Dance the Night Away,” “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” and “Here Comes My Baby.” Throughout his career, he earned critical acclaim for both his songwriting and musicianship, leaving behind a catalog that continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

Little Big Town is returning to the Ryman Auditorium this holiday season once again for a three-night residency in December following a run of holiday performances there in 2025.

Taking place Dec. 8-10, “The Christmas Shows” Ryman Residency will feature a mix of holiday classics and fan favorites from the chart-topping group. Little Big Town has a long-standing connection to the Ryman, including their historic 2017 residency, which marked the venue’s first time hosting a year-long artist residency.

Tickets for all dates are on sale now.

The band is also gearing up for the release of their 12th studio album It’s A Dying Art via MCA on Aug. 28. They first previewed the project with the poignant “Hey There Sunshine,” which debuted at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, and followed that up with “Over and Over,” and their most recent “Sucker For A Sad Song,” which features Ashley Monroe.

Brad Paisley has released his Tacklebox – Disc 1 project today via MCA.

The 13-track project includes songs from his catalog of unreleased and unrecorded songs dating back to the 90s as well as recently written tracks. Sonically, the album was shaped by the 90s sound of Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn and Alabama, as well as 80s-influenced productions reminiscent of those of George Strait, Garth Brooks and others.

“In this digital age, I have every song I’ve ever written at my fingertips,” Paisley says. “There was such freedom in rediscovering the songs for Tacklebox, the new ones we wrote, and the order we released them. They came from or were written about a nostalgic time period, a style of writing, and a sound. We wanted to give listeners that special feeling of playing a vinyl album or CD all the way through, if you listened to it top to bottom.”

The “Brad Paisley Live” Tour will launch on Aug. 27 with special guests Jake Worthington, Charles Worsham, Hannah Harper, Laci Kaye Booth, The Band Loula and Mackenzie Carpenter.

Tacklebox – Disc 1 Track List:
1. “Fallin’” (Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers)
2. “This Town Ain’t Small Enough” (Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois)
3. “Without You” (Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois)
4. “Hi Ho Silverado (feat. David Lee Murphy)” (Brad Paisley, Clint Lagerberg, David Lee Murphy)
5. “Overnight Low” (Brad Paisley, David Ball)
6. “Helen Back” (Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Clint Lagerberg)
7. “Someone Else’s Arms” (Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois)
8. “Treading Whiskey” (Brad Paisley, Chris Dubois)
9. “Out Of The Picture” (Brad Paisley, Lee Thomas Miller)
10. “Home Sweet Hotel” (Brad Paisley and Lee Thomas Miller)
11. “Who Knew” (Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers)
12. “Tell Them Your Life Story” (Brad Paisley)
13. “It’s Still Goodbye” (Brad Paisley)