Academy Of Country Music Opens 2025 Membership For Applicants & Renewals

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The Academy of Country Music has opened the membership window for new applicants and renewals as the organization looks forward to the 60th anniversary of the ACM Awards.

The application period is open today (Oct. 1) through Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 a.m. Applicants must submit a form online during this time in order to gain or retain voting privileges for the 60th ACM Awards in 2025. Along with voting eligibility, membership benefits include early ticket access to ACM events, discounts on partner events, data insights, educational and networking events and more.

“The upcoming year for the Academy of Country Music is sure to be one of the most exciting and important in the Academy’s history with the landmark 60th ACM Awards and celebrations surrounding and celebrating the 60th all year long. This will also mark sixty years of our members influencing, impacting, and steering the future of Country Music,” says Annie Ortmeier, Chair of the ACM Membership Committee. “On behalf of the ACM Membership Committee, I can’t wait to see what the next year brings, and I hope this membership class will be the most engaged, excited, and diverse membership class yet.”

Members will also gain access to an impressive programming and development lineup which includes exclusive events, panels and initiatives along with the quarterly magazine Tempo. The Academy invites applicants to join the organization in its commitment towards creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in the country music industry. ACM will kick off an awareness campaign sporting the tagline “The Academy is Me” in the weeks ahead.

You can apply for a membership with the Academy of Country Music online, at the ACM Membership platform: https://www.acmcountry.com/become-a-member.

Luke Combs Spends Over A Year Atop Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

Luke Combs has officially spent over a year (53 cumulative weeks) atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, as his current single, “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” reaches No. 1 for a second week.

With the milestone achievement, Combs joins an esteemed group of artists who have also reached this landmark, including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith. Since “Hurricane” marked his first No. 1 in 2016, the superstar has continued to achieve historic success at country radio, with 18 No. 1s on the Billboard chart, and 19 consecutive No. 1s on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.

“[I’m] speechless honestly,” says Combs of the achievement. “I was unaware of this until my team told me and I’m really blown away. The support from country radio for my music and fans has always been more than I ever could have imagined. I’ve always known they were huge supporters of my music, but this proves it in more ways than one. I never thought I would get one week at No. 1 but when I did, I felt like I had won the lottery. So for my songs to have spent a full year at No. 1 with guys I grew up listening to and admiring is more than I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you, country radio, for letting this young man from North Carolina, who most had never heard of when y’all started playing my music, live out his dreams and do what he loves.”

Additionally, the hitmaker took home three trophies for Male Artist of 2024, Male Song of 2024 (“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma”) and Album of 2024 (Fathers & Sons) at the People’s Country Choice Awards last Thursday (Sept. 26), and is currently up for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Fathers & Sons) at this year’s CMA Awards. Additionally, he is set to headline Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre this week ahead of his Category 10 venue opening next month.

Big Loud Rock Adds Zach Siegal-Eisman As VP Of Digital & Viral Marketing

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Zach Siegal-Eisman. Photo: Annie Noelker

Big Loud Rock has added Zach Siegal-Eisman as VP of Digital & Viral Marketing.

Reporting directly to President Greg Thompson and SVP Lloyd Norman, Siegal-Eisman will oversee the imprint’s digital marketing strategy and execution as well as artist growth and the digital presence of both upcoming and catalog record releases. His digital marketing experience, rooted in social media and digital activations, dates back to his high school years. Siegal-Eisman has elevated the social media presence of various brands and entertainers, including Syracuse University women’s basketball and tennis teams, while developing a music discovery site focused on emerging artists.

In 2017, he joined Artist Network Management as a Junior Manager for Dirty Heads, Sublime with Rome and Rome Ramirez. Spearheading the company’s recording and marketing budgets for their joint label venture with The Orchard, Five Music Inc., eventually led him to the role of Account Manager at social media agency Crowd Surf in 2019, where he rose to Senior Account Manager and later VP of Marketing. There, Siegal-Eisman worked on projects for Nickelback, John Fogerty, Jeff Dunham, Warner Chappell Music, Universal Music Group, Classic Motown, The Temptations, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller Band, Neil Diamond, Iron Maiden and more.

Earlier this year, Siegal-Eisman launched Amplify Legacy, a marketing consultancy centered around audience growth and digital partnerships, where he worked with clients like Immediate Family, Songfluencer and Exploration, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Zach to the Big Loud Rock family. His passion for music, dedication to building community and vision for expanding our artists’ reach bring the right energy at the perfect time,” says Thompson. “We’re excited to see the impact he’ll make!”

