Hardy. Photo: Robby Klein
Hardy will launch his “Jim Bob World Tour” this May, headlining arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S. through September.
Longtime friends and collaborators Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sikarus and McCoy Moore will join as support on select dates on the tour, which will include stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Kansas City, New York City, Birmingham and many more. He will also tour overseas with stops in Amsterdam, London, Glasgow, Dublin and more beginning in late June. Fan pre-sales will begin tomorrow (Feb. 11) with general on sale Feb. 14 at hardyofficial.com.
Fresh off the heels of his first-ever live album, Hardy (Live From Red Rocks), the tour continues a monumental run for Hardy. In 2024, he released his No. 1 LP Quit!!; toured across North America including his first stadium show; collaborated with heroes Fred Durst and Chad Smith; appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!; hit 15 No. 1 songs; racked up over six billion career streams and more.
“Jim Bob World Tour” Dates:
May 22 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – Chula Vista, CA*
May 23 – T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV*
May 24 – Glen Helen Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA*
May 29 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT*
May 30 – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater – Nampa, ID*
May 31 – Cascades Amphitheater – Ridgefield, WA*
June 5 – Save Mart Center – Fresno, CA*
June 6 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA*
June 7 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA*
June 23 – Melkweg – Amsterdam, Netherlands**
June 25 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, U.K.**
June 27 – O2 Academy Brixton – London, U.K.§
June 29 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester, U.K.§
June 30 – O2 Academy – Glasgow, U.K.§
July 2 – Waterfront Hall – Belfast, Northern Ireland§
July 3 – National Stadium – Dublin, Ireland§
August 14 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO†
August 15 – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center – Sioux Falls, SD†
August 16 – Somerset Amphitheater – Somerset, WI†
August 21 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI†
August 22 – Pine Knob Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI†
August 29 – Maine Savings Amphitheater – Bangor, ME†
August 30 – Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT†
September 4 – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, NY†
September 5 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA†
September 6 – Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA†
September 11 – Brandon Amphitheater – Brandon, MS‡
September 12 – Coca-Cola Amphitheater – Birmingham, AL‡
September 13 – CCNB Amphitheatre – Simpsonville, SC‡
September 18 – Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA†
September 19 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL†
September 20 – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL†
September 24 – Madison Square Garden – New York City, NY†
*with Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr. and McCoy Moore
**with Bec O’Malley
§with McCoy Moore
†With Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sikarus
‡with Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sikarus
Bryan Martin Slates New LP ‘Years In The Making’
/by Lorie HollabaughBryan Martin has announced he’ll release his upcoming album, Years In The Making, on April 4. The first single from the 13-track project, “Ain’t My Old Man,” is out now via Average Joes Entertainment.
Written by Martin, Lee Thomas Miller and Nick Walsh, “Ain’t My Old Man” delves into Martin’s relationship with his father, capturing the universal feeling of realizing you’ve inherited more from your parents than you ever expected.
“I think a lot of us grow up wanting to be like our dads, but at the same time saying, ‘I don’t want to be nothing like that when I grow up,” Martin shares. “I want to have more patience and teach my kids how to do things. Then you grow up and sometimes you catch yourself in moments where you’re just like, ‘man, I’m just like that guy.’”
Martin continues to build momentum following his Platinum hit, “We Ride,” which has garnered over 300 million streams and landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, and the success of his rising single, “Wolves Cry,” which is currently climbing the country charts.
Years In The Making Track List:
1. “What About Me”
2. “Wishbone”
3. “Goin For Broke”
4. “Headstrong”
5. “Buzzards” (Explicit)
6. “Cowboy In This Indian”
7. “Silver and Gold” (feat. Ben Roberts)
8. “Years In The Making”
9. “Don’t Come Lookin For Me” (feat. Marty Stuart)
10. “Wolves Cry”
11. “Ain’t My Old Man”
12. “Gettin Fore The Gone”
13. “Easier Bein Me”
MusicRow Job Opening: Staff Writer
/by MusicRow StaffMusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, is seeking a full-time Staff Writer.
This position is responsible for creating high-quality content for MusicRow.com and its six annual print issues. Key duties include writing and proofreading daily news articles, covering concerts and events, collaborating with the Editor to produce diverse content for Music Row Enterprises and maintaining editorial standards. The ideal candidate will efficiently write a set number of articles each day, review press releases and identify newsworthy content aligned with MusicRow.com’s audience.
