Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” Joins Spotify Billions Club

Darius Rucker. Photo: Josh Pruitt/Ivywild Visuals

Darius Rucker‘s version of “Wagon Wheel” has joined the Spotify Billions Club. Before taking the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 25, Darius Rucker and Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor were surprised with a Spotify Billions Club plaque commemorating the achievement.

“You never know where a song is going to take you, and I don’t think any of us could’ve imagined ‘Wagon Wheel’ would still mean this much to people all these years later,” says Rucker. “To celebrate a billion streams with Ketch right before we walked out at Red Rocks made it even more special. I’m grateful to everybody who’s made this song part of their lives, and I’ll keep singing it as long as y’all let me!”

Alli Leighann Signs With Deep Cuts Management Co.

Alli Leighann. Photo: Courtesy of Deep Cuts Management Co.

Alli Leighann has signed with Deep Cuts Management Co.

“From the first time I heard Alli, it was clear that she has something special,” shares Liam Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Deep Cuts Management Co. “Her voice, her songwriting, and the authenticity she brings to everything she does represent exactly what we look for at Deep Cuts. We’re excited to help guide the next chapter of her career and support her vision as an artist.”

“Music has always been my way of connecting with people and sharing pieces of my story,” says Leighann. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity with Liam and excited to have a team that believes in my vision and the music I want to create. I can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

CMHOFM Hosts Interview With Buddy Cannon

Jon Freeman and Buddy Cannon. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently hosted an interview with Buddy Cannon on his life and career in the museum’s Ford Theater. Hosted by the museum’s Jon Freeman, the event featured photos, video clips and recordings. This program was offered in support of the museum’s newest exhibition, “Kenny Chesney: Living in Fast Forward.” It was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital program series.

Cannon began his career playing bass for Bob Luman and Mel Tillis before shifting his focus to composing. He then started producing in the 1990s and has worked with Kenny Chesney on 17 albums, including the multi-platinum releases No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002) and When the Sun Goes Down (2004). Additionally, Cannon has produced Country Music Hall of Fame member Willie Nelson since 2008, including the Grammy-winning releases Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin and A Beautiful Time.

JB Somers Performs For Nashville Soccer Club’s Pride Night Celebration

JB Somers. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Soccer Club

JB Somers performed as the featured artist for Nashville Soccer Club’s Captain’s Club during the team’s annual Pride Night celebration on July 23 at GEODIS Park.

“To be part of Nashville Soccer Club’s Pride Night was incredibly meaningful,” shares Somers. “I’ve always believed music has the power to make people feel seen, and getting to celebrate authenticity and community through these songs made the night really special. I’m grateful to Nashville SC for creating spaces where everyone can feel welcome.”

Old Crow Medicine Show & Maggie Rose Appear On Songs of U.S.

Old Crow Medicine Show has released a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” for Salt Lick Sessions’ Songs of U.S. series. The band was also joined by Maggie Rose for a duet of “Beautiful Land.”

Additional performance and interview videos can be found here.

American Blonde Appears On WXXV-TV

Nata Morris, Tinka Morris and Chloe Carter.

American Blonde recently appeared in the WXXV-TV studio to celebrate the release of their newest single, “Delta Home” and promote their sold-out show at Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi.

Joy Oladokun. Photo: Graham Tolbert

Joy Oladokun will embark on her extensive “The Heavy Things Tour” beginning in October.

The tour includes newly confirmed stops in Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Brooklyn, Washington D.C. and a Nashville Ryman Auditorium show on Nov. 19, among many others.

Tickets for the new dates go on sale this Friday (July 31).

The fall shows coincide with the recent reveal of Oladokun’s upcoming new album, Hope Is A Heavy Thing, due out Sept. 25 via Concord Records. She unveiled a new song from the project, “Kind,” last week.

“The Heavy Things Tour” Dates:
October 16—Houston, TX—The Heights Theater
October 17—Austin, TX—Scoot Inn
October 20—Phoenix, AZ—Crescent Ballroom
October 21—San Diego, CA—The Observatory North Park
October 23— Los Angeles, CA—The Bellwether
October 25— San Francisco, CA—Castro Theatre
October 27— Portland, OR—Aladdin Theater
October 29—Vancouver, BC—Hollywood Theatre
October 30—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre
November 2—Salt Lake City, UT—The Complex – The Grand
November 4—Denver, CO—Paramount Theatre
November 6—Lawrence, KS—The Granada Theater
November 7—St. Paul, MN—Palace Theatre
November 8—Chicago, IL—The Vic Theatre
November 11—Brooklyn, NY—Warsaw Concerts
November 12—Ardmore, PA—Ardmore Music Hall
November 13—Washington, D.C.—Howard Theatre
November 15—Saxapahaw, NC— Haw River Ballroom
November 17—Charlotte, NC—Neighborhood Theatre
November 18—Atlanta, GA—Variety Playhouse
November 19—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium

Curb Records artist Lloyd Nicks will release his debut album, Paper-Maché, on Mar. 19, 2027. He’s giving fans another preview of the upcoming new project with the title track, which is out now.