“I am thrilled to join the Big Loud Rock team, where the passion, dedication and collaboration of Greg Thompson, Lloyd Norman and the entire team have been pivotal in the growth of the label and its impressive, diverse roster of artists,” shares Siegal-Eisman. “I look forward to focusing on innovative digital marketing strategies that will help our artists forge authentic connections with their fans.”

Ella Langley Is ‘Still Hungover’ On Deluxe Edition Of Debut Album

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Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley will release Still Hungover, the deluxe version of her debut album, on Nov. 1 via SAWGOD/Columbia Records. The first of its four new tracks, “Weren’t For The Wind,” will be available this Friday (Oct. 4).

With the additional tunes sequenced at the end, the expanded version seeks to continue the story of the initial Hungover collection, which includes hit “You Look Like You Love Me (feat. Riley Green).” The single has garnered more than 170 million global streams to date, has soared to No. 13 at country radio and recently earned a CMA Award nomination for Musical Event of the Year as well as a nod for Collaboration Song of 2024 at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

To celebrate the deluxe unveiling, Langley has two sold-out shows slated for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Nashville’s Exit/In as a part of “The Hungover Tour,” her sold-out, first-ever North American headlining run, presented by Happenstance Whiskey. She also plans to support Green’s “Damn Country Music Tour” next year.

Still Hungover Track Listing:
1. “Hungover” (Ella Langley, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins)
2. “I Blame The Bar” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Chris LaCorte, Meg McRee)
3. “You Look Like You Love Me (feat. Riley Green)” (Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere, Riley Green)
4. “Nicotine” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Zachary Kale, Jon Nite)
5. “Love You Tonight” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
6. “Better Be Tough” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Brett James, Erik Dylan)
7. “Paint The Town Blue” (Ella Langley, Will Bundy, Rhett Akins, Travis Wood)
8. “Cowboy Friends” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Lydia Vaughan, Austin Goodloe)
9. “Girl Who Drank Wine” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Johnny Clawson)
10. “Monsters” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Tristyn Hunter Wolkonowski)
11. “People Change” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Laura Veltz, Austin Goodloe)
12. “Closest To Heaven” (Ella Langley, Smith Ahnquist, Johnny Clawson)
13. “Cowgirl Don’t Cry (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Jordan Fletcher)
14. “Broken In (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Ian Christian, Jordan Fletcher)
15. “Girl You’re Taking Home” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Jon Nite, Zachary Kale)
16. “Weren’t For The Wind” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Johnny Clawson)
17. “20-20” (Ella Langley, Zach Kale, Jordan Schmidt, Johnny Clawson)
18. “Made It Out Of Mexico (Acoustic)” (Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Natalie Hemby)
19. “Monologue” (Ella Langley, Heather Langley)

BMI & SCL Host Nashville Music Creators Conference

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Pictured (L to R ): Carlos Rafael Rivera, SCL’s Ashley Irwin, BMI’s VP Film, TV & Visual Media Tracy McKnight, Rob Simonsen and Ryan Lott of Son Lux. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI.

Last Friday (Sept. 27), BMI hosted the Society of Composers and Lyricists’ second annual Nashville Music Creators Conference, dedicated to spotlighting music for visual media while teaching aspiring composers and songwriters. The “Composer Conversations” at the conference featured discussions with three renowned composers sharing insight into their craft, careers and the inspiration behind their most recent scores.

Held at the BMI office on Music Row, BMI’s VP of Creative, Film, TV & Visual Media Tracy McKnight hosted a discussion with Ryan Lott of Son Lux. They dove into the creative process of Lott’s work on acclaimed projects such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and his latest film score in The Greatest Hits.

McKnight also moderated a conversation with composer Rob Simonsen, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and It Ends With Us, both premiering earlier this year. The audience heard about Simonsen’s contributions to film music and his work on Postcard from Earth, which was the first film to debut in the Las Vegas Sphere.

SCL’s President Ashley Irwin held a discussion with Carlos Rafael Rivera, a three-time Emmy Award-winning composer behind Lessons in Chemistry and Netflix’s Griselda. The conversation discussed Rivera’s career and music, featuring video clips and sound bites from his various projects to show his creative process.