Job Requirements:
– 2+ years of professional experience in the music business, with experience in online content writing
– Must be based in Nashville
– Strong understanding of the music business, specifically the Nashville music business
– Experience with fast-paced, but quality writing
– Strong ability to manage high volumes of content
– Excellent communication and time-management skills
– Bachelor’s in Music Business, Journalism, Communications, Online Media or equivalent
– Experience in Wordpress is a plus
Send resume (with salary requirement) to jobs@musicrow.com.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. for any employer. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Jason Scott & The High Heat Expand Reach On New LP ‘American Grin’
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Scott & The High Heat are set to release their new album, American Grin on March 28 via Leo33. To commemorate the announcement, the band released “Golden,” from the upcoming project last Friday (Feb. 7).
The album builds on their debut project, Castle Rock, and broadens their distinctive style by blending high-energy Southern rock with rugged Americana, a touch of honky tonk grit and anthems perfect for the open road. A balance of humor and depth shine throughout the album, whether in the Friday-night misadventures of “Me & The Bottle (Hungover You)”, the thumping, guitar-driving “Yardwork,” or the symphonic closer “Maria,” which recalls the lush experimentalism of Wilco and The Beach Boys.
Produced by former bandmate Taylor Johnson, the album was recorded in both Oklahoma City and the Texas borderlands, where the band drew inspiration from the local sounds and culture. From ZZ Top-style guitars on “If We Make Til The Mornin’” to the mariachi-inspired elements in “Interstate of Mind,” American Grin broadens the band’s sonic landscape while remaining rooted in the grit and groove they’ve become known for.
“We wanted to be a little bit playful during such a serious time,” Scott says of the album, which he began writing during the pandemic. “To pull back, look at the landscape, and write about the absurdity of American life.”
American Grin Track List:
1. “Jimmy” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
2. “High Country” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
3. “Golden” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
4. “Me & The Bottle (Hungover You)” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
5. “Interstate of Mind” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
6. “Yardwork” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
7. “Natalie” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
8. “Intermission” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
9. “Bernadette”(Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
10. “Too Wasted” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
11. “If We Make Til The Mornin’” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
12. “Get In Line” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
13. “Maria” (Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson)
Sony Music Publishing Elevates Henry Naldjian
/by Madison HahnenHenry Naldjian
Sony Music Publishing has promoted Henry Naldjian to Chief Technology Officer, effective immediately. Naldjian will remain at the company’s Nashville office and will report to Bill Starke, Sony Music Publishing’s Chief Information Officer.
In his new position as CTO, Naldjian will lead the company’s ongoing technological transformation and drive innovation to support the company’s business strategy. Additionally, he will spearhead cross-team collaboration to ensure global alignment across the organization.
“I am truly honored to work for a company that has done so much for advancing music and technology, and I’m grateful to be a part of such an impactful team,” shares Naldjian. “I can honestly say that this has never felt like a job but rather a labor of love. In a world where technology evolves at the speed of thought, our greatest asset is not the code we write, but the empowerment we provide to our songwriters and clients.”
“Henry’s dedicated leadership and innovative approach have significantly contributed to SMP’s advancements over the years, and we are proud to recognize him with this promotion,” adds Starke. “I am confident that Henry will continue to drive our technology forward as he steps into this new role.”
With more than 34 years of experience, Naldjian has been a key leader within the IT team. Throughout his time at Sony Music Publishing, he has held various roles, playing a pivotal part in the development, implementation and management of the company’s copyright and royalty system, Tempo. As an enterprise architect, he has been crucial in driving initiatives such as the company’s shift to cloud computing and advancing data and insights efforts. Naldjian began his career as a programmer at CBS Records International and later joined Sony Music Entertainment to help build and manage their global royalty system before transitioning to Sony Music Publishing.
Hardy To Kick Off ‘Jim Bob World Tour’ In May
/by Lorie HollabaughHardy. Photo: Robby Klein
Hardy will launch his “Jim Bob World Tour” this May, headlining arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S. through September.
Longtime friends and collaborators Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Sikarus and McCoy Moore will join as support on select dates on the tour, which will include stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Kansas City, New York City, Birmingham and many more. He will also tour overseas with stops in Amsterdam, London, Glasgow, Dublin and more beginning in late June. Fan pre-sales will begin tomorrow (Feb. 11) with general on sale Feb. 14 at hardyofficial.com.
