Pictured (L–R): Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Warner Chappell Music), Matthew Beckett (Partner, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Emily Peacock (Sr. Creative Dir., JGP), Kevin Jonas Sr. (Founder/Chairman Jonas Group Entertainment), Rhett Akins, George Kreis (Pres., JGE), Leslie T. DiPiero (Pres., JGP), Jess Rosen (Co-Chair, Greenberg, Traurig), Ben Vaughn (Pres. & CEO Warner Chappell Music) and Bryce Sherlow (Warner Chappell Music). Photo: Cole Barnhill
Award-winning songwriter Rhett Akins has signed with Jonas Group Publishing (JGP). The company has also acquired songs from his extensive catalog. Warner Chappell Music will continue its long relationship with Akins and administer the copyrights. The hit songwriter is represented by his longtime attorney, Jess Rosen.
A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Akins is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year, an eight-time CMA Triple Play Award winner and was named the ACM Songwriter of the Decade. He has notched 36 No. 1 hits, with songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and others.
“Rhett is an extraordinary songwriter,” shares JGP President Leslie T. DiPiero. “Personally, I have admired his work since I first came to town. He is a master of everything that is great about country music. It is an honor to represent his catalog of excellence, and our entire team is looking forward to contributing to his continued growth and success.”
“I’ve seen Leslie’s dedication to songwriters for many years,” says Akins. “She is a friend of and advocate for creators. The impact the Jonas family has made on the music world is remarkable, and it is obvious their love for music and family is their driving force. You put all that together, and I think you have a pretty unstoppable squad that leads with their values. I am very excited to join Kevin [Jonas Sr.], Leslie, and the whole Jonas Group Publishing team.”
Within the catalog acquisition are fan-favorite hits, like the recent No. 1 “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” (Luke Bryan), the double-Platinum “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), the Platinum-certified “To Be Loved By You” (Parker McCollum), the Platinum-certified “Half Of Me” (Thomas Rhett and Riley Green), the Gold-certified “It Matters To Her” (Scotty McCreery) and the Gold-certified “Red” (Hardy and Morgan Wallen).
“We are honored to welcome Rhett to our roster, along with his incredible catalog,” shares Jonas Sr., Jonas Group Entertainment Founder & Chairman. “Rhett is an immensely talented songwriter whose contributions have shaped the landscape of country music and beyond. His catalog reflects not only his incredible talent but also his ability to create songs that resonate with audiences around the world.
“We are thrilled to bring Rhett’s body of work into the Jonas Group Publishing family, which would not have been possible without the support and expertise of our trusted financial partner, Corrum Capital Management,” he adds. “We must also thank Access Media Advisory and Teresa Miles Walsh, Dave and Ruscell Pavlin, Matthew Beckett, and Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC for providing valuable assistance throughout the purchase of the catalog. All of us at JGP look forward to celebrating and amplifying Rhett’s extraordinary artistry.”
Weekly Register: Brooks & Dunn Break Into Top Five On Country Albums Chart
/by Liza AndersonBrooks & Dunn‘s Reboot II breaks into the top five on the country albums chart, debuting at No. 5 with 24K in total consumption (10K album only/15 million song streams), according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time remains at the top with 42K (1K album only/53 million song streams), followed by Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken at No. 2 with 31K (8K album only/29 million song streams). Post Malone‘s F-1 Trillion stays put at No. 3 with 29K (2K album only/34 million song streams), and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album rests at No. 4 with 28K (521 album only/36 million song streams).
On the country streaming songs chart, Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” reclaims the No. 1 slot with 15 million new streams, adding to 914 million ATD. Wallen’s “Love Somebody” shifts down to No. 2 with 14 million streams, adding to 98 million ATD, while Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” stays at No. 3 with 13 million new streams, adding to 806 million ATD. Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” rises to No. 4 with 9.3 million streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD, as Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” surges to No. 5 with 8.6 million new streams, adding to 1.7 billion ATD.
Nicolle Galyon To Host Benefit Concert In Kansas Next Year
/by Liza AndersonNicolle Galyon will host “Nicolle Galyon & Friends,” a concert benefitting the Firstborn Fund, at the Fox Theatre in Hutchinson, Kansas on Jan. 18. Gaylon established the fund as a way for to give back to families near her hometown of Sterling, Kansas.
The award-winning songstress and Songs & Daughters Founder will be joined by her husband and fellow hitmaker Rodney Clawson as well as recent CMA Award winner Will Bundy, Lauren Watkins and RaeLynn.
Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.
Luke Combs, Cody Johnson To Headline 2025 Boots In The Park Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Combs and Cody Johnson are set to headline the upcoming Boots In The Park Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 17 and 18.
Held at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park, the festival will also feature performances by Jon Pardi, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Ian Munsick, Jackson Dean, Corey Kent, Alana Springsteen, Jade Eagleson, Bryce Leatherwood, Joe Peters and Luwiss Lux.
