BELLES’ ‘Son Of Jolene’ Collaboration With Dolly Parton Impacts Radio

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BELLES and Dolly Parton. Photo: ashtronot

Rising country artist BELLES is climbing on the radio charts and seeing significant streaming growth on her collaboration with the late global icon, Dolly Parton, “Son of Jolene.”

The song is Parton’s last collaboration released prior to her passing, and marks her return to radio with an original track since her chart-topping 2006 duet with Brad Paisley, “When I Get Where I’m Going.”

“Son of Jolene” was written by Kelli Belles, Dan Harrison and Tyler Bank—with Parton receiving writing credit, as well. It takes the iconic story from her massive 1973 hit, “Jolene,” and as a continuation of the tale, with Jolene’s son taking his mother’s flirtatious traits.

In a PEOPLE interview, Parton shared, “When I heard ‘Son of Jolene,’ I thought it was very clever. No one had ever thought of it that way.”

“Dolly gave me one of the greatest gifts of my life when she believed in “Son of Jolene” and lent her voice to it. Hearing our voices together on country radio and to have Dolly’s last song on country radio is something I’ll never be able to fully put into words,” shares BELLES. “Country radio has always been such an important part of the music I grew up loving and knowing that Dolly helped me find my own place there makes every spin feel incredibly special. I’ll carry her belief in me, and the gift she gave this song, with me for the rest of my career.”

The track just made its Billboard Hot Shots Debut at No. 51, and climbed four spots on Mediabase to No. 60. Apple Music streams for “Son of Jolene” are up 1,794% week over week, while BELLES’ overall Apple Music streams are up 780%. On Spotify, BELLES gained 500,000 monthly listeners in just one week.

BELLES will release her debut album, Midwestern, on Oct. 16 via East Music Row Records. She is currently out on the road wrapping up her 45-city “Song & Stories Tour.”

Opening Date Announced For Dolly Parton’s Hotel & Museum

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Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville will officially debut together on Sept. 29.

The hotel, created in partnership with Dolly Parton and Herschend, features 245 unique guest rooms and suites, two live entertainment venues, a café and vibrant spaces designed to celebrate Dolly’s career and the spirit of Music City. With two live entertainment venues, Jolene’s and Parton’s Live, entertainment takes centerstage at the hotel. Jolene’s, situated on the top floor of the hotel, comes alive nightly with performances from Music City’s rising singers and songwriters, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails, elevated small plates and decadent desserts. On the hotel’s second floor, Parton’s Live offers an intimate introduction to Nashville’s songwriting culture through writers’ rounds, songwriter sessions and rising-star showcases, immersing guests in the art of storytelling and the craft of songwriting, paired with shareable plates, indulgent desserts and seasonal cocktails.

Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, created by Dolly Parton Productions, spans the entirety of the hotel’s third floor. It offers an immersive journey through Dolly’s life, music and legacy, bringing personal stories and rarely seen pieces of her collection together through interactive exhibits and thoughtfully curated experiences. Utilizing the latest technology, and filmed earlier this year, Dolly herself will guide guests through her life story.

Beginning Sept. 14, when guest reservations open for SongTeller Hotel, the venues will begin a lineup of live performances and entertainment programming, including Dolly’s family members and emerging artists. Performers include Dolly’s cousin Richie Owens and her niece Jada Star. Additionally, SongTeller Hotel is partnering with Leslie Fram‘s FEMcountry to spotlight established female artists and songwriters through monthly performances in Parton’s Live.

Tickets for events in Parton’s Live can be booked here. Tickets for events in Jolene’s can be booked here. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29, tickets for Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum are available for purchase here.

Catalog Streams Send Dolly Parton To No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Dolly Parton. Photo: Courtesy of Dolly Parton Estate

Dolly Parton soars to No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. After her passing, the icon’s catalog streams saw a huge increase, include “9 to 5,” “Coat Of Many Colors,” “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” which were all solo-penned by Parton.

Ella Langley sits at No. 2 this week with “Be Her,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” “Jaded” and “Loving Life Again.” No. 3 on the chart is Chase McGill with “Carry On,” “Hands Up,” “McArthur” and “Water At A Wedding.”

