Ryman To Host Annual Community Day, Celebrates 134th Birthday This May

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The Ryman Auditorium will celebrate its 134th birthday this month and host its annual Ryman Community Day.

On May 4, the venue will ring in 134 years with special offerings including 134 hours of exclusive discounts, a free Ryman Hatch Show print with purchase of a daytime tour ticket (The museum will close at 2 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 1:15 p.m.); a free reusable Opry 100 bag when you spend $25 in the Ryman gift shop; and free birthday cupcakes.

Ryman Community Day returns on May 24 with free daytime tours for Tennessee residents from 9-4 p.m. This year’s event will also feature family-friendly offerings both inside the venue and outside on PNC Plaza, including on-site printmaking from Hatch Show Print, food trucks, games and activities, and live music on the PNC Plaza and Ryman stage. Tickets can be reserved here.

Keith Urban Previews New Album During Pop-Up Show In Nashville

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Keith Urban. Photo: Brennon Williamson

Keith Urban previewed some tracks from his upcoming new album Flow State during a sold-out pop-up show Wednesday night (April 29) at The Mil at Cannery Hall in Nashville.

Fans packed the room shoulder to shoulder as Urban hit the stage to perform covers of the timeless tracks featured on Flow State such as “Magnet and Steel,” “Just the Two of Us,” “Baby Come Back,” and just-released tracks, “Summer Breeze,” and “We Go Back” (feat. Michael McDonald).

Urban will be headlining ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash as part of the 61st ACM Awards Week on May 16 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The event will feature performances by Flatland Cavalry, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Braxton Keith and Tucker Wetmore.

Keith Urban. Photo: Brennon Williamson

Keith Urban. Photo: Brennon Williamson

Graham Barham Readies Debut Album For June

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Graham Barham will release his debut album, CLUB COUNTRY, on June 12 via Sony Music Nashville.

“I have been working on this album for two years. I’ve worked hard to make everything incredibly intentional and taken as a whole, this album makes a statement about who I am and what I stand for,” Barham shares.

The Oak Ridge, Louisiana native has amassed nearly 600 million global career streams and two RIAA Gold-certified tracks. He was named to the Opry NextStage and MusicRow Next Big Things classes of 2026. He earned his first No. 1 as a songwriter with Blake Shelton’s “Stay Country or Die Tryin’.”

Barham wrote the 16-track project alongside Beau Bailey, Heath Warren, Dallas Wilson, Sam Bergeson, Joybeth Taylor and Autumn Buysse, among others.

In celebration of the announcement, he unveiled “I’M THE ONE,” out today (May 1).

CLUB COUNTRY Track List:
1. “COUNTRY MUSIC” (Graham Barham/Cole Miracle/Michael Lotten/Matt McVaney)
2. “SIPPIN'” (Graham Barham/Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Sam Martinez/Gabe Foust)
3. “SPEAKIN’ MY MIND” (Graham Barham/Beau Bailey/Heath Warren/Sam Martinez)
4. “SO LONG SATURDAY NIGHT” (Graham Barham, Cole Miracle, Dallas Wilson, Sam Martinez)
5. “BREAKUP (DOWN)” (Graham Barham/Lydia Vaughan/Cole Miracle/Sam Bergeson/Jay Sean/Jared Cotter/ Jeremy Skaller/Robert Larow)
6. “SHOOT YOU STRAIGHT” (Graham Barham/Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Sam Ellis)
7. “COUNTRY BOY KRYPTONITE” (Graham Barham/Brett James/Jim Beavers/Sam Bergeson)
8. “BAD AND SHE KNOWS IT” (Graham Barham/Travis Wood/Cole Miracle/Sam Bergeson/King Henry)
9. “MATTER OF TIME” (Graham Barham/Cole Miracle/Beau Bailey/Sam Bergeson)
10. “I’M THE ONE” (Graham Barham/Lindsay Rimes/Joybeth Taylor/Travis Wood)
11. “MARLBORO STYLE (ASHTRAY)” (Graham Barham/Beau Bailey/Gabe Foust/Sam Bergeson)
12. “OIL MONEY” (Graham Barham, Cole Miracle, Beau Bailey, Sam Bergeson)
13. “WHISKEY RAIN (feat. Tyler Hubbard)” (Graham Barham/Cole Miracle/Jessi Alexander/Sam Martinez)
14. “MCCONAUGHEY” (Graham Barham/Chase McGill/John Pierce/Gabe Foust)
15. “DIXIE CHICKS” (Graham Barham/Beau Bailey/Dallas Wilson/Gabe Foust/Sam Martinez/Sam Bergeson/Cole Miracle)
16. “MEAN STREAK”(Graham Barham/Cole Miracle/Autumn Buysse/Gabe Foust)

