CMHOFM To Honor Trey Fanjoy At 18th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will honor Trey Fanjoy at its 18th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Fanjoy will discuss her more than 30 years as an award-winning music video and film director, producer and creative director in a conversation with Museum Writer-Editor Allison Moorer.

Born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Fanjoy made her first 8 mm film for a 10th grade social studies project. She attended the University of South Carolina, where she studied journalism. After working in commercial film production in New York City and Los Angeles, Fanjoy moved to Nashville in the mid-1990s and began her career as a music video producer, which soon led her to directing.

Fanjoy made CMA history in 2009 as the first woman to receive the Video of the Year award for her direction of the video for Taylor Swift’s hit “Love Story.” Fanjoy also received CMA Video of the Year awards for her work with Miranda Lambert in 2010 for “The House That Built Me” and in 2020 for “Bluebird,” and has been nominated for the award 18 times. She has worked with artists such as Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Enrique Iglesias, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and George Strait, among many others.

Fanjoy formed her own production company, Big Feather Films, in 2006. In addition to her three CMA awards, she has received 23 CMT awards, four Billboard Music awards and one ACM award. Fanjoy also holds leadership roles in the music industry, serving as president of the Nashville Chapter board of the Recording Academy and as a trustee on its national board. With more than 200 music videos to her credit, she made her feature film directorial debut for Sony Pictures in 2021 with “Honey Girls.”

The annual forum, which began in 2007, recognizes music industry leaders who continue the legacy of Scruggs, a formidable businesswoman who set new professional standards in artist management. Past honorees include Alison Brown, Kay Clary, Lorianne Crook, Bebe Evans, Bonnie Garner, Dixie Hall, Cindy Mabe, Mary Martin, Bev Paul, Nancy Shapiro, Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Traci Thomas, Sarah Trahern, Marcie Allen Van Mol, Jo Walker-Meador, Kay West and Sally Williams.

The program is free and open to the public and tickets can be reserved here.

Randy Travis Readies First Album Of Original Music In Nearly Two Decades

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Photo: Courtesy of Randy Travis

Randy Travis will release his first album of original music in over 18 years. Travis shared the news during a recent visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Kyle Lehning, Travis’ longtime producer, assembled, remixed and remastered tracks from throughout his career. The first single from the record, “Fish On,” will be available on Friday (July 10).

“Sharing the love of music for decades with listeners of all ages has been an honor of mine. I feel extremely blessed. Earlier this week, as we announced my new album and played some of the songs for the children and families at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, I was reminded of my reason for doing it. Gratitude and appreciation welled up as emotions I didn’t expect when stories were shared about a particular song’s impact on their lives. I hope these dusted-off songs from the vault touch folks the same old way,” shares Travis with help from his wife, Mary.

After the tour of St. Jude Children’s, Travis and Alexandra Kay met with patients and families to preview the recordings for the first time. Kay performed Travis’ No. 1 hits “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “I Told You So” and “Deeper Than The Holler.”

This fall, Travis will wrap his More Life Tour with dates in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Colorado, New England, Texas and more.

Jordan Merrigan Signs With Ern’s Cadillac Music Via Big Loud Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Jude Warren, Kimberly Gleason, Jordan Marcus, Jordan Merrigan, ERNEST, Dane Schmidt and Mike Giangreco.

Jordan Merrigan has signed a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music via Big Loud Publishing.

Born and raised in South Dakota, Merrigan learned to play guitar and pen his first songs as a teenager. Influenced by Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and The Spill Canvas, Merrigan joined a pop rock band with his childhood friends in high school before relocating to Nashville. Before landing his deal, Merrigan was on the road as a guitarist and tour manager for the likes of Dylan Schneider and Mason Ramsey and is currently still on the road with ERNEST.

Merrigan’s songwriting credits include ERNEST’s “Blessed,” “Take Me To Montgomery,” “Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson)” and “Ain’t Too Late.”

“I’ve been in the Cadillac Music/Big Loud universe as a touring musician for years, and it’s always been apparent that they embraced artists and writers in a special way,” shares Merrigan. “I’ve been especially fortunate to experience that working with ERNEST. His belief in me as a songwriter is something I’m beyond grateful for. I couldn’t be more excited to join the family as a songwriter.”