Joybeth Taylor (No. 4) and Jordan Schmidt (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Steven Curtis Chapman’s ‘Music Of Christmas Tour’ Returns In November

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Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman’s “The Music of Christmas Tour” is returning this holiday season, kicking off Nov. 28 in Knoxville.

The annual tour will visit 11 cities across the country, celebrating 30 years of the classic album that has become part of Christmas for generations of listeners. With stops in New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and more, the tour promises an evening filled with the songs fans have come to love throughout the years, from timeless Christmas classics and favorites from his Christmas albums, to some of the biggest songs from Chapman’s career.

With the addition of strings and choir, the music will take on an even richer sound, creating a memorable night for audiences of all ages. The tour runs through Dec. 13, with tickets available here.

“I am incredibly excited to continue celebrating the 30th anniversary of my album The Music of Christmas,” says Chapman. “Together, we will celebrate the true reason for the season. I’ll have some very talented musicians with me, as well as a full choir, and some other surprises I can’t wait to share with you. I’ve had many people tell me how they’ve appreciated this album over the years and how it’s become a part of their Christmas traditions, and I hope this tour can be a special way to celebrate yours!”

“The Music of Christmas Tour” Dates:
Saturday, November 28, 2026 – Knoxville, TN – Grace Baptist Church
Sunday, November 29, 2026 – Rustburg, NJ – Hyland Heights Baptist Church
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Hawthorne, NJ – Hawthorne Gospel Church
Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Greenville, SC – First Presbyterian Church Greenville
Friday, December 4, 2026 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Crosswater Community Church
Saturday, December 5, 2026 – Panama City, FL – Hiland Park Baptist Church
Sunday, December 6, 2026 – Powder Springs, GA – Burnt Hickory Baptist Church
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 – Flowood, MS – Word of Life Church
Friday, December 11, 2026 – Ballwin, MO – First Free Church
Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Newburgh, IN – First Christian Church
Sunday, December 13, 2026 – Huntington, WV – Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center

‘Cody Johnson Championship Event’ Set For October

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Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas

Cody Johnson will host his third annual “Cody Johnson Championship Event” in Belton, Texas, Oct. 6–11. Presented by Tractor Supply Company, the event will bring top ropers together to compete for the championship title and major prize money. Amateurs will also have the chance to compete for the same rewards and championship honors.

Activities include the CHAMPS FOR CHARITY GALA, presented by Ag Trust. The Gala will feature an auction and an acoustic performance by Johnson. Over the past two years, the event has raised more than $1.25 million for charities including A Different Day Foundation and Texas FFA.

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s proceeds will support organizations serving military members, first responders, law enforcement officers, and youth agricultural programs. The Gala will also be catered by the Guy Fieri Foundation, which supports organizations that honor first responders and military veterans.

“I want this roping event to not only grow into a life-changing event that pays ropers a pile of money and prizes, but also generate enough for charity to change people’s lives,” says Johnson.

The full schedule can be found here.

30A Songwriters Festival Reveals 2027 Headliners

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St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, S.G. Goodman and more are set to headline the 2027 30A Songwriters Festival set for Jan. 15-18.

30A Songwriters Festival will celebrate its 18th year with performances on the main stage at Grand Boulevard’s Town Center in Miramar Beach with headline performances from Welch & Rawlings, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Larkin Poe, Booker T. Jones, and Tommy Emmanuel, along with Friday Festival kickoff headline performances at Seaside Amphitheater featuring Dawes, Goodman, and Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves.

Artists initially confirmed for evening performances include Robyn Hitchcock (with band), Rainbow Girls, Shawn Mullins, Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Kim Richey, Rhett Miller (Old 97’s), Jeffrey Steele, The Mammals, Danny Schmidt, Eliot Bronson, Jennifer Lynn Simpson, Erin McKeown, Gurufish, and more. Ticket information is available here.

During the festival the beach resort towns along Scenic Highway 30A on the Gulf Coast will become a music haven featuring 30 venues presenting over 160+ songwriters and 300+ solo, band, and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend. Over 160 additional artists participating will be announced this fall.

