The Lauren Daigle Sensory Room at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
Over the past decade, conversations around live events have increasingly centered on safety, access and experience. In arenas and amphitheaters across the country, artists and venues are thinking more intentionally about how fans move through a space, how they interact with staff and how they feel once the lights go down. For a growing number of industry leaders, that conversation now includes sensory inclusion.
Founded in 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama, KultureCity has become a global force in sensory accessibility, working with more than 7,000 venues and events across 40 countries. The organization focuses on individuals with invisible disabilities and sensory needs, including those with autism, PTSD, dementia and traumatic brain injuries—people for whom loud volumes, flashing lights and densely packed crowds can present significant barriers to participation.
Through staff training, sensory tools, technology and designated quiet spaces, KultureCity is helping reshape how public spaces welcome guests who may experience sensory overload. In 2025 alone, the organization supported more than 3.5 million people through its programs, distributed 1.8 million sensory bags, built 988 sensory rooms and placed 632 mobile sensory stations. Its app, which allows families to preview available resources and plan ahead, has been downloaded 1.9 million times.
The live music industry has increasingly embraced that mission. KultureCity has activated at major tours across genres, including Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour,” where the organization was present at every show from 2022 through 2025, impacting more than 25,000 lives. It supported Paul McCartney’s 2025 North American tour, reaching more than 3,000 fans, and teamed with Stevie Nicks for nine shows that impacted over 1,500 attendees.
In the country space, Lainey Wilson partnered with KultureCity for every stop of her 2025 “Whirlwind Tour,” with the organization activating at all 31 dates. Across the run, 726 sensory bags were distributed, directly impacting 4,604 fans. At each venue, KultureCity staffed a table near entrances, offering complimentary sensory bags equipped with fidget tools, specialized glasses designed to soften strobe effects and noise-canceling headphones. The bags are free, and fans keep them.
While touring partnerships extend access on the road, permanent infrastructure at venues further anchors the effort. In 2021, KultureCity partnered with Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators to make the downtown Nashville venue fully sensory inclusive. Staff members receive annual training from medical professionals on recognizing and responding to sensory overload. Sensory bags are available through Guest Services, and families can preview features through the KultureCity app before attending an event.
The venue also created The Lauren Daigle Sensory Room, a dedicated space designed by medical professionals to provide a quieter, more secure environment for guests who may need a break. Outfitted with bean bags, visual light panels, tactile activity features and calming design elements, the room reflects a broader shift in how arenas are thinking about the full spectrum of fan experience.
For fans like Wilder Key, those details can make the difference between staying home and being in the building.
“When you first go into a concert and you don’t know how loud it’s going to be, [that’s a challenge], but if it’s not too loud, then I’m usually fine,” Wilder says. “I like to get a sensory bag, put the headphones on and mess with some of the fidgets.”
Wilder, who is autistic, attends shows with his mom, Shea Fowler. For their family, predictability and preparation are key. “Having sensory bags available is a huge relief because I’m constantly trying to make sure we don’t forget the headphones or a fidget—and we don’t know what we may be allowed to bring in,” Shea explains. “We’ve been in environments at theme parks and other places where it’s a whole thing. We have to step out of line and talk through it [with security], which just adds another layer of stress.”
That uncertainty can be enough to deter families from attending altogether. Knowing resources are built into the venue and clearly communicated changes that calculus.
“Knowing that KultureCity is in most every venue we go too, or we can open up the app and figure something out, is really nice,” Shea says.
For Wilder, the message to other kids who may be hesitant about concerts is simple. “Almost 100% of the time, headphones will be enough,” he says. “If they’re not enough, you can always step out and take a break.”
As more artists and venues adopt sensory-inclusive practices, the shift signals something larger than a single room or a table near the entrance. It reflects an evolving understanding of audience development—one that recognizes accessibility not as a niche accommodation but as part of doing business well.
Live music has always been about shared experience. Through partnerships with organizations like KultureCity, the industry is broadening who gets to share in it.
Chayce Beckham Kicks Off ‘The Old Fashioned Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughChayce Beckham. Photo: Calem Swanbeck
Chayce Beckham launched his “Old Fashioned Tour” last weekend with shows in Garland, Texas and Miami, Oklahoma.
The tour continues throughout the spring and summer with nine more shows around the country, including stops in St. Augustine, Virginia Beach, Atlantic City and more through July 24.