The Marcus King Band Releases ‘Darling Blue / No Room For Blue’

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The Marcus King Band has released their latest project, Darling Blue / No Room For Blue, the second half of their acclaimed album Darling Blue, today (May 1).

Originally released last fall exclusively for Record Store Day, the 12-track collection recorded by the band at Capricorn Studios is available now on all streaming platforms. The album traces the peaks and valleys of King’s mind, reflecting his love for the Blue Ridge Mountains and his state of mind before and after meeting his wife, Briley. Diving deeper into the world of Darling Blue, King continues to tell his story from the other side of addiction, temptation and heartbreak with No Room For Blue.

The album blends elements of heavy rock, bluegrass, country, blues and Americana. The extended collection includes three reimagined tracks: a revamped version of fan-favorite “Delilah,” a duet with Billy Strings on “Dirt – Macon version” and a cover of The Allman Brothers‘ “Ramblin’ Man,” a staple in King’s live shows. The remaining nine tracks explore walking the line between letting go of old love and addiction.

The band will embark on a 39-city run on the upcoming “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” beginning May 16, visiting New York City, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and more, highlighted by “Marcus King Band and Friends”, a hometown show at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium on May 27.

Darling Blue/ No Room For Blue Track List:
1. “On & On” (Marcus King)
2. “Here Today” (feat. Jamey Johnson & Kaitlin Butts) (Marcus King, Lainey Wilson, Meg McRee)
3. “Honky Tonk Hell” (Marcus King)
4. “Heartlands” (Marcus King, Jonathan Singleton)
5. “Die Alone” (Marcus King)
6. “Somebody Else” (feat. Jesse Welles) (Marcus King, Jesse Welles)
7. “Levi’s & Goodbyes” (Marcus King, Meg McRee, Hillary Lindsay)
8. “Carolina Honey” (Marcus King)
9. “No Room For Blue” (Marcus King, Angelo Petraglia)
10. “Blue Ridge Mountain Moon” (Marcus King, Ronnie Bowman, Ben Chapman)
11. “Dirt (Nashville version)” (feat. Billy Strings) (Marcus King, Jamie Hartman, Nick Monson)
12. “The Shadows” (feat. Noah Cyrus) (Marcus King, Madison Yanofsky, Nick Monson)
13. “Pretty Petty” (Marcus King, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy)
14. “Carry Me Home” (Marcus King)
15. “Shiver” (Marcus King, Christopher Turpin)
16. “Dirt – Macon version” (Marcus King, Jamie Hartman, Nick Monson)
17. “Falling For The Devil” (Marcus King, Konrad Snyder, Ian Fitchuk)
18. “Your Favorite Band” (Marcus King, Mike Runyon, Charles Hedgepath)
19. “Ramblin’ Man” (Dickey Betts)
20. “Good Run” (Marcus King)
21. “Delilah – Nashville version” (Marcus King, Gabe Lee)
22. “Lilac Wine” (Marcus King, David Ray Stevens)
23. “Dirty Blow” (Marcus King, Mike Runyon, Charles Hedgepath)
24. “Angel” (Marcus King, Mike Runyon, Charles Hedgepath)
25. “Roses” (Marcus King, Sierra Ferrell)
26. “Red Door” (Marcus King, Christopher Turpin, Stephanie Ward)

Blake Whiten Unveils Debut Album Due In July

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Blake Whiten will unveil his debut album, Something to Say, on July 3 via Enchntmnt/Warner Records.

“The first songs I put out were just me as a kid with a dream, figuring it out, and those songs are what got me here,” shares Whiten. “There’s a side of me people haven’t really heard yet, and for my first record, I wanted to make sure every song felt like something I could stand behind. I’m really proud of how much of myself is in this album, and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.”

