CMA Fest has revealed its 2025 lineup, with the annual event returning to downtown Nashville June 5-8. CMA fest is currently the longest-running country musical festival in the world. SoFi will serve as the festival’s presenting sponsor this year, kicking off a multi-year partnership.
The nightly shows at Nissan Stadium will feature performances from chart-topping hit makers, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Bailey Zimmerman. More performers will be announced at a later date.
Set against the Cumberland River, Gavin Adcock, Tanner Adell, Cooper Alan, Drew Baldridge, Sam Barber, Gabby Barrett, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Colbie Caillat, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Jackson Dean, Marcus King, Randall King, Brandon Lake, Chris Lane, Ella Langley, Maddie & Tae, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Max McNown, Midland, Megan Moroney, Ian Munsick, RaeLynn, Redferrin, Josh Ross, Conner Smith, Austin Snell, Alana Springsteen, Thelma and James, Tigirlily Gold, The War And Treaty, Hudson Westbrook and Tucker Wetmore will all give daytime performances at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. MŌRIAH will kickoff Thursday’s (June 5) activities with a national anthem performance.
Over at Ascend Park, the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage will be packed with performances from Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, Casey Barnes, Danielle Bradbery, Blanco Brown, T Graham Brown, Karley Scott Collins, Billy Dean, Tyler Farr, Filmore, Josh Gracin, Ty Herndon, Braxton Keith, Erin Kinsey, Lakeview, Edwin McCain, John Morgan, Kylie Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Jamie O’ Neal, Mason Ramsey, Owen Riegling, Emily Ann Roberts, Reyna Roberts, Kaylee Rose, Shaylen, Sister Hazel, Iam Tongi, US Navy Band Country Current, Darryl Worley, Charlie Worsham and Jake Worthington.
The Chevy Vibes Stage will keep the good times going with performances from Angie K, Graham Barham, Blessing Offor, Craig Campbell, Dillon Carmichael, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Kashus Culpepper, Dailey & Vincent, Jade Eagleson, Exile, Mickey Guyton, Kelsey Hart, Tayler Holder, Greylan James, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Vincent Mason, Madeline Merlo, Drake Milligan, Lorrie Morgan, David Nail, Meghan Patrick, Dylan Schneider, Shenandoah, MaRynn Taylor, Thompson Square, Pam Tillis, Lauren Watkins, Mark Wills, Rita Wilson and Waylon Wyatt at Walk of Fame Park.
Willow Avalon, Maddox Batson, Laci Kaye Booth, Brenn!, Franni Rae Cash, Chapel Hart, Julia Cole, Preston Cooper, Kolby Cooper, Wesley Dean, Melanie Dyer, Madeline Edwards, Mae Estes, Carter Faith, Lanie Gardner, Cole Goodwin, Fancy Hagood, Jack Wharff and The Tobacco Flats, Max Jackson, James Barker Band, Just Jayne, Alexandra Kay, Zach John King, Matt Lang, Bryce Leatherwood, Hannah McFarland, Walker Montgomery, Will Moseley, Elizabeth Nichols, Adrien Nunez, Scoot Teasley, Cameron Whitcomb, Blake Whiten, Austin Williams and Eli Winders will all take the stage at Bridgestone Plaza’s Good Molecules Reverb Stage.
Lastly, fans will be able to catch performances during the day and night from Ashley Anne, Palmer Anthony, Hayden Blount, BODHI, BoomTown Saints, Luke Borchelt, CECE, Hayden Coffman, Abbey Cone, Crowe Boys, Eddie and The Getaway, Sterling Elza, Brian Fuller, Giovannie and The Hired Guns, Colt Graves, Reid Haughton, Christian Hayes, The Heels, Hueston, Solon Holt, Preston James, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Britnee Kellogg, Alex Lambert, LECADE, Trey Lewis, Tyler Joe Miller, MŌRIAH, Clayton Mullen, O.N.E The Duo, Harper O’Neill, Pistol Pearl and the Western Band, Peytan Porter, RVSHVD, Sacha, Matt Schuster, Sophia Scott, SKEEZ, Kevin Smiley, Payton Smith, Liam St. John, Colin Stough, Troubadour Blue, Leah Turner, Alli Walker, Carson Wallace, Brendan Walter, Chandler Walters, Jay Webb, Wesko, Angel White and Sam Williams at the Hard Rock Stage.
Four night stadium passes are on sale now, and one night passes will go on sale this Friday (March 28) at 10 a.m. CST. The Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr. Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage and Hard Rock Stage are all free to all attendees.
Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Rose Palermo, Hearing Health Fund, More
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Hosts Luke Combs Programs
Chris Kappy and Museum Writer-Editor Angela Stefano Zimmer. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted two programs last weekend in support of its “Luke Combs: The Man I Am Exhibit”: a performance and conversation with Combs’ band, the Wild Cards, and an interview with his manager, Chris Kappy. Hosted by the museum’s Dave Paulson, members of the Wild Cards (Jamie Davis, Korey Hunt, Tyler King, Mat Maxwell, Dustin Nunley, Kurt Ozan and Jake Sommers) shared songs and stories from their decade-long journey with Combs.
The museum’s Angela Stefano Zimmer led a discussion with Kappy about his path to the music industry and Nashville and how he’s helped Combs build his career. In the near decade since Kappy started managing Combs, he has expanded his management company Make Wake Artists to include a team of nearly two dozen. The programs were filmed and will be available to stream on the museum’s website later this year.
Rose Palermo & Team Celebrate With Joe Don Rooney At Rascal Flatts Show
Joe Don Rooney with Rose Palermo and team
Team Rooney celebrated the well deserved success of their client, Joe Don Rooney, and his bandmates of Rascal Flatts at their Huntsville, Alabama show on March 20.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund & Sweetwater Launch Hearing Health Fund
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and Sweetwater have launched The Hearing Health Fund, designed to provide support for the growing number of music industry professionals who face hearing-related challenges. Musicians and music industry workers are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss than the general public, and research shows that seven in 10 music venue staff are exposed to noise levels above the daily recommended limit, with 70% reporting that they never use hearing protection, and only 15% reported using hearing protection regularly.
The Hearing Health Fund includes a free, three-part hearing screening with a certified audiologist and free Etymotic Research ER-20XS High Fidelity Earplugs. To apply for the Hearing Health Fund, complete the online form at sweetrelief.org/hearinghealthfund.html.
Ashley Longshore Celebrates Women & Art In Nashville At Live Nation Event
Ashley Longshore
Pop art provocateur Ashley Longshore debuted the newest additions to her iconic ROAR! portrait series at the Saint Elle on March 20. A collaboration with Live Nation Women, Longshore revealed portraits of some top female musicians today, including Rihanna, Stevie Nicks, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Katy Perry, P!nk and President and Chief Strategy Officer of Live Nation Women, Ali Harnell.
Nashville’s own Reese Witherspoon and Brittany Howard made appearances alongside their new portraits. Other notables in attendance included Scout Willis, Karen Fairchild, Morgane Stapleton and Cody Belew. Longshore, a Southern belle with a growing legion of both fans and collectors, showcased 73 pieces total including some new additions inspired by Nashville featuring local icons like Minnie Pearl and her expanding widely-loved Dolly Parton series.
Trombone Shorty Foundation’s Apprenticeship Program Sends Students To Music City
Photo: Joseph Patrick
The Trombone Shorty Foundation’s Music Industry Apprenticeship program sent students to Nashville this month to learn about the rich history in the area, and connect with music industry professionals. Over a jam-packed week of activity, the students experienced a songwriting workshop led by singer-songwriter Steve Poltz; a visit to the Grand Ole Opry; meeting with representatives from WME, Range, Concord Records and the ACM Awards, a visit to WXNP; a meeting with the Black Opry and an open soundcheck and concert with Trombone Shorty, where one of the Apprentices was able to perform and take the stage with Troy for the very first time.
CMA Honors Justin Thomson With 2024 International Country Broadcaster Award
/by Lorie HollabaughJustin Thomson. Photo: Maclay Heriot
CMA presented its International Country Broadcaster Award to Justin Thomson at CMC Rocks during a backstage reception at the CMA Bar on March 22 for industry attendees hailing from Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Natalie Waller (Head of ABC Music and Events, Chair of ARIA and CMA Board member) presented Thomson (National Content Director, KIX Country Radio and iHeart Radio Australia) with the award, honoring exceptional achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the U.S. who has made significant contributions to the development of country music in their country.
Thomson has routinely been acknowledged by the international country music industry as a pivotal figure in broadening the genre’s presence in Australia. In 2023, he brought KIX Country to Nashville for CMA Fest, offering 30 hours of coverage with over 50 artists, while also promoting the genre through KIX’s broadcasts of the CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas. He returned to CMA Fest last year, creating more content opportunities for U.S. artists looking to expand their reach into Australia. Additionally, Thomson has traveled to Canada to cover the CCMA Awards and to the U.K. for C2C.
