Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Riley Green & Carly Pearce
DISClaimer has a bonanza of fine new country sounds this week.
More than half of the tracks in this listening session could be a Disc of the Day. With such an abundance of riches, we’re compelled to dole the prizes out by category. So this week, we have three Disc of the Day awards.
In the Female Vocalist category, Kacey Musgraves’s clever catalog of horniness wins a Disc of the Day. Among the Male Vocalist contenders, ebullient Kane Brown has another Disc of the Day. In a day notable for vocal collaborations, the Carly Pearce/Riley Green duet is our “group” Disc of the Day honoree.
Madden Metcalf looks and sounds young at heart, and the first-timer earns a DISCovery Award for his debut.
ANNE WILSON & COLE SWINDELL / “Still Do”
Writers: Anne Wilson/Jeff Pardo/Matthew West/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Jeff Pardo, Ross Copperman; Label: Sparrow
– Prodigal children find their way back to God, but neither of them sings a harmony vocal.
HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Painted You Pretty”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Hudson Westbrook/Lukas Scott; Producer: Lukas Scott; Label: River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
– The Lone Star State up-and-comer is gentle and romantic on this lilting outing. He sings that she’s “picture perfect,” and “I bet you’ve got a heart of gold.” Awww.
LOLA KIRKE / “Trailblazer”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Lola Kirke; Producer: Daniel Tashian; Label: One Riot Records
– The Academy Awards ceremony is Sunday (March 15). Best Picture nominee Sinners is the most nominated film in Oscar history. In it, Nashville’s Lola Kirke portrays a roving vampire in a folk-singing trio. The title tune of her current album urges you to pave your own way and stand up for yourself when you feel like you don’t fit in. A densely muffled production backs her wistful soprano vocal. While on the film’s set, she also wrote a wonderfully wry and witty memoir titled Wild West Village. Both the album and the book are well worth your time.
KANE BROWN / “Woman”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– His buddies want him to go out and chase girls with them. He turns them down, because instead of girls, he has a real woman. A churning, bopping production and Brown’s charisma make this an undeniable, instant favorite.
DAVID NAIL / “The Crown”
Writers: Anderson East/David Nail; Producer: Anderson East; Label: One Five Sound
– Nail offers a short-story in a wafting ballad about a teenager who loses her way, but can always find peace back in her home town. This performer remains a gripping, gifted singer-songwriter.
CARLY PEARCE & RILEY GREEN / “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay”
Writers: none listed; Producers: Ben West, Carly Pearce; Label: Blue Highway Records
– These two have stunning vocal chemistry. Green’s twin-like harmony singing is a revelation, and they both bring simmering heat to this portrait of passion. Essential listening.
TENILLE TOWNES & LORI McKENNA / “the acrobat”
Writers: Lori McKenna/Tenille Townes; Producer: Tenille Townes; Label: TT
– I’m a big fan of Canadian star Townes. On this aching ballad, she’s accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar and the alto harmonies of McKenna. The result is starkly compelling artistry where you hang on every line.
CHRIS JANSON & DAVID LEE MURPHY / “Fun”
Writers: Chris Janson/David Lee Murphy/Jesse Murphy/Michael Wayne Wilkes/Mitchell Oglesby; Producers: Chris Janson, Michael Wayne Wilkes; Label: Harpeth 60/Warner Records Nashville
– This is pretty much what the title says it is. Rollicking and rambunctious. A big grin.
BELLAH MAE / “Love Me Less”
Writers: Bellah Mae/Brett Truitt/Brigetta Truitt; Producer: Brett Truitt; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her breathy vocal is surrounded by twinkling guitar notes and a simple percussive thump in this soft pop production. Very pretty, if not exactly “country.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Dry Spell”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird; Label: Lost Highway
– Delightful. She’s wry and witty on this bopping lament of being horny. The sexy double entendres are super cute, and some twanging guitars skip along merrily.
LUKE GRIMES / “Haunted”
Writers: Dave Cobb/Jessie Jo Dillon/Luke Grimes; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: MCA
– Already widely known for his role on Yellowstone, Grimes is in a new CBS drama series titled Marshals. On its soundtrack, this slow, brooding track depicts resilience and letting go of the past. His baritone voice conveys a certain world-weary wisdom. Love the drawn-out, echoey, instrumental fade.
