Wynonna. Photo: Thomas Crabtree
After more than four decades of making music, Wynonna is telling her story in a way she never has before.
On The Hard Truth, out today via ANTI-Records, the legendary Country Music Hall of Famer turns some of the most personal experiences of her life into song, looking back at where she came from while confronting the complicated relationships, loss and change that have shaped her along the way. The 10-track project also finds Wynonna taking a different approach creatively, writing much of the record for the first time alongside her husband and producer, Cactus Moser.
Five years in the making, The Hard Truth became a deeply personal project for Wynonna, but it started much more simply, with a conversation between her and Moser about her biological father, whom she never met.
“When they found him, he was sitting on the couch with his groceries,” she tells MusicRow. “They, unfortunately, were a week late. They went through his house and found a drawer full of clippings. Obviously, he had cut out things that he had seen in the tabloids as well as regular articles. I said something to Cactus about it, and he said, ‘That’s a song.’”
From there, everyday conversations between Wynonna and Moser over morning coffee and date nights continued to provide inspiration for the project.
“We just took off from there,” she recalls. “We just kept writing. I was going through things with my daughter being in prison, adopting her daughter, taking care of her. All these conversations just hit at the same time, and I went, ‘Holy moly. What am I doing? Because it’s a lot.’”
Rather than shy away from the more difficult parts of her story, Wynonna found a place for them in the music, allowing the experiences she was living through to shape the record as it continued to unfold. “A lot of people go through this stuff,” she says. “And when you do, it’s hell on Earth. What do you do with that? You take it, and you turn your pain into purpose. And that’s what I did.”
As the songs began to take shape, so did the identity of the record. It was Moser who eventually put a name to what they were creating. “He said, ‘This is the hard truth.’ And I went, ‘You’re absolutely right. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And the best thing I’ve ever done. If I never make another record again, this is it.’”
That same conviction extended to how Wynonna wanted the record to sound. “I knew in my spirit I wanted something so unique that it set me apart from the norm,” she explains. “I’ve always strived to be unique and different, and I think I’ve done something worthwhile.”
Among the album’s 10 tracks, Wynonna is particularly excited for listeners to hear “Broken and Blessed,” a song she describes as an opportunity to share her testimony.
“It’s like me standing in front of the church saying ‘Hi, I’m Wynonna and I’m a recovering entertainer,’” she says. “I can talk about things like how much I love my mom, how much I’ve forgiven her and how I’m not a victim. I’m a victor. In the song, it says, ‘I’m somewhere between hell and hallelujah.’ And that’s where I’m at pretty much every day.”
Photo: Thomas Crabtree
That same perspective carries into “Love Ain’t Got the Best of Me,” which draws from her experiences navigating complicated relationships and her determination not to let them change the way she loves.
“‘Love Ain’t Got the Best of Me’ is me standing up saying, ‘I’m never gonna quit loving. I’m never gonna quit caring and making casseroles for people. I’m never gonna stop cooking for the people I love and singing to the people I love,’” she explains. “I wanted to stand there and say, ‘Look, I’ve been through hell, and yet, I’m not bitter about it.’”
Ultimately, Wynonna hopes the honesty woven throughout The Hard Truth can offer something to listeners facing difficult seasons of their own.
“Peace is the goal. It’s a simple plan, but not an easy one,” she says. “Choosing life. And it will get better if you continue to do the next right thing.”
More than anything, she hopes listeners can hear her story and recognize some of their own strength within it.
“I want people to take away from it: ‘if Wynonna can do it, so can I.’”
Wynonna will kick off her “The Hard Truth Tour” on Oct. 8 at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. The 15-date run will make stops in Texas, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Ohio and more.
BMI & Studio Bank Renew Partnership
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, Studio Bank’s Eunice Hernandez, Studio Bank’s Aaron Dorn, Tim Nichols (BMI), Drew Holcomb (BMI), Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, BMI’s Mason Hunter and Studio Bank’s Ron Cox. Photo: Madi McGee for BMI
BMI and Studio Bank have renewed their partnership that began in 2023.