The only artist to win American Idol singing his own songs, Beckham scored his first No. 1 at country radio with the Platinum hit single “23.” The breakout star co-wrote nine of 13 songs on his first album, Bad for Me, and has racked up more than 536 million global on-demand streams and counting.
Beckham joined Warren Zeiders on his 2025 “Relapse, Lies & Betrayal Tour” and followed his debut with the fiddle-driven heartbreaker “Ocean Blue” and romantic ballad “Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You.” He’s currently in the studio making his next wave of music.
“The Old Fashioned Tour” Dates:
3/13 – Garland, TX
3/14 – Miami, OK
4/09 – St. Augustine, FL
4/10 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
4/11 – Clearwater, FL
4/24 – Virginia Beach, VA
4/25 – Leesburg, VA
5/29 – Atlantic City, NJ
7/20 – Independence, IA
7/11 – Ham Lake, MN
7/24 – Chillicothe, IL
Stephen Wilson Jr. Adds Dates To ‘Gary The Torch Tour’
/by Madison HahnenStephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Acacia Evans
Stephen Wilson Jr. has slated the second leg of his “Gary The Torch Tour,” which kicked off earlier this month.
The new run of dates includes stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Nashville, as well as stops across the EU/UK in London, Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo and more.
Pre-sale signup for US the EU/UK tour is available now, with general on-sale beginning this Friday (March 20) at 10 a.m. local time.
Wilson Jr. recently released the official video for tour name sake “Gary,” directed by Tim Cofield, with an appearance from award-winning actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13) in the video. Wilson Jr. is slated for various festival appearances throughout the year as well, including CMA Fest, Railbird, MN Country Club Festival and more.
“Gary The Torch Tour” Dates:
3/18 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues
3/21 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
3/22 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
3/25 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
3/28 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
4/11 – Bossier City, LA – The Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Bossier City
4/15 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
4/17 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
4/18 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
4/22 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
4/24 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
4/25 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
7/17 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest
7/24 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome by Rutter Mills
7/25 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
8/7 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
8/8 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
9/6 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
9/18 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
9/19 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge (Concerts in the Grove)
9/22 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
9/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
9/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
10/19 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow
10/22 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
10/23 – Bristol, UK – The Prospect Building
10/25 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse
10/27 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon
10/29 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus
10/30 – Cologne, DE – Theater am Tanzbrunnen
11/1 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg (Ronda)
11/3 – Copenhagen, DK – VEGA
11/4 – Stockholm, SE – Fållan
11/5 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene
11/21 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
12/2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie
12/9 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
12/11 – Nashville, TN – The Truth
Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Celebrates Latest Installment Of ‘American Currents: State Of The Music’
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton of Muscadine Bloodline; Vince Gill; Bailey Zimmerman; BigXthaPlug; Charlie Handsome and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. (L-R, middle row): Barry Bales; Jerry Douglas and Alison Krauss of Alison Krauss and Union Station; Shorlette Ammons representing Farm Aid; Sarah Jarosz of I’m With Her and Brandon Lake. (L-R, front row): Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter; Stephen Wilson Jr.; Carter Faith; Georgette Jones representing Tammy Wynette; Kaitlin Butts and Dan Rogers of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the opening of its latest exhibit “American Currents: State of the Music” last night (March 17) at a special event.
The annual exhibit features a broad view of the genre over the past year, exploring musical developments, artist achievements and notable events as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff. Among the artists represented with objects in this year’s “American Currents” are Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Ringo Starr, Billy Strings, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr. and more.
Bailey Zimmerman, BigXthaPlug, Charlie Handsome and Brandon Lake attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Artists represented in a compilation of video footage that recaps significant performances and events, include collaborations between Julien Baker and TORRES, BigXthaPlug (Xavier Landum) and Bailey Zimmerman, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, and Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, along with clips highlighting Kaitlin Butts, Luke Combs, Farm Aid, the Grand Ole Opry, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, along with some of the others mentioned above.
The “Unbroken Circle” portion of the exhibit, which highlights musical connections between artists and those who have influenced them or share their musical perspective, features the pairings of Ken Pomeroy and John Denver, Carter Faith and Tammy Wynette and Muscadine Bloodline and Turnpike Troubadours.
The exhibit also recaps the year’s chart-topping country albums and singles and highest-grossing tours, and includes touchscreen interactives highlighting key awards show moments.
In support of the exhibit’s opening, the museum will host related programming, including a Songwriter Session with Carter Faith on March 21 and a Musician Spotlight with Sierra Hull on March 22. The exhibit runs through January 2027 in the museum’s ACM Gallery.
