BREAKING: Nominees Announced For 58th Annual CMA Awards

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The Country Music Association has revealed the nominees for the 58th annual CMA Awards. The final nominations list is determined by eligible voting CMA members comprised of professionals within the country music industry.

Morgan Wallen leads the pack this year with seven nominations. Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton follow with five each and Post Malone and Lainey Wilson each secure four. Vying for the night’s highest honor, CMA Entertainer of the Year, is Wallen, Stapleton, Wilson, Luke Combs and Jelly Roll.

First-time CMA Awards nominees include Andrew Baylis, Louis Bell, Brock Berryhill, Tom Bukovac, Will Bundy, Sean Cook, Benjy Davis, Shawn Everett, Riley Green, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Kat Higgins, Hoskins, Jeff Johnson, Noah Kahan, Ella Langley, Ryan Larkins, Raul Lopez, Josh Phillips, Post Malone, Nevin Sastry, Shaboozey, Ernest Keith Smith, Nate Smith, Konrad Snyder, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, Chris Villa, Chandler Paul Walters and Bailey Zimmerman.

Winners will be determined in a Final Round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot will be emailed to members on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:00 p.m. CT.

The 58th annual CMA Awards airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC and next day on Hulu. Tickets go on sale on this Friday (Sept. 13) starting at 10 a.m. CT.

2024 Final CMA Awards Nominees (by ballot category order):

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Chris Stapleton
– Morgan Wallen
– Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry
Mix Engineer: Raul Lopez
– “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
– “Watermelon Moonshine” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian
Mix Engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder
– Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
– Higher – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Leather – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
– Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll
Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens
Mix Engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley

SONG OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
– “Burn It Down”
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
– “Dirt Cheap”
Songwriter: Josh Phillips
– “I Had Some Help”
Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
– “The Painter”
Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
– “White Horse”
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
– Kelsea Ballerini
– Ashley McBryde
– Megan Moroney
– Kacey Musgraves
– Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton
– Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
– Lady A
– Little Big Town
– Old Dominion
– The Red Clay Strays
– Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:
– Brooks & Dunn
– Brothers Osborne
– Dan + Shay
– Maddie & Tae
– The War And Treaty

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
– “Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan)
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
– “I Remember Everything” – Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
Producer: Zach Bryan
– “Man Made A Bar” – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
Producer: Joey Moi
– “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green)
Producer: Will Bundy

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
– Tom Bukovac – Guitar
– Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
– Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
– Rob McNelley – Guitar
– Charlie Worsham – Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
– “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Director: Chris Villa
– “I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Jeff Johnson, Megan Moroney
– “The Painter” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
– “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” – Lainey Wilson
Director: Patrick Tracy

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
– Megan Moroney
– Shaboozey
– Nate Smith
– Mitchell Tenpenny
– Zach Top
– Bailey Zimmerman

2024 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists for Broadcast Personality of the Year (by market size):

WEEKLY NATIONAL:
– “American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Cumulus/Westwood One
– “Country Gold with Terri Clark” (Terri Clark) – Westwood One
– “Crook & Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – Jim Owens Entertainment
– “Highway Hot 30 with Buzz Brainard” (Buzz Brainard) – SiriusXM
– “Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence” (Tracy Lawrence and Patrick Thomas) – Silverfish Media

DAILY NATIONAL:
– “The Bobby Bones Show” (Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, “Lunchbox” Dan Chappell, Eddie Garcia, Morgan Huelsman, “SZN Raymundo” Ray Slater, “Mike D” Rodriguez, Abby Anderson, “Kick Off Kevin” O’Connell, and Stephen “Scuba Steve” Spradlin) – iHeartMedia
– “Michael J On Air” (Michael J. Stuehler) – iHeartMedia
– “Nights with Elaina” (Elaina Smith) – Westwood One / Cumulus Media
– “PickleJar Up All Night with Patrick Thomas” (Patrick Thomas) – PickleJar / Cumulus Media
– “Steve Harmon Show” (Steve Harmon) – Westwood One / Cumulus Media

MAJOR MARKET:
– “The Andie Summers Show” (Andie Summers, Jeff Kurkjian, Donnie Black, and Shannon Boyle) – WXTU, Philadelphia, Pa.
– “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Sam Sansevere) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
– “Frito & Katy” (Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey) – KCYY, San Antonio, Texas
– “The Morning Wolfpack with Matt McAllister” (Matt McAllister, Gabe Mercer, and “Captain Ron” Koons) – KKWF, Seattle, Wash.
– “The Most Fun Afternoons With Scotty Kay” (Scotty Kay) – WUSN, Chicago, Ill.