The longtime collaboration between the organizations supports BMI’s 2026 Christian Awards, BMI’s Next Big Wave Mixer and its industry-exclusive No. 1 party celebrations. At each No. 1 party, Studio Bank celebrates with a charitable donation to an organization of the artists’ choosing. Highlights from this year include support for Face The Fight on behalf of Tucker Wetmore, Heart Like A Truck on behalf of Lainey Wilson, Judge Dinkins Educational Center on behalf of Jelly Roll, Mental Health Initiative on behalf of Parmalee, Opry Trust Fund on behalf of Scotty McCreery and Hootie & The Blowfish, Pawsitive Rescue Division on behalf of Ella Langley and The Buford Bonds Charitable Fund on behalf of Riley Green.
“As longtime partners, BMI and Studio Bank have always shared a meaningful commitment to supporting creators,” BMI VP of Creative, Partnerships and Events, Mason Hunter shares. “Together we are able to fuel and provide the foundation for these one of a kind experiences and we look forward to elevating this partnership with Ron Cox and his team.”
“Our partnership with BMI is about celebrating the creators who make Nashville’s music community so special,” says Ron Cox, Music, Arts & Entertainment Executive at Studio Bank. “We’re proud to continue supporting songwriters through events like this annual showcase and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead.”
“Music is part of Nashville’s identity, and songwriters are at the heart of it,” adds Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President and CEO of Studio Bank. “We’re honored to partner with BMI to support the creative community and help ensure these artists and industry professionals continue to thrive.”
The organizations celebrated the continued partnership on Tuesday (Sept. 29) with a songwriter round on BMI’s Nashville rooftop featuring Drew Holcomb, Tim Nichols and Emily Weisband.
Wynonna Talks New Album: ‘This Is The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done And The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done’ [Interview]
/by Lauryn SinkWynonna. Photo: Thomas Crabtree
After more than four decades of making music, Wynonna is telling her story in a way she never has before.
On The Hard Truth, out today via ANTI-Records, the legendary Country Music Hall of Famer turns some of the most personal experiences of her life into song, looking back at where she came from while confronting the complicated relationships, loss and change that have shaped her along the way. The 10-track project also finds Wynonna taking a different approach creatively, writing much of the record for the first time alongside her husband and producer, Cactus Moser.
Five years in the making, The Hard Truth became a deeply personal project for Wynonna, but it started much more simply, with a conversation between her and Moser about her biological father, whom she never met.
“When they found him, he was sitting on the couch with his groceries,” she tells MusicRow. “They, unfortunately, were a week late. They went through his house and found a drawer full of clippings. Obviously, he had cut out things that he had seen in the tabloids as well as regular articles. I said something to Cactus about it, and he said, ‘That’s a song.’”
“We just took off from there,” she recalls. “We just kept writing. I was going through things with my daughter being in prison, adopting her daughter, taking care of her. All these conversations just hit at the same time, and I went, ‘Holy moly. What am I doing? Because it’s a lot.’”
Rather than shy away from the more difficult parts of her story, Wynonna found a place for them in the music, allowing the experiences she was living through to shape the record as it continued to unfold. “A lot of people go through this stuff,” she says. “And when you do, it’s hell on Earth. What do you do with that? You take it, and you turn your pain into purpose. And that’s what I did.”
As the songs began to take shape, so did the identity of the record. It was Moser who eventually put a name to what they were creating. “He said, ‘This is the hard truth.’ And I went, ‘You’re absolutely right. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And the best thing I’ve ever done. If I never make another record again, this is it.’”
That same conviction extended to how Wynonna wanted the record to sound. “I knew in my spirit I wanted something so unique that it set me apart from the norm,” she explains. “I’ve always strived to be unique and different, and I think I’ve done something worthwhile.”
Among the album’s 10 tracks, Wynonna is particularly excited for listeners to hear “Broken and Blessed,” a song she describes as an opportunity to share her testimony.
“It’s like me standing in front of the church saying ‘Hi, I’m Wynonna and I’m a recovering entertainer,’” she says. “I can talk about things like how much I love my mom, how much I’ve forgiven her and how I’m not a victim. I’m a victor. In the song, it says, ‘I’m somewhere between hell and hallelujah.’ And that’s where I’m at pretty much every day.”