MADDEN METCALF / “I Don’t Wanna Cry Anymore”
Writers: Elliah Heifetz/Freddy Wexler/Madden Metcalf; Producers: Freddy Wexler, Paul Sikes; Label: Wexler Records/MCA Nashville
– Heartbreak with a little skip in its step. Metcalf’s rapid-fire delivery and jaunty attitude contrast nicely with his boyish, lost-love ditty. Extremely promising.
PYNK BEARD / “Ice on the Road”
Writers: Coleridge Tillman/Jayme Silverstein/Warren Okay Felder; Producers: Jayme Silverstein, Oak for The Orphanage; Label: Anzie Blue Records
– A moody meditation punctuated by tenor shouts that pleads for brotherhood and understanding. Love your neighbor, exhorts Pynk Beard.
Alana Springsteen Slates Sophomore Album ‘I Hope This Helps’ For May
/by Lorie HollabaughAlana Springsteen is set to release her sophomore album I Hope This Helps, on May 29 via Santa Anna Nashville. Along with the album announcement, Springsteen is sharing an empowered new track, “Black Sheep,” today.
“Black Sheep” arrives as a windows-down anthem of triumphant self-acceptance for the 25-year-old. Written by Springsteen, Lydia Vaughan, Lauren LaRue and Jared Keim, the soaring track mirrors Springsteen’s transformation from shame and frustration to fully embodied authenticity.
“If I had written ‘black sheep’ two years ago it would have been an insecure, timid plea to be understood, to fit in for once. Instead, the version you hear embodies the confidence that healing has brought me,” shares Springsteen. “I wear the title of ‘black sheep’ proudly, as proof that I was created intentionally to walk this path. That we all were. I love the bridge in this song for that reason: ‘can’t believe I thought it was a weakness, when God’s the one who made me this black sheep.’ If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, out of place, like you were meant for something different… I hope you turn this song up. and I hope you let go of who you thought you had to be to make space for who you were always meant to be.”
The follow-up to her debut album Twenty Something, a three-part exploration of life lessons learned in her early 20s, I Hope This Helps dives even deeper into Springsteen’s inner world, documenting her journey in undoing a lifetime of self-abandoning patterns and the lingering impact of the fear-based faith that raised her. She co-wrote and co-produced all 16 tracks on the new project, in addition to playing guitar and piano throughout. Last month, Springsteen offered an early glimpse of her most unguarded work to date with “note to self,” a soul-searching track that reckons with the pain of her early years.
Springsteen has also announced “Alana Springsteen: Live In Europe,” a headline summer tour of the UK and Europe which will include stops in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Belfast. Kicking off on July 3 in Riaza, Spain, the tour will wrap with a two-night stand at Norsk Countrytreff (a country festival in Breim, Norway) on July 10-11. Springsteen’s summer trek will follow her appearance this weekend at C2C: Country to Country 2026, where she’ll take the stage in Glasgow tonight (March 13), London tomorrow (March 14), and Belfast on Sunday (March 15).
