Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, More Set To Play Milwaukee’s Summerfest

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Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and Riley Green

Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and Nate Smith are among the huge lineup of artists set to perform at this year’s Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 19-21, June 26-28 and July 3-5.

Jo Dee Messina, Whiskey Myers, Phil Vassar, Billy Currington, The Lumineers, Hozier, The Killers, Megan Thee Stallion, Benson Boone, Def Leppard, James Taylor, The Avett Brothers, Japanese Breakfast, The Fray, Richard Marx, Gary Clark Jr. and many more are also set to appear during the festival, which will feature hundreds of performances across 12 stages throughout the 75-acre festival grounds along Lake Michigan. Tickets are on sale now at Summerfest.com.

“As an independent music festival, Summerfest delivers a one-of-a-kind experience, bringing fans together from all backgrounds to enjoy incredible performances and Milwaukee’s vibrant energy,” says Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “Today is an exciting day as we unveil this year’s lineup with over 160 artists spanning all genres of music.”

Cole Goodwin Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Concord’s Brad Kennard; Cole Goodwin; Concord’s Courtney Allen. (L-R, back row): Concord’s Melissa Spillman and Matt Turner. Photo: Audrey Spillman

Singer-songwriter Cole Goodwin has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing.

Hailing from Pooler, Georgia, Goodwin released his self-produced EP Soon Enough in 2023. The 24-year-old has since toured the Southeast, opening for artists including Austin Snell, Conner Smith and Zach Top. In 2024, he released the tracks “When You Get Home” and “Catchin’ On,” which quickly became fan favorites. Goodwin released his latest single, “Fast Track Back,” an upbeat, light-hearted tune that expresses the feeling of getting back to loved ones after being on the road in January.

This spring, Goodwin will be opening for Top on his “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour,” as well as some dates on Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith’s “Did We Just Become Best Friends? Tour.” He’ll also join Luke Bryan this summer on select dates on his 30+ city “Country Song Came On Tour.”

“The first time I met Cole, I knew he was something special,” says Courtney Allen, Sr. Director, A&R at Concord Music Publishing Nashville. “He blew me away with his magnetic personality and self-confidence and especially, with the songs he had penned solo. He is proof that traditional country music is alive and well in the next generation of hitmakers and I am thrilled that he has chosen Concord as his publishing home.”

“Courtney was one of the first publishers I met in town, and I instantly fell in love with her personality, and her love of good songs,” adds Goodwin. “Courtney has been so encouraging and supportive of me since our first meeting, and I am so thrilled to be able to work with her and the rest of the Concord team!”

CRS Reveals Lineup For ‘Team UMG At The Ryman’

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Country Radio Seminar (CRS) has unveiled the lineup for the 2025 “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon. Performers include Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Crowe Boys, Jordan Davis, Eric Church, Carter Faith, Belle Frantz, Vince Gill, Tyler Hubbard, Bryce Leatherwood, Vincent Mason, Parker McCollum, Brad Paisley, Jon Pardi, Josh Ross and Tucker Wetmore.

The luncheon will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville and kicks off at noon. Shuttle buses between the Omni Nashville Hotel and the Ryman Auditorium will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.

“Team UMG at the Ryman” offers attendees a chance to see some of the biggest names in country music perform at one of country music’s most iconic venues. The full agenda, speaker bios, artist lineups, session details and more are now available via the official CRS 2025 mobile app.

Advance registration for CRS 2025 is now closed. On-site registration will be available starting Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the rate of $799.

Bobby Bones’ Live Broadcast Event To Air In Movie Theaters

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Bobby Bones‘ “Music Night: Live From Nashville!” will air in select movie theaters in March.

The program will feature hit songwriters Brett James, Kelly Archer and Matt Jenkins sharing the stories behind the songs. There have been 40 No. 1 songs between the three writers, including chart toppers from Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, Faith Hill and more.

The live broadcast will air on March 8 at 7 p.m. CT, with an encore presentation on March 11 at 7 p.m. local time.

“Music Night” will be broadcast live from The Analog, one of Nashville’s most intimate and coveted live music venues, offering a listening room-like atmosphere. The event is presented in collaboration with Fathom Entertainment, a distributor of specialty content to theaters around the world. Viewers will get an exclusive front-row experience of an authentic, stripped-back musical performance streamed directly to theaters near them.

“There’s something truly special about getting to hear the stories behind the songs we all know and love,” shares Bones. “Songwriters are the heart of the music industry, and this event is a chance to shine a light on their incredible talent. I’m thrilled to bring the magic of Nashville’s songwriting tradition to audiences in theaters across the country in a way that’s never been done before.”