Photo: Thomas Crabtree
That same perspective carries into “Love Ain’t Got the Best of Me,” which draws from her experiences navigating complicated relationships and her determination not to let them change the way she loves.
“‘Love Ain’t Got the Best of Me’ is me standing up saying, ‘I’m never gonna quit loving. I’m never gonna quit caring and making casseroles for people. I’m never gonna stop cooking for the people I love and singing to the people I love,’” she explains. “I wanted to stand there and say, ‘Look, I’ve been through hell, and yet, I’m not bitter about it.’”
Ultimately, Wynonna hopes the honesty woven throughout The Hard Truth can offer something to listeners facing difficult seasons of their own.
“Peace is the goal. It’s a simple plan, but not an easy one,” she says. “Choosing life. And it will get better if you continue to do the next right thing.”
More than anything, she hopes listeners can hear her story and recognize some of their own strength within it.
“I want people to take away from it: ‘if Wynonna can do it, so can I.’”
Wynonna will kick off her “The Hard Truth Tour” on Oct. 8 at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. The 15-date run will make stops in Texas, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Ohio and more.
Kameron Marlowe Readies Self-Titled Album
/by Lauryn SinkKameron Marlowe will release his self-titled third studio album on Jan. 22 via Sony Music Nashville.
The project, co-produced by Marlowe and Austin Goodloe, takes inspiration from the sounds of The War on Drugs, Kings of Leon, Gary Clark Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and John Mayer.
He announced the album during a surprise performance on the rooftop of Luke’s 32 Bridge with a 22-foot banner reading “If you don’t know my name, now you do. Kameron Marlowe. The Album. January 22.” During the show, he previewed Kameron Marlowe with “No Need For Leavin’,” “I Won’t” and his newly released “Take You Down With Me.”
Marlowe is also currently on the road with Ella Langley this fall for the second leg of “The Dandelion Tour.”
The Kannapolis, North Carolina-native has amassed multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and more than 1.9 billion global streams since his 2019 self-penned single “Giving You Up” was released.
Ella Langley Notches Second Week Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeElla Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard
Ella Langley remains in the No.1 position on the MusicRow Radio Chart this week with “Loving Life Again.”
The track, off of her recent album Dandelion, was written by Langley, Ernest Smith and Devin Dawson.
Langley leads all nominees for the 60th Annual CMA Awards with nine nods, including her first-ever nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
“Loving Life Again” currently sits at No. 6 on the Billboard Country Airplay as well as the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Riley Green, Red Clay Strays & Tim McGraw To Headline WE Fest 2027
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw, The Red Clay Strays and Riley Green have been announced as headliners for WE Fest 2027 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on Aug. 4–7.
The festival at Soo Pass Ranch brings together country legends, today’s stars, and rising artists for four days of live music and camping, and the 2027 lineup will also include performances from Sam Barber, Russell Dickerson, Dustin Lynch, Midland, Braxton Keith, Neal McCoy, Tracy Byrd, Tyce Delk, Sela Campbell, The Mighty Pines, Slamabama and more, with additional artists to be announced.
“Our theme this year is ‘Country Heaven in ’27,’ and that feels fitting when you look at the broad spectrum of talent in this lineup,” says WE Fest owner Matt Mithun. “From country classics to today’s modern country sound, with some Southern Rock and Americana/Bluegrass mixed in, this is going to be a fun year for fans of country and beyond.”
WE Fest is introducing a new 3-Day GA+ ticket, offering additional comfort, convenience, and entertainment. The new ticket option is designed for fans who want an upgraded festival experience while remaining part of the WE Fest General Admission atmosphere. Public on-sale begins today, (Oct. 2), and tickets, camping, and festival information are available at WEFest.com.
Red Clay Strays Extend ‘Grateful Tour’ Into 2027
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Red Clay Strays. Photo: Robby Klein
The Red Clay Strays have announced the 2027 leg of their “Grateful Tour,” which begins Jan. 22 in Raleigh.
The newly announced dates will run through late September, with shows in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Tucson, Denver and more, along with three hometown headline concerts set for Mobile’s Regions Arena on March 25-27. Support acts for the “Grateful Tour ’27” include Avery Anna (Jan. 22-Feb. 26, Mar. 18-19, April 29), The Bends (March 11-14), and St. Paul & The Broken Bones (March 25-27, July 23-Sept.19).