“Jordan’s journey has been incredible,” ERN’s Cadillac Music Founder and CEO ERNEST adds. “From having a band in Minneapolis that recorded with Dane and Jordan Schmidt before moving to Nashville over 12 years ago, to tour managing for Mason Ramsey who I opened for…and then tour managing for me, until I finally just said, ‘Hey grab your guitar. You’re in my band.’ He has been with me ever since. All along he has been writing cool songs, songs that live on the fringe. He brings singer-songwriter / indie rock to the table, as well as production / musicianship … which is a healthy recipe in today’s scene. The timing of it is perfect. I love that he not only is in my band / my longest lasting band member but has the hunger for so much more and he will be a valuable tool for our crew and Music Row.”

Bryan Sutton Shares ‘Musical Conversations’ On New Album ‘From Roots to Branches, Vol. 1’

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Bryan Sutton is releasing From Roots to Branches, Vol. 1, a collection of duets from Mountain Home Music Company, on Aug. 28.

The collection’s focus track is a previously unreleased, early 2000s duet with Tony Rice on the venerable Carter Family song, “Storms Are on the Ocean,” which Sutton says honors the memory of Mountain Home Founder Mickey Gamble, who passed away earlier this year.

“When I was leaving high school,” Sutton recalls, “I was hanging out at the Hear Here recording studio in Asheville, where Mickey Gamble would hire Tony to come in and produce records – and Tony did his great Crossings gospel record there with David Johnson and Tim Surrett. So it was a really neat place to be; I was trying to find my feet right out of high school, trying to make a career, and here’s Tony Rice hanging out. I would have coffee with him at the studio, or go to lunch and sit in his car and listen to Earl Klugh. So I see, in this new Tony Rice song, a connection both with Not Too Far From the Tree and with Mickey, who helped us meet each other so many years ago, and it feels like a cool way of bringing it all together.”

The project also includes previously unreleased duets from since-departed legends (Doc Watson, Tony Rice); exchanges with colleagues from beyond the bluegrass realm (Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Emmanuel); and a sizeable assortment of bluegrass colleagues ranging from Kenny Smith to next generation players Trey Hensley, Sierra Hull, Jake Stargel, Chris Eldridge, Cody Kilby and Billy Strings, whose collaboration on “The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap” features a full band backing Sutton’s and Strings’ flatpicking and heavy metal exchanges that are as much duels as duets.

“I feel fortunate to be able to share what I’ve called these sort of ‘musical conversations’ with friends of mine,” Sutton says. “I am as much of a fan of any of these people as any other guitarist out there, or any music fan. And so to take the opportunity to sit more intimately, with just two guitars…what we have here in this project is kind of unique. So I’m excited to share that with people and to see people enjoy it.”

A2IM Reveals 2026-2027 Board Of Directors

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A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc.), the nonprofit trade organization representing over 600 independent labels, has unveiled its 2026-2027 Board of Directors, as well as its new Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members.

The Executive Committee includes Chair Glen Barros, Managing Partner, Exceleration Music; Treasurer Louis Posen, Founder & President, Hopeless Records; and Secretary David Barnes, COO, Rhymesayers Entertainment. Oscar Guitian, CEO, Serving Sounds returns as Advisory Board Member, and industry professionals Sue Lucarelli, President, Epitaph Records and Benson Curb, SVP of Revenue & Marketing, Curb now join the Advisory Board as well.

This year’s newly elected board members are Katie Garcia, Owner & Founder, Bayonet Records, Tony Kiewel, President, Sub Pop, Steve Kline, President & COO, Better Noise Music, and Elliott Peters, Chief Legal Officer, EMPIRE. Returning to the board for this upcoming year are Jason Peterson, Chairman & CEO, GoDigital Media Group, Victor Zaraya, Chief Operating Officer, Concord, Steven Hill, Head of North America & Global Marketing Warp Records and Terry McBride, CEO, Nettwerk Music Group.

“We are honored to welcome an incredibly talented, diverse, and dedicated group of individuals to serve on the 2026-27 Board of Directors for A2IM,” says Ian Harrison, CEO, A2IM. “Their expertise and passion for independent music will be instrumental in shaping the future of our organization and the industry at this critical time. With these new Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members, we are confident in our ability to advocate effectively for the needs and interests of independent artists and record labels.”

Industry Ink: Darius Rucker, The Store, Combustion Music, LOCASH, More

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Darius Rucker Headlines Sold-Out July 4th Celebration

Darius Rucker. Photo: Rick Kern, Getty Images for Omni Hotels & Resorts

Darius Rucker headlined the sold-out Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa’s Fireworks on The Fairway July 4th celebration.