Whiten wrote the 12-track project alongside Erik Dylan, Ben Johnson, Wyatt McCubbin, Hunter Phelps, Taylor Phillips, Bailey Zimmerman and more. Produced by Austin Shawn, Something to Say follows Whiten’s self-written 2025 debut EP Six Mile.

In celebration of the announcement, Whiten released “Bet On That” today (May 1).

The South Carolina native is currently on Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour,” with two stops in Nashville this weekend. After a run of fairs and festivals this summer, he will join select dates of Morgan Wallen‘s Still The Problem stadium tour.

Something to Say Tracklist:
1. “This Bar is My Friend” (Blake Whiten, Micah Wilshire, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. “Barely Gettin’ By” (Blake Whiten, JKash, Bailey Zimmerman, Austin Shawn)
3. “Mess You Made of Me” (Blake Whiten, Austin Shawn)
4. “Bet On That” (Blake Whiten, Joe London, Grant Averill, Hoskins)
5. “Whiskey Wish” (Blake Whiten, Erik Dylan, Nick Bailey, Sam Ellis)
6. “Boots By The Wrong Bed” (Blake Whiten, Taylor Phillips, Ben Johnson)
7. “Number 7’s Gone” (Blake Whiten, Geoff Warburton, Peter Fenn)
8. “Ghost House” (Blake Whiten, Jacob Hackworth, Zach Abend)
9. “Break Me” (Blake Whiten, Hunter Phelps, Ben Stennis)
10. “Night N’ Day” (Blake Whiten, Gabe Foust, Jaxson Free, Jacob Hackworth)
11. “Made for Goodbyes” (Blake Whiten, Benny Negrin, Nick Bailey)
12. “Time” (Blake Whiten, Erik Dylan, Brock Berryhill)

Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, More Join Lineup For Upcoming ACM Awards

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Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett and more are among the growing list of artists who will perform at the upcoming 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17.

Also among the new group of performers are Carter Faith, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, and Zach Top, along with 2026 ACM Award Artists of the Year recipients Avery Anna and Tucker Wetmore, with more performances set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

They join previously announced performers Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert, who will perform live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Hosted by Shania Twain, the 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video at 7 p.m. CT.  Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.

Mark Your Calendar—May 2026

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Single/Track Releases & Radio Add Dates:

Luke Combs. Photo: Robby Klein

May 1
Diplo & Adrien Nunez/Two Steppin’/Atlantic Outpost
Cody Johnson/Hello Lonesome/CoJo Music/Warner Records Nashville
Lee Brice/Truck Bed Mixtape/Curb Records
Gavin Adcock/Wannabe/Thrivin’ Here Records/Warner Records Nashville
Wyatt Flores/Driving All Night/MCA/Island Records
Bayker Blankenship/Keep Calm/Santa Anna Nashville
Matt Maher/Gonna Be Alright
Gretchen Wilson/Redneck Shit
Drew Baldridge/Love Needs You/BBR Music Group/BMG
Alana Springsteen/i loved you then/Santa Anna Nashville
Thompson Square/Lay It On Me
Jordan St. Cyr/Wild Love
Tyce Delk/Mind If I Smoke
Kyle Clark/Checking Out
Danny Worsnop/I Tried To Write A Sad Song
Robyn Ottolini/If Hell Were a Bar
Matthew Goodnough (feat. Mac Hankins & The Moonlighters)/Bad Terms/Santa Anna Nashville
Abbie Callahan/Drag, Queen
Cody Oliphant/When I Go/Santa Anna Nashville
Parker Ryan/Loaded Gun
Caryn Dixon/Accidental Cowgirl
Jonathan Lee/Saturday Night/Pacific Standard Entertainment Group
Frank Ray/Third Row George Strait/BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records
Julianna Rankin/XYZ71s/Big Loud Texas
Kyle Jenkins/It’ll Be Alright/Santa Anna Nashville
Hadlie Jo/God Made Mama
Diamond Dixie/Made A Liar
Carrie Brockwell/That’s Real
American Blonde/Mississippi Moonshine
Karly C/The Grass Looks Greener
Ashton Butler/One More Won’t Hurt
Neah McMeen/Little Scrap of Love
Camille Harrison/I Miss You, Mother
Cooper Riley/Outta Time