“The 30A Songwriters Festival is unlike any other music event in the region. It spans more than 20 miles, brings together 30 unique venues, and features more than 160 acclaimed songwriters from across the country,” says Jennifer Steele, Festival Co-Producer and President & CEO of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. “We’re thrilled to announce this year’s headliners, who will join that lineup in bringing the art of songwriting to unexpected places—from a town hall or converted restaurant to two iconic main stages at SEASIDE and Grand Boulevard.

“But the Festival is about more than what happens in January,” she continues. “It is the Cultural Arts Alliance’s largest fundraiser, with net proceeds reinvested in programs and services that help ensure Walton County remains a creative community year-round. To date, those funds have helped the CAA award more than $923,000 in Art For All grants and scholarships to artists, students, teachers and arts organizations. They also support Beyond Bars, which brings songwriting into Walton Correctional Institution and has engaged more than 300 participants in producing over 100 original songs – along with many other programs that expand access to the arts throughout our community.”

Owen Riegling To Release Deluxe Edition Of ‘In The Feeling’ In November

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Singer-songwriter Owen Riegling is releasing an expanded edition of his sophomore album, In The Feeling Deluxe, on Nov. 13 via Big Loud Records/Universal Music Canada.

In conjunction with the announcement, Riegling has released the new single “Me Without My Hometown,” a reflection on leaving home and the realization that the roots that shaped you never really leave you. “Me Without My Hometown” follows this summer’s single “Men Into Boys,” and arrives on the heels of  “Love Hate Love,” which peaked at No. 2 at Canadian country radio. The deluxe project includes six new tracks, including special interludes now available digitally for the very first time.

The expanded edition of In The Feeling continues a standout year for Riegling. Upon its April release, the album landed on NPR’s Best Country Albums list, and days later, Riegling made his Grand Ole Opry debut. With more than 209 million global streams, Riegling heads into the 2026 CCMA Awards with four nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, and Male Artist of the Year. Riegling will also take the stage on the 2026 CCMA Awards, which airs Sept. 19 on CTV and streams on Crave.

Riegling kicks off his extensive “In The Feeling North American Tour” beginning Sept. 24 in Nashville at the Exit/In, and also joins Parker McCollum for select dates this month.

In The Feeling Deluxe Track List:
1. “Phone Call From Home (Album Version)” (Owen Riegling, Ryan Kennedy)
2. “Rest Of My” (Owen Riegling, Oscar Charles, Luke Preston, Jonathan Sherwood)
3. “Taillight This Town” (Owen Riegling, Kyle Sturrock, Jimi Bell)
4. “Morris (Interlude)”
5. “Miles Away” (Owen Riegling, Mark Holman, Jonathan Singleton)
6. “Same Blood” (Owen Riegling, Oscar Charles, Luke Preston)
7. “Born Again” (Owen Riegling, Jesse Slack)
8. “Going Missing” (Owen Riegling, Oscar Charles, Jimi Bell, Jacob Davis)
9. “Love Hate Love” (Owen Riegling, Oscar Charles, Luke Preston, Luke Laird)
10. “Mailbox” (Owen Riegling)
11. “Last Thing On My Mind” (Owen Riegling, Brad Rempel, Joe Fox)
12. “Sue (Interlude)”
13. “In The Feeling” (Owen Riegling, Ryan Kennedy)
14. “Anything But Me” (Owen Riegling, Connie Harrington)
15. “Place And Space In Time” (Owen Riegling, Jesse Slack)
16. “Men Into Boys” (Owen Riegling, Ryan Kennedy)
17. “Me Without My Hometown” (Owen Riegling)
18. “Born Again (Wedding Version)” (Owen Riegling, Jesse Slack)
19. “In The Feeling (Live From Massey Hall)” (Owen Riegling, Ryan Kennedy)
20. “Old Dirt Roads (Live From Massey Hall)” (Owen Riegling)

Katlin Owen Inks With Song Hunter Publishing & Warner Chappell Music

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Pictured (L-R): Song Hunter’s Charlton Combs and Brian Kelley, Katlin Owen, Warner Chappell Music Nashville’s Benji Amaefule (A&R Manager) and Abigail Larsen (A&R Coordinator).
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell Music

Artist, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Katlin Owen has signed a joint-venture publishing deal with Brian Kelley‘s Song Hunter Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

“I’ve watched Katlin put in the work on the road and in the studio, and I’ve seen his songwriting grow every step of the way,” says Kelley. “I’ve always believed in supporting your tribe and giving talented people opportunities when you know they’ve earned them, and I’m fired up to keep pushing forward with Katlin through this new partnership with Warner Chappell.”