OG Strays Fan Club ticket pre-sales begin Oct. 5, with verified Strays pre-sales following on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. (local), Red Clay Strays App User General pre-sales starting on Oct. 6, and public on-sale getting underway Oct. 9 at redclaystrays.com/tour.
The Strays’ “The Grateful Tour ’26” continues tomorrow night (Oct. 3) at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena, followed by two-night stands at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena (Oct. 7-8) and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (Oct. 22-23), and many more.
“The Red Clay Strays – Grateful Tour” ’26-’27 Dates:
October 1 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena *
October 3 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena *
October 7 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena +
October 8 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena +
October 14 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center *
October 15 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena *
October 17 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium *
October 18 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena *
October 22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena ^
October 23 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena ^
October 28 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center ^^
October 31 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC +
November 5 – Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center ‡
November 6 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena ‡
November 8 – Jonesboro, AR – First National Bank Arena ‡
November 13 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena ||
December 5 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena ‡
January 22 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
January 23 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena **
January 28 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena **
January 29 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center **
January 31 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center **
February 4 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena **
February 5 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse **
February 11 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum **
February 25 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena **
February 26 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
February 28 – Tampa, FL – The Hondo Rodeo Fest Tampa †
March 11 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre #
March 12 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place #
March 14 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre #
March 18 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun **
March 19 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center **
March 25 – Mobile, AL – Regions Arena ††
March 26 – Mobile, AL – Regions Arena ††
March 27 – Mobile, AL – Regions Arena ††
April 29 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage **
July 23 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater ††
July 24 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion ††
July 29 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC ††
July 31 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ††
August 5 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center ††
August 12 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley ††
August 13 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center ††
August 15 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Arena ††
August 17 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre ††
August 21 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ††
August 22 – Boise, ID – Extra Mile Arena ††
August 28 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater
September 9 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP ††
September 11 – Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater ††
September 16 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center ††
September 18 – Corpus Christi, TX – Hilliard Center Arena ††
September 19 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ††
† Festival Appearance
* w/ Special Guests The Revivalists & Haley Reinhart
+ w/ Special Guests Shane Smith and The Saints & Brent Cobb
^ w/ Special Guests Sierra Ferrell & Brent Cobb
^^ w/ Special Guests Wyatt Flores & Brent Cobb
‡ w/ Special Guests Muscadine Bloodline & Brent Cobb
|| w/ Special Guests Travis Tritt & Brent Cobb
** w/ Special Guest Avery Anna
# w/ Special Guests The Bends
†† w/ Special Guests St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Josh Ross & Crew Celebrate Second Chart-Topper
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Back Row, L-R): The Core’s Mackenzie Schrambach, MCA’s Damon Moberly, Round Hill Music’s Mike Whelan, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, The Core’s Simon Tikhman, MCA’s Mike Harris, The Core’s Chief Zaruk and Tracy Martin, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen. (Front Row, L-R): Matt Geroux, Christian Yancey, Josh Ross, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Nick Sainato. Photo: Rachel Deeb for BMI
Josh Ross gathered friends, family and industry members Wednesday (Sept. 30) at Nashville’s One Garage to celebrate his second No. 1 single, “Hate How You Look.”
The track is the first No. 1 for its four writers, Nicholas Sainato, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Christian Yancey. The track was produced by Matt Geroux, and appears on Ross’ 2025 Later Tonight album.
Hosted by BMI and emceed by BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, MCA’s Damon Moberly and Jimmy Rector, Combustion Music’s Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom, Chris Farren and Keithan Melton, and Back Row Publishing’s Lindsay Will were on deck to offer their congratulations. Many shared stories of how hard each of the writers has worked to get to this point and thanked Ross for cutting an outside song.
Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Ross and the songwriters in support of The Paul Walker Foundation.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen gifts Christian Yancey, Chris McKenna, Jessica Farren and Nick Sainato each a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitar to commemorate their first No. One as BMI songwriters. Photo: Rachel Deeb for BMI
During the celebration, each of the writers also took the microphone to share their praises for each other and for Ross.