May 4
Luke Combs/Be By You/Columbia Nashville
Kacey Musgraves/Loneliest Girl/Lost Highway Records
Jason Charles Miller/Digging in the Dust (Water On Rust Remix)/One Opportunity Records
Caroline Jones/you’re it for me, honey/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Soul Circus Cowboys/Something Stronger

May 8
Kenny Chesney/Carry On
Koe Wetzel/Hurts Like You/Columbia Records
Greylan James/Small Town/Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Chanel West Coast/Down To The Filter

May 11
Trey Pendley/Family Man/Leo33
Alex Miller/Just A Mom
Adam Chaffins/King Of Coal Dust County
Johnathon Heilbroun/Goodbye Looks Like/Johnathon Heilbroun Music

May 12
ALeeN ROSE (feat. Willie Nelson)/They’re There/Luna Wolf Records

May 15
Charles Wesley Godwin (feat. Luke Combs)/Better That Way/Big Loud
Love and Theft/Farm Truck
Angie K/Contigo
Wishgarden/Holy Water

May 18
Rodney Atkins/The Years Are Short/Curb Records
Jim Stanard (feat. Crystal Gayle)/Waking Up Dead/Manatee Records
Karly C/The Grass Looks Greener/Quirky Cowgirl

May 22
Andrew Mitch/muscle memory
Smokin’ Otis/Trail Ride

May 25
Skip Ewing/Me & God And A Fishing Pole
Robert Weston/Life’s A Beach/Weston Records

May 29
Levi Foster/Bloodhound
Bryan Ruby/Bonfire
Paige King Johnson/It Ain’t Me
Lauren Rismiller/Heart Broke In A Bar

 

Album/EP Releases:

May 1
Kacey Musgraves/Middle Of Nowhere/Lost Highway
Lainey Wilson/Lainey Wilson (Amazon Music presents: Live from Stagecoach 2026)/BBR Music Group/BMG
ERNEST/Deep Blue/Big Loud Records
Tauren Wells/Breathe On It
Austin Snell/Colors/River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
Southall/Kinfolk
Emily Nenni/Movin’ Shoes/New West Records
Rita Wilson/Sound of a Woman
Ashley Anne/Generational Heartbreak
Alex Hall/Turn This Love Around/Yeehall Records/Blue Harbor Music
Jeff Bates/Hymns From the Church in the Wildwood/Tall Grass Records

May 8
Ashley McBryde/Wild/Warner Records Nashville
Chase Wright/Chasing Shadows
Amy Grant/The Me That Remains/Thirty Tigers
Josiah and the Bonnevilles/As Is/Rounder Records
Coleman Jennings/Lead You Home/Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records
Michaela Anne/These Are The Days/Georgia June Records

May 15
Braxton Keith/Real Damn Deal/Warner Records Nashville
49 Winchester/Change of Plans/Lucille Records/MCA
Ryan Bingham & The Texas Gentlemen/They Call Us The Lucky Ones/The Bingham Recording Co./Thirty Tigers
Cook Allender/Music Your Parents Hate/VibraHive Records
Sarah Harralson/Just The Beginning/Synapse Publishing & Entertainment, LLC

May 22
Julia Cole/Love You To Death
Kyle Clark/Better On A Boat
The Deslondes/Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1/New West Records
Steep Canyon Rangers/Next Act/Yep Roc Records
McCoy Moore/Sunshine State/Sony Music Nashville/Cervidae Records
Ian Harrison/Jealous/Sony Music Nashville/Free Flight Records
Ben Chapman/Feet On Fire/Soundly Music
Thomas Csorba/Tender Country/Turtlebox Records

May 29
Don Williams/EPILOGUE: THE CELLAR TAPES/Craft Recordings
Willie Nelson/Dream Chaser/Legacy Recordings
Rodney Atkins/True South/Curb Records
Kip Moore/Reason To Believe/Virgin Music Group
Alana Springsteen/I HOPE THIS HELPS/Santa Anna Nashville
Renée Fleming & Béla Fleck/The Fiddle and the Drum/Thirty Tigers
Bellah Mae/Keep It Peachy/Sony Music Nashville
Susto Stringband/Susto Stringband (Volume Two)/Missing Piece Records
Joshua Ray Walker/Ain’t Dead Yet/East Dallas Records/Thirty Tigers
Keyland/Knuckle Sandwich/One Riot
Carrie Brockwell/That’s Real
Frank Evans/Fit for a Dog