Industry Ink: Chris Stapleton, Triple Tigers, Locash, More

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Chris Stapleton Appears On TODAY, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

YouTube video

Chris Stapleton was featured on NBC’s Today show last week performing four songs as part of their Citi Concert Series. Stapleton also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he performed “What Am I Gonna Do” and spoke with Colbert, and joined Howard Stern for an in-depth interview earlier in the week. Stapleton is nominated for five awards at this year’s 58th Annual CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

 

Triple Tigers Christens New Office With Jordan Fletcher Showcase

Pictured (L-R): Co-President Kevin Herring, Co-President Annie Ortmeier, Jordan Fletcher and Triple 8 Manager/Managing Partner of Triple Tigers, George Couri. Photo: Liz Scherff

Triple Tigers Records celebrated their brand-new office space in the growing art district of Wedgewood Houston in Nashville on Sept. 26 with friends and family. The team held a special showcase for rising country star Jordan Fletcher on the eve of the release of his latest EP, Classic, out now. Guests were treated to an intimate set from Fletcher who was joined in discussion by friend and producer, Austin Niveral, about the creative process for Classic.

 

Locash Jam Share Good Vibrations With The Beach Boys At Ryman Show

Pictured (L-R): Locash’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas celebrate another successful show on stage at Ryman Auditorium with The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, and manager, Skip Bishop, Studio2Bee Entertainment. Photo: Bigred

Locash was the special guest at The Beach Boys concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 23. The duo popped up to do a three-song encore featuring their fan-favorite collab with the group called “Beach Boys” along with the iconic band’s classics “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

 

Sixpence None The Richer Celebrates Gold & Platinum Certs

Pictured (L-R): Curb’s John Clore; Deep South Entertainment’s Dave Rose; Justin Cary; Leigh Nash; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; Matt Slocum; Dale Baker; “Kiss Me” Producer Steve Taylor; Curb’s Benson Curb; Curb’s Bryan Stewart; Deep South Entertainment’s Jeff Foxworth and Curb’s Jessie Lowe

Sixpence None The Richer recently celebrated the RIAA Gold certification of “There She Goes,” as well as the RIAA triple Platinum certification of “Kiss Me.” “It is an absolute honor and thrill to receive these beautiful plaques as markers of the great work done by so many folks! It makes me feel even more excited for what’s to come,” says Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash.

Across the globe, “Kiss Me,” has been certified double Platinum in the UK, Platinum in Australia, and Gold in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Japan and New Zealand. The song has also made regular appearances on Shazam’s Top 200 over the past year, indicating that a new generation of fans is discovering it for the first time. “Kiss Me” has earned countless TV and film placements, including Dawson’s Creek, She’s All That and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. To date, “Kiss Me” has accumulated more than 290 million streams, while Sixpence None The Richer has tallied 385 million-plus career streams and more than 46 million total unique listeners in the last two years alone.

 

Harmony For Hope Gala Raises Nearly $1.2 Million For ALS

Photo: Jolie Loren Photography

Hop On A Cure hosted its Harmony For Hope Gala in Atlanta on Sept. 14, breaking past records and raising nearly $1.2 million for ALS research. The evening included a silent auction, live auction, a sit-down meal curated by celebrated Atlanta-area chefs, speeches from members of the Hop On A Cure Team (including co-founder and Zac Brown Band founding member John Driskell Hopkins), and performances by Zac Brown, Rhett Akins, Shawn Mullins, Hopkins, Angie K, Clay Cook, Matt Mangano, Lilith, Faye Petree, Daniel de los Reyes, Coy Bowles and Chris Fryar.

Big Yellow Dog Music Promotes One & Adds Two To Team

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Pictured (L–R): Morgan Brady, Brannen Carter and Alana Morgan

Big Yellow Dog Music has promoted Morgan Brady to Senior Publishing & Label Analyst/Senior Coordinator for Label Services. Additionally, the company has added Brannen Carter and Alana Morgan to its team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brannen and Alana to the Big Yellow Dog Music family and to promote Morgan into a role that acknowledges her exceptional work,” shares Big Yellow Dog Co-Owner and CEO Carla Wallace. “Their diverse skills and shared passion for music will undoubtedly enhance our ability to support our artists and partners as we continue to grow and innovate in this ever-evolving industry.”

Brady joined Big Yellow Dog Music full-time in May of 2023. In her new role, she will be responsible for the analysis of all royalty information across the label and publishing divisions, while also overseeing label operations.

