Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart have teamed up for a new album, Looking For The Thread, due out Jan. 24 via Thirty Tigers.
Ahead of the release, the first single, “Hold Everything,” is out now. Penned by Polwart, the song gives a nod to the world, as it is, and to John Berger’s 2008 book, Hold Everything Dear: Dispatches on Survival and Resistance.
Carpenter, Fowlis and Polwart came together in 2023 to begin the collaborative new project, but share mutual respect stretching back decades. Polwart and Fowlis are dedicated fans of Carpenter, while Carpenter, in turn, has long admired the pair, sharing, “I remember telling my manager I wanted to do this and he may have challenged me about who was on my wish list. I’m certain I blurted out Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart. Anything they do is brilliant and beautiful, and I wanted to fold myself right in there.”
The three convened in January 2023 to perform alongside Robert Vincent at Song Circle, an event in Glasgow. From there, they headed north to a writing retreat at Kinlochmoidart House. “It was like some Hollywood notion of the Scottish Highlands,” says Polwart. “Everything was conducive to creating. It was dark and we were hemmed in, sitting by the fire making stuff.”
The trio returned to Kinlochmoidart House in early 2024, with producer Josh Kaufman in tow, and the album was completed in a week with tracks recorded live, everyone playing together in the same room, responding to the music in real time. “The songs hadn’t been pre-produced to within an inch of their lives and the band hadn’t heard them in advance,” says Polwart. “The musicians were such attentive listeners, none of them overplaying, all of them bringing a beautiful textural quality. There was something really beautiful and fresh about it.”
Album highlights include “Satellite,” “Rebecca” and “Silver In The Blue,” written by Carpenter, Polwart and Fowlis, respectively. The opening track, “Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe,” was recorded for renowned Scottish accordion player, Fergie MacDonald, the “Ceilidh King,” who died in April 2024. It is one of two tracks sung in Scottish Gaelic, led by Fowlis. As non-Gaelic speakers, both Carpenter and Polwart learned their parts phonetically.
When recording was complete, all three artists, plus Kaufman and the musicians, turned the lights off in the studio, lay on the floor and listened to what they had made. “There were no words, no critique,” says Polwart. “It was just us all tripping out and going on a wee journey. It was really beautiful. When I hear the songs, that’s what I picture in my head.”
Looking For The Thread Track List:
1. “Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe”
2. “A Heart That Never Closes”
3. “Rebecca”
4. “Looking For The Thread”
5. “Hold Everything”
6. “Silver In The Blue”
7. “You Know Where You Are”
8. “Satellite”
9. “Buidheann Mo Chridhe Clann Ualrig”
10. “Send Love”
Industry Ink: Brian Crews, Cory Edmondson, Kurt Stevens
/by Madison HahnenJayson Entertainment Group Adds Brian Crews
Brian Crews
Industry veteran Brian Crews has joined Jayson Entertainment Group (JEG) as Director of Business Development & Strategy, where he will continue working in talent buying, concert promotion and production.
Crews began his career with Roxboro Jaycees, where he helped book and produce the Flem Whitt Beach Music Festival. He later founded Crewser Entertainment & Promotions, a talent buying and concert production company. Crews most recently served as Senior Talent Buyer/Event Producer at Romeo Entertainment Group (REG). Over the past two decades, he has worked with artists including Lainey Wilson, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr., Lee Brice, Nelly, 3 Doors Down and more.
“We are excited for Brian to join us at JEG. His knowledge and experience is going to help us grow and expand,” shares Aaron J. Green, Partner, Jayson Entertainment Group. “Brian shares our mission of making great events happen!”
KFGE/Lincoln, NE Ups Cory Edmondson
Cory Edmondson
Cory Edmondson has been promoted to PD at KFGE/Lincoln, NE. He takes over the role from Steve King, who will focus on duties as OM for the five-station cluster as well as the company’s seven-station cluster in Omaha.