Yancey shared that the song almost never existed. The four writers were supposed to write with other people that day, but after a few cancellations, ended up in a room together for the first time.
Sainato and McKenna each thanked their families for their longtime support in what can often be a difficult job, and their teams for the work that is put in behind the scenes.
Farren shared that the moment felt full-circle, as she grew up attending these event with her dad. “I feel super lucky to be a part of Music City. I was raised by this town, and its amazing to be sitting up here in a room with people that I admire and look up to so much.”
Ross was last to take the microphone, thanking Geroux and the writers for creating the song and his team for taking it to the top. “I would not be here without anybody in this room. You’re all so special. This life is a gift and I’m so glad I get to live it.”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Three Share Disc Of The Day
/by Robert K OermannPictured (L-R, top row): Reba McEntire & Hudson Westbrook. (L-R, bottom row): Boyz II Men & Lady A
We have three winners in this stack of sounds in today’s DISClaimer.
The uncontested Female Disc of the Day performance is Reba McEntire’s. The Male Disc of the Day award belongs to Hudson Westbrook. The Group honor goes to the pop triumph by Lady A with Boys II Men.
For our DISCovery Award we look to Warner newcomers Highway Home.
Happy listening.
MAE ESTES / “You Can Feel Bad”
Writers: Matraca Berg/Tim Krekel; Producer: Paul Sikes; Label: Blue Highway Records
– For her debut on Blue Highway, Estes is issuing an EP titled The 90s Called, a collection of oldies from the 1990s that influenced her. The songs were originated by K.T. Oslin, Shenandoah, Brooks & Dunn, and Lee Ann Womack. The single is a pert, punchy revival of the 1996 Patty Loveless classic. I’m in.
BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Doors (Sellout Edit)”
Writers: Chris Pixton/Jesse Frasure/John Osborne/Lee Miller/TJ Osborne; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: MCA
– This pumping thumper uses the metaphor of doors to symbolize passages through the stages of a life. It’s catchy as the dickens and thoughtful, too. These CMA nominees are always luscious listening.
HIGHWAY HOME / “Never Had Nothing”
Writers: Conner Sweeny/Corey Crowder/Eamon Owen/Stanton Langley; Producer: Ryan Gore; Label: Warner Records
– String-tickling guitar work and flawless, sunny, bright, three-part vocal harmonies are the calling cards here. The song celebrates finding the Right One to love. The trio’s EP, No More Drinkin’ Songs, drops tomorrow (Oct. 2).
KENNY CHESNEY / “Remember Me That Way”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Shane McAnally/Zach Abend; Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney; Label: HEY NOW Records
– Rosey-hued nostalgia with a dreamy vibe. He wants to be remembered by her for beach-y romance, not the lovers’ hard times. The vocal is clear and honest. The track is very techno-electronic.
FRANKIE STATON / “Forever, Loretta”
Writer: Frankie Staton; Producer: none listed; Label: FS
– Staton was the driving force behind the Black Country Music Association 30 years ago and remains a vital contributor to this day. The pianist/songwriter quotes The Coal Miner’s Daughter’s hit song titles in her lilting, lovely tribute single. Sweetly enchanting.
LADY A & BOYS II MEN / “I Love the One”
Writers: Hillary Scott/Jonathan Smith/Mitch Wong/Steven Furtick; Producer: Jonathan Smith; Label: 5&2 Studios
– This is a soaring gospel ballad. As you might expect from the assembled talents, the six-part vocal harmony work is beyond spectacular. Christian-pop nirvana. The track is drawn from an album of songs inspired by the TV series The Chosen.
DOM FLEMONS / “Shultz’s Dream”
Writers: Dominique Flemons; Producers: Dom Flemons, John Troutman; Label: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
– Of all the alumni from The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons has stayed the truest to the group’s mission of revitalizing vintage country music. On his forthcoming LP Making American Music, he broadens his palate to include early jazz, Hawaiian instrumentation, blues, and other roots-music styles. The record was recorded using antique instruments in the Smithsonian’s collection. Its advance single is a bluegrass tribute to Bill Monroe’s mentor, Arnold Shultz. It is very pitch-y vocally, but the verve in the picking is infectious. Flemons’ two previous Folkways releases have both been Grammy nominated.