Boots In The Park attendees will enjoy an all-day country party with live performances, line dancing, craft food from local vendors, a diverse selection of beverages and captivating art installations. Tickets to the two-day country music festival go on sale Friday, Dec. 6.
“We are thrilled to return to New Mexico for year two of Boots In The Park and expand to a two-day festival in 2025,” says Steve Thacher, CEO of Activated Events. “With headliners like Luke Combs and Cody Johnson, along with an incredible supporting lineup, Balloon Fiesta Park will come alive for an unforgettable weekend.”
New Musical Featuring The Avett Brothers Music, ‘Swept Away,’ Opens On Broadway
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Wayne Duvall, Stark Sands, Scott Avett, Seth Avett, Bob Crawford, John Gallagher, Jr. and Adrian Blake Enscoe. Photo: Alyssa Greenberg.jpg
Swept Away, a new Broadway musical featuring the music of The Avett Brothers, opened recently at the Longacre Theatre.
The production tells a tale of shipwreck, salvation and brotherhood set on the high seas and incorporates songs from The Avett Brothers’ 2004 album, Mignonette, and other tracks, plus a new song—“Lord Lay Your Hand on My Shoulder”—written by Seth Avett expressly for the production. The Avett Brothers joined the cast on stage for a special curtain call performance of the show’s title track.
The principal cast members, reprising their roles from the show’s previous sold-out runs at Berkeley Repertory in 2022 and Washington DC’s Arena Stage in 2023, include John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Apple TV+’s Dickinson) and Wayne Duvall (1984). The Avett Brothers joined the Swept Away principals for a performance on NBC’s Today Show last week.
The Broadway debut of Swept Away is the latest in a highlight-filled year for The Avetts. In May, they released their first new album in five years, The Avett Brothers (now a Grammy nominee for Best Recording Package) followed by an extensive tour and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Morning, NPR’s All Things Considered and more. The Avett Brothers were also recently presented with The North Carolina Award, their home state’s highest honor, by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Zach Bryan Continues To Hold No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenZach Bryan. Photo: Trevor Pavlik
Zach Bryan stays atop the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the third consecutive week. New releases “High Road” and “This World’s A Giant” alongside “28” and “Pink Skies” help him hold the No. 1 spot.
Chris Stapleton moves to No. 2 this week with “Think I’m In Love With You.” Ashley Gorley sits at No. 3 this week with “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “I Am Not Okay,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “Losers,” “Love Somebody,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and “Whiskey Whiskey.”
Jessie Jo Dillon (No. 4) and Charlie Handsome (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Post Malone & Morrison Hotel Gallery Host Private Event For Nashville Pop-Up
/by Liza AndersonPost Malone & Adam DeGross. Photo: Jason Denison
Following his CMA Awards performance, Post Malone united with Morrison Hotel Gallery to host a private event on Thursday (Nov. 21) in celebration of their Nashville pop-up collection, which was on display at Prima in the South Gulch neighborhood this past weekend (Nov. 22–24).
Guests viewing the Nashville pop-up collection. Photo: Jason Denison
Handpicked by the global superstar and the gallery, the featured photographs were taken by Post Malone’s personal photographer Adam DeGross and exhibited in the 8,500-square-foot space with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Guests enjoyed bites from the popular, Asian-inspired restaurant Noko as they viewed the collection, which sought to give them an intimate glimpse of the artist’s world.
“What a way to introduce ourselves to Nashville, and what a treat it is to be bringing Morrison Hotel Gallery to town with our partner, Post Malone,” shared Adam Block, CEO of Morrison Hotel Gallery. “Clearly Nashville appreciates great music photography as much as it does great music, and we’re excited by the prospect of returning.”
Jelly Roll Releases ‘Run It’ From New ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ Movie
/by Lorie HollabaughJelly Roll. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
Jelly Roll has penned and released “Run It,” the only original song in the third installment of the beloved franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which opens in theaters everywhere on Dec. 20.
He co-wrote the new tune with a powerhouse group of collaborators including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, artist and DJ David Guetta and songwriter Sean Cook. Tedder, Guetta and Cook co-produced the track as well.
The artist wraps his “Beautifully Broken Tour” with a sold-out hometown headlining show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tomorrow night (Nov. 26.), and recently made his debut on the PBS series Austin City Limits as the show celebrates its 50th Anniversary Season.
BREAKING: Big Loud Records Elevates Stefanie Carter
/by Liza AndersonStefanie Carter. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Big Loud Records has elevated Stefanie Carter to SVP, Finance, effective immediately.
Carter joined the team as VP in 2023, bringing two decades of experience. In addition to more than five years spent with Nissan Motor Corporation, her previous stops include Mars Petcare, PICA Group, Evergreen Copyrights, Nashville Predators and Live Nation. Carter is a CPA and holds a degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
“Stefanie’s leadership is felt throughout the company as she continues to spearhead our in-house Finance department that she was foundational to building two years ago,” says Austen Adams, Big Loud COO. “Her expertise has been invaluable to our team, and we are privileged to honor this well-deserved promotion.”