LARGE MARKET:
– “Dale Carter Morning Show” (Dale Carter) – KFKF, Kansas City, Mo.
– “Heather Froglear” (Heather Froglear) – KFRG, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
– “Jesse & Anna” (Jesse Tack and Anna Marie) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
– “Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
– “On-Air with Anthony” (Anthony Donatelli) – KFRG, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.

MEDIUM MARKET:
– “Brent Michaels” (Brent Michaels) – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
– “Joey & Nancy” (Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, and Karly Duggan) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
– “New Country Mornings with Nancy and Woody” (Nancy Wilson and Aaron “Woody” Woods) – WHKO, Dayton, Ohio
– “Scott and Sarah in the Morning” (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) – WQMX, Akron, Ohio
– “Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

SMALL MARKET:
– “Dan Austin Show” (Dan Austin) – WQHK, Fort Wayne, Ind.
– “Dave and Jenn” (Dave Roberts and Jenn Seay) – WTCR, Huntington-Ashland, W. Va.
– “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
– “Hilley & Hart” (Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart) – KATI, Columbia, Mo.
– “Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.

2024 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists for Radio Station of the Year (by market size):

MAJOR MARKET:
– KCYY – San Antonio, Texas
– KKBQ – Houston, Texas
– KYGO – Denver, Colo.
– WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
– WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

LARGE MARKET:
– WIRK – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
– WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
– WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
– WSIX – Nashville, Tenn.
– WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

MEDIUM MARKET:
– KXKT – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
– WBEE – Rochester, N.Y.
– WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
– WLFP – Memphis, Tenn.
– WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.

SMALL MARKET:
– WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
– WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
– WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
– WXFL – Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.
– WYCT – Pensacola, Fla.

CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a Final Round of judging this month.

Dierks Bentley Enthralls Fans With Hit After Hit At Bridgestone Arena Show

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Dierks Bentley. Photo: Zachary Belcher

Country star and top-notch entertainer Dierks Bentley brought the party to Bridgestone Arena last night (Sep. 7) with his “Gravel & Gold Tour.”

Bella White kicked the evening off with her timeless sound. The singer-songwriter showed off her vocals with songs from her Among Other Things album, including “Flowers On My Bedside,” “Break My Heart,” “Marilyn,” “The Way I Oughta Go” and more. She also covered Lucinda Williams’ “Concrete And Barbed Wire” to help warm the crowd up. 

After a quick set change, it was time for Chase Rice to hit the stage, and he came out in full force starting with his “Bad Day To Be A Cold Beer.” After captivating the audience with a few more tunes, he then played his first No. 1 as a songwriter, “Cruise” recorded by Florida Georgia Line. During his cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads,” he engaged with the excited audience by inviting a lucky fan to sing part of the song with him.

Dierks Bentley and Chase Rice. Photo: Zachary Belcher

Rice kept his high-energy set going with “Ready Set Roll,” “Lonely If You Are” and more. After expressing his gratitude for his fans, he had everybody singing along with his first No. 1 on country radio, “Eyes On You.” Before ending his set, he brought his partner in crime out on stage with him, his black lab Jack. The companions swooned the crowd with the touching “Bench Seat” before ending the set with “Drinkin’ Beer Talkin’ God Amen,” during which Rice supplied some audience members with beers from Jack’s backpack. 

With the arena buzzing with anticipation for the main event, the lights went to go down as Bentley and his band hit the stage with the tour’s namesake “Gold.” Everyone immediately rose to their feet and the energy was locked in for a great night. Bentley continued to get things rolling with “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do.” 

“This is a big night,” Bentley said to the hometown crowd. “We have some serious VIPs in the crowd. My lower C-Team Beer League hockey team is here tonight.” He then started to name some other VIPs in the crowd, including teachers from his childrens’ schools, and the workers at the auto shop where he gets his car serviced. After urging the arena to bring their A-game for the night, he continued his set with “I Hold On,” “Am I The Only One” and a cover of Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” which he performed while running around the stage doing party tricks with a cup.

Dierks Bentley. Photo: Zachary Belcher

After inviting two audience members up on stage for a beer shotgunning contest, Bentley had the Nashville crowd in the palm of his hand. “This place is so special to me, my band and my crew,” he shared. “My hope for you guys tonight is that you find a moment in the show where you feel like you’re living.” He then cleverly went into his hit “Living.” 