Carter Faith and Georgette Jones, representing Tammy Wynette, attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Vince Gill attends the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas and Alison Krauss of Alison Krauss & Union Station attend the opening of “American Currents: State of the Music.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
‘Country For A Cause’ To Return To 3rd & Lindsley
/by Lauryn SinkCountry For A Cause will return to 3rd & Lindsley on June 3 benefitting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
This year, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, John Berry, Allie Colleen, Linda Davis, Hannah Dasher, Ty Herndon, Jake Hoot, Dani-elle Kleha, The Kody Norris Show, The Malpass Brothers, Neal McCoy, Makenzie Phipps, Mark Wills and more will join hosts T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang, along with Devon O’Day.
Presented by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, tickets are on sale now.
“We are beyond excited to host Country For A Cause once again. It’s truly incredible to see the lineup this year, our most varied yet. We’re bringing together legendary artists, rising stars, and you never know who may stop in. This is going to be an unforgettable show,” share Sheppard and Lang.
“It’s almost time for another incredible Country For A Cause Concert, the ‘unofficial’ kickoff to CMA Fest,” adds Sherri Forrest, President of Country For A Cause. “The buzz is already building, and VIP tickets have sold out in under five minutes in past years, so fans will want to be ready. We have an amazing lineup planned, and we’re so thankful for the support of Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, along with our artists, volunteers, and fans who help us raise thousands of dollars each year for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.”
“How lucky we are to have the support of Country For A Cause in our Nashville community,” says Meredith “Mamie” Shepherd, Senior Program Manager for Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell. “T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang have been incredible champions of the patients and families seeking treatment and care at Monroe Carell. Thank you to the incredible team that unselfishly puts on such a special night each year! We are most grateful for the talent, generosity, and love on display for this event. It’s a reminder of how healing music can be.”
Jeanette Porcello Joins Concord Label Group
/by Madison HahnenJeanette Porcello
Jeanette Porcello has joined Concord Label Group as Senior Director of A&R.
In her role, Porcello will find and develop new artists, helping build their careers. She will work on the company’s owned labels including Concord Records, Rounder Records and Fearless Records. Porcello will be based in Concord’s Nashville headquarters and report to Concord Label Group’s Chief Creative Officer Andy Serrao.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Concord team and help shape the vision for this next chapter,” says Porcello. “I’ve always respected the strong identity Concord has built across its labels and the depth of its artist roster. I’m looking forward to continuing that legacy while helping discover and develop the next generation of artists.”
“Jeanette has demonstrated over and over again her ability to find, develop, and amplify artists of vision, no matter where they are in their career,” adds Serrao. “A&R is a unique responsibility in the industry, and I know that Concord, our labels, and our artists will all benefit from having her on board.”
Before Concord, Porcello was a Director of A&R at Downtown Artist & Label Services, where she helped build their presence in the Nashville market with signing and developing acts such as In Color, Judah and the Lion, Mat Kearney, Jack Blocker, Abbey Cone, Drew Holcomb, Dazey and the Scouts, Rum Jungle and Cate Canning. Prior to Downtown, Porcello worked at Atlantic Records on the A&R team.
Porcello is also the Founder of Dog Ear Management, which represents Collin Pastore, Jake Finch, Bobby Knepper, Taylor Dubray and Nate Miles. She also serves as President of The Other Nashville Society.
Austin Snell’s New EP ‘Colors’ Due In May
/by Lorie HollabaughAustin Snell is gearing up for the release of his fourth EP Colors on May 1 via River House Artists / Warner Records Nashville. A new preview track from the project, the vulnerable confessional “Have It All,” is due out this Friday (March 20).
The emotional, seven-song collection was co-written entirely by Snell, with each track touching bruised territory as he navigates his most vulnerable, unguarded project yet. From the opener “Daddy’s Eyes,” a quietly defiant meditation on family and fidelity, to mental health ruminator “Everything But Okay;” and the prismatic title track “Colors,” Snell’s inner world is on full display—the good, the bad, and the beautifully broken. Writers contributing to the new EP include Tucker Beathard, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins, Dallas Wilson, Jake Mitchell and more.
“Colors is the start of a new era for me,” Snell shares. “I’ve grown a lot as a person the past few years. I’ve spent a lot of time working—working on relationships, working on some trauma, and most importantly, working on myself. This project is a reflection of that. This EP sounds a lot different from previous music, but I’ve never been more proud of my work. I hope y’all enjoy.”
