Monday Night Brewing Preservation Co. was buzzing with industry members on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 14) who were there to toast Ashley Cooke on her first No. 1 hit, “Your Place.”

Hosted by BMI, the packed room raised a beer glass to Cooke, her co-writers Jordan Minton and Mark Trussell and producer Jimmy Robbins for creating only the second country radio chart-topper performed by a female this year.

BMI’s Leslie Roberts emceed the event. She spoke about affiliates Minton and Cooke. “It’s been said that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” Roberts said. “Ashley has put so much work in and she’s ready to roll.”

ASCAP’s Duane Hobson was on hand to speak about Trussell and Robbins. He highlighted each of their talents and work ethic.

Roberts invited Back Blocks Music’s Rakiyah Marshall to speak. She is Cooke’s manager and publisher who has been working with the artist since 2020. Marshall thanked the entire village around Cooke, her co-writers and Robbins. She got emotional when speaking about the trust Cooke has placed in her as her flagship artist.

“I want to thank Ashley,” Marshall said. “You were the first. You’re the brain child behind Back Blocks. Everything that has happened to this point has happened because of you.”

Publishers of “Your Place” including Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill and Boom Music Group’s Shaina Botwin were on hand to give remarks, as was Big Loud head Seth England. All recognized the village around Cooke and her co-writers. Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart shared that a donation had been made to Soles4Souls in honor of “Your Place.”

When Robbins took the mic, he shared stories of working with Cooke and her team. “It’s been absolutely amazing working together,” he said. “Sometimes a producer’s job is to make a bad song sound good. For this one, I had to take a great song and stay out of its way. You wrote such a great song.”

“The longer I do this the more that I realized that we can do the best job we possibly can to make good stuff, but there are so many people that we rely on for our songs to be heard,” Trussell shared. “Thank you to everyone who works their butts off for me.”

Minton spoke about Cooke’s clear vision for her artistry, and what a pleasure it is to write with her. “You’re a dream artist for a songwriter,” he said. “You understand your artistry so well. I’m so lucky to be part of it.”

When it was time to hear from the woman of the hour, she individually thanked each member of her village.

“When I look back on my first No. 1, I’ll think about the times that we spent on radio tour when I was running on Dunkin’ Donuts and a dream,” she said. “I’m truly beyond honored to be here with you guys. Thank you to the community of Nashville and everyone who had a hand in this. It means the world.”

Niko Moon has released his latest EP, These Are The Days, today (Aug. 16).

The four-song project includes the track “It’s All Good (feat. Michael Franti)” as well as songs Moon co-penned with Dallas Wilson, Bryce Vine and Moon’s wife Anna. Produced by Joshua Murty and Danny Majic, These Are The Days is the second independent collection released this year via Happy Cowboy Records.

“These Are The Days is a celebration of life lived simply,” Moon says. “Whether you’re out on the lake, a fire pit, or wherever you find peace of mind, I made this EP to be a soundtrack to good memories made, cause at the end of the day, that’s what life’s all about!”

Additionally, he is in the midst of touring and has announced more headlining dates for this fall, including a show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 20.

These Are The Days Track Listing:
1. “These Are The Days” (Niko Moon, Danny Majic, David J, Joshua Murty, Dallas Wilson)
2. “It’s All Good (feat. Michael Franti)” (Niko Moon, Steph Jones, Aaron Zuckerman, Bryce Vine)
3. “Sound Of My Hometown” (Niko Moon, Anna Moon, Joshua Murty)
4. “Keep The Light On” (Niko Moon, Zach Abend, Ben Williams)

The Academy of Country Music has unveiled additional performers and presenters for the 17th Annual ACM Honors, taking place this Wednesday (Aug. 21) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Terri Clark, Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean, who will give a special performance for Music Has Value, Kameron Marlowe, Carly Pearce and Lee Ann Womack join previously-announced performers and presenters Eric Church, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ashley McBryde and Keith Urban, who will take the stage to celebrate this year’s honorees Walt Aldridge, Tony Brown, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Shannon Sanders, Lainey Wilson and Trisha Yearwood as well as the recipients of the ACM Industry and Studio Recording Awards.

A limited number of tickets are currently available along with VIP packages that include a ticket in the VIP Artist section of the Ryman (first seven rows), a ticket to the VIP pre-party reception with complimentary beverages and light hors d’oeuvres, a commemorative Hatch Show Print poster, parking and drink tickets. For more information, click here.

Additionally, the event is set to air on Dr. Phil’s Merit Street for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. CT, as part of a larger partnership between Merit Street Media and the ACM.

The full schedule and lineup has been announced for AmericanaFest 2024, taking place Sept. 17–21 in Nashville.

The five-day function will showcase over 200 acts across 55 venues, with nearly 300 events. Among those set to perform are Caitlyn Smith, Kashus Culpepper, Laci Kaye Booth, Mae Estes, Natalie Hemby, Reid Haughton, T. Bone Burnett, Tyler Halverson and more.

Tuesday (Sept. 17) will consist of a business conference of more than 60 conference panels that will focus on artist interviews, diversity within the genre, and continuing legal education as well as take an inside look at the music industry. Another highlight includes “The Lone Bellow with the Nashville Symphony” at at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which will be ticketed separately.

On Wednesday (Sept. 18), music supervisor Andrea von Foerster will lead discussions about the role and visibility of Americana music in shows like Yellowstone during “Songs of Yellowstone.” Salt Lick Incubator’s Burger & Beer Hang will also take place that day along with Southern Rounds at AmericanaFest, where singer-songwriters Ruthie Collins, Wesley Dean and Sonia Leigh share their original music in the round, followed by a headlining set from Sean McConnell.

Thursday (Sept. 19) will feature “OUTlaw Queer Country,” which will mark the Lipstick Lounge’s first AmericanaFest show, as well as “A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month” at City Winery Nashville, ANTI- Records 25th Anniversary Showcase at The Basement East and “Relix at AmericanaFest” at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville.

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and My Morning Jacket will take the Ascend Amphitheater stage both Wednesday and Thursday before Vance Joy on Friday (Sept. 20).

Friday will also include the Musician’s Corner event at Centennial Park and “Hooks, Lines & Singers: 30A Songwriters Presents,” a showcase presented by the 30A Songwriters Festival’s production team at the Analog at Hutton Hotel.

Full AmericanaFest 2024 schedule and lineup details are available on the Americana Music Association’s website and the mobile app.