“For more than twenty years, Fathom has delivered the ultimate ‘best seat in the house’ experience to music fans, showcasing an incredible range of talent on the big screen,” adds Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer of Fathom Entertainment. “With ‘Music Night,’ we are doing something truly unique – putting the songwriters themselves in the spotlight. Fans of Nashville’s dynamic live music scene, the music business, and the art of songwriting will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the heart and soul behind the music like never before.”

“I had been in and out of Nashville for years, but it wasn’t until I moved here that I discovered the city’s most prized possession: the songwriters,” says Executive Producer Dean Sell. “Nashville is a very special place, but not everyone can get here. So we’re bringing a little piece of Music City to the world.”

Tickets for the movie theater broadcasts can be purchased here.

Brandi Carlile Among Oscar Nominees Celebrated In Songwriters Hall Of Fame Virtual Event

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Brandi Carlile is among this year’s Oscar-nominated songwriters who will be celebrated during The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s exclusive all-star virtual event, “A Conversation with 2025 Oscar-Nominated Songwriters for Best Original Song,” viewable free at songhall.org from Feb. 10- March 3.

This is the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s ninth annual program that exclusively shines a spotlight on leading songwriters nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category. The event is co-hosted and moderated by legendary songwriters and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Nile Rodgers, (who currently serves as Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman), and Paul Williams, a SHOF Johnny Mercer Award honoree and 1977 Academy Award winner for Best Original Song for “Evergreen.”

The star-studded panel features Oscar-nominated songwriters including Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada (“Like A Bird” from Sing Sing), Carlile (“Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late), Clément Ducol and Camille (“El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez) and Diane Warren (“The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight). The nominees engage in a discussion about how they got involved with the films, their influences, writing process and collaborations and much more.

BREAKING: Dennis Reese Returns To Sony Music Nashville

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Dennis Reese. Photo: Courtesy of Dennis Reese

Sony Music Nashville (SMN) has appointed Dennis Reese as Senior Vice President of Radio Marketing & Promotion. In this role, Reese will lead the development and execution of strategic radio promotional campaigns for both the RCA Nashville and Columbia Nashville labels. He will report directly to Chair and CEO Taylor Lindsey, as well as President and COO Ken Robold, and will start this Friday (Feb. 14).

“We are thrilled to welcome back Dennis to the company,” shares Lindsey. “His experience at both the country and pop formats, excellent leadership skills and dedication to the artists he’s worked is unmatched and we are fortunate enough to have him this time at the helm of our promotion team. SMN remains committed to promoting our artists at radio and we know Dennis will continue to bring the No. 1s and advocate for our artists every day.”

Reese spent the past year at Neon Coast, where he supported the label’s roster, including Kane Brown, Restless Road, Nightly, Dylan Schneider and Kat Luna. Before that, he spent seven years leading the RCA Nashville imprint, where he helped secure 24 No. 1 records. Reese’s career began with a successful tenure in pop music, working with Epic Records, Capitol Music Group, Elektra Records and Columbia Records.

George Strait & Chris Stapleton Extend Run Of Stadium Shows

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George Strait and Chris Stapleton

Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait and 11-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton have extended their run of stadium shows into 2025, adding five shows kicking off in May.

Joining Strait and Stapleton for this run of one-off stadium dates will be special guest Parker McCollum for the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Foxborough dates with Little Big Town joining for the only west coast show at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.

The announcement follows Strait setting a record for the largest single ticketed concert in U.S. History and a new record for Texas A&M Kyle Field for a single event with 110,905 fans in attendance. The performance was one of only 10 live shows from Strait last year including a supersized stop at Allegiant Stadium for his 37th Strait to Vegas show.

“I keep trying to slow down a bit but you keep calling me back. Please don’t ever stop. I still love it just as much as I always have,” shares Strait. “Thank you for an amazing year last year and I can’t wait to see you for a few more again this year. Chris will be back and glad to have Little Big Town with us in LA. For the other cities, we’ve added Parker M. to the show which will be outstanding. Can’t wait to see you!!”

Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. local time via GeorgeStrait.com. American Express is providing Card Members access to Amex Presale Tickets, available for purchase starting Thursday, Feb. 20, before the general public on-sale, while supplies last.

George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Parker McCollum:
May 10, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
May 31, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Acrisure Stadium
June 14, 2025 – Buffalo, NY – Highmark Stadium
June 21, 2025 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium

George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Little Big Town:
July 19, 2025 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium

Ryan Hurd Inks With The Core Entertainment

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Ryan Hurd. Photo: Rachel Deeb

Ryan Hurd has signed a management deal with The Core Entertainment.

