Maggie Antone Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Maggie Antone during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Maggie Antone made her Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday (Dec. 13).

Wearing her great grandmother’s fur stole, her grandmother’s ring and her mother’s earrings, the singer-songwriter and producer paid homage to her family and celebrated those who’ve helped her get to where she is today during the milestone moment. Antone also paired her favorite red boots from Boot Barn with a dress she purchased three years ago in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia in hopes of wearing it to the Opry one day.

The special performance closed out a big year for the artist, who released her debut album, Rhinestoned, via her own label, Love Big, in partnership with Thirty Tigers; toured with 49 Winchester, Ella Langley, Trampled by Turtles and Kat Hasty; booked gigs with Brent Cobb, Ian Munsick, Marty Stuart and The Red Clay Strays; and made appearances at festivals, including Bonnaroo, Bourbon & Beyond and Born & Raised, over the course of 2024.

Additionally, Antone will kick off her first-ever headline tour in early 2025 with support from Eli Winders, Molly Forbes and Kinsley.

Classic Episodes Of American Country Countdown With Bob Kingsley To Return To Air

WSM-AM/Nashville will reair classic episodes of American Country Countdown with Bob Kingsley starting Jan. 5 on WSM-AM/Nashville and on WSM Digital Streaming Platforms. The episodes will air on Sundays from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. The program has aired on WSM-AM/Nashville since 2021, highlighting Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40.

“We are excited to continue spotlighting Bob Kingsley’s broad collection of historic Country music programs,” shares WSM-AM/Nashville General Manager & Content Director Eric Marcum. “Further, as WSM Radio and the Opry celebrate its 100th birthday, we are pleased to dive deeper into the archives to bring a nostalgic listening experience for our audience.”

In addition, WSM-AM/Nashville will air a best-of installment of Bob Kingsley’s Christmas In America this Saturday (Dec. 21).

“I am so pleased that Bob’s American Country Countdown programs will be available to audiences around the world with the help of our friends at WSM-AM and Westwood One,” adds Nan Kingsley. “Bob wanted the countdown show to represent the best of Country music, and he worked tirelessly with his team to ensure the highest quality content was produced. I think you’ll hear that dedication when you rediscover these shows”

Opry’s 100 Celebration To Kick Off At Ryman In January

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 100th year on the airwaves at the Ryman Auditorium in 2025 with a special series of  “Opry at the Ryman” shows.

The Opry will usher in its centennial celebration on Jan. 3, with the Opry’s longest-tenured member, Bill Anderson, officially kicking off the 100th birthday celebration in a show that will also feature CMA Musician of the Year Charlie Worsham, Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy, Craig Morgan and more.

More “Opry at the Ryman” shows are scheduled for Jan. 4, 10, 11 and 17 and will feature performances by Opry members Kelsea Ballerini (Jan. 10), Henry Cho (Jan. 11), Ashley McBryde (Jan. 10), Gary Mule Deer (Jan. 17), Steve Wariner (Jan. 10), Lainey Wilson (Jan. 11) and more.  The Opry will return to its permanent home, the Grand Ole Opry House, for shows beginning Jan. 18.

Beginning with the first Opry show of 2025, the “Opry 100” celebration will pay tribute to the artists, fans and songs that have cemented the Opry as the cultural heart and home of country music since its debut on WSM radio in 1925.

To celebrate the milestone, The Ryman will unveil a new Opry 100 exhibition, which will also debut on Jan. 3 as part of the Ryman daytime tours. The exhibit chronicles the Opry’s extraordinary journey over the past century, from its inception as a radio broadcast to becoming an iconic cornerstone of country music and American culture. Visitors will experience a multimedia display with a collection of artifacts and rare photos highlighting pivotal moments in Opry history and legendary entertainers, including Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Charlie Daniels, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs and Hank Williams.

Additional activations announced for Opry 100 include the Opry going to London’s Royal Albert Hall in Fall 2025; a special “Opry 100 Honors” show series and 100 Opry debuts throughout the year, including multi-Grammy nominee Shaboozey as the first debut of 2025 on Jan. 18 at the Opry House; and an official 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry book (Abrams, April 15, 2025) and other Opry 100 commemorative merchandise.

Little Big Town Honored With 25th Anniversary Plaque At Nashville Show

Pictured (L-R): Lori Christian (UMG Nashville), Jackie Jones (RIAA), Jimi Westbrook, Michele Ballantyne (RIAA), Karen Fairchild, Rob Femia (UMG Nashville), Kimberly Schlapman, Cindy Mabe (UMG Nashville), Phillip Sweet and Jake Basden (Sandbox Entertainment). Photo: Becky Fluke

Little Big Town celebrated their 25th anniversary in style on Friday night (Dec. 13) during their sold-out homecoming show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Just before taking the stage for the final night of their “Take Me Home Tour” with Sugarland, the band was surprised with a special plaque from UMG Nashville and Sandbox Entertainment, commemorating 25 years together as a band and 29 million RIAA-certified units.