I Hope This Helps Track List:
1. “intro” (Alana Springsteen, Sara Bares, Mark Trussell, Lauren LaRue)*
2. “note to self” (Alana Springsteen, Trannie Anderson, Mark Trussell)*
3. “feels good” (Alana Springsteen, Mags Duval, Ido Zmishlany, Sarah “Solly” Solovay)+
4. “sad hour” (Alana Springsteen, Sasha Alex Sloan, Nicolle Galyon, Mark Trussell)*
5. “love to see it” (Alana Springsteen, Sam Bergeson, Maya K, Lydia Vaughan)^
6. “love me anyway” (Alana Springsteen, Rhett Akins, Trannie Anderson, Chris LaCorte)&
7. “interlude” (Alana Springsteen, Sara Bares, Mark Trussell, Lauren LaRue)*
8. “same God” (Alana Springsteen, Emily Weisband, Will Weatherly, Ben Williams)#
9. “diy” (Alana Springsteen, Annika Bennett, Futuristics, Emily Weisband)*
10. “no man’s” (Alana Springsteen, Jordan Dozzi, Trannie Anderson, Zach Crowell)**
11. “selfish” (Alana Springsteen, Will Weatherly, Sasha Alex Sloan, Emily Weisband)-
12. “fight like this” (Alana Springsteen, Liz Rose, AJ Pruis)*
13. “i loved you then” (Alana Springsteen, Lauren LaRue, Sara Bares, Jared Keim)++
14. “black sheep” (Alana Springsteen, Lydia Vaughan, Lauren LaRue, Jared Keim)^^
15. “how to swim” (Alana Springsteen, Will Weatherly, Joybeth Taylor, Emily Weisband)*
16. “outro” (Alana Springsteen, Sara Bares, Mark Trussell, Lauren LaRue)*
* Produced by Mark Trussell and Alana Springsteen
+ Produced by Ido Zmishlany and Alana Springsteen
^ Produced by Sam Martinez, Alana Springsteen, Co-produced by Sam Bergeson
& Produced by Chris LaCorte and Alana Springsteen
# Produced by Steve Rusch and Alana Springsteen, Co-produced by Will Weatherly
** Produced by Zach Crowell and Alana Springsteen
– Produced by Will Weatherly and Alana Springsteen
++ Produced by Jared Keim and Alana Springsteen
^^ Produced by Sam Martinez, Alana Springsteen, Co-produced by Jared Keim
## Produced by Dave Clauss and Alana Springsteen
Vince Gill Unveils ‘Lonely’s What I Do’ EP
/by Lauryn SinkVince Gill has unveiled Lonely’s What I Do, the fifth volume in his 50 Years From Home EP series.
The eight-track project features writing credits from Sharon Vaughn, Hadlie Jo Pritchard, Mae Estes, Lee Thomas Miller and Kameron Marlowe, among others.
“I love the melancholy in music,” shares Gill. “I always have. Maybe it goes back to the bluegrass days of the murder ballads, those kinds of songs. There’s so much more emotion in songs that have a little more despair. I think they’re as powerful as they are because they tell great stories. They paint great pictures that take you to that place — whether they’re true or not.”
The project was produced by Gill at his home studio in Nashville, with engineers Matt Rausch and Justin Niebank, and players including Paul Franklin, guitarists Tom Bukovac and Jedd Hughes, bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas, keyboardists Gordon Mote, John Jarvis and Jim “Moose” Brown, and drummer Fred Eltringham.
Lonely’s What I Do Track List:
1. “Nothing Like They Used To Be” (Vince Gill, Sharon Vaughn, Hadlie Jo Pritchard)
2. “A Million Tears Ago” (Vince Gill, Mae Estes)
3. “How’s The Leaving Going” (Vince Gill, Kameron Marlowe, Lee Thomas Miller)
4. “Lonely’s What I Do” (Vince Gill, Sharon Vaughn, Belle Frantz)
5. “The Last Thing You Left Behind” (Vince Gill, Tom Douglas)
6. “How Lonely Lonely Gets” (Vince Gill)
7. “The Book” (Vince Gill, Bob DiPiero)
8. “Pocket Full of Gold”
MusicRow Reveals 2026 CountryBreakout Award Winners
/by MusicRow StaffFor 24 years, MusicRow has celebrated country music’s success at radio in secondary markets with its annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards.
Based on spins on the secondary market stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart panel each week, winners in eight categories are awarded. These artists and industry professionals wrote, recorded and promoted the music that played across the nation throughout 2025.
Morgan Wallen, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, Hudson Westbrook, LOCASH and MCA prevail at this year’s CountryBreakout Awards for garnering the most spins in their own respective categories. Hit songwriters Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome and Taylor Phillips, as well as MusicRow Radio Chart reporter Justin Brown are also victors for their esteemed skills.
Morgan Wallen is the winner for Male Artist of the Year for the fourth year in a row, while Megan Moroney takes home her first win for Female Artist of the Year. Rascal Flatts notch their first win in the Group/Duo of the Year category.
The Breakout Artist of the Year honor is given to a new artist whose first single or album was released in 2025, and earned the most spins on stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Hudson Westbrook takes this year’s Breakout Artist of the Year distinction.