 

Industry Events:

May 17
61st Annual ACM Awards

 

Upcoming Nashville Concerts:

Chris Stapleton. Photo: David McClister

May 1
Ethel Cain/FirstBank Amphitheater
Bailey Zimmerman/Ascend Amphitheater
Ani DiFranco/Ryman Auditorium
Ashnikko/Marathon Music Works
Arm’s Length/Brooklyn Bowl
The Nude Party/The Basement East
Aaron Hibell/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Raven/Exit/In
Liz Cooper/The Blue Room
Multi Ultra/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 2
Florence + The Machine/Bridgestone Arena
Bailey Zimmerman/Ascend Amphitheater
Josh Ritter/Ryman Auditorium
Nettspend/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Flyte/The Basement East
Krooked Kings/Exit/In
Sluice/The Blue Room
Jesse Solomon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 3
Maddox Batson/The Pinnacle
Tracy Lawrence/Ryman Auditorium
Strings & Heart/Exit/In
Vanessa Carlton/City Winery

May 4
Fender Presents: Tele Town/Ryman Auditorium
The Paper Kites/Brooklyn Bowl
Freddie Dredd/The Basement East

May 5
Disclosure Live/The Pinnacle
Courtney Barnett/Ryman Auditorium
Failure/The Basement East
Patrick Droney/Exit/In
David Broza/City Winery
Andrew Duhon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 6
Bruno Mars/Nissan Stadium
David Lee Roth/Ryman Auditorium
Sepultura/Brooklyn Bowl
Bahamas/The Basement East

May 7
Sammy Virji/The Pinnacle
Satchvai Band/Ryman Auditorium
Breakfield/Exit/In
Black Marble/The Blue Room

May 8
Russell Dickerson/Ascend Amphitheater
Amy Grant/Ryman Auditorium
Sleeping With Sirens/Marathon Music Works
CHE: ENCORE/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Colby Acuff/The Basement East
VAMPA/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Sons Of Legion/Exit/In
CusCampbell/City Winery
Gia Margaret/The Blue Room
Babes In Canyon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 9
David Byrne/Ascend Amphitheater
Benjamin Tod/Brooklyn Bowl
White Reaper x Drug Church/The Basement East
Sons Of Legion/Exit/In
Keiko Matsui/City Winery
Folk Bitch Trio/The Blue Room

May 10
Dethklok & Amon Amarth/The Pinnacle
Ari Lennox/Ryman Auditorium
Juvenile/Marathon Music Works
Alpha Wolf/Brooklyn Bowl
Dry Cleaning/The Basement East
Sun Kil Moon/City Winery
FLAKE/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 11
Unprocessed/The Basement East
Grant Knoche/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 12
Earth, Wind & Fire/FirstBank Amphitheater
Mac Demarco/Ryman Auditorium
Elmiene/Brooklyn Bowl
Cattle Decapitation/The Basement East
the Pharcyde/City Winery
Whitney/The Blue Room

May 13
Bilmuri/The Pinnacle
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Opry House
Herbie Hancock/Ryman Auditorium
Magnolia Park/The Basement East
49 Winchester/The Blue Room
Miles Minnick/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 14
Black Label Society/Ryman Auditorium
Pub Choir/Brooklyn Bowl
The Black Angels/The Basement East
Amelia Day/Exit/In
The Spooklights/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 15
Bush/FirstBank Amphitheater
Marilyn Manson/The Pinnacle
Drew & Ellie Holcomb/Ryman Auditorium
Behemoth/Brooklyn Bowl
TYNAN TIME/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Corrosion of Conformity/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Happy Landing/Exit/In
Grace Ives/The Blue Room
Sterling Ezla & Cole Barnhill/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 16
Treaty Oak Revival/Bridgestone Arena
Drew & Ellie Holcomb/Ryman Auditorium
Kings Kaleidoscope/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Bella White/The Basement East
Earth Tongue & Pink Fuzz/The Blue Room
Katelyn Tarver/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 17
Treaty Oak Revival/Ryman Auditorium
Little Image/The Basement East
’68/Cannery Hall (The Mil)