Renowned for his mix of modern country storytelling and rock-inspired production, the Nashville-based Big Machine Records artist has surpassed one billion on-demand career streams. He has earned multiple award nominations, including CMA Awards, ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards, as well as two Grammy nominations. In addition, he has achieved several No. 1 hits as both a singer and songwriter with cuts by Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Lady A, Diplo, Morgan Wallen and more. The Core will be working alongside Hurd to advance his artistic and commercial success.

Hurd is preparing to release his sophomore album, Midwest Rock & Roll, on March 21. The 12-track album, which Hurd co-wrote in full, offers a cinematic glimpse into the lives of heartland dreamers, celebrating his Midwestern roots and the pursuit of a dream. His latest single, “Die For It,” co-written with Mark Holman and Randy Montana, delves into the complexities of love, from its highest peaks to its deepest valleys. The track sets the stage for the album, which Hurd describes as a coming-of-age journey that captures the feeling of playing in your first band.

“Ryan’s ability to seamlessly blend country storytelling with rock influences makes him a unique and powerful voice in today’s music landscape,” share Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, Co-Founders and CEOs of The Core Entertainment. “His knack for crafting compelling music that resonates across genres is something we’re incredibly excited to support as he enters this next era.”

Hurd will be managed by Zaruk and Tikhman, alongside Brittani Johnson.

Brad Paisley To Return To Wynn Las Vegas With ‘One Man Six Strings Show’

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Brad Paisley. Photo: Jim Shea

Brad Paisley will return to the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas with his acoustic show, “One Man Six Strings,” this spring.

Paisley will put on intimate, acoustic performances on May 9 and 10. Tickets for both performances go on sale to the public this Friday (Feb. 14.) at 10 a.m. PT here.

Amassing nearly five billion streams over his 20-year career, Paisley has written 21 of his 25 No. 1s, many of which will be performed during this acoustic show, including fan favorites like “Mud on the Tires,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” and others.

For nearly 25 years, his songwriting and showmanship have won him numerous awards, including three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 14 Country Music Association Awards including a coveted Entertainer of the Year honor, along with recognition as the most successful CMA Award co-host in history, alongside Carrie Underwood for 11 consecutive years.

Matt Lang Signs With Anthem Entertainment [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L-R): Gilles Godard, Maddie Sanderson, Leighanna Martin, Matt Lang and Scot Sherrod. Photo: Courtesy of Anthem Entertainment

Singer-songwriter Matt Lang has inked a global publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment.

Since dropping his debut self-titled EP in 2018, Lang has racked up over 50 million streams, scored three top 10 radio singles and earned multiple accolades. His notable achievements include receiving a Gold Ticket award from ADISQ for selling more than 50,000 tickets during his “More” tour, a certified Gold single for his Billboard chart-topping hit “Getcha” (which he also co-wrote) and several nominations, including three CCMA Award nods. As a highly sought-after live performer, Lang has graced stages at major events like Canada’s Boots & Hearts festival, Lasso Montreal Festival and Festival d’été de Québec, where he opened for Luke Combs to a crowd of 80,000. He has also toured internationally, performing in Berlin and at the C2C and Buckle & Boots Festivals in the UK.

“I have followed Matt’s career for the last 7 years and saw firsthand his meteoric rise in the world of country music, fueled by his unique talent as a performer, his unstoppable work ethic, and unwavering dedication to his fans,” shares Gilles Godard, President of Anthem’s Music Publishing division in Nashville. “Matt has an amazing future ahead of him, both as an artist and a songwriter, and Anthem is proud to represent his music on a global scale.”

Additionally, Lang has signed with WME for booking and River House Artists for management.

“Gilles has been following my career since the very beginning and has been a true supporter and friend along the way. Signing with Anthem means so much to me, and I’m so excited for what 2025 will bring,” adds Lang. “I’ve been dreaming of building a team in the U.S. for a long time, but I also wanted to take my time before making that next step. I’ve worked hard on learning English these past few years, and now I feel ready to take what we’ve been building in Quebec beyond the borders. It’s so reassuring that Anthem, River House Artists, and WME all see me for who I truly am and believe in the French guy from Maniwaki (QC) with a big dream. I couldn’t ask for a better team. I’ve never felt more ready and motivated for what’s to come!”

Lang is currently touring and selling out venues across Canada. His new single, “Back To The Bar,” featuring Montreal DJ Mike Demero, was released last Friday (Feb. 7). He will release more new music throughout 2025.