“I don’t think there is anyone more deserving than Cory to lead the charge for Froggy,” shares King. Edmondson joined KFGE in 2022 after working for numerous stations, such as KFLS/Klamath Falls, OR, KKOA/Hilo, HI, KTHK/Idaho Falls, ID and KKNU/Eugene, OR.
Maui Songwriters Festival To Debut ‘Festival Find’ With Kurt Stevens
Kurt Stevens
The Maui Songwriters Festival will debut their new “Festival Find” program with Kurt Stevens earning the debut honor. Stevens will perform during the festival, taking place Jan. 15–18 in Maui, Kapalua.
A South Florida native, Stevens is rooted in the traditions of artists, such as Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Jack Johnson and more. He recently caught the attention of SiriusXM’s Radio Margaritaville with his latest release, “Everglades,” which is now in regular rotation on the station. The song draws a parallel between a romantic relationship and the Florida Everglades.
Splice Releases New AI Discovery Tool For Country Creators
/by Lorie HollabaughSplice, the sounds catalog platform that helps music creators bring their ideas to life, is launching the country music genre in its Create AI tool, which allows producers, songwriters and instrumentalists to build song starters and create stacks using compatible sounds from across the vast Splice catalog.
The Splice team spent months in Nashville, Austin and Los Angeles to capture rich, authentic, human-made country sounds for this launch. Released under a new sample label, Splice Country features performances from country musicians including Devin Malone (Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood), Trevor Nealon (Willie Nelson, Lee Ann Womack) and Kate L. Malone (Sam Hunt, Emma White).
“Create is already changing the game for producers across genres whose phones are filled with Stacks and I’m looking forward to seeing how the country community engages with the tool,” says Kenny Ochoa, SVP of Content at Splice. “Our ability to deliver these beautiful country samples right into studio workflows is going to make such a difference for country producers. It was important to us to get this right, to find the right musicians to play on these sample packs and get the best recording quality and instrumentation that producers in the country space want to use.”
“Inspiration can be a luxury when you’re always creating,” says CMA Award-winning songwriter Mikey Reaves (Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson), producer of the recently released Country Mojo & Spice sound pack. “That’s where Splice Create comes in. With a single click, it generates a full production vibe—again and again—until the right one sparks your next song.”
Splice Country is home to 10 new sample packs featuring loops and melodies using the unique instruments that define the genre; the dobro, pedal steel, lap steel and banjo. These sounds are now accessible in Splice’s Create Mode, providing country producers with the same technology embraced by songwriters, producers and Splice users worldwide. With the launch of Splice Country, the company now has 29 in-house sample labels spanning more than 130 genres, featuring hundreds of instruments.
Billy Strings Announces Spring Shows
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings. Photo: Dana Trippe
Billy Strings will continue his headline tour through the spring, which will run through June 21 in Lexington.
The new dates will include multiple shows in St. Augustine; Cary, North Carolina; Grand Rapids; Lexington; Savannah; St. Louis and more. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, (Jan. 10) at billystrings.com/tour.
The spring shows are just the latest added to Strings’ 2025 run, which also includes stops in Denver, Asheville, Atlanta and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Additionally, following his two-night stand at Bridgestone Arena, Strings will once again return to the Ryman Auditorium on March 2 for a third Nashville show.
The upcoming performances celebrate Strings’ latest album, Highway Prayers, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart last fall—the first time in 22 years that a bluegrass album has been the top-selling album across genres.
