Rodney Atkins Slates First New Project In Seven Years, ‘True South,’ For May

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Rodney Atkins is heading into spring with his first new album in seven years, True South, slated for release May 29.

Atkins offers fans an advance taste of some of the homespun wisdom on True South with the release of “The Years Are Short,” a sentimental reflection on fatherhood, out now. With “The Years Are Short” the multi-Platinum artist details the often long days of raising young kids only to look up and find 18 years have passed in the blink of an eye. In the tune he advises listeners to savor moments with their children, especially while they’re little, and speaks from experience as he watches his own three boys grow up far too fast.

The East Tennessee native leans into love, family and memory on True South, his long-awaited follow-up to 2019’s Caught Up In The Country. Cementing his status as a devoted family man, Atkins serves up relatable odes to marriage and parenting as he details small town life with wife Rose Falcon and his three sons. Previous songs released from the project include “True South,” “Marry Me Again (MMA),” “Watching You 2.0 (with Elijah Atkins)” and “Helluvit.”

Throughout his career Atkins has racked up six No. 1s and has over 5 billion global streams under his belt, and his Platinum No. 1 “Watching You” earned a BMI Million-Air  award and the top spot on Country Aircheck’s top-played songs of the decade list.

True South Track List:
1. “True South” (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Blake Redferrin, Jake Saghi)
2. “Helluvit” (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Daniel Ethridge, Seth Mosley)
3. “Hole In One” (Jordan Schmidt, Devin Dawson, Zach Kale)
4. “Toys In The Dirt” (Thomas Archer, Lalo Guzman, Michael Tyler)
5. “Watching You 2.0 (with Elijah Atkins)” (Rodney Atkins, Steven Dean, Brain White)
6. “The Years Are Short” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
7. “All Y’all” (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Seth Mosley, Smith Ahnquist)
8. “Small Town After All” (Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman, Ben Hayslip, Chase McGill, Ben Burgess)
9. “Silver Bullets” (Jake Owen, Bobby Pinson, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
10. “The Real Thing” (Rodney Atkins, Nicole Witt)
11. “Believe Me (with Rose Falcon)” (Rose Falcon, Gabe Dixon, Michael Whitworth)
12. “Marry Me Again (MMA)” (Rodney Atkins, Russell Sutton, Jaxson Free, Jim McCormick, Adam Craig)

BREAKING: HYBE AMERICA Nashville Launches Blue Highway Records, Taps Jake Basden As CEO

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Jake Basden. Photo: Allister Ann

HYBE AMERICA’s Nashville-based country, Americana and roots rock division will rebrand as Blue Highway Records, previously BMLG, effective immediately. Industry veteran Jake Basden has been appointed as Blue Highway Records’ Chief Executive Officer.

Blue Highway Records is home to Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean and Mae Estes, as well as distribution for Riley Green, Shaylen, The Band Perry and Greylan James under Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. The Valory Music Co. will be folded into Blue Highway Records. The publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE AMERICA.

Basden joins the company with deep relationships across music, film, television and live entertainment. He most recently served as President of Sandbox Management, where he oversaw all aspects of the talent division’s representation and business development. This new appointment marks a return to the company for Basden, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications for Big Machine Label Group.

“As we were searching for a leader for our new Nashville record label, it was important to choose someone that thought of artists first. We found someone that would not only connect with our team and build our company culture, but has profound ties to this community,” shares Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE AMERICA. “Jake’s long history of devoted service to artists, his time with our company and his deep roots in Nashville, along with his fresh and modern take on what will make the label successful in the digital age made him the ideal candidate for this role. We’re excited for what’s ahead for Blue Highway Records and for all that Jake will do to further expand our company’s footprint in Music City.”

“Country and American roots music is at such a dynamic place,” says Basden, “and I can think of no better place to define what the future of these sounds can be than Blue Highway. With the power and global synergy of HYBE, there are no limits to what we can create—and I look forward to working with the current roster and future signings to deliver artists, songs and projects that speak to the heart of who we are as people.

“We are starting with a diverse roster of passionate creators. Each is singular in who they are, but also how they write and realize their sound,” Basden adds. “From Thomas Rhett, a superstar who’s still filled with unmet potential to Jackson Dean, a songwriter with raw charisma and a gritty sound, Blue Highway is a place where being yourself invites originality and inspires listeners to find their own path. For CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Carly Pearce, Western-leaning progressives Midland and staunch American Justin Moore, country music is the bedrock for labelmates who have defined their own lane. When you factor in Preston Cooper, Brett Young and Mae Estes, the tradition of being your own kind of country remains in strong hands. Blue Highway is going to deliver the sound for country for the coming years.”

This announcement follows the news that BMLG founder Scott Borchetta was exiting HYBE, and reacquiring the Big Machine Records brand.