Paper-Maché pieces together a life that’s known abuse, abandonment and grief, but also a transformed heart that’s experienced the love of Jesus. Nicks turns the process of becoming into a work of art on Paper-Maché, and the 12-track debut reveals an emotional storyteller and a devoted father who’s trying to outrun generations worth of pain for the sake of his children. His introductory set features an inviting array of R&B, soul, pop, Gospel and worship, as well as a personal version of his Grammy-winning CeCe Winans’ cut, “That’s My King.”

Offering his heart up as a blank canvas, Nicks welcomes divine creativity on the title track. While he might not be able to see the full picture yet, piece by piece, he knows his purpose is taking shape, and claims our lives, while unfinished, remain a work of art as we’re molded into who we’re meant to be. The colorful, pulsating anthem, which he wrote with Micah Kuiper and Taylor Agan, is for those, like Nicks, in the middle of their becoming. “Paper-Maché” is the fourth song to preview the upcoming full-length project, following open-hearted selection “We Won’t,” current radio single “A Little More,” and his emotional ode to fatherhood, “Heal For You.”

“Just like paper-maché, every piece of me is being carefully molded,” says Nicks. “Each experience, each lesson, a new layer added by the Master Artist. This journey of becoming is sacred, and it’s leading to something truly profound. This isn’t just an album; it’s a testament to His artistry.”

Already a Grammy winner, three-time GMA Dove Award nominee, and a Billboard Music Award winner, Nicks signed a recording contract with Curb in 2025. His award-winning hit, Winans’ “That’s My King,” remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart for an impressive 49 weeks.

Paper-Maché Track List:
1. “Looking For Jesus”
2. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Heaven”
3. “Paper-Maché”
4. “Common Ground”
5. “I’m Making Room”
6. “We Won’t”
7. “A Little More”
8. “Heal For You”
9. “Supersonic”
10. “That’s My King”
11. “Love Like Jesus”
12. “Thank You”

The Academy of Country Music has revealed the performers and presenters for this year’s 19th ACM Honors, presented by TennPop, Seltzer of the South. Performers include Avery Anna, Big Kenny, Carly Pearce, Carter Faith, Dierks Bentley, Dylan Scott, Gabriella Rose, Gavin Adcock, Kaitlin Butts, Mark Collie, Margo Price, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum and Trisha Yearwood.

Brenda Lee will make a special appearance, and Zach John King will present the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Awards. The show will also feature a special tribute to Dolly Parton, who will receive the ACM Poet’s Award and accept the honor through a video message.

Parton is being honored with the ACM Poet’s Award for her lasting impact as one of country music’s most influential songwriters. A 13-time ACM Award winner, she has also hosted the ACM Awards three times. Throughout her career, she has written many of country music’s most iconic songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” while earning multiple ACM Song of the Year nominations for songs such as “You’re the Only One,” “9 to 5” and “When I Get Where I’m Going.”

Parton joins previously announced honorees Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, the Paramount+ series Landman, Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke. Previously announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Ella Langley, Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon, and this year’s Studio Recording and Industry Award winners will also be recognized.

The 19th ACM Honors will take place on Aug. 19 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, with Pearce and McCollum serving as co-hosts. Tickets are available here.

Sun Records is releasing new rare archival recordings from David Allan Coe in August.

Coe’s Texas Moon (Deluxe) arrives Aug. 21, highlighting an important early chapter in the legendary outlaw artist’s career. Originally recorded in 1973 for Shelby Singleton’s Plantation Records, the album captured Coe performing songs by many of his biggest influences, including Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver and Jackson Browne, backed by Coe’s road band.

The recordings were not officially released until 1977, after Coe had moved to Columbia Records, but feature a key snapshot of his formative years as a recording artist. Pressed on vinyl for the first time in more than four decades, the deluxe edition adds previously unreleased demos from Coe’s earliest Nashville recording sessions with Singleton.

Sun Records will also release It’s Been So Long by The Gentrys on Sept. 4, showcasing a largely unheard chapter in the Memphis garage rock band’s history. Best known for their 1965 MGM Records hit “Keep On Dancing,” The Gentrys joined Sun Records as the label entered a new era under Shelby Singleton’s ownership.

“Finding previously unreleased recordings from David Allan Coe and The Gentrys in our tape vault is a reminder that the Sun Records story is still being written, one archive discovery at a time,” says Chase Gregory, Sr. Director of A&R/Sync for Sun Records. “Bringing lost music like this to fans is central to how we honor and expand the label’s legacy.”

Texas Moon (Deluxe) and It’s Been So Long are both available for pre-order now.