Clint Lagerberg Inks With Peermusic Nashville
/by John Nix ArledgeClint Lagerberg. Photo: Eric Erwin
Peermusic has signed Clint Lagerberg to a worldwide publishing deal. The signing encompasses co-publishing of future works and select back catalog.
Lagerberg is a Grammy-nominated, ACM-nominated, NSAI “Song Of The Year” and MusicRow “Song of the Year” winning songwriter/producer. His notable songs include Rascal Flatts’ “Here Comes Goodbye,” Josh Kelley’s “Georgia Clay,” and Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” marking the most successful song in Urban’s career to date. He has also scored cuts with artists such as Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Matt Stell, LoCash, Tim McGraw and more.
“Clint is a great producer and he wrote one of my favorite songs in country music—”Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban. He’s already proven his ability to land songs on the top of the charts, but it’s his process that is really impressive to me,” shares President of Peermusic Nashville Michael Knox. “Clint has the technical knowledge and ability to see it through from conception to song production and delivery. Best of all, he’s an incredible person. We couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the Peermusic Nashville roster.”
Lagerberg notes, “”I’ve been a super fan of Knox from the first day we met forever ago. I knew he assembled a power team at Peermusic so when it came time to take publisher meetings I only had to take one. I knew within 5 minutes of us all sitting down that Peermusic was it. I’ve been writing in Nashville for 20 years and this team makes me feel that day one excitement all over again. I’m more inspired than I’ve ever been and I couldn’t be more pumped to be on this ride with them.”
The Concert For Love & Acceptance 10th Anniversary Show Set For June 2
/by Lorie HollabaughTy Herndon and GLAAD’s The Concert for Love & Acceptance is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year on June 2 at 7:30 p.m. The 2025 lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
The event is returning to Category 10, formerly the Wildhorse Saloon, where it has hosted unforgettable performances in years past to kick off the week of CMA Fest. Tickets are on sale now at f4la.org/.
“Reaching this 10-year milestone is incredibly special,” says Herndon.”The journey we’ve been on, building a space where artists and fans alike feel supported and uplifted, is something I’m so proud of. Returning to Category 10, where so many of our incredible past performances took place, makes this year even more meaningful.”
Proceeds from the event support Ty Herndon’s Foundation For Love and Acceptance, which has a dual focus on supporting the LGBTQ community alongside support for mental health and addiction and trauma recovery.
Katelyn Clampett Launches Herd Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughKatelyn Clampett
Songwriter, artist and producer Katelyn Clampett has launched her new company, Herd Music Group, a female-operated music production house in Nashville.
North Carolina native Clampett’s talents have taken her all over the world, performing with top artists in the industry including Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Vince Gill and Dan + Shay, among others. Her songs and content have gone viral across social media platforms, with over 250 million views, and 80 million music streams worldwide. Her songs have been featured on Dancing With The Stars, Britain’s Got Talent, CBS Sports and more. She was also a contestant on American Idol.
“I’m beyond excited to be spearheading a team of hardworking and incredibly-gifted women at Herd, and using our areas of expertise to help advocate for the safety and equality of women in the music industry,” says Clampett. “I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to bring more awareness to female producers and engineers, and also to amplify the voices of female artists to get more women ‘herd.’”
In This Issue: MusicRow Highlights Trailblazing Leadership With Women Of Music Row Issue
/by LB CantrellLast week, MusicRow unveiled its first-ever Women of Music Row Issue at the 12th annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast. With over 700 industry members in attendance, the moment was more than a celebration—it was a reflection of the incredible strides women are making in Nashville’s country music community.
This special edition of MusicRow Magazine highlights the stories, challenges, and achievements of women shaping the future of the industry—from boardrooms to writing rooms, and everywhere in between.
On the cover is rising Warner Music Nashville artist Avery Anna, who is gearing up to release her sophomore album, let go letters. The moving LP comprises songs all inspired by real-life situations shared by her fans via the “Let Go Letters.” The letter series has long been a safe space for Avery’s listener community, where she invites fans to “let go” of real-life experiences that may be troubling them by putting them on paper and sending them off.
Inside the issue, two powerhouses leading major labels—Cris Lacy at Warner Music Nashville and Taylor Lindsey at Sony Music Nashville—share their career evolution and how they’re reimagining leadership at the highest level.
Celebrating 10 years in business, the women of Farris, Self & Moore reflect on founding and growing one of Nashville’s premier business management firms. Their story offers a powerful blueprint for sustainable success rooted in trust, strategy and vision.