The Independent Artist of the Year award honors a top independent act, based on the number of spins earned on stations that report to the chart, as well as factors including label size, distribution model and promotion staff. LOCASH takes home the honor this year for the first time for their success with singles “Hometown Home” and “Wrong Hearts,” which were worked by their own independent Galaxy Label Group.
MCA earns the Label Group of the Year honor, with its artists earning the most spins of any label imprint on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2025.
Songwriting juggernaut Ashley Gorley takes home his eighth Songwriter of the Year honor for penning the most No. 1 songs on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2025. This year, Gorley tied with Charlie Handsome and Taylor Phillips for the honor, making Handsome’s second time and Phillips’ first time taking home the win.
This year’s Reporter of the Year goes to Justin Brown at WJVL. This honor is an editorial decision that recognizes a MusicRow station panelist that best epitomizes the spirit of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
The winners of MusicRow‘s 24th annual CountryBreakout Awards are highlighted in this week’s MusicRow Weekly newsletter. Click here to view.
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton Top The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeMiranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton land at the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with their song, “A Song To Sing.”
The track was written by Stapleton and Lambert along with Jenee Fleenor and Jesse Frasure.
Both artists are currently on the road, with Lambert headlining her “Postcards from Texas Tour” through August and Stapleton continuing his “All-American Road Show” through October.
“A Song To Sing” currently sits at No. 19 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Ashley Cooke Unveils ‘the ace sessions’
/by Lauryn SinkAshley Cooke has released the ace sessions, a six-track acoustic project via all digital streaming platforms.
the ace sessions was initially released through a series of performance videos on YouTube last week. The project features four tracks from Cooke’s 2025 ace, along with the unreleased “olive juice” and a rendition of “can’t fight the moonlight.”
Cooke made a cameo appearance on last Sunday’s episode of CBS’ Marshals, performing “next to you,” a cut from her 2023 debut album. Her fan-favorite track “baby blues” reached the No. 1 spot last week on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. This weekend, she will return to C2C: Country to Country 2026, performing in Belfast, Glasgow and London.
the ace sessions Track List:
1. “baby blues – the ace sessions” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Seth Ennis, Joe Fox)
2. “talk about – the ace sessions” (Ashley Cooke, Emily Weisband, Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte)
3. “the hell you are – the ace sessions” (Ashley Cooke, Emily Weisband, Chase McGill, Seth Ennis, Joe Fox)
4. “excuses – the ace sessions” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock)
5. “olive juice – the ace sessions”
6. “can’t fight the moon light – the ace sessions”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce & Riley Green Share Disc Of The Day
/by Robert K OermannKacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Riley Green & Carly Pearce
DISClaimer has a bonanza of fine new country sounds this week.
More than half of the tracks in this listening session could be a Disc of the Day. With such an abundance of riches, we’re compelled to dole the prizes out by category. So this week, we have three Disc of the Day awards.
In the Female Vocalist category, Kacey Musgraves’s clever catalog of horniness wins a Disc of the Day. Among the Male Vocalist contenders, ebullient Kane Brown has another Disc of the Day. In a day notable for vocal collaborations, the Carly Pearce/Riley Green duet is our “group” Disc of the Day honoree.
Madden Metcalf looks and sounds young at heart, and the first-timer earns a DISCovery Award for his debut.
ANNE WILSON & COLE SWINDELL / “Still Do”
Writers: Anne Wilson/Jeff Pardo/Matthew West/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Jeff Pardo, Ross Copperman; Label: Sparrow
– Prodigal children find their way back to God, but neither of them sings a harmony vocal.
HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Painted You Pretty”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Hudson Westbrook/Lukas Scott; Producer: Lukas Scott; Label: River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
– The Lone Star State up-and-comer is gentle and romantic on this lilting outing. He sings that she’s “picture perfect,” and “I bet you’ve got a heart of gold.” Awww.
