‘NASHVILLE Encore Tour’ Adds Second Nashville Show In June

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“NASHVILLE Encore Tour.” Photo: Jens Fricke

The “NASHVILLE Encore Tour” featuring Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio is headed back to the Ryman Auditorium this summer.

The Jan. 25 concert was postponed due to the Nashville ice storm and has now been rescheduled for June 26, with tickets currently on sale. Due to strong demand, the tour has now added a second night at the Ryman as well on June 27. Tickets for the June 27 performance will go on sale tomorrow (March 6).

The “NASHVILLE Encore Tour” will feature cast members Bowen, Esten, Jackson and Palladio performing fan favorite songs from the TV series along with their original music. The additional Nashville date comes on the heels of a global run for the tour in England, Wales, Scotland, Germany and Switzerland, performing for sellout crowds in numerous cities including Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, London and Bournemouth.

“The U.K. audiences remain steadfast in their joyful passion at every show, and we were blown away by the incredibly enthusiastic response to our first performances ever in Germany and Switzerland,” says Steve Buchanan, Executive Producer of NASHVILLE and “NASHVILLE Encore Tour” Producer for SteadiBeat Touring. “Every night seemed to top the last. To bring that energy home and play back-to-back nights at the Ryman in June is truly meaningful for all of us. Nashville has always been the heart of this story, and we cannot wait to share these evenings with our hometown crowd.”

Will Terry Signs With The Neal Agency

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Pictured (L-R): Ryan Beuschel (TNA, General Manager), Haley Teske (TNA, Agent), Drew Magid (TRACK mgmt), Brian Carothers (TNA, Agent), Will Terry, Tracker (TRACK mgmt), Kelly Carrazzone (TRACK mgmt) and Adi Sharma (TNA, Co-Head & Agent). Photo: Jess Hood

Singer-songwriter Will Terry has inked with The Neal Agency for booking.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to be working with The Neal Agency,” shares Terry. “Brian [Carothers] and Haley [Teske] felt like my people from the first time we met. I can’t wait to get to work with them by my side.”

“Will brings a big vibe to any room he’s in, and an even bigger vibe to the stage,” adds Carothers. “He’s sitting on a mountain of great songs yet to be heard. Haley, the entire TNA team and I are thrilled to be on board and are excited for what’s ahead.”

Throughout his career, Terry has opened for Tyler Farr, Jon Langston and Chayce Beckham at his hometown venue in Rome, Georgia, and recently performed at Whiskey Jam.

His newest single “Hell and This Point” was featured on Spotify’s Coming Up Country and Fresh Finds Country, where he was on the cover of Fresh Finds. Terry is currently working on new music with producer Will Bundy.

He is managed by TRACK mgmt, represented by TNA, and published by RX Songs / 7 Hills Music.

Earl Scruggs Music Festival Unveils 2026 Lineup

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Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns to Mill Spring, North Carolina on Sept. 4-6, for its fifth annual Labor Day Weekend celebration at Tryon International Equestrian Center.

The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass and The Del McCoury Band will lead the lineup along with Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, The Earls of Leicester, artist-in-residence Alison Brown, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Mountain Grass Unit, Lindsay Lou, and many more.

This year, the festival will debut the Louise Scruggs Stage, commemorating the groundbreaking achievements of Scruggs’ wife and manager.

See the full schedule here. Tickets for the festival are available now.

Kylie Morgan & Breland Slate Co‑Headline Tour For Spring

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Kylie Morgan and Breland are joining forces this spring for a run of co‑headlining shows across New York and the Carolinas.

The limited‑date tour will kick off April 17 in Jordan, New York and will showcase some collaborative moments and high‑energy performances. The tour will also include stops in Buffalo, Wilmington, Isle Of Palms and Raleigh.

Morgan continues her independent rise with over 500M global streams. She recently released the video for her deeply personal single “Like My Own. Since breaking through with his 2019 viral hit “My Truck,” Breland has amassed over 1.2 billion streams, and collaborated with Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, Nelly and more and, written for artists such as Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz, Jacquees, and more.

Kylie Morgan x Breland Tour Dates:
April 17 — Jordan, NY — KEGS Canal
April 18 — Buffalo, NY — Showplace Theater
May 14 — Isle of Palms, SC — The Windjammer
May 15 — Wilmington, NC — Bowstring
May 16 — Raleigh, NC — Bowstring

Aaron Watson To Release ‘Horse Named Texas,’ Due Friday

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Aaron Watson will release his new album, Horse Named Texas, on Friday (March 6).