Industry veteran Jennie Smythe, founder and CEO of Girlilla Marketing, reveals a more personal side in a conversation about her upcoming memoir, Becoming Girlilla. Her story is one of reinvention, resilience and showing up authentically—both online and in real life.
In a raw look at the songwriting landscape, hitmakers Jessie Jo Dillon, Jessi Alexander, Trannie Anderson and Allison Veltz Cruz reflect on the joys and challenges of navigating Nashville as female songwriters. The conversation is underscored by recent data from MusicRow’s own Top Songwriter Chart: Of the 121 writers who made the list last year, only 17 were women—a stark reminder of the ongoing need for equity.
MusicRow also speaks with Todd Cassetty in this issue, the visionary behind Song Suffragettes, whose weekly writers round has become a vital pipeline for rising female artists and writers. With over 4,500 applicants, 500 curated performers and 54 record deals, the numbers speak volumes about the demand—and the talent.
The issue also honors the Rising Women on the Row Class of 2025—Lydia Schultz Cahill, Rakiyah Marshall, Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Katie Kerkhover, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Julie Sturdivant—whose work is paving the way for the next generation of industry leaders.
Single copies of MusicRow’s Women of Music Row Issue are available now at musicrow.com for $25 and are included with all yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Bryan Martin To Launch ‘Years In The Making Tour’ In April
/by Lorie HollabaughBryan Martin is set to kick off his new “Years in the Making Tour,” featuring support from Ben Roberts and Taylor Austin Dye, beginning April 16 in Lexington.
The 27-date tour, in support of his upcoming LP of the same name, will include stops in Indianapolis, Flagstaff, Portland, Memphis, Huntsville and more through Nov. 8. Martin will also make his debut at the Stagecoach Festival this year, bringing his hard-hitting country sound to one of the genre’s biggest stages.
All year long, Martin will bring his signature grit-coated anthems to audiences across the country, including his latest single, “Ain’t My Old Man.” Martin’s Platinum hit “We Ride” landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and has garnered over 300 million streams, and he has racked up over 800 million career streams to date. Martin’s Years in the Making is due out April 4.
Band Reeves Signs With Centricity Music
/by Madison HahnenBand Reeves & the Centricity Music leadership team.
Duo Band Reeves have inked a global recording and publishing deal with Centricity Music.
Based in Palestine, Texas, brothers Jeramy and Cody blend the country and Christian genres through acoustic storytelling. Their upbringing as preacher’s kids and living on the farm have shaped their music today, writing about the life they’re building and raising their children. Amid the noise and chaos of family life, the two have realized the importance of beginning their day with God’s Word.
“We want to write songs about real, everyday life,” shares Jeramy. “We’re everyday kind of people, who are going through the same things in life everybody else is going through. So, I want our music to be relatable. I want people to know that God wants to step into your everyday life, your everyday language; and when He does, it radically changes you in the best way possible.”
“God uses anybody and everybody. I mean, we’re nothing special,” adds Cody. “We’re just a couple of rednecks from a small town in East Texas, but God’s called us to do this, and He’s opened the doors. And for us, it’s all an opportunity to share Jesus.”
Even as signed artists, the two continue to work full-time in construction, a job that provides the stability to support their families and the flexibility to perform on weekends, a testament to the duo’s work ethic.
“We’re going to keep dirt, sawdust and paint on our hands in order to make sure we can continue doing this thing we’re called to do,” says Jeramy.
“From the start, our priority in partnering with artists has always been who they are as people,” explains John Mays, Centricity Music’s President of A&R. “With Cody, Jeramy and their families, that personal connection was immediate—we could see God already at work through their music and ministry, and we knew we wanted to be a part of it.” “These guys have a lot to say and a special way of saying it, so we’re grateful for their trust in us to help carry their music to the world.”
“We were immediately drawn to Jeramy and Cody – not just for their music but because of the heart behind what they do,” adds Mike Jay, Proper Management. “They have a strong sense of calling and mission. They’re reaching a segment of listeners that have, until recently, been underserved in the Christian music landscape.”
The brothers will release their label debut next month, and currently have shows slated in Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and more throughout the year.
CMA Fest Unveils 2025 Lineup
/by Madison HahnenThe nightly shows at Nissan Stadium will feature performances from chart-topping hit makers, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Bailey Zimmerman. More performers will be announced at a later date.
