Heartwreckers, a new country duo consisting of Texas natives Brock Butler and Ryan Garrett, have signed a publishing deal with BMG.

Earlier this summer, the duo released their debut EP, Shut Up And Drink, following their performances opening the 28th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI, supporting Denmark’s “Nashville Nights Spring Tour ‘24” and the UK’s Buckles & Boots Music Fest. Butler and Garrett then hit the road supporting Tim McGraw on his “Standing Room Only Tour” and performed stadium shows in Chicago, Kansas City and more.

“I’m looking forward to the world discovering Heartwreckers’ music,” says EM.Co’s Scott Siman, McGraw’s manager and the publishing partner for Heartwreckers. “Brock and Ryan are each powerhouses on their own, and together their writing and performing just goes to another level.”

McGraw, also a publishing partner for the duo, agrees. “The guys were awesome on the tour this year and I’m thrilled we could partner up with BMG Publishing,” he says.

“Ryan and Brock are strong vocalists and performers in a live setting but what sets these two apart as Heartwreckers is their depth of talent as songwriters,” adds Chris Oglesby, VP, Publishing, BMG Nashville. “They have tapped into what connects with listeners; there’s a rawness and vulnerability that balances the ‘in your face’ truth-telling songs they’re becoming known for. They understand their craft and are dedicated to growing as artists and writers. We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Scott, Tim and team EM.Co on what I believe will be an enduring career.”

Shut Up And Drink, produced by Andrew Baylis, features five tracks that earned Heartwreckers spots on Spotify’s New Music Friday Country, Country and Next From Nashville playlists. The duo rounded off the summer with features on The Paul Finebaum Show, in Hook & Barrel Magazine, Toledo Blade and Today’s Country Magazine.

“The Shut Up And Drink EP is a collection of stories written about our personal experiences,” explains the duo. “The songs are true stories about making the best out of any situation, all while dealing with the struggles of heartbreak, mental health and addiction.”

Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group are scheduled to open his highly-anticipated Category 10 venue this November.

The bar, restaurant and live music entertainment venue is beginning the search for staff in management positions and as well as for front of house, back of house, retail and security roles. They will host a three-day hiring event from Monday, Sept. 30 to Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. The event will be held at One Fourteen, adjacent to Category 10, located at 114 2nd Avenue North in Nashville. Click here for more information about the hiring event.

Located at 120 Second Avenue North, Category 10 is slated to be the largest and most versatile entertainment complex in Nashville’s downtown entertainment district. The three-story venue features five entertainment experiences, including areas called The Honky-Tonk, Hurricane Hall, The Still, 5 Leaf Clover Sports Bar and The Eye.

Newly-signed Warner Records artist Maddox Batson has released his latest single, “X’s.”

“‘X’s’ was inspired by a concert I went to with a couple of my friends. When I walked in, the security immediately wrote with a Sharpie a big ole’ X on my right hand because I was under 18. The next day when I was in the studio, one of my co-writers noticed some of the Sharpie was still on my right hand—and we came up with the song name. We all loved it and the rest is history,” says Batson.

Born just north of Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the 14-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist infuses elements of classic country, southern rock and pop together to create his own sound. He gained traction earlier this year with “Tears In The River,” which amassed 21 million global streams, and “I Wanna Know.” Batson recently landed a massive cut as a songwriter, co-writing Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s single “Tough.” He also became became the youngest artist to ever play Nashville’s iconic Whiskey Jam, reaching a capacity crowd during CMA Fest.

Later this month, Batson will host his “Maddox Batson & Friends” headlining show at the White House Pumpkin Patch in White House, Tennessee in addition to joining Gabby Barrett on tour for select dates.

Muscadine Bloodline has landed the support slot on Post Malone‘s upcoming “F-1 Trillion Tour,” which kicks off this weekend in Salt Lake City.

The tour will run through the end of October with stops in Boston, Charlotte, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Austin and more, with a Nashville Nissan Stadium show set for Oct. 19.

The announcement comes on the heels of the duo’s latest album, The Coastal Plain, which released last month. Drawing deeply from their personal histories, they craft narratives reminiscent of the people and landscapes of their southern Alabama upbringing across the album’s 14 tracks, blending classic country, roots and gospel influences.

Since forming in 2015, the duo has also achieved success with their 2016 Platinum-certified single, “Porch Swing Angel,” which has garnered over 100 million streams on Spotify to date, made their Grand Ole Opry debut, performed sold-out shows across the country and joined Eric Church, Turnpike Troubadours and Cody Johnson on the road.

Kane Brown will be crowned this year’s Country Champion at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

The multi-Platinum artist recently notched his 11th  country radio No. 1 with “I Can Feel It” and released the follow-up to history-making number “Miles On It” with Marshmello, while visiting various stadiums on his “In The Air Tour.” Brown broke through with his self-titled, double-Platinum debut album in 2016 and became the first artist ever to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. He ruled the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for 13 weeks and scored two of the most-streamed country songs of all time with Diamond-certified “Heaven” and nine-time Platinum “What Ifs (feat. Lauren Alaina).” Additionally, Brown’s 2018 project, Experiment, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, making him the first country act in over 24 years to top the chart with a sophomore album.

He later released Mixtape Vol. 1, which earned him an ACM Award nomination for Album of the Year along with a Video of the Year win in 2021. Brown was named to the TIME100 list that same year. He was then honored with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Champion of Youth Award in 2022, before becoming the first Black artist in history to headline and sell out Boston’s famous Fenway Park in 2023. Brown was also lauded earlier this year with the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 Artist Humanitarian Award.

“Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music,” says Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.”

Brown joins previously-announced 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards honoree Miranda Lambert, who will be presented with the Country Icon Award, and follows Wyonna Judd as the second Country Champion Award recipient.

Hosted by Shania Twain, the ceremony will air live from the Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.