Last week, Snell returned to his roots with a cover of Southern rock classic “Simple Man” on labelmate Gavin Adcock’s tribute album, Country Never Dies, alongside fellow rising artists Hudson Westbrook, Jake Worthington, Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith and more. He’s set to launch his headline “Home Sweet Hell Tour” April 10 in Las Vegas.
Colors EP Track List:
1. “Daddy’s Eyes” (Austin Snell, Dallas Wilson, Tucker Beathard)*
2. “Everything But Okay” (Austin Snell, Jaxson Free, Logan Maggio)*
3. “Circles” (Austin Snell, Andrew Baylis, Austin Nivarel, Michael Whitworth)^
4. “My Favorite Scar” (Austin Snell, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins)*
5. “You Being You” (Austin Snell, Conor Matthew, James Maddocks)*
6. “Have It All” (Austin Snell, Larry Fleet, Jake Mitchell)*
7. “Colors” (Austin Snell, Lalo Guzman, Johnny Clawson)*
* produced by Logan Maggio
^ produced by Andrew Baylis
Carter Faith Welcomes Fans To ‘Cherry Valley’ With Two Sold-Out Nashville Nights
/by Lauryn SinkCarter Faith.
Carter Faith closed out her first headline run, “The Cherry Valley Tour,” this weekend with two sold-out nights at Nashville’s Exit/In.
Ahead of Faith’s performance on Saturday (March 14), Abbie Callahan took the stage to warm up the crowd, sharing recent releases “Simon Says,” “Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie” and more.
Faith kicked off her set, welcoming fans into “Cherry Valley” with the title track to her 2025 debut record.
She quickly picked up the energy, launching into fan-favorites “Betty” and “Grudge,” before sharing her 2021 release “Lasso.”
“When I tell you I’ve never played shows where people sang my words back to me, this is just special to me. And, Nashville, this is my home,” she shared from the stage.
Faith’s powerhouse vocals shined as she moved through “If I had Never Lost My Mind,” “Sex, Drugs & Country Music” and “Arrows (Die For That Man).”
“I started playing shows when I was 13, and this is for her,” Faith shared, taking a moment to step onto the stage with just her guitar.
She treated fans to acoustic versions of her early releases “Leaving Tennessee” and “Greener Pastures” before quickly picking the energy back up with “Billy Bob Thorton.”
After the melancholic “Misery Loves Company,” Faith surprised the crowd with Laci Kaye Booth to debut “Pearl Handled Pistol” before moving into “Six String.”
In the second surprise of the night, Faith called Glen Powell to the stage and crowned him as the “Bar Star” of the night ahead of the fan-favorite track. She kept the energy up with the anthemic “Burn My Memory.”
After a short break, she returned for an encore of “Still A Lover.”
Faith will hit the road with George Strait, Post Malone and Chris Stapleton throughout the rest of the year.
Industry Ink: Scotty McCreery, Rob Bowman, Elvis, ASCAP, More
/by Lorie HollabaughScotty McCreery & Darius Rucker Surprise C2C Fans With ‘Bottle Rockets’
Darius Rucker and Scotty McCreery. Photo: Alanna Georgette
Scotty McCreery brought out surprise guest Darius Rucker to perform “Bottle Rockets” and “Wagon Wheel” with him during his C2C:Country 2 Country performance in front of a packed crowd at The O2 in London, England on March 13. The performance was the first time the two singers had ever performed “Bottle Rockets” live, which was a No.1 hit for McCreery and Hootie & The Blowfish in 2025. McCreery also performed on C2C Belfast on March 14 and C2C Glasgow on March 15, and the North Carolina native will perform with the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Friday (March 20).
Rob Bowman Chats About Muscle Shoals Book At Country Music Hall Of Fame Event
Rob Bowman and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor RJ Smith at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Author, professor and Grammy winner Rob Bowman recently participated in a book talk at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum discussing his new book Land of a Thousand Sessions: The Complete Muscle Shoals Story, 1951–1985. The conversation was led by museum writer-editor RJ Smith. The region is the subject of Bowman’s new book and he dug deep, interviewing studio musicians and stars including David Hood, Millie Jackson, Mick Jagger, Candi Staton, Ray Stevens, Mavis Staples and Bobby Womack to illustrate how so much music came out of this tiny corner of the South. The program was presented in support of the museum’s major exhibit “Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising.”
