Pictured (L-R): Natalie Grummer (Casual), Heather Vassar (Casual), Matt Koziol, Niner Nyenhuis (Casual) and John Cantu (Outrider). Photo: Becca Mitchel

Matt Koziol has inked with Casual Records.

After discovering Elvis as a young child, Koziol spent his formative years singing in choirs and talent shows before picking up an instrument and joining bands as a teenager. His early career took him through clubs across the Northeast, eventually leading him to Los Angeles, where he began developing his skills as a songwriter, before eventually making the move to Nashville.

His music draws from a wide range of influences, including Motown, rock, bluegrass and the songwriting of Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor. Koziol’s songs often pull from real-life experiences, giving his writing an honest quality. He has also performed alongside Maren Morris, 49 Winchester, Shane Smith & The Saints, Jon Pardi and Hailey Whitters, as well as appearances at Bonnaroo and AMERICANAFEST.

Koziol released his debut single on Casual Records, “90 Proof,” today (Sept. 4).

“Matt has that rare thing you can’t coach, a voice that sounds like it’s lived every word it sings,” says Casual Records’ Heather Vassar. “Signing him to Casual Records was an easy call. We’re not just backing a song, we’re backing an artist with a real story and the work ethic to keep telling it. ’90 Proof’ is just the beginning of what he’s going to do with us.”

“90 proof is the definition of guttural to me,” adds Koziol. “I wanted it to have enough space for you to feel everything to your bones, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. When it comes to Casual and Heather, it’s truly just working with people you love. Heather has been a champion of mine and has shown up in my career at different times, and there’s something to be said about people who truly believe in you. That’s her, and her team. I couldn’t ask for more.”

To date, Koziol has garnered 13.4K Instagram followers, 33.6K TikTok followers, 1M+ YouTube views, and 6.5M+ Spotify streams.

Vince Gill. Photo: David McClister

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Vince Gill‘s 35th anniversary as an Opry member with two shows on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Gill will also be joined for the milestone celebration by longtime friends and fellow Opry members Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless, along with his wife Amy Grant, Wendy Moten and more, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

Gill made his Opry debut on June 29, 1989, and was inducted as an official member on August 10, 1991. In the 35 years since, the Country Music Hall of Fame member has become one of the Opry’s greatest ambassadors, returning to the hallowed stage throughout his career to perform, collaborate with fellow artists and friends, and welcome new generations into the Circle.

The hitmaker has been marking another career milestone through his ongoing 50 Years From Home music series, a year-long collection of EPs featuring new songs alongside tracks from throughout his career. Gill recently concluded his “50 Years From Home Tour,” celebrating five decades since leaving Oklahoma to pursue his music. The 27-city tour launched in June and included a sold-out, six-night residency at the Ryman Auditorium. He’ll return to the Ryman in December for his annual “Christmas at the Ryman” residency with Amy Grant.

Robert Plant, Brandi Carlile, Margo Price and more are among the artists set to perform at the upcoming 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards Sept. 16 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Plant will return to the awards stage 15 years after his 2011 Album of the Year Band of Joy with a special performance as a 2026 recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Other artists among this year’s Honors & Awards lineup include Boy Golden, Crowe Boys, Flatland Cavalry, I’m With Her, Jesse Welles, Kashus Culpepper, Kathleen Edwards, Ken Pomeroy, Molly Tuttle, Mon Rovîa, and S.G. Goodman.

The Milk Carton Kids return to host this year’s show, with Buddy Miller serving once again as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, Larry Campbell, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, and The McCrary Sisters.

The Americana Music Association will also pay tribute to Dolly Parton as a Lifetime Achievement Honoree and for her impact on roots music as well as her storytelling, songwriting, and creative excellence, which embody the spirit of Americana. A special performance is planned honoring her life and legacy after her recent passing.

The 2026 Honors & Awards show will stream live via NPR’s YouTube channel and Americana Music Association’s Facebook page on Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT, while live audio simulcasts of the show will be available via SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and on Nashville area radio stations WRLT (100.1 FM), WSM (650 AM) and WMOT (89.5 FM).  A special edited version of the program will also be broadcast in the Austin City Limits time slot, premiering on Nov. 21.

The ceremony is the hallmark event for the 26th annual AMERICANAFEST, held across more than 40 venues throughout Nashville Sept. 15-19.

Songwriter Laura Veltz is hosting a special night of music and storytelling for a cause at The Listening Room Cafe on Nov. 4.

The special songwriter round will also feature performances from Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde and Luke Dick, and will serve as a fundraiser in support of sending local Nashville 12U baseball team The M.A.D. Mavericks to Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York next year. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, exclusively reserved for 12-year-old athletes, includes a week of youth baseball at Cooperstown Dreams Park and special access to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. More than 500 Cooperstown alumni have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper and Jacob deGrom.

The night will also include a silent auction of music memorabilia from songs performed during the evening, including handwritten and signed lyrics, instruments and more. Tickets will be on sale Sept. 9 at listeningroomcafe.com.

“The idea that I can send a quick text to my dear friends, Maren, Ashley & Luke, who happen to be some of the most talented music people on earth—and my neighbors—is one of the craziest parts of being a Nashville songwriter,” says Veltz. “I am so grateful to these legends for joining me in rallying around our local community and helping send these sweet boys on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Although I will be on stage, I am so excited to hear all of this music. ‘Choosin’ Texas’ sung by all of us in four-part harmony is going to blow my mind. I love this town!”

Veltz is a five-time Grammy-nominated songwriter whose catalog of hits includes songs recorded by Morris, McBryde, Dan + Shay, Demi Lovato, Ella Langley, Shaboozey, Blessing Offor and more. This year alone, she has had 30 cuts from artists including longtime collaborator Jessie Murph, Stella Lefty, Drew Baldridge, Anne Wilson and more.