Fresh off the heels of his first-ever live album, Hardy (Live From Red Rocks), the tour continues a monumental run for Hardy. In 2024, he released his No. 1 LP Quit!!; toured across North America including his first stadium show; collaborated with heroes Fred Durst and Chad Smith; appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!; hit 15 No. 1 songs; racked up over six billion career streams and more.
“Jim Bob World Tour” Dates:
May 22 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – Chula Vista, CA*
May 23 – T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV*
May 24 – Glen Helen Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA*
May 29 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT*
May 30 – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater – Nampa, ID*
May 31 – Cascades Amphitheater – Ridgefield, WA*
June 5 – Save Mart Center – Fresno, CA*
June 6 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA*
June 7 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA*
June 23 – Melkweg – Amsterdam, Netherlands**
June 25 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, U.K.**
June 27 – O2 Academy Brixton – London, U.K.§
June 29 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester, U.K.§
June 30 – O2 Academy – Glasgow, U.K.§
July 2 – Waterfront Hall – Belfast, Northern Ireland§
July 3 – National Stadium – Dublin, Ireland§
August 14 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO†
August 15 – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center – Sioux Falls, SD†
August 16 – Somerset Amphitheater – Somerset, WI†
August 21 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI†
August 22 – Pine Knob Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI†
August 29 – Maine Savings Amphitheater – Bangor, ME†
August 30 – Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT†
September 4 – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, NY†
September 5 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA†
September 6 – Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA†
September 11 – Brandon Amphitheater – Brandon, MS‡
September 12 – Coca-Cola Amphitheater – Birmingham, AL‡
September 13 – CCNB Amphitheatre – Simpsonville, SC‡
September 18 – Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA†
September 19 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL†
September 20 – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL†
September 24 – Madison Square Garden – New York City, NY†
*with Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr. and McCoy Moore
**with Bec O’Malley
§with McCoy Moore
†With Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sikarus
‡with Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sikarus
Tim Wipperman Joins Humanable As CEO
/by Madison HahnenTim Wipperman
Tim Wipperman has joined Humanable as the company’s first CEO. He is already on the job.
Humanable’s software allows music creators to verify that their songwriting, performances or recordings were made without the use of GenAI. This guarantees a transparent, royalty-generating music supply chain, giving publishers, platforms and labels confidence that they are not being deceived. It also supports artists by ensuring their work can be used in the marketplace. To date, the company has certified 3.4 million songs.
“Humanable is thrilled to have Tim join us as our CEO,” shares Lili McGrady, President of Humanable. “He brings extraordinary experience, wisdom and passion for genuine, human-made music and is already an indispensable part of our music culture. Tim and I are excited to facilitate business and artist partnerships and keep working to protect real music.”
Wipperman started his career as the Founder and Senior Executive of Warner Chappell Music in Nashville for 29 years. He also held key roles at Equity Records, Wipperman Music Group/Rezonant Music, Anthem Entertainment and ONErpm before joining Humanable. Known for his expertise in A&R, business development and entrepreneurial growth, Wipperman has created innovative and lasting music platforms throughout his career. A proactive leader and Billboard Power Player, he has made notable contributions to the music industry through board service and is celebrated for creating major corporate divisions.
“My career has been built on the shoulders of the bedrock creators of our industry: writers and artists,” adds Wipperman. “I want to do something at this point in life that helps guarantee their survival, given GenAI’s disruption of the creative process. History has proven backend technology alone can’t do that. Humanable is a unique, first to market, author-driven way to mitigate the danger GenAI poses to them, and I’m honored to be able to join in that vision.”
K-Love Fan Awards Return To Opry House May 25
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Bart Millard, Mac Powell, Jeremy Camp and Matthew West
Matthew West, Jeremy Camp, Mac Powell and Bart Millard have been announced as hosts of the upcoming 12th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards on May 25 at The Opry House in Nashville.
Tickets and travel packages for the 12th annual fan-voted awards show, that concludes the biggest weekend in Christian music, are available here.
Additional details for weekend events including the Friday night kickoff concert, Emerging Artist Showcase, Songwriter’s showcase, Sunday morning worship service and more will be announced at a later date.