The milestone capped off a landmark year for the Grammy-winning group. In addition to hitting the road, Little Big Town released their first-ever Greatest Hits album, which highlights 12 tracks from their genre-defining discography and features collaborations with Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Sugarland.

The band also ventured into holiday music for the first time with The Christmas Record, an 11-track LP produced by Dave Cobb. Featuring country classics and original songs, the project took center stage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, where Little Big Town delivered standout performances of “Santa Claus Is Back in Town,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Glow.”

Lily Rose Extends ‘Runnin’ Outta Time Tour’ Into 2025

Lily Rose. Photo: Justice Lowe

Lily Rose is kicking off the new year with her headlining “Runnin’ Outta Time Tour 2025,” featuring special guest Payton Smith.

The tour will make 14 stops across the country beginning at Nashville’s Basement East on Jan. 15 and visiting Cincinnati, Pensacola, Minneapolis, Dallas and more through May 17. After playing 23 headlining shows on her “Runnin’ Outta Time Tour” this fall, the extended tour will keep the party going into 2025, celebrating her EP of the same name released earlier this year. Pre-sale begins tomorrow (Dec. 18) and tickets will be available to the public Dec. 20. Tickets and more information are available at lilyrosemusic.net.

“After a few years of opening up for some of my favorite artists, it was so fun to get out on our very own ‘Runnin Outta Time Tour’ and play 23 headlining shows for y’all,” says Rose. “Turns out I’m not quite ready for that to be over yet so you’re stuck with me for another 14 shows in 2025! Might even add some more along the way…”

Rose also recently released the punchy pop-rock track “Even After Everything,” which co-written with Paul DiGiovanni, Seth Ennis and Andy Albert, which explores the toxic allure that keeps us tied to love long after it has lost its shine.

“Runnin’ Outta Time Tour 2025” Dates:
Jan. 15 — Nashville, Tenn. — Basement East
March 27 — Flint, Mich. — The Machine Shop
March 28 — Wyandotte, Mich. — District 142
March 29 — Cincinnati, Ohio — Bogart’s
April 2 — Pensacola, Fla. — Vinyl Music Hall
April 3 — Gainesville, Fla. — Heartwood Soundstage
April 4 — Sanford, Fla. — Tuffy’s Music Box
April 6 — Jacksonville, Fla. — FIVE
May 1 — Minneapolis, Minn. — Fine Line
May 2 — Omaha, Neb. — Barnato
May 3 — Springfield, Mo. — Midnight Rodeo
May 15 — Tulsa, Okla. — Cain’s Ballroom
May 16 — Dallas, Texas — Granada Theater
May 17 — Cedar Park, Texas — The Haute Spot

Sony Music Publishing & Electric Feel Publishing Partner To Sign Eddie Eberle

Pictured (L–R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Get A Worm Entertainment’s Greg Eisenberg and Electric Feel’s John Owen Bradley; (L–R, front row): Sony Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Eddie Eberle and Electric Feel’s Austin Rosen. Photo: Lee Swartz

Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Electric Feel Publishing have partnered to sign Eddie Eberle of Eddie And The Getaway to a global publishing agreement.

The 24-year-old singer-songwriter and producer’s work spans country, pop-punk and rock, among other genres. His credits include Lecade’s “Sober Me Up,” “Painkillers” and “Backroad” as well as Jay Webb’s “Down Here,” which topped the iTunes Country chart.

As an act, Eddie And The Getaway has amassed almost 500,000 monthly listeners over the past year and a half. Eberle has also toured throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Texas.

He unveiled “Love Myself,” a song he wrote alongside Lindsay Rimes and James McNair, last Friday (Dec. 13). Prior to release, the tune’s teaser accumulated over 12 million views across social media platforms.

“I couldn’t be more stoked to sign with Sony Music Publishing and Electric Feel,” expresses Eberle. “I have no doubt that having a family like Austin Rosen, John Bradley, Rusty Gaston and Josh Van Valkenburg will help me take my writing to a whole new level. Their belief in me is something special, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

“Eddie Eberle is already a force to be reckoned with, and his career is just getting started,” says Van Valkenburg, EVP, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “He’s a triple threat as an artist/songwriter/producer, and he will be a positive disruptor in an industry that needs more originality and risk-takers. Sony Music Publishing is honored to be a part of his journey.”