For “Burning Man,” Bentley turned the volume up to 11 and had everyone dancing along. Before heading into the next song, he surprised the crowd by bringing out the Red Clay Strays‘ frontman Brandon Coleman for a jam session of Waylon Jenning’s “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean.” After Coleman exited the stage with a roaring applause from the crowd, Bentley went into his top-25-and-climbing radio single “American Girl” from the Tom Petty tribute album Petty Country. He wrapped up his cover section of the show with a mashup of his “Free and Easy” and Alabama’s “Mountain Man.” 

As the crowd was feeding off of Bentley’s energy, he brought Rice back out onto the stage to sing “Gone,” during which the two pulled pranks on each other on stage. After wrapping up, Bentley gifted Rice with a D-45 Martin guitar.

Dierks Bentley and Brandon Coleman. Photo: Zachary Belcher

Next was time to slow thing down. Bentley showed off his vocal ability on a performance of “Say You Do,” surrounded by a sea of cell phone lights. The setting was the perfect set up for the next track, “Black,” where Bentley sang behind a special effect video wall that took fans into the journey of the song. After the crowd took it all in and gave a roaring applause, Bentley went into a mashup of “Up On The Ridge” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” where his and his band’s musical talents were highlighted. 

There were more special guests to be revealed. Bentley’s daughter Evalyn joined him on stage for a cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” where she showed that her father’s singing genes have certainly been passed down. While the crowd was applauding Evalyn, country riser Zach Top hit the stage for a three-song stint with Bentley and his band, including a cover of “Freeborn Man” and Bentley’s own “High Note” before ending with Top’s top-25-and-climbing “Sounds Like The Radio.” Bentley commended Top for his talent before he exited the stage. 

After taking the time to introduce his band with a special video they each made using the Nashville Predator’s gym and custom hockey jerseys, Bentley heralded them as “the best musicians in Nashville” before proving it with “5-1-5-0” and a mashup of “Somewhere On A Beach” and “Beers On Me,” where Bentley threw beers into the crowd. He then closed out the main set by taking the crowd on a trip with “What Was I Thinkin’”

Dierks Bentley and Zach Top. Photo: Zachary Belcher

The crowd knew better than to think Bentley was actually done, as everyone remained on their feet chanting for his return. The entertainer emerged, graving the stage in a full pilot costume for “Drunk On A Plane.” 

A video began to play on screen, and veteran Bentley fans knew what was happening next. It was time for him and his band to morph into their famous alter ego, the Hot Country Knights band. The group came out in ’90s country garb and amazed the crowd with a bevy of iconic covers, including “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.,” “I Like It, I Love It,” “Meet In The Middle,” “Friends In Low Places,” “Heads Carolina, Tails California” and more. They dazzled with group choreography, skits with each other and enthralling playing.

Bentley had one last surprise for the crowd before it was time to say goodnight, bringing out the Nashville Predators team to a rousing applause. Everyone left the arena in a feel-good mood after Bentley left everything he had on stage. 

“The Gravel & Gold Tour” will continue on Sept. 12 in Wilmington, North Carolina before heading to Charleston, Grand Rapids and more.

Music Champion Mark Moffatt Passes

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Mark Moffatt

Veteran producer, musician and writer Mark Moffatt passed away today (Sept. 6) in Nashville, Tennessee at age 74 after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year.

Moffatt was known to be one of the most experienced and respected producers to emerge from Australia. The Grammy nominee produced more tracks on the APRA Top 30 Songs Of All Time list than any other single producer and worked with 15 ARIA Hall of Fame inductees.

Moffatt chased his musical passions from his hometown of Maryborough to Brisbane, then hopped on a boat to the United Kingdom to work on London’s famed Denmark Street for several years. He returned to Brisbane in 1976, where his production of The Saints’ “I’m Stranded” took his flourishing career to new heights. Production stints with EMI and TCS Studios in Melbourne led Moffatt to Sydney in 1980, where he became Festival Records’ in-house producer, working with some of the biggest names in Australian music for more than a decade. He then relocated to Nashville in 1996 and quickly became part of its thriving music scene. Moffatt has helped numerous Aussie artists, including Keith Urban, Tim Finn and Yothu Yindi, as a mentor, producer, studio musician and all-around coach.

