Onoleigh. Photo: Logen Christopher

Onoleigh is galloping onto the country scene with the release of her debut EP, First Rodeo, dropping March 14.

First Rodeo is the sound of turning pain into power, blending modern country with pop production. The five-track genre-bending fusion project is produced by Emile Ghantous (Pitbull, Boyz II Men, Fifth Harmony) and co-written with Onoleigh, Ghantous, Josh Goode, Sam SZND and Ally Sou. From grieving the loss of the future she imagined with her love in “Bottomless Tears” to embracing a new beginning in the title track, the EP guides the listener through every stage of a breakup, moving between vulnerability and self-assurance. At the core of the project lies the title track, an anthem brimming with confidence.

“This EP is all the different sides of me—the hopeless romantic, the girl crying on the bathroom floor, and the one walking away like a total badass,” shares Onoleigh. “I think anyone who’s ever had their heart broken will find a song that feels like their own.”

In celebration of the new project, Onoleigh will play an EP release show at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville March 13.

First Rodeo Track List:
1. “Higher Standards”
2. “Drink And Cry”
3. “OK Later”
4. “Bottomless Tears”
5. “First Rodeo”

Chase Rice surprised fans with the release of a special three-song EP, Live From Chief’s.

Captured during his recent acoustic shows at Chief’s on Broadway in Nashville on Feb. 13-14, the project highlights Rice’s unfiltered artistry in a way that fans rarely get to experience at larger arena shows. The project opens with standout covers of Eric Church’s “Carolina” (one of the first songs Rice was inspired to learn to play on guitar during his college years at UNC),  and George Strait’s iconic rodeo hit “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” which itself inspired the EP’s third song.

The previously unreleased “Cowboy Goodbye,” a yearning song co-written by Rice with Oscar Charles and Foy Vance during a recent post-Red Rocks retreat in Colorado, reflects on the sacrifices that come with the pursuit of music and serves as a pivotal moment for his next studio album Eldora, expected later this year.

“I love my life; I love my job; I love what I get to do for a living – but I’ve given up a lot to do it,” Rice shares in the live recording’s introduction, reflecting on the personal parallels between the life of a touring musician and that of a true cowboy. “I don’t have a family yet – that’s the goal – but that’s one of the main things that I’ve given up to do this thing… Since I was a little kid, I always wore the cowboy boots, I always wore the cowboy hat and the cowboy way of life was always just kind of in my mind.”

St. Jude patient Sully with Bobby Bones. Photo: Lily Nelson

Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots held their sold-out, eighth annual Million Dollar Show at the Ryman Auditorium on March 4, raising $221,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

O-Town and Bobby Bones. Photo: Mick Bodie

Known for their annual star-studded and surprise-filled roster, this year’s lineup included performances by Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots, Miranda Lambert, O-Town, Bailey Zimmerman, Tracy Lawrence, Clint Black, George Birge, The Castellows and Iris Copperman.

Fans were treated to several surprise guests throughout the evening, with Matt Stell opening the show with “I Prayed For You,” and Maddie & Tae surprising fans with “Die From A Broken Heart” and “Cowboy Songs.” Russell Dickerson then revved up the crowd with his infectious energy, performing his hits “Blue Tacoma,” and “Yours,” along with his new single “Happen To Me.” Rock band Lit also performed their hits “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable,” and the Turnpike Troubadours took the stage to perform “Diamonds & Gasoline” and “Good Lord Lorrie.”

The all-star night ended with a bang, as Lambert got fans on their feet with a boot-stomping version of her songs “Bluebird” and “Kerosene.” And as a final surprise, Bones welcomed Post Malone to the stage as the closing act, making his unofficial Ryman debut performing Hank Wiliams’ “Honky Tonk Blues” and his single “Stay.”

Since 2014, Bones and The Bobby Bones Show have raised over $27 million to help kids fight cancer and life-threatening diseases. Bones will host Music Night Live March 8 at 7 p.m. CT, giving viewers the chance to experience a Nashville Writer’s Round with an exclusive live broadcast from Nashville with stories and songs from award-winning songwriters.

Miranda Lambert and Bobby Bones. Photo: Reid Yarberry

Russell Dickerson. Photo: Mick Bodie

Bailey Zimmerman and Bobby Bones. Photo: Mick Bodie

George Birge. Photo: Mick Bodie

The Castellows. Photo: Mick Bodie

CMT has revealed the seven artists joining its Next Women of Country (NWOC) franchise, the brand’s initiative to support and promote emerging female talent

The CMT Next Women of Country: Class of 2025 includes Alexandra Kay, Dasha, Kaitlin Butts, Kat Luna, Lanie Gardner, Meghan Patrick and MŌRIAH.

Launched in 2013, the Next Women of Country campaign has become a leading platform for rising female artists in the genre, featuring digital series and nationwide tours with stars like Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Tanya Tucker and Maddie & Tae. The franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

Throughout the year, the 2025 class will receive cross-brand support, including features on CMT, CMT Music, PlutoTV’s CMT Equal Play channel, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, social media, curated playlists and the Paramount NYC Times Square Billboard.

Lauren Alaina (NWOC class of 2014) surprised this year’s inductees at CMT Studios, where she shared the news and discussed their journeys. The interviews will air during a special CMT Hot 20 Countdown on March 8 and 9 at 9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT. CMT will also highlight the new class throughout the week with an all-female video rotation and Times Square promotions.