“Since joining Big Loud, I have been in awe of the integrity, creativity and passion exhibited by the partners, leadership team and staff,” Carter shares. “Big Loud is truly best in class. I’m so proud to be part of such an incredible, growth minded company, and look forward to the opportunity to take on new adventures with the team.”
BREAKING: Rhett Akins Signs With Jonas Group Publishing
/by LB CantrellPictured (L–R): Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Warner Chappell Music), Matthew Beckett (Partner, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Emily Peacock (Sr. Creative Dir., JGP), Kevin Jonas Sr. (Founder/Chairman Jonas Group Entertainment), Rhett Akins, George Kreis (Pres., JGE), Leslie T. DiPiero (Pres., JGP), Jess Rosen (Co-Chair, Greenberg, Traurig), Ben Vaughn (Pres. & CEO Warner Chappell Music) and Bryce Sherlow (Warner Chappell Music). Photo: Cole Barnhill
Award-winning songwriter Rhett Akins has signed with Jonas Group Publishing (JGP). The company has also acquired songs from his extensive catalog. Warner Chappell Music will continue its long relationship with Akins and administer the copyrights. The hit songwriter is represented by his longtime attorney, Jess Rosen.
A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Akins is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year, an eight-time CMA Triple Play Award winner and was named the ACM Songwriter of the Decade. He has notched 36 No. 1 hits, with songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and others.
“Rhett is an extraordinary songwriter,” shares JGP President Leslie T. DiPiero. “Personally, I have admired his work since I first came to town. He is a master of everything that is great about country music. It is an honor to represent his catalog of excellence, and our entire team is looking forward to contributing to his continued growth and success.”
“I’ve seen Leslie’s dedication to songwriters for many years,” says Akins. “She is a friend of and advocate for creators. The impact the Jonas family has made on the music world is remarkable, and it is obvious their love for music and family is their driving force. You put all that together, and I think you have a pretty unstoppable squad that leads with their values. I am very excited to join Kevin [Jonas Sr.], Leslie, and the whole Jonas Group Publishing team.”
Within the catalog acquisition are fan-favorite hits, like the recent No. 1 “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” (Luke Bryan), the double-Platinum “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), the Platinum-certified “To Be Loved By You” (Parker McCollum), the Platinum-certified “Half Of Me” (Thomas Rhett and Riley Green), the Gold-certified “It Matters To Her” (Scotty McCreery) and the Gold-certified “Red” (Hardy and Morgan Wallen).
“We are honored to welcome Rhett to our roster, along with his incredible catalog,” shares Jonas Sr., Jonas Group Entertainment Founder & Chairman. “Rhett is an immensely talented songwriter whose contributions have shaped the landscape of country music and beyond. His catalog reflects not only his incredible talent but also his ability to create songs that resonate with audiences around the world.
“We are thrilled to bring Rhett’s body of work into the Jonas Group Publishing family, which would not have been possible without the support and expertise of our trusted financial partner, Corrum Capital Management,” he adds. “We must also thank Access Media Advisory and Teresa Miles Walsh, Dave and Ruscell Pavlin, Matthew Beckett, and Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC for providing valuable assistance throughout the purchase of the catalog. All of us at JGP look forward to celebrating and amplifying Rhett’s extraordinary artistry.”
Kix Brooks To Step Down As American Country Countdown Host
/by Liza AndersonKix Brooks. Photo: Matthew Berinato
After nearly two decades, Kix Brooks is stepping down as Host of American Country Countdown.
Since January 2006, Brooks has taken listeners through the week’s top hits, upholding tradition while championing up-and-coming artists and bridging the gap between classic sounds and modern influences. His candid, intimate interviews sought to provide unfiltered insights into both the past and future of country music.
Praised for his broadcast contributions, Brooks was honored as CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2013—making him the first person to receive a CMA Award in both the artist and broadcast categories. He also took home the ACM National Personality honor in 2021.
Brooks’ final broadcast will air the weekend of Dec. 28–29. The news follows Brooks & Dunn’s recent CMA Award win for Vocal Duo of the Year and the release of their Reboot II collection.
“I never dreamed I would be asked to host a legendary international radio show like American Country Countdown,” Brooks expresses. “The fact that I have been supported by hundreds of affiliates and an amazing team of radio professionals for 18 years has made this one of the greatest experiences of my professional life. It’s time to turn my primary focus back to writing, recording and touring with Brooks & Dunn. It’s been an honor, to say the least, that I was trusted with a microphone that had such an iconic history. Special thanks to all the fans who listened and participated, to ensure that I was being the best that I could be. Keep counting ‘em down!”