His overriding focus for the past two decades was to bridge the international divide on behalf of the Americana Music Association, serving as its Board President for three terms, and educating everyone in his musical orbit on the complexities and history of the genre. Moffatt was also a founding Americana Music Foundation Board member, served as APRA’s Nashville Ambassador for 10 years and was recognized with the CMA Global Achievement Award for his international efforts.

As much as he loved music, Moffatt’s first love was his family. He is survived by his wife Lindsey, step-daughter Dana and two granddaughters, his son Geordie and extended family in Australia.

A celebration of his life is being planned. Further details to follow.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Reveals 10th Anniversary Schedule

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The schedule has been revealed for this year’s Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. Set for Sept. 28–29 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee, the 2024 event will mark the festival’s 10th anniversary.

Headliners Dave Matthews Band and Noah Kahan will take on the Midnight Sun Stage, while Hozier and NeedToBreathe hit the Gold Record Road Stage for their headlining sets.

Highlighted by UPROXX’s Summer Festival Preview, the two-day event will kick off on Saturday (Sept. 28) with live music starting from Wyatt Ellis at 12:15 p.m. at the Americana Music Triangle (AMT), presented by Hardee’s. Sunday (Sept. 29) will then start with Down Home Church at AMT. See the full schedule for each day below.

Dwight Yoakam Teams With Post Malone On Track From Upcoming New LP

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Dwight Yoakam and Post Malone. Photo: Emily Joyce

Dwight Yoakam is releasing his first album of new music in nine years, Brighter Days, on Nov. 15 on Via Records/Thirty Tigers.

A first taste of the project, a collaboration with Post Malone called “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” is out today (Sept. 6). The two were spotted in L.A. glimmering in their rhinestones riding horses down Sunset Blvd several days ago for a new video for the track that will debut soon.

Written and recorded over the last three years, Brighter Days features 12 brand new songs written or co-written by Yoakam, as well as two covers, “Keeping On The Sunny Side” by the Carter Family and “Bound Away” by Cake, artfully woven into the same body of work. Yoakam self-produced Brighter Days, infusing a modern appreciation for country’s history with the trailblazing rebel rock spirit of California.

Yoakam will continue on his North American tour, kicking off his next set of shows on Sept. 13 in North Little Rock

Brighter Days Track List: 
1. “Wide Open Heart”
2. “I’ll Pay The Price”
3. “Bound Away”
4. “California Sky”
5. “Can’t Be Wrong”
6. “I Spell Love”
7. “A Dream That Never Ends”
8. “Brighter Days”
9. “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” (with Post Malone)
10. “If Only”
11. “Hand Me Down Heart”
12. “Time Between”
13. “Keep On The Sunny Side”
14. “Every Night”

Wynonna Judd Releases New Double Album ‘Back To Wy: Live’

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Wynonna Judd has released Back To Wy: Live, a double album that features tunes performed on her “Back To Wy Tour.” The project is available now on all streaming platforms as well as on double vinyl.

The tracks include “I Saw The Light,” “No One Else On Earth,” “Only Love” and “Tell Me Why.” The initial run of the “Back To Wy Tour” was well-received and expanded due to high demand from fans along with a newfound fan base. The second leg of the journey kicks off today (Sept. 6).

“What the fans and I shared on the first leg of the ‘Back To Wy Tour’ was so special you almost had to be there to believe it,” the artist says. “I am so thrilled to share this live album and use it as my time capsule to never forget those moments.”

Back To Wy: Live Track Listing:

Wynonna (Disc 1)

  1. What It Takes (Live)
  2. She Is His Only Need (Live)
  3. I Saw The Light (Live)
  4. My Strongest Weakness (Live)
  5. When I Reach The Place I’m Goin’ (Live)
  6. No One Else On Earth (Live)
  7. It’s Never Easy To Say Goodbye (Live)
  8. A Little Bit Of Love (Goes A Long, Long Way) (Live)
  9. All Of That Love From Here (Live)
  10. Live With Jesus (Live)

Tell Me Why (Disc 2)

  1. Tell Me Why (Live)
  2. Rock Bottom (Live)
  3. Only Love (Live)
  4. Let’s Make A Baby King (Live)
  5. Is It Over Yet (Live)
  6. Father Sun (Live)
  7. Girls With Guitars (Live)
  8. Just Like New (Live)
  9. I Just Drove By (Live)
  10. That Was Yesterday (Live)

LiveCo Creates Global Faith-Based Promotion Company TPR

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Bobby Talley, Senior Vice President, Operations; Jacob Reiser, President, Global Touring; Jared Gibo, CEO and Todd Stepp, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing. (L-R, bottom row): Kyle Burnside, Executive Vice President, Global Touring and Mike Deckard, Senior Vice President, Events.