Megan Moroney To Celebrate New Album Release With ‘9 Cities. 9 Days’

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Megan Moroney. Photo: Amber Asaly

Megan Moroney will kick off the release of her upcoming new album Cloud 9 with “9 Cities. 9 Days,” a fan-focused celebration featuring exclusive appearances in nine cities across the country this month.

The shows will kick off in New York City on Cloud 9 ’s drop date (Feb. 20), and wrap on Feb. 28 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Moroney will perform a handful of songs at select stops. The run will include a include a surprise event at Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia.

With the exception of her Scottsdale stop, all “9 Cities. 9 Days.” events will be ticketed at a cost of $9. Tickets will be available at the venue box office beginning at 9 a.m. local time on the morning of each event, with a limit of two tickets per person. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards The Megan Moroney Foundation, which aims to address bullying and raise awareness for mental health by promoting kindness.

“When I thought about the release of Cloud 9, I knew I wanted to spend it with my fans,” shares Moroney. “They’re the reason I get to do this, and I’m so excited to celebrate this album with them!”

Moroney previewed the album with the release of the title track earlier this month. Featuring collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Kacey Musgraves, Cloud 9 will also include her Gold-certified, No. 1 single “6 Months Later,” “Beautiful Things” and the recently released “Wish I Didn’t.”

Moroney is also gearing up for “The Cloud 9 Tour,” a 49-date international headline run launching May 29 in Columbus, Ohio, with stops at major arenas throughout North America, Europe and the UK.

“9 Cities. 9 Days.” Dates:
2/20 | New York, NY – Rough Trade
2/21 | Richmond, VA – The National 🩷
2/22 | Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle 🩷
2/23 | Athens, GA – Akins Ford Arena 🎶
2/24 | Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion 🩷
2/25 | Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre 🩷
2/26 | Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom 🩷
2/27 | Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex 🩷
2/28 | Scottsdale, AZ – Venue TBA ☁️
☁️ free
🩷 intimate acoustic performance of three songs
🎶 surprise event

Alex Miller Builds On Traditional Foundation With New Project ‘More Country Than You’

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Alex Miller is expanding on his traditional country roots with his latest album, More Country Than You, set for release on April 10.

The 10-song collection opens with Miller’s interpretation of “Too Much Fun,” the 1995 top 5 hit by the late Daryle Singletary. Rising star Emily Ann Roberts and Miller embrace a classic country male/female back and forth on the title track, and “As Far As His Mem’ry Lets Her Go” is a decades-old, never-before-recorded tear-jerker about how pain from the past can limit hope for new love.

“Just A Mom” is a mid-tempo tribute to women who rock the cradle and rule the world, dedicated to Miller’s mom. “The Byrd” features buddy Tracy Byrd in a fast-moving track that brings back the energy of the great “Moe & Joe” duets of the past, and rolling ballad “Why Does My Heart Ache” asks, If time heals, tears dry, why does my heart ache? “Money Well Wasted” ups the tempo with a humorous take on one man’s version of retail therapy, and “Secondhand Smoke,” his current radio single, is a twangy tale of heartbreak on the horizon. “Memories And Gin” sparks with tasty guitar licks, and lilting fiddle and steel, cementing Miller’s love of twang. And the album closes with “The Ones That Take Me Home,” Miller’s love letter to country music, and a reminder to hold your memories of home close.

A former competitor on American Idol, Miller moved to Nashville in May 2024 and made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry the following month. In early 2025, he released “The Byrd,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the CDX True Indie Chart and hit the Top 50 on the Mediabase Activator Chart. Last year summer he was also chosen as a brand ambassador with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’sKentucky Proud program.

More Country Than You Track List:
1. “Too Much Fun” (Jeff Knight, Curtis Wright)
2. “More Country Than You” (Alex Miller, Emily Ann Roberts, Bill Whyte)
3. “As Far As His Mem’ry Lets Her Go” (Doodle Owens, Jerry Salley)
4. “Just A Mom” (Wood Newton, Steve Williams)
5. “The Byrd” (Alex Miller, Jerry Salley)
6. “Why Does My Heart Ache” (Alex Miller, Jerry Salley)
7. “Money Well Wasted” (Robert Arthur, Alex Miller, Conner Sweet)
8. “Secondhand Smoke” (Alan Jackson, Jim McBride)
9. “Memories And Gin” (Alex Miller, Bill Whyte)
10. “The Ones That Take Me Home” (Mark BonDurant, Alex Miller, Jerry Salley)

Max Martin Inks With Big Loud Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Sydney Burdette (Creative Manager, Big Loud Publishing), Kimberly Gleason (SVP, Big Loud Publishing), Katie Flynn (Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing), Max Martin, Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records), Mike Giangreco (VP of A&R, Big Loud Publishing).