LOLA KIRKE / “Trailblazer”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Lola Kirke; Producer: Daniel Tashian; Label: One Riot Records
– The Academy Awards ceremony is Sunday (March 15). Best Picture nominee Sinners is the most nominated film in Oscar history. In it, Nashville’s Lola Kirke portrays a roving vampire in a folk-singing trio. The title tune of her current album urges you to pave your own way and stand up for yourself when you feel like you don’t fit in. A densely muffled production backs her wistful soprano vocal. While on the film’s set, she also wrote a wonderfully wry and witty memoir titled Wild West Village. Both the album and the book are well worth your time.
KANE BROWN / “Woman”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– His buddies want him to go out and chase girls with them. He turns them down, because instead of girls, he has a real woman. A churning, bopping production and Brown’s charisma make this an undeniable, instant favorite.
DAVID NAIL / “The Crown”
Writers: Anderson East/David Nail; Producer: Anderson East; Label: One Five Sound
– Nail offers a short-story in a wafting ballad about a teenager who loses her way, but can always find peace back in her home town. This performer remains a gripping, gifted singer-songwriter.
CARLY PEARCE & RILEY GREEN / “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay”
Writers: none listed; Producers: Ben West, Carly Pearce; Label: Blue Highway Records
– These two have stunning vocal chemistry. Green’s twin-like harmony singing is a revelation, and they both bring simmering heat to this portrait of passion. Essential listening.
TENILLE TOWNES & LORI McKENNA / “the acrobat”
Writers: Lori McKenna/Tenille Townes; Producer: Tenille Townes; Label: TT
– I’m a big fan of Canadian star Townes. On this aching ballad, she’s accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar and the alto harmonies of McKenna. The result is starkly compelling artistry where you hang on every line.
CHRIS JANSON & DAVID LEE MURPHY / “Fun”
Writers: Chris Janson/David Lee Murphy/Jesse Murphy/Michael Wayne Wilkes/Mitchell Oglesby; Producers: Chris Janson, Michael Wayne Wilkes; Label: Harpeth 60/Warner Records Nashville
– This is pretty much what the title says it is. Rollicking and rambunctious. A big grin.
BELLAH MAE / “Love Me Less”
Writers: Bellah Mae/Brett Truitt/Brigetta Truitt; Producer: Brett Truitt; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her breathy vocal is surrounded by twinkling guitar notes and a simple percussive thump in this soft pop production. Very pretty, if not exactly “country.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Dry Spell”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird; Label: Lost Highway
– Delightful. She’s wry and witty on this bopping lament of being horny. The sexy double entendres are super cute, and some twanging guitars skip along merrily.
LUKE GRIMES / “Haunted”
Writers: Dave Cobb/Jessie Jo Dillon/Luke Grimes; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: MCA
– Already widely known for his role on Yellowstone, Grimes is in a new CBS drama series titled Marshals. On its soundtrack, this slow, brooding track depicts resilience and letting go of the past. His baritone voice conveys a certain world-weary wisdom. Love the drawn-out, echoey, instrumental fade.
MADDEN METCALF / “I Don’t Wanna Cry Anymore”
Writers: Elliah Heifetz/Freddy Wexler/Madden Metcalf; Producers: Freddy Wexler, Paul Sikes; Label: Wexler Records/MCA Nashville
– Heartbreak with a little skip in its step. Metcalf’s rapid-fire delivery and jaunty attitude contrast nicely with his boyish, lost-love ditty. Extremely promising.
PYNK BEARD / “Ice on the Road”
Writers: Coleridge Tillman/Jayme Silverstein/Warren Okay Felder; Producers: Jayme Silverstein, Oak for The Orphanage; Label: Anzie Blue Records
– A moody meditation punctuated by tenor shouts that pleads for brotherhood and understanding. Love your neighbor, exhorts Pynk Beard.
Danny Wimmer Presents Opens New Music City Office
/by Lorie HollabaughLive entertainment production company Danny Wimmer Presents has opened a new office in downtown Nashville.
The company has produced festivals across Kentucky, Ohio, Florida, California and beyond for almost 20 years, including Louisville festivals Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life, just three hours north of Nashville.
The Nashville office will serve as a central hub for marketing, creative and administration, led by Boone Vires (SVP, Marketing), Jake Miller (Head of Content & Creative) and Haley Baca (Director of Administration).