REBA McENTIRE / “Could Have Been Raining”
Writers: Benjamin West/Dave Barnes/Rachel Wammack; Producers: Buddy Cannon, Reba McEntire; Label: Rockin’ R Records
– She’s devastated by the breakup, but things could have been worse. The ballad performance is sensational, ranging from her hushed alto tone to falsetto leaps and full-throated cries to the heavens. Utterly compelling listening.
MUSCADINE BLOODLINE / “Escatawpa Hollow”
Writer: Gary Stanton; Producers: Gary Stanton, Ryan Youmans; Label: Trenches Records/Republic Records
– The durable, decade-long duo—Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton—is riding into this fall with a CMA Award nomination. Muscadine Bloodline’s new single is a slammin’ country rocker about a blue-collar worker up North who yearns for his old girlfriend down in Dixie.
WYNONNA + IRON & WINE / “Hear Me Now”
Writers: CACTUS MOSER/Sam Beam/Wynonna; Producer: CACTUS MOSER; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– Wy’s new album, The Hard Truth, drops tomorrow (Oct. 2) and is accompanied by this moody pop single. The lyric muses about her current state of existence and poetically ponders what her late mother would think of her daughter today.
FLATLAND CALVARY / “Cinnamon Sugar (It’s Love)”
Writers: Cleto Cordero/Jay Knowles; Producer: Dwight Baker; Label: Lost Highway Records
– These perennial Americana faves have a new track that’s an ode to blissful love, set to a rather plodding tempo. A lighter, more lilting, approach would have been better.
HUDSON WESTBROOK / “One Night Wonder”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Hudson Westbrook/Lukas Scott; Producer: Lukas Scott, Ryan Youmans; Label: River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
– In a plaintive tenor tone, Westbrook reflects on a hook-up that left him hopelessly love struck. Was it a one-time thing or will she wander on back to him? The tune is drawn from his forthcoming sophomore album, with which he’s graduating to being a tour headliner.
STELLA LEFTY & VINCENT MASON / “Something to Lose”
Writers: Grace Enger/Jon Decious/Luke Dick/STELLA LEFTY; Producer: Joe Reeves; Label: Atlantic Outpost
– Newcomer Stella Lefty has “Boston” as her solo breakthrough. She teams with Vincent Mason as her duet partner on this lovey-dovey outing. Breezy, relaxed, warm, and charming. Also: They are dating in real life, making them country’s cutest new couple.
Blake Pendergrass Celebrates Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Pendergrass performs “The Dealer” at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 29, 2026.
Photo Credit: Alanna McArdle
Blake Pendergrass, the newly-crowned NSAI Songwriter of the Year, made his debut in the Grand Ole Opry circle on Tuesday night (Sept. 29).
A songwriter with seven No. 1s under his belt, Pendergrass performed two of his hits, “Just In Case” (recorded by Morgan Wallen) and “The Dealer” (recorded by Wallen featuring ERNEST) during his debut. He also returned to the stage during Wyatt Flores’ set to perform “Scared of Heights,” the title track from Flores’ latest album, which Pendergrass co-wrote with Flores.
“To call this a dream come true doesn’t even do it justice because in my wildest dreams I never thought I would stand up on this stage and play for anyone,” Pendergrass shared with the audience. “It’s very rare to be at the Opry – especially just as a songwriter. I’m humbled.”
Prior to the memorable moment in the legendary circle, Pendergrass received No. 1 plaques for the Wallen-recorded tracks “20 Cigarettes,” “Don’t We,” “Just In Case” and “I Got Better,” along with Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis’ “Ain’t A Bad Life.”
Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall, Blake Pendergrass and Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers. Photo: Alanna McArdle
Wyatt Flores and Blake Pendergrass. Photo: Alanna McArdle
Back Block Music’s Elizabeth Cook, Blake Pendergrass, Rakiyah Marshall and Kirby Matthews. Photo: Alanna McArdle
Inside Sasha Alex Sloan’s Songwriting World [Interview]
/by Madison HahnenSasha Alex Sloan
Sasha Alex Sloan has never been particularly interested in staying in one lane. Her recent songwriting credits move between pop, country, K-pop, R&B, rock and more, with songs recorded by artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Robert Smith, KAROL G, Bruno Mars, aespa, Ty Dolla $ign, Zach John King, Brooks & Dunn and Tucker Wetmore. For Sloan, genre has never mattered as much as writing a great song.