Carter, a Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) alumna, has joined the company as Assistant Catalog Administrator/Assistant Coordinator for Label Services. In this position, she will assist in managing and organizing the company’s extensive catalog of music, while also collaborating with artists and industry partners to support supporting the day-to-day operations of the label.

As Assistant Coordinator for A&R, Belmont University graduate Morgan will contribute to the discovery and development of new talent for the company.

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 For Hurricane Helene Relief

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Matt Paskert

Morgan Wallen has donated $500,000 to the Red Cross for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in his home of east Tennessee through his Morgan Wallen Foundation.

“My family in East Tennessee are safe but I know many are absolutely devastated there and in multiple states,” the country superstar shared in an Instagram story post. “It is going to take a monumental effort and I am in contact with my team and others working on ways I can help.”

“We can’t thank Morgan Wallen enough for his heart and generous $500,000 donation to impact help on the ground now in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, including his beloved East Tennessee,” shared Red Cross’ National President for Humanitarian Services, Trevor Riggin.

According to CNN, Hurricane Helene was one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the mainland United States in the past 50 years. At least 130 people have died across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia—with more still missing.

Cody Johnson To Launch ‘Leather Deluxe Tour’ In January

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Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas

Cody Johnson will kick off his “Leather Deluxe Tour” on Jan. 17 in Newark, New Jersey.

Ashley McBryde, Drew Baldridge and Walker Montgomery will  join as special guests on the run, which will visit St. Louis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Cincinnati, Charlotte and more through May 3. Presale tickets will be available to the CojoNation fan club Oct. 8–9, with general sales starting on Friday, Oct. 11. For more information, click here.

Ahead of the journey, Johnson will release the Leather Deluxe Edition on Nov. 1. The project features 13 new tracks and  includes single “I’m Gonna Love You” with Carrie Underwood, which made its world premiere with iHeartRadio last week.

“Leather Deluxe Tour” Dates:
**with Ashley McBryde & Drew Baldridge
+ Festival Line Up
^with Ashley McBryde & Walker Montgomery
Jan. 17 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ **
Jan. 18 – John Paul Jones Arena – Charlottesville, VA **
Jan. 24 – Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO **
Jan. 25 – TaxSlayer Center – Moline, IL **
Jan. 31 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI **
Feb. 1 – Ford Center – Evansville, IN **
Feb. 15 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN **
Feb. 21 – KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY **
Feb. 22 – Heritage Bank Center – Cincinnati, OH **
March 14 – SSE Arena Belfast – C2C Festival – Belfast, Northern Ireland + (Oct. 4 on sale)
March 15 – The OVO Hydro- C2C Festival – Glasgow, Scotland + (Oct. 4 on sale)
March 16 – The O2 – C2C Festival – London, England + (Oct. 4 on sale)
March 23 – Willowbank Raceway – CMC Rocks – Ipswich, Queensland +
May 2 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC ^ (rescheduled date)
May 3 – Credit One Stadium – Charleston, SC ^ (rescheduled date)

Carly Pearce Partners With Conundrum Wines

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Dawn Heumann Photography

Carly Pearce has revealed her newest partnership with Conundrum Wines.

Photo: Dawn Heumann Photography

The country singer will have a special edition label on Conundrum Red and White Blends. Arriving this month, the partnership builds on their shared creative spirit and celebrates their passion for exploration and finding your own path.

“Everybody who knows me knows that wine is the way to my heart,” shares Pearce. “Conundrum has been my go-to for years and a staple on my tour bus, so partnering with them on my own limited-edition label is such a surreal, full circle experience. Can’t wait for my drinking-aged fans to get their hands on it!”

The label features the Conundrum logo decorated with wildflowers and a hummingbird, symbolizing renewal and healing that embody Pearce’s personal journey as captured in her Hummingbird album released earlier this year. Her message about moving forward whatever the road blocks and creating something authentic and meaningful, then sharing it with others, resonated strongly with Conundrum Wines winemaker Charlie Wagner. 

“Conundrum is all about the journey and staying true to yourself,” says Wagner. “This wine started with my Grandpa Charlie, who did his own thing and came up with something entirely new. Turns out that a lot of people loved it. Today at Conundrum, we still seek out fresh ideas, challenge ourselves to evolve, and look to inspire others. You know, grapes need to struggle on the vine to develop character—and so do all of us. Carly’s story of resilience, growth and creativity make this collaboration a perfect fit.”