The album features 26 tracks, each co-written by Watson alongside Jenna Paulette, Troy Cartwright, Joe Fox and more. The project was produced by Watson, Nate Coon and Philbilly. The album explores faith, family, grief and more.

“I’m really excited for everyone to hear Horse Named Texas. I’ve poured my heart into this album, and it truly means a lot to me. Hit that pre-save and pre-order and get the instant grat track, ‘Old Houses’,” shares Watson.

Watson is currently amidst his “Horse Named Texas Tour.” Tour dates are available here.

Horse Named Texas Track List:
1. “Hardly Friends Barely Lovers” (Aaron Watson)
2. “Pontiac (So Tell Me Momma)” (Aaron Watson)
3. “Same Here” (Aaron Watson, Lee Starr, Russell Sutton)
4. “Horse Named Texas” (Aaron Watson)
5. “Old Houses” (Aaron Watson, Lukas Klingensmith, Troy Cartwright)
6. “Marry Me” (Aaron Watson)
7. “Hit The Hay Runnin'” (Aaron Watson, Jenna Paulette)
8. “Gone Fishing” (Aaron Watson, Jenna Paulette)
9. “Fool Hearted Fool” (Aaron Watson, Joe Fox, Jake Watson)
10. “Getter Back Song” (Aaron Watson, Dan Alley, Grant Gilbert, Brandon Kinney)
11. “Drinking & Driving (You Crazy)” (Aaron Watson, Chris Ryan)
12. “Wild Ones Like Me” (Aaron Watson)
13. “She Won’t Be Leaving Alone” (Aaron Watson, Jarrod Morris)
14. “Haggard Blues” (Aaron Watson)
15. “Sober Truth” (Aaron Watson, Jake Watson)
16. “My Turn” (Aaron Watson, Trent Tomlinson)
17. “Your Kinda Guy” (Aaron Watson)
18. “These Are The Good Ol’ Days” (Aaron Watson, Lynn Hutton, Cam Newby)
19. “Rumors Running Around” (Aaron Watson, Phil O-Donnell, Ira Dean)
20. “County Road 123” (Aaron Watson, Jake Watson)
21. “Just Like You” (Aaron Watson)
22. “Love Is An Outlaw” (Aaron Watson)
23. “She Always Takes Me Back” (Aaron Watson)
24. “Everything To Lose” (Aaron Watson)
25. “That’s What She Said” (Aaron Watson, Jenna Paulette)
26. “Buy The World A Round” (Aaron Watson, Dan Alley)

Industry Ink: CMHOFM, Brantley Gilbert, We The Kingdom, SARMAR Mgmt

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Country Music Hall Of Fame Hosts Program With Photographer Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R): Ed Rode, Don Henry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer, Tony Arata, Matraca Berg and Jeff Hanna. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a program last weekend with photographer Ed Rode, who discussed his career and photography with museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer in the museum’s Ford Theater. Following their conversation, songwriters Tony Arata, Matraca Berg and Don Henry, all of whom Rode has photographed, performed.

Rode’s 2024 book, Songwriter Musician: Behind the Curtain with Nashville’s Iconic Storytellers and Players, features decades of stories captured on camera: playing snooker with John Prine, celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans with Brad Paisley, traversing Tennessee with Ketch Secor and documentarian Ken Burns, and more. The program was offered in support of the museum’s exhibit “Writers, Pickers, and Stars: The Photography of Ed Rode,” which runs through July, and features photos from Rode’s book.

 

Brantley Gilbert & Real American Beer To Launch RAB Zero

Brantley Gilbert has become an investor and equity partner of Real American Beer, and will launch Real American Beer ZERO, the company’s first non-alcoholic beer. Fourteen years sober, Gilbert approached the opportunity with intention and wanted something that reflected how he actually lives. The launch is anchored by a new national partnership with the USO, reinforcing RAB’s commitment to American pride and community. Through the program, RAB will donate $1 per case sold of RAB ZERO to the USO and ongoing donations tied directly to sales, supporting active-duty service members and their families.

 

We The Kingdom Celebrates RIAA Gold Certification For ‘God So Loved’

Pictured (L-R): David Gutekunst (Executive Vice President, Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group), Garrett Davis (Senior Vice President, A&R), Scott Cash, Ed Cash, Martin Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Kenny Rogers (Senior Vice President, CCMG Label Group), Brad O’Donnell (President, CCMG), Emily Dashiell (Senior Vice President, Marketing & Commercial Partnerships). Photo: Tyler Ervin

We The Kingdom was recently presented with an RIAA Gold plaque at the Capitol Christian Music Group offices recognizing the impact of the group’s breakout hit “God So Loved” from their album Holy Water. “God So Loved” has notched major milestones across radio, streaming, and fan engagement, including a No. 1 radio single on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart. The song has generated over 18 million views across socials, received a Dove Award nomination, and continues to draw more than three million streams per month to date. The plaque presentation capped an afternoon of celebrating the band’s new album, Dear Jesus at CCMG, marking a milestone moment for We The Kingdom as they enter a new season.