Owen originally signed with Song Hunter in 2o24, becoming the company’s first outside songwriter.

“The team at Warner Chappell and I are thrilled to partner with Brian Kelley and Song Hunter to showcase the incredible talents of Katlin Owen,” adds Benji Amaefule, A&R Manager, WCM Nashville. “He’s been an integral part of so many standout songs in our community, whether in the writing room, on the road, or in the studio. After years of sharpening his craft, this partnership with Brian will give Katlin the platform to create at the highest level. We can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds!”

Owen has worked as a guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter on projects by major artists including Florida Georgia Line, Jon Pardi, Riley Green and Chris Young, among others. He has also co-written several songs with Kelley, including “Teal,” “Quality Of Life,” “King Ranch,” and “My Kind Of Country.” Owen also produces, plays, and sings on Kelley’s records.

Hailing from Liberty, South Carolina, Owen brings the honesty and character of his upbringing to his music. He is also the flagship artist signed to Nashville South Records, an artist-first label founded by Kelley in 2021. Owen has continued to showcase his talent with songs including “Speed of a Tractor,” “Just a Hat,” and his latest release “So Many.”

Taylor Swift Notches 14th Career Country Radio No. 1

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Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift has earned her 14th country radio No. 1 single with “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two weeks at the top and has remained in the top 5 since. This also marks Swift’s first country radio No. 1 in 13 years.

The song was penned and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, and was released for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. It was released by Walt Disney Records in association with Republic Records and promoted at radio by MCA.

The tune spent two weeks at No. 1 in both the U.K. and Australia, while also topping the Canadian Hot 100 and charts in Germany. It also spent eight consecutive weeks as a radio No. 1 in the U.K., five weeks in New Zealand, three consecutive weeks in Germany, three non-consecutive weeks in Australia and two weeks in Ireland. The song also topped country radio in Australia for five weeks and Canada for one week, as well as Canada’s AC chart for two weeks. In the U.S., it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

SOURCE Hall Of Fame Member Gayle Hill Passes

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Gayle Hill

SOURCE Hall Of Fame member Gayle Hill passed away on Aug. 18 at her home in Ashland City, Tennessee. She was 90 years old.

Just three years after Hill took her first job on Music Row with producer Glen Sutton, she produced Dottie West’s famous “Country Sunshine” jingle for Coca Cola. It was the beginning of a role for Hill that integrated country music with national advertisers at a level of prominence never achieved before. Along with West, Hill also hired other stars for the Coke account including Loretta Lynn, Sonny James and the Glaser Brothers.

In 1973, she formed G Hill & Company, which was initially a PR agency that produced jingles on the side. She became a go-to-jingle producer for GMC, Miller Beer, Kraft, Rubbermaid, Stouffer’s, Pizza Hut and Mellon Bank, among others. Hill’s ability to link national advertisers with country artists and music earned her executive positions on the boards of CMA and NARAS (now the Recording Academy). In 2019, SOURCE Nashville honored Hill’s legacy by inducting her into their Hall of Fame.

Hill is preceded in death by sisters Janice Owens of Abilene and Shirley Medaris of Dallas, and brothers Delbert Berry of Glendale, Arizona and Carl Berry of Abilene. She is survived by her sister Joyce Johnson (Chuck) of Denver, her son, Bob Hill (Stephanie Reeves) of Ashland City, Tennessee. Grandchildren Lora Criner of Lebanon, Tennessee, Robert Hill of Nashville, and Gabriel Hill and Tonya Gentry of Chattanooga, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Hill will be held on Sept. 26 at 1025 Ed Burgess Road starting at 1:30 p.m., with fellowship immediately following the Celebration at Hill’s home.