Rucker welcomed more than 7,000 guests for a set that included “Wagon Wheel,” “Homegrown Honey” and “Alright,” along with Hootie & the Blowfish classics, such as “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand.”

 

The Store Seeks Community Participation For Third Annual School Store


The Store will host the Third Annual School Store in late July at the Coleman Park Community Center in Nashville. The initiative will collect new high-quality backpacks and stainless-steel water bottles throughout the month of July. Donations may be purchased from a wish list and shipped automatically to the store. This year, The Store expects to serve more than 800 children.

“We are thankful for the Nashville community that helps us provide much-needed support of our families facing food insecurity. Our customers also lack resources for important things like school supplies,” shares Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, co-founders of The Store. “Thanks to our generous donors, we love being able to offer this opportunity to gear up for a great school year ahead.”

 

Combustion Music Celebrates ‘Hate How You Look’

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Combustion’s Keithan Melton, Jessica Farren, Christian Yancey, Chris McKenna and Chris Sainato. (Back Row, L-R): Combustion’s Chris Farren, Kelly Lyons and Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom. Photo: Courtesy of Combustion Music

Combustion Music celebrated the writers of Josh Ross’ “Hate How You Look,” Combustion’s Nicholas Sainato and Jessica Farren, former Combustion writer Chris McKenna, and Christian Yancey for the recent chart-topper. The track is the first country No. 1 for all four writers.

 

LOCASH Serves As Grand Marshals For NASCAR Cup Series eero 400

LOCASH. Photo: BIGRED

LOCASH recently served as Grand Marshals for the NASCAR Cup Series eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. This year’s race weekend marked NASCAR’s return to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time in several years.

The duo recently teamed up with Parmalee to release “Let The Country Music Play.” LOCASH will take the stage at Country Jam USA in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on July 16, followed by Freedom Fest in Little Falls, Minnesota on July 17.

 

ELEVATION RHYTHM Celebrates No. 1 Single ‘WASHED’

ELEVATION RHYTHM

ELEVATION RHYTHM recently earned its first chart-topper on both the Billboard and Mediabase charts with “WASHED.” The achievement comes just ahead of the release of their live album on July 17.

 

Chancey Williams Performs At Mount Rushmore

Chancey Williams. Photo: Kenzie Holmberg

Chancey Williams performed at Mount Rushmore on July 3, ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebration.

“I’ve been fortunate to get to do a lot of really neat things in my life, but this was hands down the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Williams shared following the performance. “To be playing at Mount Rushmore, surrounded by that kind of history and patriotism and then see Air Force One fly right over us – it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Midland Plots ‘Stages Tour’ For Fall

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Midland. Photo: Harper Smith

Midland will hit the road this fall for their “Stages Tour.”

The run will include stops in Iowa, South Dakota, Texas and more in between dates opening for Kacey Musgraves, and the band’s co-headlining tour with Clint Black. The co-headling run will kick off Oct. 8 in Charlotte, with additional stops in Indianapolis, Louisville, Lynchburg and more. Tickets for all shows are available here.

The “Stages Tour” is in support of the band’s most recent album, out now via Blue Highway Records. The 10-track project was produced by Trent Willmon and features writing credits from Dean Dillon, Tim Nichols, Seth Ennis, Carson Chamberlain, Wyatt McCubbin, Josh Osborne and more.

Alongside the album and tour, Midland also recently launched their official fan club app, Midlanderos, in partnership with 237 Global, giving fans a dedicated home base for first access to tickets, members-only discussion boards, exclusive updates and more.

Midland Fall Tour Dates:
9/4: Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom -
9/5: Deadwood, SD – Outlaw Square –
9/9: Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center ^
9/11: Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum ^
9/12: St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center ^
9/17: Brenham, TX – Washington County Fair –
9/18: Helotes, TX – John T. Floore’s Country Store
9/19: Pasadena, TX – Pasadena Livestock & Rodeo
9/25: Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre
9/26: Ruiduso, NM – Jack’s Backstage
9/27: Taos, NM – The Mothership
10/3: Hamilton, TX – Pecan Creek Oktoberfest –
10/8 Charlotte, NC — TD Amp Ballantyne*
10/9: Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park*
10/10: Camdentown, MO — Ozarks Amphitheater*
10/15: Louisville, KY — The Louisville Palace*
10/16: Auburn, AL — Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University*
10/17: Tampa, FL – Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
10/22: Lynchburg, VA — Lynchburg Amphitheater at Riverfront Park*
10/23: Durham, NC — DPAC*
10/24: Glen Allen, VA — After Hours at The Innsbrook Pavilion*
11/13: Hidalgo, TX – Payne Arena –
11/14: Waco, TX – The Backyard –
^ supporting Kacey Musgraves
* with Clint Black
– Stages Tour