 

Sarah Marie Burke Launches SARMAR Management

Sarah Marie Burke

Sarah Marie Burke has launched SARMAR Management. With over two decades of experience in A&R Production, Burke founded SARMAR to deliver reliable, organized Production Management services that support artists and creative teams across both studio and live productions. Through SARMAR, Burke oversees recording projects from pre-production through final delivery, managing schedules, budgets, booking, union coordination, metadata collection, and label communication.

Additionally, she provides live show Production Management, drawing on years of experience producing and advancing shows at venues including the Ryman Auditorium, The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. With the launch of SARMAR, Burke has also partnered with VEVA Sound, a music tech company known for audio verification, archiving, and metadata integrity for sound recordings. Burke will utilize VEVA Collect, VEVA Sound’s secure, cloud-based collaboration and asset management platform built specifically for music production workflows.

Seatfun Ticketing Platform Launches New App

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Daniel Mastropietro and Josh Misko. Photo: Sophie Seay

Seatfun, the invite-only, live event service for venues, organizers, and festivals, has officially launched with a new app.

Headquartered in Nashville and Cincinnati, Seatfun was founded in 2025 by Daniel Mastropietro, who is the Chief Executive Officer, and Josh Misko, the Chief Operating Officer, The mobile-first, operator focused and revenue optimized ticketing platform helps give venues, promoters, and festivals the tools and resources to increase revenue, improve marketing, and elevate the customer experience.

Seatfun has officially launched their full app, which allows users to create and manage events, sell tickets with optimized checkout flows, accept Apple Tap to Pay directly on the phone, scan tickets instantly with no extra hardware, build loyalty programs, own their customer data, run SMS marketing, track pixels across TikTok, Snapchat, Meta, and Google, get instant daily payouts, and more. Seatfun also features a marketing suite as well as fraud prevention systems.

The platform was intentionally designed to be invite-only, to protect event quality, protect buyers, and protect venues. In the first six months of operation before officially announcing, Seatfun was adopted by over 100 event organizers of all sizes, and has now raised funding at a multi-million-dollar valuation to continue building the next generation of ticketing focused on transparency, growth, and giving control back to venues and organizers.

“In today’s live events landscape, venues are carrying more pressure than ever. Since COVID, artist fees haven’t gone down, but bar sales and ancillary revenues often have, and that gap falls almost entirely on venues and promoters,” share Mastropietro and Misko. “On top of that, streaming numbers don’t necessarily translate to ticket sales, creating additional risk, yet artist deposits and guarantees from major agencies have continued to climb. Events organizers and ticketing companies should thrive together, or dive together. Seatfun was created by events organizers for events organizers, and one principle will always remain our North Star: put humans first, nurture real connection, and deliver meaningful value. Period. The rest is just technology.”

Brent Cobb To Host Second Annual South Of Atlanta Festival

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Brent Cobb. Photo: Jace Kartye

Brent Cobb will bring the South of Atlanta Fest back to Macon, Georgia on May 1-2 at the Robins Financial Capitol Theater.

“Macon’s always had something special in the air,” Cobb shares. “There’s a rich musical history there, and there are some incredible artists making music in this town right now. I love getting to record here, see shows here, and now bring folks together to celebrate it. South of Atlanta Fest is about honoring that legacy while shining a light on what’s happening in Macon today.”

The event will feature performances from Cobb, American Aquarium, Tobacco Road and Kristina Murray among others across various stages and songwriter rounds.

Pre-sale for festival wristbands and individual show tickets will begin on Thursday (March 5) and general on-sale begins on Friday (March 6). Find more ticket information here.

The Richlynn Group Promotes Three

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Emma Eyre, Tyler Phillips and Carly Scognamiglio

The Richlynn Group has promoted Tyler Phillips, Emma Eyre and Carly Scognamiglio to Account Manager roles at the Nashville-based digital marketing and public relations firm.

Phillips, who joined the company in 2023, now leads Digital Distribution and Creative Strategy initiatives, overseeing multi-platform marketing campaigns and release rollouts. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with dual degrees in Public Relations and Communication Studies, Phillips brings expertise in digital distribution, advertising, campaign strategy, and festival and film promotion to her new role.