Billy Strings Confirmed Tour Dates:
January 24 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
January 25 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
January 26 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
February 6 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 7 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 8 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 14 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 15 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 16 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena (SOLD OUT)
February 21 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
February 22 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
February 28 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
March 1 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
March 2 — Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
April 3 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 4 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 5 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 9 — Tampa, FL — Yuengling Center
April 11 — Savannah, GA — Enmarket Arena
April 12 — Savannah, GA — Enmarket Arena
April 15 — Charlottesville, VA — John Paul Jones Arena
April 17 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
April 18 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
April 19 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre
May 30 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
May 31 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
June 6 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
June 7 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
June 11 — Kansas City, MO — T-Mobile Center
June 13 — St. Louis, MO — Chaifetz Arena
June 14 — St. Louis, MO — Chaifetz Arena
June 20 — Lexington, KY — Rupp Arena
June 21 — Lexington, KY — Rupp Arena
Bold: on-sale this Friday, Jan. 10 at 10:00 a.m. local time
Rani Hancock Appointed Executive Vice President, Head Of U.S. Creative At Kobalt
/by LB CantrellRani Hancock. Photo: Charlie Gross
Kobalt has appointed Rani Hancock to the position of Executive Vice President, Head of U.S. Creative at the company. She will now lead the company’s creative teams in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville.
Hancock joins Kobalt from her position as EVP, Head of A&R at Columbia Records, where she worked with Dove Cameron, Maren Morris and JoJo Siwa, among others. In her previous role as Executive Vice President, A&R at RCA Records, she signed chart-topping artists including Miley Cyrus, Kesha and Becky G and A&R’d projects for Pitbull, Britney Spears and more. During her stint as President of Sire Records, she signed Bryce Vine and Cavetown, oversaw projects by Tegan and Sara and Andra Day, as well as executive produced the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack for The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
At Kobalt, Hancock will report directly to Jeannette Perez, the company’s President & Chief Commercial Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rani Hancock to Kobalt Music,” says Perez. “Her exceptional creative vision and proven track record make her the perfect fit to head our U.S. creative team. Rani’s deep understanding of the evolving music landscape, combined with her passion for nurturing talent, will be invaluable as we continue to empower songwriters, artists and producers in achieving their greatest potential.”
Laurent Hubert, CEO of Kobalt adds, “Rani is a creative executive who has always looked at the songwriter as a foundational player in our business. That point of view, along with her vast experience in our business, embodies the kind of leadership and creative acumen that makes her the ideal leader to guide our U.S. creative team moving forward.”
A Berklee College of Music grad, Hancock began her career working for Clive Davis at Arista Records, later joining him as part of the founding team at J Records. She has A&R’d six No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles, three No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 albums and 17 Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 singles throughout her career.
“Joining Kobalt is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that truly values songwriters, artists and producers,” shares Hancock. “Laurent and Jeannette have built an amazing team and a culture of creativity and innovation. I’m incredibly excited to work alongside them to champion the next generation of creative talent. Kobalt’s commitment to empowering artists aligns perfectly with my own values, where great songs and great songwriters always come first. I can’t wait to contribute to their continued success.”
‘Odies Beach Vacation’ Curated By Old Dominion Coming To Miramar Beach
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion
Old Dominion is curating a brand new Moon Crush music vacation weekend, “Odies Beach Vacation,” in Miramar Beach, Florida on Nov. 13 – 15.
Moon Crush “Odies Beach Vacation” will feature two special performances by the band, as well as sets from Brothers Osborne, Shaggy, Russell Dickerson, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Niko Moon and more. General tickets go on sale beginning Jan. 14 for the event, which is presented by Topeka and the Messina Group with Old Dominion.
Topeka allows guests to immerse themselves in live music from the comfort of their own personal cove complete with delivery of all food, drinks and merchandise within five minutes at a 5,500 capacity open air green space venue a short walk from guests’ beach condos or homes. Offering a more intimate and unique experience, guests spend the day under the sun at the beach and nights under the stars seeing their favorite artists.
“This isn’t a music festival, this is a music vacation full of fun, great music and as always, no bad vibes. We can’t wait to spend time with you all, soak in the sun and create memories together,” says Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey.
Jason Aldean To Co-Headline Fenway Park With Brooks & Dunn This Spring
/by Liza AndersonJason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn will unite for a co-headlining show at Boston’s Fenway Park on Friday, May 30.