Dolly Parton Musical Opening On Broadway This Winter

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Dolly Parton

DOLLY: A True Original Musical, a journey through the life of Dolly Parton, is coming to Broadway this winter.

Preview performances will open Dec. 7 and the show’s opening night will take place on Parton’s birthday, Jan. 19, 2027. The shows will take place at New York’s St. James Theatre.

The show features music by Parton including some of her iconic hits as well as new songs she has written especially for the musical, a book by Parton and two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter, and is directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher.

“My whole life has been a musical,” says Parton. “A grand ole opera really! We have a wonderful director, sets, costumes, choreography, music and all the things you need to make a wonderful, entertaining show! Can’t wait to see you there!”

“During our world premiere in Nashville, I was overwhelmed by the deep connection audiences have with Dolly,” says Sher. “You mention her name and people light up and share a time that she has inspired them and brought them joy. But despite all of that genuine love, Dolly has never really shared her story before. She’s offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words. As we prepare to come to Broadway, we’re thrilled to show that rhinestones were never her whole story.”

Tickets go on pre-sale starting tomorrow (July 8), with general sale beginning July 10.

Bryan Andrews Plots ‘Taking My Flag Back’ Tour

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Bryan Andrews. Photo: Layna Wells

Bryan Andrews will kickoff his “Taking My Flag Back” tour in November.

The 20 date trek will include support from Lou Ridley. The t0ur will include stops across the country including Boston, Nashville, Denver and more through December, and a portion of proceeds from the upcoming run will benefit a charity to be announced soon.

Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 10) at 10am local time.

Andrews also recently marked America’s 250th anniversary with his new 8-track mixtape project, Independence Day, out now.

Independence Day features two new tracks, “Home of the Chained” and “Backwoods Backwards,” plus recent viral hits “Are We Great Yet?”, “Yeehaw”, “Not See”, and “The Older I Get,” which previously topped Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales, Digital Song Sales, and Emerging Artists charts. A new video for “Backwoods Backwards” also just released.

Before pursuing music full-time, Bryan spent over four years working as a pipe welder, living the blue-collar life that now informs his music. Raised in a musical household, with his band teacher father and his mother who teaches choir, he grew up immersed in music from his early days. His current work brings those two worlds together, channeling his upbringing to create songs grounded in standing up for what’s right. That philosophy has resonated far beyond country music, helping him build an audience of more than 3.8 million TikTok followers and 1.4 million Instagram followers.

“Taking My Flag Back” Tour Dates:
Nov 5 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
Nov 6 – Boston, MA – Cafe 939 at Berklee
Nov 7 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Nov 8 – Philadelphia, PA – MilkBoy
Nov 11 – Cleveland, OH – Mahall’s 20 Lanes
Nov 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
Nov 13 –Milwaukee, WI – The Rave Bar
Nov 15 – Indianapolis, IN – Turntable
Nov 16 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
Nov 19 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues – Cambridge Room
Nov 20 – Austin, TX – 3Ten ACL Live
Nov 21 – Houston, TX – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock
Dec 3 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
Dec 5 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
Dec 8 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
Dec 9 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
Dec 11 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
Dec 12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
Dec 14 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues – Voodoo Room
Dec 15 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar

Rascal Flatts To Play Colosseum At Caesars Palace Show During National Finals Rodeo

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Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts will play a special show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Dec. 5 for one night only during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets July 7-9 through the Citi Entertainment program. Artist fans will have access to a presale beginning July 8, and Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, as well as Live Nation All Access customers will have access to a presale beginning July 9. Tickets will go on sale to the public July 10.

Throughout their storied career, the Grand Ole Opry members have racked up 17 No. 1s, over 23.4 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads, and over 12 billion total lifetime streams, with 4.6 billion streams on Spotify alone, while also selling over 11 million concert tickets. They’ve earned more than 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, making them one of the most-awarded country groups of the past two decades.