Rising Nashville singer-songwriter Emily Rose is gearing up for the release of her debut studio album Welcome to Motherhood April 11 via Mishi Records.

The 12-track album chronicles Rose’s personal journey as a young working mother, filled with the wonderful and challenging moments young parents face and wrapped in classic country and country/pop-infused melodies. Produced by Rose, Gideon Klein and Gabriel Klein, Welcome to Motherhood features tracks co-written by Rose with writers including Tori Tullier, Melissa Fuller, Kate Malone, Madeline Stone, Sam Lorber and Debbie Hupp, whose own personal experiences as a mother and artist inspired some of the songs on this collection.

“No one can prepare a person for the way they will feel the moment they lay eyes on their firstborn child. In a matter of seconds, your world is turned upside down and your perspective changes—along with your beliefs and your priorities,” says Rose. “For the longest time, I thought that becoming a mother would be the death of my music career. I was wrong. If anything, it gave me purpose, it gave me something to say, and it shaped me and my music.

“My debut album Welcome to Motherhood is a collection of my most honest thoughts, my experiences, my doubts, my questions, my insecurities; the songs on the album reflect my story, but they also reflect other people’s stories, too,” she continues. “That is my aim with this album: start the right conversations, ask the questions, help other women feel seen and heard, and shed some light on all the things motherhood and being a new mom. My biggest hope is that the listener finds a little bit of themselves in the songs on this album.”

Rose will perform a special album release show to celebrate her debut album at The Local Nashville on April 15. To date, she has amassed more than one million streams across her digital platforms.

Welcome To Motherhood Track List:
1. “Back to Work” (Tori Tullier / Emily Rose)
2. “Mouths to Feed” (Melissa Fuller / Kate Malone / Emily Rose)
3. “Empty Cup” (Melissa Fuller / Emily Rose)
4. “Village” (Tori Tullier / Emily Rose)
5. “Happy Father’s Day” (Debbie Hupp / Emily Rose)
6. “My Mother” (Emily Rose)
7. “Just Like That” (Madeline Stone / Sam Lorber / Emily Rose)
8. “Messy” (Debbie Hupp / Emily Rose)
9. “Don’t Talk About It” (Emily Rose)
10. “Guilty” (Kate Malone / Emily Rose)
11. “Babies Don’t Keep” (Debbie Hupp / Emily Rose)
12. “Tiny Biggest Love” (Debbie Hupp / Emily Rose)

Cole Swindell will kick off his new headlining “Happy Hour Sad Tour” on September 4 in Toledo. Priscilla Block will join as direct support for all dates, with Logan Crosby and Greylan James each joining on select dates.

Named after a new song on his upcoming fifth album for Warner Music Nashville, Spanish Moss, the new tour will visit Lexington, Macon, Cedar Rapids, St. Augustine and more through Oct. 26.

“I cannot wait to get out on the road this year for the ‘Happy Hour Sad Tour’,” shares Swindell. “Getting to write songs and make music for a living is a dream come true, and there are so many folks that make that happen! I hope the fans that spend their hard-earned money to come out and support us know how much we appreciate it and how much we love seeing them out there having fun. It’s always a new level of excitement to be touring with a new album out so I expect this fall to be one to remember. I’m pumped to have Priscilla, Logan and Greylan out there with us, 3 artists I really believe in, getting the crowd fired up for a great night.”

Spanish Moss features Swindell’s current top five single, “Forever To Me,” which he co-wrote with James and Rocky Block to celebrate his engagement and wedding to his wife Courtney last year. The track holds even greater significance now, as it also honors the upcoming birth of their first child, a daughter, this fall. The proud husband and soon-to-be father released a special digital-only remix of “Forever To Me (Our Version)” last month.

Pre-sale tickets for Swindell’s fan club will be available beginning tomorrow (April 8), with general sale on Friday (April 11).

Amy Smartt

After nearly two decades of service, the Country Music Association’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Amy Smartt, has announced she is retiring. Her last day will be Wednesday (April 9).

Throughout her tenure at CMA, Smartt has played a vital role in CMA’s growth and impact, overseeing key departments including Finance, Accounting, IT and Operations. She has provided strategic leadership for both CMA and the CMA Foundation by guiding financial planning, overseeing budgeting processes, managing long-range forecasting and more.

Smartt shares, “I’m deeply thankful for the incredible CMA team, whose dedication and excellence make this organization what it is. The past 11 years working alongside Sarah Trahern have been especially meaningful, and I’m beyond grateful for her partnership and friendship. And our Board members guidance and support have been instrumental in CMA’s success. I will always cherish those partnerships.

“To quote an unknown author, ‘Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway,'” she adds. “While I will miss my wonderful coworkers and the incredible relationships I’ve built, I’m looking forward to embracing this next chapter and am excited about the new possibilities ahead. It’s been an incredible ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Country Music is built on storytelling, and I’m forever grateful to have been part of this incredible story.”

After April 9, reach Smartt at afsmartt@gmail.com.

Ben Balch, CMA Vice President of Finance and Administration has assumed Smartt’s finance and accounting responsibilities, effective immediately.