Alison Krauss & Union Station are set to release their first new album in 14 years, Arcadia, on March 28 via Down The Road Records.
The first single from the new project, “Looks Like The End Of The Road,” introduces another new chapter for the band and now. The track reunited the band and reignited their focus to carve out the 10 songs on Arcadia.
“Usually, I find something that’s a first song, and then things fall into place,” says Krauss. “That song was ‘Looks Like The End Of The Road.’ Jeremy Lister wrote it, and it just felt so alive – and as always, I could hear the guys already playing it.”
Self-produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, Arcadia’s songs transcend time, reveal beautiful and tragic truths, and reaffirm why the group remains one of the most influential acts of the past four decades. Even during an extended period apart where each member was building a thriving solo career and earning a collective total of more than 70 Grammys and selling tens of millions of albums, they continued to search for and patiently collect music that might one day bring them back together.
Largely penned by writers including Robert Lee Castleman, Viktor Krauss, Bob Lucas, JD McPherson and Sarah Siskind, Arcadia‘s songs are contemporary reflections of history. The album welcomes brand new member Russell Moore, who is best known as the frontman for chart-topping group IIIrd Tyme Out and is IBMA’s most-awarded male vocalist of all time, on co-lead vocals, guitar and mandolin. Moore joins Krauss (fiddle, lead vocal), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Barry Bales (bass, vocals) on the new collection.
“The stories of the past are told in this music,” continues Krauss. “It’s that whole idea of ‘in the good old days when times were bad.’ There’s so much bravery and valor and loyalty and dreaming, of family and themes of human existence that were told in a certain way when our grandparents were alive. Someone asked me, ‘How do you sing these tragic tunes?’ I have to. It’s a calling. I feel privileged to be a messenger of somebody else’s story. And I want to hear what happened.”
Arcadia rejoins Alison Krauss & Union Station with Rounder Records founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, Bill Nowlin and John Virant, who are now heading up their own Down The Road Records. They first signed Krauss when she was 14 years old, and first worked with Douglas in 1975 when JD Crowe & The New South released their eponymous album, commonly referred to as Rounder 0044.
On the heels of Arcadia‘s release, Alison Krauss & Union Station will perform the music live at 75 tour dates across North America, with stops in Atlanta, Memphis, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Nashville, Richmond and more. Featuring Douglas, the “Arcadia 2025 Tour” is the band’s first run of shows together in more than ten years and kicks off April 17 in Louisville at The Louisville Palace.
Arcadia Track List:
1. “Looks Like The End Of The Road” (Jeremy Lister)
2. “The Hangman” (Maurice Ogden, Viktor Krauss)
3. “The Wrong Way” (Dan Tyminski, Robert Lee Castleman)
4. “Granite Mills” (Timothy Eriksen)
5. “One Ray Of Shine” (Sarah Siskind, Viktor Krauss)
6. “Richmond On The James” (Alison Krauss, G.T. Burgess)
7. “North Side Gal” (Jonathan David McPherson)
8. “Forever” (Robert Lee Castleman)
9. “Snow” (Bob Lucas)
10. “There’s A Light Up Ahead” (Jeremy Lister)
Lainey Wilson, Brad Paisley Among Latest Artists Announced To Appear At 67th Annual Grammys
/by Lorie HollabaughLainey Wilson and Brad Paisley are among the latest artists announced to appear at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 2), in a series of special performances including a star-studded salute to Quincy Jones, touching tributes celebrating the spirit of the city of Los Angeles and the annual In Memoriam segment.
Other artists slated to appear on the show, which takes place live Live from Crypto.com Arena in L.A. and will be hosted by Trevor Noah, include Brittany Howard, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent and Stevie Wonder.
Prior to the Telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and live.GRAMMY.com. Performers for that include Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira and Teddy Swims.
As announced last week, this year’s Grammy telecast will raise additional funds to support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts and honor the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect others. In order to generate maximum support not only for members of the music community but also for all those affected by the crisis in Los Angeles and the city at large, many events that traditionally make up Grammy Week have been canceled or reformatted. Since launching the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals last week, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have raised and pledged more than $4 million in emergency aid to music people affected by the wildfires.