The King Returns to Studio B: Don Cusic To Explore Elvis’ Nashville Legacy
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley‘s enduring legacy will be the focus of an upcoming lecture at Historic RCA Studio presented by music historian and author Don Cusic on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. The lecture is part of the ongoing Curb Lecture Series in partnership with the Metro Historical Commission and will explore how Presley’s recordings at RCA Studio B helped shape the sound of modern popular music. Cusic brings deep insight to the subject, having authored Elvis and Country Music, a definitive work examining Presley’s influence on country, rock, and American music at large. Admission is $10, with all proceeds benefiting The Nashville Historic Foundation.
New Musical Theater Nashville Showcase Series Features ASCAP Composers
Pictured (L-R): NMTN’s Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, Analog’s Meredith DiMenna, ASCAP’s Emilia James, NMTN’s Sarah Aili. Photo: Jeff Fasano
ASCAP composers Sarah Aili and Meredith DiMenna performed excerpts from their original musical theater works Back in Birmingham (written by Aili and Radney Foster) and I Make Sense in Texas (written by DiMenna) at The First Stage, a new musical theater showcase series, on March 7 at The Analog in Nashville. Spotlighting local Nashville theatrical composers and performers, The First Stage, presented by New Musical Theater Nashville in partnership with ASCAP and Analog at Hutton Hotel, is designed to jumpstart the development of new works for the stage by connecting writers with performers, musicians and audiences in Music City.
Cody Parks & The Dirty South Ink With BLKIIBLK / Frontiers Music
Pictured (L-R): Tim Bailey (Head of Label Management International), Cody Parks, Jeff Stevenson (General Manager, Head of Marketing), Bob Chiappardi (Marketing US). Photo: Mitch Wallis
Country metal band Cody Parks and The Dirty South has signed with BLKIIBLK / Frontiers Music. To celebrate the signing, the band has released their new single “Snake Shaker,” available now on all streaming platforms alongside an accompanying music video.
“I’m beyond excited and blessed to be a part of the BLKIIBLK / Frontiers family,” says Parks. “The opportunity to work with industry veterans Jeff Stevenson, Tom Lipsky, and Bob Chiappardi was a no-brainer. Having a team aligned with my vision for country metal makes this the perfect home for my music, and I can’t wait for the world to hear what we have cookin’.”
Erin Enderlin & Co-Writers Celebrate ‘The Gray House’ At The Opry
Photo: Brooke Stevens
Songwriters Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown and Jeff Fahey and musician Jenee Fleenor celebrated Amazon’s The Gray House at the Grand Ole Opry on March 14 with performances of three of their four cuts from the MCA soundtrack, including “Blood In The River,” “I’ll Be Here With You,” and “Heart of America.”
“Watching the Opry is where I really fell in love with country music, and every time I get to step into that circle is a dream come true,” says Enderlin. “To get to celebrate the incredible story of The Gray House and the songs I wrote for the soundtrack with my friends and co-writers on that stage – that’s a memory I will treasure.”
Brooke Lee Sings National Anthem At Texas Indycar Race
Brooke Lee performed the national anthem at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15 which featured a 70-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on a street circuit surrounding AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field in Texas. Lee’s new song, “Just Because” releases March 20 and follows recent tracks “Burn To Black” and “Desert Darling.”
Jake Hoot Debuts New Kids Book ‘The Great Big Blowout’
The Great Big Blowout. Artwork Design: Brittney Hoot
Season 17 winner of The Voice Jake Hoot has released his new children’s book, The Great Big Blowout published by Hoot Hollow Story Co. The lighthearted story is inspired by a true family moment that turns an ordinary day at the park into a memorable adventure.
“In my ten years of being a dad, I’ve learned that parenting comes with plenty of stressful and overwhelming moments,” says Hoot. “But in the grand scheme of life, it’s so much better to laugh at those moments. They’re the memories that will last a lifetime. I try to find humor in the little, mundane things. My hope is that parents in every season of parenting know they’re not alone. There are many highs and lows along the way, and the journey becomes a lot more enjoyable when we choose to laugh through it, knowing that not everything will be picture perfect.”
Shaboozey & Spotify Hosts Exclusive Meet & Greet At Houston Rodeo
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Fadwa Ward for Spotify
Spotify hosted an exclusive meet and greet event with Shaboozey last week (March 13) at the Houston Rodeo.
This year, Spotify teamed up with Coca-Cola for a Rhinestone Cowboy themed Houston Rodeo activation. Attendees received free samples, photo moments, and exclusive artist meet and greets.