Max Martin has signed with Big Loud Publishing.

“I’m super excited to be signing with the incredible team at Big Loud,” Martin shares. “I have always been a fan of the work they have done and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

“From the moment Max began collaborating with our writers, his great ideas, work ethic and positivity stood out and showed he was the perfect addition to the Big Loud team,” adds Katie Flynn, Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing.

Hailing from Atlanta, Martin draws inspiration from the sounds of The Foo Fighters, Darius Rucker and more. He initially moved to Nashville in 2021 to attend Lipscomb University.

Do Write Music Transitions Copyright Administration To Music Admin Inc., Marghie Evans Retires

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Marghie Evans.

Do Write Music, LLC has transitioned its copyright administration to Music Admin Inc. as Co-Founder Marghie Evans steps into retirement.

Evans co-founded Do Write Music alongside Dwight Wiles, providing copyright administration, licensing, royalty collection and related services for songwriters, independent publishers and select audiovisual clients.

The transition reflects Evans’ retirement after more than 35 years as a respected music publishing executive. Evans has served as a past board member and secretary of Leadership Music and as chair of the Copyright Society of the South. Originally based in London, she relocated to Nashville in 2001. Prior to her move, Evans served as Head of Rights & Clearances for Universal Pictures Home Video (U.K.), overseeing rights work for high-profile home video releases including An American Werewolf in London, as well as documentaries and live concert projects featuring artists such as The Who, Dire Straits, Bon Jovi, and INXS.

Do Write Music’s roster has included songwriters such as Jeffrey Steele, Tom Paxton, Jon Vezner, Kathy Mattea, Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, and Old Crow Medicine Show, alongside catalogs from multiple independent publishers. Do Write songs have been recorded by artists including Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Montgomery Gentry, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Christina Aguilera, among others.

Tin Pan South Announces 2026 Venues, Charity Partner

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Tin Pan South 2026 has announced the 10 local spots that have been secured as official venues for the upcoming five-day event, scheduled for March 24-28.

Participating venues include 3rd and Lindsley Nashville (stage presented by Jack Daniel’s), 1865 Club, Anzie Blue, Analog at Hutton Hotel (stage presented by Tennessee Entertainment Commission), The Bluebird Cafe (stage presented by Southbound Tequila), The Commodore Grille (stage presented by beyerdynamic), The Cowan at Topgolf (stage presented by Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp), Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole (stage presented by Musicnotes), Love and Exile (stage presented by Nashville Scene), and Station Inn (stage presented by Custom House at Guitar Center).

The full festival lineup and schedule will be released on Feb. 26. Ticket on-sale will begin the following week, starting March 3 and will rollout at tinpansouth.com according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, March 3 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 24 Shows
Wednesday, March 4 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 25 Shows
Thursday, March 5 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 26 Shows
Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. CT – Onsale begins for March 27 and March 28 Shows

Tin Pan South is NSAI’s largest annual fundraising event to support its mission of protecting the rights and future of songwriting. As a way to give back and support another organization in need, each year a local non-profit is selected by the festival as a partner and beneficiary. In the past, ticket proceeds from a single show raised donation funds, but for this year, all attendees will have the opportunity to donate to the worthy cause with any ticket purchase. This year, the charity was carefully selected as it holds a special place for NSAI Board President, Lee Thomas Miller, and family, who suffered the loss of Miller’s son Levi in 2025. The mission of ShowerUp, an organization originally founded in Nashville, was extremely important to Levi, and the festival has chosen it in his honor.

ShowerUp provides showers, laundry, hygiene necessities and personal care to those experiencing homelessness and who are in need. The organization has grown to provide services in additional cities and states since its founding in 2016. With any 2026 ticket purchase, buyers will have the opportunity to add a donation amount of their choosing to the purchase, to directly support ShowerUp and their mission of elevating dignity and igniting hope for individuals who are in need, whether unhoused, in shelters, or affected by disasters.

“ShowerUp is an incredible organization serving Nashville in a unique way,” says Lee Thomas Miller, NSAI Board President. “Through our son Levi’s struggles with mental health he became burdened with the unhoused and once spoke of them as “unseen” the same way he felt “unseen.” ShowerUp is boots on the ground here at home and I love this opportunity for NSAI to showcase their work as part of this year’s Tin Pan South festival.”

CMHOFM Elevates Four Staff Members

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Maggie Banker, Meredith Rife, Denise Alvis & Nancy Cason. Photo: Courtesy of CMHOFM

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has elevated four staff members within the its guest relations, human resources and marketing teams.

Maggie Banker has been elevated to Senior Director of Marketing. In this role, Banker oversees the museum’s owned and paid media strategies, leading integrated campaigns to expand the museum’s reach to new and existing audiences. Banker joined the museum’s marketing team in 2018 and most recently served as Director of Marketing. Banker has over 12 years of marketing experience in the tourism, nonprofit, music and entertainment industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa.