Specialty live entertainment company LiveCo will increase its presence in the faith space both in the U.S. and internationally by merging recent acquisitions Transparent, Premier and Rush Concerts into the newly created TPR.

The rapidly-expanding Christian and gospel audience currently enjoys the fourth-fastest U.S. growth rate of any genre according to Luminate Data service. Artists associated with TPR include Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship and Phil Wickham, all of whom placed in the top five of airplay on Spotify in the first half of 2024 for the genre. TPR’s roster also includes Anne Wilson, Cece Winans, Chris Tomlin, Forrest Frank, Gaither Vocal Band, Jeremy Camp, MercyMe, Tauren Wells, We the Kingdom and many more.

“We are already the leaders in faith, and this move positions our company to better capitalize on this category’s accelerating live entertainment potential,” says LiveCo President and CEO Chuck Steedman. “The unveiling of TPR allows us to seamlessly streamline the experience for artists, agents, managers, and venues, delivering the artists that fans most want to see.”

Jared Gibo, who will serve as CEO of the new TPR endeavor, says, “Our joint volume from the combination of Transparent, Premier and Rush will not only keep us No. 1 in faith but also a top 10 overall worldwide promoter. Our ability to give our clients the best live event experience will be substantially boosted by our combined resources. The management team members of TPR are the demonstrated best in the industry in their respective areas and are focused on providing the highest level of service to our clients.”

TPR will promote over 1,000 events globally in 2025. Its executive management team includes President of Global Touring, Jacob Reiser; Executive Vice President, Global Touring, Kyle Burnside; Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Todd Stepp; Senior Vice President, Events, Mike Deckard and Senior Vice President, Operations, Bobby Talley.

With the creation of TPR, Transparent Productions founder and CEO Tim Taber has been promoted to the LiveCo management team as Chief Strategy Officer. Premier Productions CEO Michael Pugh was also promoted to LiveCo as Chief Operating Officer.

In his new role, Taber, a 35-year live entertainment veteran, will focus on revenue generation and growth-oriented initiatives. Pugh, a 20-year live entertainment veteran, will focus on LiveCo’s day-to-day operations while also interacting with the operating companies to drive cross-company advances in sponsorship, technology, marketing and artist/agent relationships.

Country Duo Heartwreckers Ink Publishing Deal With BMG

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Pictured (L-R): Jackie Martinez Marushka, James Stewart, Matt Cottingham, Scott Siman, Brock Butler and Ryan Garrett, Joe Carter, Keith Lazorchak, Mike Taliaferro, Chris Oglesby, Amy Scott and Camryn Clark. Photo: Paula Nelson

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.”

Lakeview & Gravel Road Partner With Riser House

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Pictured (L–R, back row): Brandon Perdue, Megan Schultz, Sofia Barbetta and Matt Woodson. (L–R, front row): Anthony Martini, Luke Healy, Jesse Denaro and  Jennifer Johnson. Photo: Shannon Bradley

Country-rock duo Lakeview has announced a strategic partnership with Riser House Entertainment alongside the duo’s record label Gravel Road. Under the deal, Gravel Road and Riser House will combine resources and focus on expanding the band’s music.

“Lakeview embodies the independent spirit, so it’s an honor to support Jesse and Luke as they smash traditional boundaries,” shares Anthony Martini, Founder, Gravel Road. “Gravel Road is a home where country artists can rewrite the rules, and I’m excited to add Riser House to the team as we blaze this new path.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Gravel Road and Lakeview,” adds Jennifer Johnson, President, Riser House Entertainment. “From the moment I heard Lakeview’s music and met Jesse and Luke, I knew we had to be involved. They deliver genuine country storytelling with a raw, gritty rock edge. There’s no doubt—they’re the arena rock of country music.”

Lakeview’s self-titled debut album is slated for release on next Friday (Sept. 13). The duo currently has two singles receiving radio airplay, “Money Where Your Mouth Is (featuring Gideon)” and “What I Know Now.” They will also be touring arenas this fall with Breaking Benjamin, Staind and Daughtry.

Luke Combs’ Category 10 Venue To Open In November

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Rendering of Luke Combs’ Category 10. Photo: Courtesy of Category 10/Opry Entertainment Group

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.