May 18
Paul Gilbert/City Winery

May 19
Godsmack/FirstBank Amphitheater
Electric Callboy/The Pinnacle
Tech N9ne X E-40/Marathon Music Works
Chet Faker/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Saving Abel/City Winery
Edge of Broken/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 20
Diljit Dosanjh/Bridgestone Arena
Ann Wilson/City Winery

May 21
The Black Crowes & Whiskey Myers/Bridgestone Arena
Alter Bridge/The Pinnacle
Jarrod Walker/The Basement East
Sonja Morgan/City Winery

May 22
Trace Adkins/Ryman Auditorium
Chrisette Michele/Brooklyn Bowl
Noah Gundersen/The Basement East
Culture Wars/Exit/In
ChRocktikal/Riverside Revival
Maggie Miles/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 23
Chris Stapleton/Nissan Stadium
Trace Adkins/Ryman Auditorium
Krewella/Marathon Music Works
Uncle Lucius/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Rickshaw/The Blue Room
hallpass/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 25
Alex Warren/Bridgestone Arena
Stella Standingbear/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 26
The Kid LAROI/Marathon Music Works
The Mountain Goats/Brooklyn Bowl
Vana/The Basement East
Alvin Garrett/City Winery
Arlo Parks/The Blue Room

May 27
Marcus King Band/Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Chicago/Opry House
Cold/The Basement East
MAJOR./City Winery

May 28
America/Ryman Auditorium

May 29
Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band/Ryman Auditorium
Echo & The Bunnymen/Brooklyn Bowl
Genevieve Heyward/Exit/In
Caroline Carter/The Blue Room
Daydrnkrz/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 30
Joshua Slone/Marathon Music Works
Free Throw/Brooklyn Bowl
Fulton Lee/The Basement East
BARELY ALIVE/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Tyler Boone/Exit/In
Ariella & Nicolaas/City Winery

May 31
Steve Earle/Ryman Auditorium
Peelingflesh/The Basement East
Fattmack/Exit/In
Andres/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

Riser House Adds Leighanna Martin As Manager, A&R + Publishing

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Leighanna Martin.

Riser House has added Leighanna Martin as Manager, A&R + Publishing.

In this role, Martin will work closely alongside Brandon Perdue, SVP of A&R + Publishing, supporting the label and publishing rosters, which include Mitchell Tenpenny and Jake Mitchell.

The Nashville native joins the company from Anthem Entertainment. She previously worked in merchandising for Richards and Southern.

“Within five minutes of talking to Leighanna, I could tell she was the right fit for our team,” shares Perdue. “She’s bold, has a sharp song sensibility, and she’s passionate about her writers. She also has a stellar reputation within our community and is already making an impact across our rosters. I look forward to watching her grow into a true superstar in this town.”

“I’m so excited to be working with the team at Riser House,” says Martin. “The opportunity to champion great songs, support talented writers, and help shape creative direction is exactly what I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to contributing to a team that values both artistry and strategy, and to playing a role in bringing impactful music to a wider audience.”

Matt Maher Signs With Music Services

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Pictured (L-R): Rose Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Music Services; Matt Maher; and Lynn Lowe, President, Label & Publishing Administration, Music Services.

Dove award-winning artist Matt Maher has signed with the Music Services Division of SESAC Music Group for independent label services, including digital distribution through AudioSalad, and label administration through Music Services Inc.

To align with this new chapter, Maher has also released a new single, “Gonna Be Alright.”

“Matt Maher is an artist whose music has shaped worship culture around the world, and we’re honored to partner with him in the next stage of his career,” says Rose Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Music Services Division. “With our extensive suite of services across the division we’re able to support Matt’s independent spirit and artistry while ensuring his music reaches listeners globally.”

Over the past two decades, Maher has helped shape the sound of modern worship, writing songs that have become global anthems for churches and listeners. His catalog includes “Lord, I Need You,” “Because He Lives (Amen),” and “Alive & Breathing.”

Beyond the stage and studio, Maher is also an accomplished writer, storyteller, and respected thought leader.

Ella Langley Stays Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Be Her’

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Ella Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley notches a second week atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with her track, “Be Her.”

Langley co-wrote the song with Jordan Schmidt, Smith Ahnquist and HARDY. It appears on her sophomore album Dandelion.

The album has scored the largest streaming week for an album by a woman in 2026, and the biggest streaming week for a country album by a woman in two years. It currently sits at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

“Be Her” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.