The one-night-only event will see the three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year and the recently-crowned CMA Vocal Duo of the Year perform their hits under the lights of the famous ballpark, and feature special guests Nate Smith and RaeLynn.
“Playing Fenway Park has always been a highlight for me over the years. I love the city of Boston, the people and the energy surrounding the city. Getting to play it with some of my musical heroes, Brooks & Dunn, is going to be one for the ages,” shares Aldean.
“It’s going to be a blast playing such an iconic stadium like Fenway with our buddy Jason,” says Kix Brooks. “See you in the spring, Boston!”
Tickets will go on sale this Friday (Jan. 10) at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. Additionally, different VIP packages and experiences will be available at VIPNation.com. Packages vary but include premium tickets, a backstage tour, an onstage photo, a photo op at the Green Monster, an invitation to the VIP Hospitality Lounge, a VIP-exclusive gift and more.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Claims Top Debut On Country Streaming Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonPhoto: Courtesy of Big Loud/Mercury Records/Republic Records
Morgan Wallen‘s “Smile” claims the top debut on the country streaming songs chart, arriving at No. 4 with 9.5 million streams, according to Luminate data.
Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” maintains its No. 1 streak with 15 million new streams, adding to 1 billion ATD, followed by Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” at No. 2 with 13 million streams, adding to 883 million ATD. Wallen’s “Love Somebody” rests at No. 3 with 11 million new streams, adding to 167 million ATD, while Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” falls to No. 5 with 8.2 million streams, adding to 1.15 billion ATD.
On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At Time returns to the top with 41K in total consumption (1.6K album only/51 million song streams). Post Malone’s F- 1 Trillion speeds up to No. 2 with 28.2K (1.9K album only/33 million song streams), as Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album reclaims the No. 3 spot with 28K (548 album only/35 million song streams). Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken rises to No. 4 with 22K (4.6K album only/21 million song streams), and Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene secures No. 5 with 20K (3.7K album only/22 million song streams).
Bailey Zimmerman Plots ‘New To Country Tour’ For Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Chris Ashlee
Bailey Zimmerman will hit the road this summer on his “New To Country Tour,” kicking off in Indianapolis on June 6. Dylan Marlowe and Drew Baldridge will join as special guests on the dates.
The trek, which follows his sold-out, international headlining “Religiously. The Tour,” will visit 16 amphitheaters across the U.S. in Denver, Richmond, St. Louis, Reno and more through Sept. 13. Tickets for the “New To Country Tour” will go on sale Jan. 10 via baileyzimmermanmusic.com. Fans can sign up for the artist presale until Wednesday (Jan. 8) with presale access beginning Jan. 9.
Zimmerman’s star continued to rise throughout 2024 as he achieved his fourth No. 1 at country radio, earned his first CMA Award nomination and joined Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson and more on the Grammy-nominated Twisters: The Movie soundtrack with his song “Hell or High Water.” Most recently, he teased his next musical chapter with the releases of “New To Country,” “Holding On” and his current single “Holy Smokes.”
“New To Country” Dates:
6/6/25 – Indianapolis, IN / Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park *
6/7/25 – Sterling Heights, MI / Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre *
6/13/25 – St Louis, MO / St. Louis Music Park *
6/14/25 – Rogers, AR / Walmart AMP *
6/19/25 – St. Augustine, FL / St. Augustine Amphitheatre *
6/21/25 – Alpharetta, GA / Ameris Bank Amphitheatre *
7/27/25 – Corning, CA / Obsidian Spirits Amphitheater at Rolling Hills Casino *
7/29/25 – Denver, CO / Red Rocks Amphitheatre *
8/9/25 – Canandaigua, NY / CMAC *
8/14/25 – Gilford, NH / BankNH Pavilion *
8/22/25 – Bridgeport, CT / Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *
8/23/25 – Richmond, VA / Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront *
8/29/25 – Durant, OK / Choctaw Grand Theater
9/4/25 – Council Bluffs, IA / Harrah’s Stir Cove *
9/12/25 – Reno, NV / Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resorts **
9/13/25 – Laughlin, NV / Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater **
* with support from Dylan Marlowe & Drew Baldridge
** with support from Dylan Marlowe
Luke Combs & Megan Moroney To Headline Boston Calling Festival
/by Madison HahnenLuke Combs and Megan Moroney.