“Nashville offers an incredible quality of life that makes it a natural home for our growing team. As DWP has experienced significant growth over the past five years, expanding into a new office in Music City is a strategic step that supports our long-term vision and continued momentum,” says Wimmer, Founder of DWP. “From affordability and accessibility to the depth of entertainment and culture, it’s a place where people can build meaningful careers and fulfilling lives. We’re already seeing strong interest from top talent, strengthening our ability to recruit, retain, and scale for the future.”
DWP sold more than one million tickets across its festivals last season. The company’s portfolio of multi-day experiences includes Aftershock, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival and Welcome To Rockville.
‘Culture At Large’ To Launch First Live Performance Event
/by Lauryn SinkMarcus K. Dowling‘s Culture At Large will launch its first live performance event, “R.O.O.T.S.: An All-Female Roots Music Jam Session,” on April 7, at Nashville’s Anzie Blue.
The event will feature performances from Bluegrass Music Association-winning fiddle player Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Folk Alliance International Spirit of Folk award-winning pianist and vocalist Lilli Lewis, and Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and International Bluegrass Music Association Vocalist of the Year Jaelee Roberts. Tickets to the event are available now.
Dowling launched the Culture At Large podcast in October. The weekly music industry podcast is recorded live from Nashville’s Anzie Blue.
“Two-thirds of the version of The Carter Family, which introduced country music as a commercial genre in 1927, were women,” shares Dowling. “One hundred years later, Billboard‘s top-selling pop albums and singles artists are two different women known for their work in country music. Building lasting connections between music, people, and culture requires changing expectations to boost creative innovation. Therefore, events like R.O.O.T.S. emphasize that it’s time for country’s mainstream pop cultural comeback to expand beyond a single genre and into a broader American and global scene that deepens and expands country music and Western culture’s influence.”
Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment Unveils Lineup For CRS Luncheon
/by Madison HahnenBig Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has revealed its lineup for its 2026 CRS luncheon, taking place March 20 at 12 p.m.
This year’s showcase will feature performances from The Band Perry, The Jack Wharff Band, Mackenzie Carpenter, Cole Goodwin, Caroline Jones, Shaylen, Greylan James and Naomi Carman.
“CRS remains one of the most important opportunities to showcase our amazing artists where they feel most at home — ON STAGE,” says Scott Borchetta, Founder & Chair. “As we enter our ‘NEXT 20,’ we will be giving you a robust look into our future — and yours. Start your engines…”
Online registration for CRS 2026 has closed. On-site registration will be available in Nashville at the current rate of $799 through the start of the event.
Scout Speer Inks With Sony Music Publishing & Dan Isbell
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Chelsea Kent (SMP), Rusty Gaston (SMP), Tom Luteran (SMP), Cam Caldwell (SMP), Scout Speer, Dan Isbell, Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC) and Jeff Peterson (Interstate Music).
Rising artist and songwriter Scout Speer has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with country music hitmaker Dan Isbell.
Speer combines a modern country edge vivid storytelling, her Tennessee upbringing in her sound. Recent singles “Strangers,” “Against Me” and “That’d Be Crazy” have already gained viral attraction, alongside her self-titled EP Scout Speer. Speer has already amassed five million streams, and has performed two sold-out shows in Nashville, alongside making a festival appearance She is currently working on new music, with a full-length album slated for release later in 2026.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be partnering with Sony Music Publishing and Dan Isbell as I take this next step in my career. It’s an honor to work with people who believe so deeply in my music and my future as a writer,” says Speer. “I also want to thank my manager Jeff Peterson and the team at Interstate Music for supporting me from the very beginning and helping me get to this moment. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”
“I’m thrilled to work with Scout,” shares Isbell. “She’s a killer vocalist with a sound that balances heartfelt melancholy and an upbeat spirit that really comes alive on stage. I can’t wait for Nashville and the rest of the world to hear her voice and experience all she has to say.”
“When Dan introduced me to Scout, I immediately saw in her what he did: an unmistakable voice and a natural storytelling ability that captures audiences,” adds Sony Music Publishing Nashville VP, Creative A&R, Tom Luteran. “Shaped by her collegiate soccer background, Scout has discipline, a team-first mindset and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed, and we’re proud to partner with Dan to support her career.”