Shaboozey recently signed a publishing deal with EMPIRE Publishing, the publishing arm of independent record company EMPIRE. His RIAA Certified Gold album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200 and featured the breakthrough RIAA-Diamond certified “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” He is set to make appearances at several festivals throughout the rest of the year, including iHeartCountry Festival, Country Thunder Florida, CMA Fest and more.
Fadwa Ward for Spotify
Fadwa Ward for Spotify
Fadwa Ward for Spotify
Fadwa Ward for Spotify
How KultureCity Is Reshaping Accessibility in Live Entertainment
/by LB CantrellThe Lauren Daigle Sensory Room at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
Over the past decade, conversations around live events have increasingly centered on safety, access and experience. In arenas and amphitheaters across the country, artists and venues are thinking more intentionally about how fans move through a space, how they interact with staff and how they feel once the lights go down. For a growing number of industry leaders, that conversation now includes sensory inclusion.
Founded in 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama, KultureCity has become a global force in sensory accessibility, working with more than 7,000 venues and events across 40 countries. The organization focuses on individuals with invisible disabilities and sensory needs, including those with autism, PTSD, dementia and traumatic brain injuries—people for whom loud volumes, flashing lights and densely packed crowds can present significant barriers to participation.
Through staff training, sensory tools, technology and designated quiet spaces, KultureCity is helping reshape how public spaces welcome guests who may experience sensory overload. In 2025 alone, the organization supported more than 3.5 million people through its programs, distributed 1.8 million sensory bags, built 988 sensory rooms and placed 632 mobile sensory stations. Its app, which allows families to preview available resources and plan ahead, has been downloaded 1.9 million times.
The live music industry has increasingly embraced that mission. KultureCity has activated at major tours across genres, including Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour,” where the organization was present at every show from 2022 through 2025, impacting more than 25,000 lives. It supported Paul McCartney’s 2025 North American tour, reaching more than 3,000 fans, and teamed with Stevie Nicks for nine shows that impacted over 1,500 attendees.
In the country space, Lainey Wilson partnered with KultureCity for every stop of her 2025 “Whirlwind Tour,” with the organization activating at all 31 dates. Across the run, 726 sensory bags were distributed, directly impacting 4,604 fans. At each venue, KultureCity staffed a table near entrances, offering complimentary sensory bags equipped with fidget tools, specialized glasses designed to soften strobe effects and noise-canceling headphones. The bags are free, and fans keep them.
While touring partnerships extend access on the road, permanent infrastructure at venues further anchors the effort. In 2021, KultureCity partnered with Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators to make the downtown Nashville venue fully sensory inclusive. Staff members receive annual training from medical professionals on recognizing and responding to sensory overload. Sensory bags are available through Guest Services, and families can preview features through the KultureCity app before attending an event.
The venue also created The Lauren Daigle Sensory Room, a dedicated space designed by medical professionals to provide a quieter, more secure environment for guests who may need a break. Outfitted with bean bags, visual light panels, tactile activity features and calming design elements, the room reflects a broader shift in how arenas are thinking about the full spectrum of fan experience.
For fans like Wilder Key, those details can make the difference between staying home and being in the building.
“When you first go into a concert and you don’t know how loud it’s going to be, [that’s a challenge], but if it’s not too loud, then I’m usually fine,” Wilder says. “I like to get a sensory bag, put the headphones on and mess with some of the fidgets.”
Wilder, who is autistic, attends shows with his mom, Shea Fowler. For their family, predictability and preparation are key. “Having sensory bags available is a huge relief because I’m constantly trying to make sure we don’t forget the headphones or a fidget—and we don’t know what we may be allowed to bring in,” Shea explains. “We’ve been in environments at theme parks and other places where it’s a whole thing. We have to step out of line and talk through it [with security], which just adds another layer of stress.”
That uncertainty can be enough to deter families from attending altogether. Knowing resources are built into the venue and clearly communicated changes that calculus.
“Knowing that KultureCity is in most every venue we go too, or we can open up the app and figure something out, is really nice,” Shea says.
For Wilder, the message to other kids who may be hesitant about concerts is simple. “Almost 100% of the time, headphones will be enough,” he says. “If they’re not enough, you can always step out and take a break.”
As more artists and venues adopt sensory-inclusive practices, the shift signals something larger than a single room or a table near the entrance. It reflects an evolving understanding of audience development—one that recognizes accessibility not as a niche accommodation but as part of doing business well.
Live music has always been about shared experience. Through partnerships with organizations like KultureCity, the industry is broadening who gets to share in it.