“A great song is just a great song and it can be whatever genre it wants to be,” Sloan tells MusicRow.
That mindset has become a defining part of Sloan’s career, particularly as her work has increasingly connected Nashville songwriting with the broader pop landscape. A Massachusetts native, Sloan first began writing songs simply because she loved music. She took piano lessons but found herself more interested in writing her own songs using chord books from artists including Queen and The Beatles.
“I didn’t even know songwriting was a career,” she recalls. “I just loved music.”
That career came together in an unexpected way. After leaving Berklee College of Music after six months, Sloan moved to L.A. at 19, where a viral Reddit post eventually led to a publishing opportunity. She soon found herself working as a professional songwriter in L.A., beginning a career she had never originally planned on pursuing.
The early years were anything but easy. Sloan worked at a coffee shop, clocking in for 5 a.m. shifts before heading to songwriting sessions. She spent roughly four years doing that without seeing much tangible progress, but she now looks back on the experience as an education in collaboration.
“I was this 19-year-old who had written alone forever, and then I was thrown into rooms with people who were used to co-writing. The first couple of years there, I just spent learning how to be a good co-writer.”
Nashville eventually became the place where Sloan felt most connected to the kind of songwriting she wanted to do. She bought a house in the city in 2019 after making several trips to write, then moved to Music City permanently in 2020. The shift gave her a deeper connection to guitar-and-piano-driven writing and the storytelling that first drew her to music.
Her Nashville work includes five cuts on Zach John King’s I’m What You Get album, as well as collaborations with Wetmore, Max McNown, Willow Avalon, William Beckmann, Carter Faith, Kaitlin Butts, George Birge, Sam Hunt, Alana Springsteen and Kelsea Ballerini. Among those songs, Wetmore’s “Yours” and King’s “Way To Go” reflect the songwriting process Sloan values most: starting with an idea and building the story together.
“What I love about Nashville is it’s so much about the song and the production comes later. It’s about getting from point A to point B and telling an amazing story.”
At the same time, Sloan’s pop work has placed her in rooms with some of the biggest names in contemporary music. She co-wrote Olivia Rodrigo’s “what’s wrong with me,” featuring Robert Smith, a collaboration that became particularly meaningful after Sloan had stepped away from songwriting for a period and was struggling with her confidence.
After hearing that Smith would appear on the song, Sloan tried to put the information out of her mind until it was real. Watching Rodrigo and Smith perform the song together at a festival ultimately became a turning point.
A similar sense of disbelief followed when Sloan learned that a song she had written with Isabel LaRosa and Thomas LaRosa would be released by KAROL G and Bruno Mars. Hearing Mars’ voice on the song was especially significant for Sloan, who has long admired him as a songwriter and performer.
“Hearing his voice on something I was a part of was just full body chills.”
Those experiences have reinforced what Sloan already believes about songwriting. It’s less about fitting into a genre and more about making music that connects. Her experience as an artist has also shaped that philosophy. After initially releasing her own music as a way to help other artists understand her writing, Sloan eventually embarked on her own major-label career and toured, giving her firsthand insight into what artists need from the songs they record.
That perspective now informs how she approaches every room. Sometimes she brings a concept. Sometimes she starts with melodies. When writing directly with an artist, she sees her role as serving that artist and helping create the best song for them.
For Sloan, versatility comes from staying curious rather than trying to master every style. Her influences range from Carole King and Dan Wilson to Brandon Flowers, Shane McAnally and Rodney Clawson, reflecting the wide musical world she has continued to build around herself.
And as her list of credits continues to expand, Sloan remains focused on the same thing that drew her to songwriting in the first place.
“Part of being a songwriter is being a great listener and every day waking up and knowing you have more to learn,” she says. “The biggest piece of advice I would give is just having an open mind and not thinking you know everything because that can be a real killer.”