Alexandra Kay is launching her new “Cupid’s A Cowgirl Tour” on Feb. 23 in Jacksonville, Florida with special guest Logan Crosby.

The new tour will be her first headline trek after her 40-date arena tour with Jelly Roll, which wraps Nov. 26 at Bridgestone in Nashville. She’ll visit Birmingham, Tulsa, Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, Chicago, Detroit and more on the new tour. It will wrap April 6 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tickets are available now.

Kay has amassed over six million followers on social media and racked up 300 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music through independent releases. She has collaborated with Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Jelly Roll, Randy Travis and more. Her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known spent multiple weeks on the Country iTunes charts, and the singer-songwriter also had a single with Jelly Roll on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie.

Randy Travis & John Esposito.

The Nashville Symphony Association and Symphony Ball 2024 Co-Chairs Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal have revealed that country music legend Randy Travis and former Warner Music Nashville CEO John Esposito will be the co-recipients of the 2024 Nashville Symphony Harmony Award.

An annual award from the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Symphony Ball, we are thrilled to recognize two remarkable figures in Nashville’s music community,” share Bradshaw and Deal. “Each in his own way, Randy Travis and John Esposito have revolutionized and reinvigorated country music, and their talents are matched only by their commitment to raising up the next generation of music makers.”

“Randy Travis is one of the most important and influential performers in country music history,” adds Nashville Symphony CEO and President Alan D. Valentine. “His immense musical legacy, personal resilience, and heart for philanthropy all embody the spirit of the Harmony Award. Through the Randy Travis Foundation, he has worked to provide music education and enrichment opportunities for at-risk youth while raising awareness about stroke and aphasia.

“John Esposito has dedicated his life to music, from his earliest days as an avid fan and performer to his transformative leadership of Warner Music Nashville, turning it into the country music powerhouse it is today,” he continues. “The Nashville music community owes him an immeasurable debt, and we are honored to recognize his contributions.”

A huge influence of country’s neotraditional movement of the 1980s and ’90s, Travis has recorded more than 20 albums, earning more than 50 hit singles and 23 No. 1s around the globe, including “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Three Wooden Crosses” and more. Over the longevity of his career, he has collected seven Grammys, six CMA Awards and 11 ACM Awards, along with many other honors. A severe stroke in 2013 left Travis physically limited and largely ended his performing career, but years of physical therapy have allowed him to return to the stage in a different capacity.

“My passion for music brought me to Nashville and my love for Nashville kept me here — they are my lifeline,” says Travis. “The opportunities and challenges found in music changed my direction in life in such a positive way. I’m honored to receive the Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony, joining them in sharing our passions of today to create avenues in music for our generations of tomorrow.”

Esposito spent his college days playing in bands and DJing for the campus radio station, before moving into the business side of the industry for an illustrious career. His previous roles include COO of former entertainment retail chain The Wiz, executive roles at Polygram and Island Def Jam, and most recently serving as CEO/Chairman of Warner Music Nashville for 15 years before moving into a Chairman Emeritus role in 2022, and retiring from there in 2023. While at Warner Music Nashville, Esposito had a huge hand in the success Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, Ashley McBryde and more.

Esposito has also served as past Chairman of the CMA’s board of directors, Governor of the board of the Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter and executive committee board member of the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. Since 2023, he has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the T.J. Martell Foundation.

“Music saved my life and then became my life,” shares Esposito. “It was music education that gave me my voice. I am honored to be chosen for the Harmony Award and proud to be part of a fun night that will raise funds that help music education.”

Travis and Esposito will be honored during the 40th annual Symphony Ball on Dec. 14 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. Tickets are available now.

The Symphony Ball is one of the Nashville Symphony’s annual signature fundraisers. Since its creation in 1985, the event has raised over $12 million for the Symphony, backing the organization’s mission of inspiring and engaging a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences.

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Marty Stuart.

Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Cornman Music’s Brett James, Chris Owen, Trent Wayne, Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery, Warner Chappell’s Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Eric Reid

Trent Wayne has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music.

The Mississippi native picked up a guitar for the first time at eight years old and hasn’t looked back. He later spent over a decade fronting a local cover band and attended Belmont University in Nashville, where he quickly became part of the songwriters community. Wayne won the Belmont Country Showcase in 2021, graduating with a degree in music business that December. Since then, he has collaborated with Chris August, Troy Verges, Canaan Smith, Rob Pennington, Drake Milligan, Chase McDaniel, Mia Mantia and Brett James, among others.

“We are excited to welcome Trent to the Cornman family,” says Nate Lowery, General Manager & VP, Creative at Cornman Music. “His impressive work ethic and dedication to his songs makes him a valuable addition. Looking forward to watching him grow and lucky to have him as part of the team.”

“Finding the right publishing home is a journey, and I’m incredibly thankful to have landed at Cornman and Warner Chappell,” shares Wayne. “Having a team in your corner that knows what you do and shares your vision is crucial, and I feel fortunate to have found that fit. I’m more stoked than ever to write songs and can’t wait to see what we accomplish. Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work!”

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has launched a limited-edition collection designed in partnership with jewelry designer Kendra Scott inspired by her iconic 1974 song, “Love Is Like a Butterfly.”

The collection marks the beginning of a multi-year collaboration that blends Parton’s larger-than-life style with Scott’s signature gemstones and silhouettes. Inspired by Scott’s admiration of Parton, each piece is a limited-edition and embodies the Country Music Hall of Famer’s spirit as a beacon of creativity and philanthropy.

Among the unique pieces are the Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott 1974 Necklace, with exactly 1,974 statement Butterfly necklaces created, inspired by Scott’s personal connection to Parton’s iconic 1974 song, “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” which was released the year she was born. Featuring 10 unique designs, the collection captures the themes of love, joy and self-expression at the heart of Parton’s legacy. It celebrates a lifetime of inspiration while marking the 50th anniversary of Parton’s beloved Love is Like a Butterfly album.

“Before I ever met Kendra, I was aware of her reputation as a self-made woman, her kind heart and of course, her wonderful jewelry line. I was honored to learn she was a fan of mine and even more honored when she asked me if I wanted to partner on a jewelry collection based on my song ‘Love Is Like A Butterfly.’ Naturally, I said yes. The more I get to know Kendra, the more I love her. She’s the real deal, beautiful inside and out. I hope you enjoy our collection as much as we’ve enjoyed each other while putting it together for you,” says Parton.

“It’s hard to put into words what Dolly Parton means to me. She’s the ultimate role model: a prime example of staying true to yourself, believing in the power of art and creativity, and giving back along the way. I’ve admired and looked up to Dolly my whole life, and working with her has truly been a full circle, pinch-me moment. I’ve looked to her—as so many of us can and do—for inspiration, humor, and kindness. This collection captures that beautifully and I’m so proud for fans to explore a jewelry collection that can live up to the absolutely singular Dolly Parton,” shares Scott.

To celebrate the new collection, there will be launch events and elevated shopping experiences at select stores across the country.