To contribute to the Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, or if you or someone you know needs help, visit musicares.org/
Chrissy Greco Joins Activated Events
/by Madison HahnenChrissy Greco. Photo: Courtesy of Activated Events
Chrissy Greco has joined live events company Activated Events as Head of Marketing. In her new role, she will lead the company’s marketing initiatives for its over 30 live events.
Greco brings over 15 years of live music industry expeirence to Activated Events. Her most recent role was Head of Brand & Product Marketing at JamBase, where she led campaigns ranging from intimate venue performances to major international festivals. Her career is rooted in a deep passion for music and an insight into fan culture, focusing on event marketing and on creating innovative revenue streams for artists, venues and promoters. Greco has earned a reputation as a leader in the industry, known for crafting fan-focused campaigns that engage audiences across multiple platforms.
“Chrissy’s experience in both creative and data-driven marketing is exactly what we need as we scale our operations,” shares Steve Thacher, CEO of Activated Events. “Her ability to understand fan behavior, develop impactful narratives, and execute results-driven strategies will be instrumental in helping us expand our presence in the live events space.”
“Activated Events has a remarkable vision for live music events, and I’m honored to bring my experience to the dynamic team that’s dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for music fans,” says Greco.
As Head of Marketing, Greco will spearhead the company’s strategy for audience expansion, brand growth and maximizing marketing investments across its event portfolio. Her expertise in creating data-driven, targeted campaigns will play a crucial role in scaling operations and reaching new audiences.
Alison Krauss & Union Station Reach Back To The Past On New Project ‘Arcadia’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe first single from the new project, “Looks Like The End Of The Road,” introduces another new chapter for the band and now. The track reunited the band and reignited their focus to carve out the 10 songs on Arcadia.
“Usually, I find something that’s a first song, and then things fall into place,” says Krauss. “That song was ‘Looks Like The End Of The Road.’ Jeremy Lister wrote it, and it just felt so alive – and as always, I could hear the guys already playing it.”
Self-produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, Arcadia’s songs transcend time, reveal beautiful and tragic truths, and reaffirm why the group remains one of the most influential acts of the past four decades. Even during an extended period apart where each member was building a thriving solo career and earning a collective total of more than 70 Grammys and selling tens of millions of albums, they continued to search for and patiently collect music that might one day bring them back together.
Largely penned by writers including Robert Lee Castleman, Viktor Krauss, Bob Lucas, JD McPherson and Sarah Siskind, Arcadia‘s songs are contemporary reflections of history. The album welcomes brand new member Russell Moore, who is best known as the frontman for chart-topping group IIIrd Tyme Out and is IBMA’s most-awarded male vocalist of all time, on co-lead vocals, guitar and mandolin. Moore joins Krauss (fiddle, lead vocal), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Barry Bales (bass, vocals) on the new collection.
“The stories of the past are told in this music,” continues Krauss. “It’s that whole idea of ‘in the good old days when times were bad.’ There’s so much bravery and valor and loyalty and dreaming, of family and themes of human existence that were told in a certain way when our grandparents were alive. Someone asked me, ‘How do you sing these tragic tunes?’ I have to. It’s a calling. I feel privileged to be a messenger of somebody else’s story. And I want to hear what happened.”
Arcadia rejoins Alison Krauss & Union Station with Rounder Records founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, Bill Nowlin and John Virant, who are now heading up their own Down The Road Records. They first signed Krauss when she was 14 years old, and first worked with Douglas in 1975 when JD Crowe & The New South released their eponymous album, commonly referred to as Rounder 0044.
On the heels of Arcadia‘s release, Alison Krauss & Union Station will perform the music live at 75 tour dates across North America, with stops in Atlanta, Memphis, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Nashville, Richmond and more. Featuring Douglas, the “Arcadia 2025 Tour” is the band’s first run of shows together in more than ten years and kicks off April 17 in Louisville at The Louisville Palace.
Arcadia Track List:
1. “Looks Like The End Of The Road” (Jeremy Lister)
2. “The Hangman” (Maurice Ogden, Viktor Krauss)
3. “The Wrong Way” (Dan Tyminski, Robert Lee Castleman)
4. “Granite Mills” (Timothy Eriksen)
5. “One Ray Of Shine” (Sarah Siskind, Viktor Krauss)
6. “Richmond On The James” (Alison Krauss, G.T. Burgess)
7. “North Side Gal” (Jonathan David McPherson)
8. “Forever” (Robert Lee Castleman)
9. “Snow” (Bob Lucas)
10. “There’s A Light Up Ahead” (Jeremy Lister)
Spotify Wins MLC Lawsuit Over Bundling Royalties
/by LB CantrellSpotify has won a legal battle against The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), with a federal judge ruling in favor of the streaming giant’s revised royalty structure.
The MLC filed a lawsuit last year, accusing Spotify of unlawfully cutting its royalty payments nearly in half by bundling audiobooks with its premium subscription service.
In a decision issued Wednesday (Jan. 31), Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Spotify’s approach was permitted under federal regulations, stating that audiobook streaming constitutes a distinct product with more than “token value,” according to a report from Billboard.
“MLC cannot plausibly claim that having access to audiobooks is not something of intrinsic and monetary value to many, even if only a fraction of Spotify’s millions of Premium subscribers may take advantage of it,” the judge wrote. “The court can draw only one conclusion: that 15 hours of monthly audiobook streaming is a product or service that has more than token value.”
The ruling solidifies Spotify’s ability to pay a lower “bundled” rate under federal royalty guidelines, rejecting MLC’s argument that the company’s offering did not constitute a true bundle.
“We are extremely disappointed in the ruling,” Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) Executive Director Bart Herbison shared on Wednesday. “Following ten years of Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) proceedings with the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) where we won historic mechanical royalty rate increases, Spotify came up with a bundling scheme resulting in hundreds of millions in reduced payments to American songwriters. The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) filed a lawsuit in response. This news is a gut punch.
“NSAI is considering our next steps in our ongoing fight for fair compensation. We hope that deals such as the one just announced between Universal Music Group and Spotify, and recent direct agreements between Amazon and music publishers, will be beneficial in future Copyright Royalty Board proceedings where the streaming mechanical royalty rates for songwriters are set.”
Industry Ink: The MAX, Country Music Cruise, Big Trip, Y’ALL 106.7
/by Lorie HollabaughThe MAX Inducts Five New Members In Mississippi
Mac McAnally
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) inducted five new members into its Hall of Fame on Jan. 23, at a ceremony in downtown Meridian. Folklorist William “Bill” Ferris, historian and novelist Shelby Foote, poet Natasha Trethewey and singer-songwriters Bobbie Gentry and Mac McAnally were inducted in front of 700-plus attendees who filled the historic theater at the Mississippi State University Riley Center.
Ferris, McAnally and Trethewey were all on hand to accept their awards, while Huger Foote accepted on behalf of his late father. Video tributes honoring each of the five new Hall of Fame members played throughout the night. The MAX president and CEO Penny Kemp delivered a memorial tribute for the late Marty Gamblin, longtime music industry professional and founding director of The MAX. McAnally capped off the ceremony with a performance of “Back Where I Come From,” including a reprise of the chorus that had the 700+ in attendance singing along just before the ceremony closed.
Country Music Cruise Raises $90K For Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Pictured (L-R): Mike Jason, StarVista LIVE President/Country Music Cruise Executive Producer; Ben Hall, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum VP of Development; winners Eric Blankenship of All Access Coach and Danny Hamilton; and Craig Campbell, Campbell Entertainment. Photo: Tom Konisiewicz/StarVista LIVE
The Country Music Cruise and parent company StarVista LIVE announced a charitable relationship with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last year, and the patrons on last week’s sold-out cruise raised $90,000 for the Museum. Two Gibson guitars were autographed by artists performing on this year’s cruise and sold via live auction prior to Neal McCoy taking the stage. One guitar was purchased for $40,000, and the other raised $50,000. Each winner was also presented a complimentary Honor Society membership to the Museum, which includes an invitation to its exclusive Medallion Ceremony, the annual induction of new Country Music Hall of Fame members.
Y’ALl 106.7 To Debut Talkin’ With Taylor
Taylor Stanford
Y’ALL 106.7 will launch a new weekly radio show, Talkin’ With Taylor, airing every Sunday at Noon beginning Feb. 16. Each week, on-air personality Taylor Stanford will be joined by a celebrity guest co-host to continue the country music conversations on-air taking listeners behind the scenes of the music industry with an inside look at the artist’s lifestyle while playing fan favorite songs from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s.
“It’s amazing to see how generous artists have been with their time, just dropping by the Y’ALL studio to share their music and stories,” says Brand Manager Ron Allen. “We have our podcast, website and social media where we can post this content but I feel it’s time to share these cool conversations directly to our on-air audience and with Taylor’s truly conversational interview style Talkin’ with Taylor is going to be just fun to listen to.”
Hard Rock International, BMG & Gray Media Team To Offer TV Series ‘The Song’ Globally
/by Lorie HollabaughHard Rock International, BMG & Gray Media have joined forces to offer global distribution of the TV Series The Song.
Season VI of the show premiered Jan. 11-12 and the 13 new episodes hosted by Krista Marie featured The Fray, Akon, Hinder, Five For Fighting, The Frontmen, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Neon Trees, Mitchell Tenpenny and more.
New this season, Hard Rock will be debuting The Song at over 300 of the company’s Hard Rock properties in over 80 countries including the U.S. Fans will see full performances in Hard Rock Cafes, in casino areas and in hotel rooms.
“Hard Rock is proud to partner with The Song to give artists a platform to tell their stories and to connect with new and longtime fans,” says Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “We’re excited to see this production come to life in millions of households around the world, and look forward to giving our guests more ways to engage with this incredible content.”
The Song has also formed a global partnership with BMG making the performances available on demand to the general public. Eventually, the entire catalog will be available through the BMG portal.
“Featuring iconic artists like Peter Frampton, Jason Mraz and Richard Marx, The Song masterfully captures historic musical moments for incredible songs which have become the soundtrack of our lives,” says Tom Scherer, BMG President Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing North America. “It is even more meaningful when these artists share the stories behind these amazing works – bringing us all even closer to the song, the story and the artist.”
“Who would have known when we started filming this series six years ago we would become the preeminent live music series on network television 52 weeks a year in almost every home in America,” says Marc Oswald, creator and Executive Producer of the show. “With over 60 music artists and 250 performances featured to date, we are now in a position to make this special content available through our partnerships with Hard Rock International and BMG.”
River House Artists & Sony Music Publishing Nashville Sign Hudson Westbrook
/by LB CantrellHudson Westbrook. Photo: Peyton Dollar
River House Artists, in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, has signed rising country singer-songwriter Hudson Westbrook to a global publishing agreement.
Westbrook, a Texas native, has made a name for himself in just eight months of releasing original music, earning over 140 million global streams and averaging over 10 million streams a week. He has impressed fans and industry members alike with his viral debut “Take It Slow” and Texas radio No. 1 “Two Way Drive.”
In November, Westbook released his acclaimed self-titled EP featuring standouts “5 to 9,” “House Again” and “Take Your Time.”
“This team’s continued support has allowed me to produce great songs with great people really early in my career. I am excited to work with a team that feels like family,” he shares of the deal.
With critical acclaim across a variety of media outlets, Westbrook was recently named as Sirius XM The Highway’s latest “Highway Find.” He is headlining nationwide on his nearly sold-out “Take Your Time Tour” throughout the spring, and will open shows for Parker McCollum, Midland, Eli Young Band, Cole Swindell and Ian Munsick later this year.
EVP of River House Artists, Zebb Luster, says, “Hudson’s artistry is connecting authentically on a national scale already, and his songwriting is a huge part of that. Having a strong team of advocates from the beginning for Hudson has always been our priority, so we’re proud to partner with Sony Music Publishing in championing his incredible songwriting for years to come.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston, adds, “Hudson’s authenticity as a storyteller is going to take him a long way. We’re excited to welcome him to the SMP family, and we are absolutely honored to be a part of his journey.”
Maoli Inks With ONErpm & Huff Co.
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): ONErpm’s Ryan Cunningham & Kylie Dembek; Maoli; Huff Co.’s David Huff & Dann Huff.
Country artist Maoli has signed a record deal with ONErpm and Huff Co., who established a partnership in 2023.
“I am so grateful to be part of the ONErpm/Huff Co. family,” says Maoli. “They get my vision and who I am and I’m excited about what’s to come.”
Maoli was raised by cowboys in the Hawaiian countryside, and his upbringing has deeply influenced his music, which blends island vibes with country sounds. With a growing fan base across the Pacific Rim, Caribbean and West Coast, Maoli is now ready to bring his style of country music to the rest of the mainland.
His “Last Sip of Summer Tour” will kick off this weekend in New Zealand and Australia, followed by a run through over 25 states and Canada, including stops in Austin, Kansas City, Anchorage, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Salt Lake City and more, plus a show at Nashville’s Cannery Hall. His new album, also titled Last Sip of Summer, will be released on June 27. The project was produced by Dann and David Huff of Huff Co.
“The blending of an island sound with country music has built a tremendous fan base,” shares Ryan Cunningham, A&R Country Music, ONErpm Nashville. “We’re truly captivated and thrilled to be a part of sharing new music with a global audience.”
“When I initially heard Maoli, my first words were ‘where and when can I meet him?’” recalls David Huff. “I was immediately drawn in by his vocals, along with the native sound combined with old-school country. I learned how authentic Maoli’s love, and knowledge of country legends was. I can’t wait for the world to experience this amazing artist!”
“It’s rare when you encounter an artist who brings a new take to country music,” adds Dann Huff. “Maoli is definitely that artist with his distinct vocals, the crisp harmonies, and always the presence of reggae and a Pacific Rim musicality. All of that together provides an interesting and fresh look at country music.”
Justin Tranter To Host Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony
/by Madison HahnenThe opening number will feature a performance by Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo and Taj Mahal. Additional artists set to perform include Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara and Kevin Puts. Presenting awards for the first Grammys of the day will be Brady, Hoying, Bob Clearmountain, Rhiannon Giddens, Queen Sheba and Anoushka Shankar, along with five-time Grammy winner and former Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board Chair Tammy Hurt will also deliver opening remarks.
“The Premiere Ceremony will not only kick off our Grammy Sunday, it will provide an opportunity to show that in times of adversity, music has the power to be used for good, to help our community unite, and to show our community’s resilience,” shares Mason Jr. “I look forward to honoring the year in music and being together with our amazing community.”
The ceremony is produced by Branden Chapman, Ruby Marchand, Lindsay Saunders Carl and Rex Supa for the Recording Academy. Greg V. Fera serves as Executive Producer, while Cheche Alara is the Music Producer and Director.
Additionally, SiriusXM will be backstage at the ceremony, conducting interviews with nominees and winners for their Grammy Sunday broadcast on The Grammy Channel (channel 17) and on the SiriusXM app.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Announces Latest ‘American Currents’ Installment
/by LB CantrellThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has revealed details for its latest installment of “American Currents: State of the Music,” an ongoing exhibit showcasing the present landscape of country music.
Presented annually, “American Currents” takes a broad view of the genre over the past year to explore musical developments, artist achievements and notable events, as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff.
This year’s exhibits looks at the artists, musicians and songwriters who were prominent in 2024, including Hardy, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Amythyst Kiah, Carin León, Shelby Lynne, Megan Moroney, Orville Peck, Post Malone, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Taylor Swift, Turnpike Troubadours, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.
A section of the exhibit titled “Unbroken Circle” highlights musical connections between new artists and their influences. Featured artifact pairings include Wyatt Ellis and Sierra Hull, Jamey Johnson and Ella Langley, Zach Top and Keith Whitley and Kaitlin Butts and Miranda Lambert.
The “American Currents” exhibit will also explore Beyoncé’s release of Cowboy Carter, as well as the year’s chart-topping country albums and singles and highest-grossing tours. In addition to the artists mentioned above, Zach Bryan, Dasha, Sierra Ferrell, Rosie Flores, Wyatt Flores, Sturgill Simpson and Country Music Hall of Fame members Joe Bonsall, Toby Keith and Kris Kristofferson will have a place in the installment.
“The museum’s annual ‘American Currents’ exhibition examines a wide variety of music and events that took place the prior year,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Last year, we witnessed innovative collaborations, well-deserved honors and the continued expansion of country and roots-inspired music’s reach to broader audiences. ‘American Currents’ allows us to highlight these significant moments within the context of music history.”
The annual exhibit, which is included with museum admission, opens Wednesday, March 5 and runs through January 2026 in the museum’s ACM Gallery.