Boston Calling has unveiled its 2025 festival lineup, taking place May 23-25 at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Boston, Massachusetts.
Luke Combs and Megan Moroney will serve as the Friday (May 23) night headliners. Additional performers that evening will include Sheryl Crow, T-Pain, TLC, Mike., Max McNown and more. Saturday (May 24) will feature performances from Cage The Elephant, The Black Crowes, All Time Low, James Bay, The Maine and more before headline sets from Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne. To close the weekend, Dave Matthews Band and Vampire Weekend will play the Sunday (May 25) headline sets after performances from Sublime, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, Goth Babe, Tom Morello and more.
The lowest priced tickets will be available during a two hour presale window tomorrow (Jan. 8) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET, with general sale beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart Join Forces For ‘Looking For The Thread’
/by Lorie HollabaughMary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart have teamed up for a new album, Looking For The Thread, due out Jan. 24 via Thirty Tigers.
Ahead of the release, the first single, “Hold Everything,” is out now. Penned by Polwart, the song gives a nod to the world, as it is, and to John Berger’s 2008 book, Hold Everything Dear: Dispatches on Survival and Resistance.
Carpenter, Fowlis and Polwart came together in 2023 to begin the collaborative new project, but share mutual respect stretching back decades. Polwart and Fowlis are dedicated fans of Carpenter, while Carpenter, in turn, has long admired the pair, sharing, “I remember telling my manager I wanted to do this and he may have challenged me about who was on my wish list. I’m certain I blurted out Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart. Anything they do is brilliant and beautiful, and I wanted to fold myself right in there.”
The three convened in January 2023 to perform alongside Robert Vincent at Song Circle, an event in Glasgow. From there, they headed north to a writing retreat at Kinlochmoidart House. “It was like some Hollywood notion of the Scottish Highlands,” says Polwart. “Everything was conducive to creating. It was dark and we were hemmed in, sitting by the fire making stuff.”
The trio returned to Kinlochmoidart House in early 2024, with producer Josh Kaufman in tow, and the album was completed in a week with tracks recorded live, everyone playing together in the same room, responding to the music in real time. “The songs hadn’t been pre-produced to within an inch of their lives and the band hadn’t heard them in advance,” says Polwart. “The musicians were such attentive listeners, none of them overplaying, all of them bringing a beautiful textural quality. There was something really beautiful and fresh about it.”
Album highlights include “Satellite,” “Rebecca” and “Silver In The Blue,” written by Carpenter, Polwart and Fowlis, respectively. The opening track, “Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe,” was recorded for renowned Scottish accordion player, Fergie MacDonald, the “Ceilidh King,” who died in April 2024. It is one of two tracks sung in Scottish Gaelic, led by Fowlis. As non-Gaelic speakers, both Carpenter and Polwart learned their parts phonetically.
When recording was complete, all three artists, plus Kaufman and the musicians, turned the lights off in the studio, lay on the floor and listened to what they had made. “There were no words, no critique,” says Polwart. “It was just us all tripping out and going on a wee journey. It was really beautiful. When I hear the songs, that’s what I picture in my head.”
Looking For The Thread Track List:
1. “Gradh Geal Mo Chridhe”
2. “A Heart That Never Closes”
3. “Rebecca”
4. “Looking For The Thread”
5. “Hold Everything”
6. “Silver In The Blue”
7. “You Know Where You Are”
8. “Satellite”
9. “Buidheann Mo Chridhe Clann Ualrig”
10. “Send Love”