Eyre joined The Richlynn Group in March 2024 and advanced from part-time assistant to full-time coordinator before her promotion to Account Manager. A Murray State University graduate with a degree in Marketing, she supports clients through public relations, strategic marketing, tour press and digital content execution.

Scognamiglio, a Belmont University graduate in Creative and Entertainment Industries and Public Relations, joined the firm in June 2024 as a Digital Coordinator and now serves as Account Manager. She supports clients across public relations, social media strategy and digital marketing initiatives.

“Developing and implementing intelligent digital strategies for our artists and brands is at the forefront of our campaigns,” says Richlynn partner Kate Richardson. ”As we continue to grow in this dynamic space, we are proud to elevate three exceptionally talented women whose leadership and creativity are shaping our future.”

Rising Women ‘Rises’ To New Heights

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The 2026 Rising Women on the Row breakfast. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

The 13th annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast demonstrated the extraordinary power of the Nashville music community by hosting more attendees than ever before while retaining its down-home warmth.

This year, the event moved to the JW Marriott Hotel’s ballroom, where 750+ guests celebrated the accomplishments of six female business persons — Courtney Allen, Jackie Augustus, Sara Knabe, Victoria Mason, Sophia Sansone and Elisa Vazzana — plus keynote speaker Ebie McFarland. Presented by MusicRow magazine, the largest-ever such event illustrated that its burgeoning size has not overshadowed the “heart” in this annual gathering.

“One of the great things about this industry is that we show up for each other,” said host Sherod Robertson in his welcoming speech. “Thank you for showing up for these honorees,” added awards presenter LB Cantrell. During her remarks, keynote McFarland added that the keys to success are recognizing “the team and the community” in this uniquely collaborative industry. Each honoree had a video introduction narrated by Robertson. Acceptance speeches brimmed with gratitude and affection.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s LB Cantrell; Rising Women on the Row honorees Victoria Mason, Courtney Allen, Sophia Sansone, Elisa Vazzana, Sara Knabe and Jackie Augustus; MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Concord publishing executive Courtney Allen was overwhelmed with emotion as she received her honor. She wept openly as she recalled her battle with breast cancer and the emotional support she received on Music Row. “The Nashville music business isn’t just competitive,” she shared. “It’s compassionate….The people in this industry have always had my back….Trust God; trust your intuition; show up. That’s how we rise, together.”

Spotify’s Jackie Augustus told the capacity crowd, “You can be friends with the people you work with.” To the women in the room, she advised, “Never say never….As of this week, women have the No. 1 single and the No. 1 album.” She also stressed the importance of remembering music’s consumers: “The biggest artists in the world are who they are because of the fans….I was a fan, and, honestly, I still am.”

Next up was Big Loud Records executive Sara Knabe. “Through this journey, I have known so many different people,” she said. “Through all of it, I’ve learned that it’s okay for your goals to shift. It’s hard, but it’s possible.” Knabe spoke without a script, and shared her fertility issues and child adoption. Like all of the other honorees, she noted the industry figures who mentored her.

“The feeling I have in this moment is immense gratitude,” said Victoria Mason of Warner Records. “Work and fun can and should co-exist,” she advised. “We all deserve to be calm, heard, understood, and seen.” As rewarding as her career is, she said her daughters are her “proudest achievement.”

Rising Women featured speaker Ebie McFarland with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Sara Katherine Mills

Sophia Sansone of the management company Make Wake Artists has been attending MusicRow’s Rising Women events for the past eight years and said she always dreamed of being on its stage. “You girls are amazing,” she remarked. “There have been so many people who have been there for me and have been mentors….This industry has given me an incredible career.” She advised everyone, “Do not let others define you….Surround yourself with the right people. Love your family.”

“You can’t wait for the room to decide who you are: You make that decision,” echoed UTA’s Elisa Vazzana. “Know who you are. Mean what you say….Honesty is the ultimate form of respect. Trust gets built when yes means yes and no means no….Being real isn’t a risk.”

40+ top Music City firms sponsored tables, including Back Blocks, Big Loud, Concord, G Major, Live Nation Women, Make Wake, MCA, Spotify, UTA, Warner Records Nashville and more. The presenting sponsor remains City National Bank, which has supported this event since its first incarnation in a dining room at Maggiano’s Restaurant 13 years ago. AEG Presents served as the coffee sponsor for the breakfast.

McFarland suggested a simple approach to this ever more complex industry: “Talk to people….Get to know them.” Which is also the key to enjoying this annual community-building celebration.

Robertson summed up the event’s tone by saluting Rising Women on the Row, as “one of my favorite mornings of the entire year.”