“From the day I met Eddie, I knew he was a star,” shares Bradley, Head of A&R, Electric Feel Nashville. “His talent and work ethic speak for themselves. As an artist, writer and producer, he’s a true Swiss Army knife with a bright future. I couldn’t be prouder to work with Eddie and our wonderful partners at Sony.”

Weekly Register: Brenda Lee & Burl Ives Scale The Country Albums Chart

The top five on the country albums chart is tinged with holiday cheer, as Brenda Lee‘s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree rises to No. 2 with 31K in total consumption (1.1K album only/38 million song streams), and Burl IvesRudolph, The Rednose Reindeer trots to No. 4 with 27K (608 album only/34 million song streams).

Elsewhere, Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time rests at No. 1 with 40K (2.6K album only/49 million song streams), while his Dangerous: The Double Album shifts up to No. 3 with 28K (1.5K album only/35 million song streams). Post Malone‘s F-1 Trillion falls to No. 5 with 26K (2.9K album only/30 million song streams).

The top five on the country streaming songs chart stay stagnant, as Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sits at No. 1 with 14 million new streams, adding to 964 million ATD. Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” continues at No. 2 with 12 million streams, adding to 846 million ATD, while Wallen’s “Love Somebody” lies in the No. 3 slot with 11 million new streams, adding to 135 million ATD. Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at No. 4 with 8.4 million streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD, followed by Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” at No. 5 with 7.8 million new streams, adding to 1.7 billion ATD.

CMHOFM To Offer Special Admission Rate To Nashville Locals Next Month

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will offer pay-what-you-want admission to Nashville-area residents throughout the month of January. The special admission rate will apply to those living in Davidson county and its bordering counties of Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson.

The museum is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. Timed tickets are available for museum entry between 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with a limited number of admission tickets available each day.

Various family and public programs are included with pay-what-you-want admission, based on availability. Visitors will also be able to explore current exhibits like the museum’s newest display, “Rosanne Cash: Time Is a Mirror.”

Additionally, PMC is offering $10 parking for locals who visit the museum next month between 8 a.m.–6 p.m. at the Walk of Fame Park Garage, based on availability. The garage is located across the street from the museum, and has a maximum six-hour parking limit. Validation must be obtained at the museum’s information desk to receive the discount.

For more information, click here.

Big Machine Distillery Acquires Pickers Vodka

Pictured (L-R): Carter Collins, Pickers Vodka; Jeff Pennington, Pickers Vodka; Scott Borchetta, Big Machine and Erik Logann, Big Machine

Big Machine Distillery has acquired the Pickers Vodka brand from Pennington Distilling Co.

In the acquisition, Pickers Vodka co-founder Jeff Pennington joins Big Machine Distillery as Executive Vice President of Vodka Properties. The deal comes at a pivotal moment, amidst speculation that production of Pickers Vodka might cease, and Big Machine Distillery’s commitment ensures the continuation of production and rapid acceleration to fulfill orders and existing demand. Leveraging the state-of-the-art Lynville, Tennessee facility, production and order fulfillment for Pickers Vodka are underway.

“The synergy between Nashville, music, and Pickers Vodka made this acquisition an absolute must for Big Machine Distillery,” says Scott Borchetta, Founder of Big Machine Distillery. “By combining the incredible 11-year foundation of Pickers with the full weight of our Big Machine assets, expertise, and vision, we are poised to elevate this brand to unprecedented heights. Jeff’s leadership and our team’s bold ideas will transform Pickers and Big Machine.”

“For Jenny and me, Pickers Vodka has been a decade-long labor of love and a family passion,” says Pennington. “Partnering with Big Machine—a company with unparalleled assets and shared passion—means realizing dreams we’ve long held for this brand. The possibilities are limitless, and I’m thrilled to be part of this next chapter.”

Big Machine Distillery, part of the Big Machine family of companies, produces a variety of premium craft spirits including Big Machine Platinum Filtered Premium Vodka, Borchetta Bourbon and Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers. The brand is based in Nashville with three tasting rooms, each with a variety of offerings including entertaining and informative tours, live music and food.

Jessi Alexander & Jessie Jo Dillon Talk Hits, Grammy Nominations & Music Row Sisterhood [Interview]

Jessie Jo Dillon and Jessi Alexander

Two of the five nominees for Songwriter of the Year at the 67th annual Grammy Awards are Music Row hitmakers with more than just a name in common: Jessi Alexander and Jessie Jo Dillon.

Alexander is credited with penning some of the year’s biggest hits, including the Grammy-nominated “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” by Luke Combs, which became the theme for the Twisters movie, and the No. 1 hit “Chevrolet” by Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll. Dillon, meanwhile, has made her mark this year with standout tracks like Morgan Wallen’s “Lies Lies Lies,” Keith Urban’s “Messed Up As Me” and Kelsea Ballerini’s “Sorry Mom.”