Set against the Cumberland River, Gavin Adcock, Tanner Adell, Cooper Alan, Drew Baldridge, Sam Barber, Gabby Barrett, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Colbie Caillat, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Jackson Dean, Marcus King, Randall King, Brandon Lake, Chris Lane, Ella Langley, Maddie & Tae, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Max McNown, Midland, Megan Moroney, Ian Munsick, RaeLynn, Redferrin, Josh Ross, Conner Smith, Austin Snell, Alana Springsteen, Thelma and James, Tigirlily Gold, The War And Treaty, Hudson Westbrook and Tucker Wetmore will all give daytime performances at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. MŌRIAH will kickoff Thursday’s (June 5) activities with a national anthem performance.
Over at Ascend Park, the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage will be packed with performances from Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, Casey Barnes, Danielle Bradbery, Blanco Brown, T Graham Brown, Karley Scott Collins, Billy Dean, Tyler Farr, Filmore, Josh Gracin, Ty Herndon, Braxton Keith, Erin Kinsey, Lakeview, Edwin McCain, John Morgan, Kylie Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Jamie O’ Neal, Mason Ramsey, Owen Riegling, Emily Ann Roberts, Reyna Roberts, Kaylee Rose, Shaylen, Sister Hazel, Iam Tongi, US Navy Band Country Current, Darryl Worley, Charlie Worsham and Jake Worthington.
Willow Avalon, Maddox Batson, Laci Kaye Booth, Brenn!, Franni Rae Cash, Chapel Hart, Julia Cole, Preston Cooper, Kolby Cooper, Wesley Dean, Melanie Dyer, Madeline Edwards, Mae Estes, Carter Faith, Lanie Gardner, Cole Goodwin, Fancy Hagood, Jack Wharff and The Tobacco Flats, Max Jackson, James Barker Band, Just Jayne, Alexandra Kay, Zach John King, Matt Lang, Bryce Leatherwood, Hannah McFarland, Walker Montgomery, Will Moseley, Elizabeth Nichols, Adrien Nunez, Scoot Teasley, Cameron Whitcomb, Blake Whiten, Austin Williams and Eli Winders will all take the stage at Bridgestone Plaza’s Good Molecules Reverb Stage.
Lastly, fans will be able to catch performances during the day and night from Ashley Anne, Palmer Anthony, Hayden Blount, BODHI, BoomTown Saints, Luke Borchelt, CECE, Hayden Coffman, Abbey Cone, Crowe Boys, Eddie and The Getaway, Sterling Elza, Brian Fuller, Giovannie and The Hired Guns, Colt Graves, Reid Haughton, Christian Hayes, The Heels, Hueston, Solon Holt, Preston James, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Britnee Kellogg, Alex Lambert, LECADE, Trey Lewis, Tyler Joe Miller, MŌRIAH, Clayton Mullen, O.N.E The Duo, Harper O’Neill, Pistol Pearl and the Western Band, Peytan Porter, RVSHVD, Sacha, Matt Schuster, Sophia Scott, SKEEZ, Kevin Smiley, Payton Smith, Liam St. John, Colin Stough, Troubadour Blue, Leah Turner, Alli Walker, Carson Wallace, Brendan Walter, Chandler Walters, Jay Webb, Wesko, Angel White and Sam Williams at the Hard Rock Stage.
Four night stadium passes are on sale now, and one night passes will go on sale this Friday (March 28) at 10 a.m. CST. The Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr. Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage and Hard Rock Stage are all free to all attendees.
Tyler Hubbard, Rhett Akins, More To Join Luke Bryan On Spring ‘Farm Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan performs at Farm Tour 2024. Photo: Eder Acevedo
Luke Bryan has announced the full lineup for his “Farm Tour 2025,” taking place for the first-time ever in California on May 15-17.
Tyler Hubbard, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and DJ Rock will appear on all shows, with Chayce Beckham joining the lineup on May 15-16. May 15’s show is in Atwater, California (Merced County) at The Castle Airport. On May 16 is will take place in Clovis, California (Fresno County) at The Ponds at Harlan Ranch. May 17 will be in Shafter, California (Kern County) at Sillect Farms. Tickets for the dates are on sale now at LukeBryan.com.
Since 2009, Bryan has awarded 84 college scholarships to students of farming families who are attending the local college or university near the “Farm Tour” stops.
Earlier this week, Bryan was inducted into the Star Trail of Fame by The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to honor his profound impact at the event over the years. Fans can catch him currently on ABC’s American Idol season eight, where he is a celebrity judge alongside Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood.