Singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker Hunter Hawkins has signed with Jonas Group Entertainment for management and will release music through Red Van Records. They will release his debut single “Here Now” this Friday (June 5). An album is set to follow later this year.

Over the years, Hawkins performed everywhere from small clubs in London and cafés in Paris to the Newport Folk Festival and New York’s Bitter End. They have shared stages and recorded with artists including Bill Champlin, David Foster, Elliot Easton, Richard Marx, and Jeff Marx.

In addition to music, Hawkins has earned recognition in film, including a Best Actor award at the 2025 Long Beach Underground Film Festival. Earlier this year, he was named Emerging Artist of the Year by the Fest Forums Conference in Santa Barbara.

“We’re drawn to artists who bring an original perspective and creative vision, and Hunter absolutely does that,” shares JGE Founder and Chairman Kevin Jonas Sr. “An incredibly gifted storyteller whose talents extend far beyond music, we’re thrilled to welcome Hunter to Jonas Group Entertainment and Red Van Records.”

“There’s an undeniable power in Hunter’s music,” adds JGE President George Kreis. “It has reignited my love for the art form itself and serves as a reminder of how deeply music can stir the soul.”

Produced by Kenny Loggins, the upcoming album marks the first time Loggins has produced music for another artist. Written solely by Hawkins, “Here Now” explores themes of healing, self-discovery, and letting go. The song also appears in Awake: Pinky’s Journey, a companion film written, directed, produced by, and starring Hawkins. Filmed in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles, the movie expands on the music’s story and themes.

“This song means a lot to me, and has already seen me through many seasons of my life,” shares Hawkins. “I’m excited to share it, to see how it resonates with others. There’s so much growth and healing in the process of releasing what we’ve been working on, especially with it all having stemmed from a vulnerable moment of self-reflection.”

“Hunter Hawkins is a multi-talented singer/songwriter with a beautiful, emotionally expressive voice who has a UNIQUE artistic vision in the tradition of the gifted artists of the 1970s and 80s,” adds Loggins. “As Hunter’s producer, I approached this project with the same respect that I would have brought to producing a Joni Mitchell-level artist.”

The film premieres June 5 at The Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria, California, with a second screening June 9 at The Hidden Jewel Box Theatre in New York City.

Hawkins has also signed with TKO for booking representation.

Hawkins has upcoming performances at Los Angeles’ Troubadour, Bourbon & Beyond, and appearances with Kenny Loggins on July 3 and 4 at Celebrate 250 in St. Louis.

Big Machine Records will host its third annual “Big Machine CMA Fest Pop-Up” on the Bell Bottoms Up rooftop on June 5 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. CT.

The event will spotlight the label roster, including a full-band performance from The Band Perry, and a guitar pull session with Caroline Jones, Greylan James, Hunter Flynn and Naomi Carman. The pop-up is free to attend, and a limited number of Fast Passes will be available for a $25 donation to Music Has Value, which allows fans to be among the first in line for the fan meet-and-greet following The Band Perry’s performance.

Proceeds benefit Music Has Value, the nonprofit launched by Big Machine Chairman Scott Borchetta and Executive Vice President of Creative Sandi Borchetta that supports those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music.

In addition to the rooftop showcase, label artists Riley Green, The Jack Wharff Band, Mackenzie Carpenter, Cole Goodwin, Hunter Flynn and Naomi Carman will make appearances on stages across Nashville during CMA Fest this week.

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has officially launched Black Music Month 2026, a month-long celebration honoring the artists, organizations and communities that have shaped American music. This year’s theme, “The Soundtrack Continues — 250 years in the making. Five years in the telling. Far from finished,” will be celebrated throughout June at NMAAM’s home in downtown Nashville as the museum marks its fifth anniversary as the home of Black Music Month.

The month features more than 15 special events across four genre-focused weeks, including artist talks, new exhibitions, live podcast recordings, film screenings, community events, a music and healing summit, and the first Black Music Executive Toast. Grammy Award-winning artist and producer PJ Morton has been named the 2026 Grand Marshal of Black Music Month. His exhibition, Saturday Night Sunday Morning, opens June 18.

“This is the year everything we have built comes into full view,” says Dr. Dexter D. Evans, Deputy Director of Strategy & Advancement at NMAAM. “Five years ago, we opened our doors and declared that Music Starts Here. This June, we prove it. Living legends in our galleries, emerging artists on our stages, and a community that knows this museum belongs to them.”

The following events will take place throughout the month at the museum:
• We Sound Crazy: Live Studio Audience Taping with George Clinton (June 3). Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and P-Funk founder George Clinton headlines a live taping of the We Sound Crazy podcast.
• BEEN Country: Black Roots and Rhythm (June 5). Returning to CMA Weekend, this year’s program is headlined by Rissi Palmer, founder of Color Me Country Radio and the Color Me Country Artist Fund.
• Swamp Dogg: In Conversation (June 6). The six-decade recording legend joins the museum for an intimate conversation and artifact donation in celebration of his new album; Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife.
• In The Pocket: Guy Davis (June 7). An intimate afternoon with the blues storyteller and son of legendary actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.
• First Note: Black Creators Night (June 13), presented by Wilson Bank & Trust. A celebration of emerging Black creators across music, content, and culture, with a performance by Summer Joy.
• Institutional Summit on Music, Healing & the Future (June 17), presented by HCA Healthcare. A targeted convening of music industry leaders, healthcare innovators, educators, and community organizations, featuring three moderated panels, a live performance lunch with Gabe Baker, participatory sound experiences, and a town hall. The summit also features The Blackbyrds, jazz-funk pioneers and Donald Byrd protégés whose catalog has been sampled by Tupac Shakur, Nas, De La Soul, and generations of hip hop artists, making a historic return to Nashville.
• PJ Morton Exhibition Opening: Saturday Night Sunday Morning (June 18). The landmark exhibition opens on the evening of June 18, followed by an exclusive listening party for Morton’s forthcoming album. On view through September 30.
• Black Music Executive Toast (June 18). The inaugural industry networking event celebrates the executives, managers, attorneys, publicists, and operators driving Black music forward. Featuring a live set by DJ Smoke and the Smoke Show.
• Juneteenth Community Day at NMAAM (June 19). A free daytime celebration across multiple activations including a film screening presented by Nashville Film Festival plus live performances by Halo, a barbershop quartet ensemble, and AfricaNashville.
• Juneteenth615 Pop-Up Museum at Centennial Park (June 19), presented in partnership with Juneteenth615, Nashville Predators, and Nissan. An off-site activation bringing NMAAM into the heart of Nashville’s community spaces.
• FRONT ROW (June 26). NMAAM’s signature artist conversation series returns with a one-night-only honor for a major artist still under wraps. Every ticket includes a one-year NMAAM membership.
• R&B Bingo: Pride Edition (June 27). The museum’s signature interactive series returns with a Pride celebration of LGBTQ+ artists who shaped R&B.
• Soul Food Sundays (Sundays in June). A four-week culinary and cultural series celebrating the food, music, and community traditions that sustain Black culture.

Little Big Town and Wyatt Flores are among the acts performing at “MCA Presents: Live From Sky Deck,” two full days of live performances, exclusive fan experiences, and special events at Nashville’s Skydeck on Broadway on June 5-6.

This year’s event will showcase talent from across MCA’s roster, celebrating both the label’s chart-topping stars and the next generation of hitmakers. Additional artists on the lineup include Dalton Davis, Deanna Carter, Lamont Landers, Landon Smith, Jacob Hackworth, Travis Denning, Blake Proehl, Presley Barker, Rachael Fahim, Kinsley, Madden Metcalf, and DJ Deerock. Little Big Town’s appearance will mark the group’s only performance during CMA Fest week. Admission to “MCA Presents Live From The Sky Deck” is free for fans who register online here.

On June 6, Miranda Lambert’s Crisco Disco Brunch will offer fans a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by Lambert’s new Country and Disco era. The brunch will feature special guest appearances, curated bites, cocktails and mimosas, music, and exclusive fan moments.

The weekend will also feature appearances and live moments hosted by Katie Atkin from the country podcast Girls In Low Places.