Katherine Godwin Joins Tape Room Music As Manager/A&R
/by Lorie HollabaughKatherine Godwin. Photo: Sean O’Halloran
Katherine Godwin has joined Tape Room Music as Manager, A&R.
Godwin first interned in the publishing arm of Big Machine Label Group while completing her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University. The Georgia native then worked as a publishing assistant before serving as creative coordinator, managing a catalog of over 14,000 songs in the span of three years. Her leadership across branding efforts for writers, project management oversight and acute focus on consumption data analysis contributed to the overall success of the roster and team, celebrating 10 No. 1s while at Big Machine Music.
“We are thrilled to welcome Katherine to Tape Room,” shares President Blain Rhodes. “Her abilities and work ethic, combined with her passion for songwriters, make her the perfect addition to our team. Her dedication and expertise will be a tremendous asset to our roster and company as a whole.”
Founded by hit songwriter Ashley Gorley, Tape Room Music writers have celebrated 50 No. 1 songs, including Nate Smith’s 10-week smash “World On Fire,” Hardy’s boundary-defying “Truck Bed,” Morgan Wallen’s six-week chart topper “Thinkin’ Bout Me” and more. Tape Room topped both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase Most-Heard Songs of 2024 chart.
“I am incredibly fortunate to be part of the team that Ashley, Blain and Caroline have built,” shares Godwin. “In the short time I’ve been with them, it’s clear that the talent, drive and integrity of this team is unparalleled. I’m excited to grow alongside such a dedicated roster and look forward to advocating for these exceptional writers as they continue to build their careers.”
IBMA Adds Two To Team, Elevates One
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Rebecca Bauer, Elizabeth Dewey and Haley Grimm.
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has added Rebecca Bauer as Marketing Director and Haley Grimm as Administrative Manager. Additionally, Elizabeth Dewey has been promoted to Communications Director.
Bauer, originally from Maryland, has called Tennessee home for more than two decades. She holds a master’s degree in marketing from Johns Hopkins University and has extensive experience in leadership and strategic marketing within the arts, entertainment and non-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Bauer has worked with organizations like the Franklin Theatre, Nashville Symphony, City Winery and Pepsi Bottling Group. In her role as Marketing Director, she will lead strategic planning, partnerships and digital marketing initiatives to increase the visibility of the IBMA and IBMA World of Bluegrass.
Dewey first joined IBMA in April 2024 as Administrative Manager and now serves as Communications Director. In this role, she will manage brand strategy, content creation, email communications and media relations. A 2023 graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music, Dewey has been involved with the IBMA since 2021, when she began as an intern and developed a deep passion for the bluegrass music industry.
Grimm is currently in her final semester at Belmont University, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music, with plans to graduate in May 2025. Originally from Westmont, Illinois, Grimm interned at IBMA from May to October 2024, gaining valuable experience with the organization’s operations. In her role as Administrative Manager, Grimm will support the IBMA staff and assist with various programs, including IBMA Leadership Bluegrass and the IBMA International Band Performance Grant.
“These staff changes mark an exciting new chapter for the IBMA as we strengthen our team to support the global bluegrass music community and prepare for the monumental year ahead,” shares IBMA Executive Director Ken White. “With relocating IBMA World of Bluegrass to Chattanooga, Tennessee and the celebration of our 40th anniversary, I’m confident that welcoming fresh perspectives will help drive our mission forward while fostering growth and visibility for bluegrass music worldwide.”
Paramount ‘Pauses’ CMT Music Awards
/by LB CantrellJelly Roll poses with his awards during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CMT
Paramount Global has put a hold on several major events, including the 2025 CMT Music Awards, as it reassesses the production’s future. The news, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, comes from an internal memo issued by Bruce Gillmer, Paramount’s President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Media Networks, and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. It was confirmed by MusicRow.
Other affected events include the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Mexico and the MTV MIAW.
“Our world-class events remain a key component of Paramount’s music offering as we continue to raise the bar in delivering iconic, unforgettable performances and moments that drive pop culture. We have the best team in the business, and we are grateful for your hard work and dedication in bringing these events to life,” Gillmer wrote in the memo.
The decision follows a series of organizational changes at Paramount, including layoffs that impacted CMT, notably affecting then-Senior Vice President of Music Strategy & Talent, Leslie Fram.