Meredith Rife has been named Associate Director of Social Media. In this role, she oversees the museum’s social media strategy, including organic content development, audience engagement and performance analysis. Since joining the museum in 2023, Rife most recently served as senior social media manager, supporting the social media presence of the museum and its properties. She has over six years of marketing experience focused on social media, including real estate marketing and work for Vanderbilt University. Rife holds a bachelor’s degree in interactive media from Middle Tennessee State University.

Denise Alvis has been named Director of Human Resources. In this role, she leads and implements human resources programs including recruiting, training, career development, performance management and internal processes and more. Prior to joining the museum in 2022, Alvis worked as director of human resources for National HealthCare Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Nancy Cason has been promoted to Associate Director of Guest Experience. She oversees all aspects of the visitor experience for the museum, Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B, as well as other publicly ticketed events and programs. Cason’s responsibilities include overseeing the institution’s box-office operations, information and membership desks, guest experience staff and tour guides. During her 10 years with the museum, she has held roles in reservations, ticketing and guest experience, and most recently served as senior guest experience manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Eastern Michigan University.

Jonah Kagen Delivers Heartfelt Set To Sold-Out Nashville Room

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Jonah Kagen

On Thursday night (Feb. 12), Jonah Kagen delivered a commanding set to a sold-out Basement East crowd as part of his “Sunflowers & Leather Tour.”

From the opening notes of “Simon,” the crowd was already tuned in. “The Reaper” followed with a pulsing intensity that got the room moving. He followed his opening tunes with “Candy Land,” “You Again” and “Matches,” keeping the momentum steady. Kagen’s voice kept gravelly and grounded throughout the night.

“There’s a lot of people in here!” Kagen exclaimed from the stage. “I’ve played here before and there was about 1/16 of the crowd in here than there is now. I’m so happy to be here. This tour has been a shock to the system, I feel like I have imposter syndrome.”

Midway through the set, Kagen shifted the energy by sitting down with the band. “Black Lung” landed heavy, drawing an energy over the room that only deepened for “Anvil,” which saw Kagen swap guitar for banjo. The acoustic moment added a raw, front-porch vibe to the evening.

When the band exited stage left and Kagen eventually found himself alone, he went solo for “Krissy,” a song dedicated to his mom. Then came one of the first songs he ever wrote, “Colorado,” played at the crowd’s request.

“Same Wind” began with just Kagen before the band rejoined halfway through, earning one of the loudest applause breaks of the night. “The Roads” carried that lift forward, and by the time he reached band introductions, the smiles onstage mirrored the ones in the crowd.

The final stretch included “Save My Soul” and Gold-certified breakout hit “God Needs the Devil,” both with the audience singing along.

For the encore, Kagen returned with tour and album namesake “Sunflowers & Leather.” Then came “Burn Me” to wrap up the night, elevated by a surprise appearance from Vincent Lima.

Kagen’s “Sunflowers & Leather Tour” will resume March 3 in Oklahoma City.

Casey Wasserman To Sell Agency

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Amid fallout over his previously reported contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Casey Wasserman has begun the process of selling the global talent agency Wasserman, according to a memo confirmed to MusicRow by the company.

In a company-wide memo sent by Wasserman on Friday evening (Feb. 13), he wrote to the agency’s 4,000 employees, “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.

“At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.”

Wasserman and the talent agency he founded have been under scrutiny since reports surfaced about email exchanges between him and Maxwell from 2003, and a humanitarian trip on Epstein’s plane to Africa the year prior.

Since then, clients including Chappell Roan, Orville Peck and Sylvan Esso have exited the agency, according to reports.

The full memo is below.

Team:

I wanted to write to you all directly to share a few important updates. Over the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to many of you directly – and I wish I could have spoken with every one of you because you all have put your hearts and souls into this incredible organization.

First and foremost, I want to apologize to you. I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.

The pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is unimaginable – and I’m glad, as I’m sure you all are, that those who helped them commit their crimes are rightly being held accountable.

Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals. It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And I’m heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.

Other than my children and my fiancée, there are two things that matter most to me in this world: this company that I founded 24 years ago, and the dream I’ve pursued for more than a decade of bringing the Olympic Games back to the city I love.

This organization, its leadership and the entire team mean the world to me. Our 4,000 employees are the absolute best in the business. I see you put it all on the line for your clients every day. Our clients expect – and deserve – world-class representation. And that’s exactly what they get because of all of you.

At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.

I so appreciate the passion and fight you bring to your jobs. It’s why you succeed.

I am beyond proud of what this company has accomplished to date and excited to watch its next chapter.

All my best,
Casey