The pair also collaborated with rising star Megan Moroney, contributing to her hit “No Caller ID” as well as the Twisters soundtrack standout “Never Left Me.”

Alexander and Dillon’s friendship and mutual respect play a big role in their creative success. The two first connected years ago at a wedding, bonding over their shared love of country music and similar work ethics.

“We’re both grinders,” Alexander shares. “We bring that heart and honesty into every song.”

Pictured (L–R): Lainey Wilson, Nicolette Hayford, Jessi Alexander and Jessie Jo Dillon

The women’s relationship deepened when they committed to doing night writes together, after the hustle of the 9-5 hours on Music Row, where they could set aside commercial concerns to create music that speaks to them personally.

This bond was evident in their collaborative writing with Moroney. Though Dillon had connected with the young star on her reflective “Girl In The Mirror” track, Alexander and Connie Harington joined the two on a writing trip when Moroney was making her sophomore album Am I Okay?

On the same day, the foursome wrote “No Caller ID” and “Noah,” both of which landed on the album.

“Meg is like us, too. She’s a grinder and she loves songs,” Dillon says. “The best thing about writing with her is it comes from a pure place as a songwriter—you are helping somebody to tell their narrative.”

“It’s not about making her a hit,” Alexander adds.

The two, Harrington and Moroney also came together to write her Twisters tune, “Never Left Me,” which was both Alexander and Dillon’s first of two tracks they each wrote for the film.

Pictured (L–R): Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon and Morgane Stapleton

Dillon later joined Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey, Blake Pendergrass and Jelly Roll for his track on the Twisters album, “Leave the Light On” featuring Alexandra Kay.

Alongside Jonathan Singleton and Combs, Alexander co-penned the movie’s fiery theme “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” which became Combs’ 19th consecutive No. 1 hit months later. Alexander recalls trekking through a snowstorm to write that song.

“I just barely got to to that write,” she says. “Luke had the director and producer on speed dial, which is very rare for songwriters [writing for film and television]. We typically write the song and then we move on, but we had the guy right there so that we could make any tweaks. He said we nailed it.

“We had time after that, so we ended up writing ‘Remember Him That Way’ for Luke’s Fathers & Sons album. It was a great day.”

Another project Dillon put her mark on this year was Post Malone‘s country album. With her dad, Country Music Hall of Famer Dean Dillon and a few other collaborators, she co-wrote Post’s “Two Hearts” and “Go To Hell.” She is one of the only female writers on the project.

“He’s so sweet. Jelly introduced me to him and I said, ‘You should write with girls.’ So we ended up writing with my dad on Father’s Day,” Dillon says. “Post is super nice. He’s from Texas, and he loves country music. He has a real reverence for writers and the music. He’s not just wearing the clothes.”

With the wide variety of artists Alexander and Dillon have crafted hits with over the years, it’s safe to say they can write with anyone. Their songbooks are a testament to their versatility as songwriters, blending traditional country roots with fresh, modern storytelling.

For Alexander, who has balanced her career with family life, stepping back and focusing on quality over quantity has been a game changer. Dillon echoes that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of bringing raw emotion into the writing room.

“We’re craftsmen, but we also bring our own perspective into every room,” Dillon explains.

Pictured (L–R): Jessi Alexander, Miranda Lambert, Jessie Jo Dillon and Stevie Frasure

Their Grammy nominations come at a time when women are still underrepresented in country music. Both Alexander and Dillon say they were surprised by the news that Ella Langley just became the first female artist to top the country radio charts in 2024.

“It’s disheartening to see so few women in the charts,” Dillon says. Despite this, they’ve found ways to thrive, often collaborating with other talented female artists like Moroney. “We need more artists like Megan, Kelsea, Ella and Lainey to change the narrative,” Alexander adds.

Both writers acknowledge the unique challenges women face in the industry, from being excluded from writing camps to battling the perception that there’s only room for one “girl” in the writer room. Still, their success proves that determination, talent and a strong support system can defy the odds. Their advocacy for others, through choosing to write with women and cheering on their peers who are breaking through, continues to inspire.

Deservedly so, both are looking forward to representing Music Row in the Songwriter of the Year category at the Grammys in February.

Looking ahead beyond the Grammys, they are excited about the projects on the horizon. Both are passionate about mentoring younger songwriters and continuing to push the boundaries of what country music can achieve on a global stage.

“We’re in such an exciting time for country music,” Alexander says. “The return of authentic storytelling and classic country sounds is bringing a new energy to the genre.”

Their excitement isn’t just about their own success—it’s about the stories they’ve helped bring to life. Dillon and Alexander’s wide-ranging work reflects their ability to transcend sounds while staying rooted in authentic emotion. And as Alexander notes, “the best is yet to come.”